Question: There was a case of a person who had already cultivated the Three Provisions (三资粮) of Faith, Aspiration and Practice (信愿行) for rebirth in Pure Land (净土) in advance, who had dementia later...
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Immeasurable Light For The ‘Dominion Of Darkness’
[Below are perspectives on Buddhist exorcism.]There is no need to demand to knowthe names of troubling dark demons,no matter how many and malevolent they are. There is just need to knowhow to be...
So, How Are You Doing?
The near enemyof the Middle Pathof loving-kindnessis sentimentalityand the far enemyis anger.The near enemyof the Middle Pathof compassionis passionate griefand the far enemyis cruelty. The older you...
What Is ‘New’ This Year? 新年新什么？
新年新什么？ 所谓新者何， 亦如常人贴新春联、 着新衣等以为新乎？… 所谓新者， 乃是改过自新也。 — 弘一大师 What Is ‘New’ This Year? What is that so-called ‘new’? Is it also like ordinary persons, with pasting of new...
Top Ten First Lessons From The Buddha-To-Be 未来佛先给予吾人之十大教训
[1] Dignity: When just born, the Buddha-to-be uttered, ‘In the heavens above and in the heavens below, only I alone am honoured’ (天上天下，唯我独尊), reminding us that we also have the most...
Did The Buddha Die? 佛陀死了吗？
Question: When did the Buddha (佛陀) die? Answer: The Buddha did not die. He was already liberated from the cycle of birth and death (了脱生死) at the age of 35 under the Bodhi Tree (菩提树), when he...
Ten Lessons Inspired By ‘Dampyr’
[1] ‘Fake’ It: If ‘it’ is really noble and worthy, you might as well ‘fake it’ sincerely, till you really make it. [2] Worth It: Even if you cannot make it (yet)...
Three Terse ‘Tarot’ Thoughts
[1] Deathlessness: The challenge is always to find the path to the deathless before impending death creeps up. The so-called ‘final destination’ of death is however not so final after all...
Victim/iser?
Victims must not be victimisers,or they will be blameworthy too. Stonepeace
Is It Right To Not Bother About What Is Right Or Wrong? 不管对错对不对？
Question: I came across the below message (in Chinese, as translated in English). 谁对谁错，不要去过问。[1] On who is right and who is wrong, do not ask and get involved.谁好谁坏，千万别评论。[2] On who is...
Should Buddhists Encourage Marriage Or Matchmake?
Question: A friend advised that if I am not becoming a monastic, I should get married (不出家就成家/出嫁). Is this good advice? Answer: It is not good advice for the following reasons. [1] Wrong...
Is ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ True Or False?
It is difficult to know the complete truth,of the true motivation(s) behind the murders,but the below is surely true…‘If you’ve been abused,you cannot be accused?’No way! If the...
How To Contemplate Liberation Of Lives’ Cause And Effect? 如何观放生因果?
Question: Why is life liberation (放生) practised by Buddhists? Is it important? Answer: Just as ritual mass animal sacrifice is deemed as important in some other belief systems, life liberation is...
Three Learnings Of Learning, Contemplation And Cultivation 三学闻思修
Learn eagerly.Contemplate clearly.Cultivate diligently. Stonepeace
Moral Koans In ‘The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
When defending against the evil,how do we respond and act,without becoming evil too? Without guidance of the precepts,we might not be evil straightaway,but we can easily become so. Thus, it is always...
How To Place And Consecrate A Buddha Image
Question: Where should I place a Buddha image at home, and how can I consecrate (开光) it? Answer: On placement, the image should be put in a central and well-lit place (such as the living room)...
Is Sea Burial (Or Ash-Scattering In The Sea) Alright?
Question: Some claim that some deceased relatives, whose ashes have been scattered in the sea appeared in their dreams to complain that they are very cold. How should we see this...
What Is A High, Broad And Big Bed? 何为高广大床？
Question: In the Eight Precepts (八戒), is the Seventh Precept to abstain from using ‘high, broad and big (chairs and) beds’ (不坐高广大床) for a day and night. What defines that ‘high...
Inexhaustible Precepts 无尽戒
心无尽故，戒亦无尽。六道众生受得戒，但解语，得戒不失。 释迦牟尼佛《菩萨璎珞本业经》 As the mind is inexhaustible thus, the precepts are likewise inexhaustible. The six paths’ sentient beings who receive and attain the precepts, only...
Count Your Blessings To Treasure Them Well
What you do not treasureis what you will lose. Shilashanti If you always leavesome grains on your plate,count them each time over a week,to calculate the average left. So that after you scoop ricefor...
What If I Cannot Observe The Precepts Perfectly?
Question: If we cannot observe the Precepts perfectly, should we still commit to them? Answer: Yes, or there will be no way to really improve ourselves. We should do our best to observe all Precepts...
Are Prometheus And Sisyphus Not You And Me?
If you rebel for a worthless cause,if you have to be punished,you might suffer unwillingly. — Shilashanti Prometheus was punished,chained to a mountain,condemned to have his liver ripped out,which...
Five Contemplations At Mealtimes To Retain 食存五观
食存五观Five Contemplations At Mealtimes To Retain [1] 计功多少，量彼来处。[2] 忖己德行，全缺应供。[3] 防心离过，贪等为宗。[4] 正事良药，为疗形枯。[5] 为成道业，应受此食。 [1] Calculate how much work was done, for this amount of food to come from other...
How The One You Believe Might Not Exist?
Is ‘G_d’ willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent (i.e not omnibenevolent). — Epicurus (Part 1) One might first...
‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ Who Avenges On?
Bruce the boy, who was just bereaved of his parents in a robbery shootout, is in his bedroom, under the covers in the dark. He trembles in grief… but is suddenly resolved, as the grief transforms to...
How To Help A Constant Complainer?
Question: A friend almost ONLY complains in whatever s/he communicates, in her/his conversations and messages, on all kinds of things big and small. This happened to the extent that some other...
‘American Fiction’ Or Fact, Between Or Beyond?
Is stereotyping simply delusional,or somewhat sensible,since the stereotypicalis supposed to be somewhat typical? Do we stereotype ourselvesby not wanting to be stereotypical,while stereotypically...
Should Buddhist Vegans Treat Others With Non-Vegan Food And Drinks?
Question: As a Buddhist vegetarian, when dining with non-vegetarian friends, is it alright to pay for their non-vegetarian food? Answer: It is best not to, and pay for your vegetarian portion only...
Paradoxical, Ambiguous, Bargaining And Lamenting Prayers In ‘The Black Phone’
A young girl prays for help to find his brother’s missing friend, ‘_____, I know you know what I’m going to ask you, but I’m going to ask you anyway. My brother, he needs his...
Enough Time?
Everyone has an entire lifetimeto prepare for transcending birth and death,yet not everyone prepares in time.
The Four Great Vows 四弘誓愿
众生无边誓愿度。烦恼无尽誓愿断。法门无量誓愿学。佛道无上誓愿成。 Of sentient beings boundless, I vow to deliver them.Of afflictions inexhaustible, I vow to sever them.Of Dharma Doors immeasurable, I vow to learn them.Of the Buddha...
How Much Pure Gold Is There In Your Golden Rule?
All tremble at violence; life is dear to all. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill. The Buddha(Dhammapada: Verse 130:tr. Acharya Buddharakkhita)...
Are They All The Same Bodhisattva?
Question: Some say that [1] Green Tārā (绿度母), [2] Mother Mary (圣母玛利亚) and [3] Māzǔ (妈祖) are aspects of Contemplator Of The World’s Sounds Bodhisattva (观世音菩萨: Guānshìyīn Púsà). Is this so...
Ten Quotes And Lessons From ‘Eric’
[1] Truth: ‘Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it, all that is not gold.’ (Tolstoy). We all already have ‘pure gold’ within, not...
Is It Alright For Buddhists To Buy Cigarettes For Others?
Question: Is it morally alright for Buddhists to buy duty-free cigarettes for those who ask for the favour? Answer: It is not alright as you will be feeding a potentially deadly habit that can lead...
8 ‘Nocturne’ Lessons That Came To Light
[1] Wish: Be careful of what you wish for. If you want it too badly, you might behave too badly, by going too far to get it. Extreme attachment opens up a point of weakness, through which temptation...
Challenge
The challenge is to dowhat should be donewithin this short life.
How To Handle Insects At Home?
Question: How should we handle unwelcomed insects appropriately? Answer: We should always do our best to keep clean in the first place, so that there are less reasons for insects to enter...
Don’t Lose The ‘Most Dangerous Game’
Sellars the gamemaster uttered something unnerving on the last stages of a deadly game that spans 24 hours, during which the participant more or less constantly on the run is being hunted —...
Perfect Alignment
Keep further aligningto the perfecttill perfectly aligned.
Should We Use Spirit Guides To Contact The Deceased?
Question: Is it wise to connect to the deceased with the advice of ‘spirit guides’? Answer: Not at all.[1] This should be practised to have closure: (with some amendments to the Guidance...
Ten ‘Cool’ Lessons From ‘Firestarter’ (2022)
[1] Wish: If you are not careful with what you unmindfully wish for, especially vengeful and violent retaliation, you might just flare up, ‘explode’ and actualise it. [2] Determination:...
Worth Doing
What worth doingis worth doing well. What not worth doingis not worth doing at all.
Who Does S/he Really Love?
In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance is described as the mental discomfort people feel when their beliefs and actions are inconsistent and contradictory, ultimately encouraging some...
Should We Try To Recall Past Lives Now?
Question: Is it wise to delve into past lives with ‘hypnosis’ to resolve buried issues? Answer: It is not a good idea to do so. Even if this really works, there can be many ‘cans of...
‘Ashley Madison: S_x, Lies & Scandal’ Reviewed
Is a site that connects adulterers a marriage saver or wrecker? It depends on whether users realise their mistake of using it repent in time, before they get caught karmically. 37 million...
Lessons From Others
Hearing others’ experiences,even if unable to relive their lives,we are able to relearn their lessons.
Neither Dirty Things Nor Good Brothers
With strong attachment living,one is like a human hungry ghost now.With strong aversion living,one is like a human hell-being now.With strong delusion living,one is like a human animal now...
Are Non-Believers Surely Free From Ghostly Encounters?
Question: A friend says that because of her faith’s teachings, she did not believe in ghosts. This is while she believes in demons, whom she believes her faith in a diety can protect her from...
An A/Political Dialogue From ‘Page Eight’
Max: These days I also raise a little money, you know, for the party.Johnny: Don’t look at me. I’m apolitical.Max: You’re ‘a-everything’, aren’t you, Johnny...
Reflowering
After the flowering, the withering.After the withering, the rotting.After the rotting, the flowering.
Is Medium Advice Trustworthy?
Question: A medium seems able to speak about some personal past experiences accurately. Does this make the advice that follows trustworthy? Answer: This alone offers no guarantee as some so-called...
‘Shutter Island’ on Craziness
Does it help to insist you are not crazy when you are perceived to be so? If so-called ‘experts’ label you as crazy, your very protesting of not being crazy, even if reasonable, might...
Be Unharmed
Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed—and you haven’t been. Marcus Aurelius(Meditations)
How To Encourage Agnostics To Learn Buddhism?
为求学问，要学要问。有学无问，非全学问。 For seeking knowledge [i.e. learning and questioning], there must be learning and questioning. Having learning without questioning, this is not complete knowledge. — Shilashanti...
Are Ancestral Food Offerings Made To Gods Or Ghosts?
Question: When the non-religious pray to their long departed ancestors (祖先), when offering food, do they think of them more as gods (神), (hungry) ghosts ([饿]鬼) or some other kinds of beings...
’Shutter Island’ On The Violence Of Men And Nature
When asked by Naehring, ‘Do you believe in God, marshal?… I’m quite serious’, Daniels answered (“in part German”), ‘”I am sure you are.” You ever...
Is It Alright To Burn Paper Offerings For Deceased Buddhists?
Question: Is It okay to burn perhaps a little paper offerings for deceased Buddhists? Answer: Buddhists wakes are ideally for offering guidance (开示) and support-chanting (助念) to facilitate the...
Is It Just A Movie (Or Whatever)?
[1] Just A Movie? ‘It is just a (fictitious) movie’, some say.Yes perhaps, for a poorly made show.But a good film is never just for entertainment. For what makes a flick excellent,are the...
Worthiest
Word your greatest vowsand keep fulfilling themas nothing is worthier.
‘People Are People’, But ‘People Are Good’?
If one knows what is right,he will do it;nobody wants to be evil. — Socrates (paraphrased) In 1984, Depeche Mode released ‘People Are People‘ (via the album ‘Some Great...
The Hell Realm There Vs The Hell In This World Here
What Is The Realm of Hell? Hell is a horrible “dimension” of great pain and torment, where its beings are subjected to the most excruciating tortures inflicted by demons and beasts. The...
Should I Change My Buddhist Shrine Image?
Question: Having become a Pure Land practitioner (净土行者) who focuses on practising mindfulness of Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛), due to space constraint, should I change my Contemplator Of The World’s Sounds...
‘What Jennifer Did’ Was Lie Till She Could Not
In a key dialogue featured in the documentary, Detective Slade to Jennifer who admitted, ‘I’m just a little nervous’, says, ‘Don’t be nervous. Okay? I know that’s...
Never Be Bored
If you keep discoveringand creating the meaningful,you will never be bored.
Should You Hold A Living Funeral For Anyone? 您应该为任何人举办生前葬礼吗？
Leave the world a better placeand as a better person — for the best placeto be the best person. — Stonepeace Introduction In contrast to a usual funeral, which is held after one dies, a living...
Do We ‘Upload’ To Pure Land And ‘Download’ From There?
Question: Is Pure Land (净土) like a ‘cloud’, with rebirth in it likened to our consciousness being ‘uploaded’ there, for manifesting forms as wished? Answer: Āmítuófó’s...
‘Parasyte: The Grey’ Zone Between
Who is the real host, and who is the true parasite? And what about those in between, symbiotic with another? Are both parties equally host and parasite to each other then? Welcome to the grey zone...
The Essential Matter Of ‘Mind Over Matter’
All mental phenomena have mind as their forerunner; they have mind as their chief; they are mind-made. If one speaks or acts with an evil mind, dissatisfaction follows him just as the wheel follows...
Can Films And Trips Affect Dharma Practice?
Question: Will Buddhist practices, such as Pure Land (净土) practice be negatively affected by frequent film-watching and leisure travel? Answer: It depends on whether these films and trips create more...
‘The Girl In The Spider’s Web’ Who Offered Escape
If sister (1) offers to save sister (2), with there being some necessary but calculated risks, should sister (2) just have faith and run along, to escape together? If due to cowardice, sister (2)...
Is Hell Really Other People?
When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. They are like this because they cannot tell good...
Is Tantric S_x True Buddhist Practice?
Question: Is so-called tantic s_x a genuine Buddhist practice? Answer: Since actual s_x involves ejac_lation, there is no tantric s_x practice in Buddhism at all. In an extremely esoteric and...
Faultlessness
To be increasingly faultless,keep finding fault with yourself,even if none find fault with you.
Why Are There Few New Buddhist Ghost Stories? 为何新的佛教鬼故事不多？
一念[阿弥陀]佛，胸辄舒五色光十余丈，眩[鬼]心目，不能复近… 鬼不种善根，不闻佛名，故惊怖。 — 净土宗九祖蕅益大师《灵峰宗论》 Once reciting the Buddha’s name [Āmítuófó], from your chest, suddenly extends five-coloured (i.e. varicoloured) light, that...
How To Know If A Deed Is Against The Precepts?
Question: How should we interpret if a deed is against the precepts in spirit or not, if it is not spelled out in the letter? Answer: There should be detailed study of all related precepts for...
‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’, Or Did ‘He’?
Supposed ‘based on a true story’, these 10 questions might come to mind. [1] How is who portrayed to be a normal child so easily possessed? (Is there not supposed to be an all...
The Five Paradoxes Of Ghost-‘Hunting’
[1] Supernormal Disturbance And Helpfulness Paradox Explorers saythey do not want to disturb,but their exploring is disturbing. They saythey want to communicate and helpbut seldom really converse and...
Verse On Great Hero 大雄偈
征服自己，我空法空，成大英雄，三宝之佛。 Conquer yourself,awaken to the emptinessof self and phenomena,to become the greatest hero,a Buddha of the Triple Gem.
Should Bodhisattva Preceptors Buy Meat For Others? 菩萨戒子该为别人买肉吗？Should Preceptors Break Precepts For Others? 持戒者该为别人破戒吗？
Question: Is it so those who have committed to the Bodhisattva Precepts (菩萨戒) cannot buy meat for others? Answer: The essence of the relevant Third [Light] Precept Against Eating Meat (第三食肉[轻]戒) in...
Why Is Āmítuófó’s Sacred Name The Most Auspicious Buddhist Greeting? 为何阿弥陀佛的圣号是最吉祥的佛教问候语？
Question: Why is Āmítuófó’s name (阿弥陀佛: Amitā[bha] Buddha) such a common greeting, especially in Chinese Buddhist culture, as uttered with joined palms (合掌)? Answer: The answer...
‘You are Not Alone: Fighting the Wolf Pack’ On Yes Vs No
‘No’ means ‘No!’But what if too terrified,unable to say so? Silence does not always mean consent,especially when unwillingly silenced physically,horrified and petrified...
Think Better
Think aboutyour thinking wellto think better.
Form/Emptiness 色/空
色不异空；空不异色；色即是空；空即是色。观自在菩萨《般若波罗蜜多心经》 Form is not different from emptiness;emptiness is not different from form;form is the same as emptiness;emptiness is the same as form.The Bodhisattva Who...
Should We Stay In This Human Realm To Accomplish Buddhahood? 我们应当留在人间成佛吗？
From the very first sūtra taught by Śākyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛) in this world, the Flower Adornment Sūtra《华严经》, we learn that even the greatest Bodhisattvas like Universal Virtue Bodhisattva (普贤菩萨)...
How To Quit Bad Habits (Like Smoking)?
Question: How can I quit a bad habit, such as smoking? Answer: If not already aware, do search and read up on the harms. It is good to do so even if already kind of aware, as you might not...
‘The Bequeathed’ As Empty Refuge
Not all forms of inheritance are as welcomed as they seem. The larger the inherited, the greater the problems inherited could be. Thus, not every inheritance is a windfall; perhaps leading to a...
Strive On
So long as yet to be Buddhas,so long should welearn and practise the Dharma.
How Buddhist Teachers And Students Can Harm Or Help One Another
Since yet to be ‘enlightened’ in everything,we should ‘enlighten’ one anotheron things we know better. — Shilashanti On Poor Teachers Towards Students: When ‘Dharma...
Should We Dedicate Merits To Karmic Creditors When Sick?
Question: When sick (but not dying), should we only dedicate (回向) our Dharma practices, such as mindfulness of Buddha (念佛) to karmic creditors (冤亲债主)? Answer: This idea arises from thinking that all...
The Three Poisons Of ‘The Pig, The Snake And The Pigeon’ (周处除三害)
Zhōu Chù (周处) was an infamous bully. One day, he overheard others talking about three great disasters (三大祸害), with the first being a ferocious tiger (猛虎) and the second being a flood dragon (蛟龙)...
Master Of None
That learnt superficiallywill not be mastered deeply,especially not in practice.
How To Advise Fault-Finding Buddhist Students?
Find fault with yourselffor always finding fault with others. — Shilashanti (Part 1) How should we advise those who keep finding fault with many so-called ‘Buddhist teachers’? Provided...
[25] The Parable Of Water And Fire From The Sūtra Of A Hundred Parables《百喻经》之水火喻
昔有一人事须火用及以冷水，即便宿火以澡灌盛水置于火上，后欲取火而火都灭，欲取冷水而水复热，火及冷水二事俱失。 In the past, there was a person, for work needing fire to be used, as well as cold water. Immediately with the previous night’s yet to be...
Should There Be A Writing Of Tablets For The Deceased? 须要为亡者写排位吗？
Question: What is the difference between ‘writing (an ancestral) tablet’ (写[神主]牌位) with the name of the deceased and not doing so? Answer: Writing a tablet is supposed to express the...
‘The Pig, The Snake And The Pigeon’ Master Of Guilt (周处除三害)
A cult master asks his followers and potential new devotees if they have thought of where they will be going to after death. A young boy says, ‘Heaven!’ He asks, ‘How do you know...
How A Demoness Came To Be Named After Wisdom 名为般若的妖怪之由来
观自在菩萨，行深般若波罗蜜多时，照见五蕴皆空，度一切苦厄。 —《般若波罗蜜多心经》 The Bodhisattva Who Contemplates At Ease, when practising the profound Prajñā Pāramitā, contemplated upon and realised the five aggregates to all be of...
How To Practise House-Blessing?
Question: How can we bless a new (or old) house before moving in? Answer: The below is the simplest yet still effective Buddhist way. [1] Cleaning: Declutter and clean the whole house...
Nihilism Vs Existentialism In ‘The Pig, The Snake And The Pigeon’ (周处除三害)
A cult master proposed that to toil lifelong, and yet gain nothing in the end, or to live without a purpose is ‘good’. He suggested that since purpose is created by human thinking, it...
How Buddhist Organisations Might Decline?
If one does not keeplearning and practisingthe Right Dharma well,how can one keeppropagating it well? How is it that some Buddhist organisations do not seem to improve in their Dharma propagation...
Is It Advisable To Live With Ghosts?
Question: A friend says he is used to living with the presence of ghosts at home. Is this form of ‘making peace’ advisable? Answer: It is not advisable because living in the midst of...
How Two ‘Expats’ Sought Resolution
What if a loved one goes missing, while the days go by, without helpful clues arising, with no resolution in sight? While an atheistic mother (Margaret) harbours hope and struggles on to find her...
Should I Give Away My Non-Vegan Stuff?
Question: As they remind me of many precious lives forcibly sacrificed, should I give away my non-vegan items previously bought, such as honey products and silk clothing? (Many bees and silkworms...
The Rocky Refuge In ‘Expats’?
Clarke, whose young son went missing without a trace of hope to be found chats with a pastor. ‘I’ve always been a “silver linings” person. Uh… you know, no matter how...
What Within Your Mind Remains? 何在心中留？
酒肉穿肠过，佛祖心中留，世人若学我，如同进魔道。— 道济禅师 (济公)：降龙罗汉化身 Wine and meat through the intestines pass, while the Buddhas and Patriarchs within my mind remain, but worldly people, if imitating me, are like those...
So-And-So, Quickly Escape! 某某，快跑！
Where you are for nowis not as importantas where you are going to for good. — Shilashanti (Part 1) In popular Chinese (but non-Buddhist) culture, there is the unofficial custom of shouting at a...
How To Have Right Speech Socially?
Question: How can we practise Right Speech during social occasions when all seem to be gossiping? Answer: What we can do is listen if it is not appropriate to leave, but not add to the...
‘Einstein And The Bomb’s Paradoxes
The following are thought-provoking actual quotes from Albert Einstein, as featured in the documentary, followed by further thoughts on them. [1] Peace Paradox: ‘I am not only a pacifist, but a...
Verses On The Greatest Noble Ones 最大圣偈
最大圣偈Verses On The Greatest Noble Ones 佛陀大觉者，佛佛非人人。是人天教主，非人非天人。 The Buddhas are Great Awakened Ones, with every Buddha not like everyone else. They are ‘Teachers Of Humans And Gods’...
How Much Time Can Transpire Between Tea And Pee?
Seeing nature entering autumn, not knowing my remaining years, perhaps already in my autumn or winter, I have to well use the rest of this life. — Shilashanti (Part 1) After drinking a full cup of...
The Hellishness Of ‘Hell Girl’
To hatefully bully another,to give hell,is also to sow the seedsof personal hell. To hatefully avenge oneself,to give hell,is also to sow the seedsof personal hell.Wanting hellfor othersis with...
Verses On Four Desires 四欲偈
外道邪法，心外求道。财色名食，迷诱众生。 External paths’ evil teachings, teach seeking of the path externally away from the mind. With wealth, sex, fame and food, confusing and luring sentient beings...
How Should Buddhists Protect Themselves From Potentially Violent Ones? 遇到暴力者的佛教徒该如何保护自己？
念念勿生疑，观世音净圣，于苦恼死厄，能为作依怙。 无尽意菩萨《观世音菩萨普门品》 Thought after thought, do not give rise to doubt, that Guānshìyīn is a pure noble one, when suffering with afflictions and dying with adversities, he is able...
How Are The Forms In Pure Land Like?
Question: In this world, things have forms (色). In Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛) Pure Land (净土), are the forms, as described in the sūtras with similar forms? Answer: They are not with the same...
How ‘Hard Days’ Can Become Harder (And Easier)
Keep reminding yourself of the negative karmic consequences of breaking moral precepts – to make them harder and harder to break. This is how they will not be broken in the slightest. Otherwise, from...
See The Moon Beyond The Finger 超指见月
如愚见指月，观指不观月，计著名字者，不见我真实。 释迦牟尼佛《楞伽经》 Like the foolish seeing pointing at the moon, contemplating the finger and not contemplating the moon, those haggling over and attached to names and words, do not...
Verses On Eating As Vegans 吃素偈
吃素偈Verses On Eating As Vegans 多肉易病，蔬食营养，所以吃素，身心安康。As much meat-eating easily leads to sicknesses, while vegan foods are nutritious, therefore, with eating as vegans, this leads to the body and...
Why Is Guidance And Support-Chanting Crucial?
Question: Why is offering of guidance (开示) and support-chanting (助念) crucial for the dying? Answer: Without instructional guidance given, the dying might not know or remember how to position...
‘Onimusha’s (鬼武者) Most Important Messages
In this fictitious story of Musashi Miyamoto (宮本武蔵), he has access to the Oni Gauntlet, which allows the wearer to utilise ‘souls’ of genma (demons) to power up the skills and weapons...
See The Hidden
Since it is easy to see the obvious,the real challenge is to see the hidden,which makes all the difference.
The Thus Come One’s Body Constantly Abides 如来身常住
或复示现三十二相、八十种好，以自庄严而现涅槃，喻如月蚀。如是众生，所见不同，或见半月，或见满月，或见月蚀，而此月性实无增减、蚀啖之者，常是满月。如来之身亦复如是，故曰常住不变。释迦牟尼佛《大般涅槃经》卷第九：如来性品第四之六Perhaps again revealing thirty-two forms, and eighty kinds of excellences, with them...
How The Extreme Might Think They Are Not Extreme
No diet is less extremethan what does not require trapping,breeding, exploiting and killing. — Shilashanti A doctor friend exclaimed that he encountered a patient who ate nothing but mainly red meat...
How To Improve Practice Of Going Vegan?
Question: I have been taking vegetarian food at least once a day, and all day on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month, and on holy days. What do you think? Answer: This is wonderful! For further...
‘Yu Yu Hakusho’s Four Lessons《幽游白書》四訓
[1] Demons: As demons embody and express negative emotions based on strong greed, hatred and delusion (贪嗔痴), demonic monsters (yōkai: 妖怪) possess those with such negativities and amplify them. But if...
A Real Enemy 一个真正的敌人
谨防那些催促你仇恨他人者，因为每人真正的敌人是仇恨。 Beware of thosewho urge you to hate others,as everyone’s real enemy is hatred.
Are You At Middle Age?
This is our big mistake:to think we lookforward to death.Most of deathis already gone. Whatever timehas passedis owned by death. — Seneca Since you do not knowhow many years you will live,you might...
On Physical Freedom And Spiritual Ease In Pure Land 在净土之身心自由与自在 The Danger Of Misunderstanding Dharma Words 误解法语之危险
Ask questionsto ensure youunderstand well. — Shilashanti (Part 1) On and off, a friend shared on mindfulness of Buddha (念佛) with her mother. As she was not very responsive, there was uncertainty on...
When Best To Donate What Belonged To The Deceased?
Question: Is it better to donate clothes and such of the deceased to the needy during the 49 days after death, or beyond? Answer: What more urgent to do is to offer ample guidance (开示) and support...
‘Onmyoji’ On The Origins Of Demons
A man suppresses jealousy that grows insidously over time, somewhat pretending in bad faith to himself and others that it does not exist, as if life is a bed of roses. One night, when tending flowers...
Verse On Humans And Ghosts 人鬼偈
恶人与恶鬼，哪个更可怕？鬼也曾是人，恶人成恶鬼。 Of evil humans and evil ghosts,who is more frightening?As ghosts also were once humans,evil humans can become evil ghosts. Related Article: 人比鬼可怕吗？Are Humans More Frightening...
More Mud, Less Lotuses
无污泥，无莲花，出污泥，难不染。此秽土，污泥界；彼净土，莲花界。— 泥花偈（1-2） Without mud, without lotus flowers, but growing out of mud, it is difficult to not be stained. This defiled land, is mud’s world; while that Pure...
How To Live A Fulfilling Life?
Question: How can we lead satisfying lives? Answer: There are three main considerations or steps, as follow… [1] There must be work (or retirement),but it is not enough;as there must be...
On Miracles And Confessions In ‘Sister Death’
How do you know if a ‘miracle’ was divine, a trick of the mind, or that of a demon? The Buddhist answer is that it should inspire greater goodness and purity in thought, word and deed. If...
Contrite (Apologeticness)
One who never apologiesis either always rightor always unapologetic.
Why Be Careful About What We Leave Behind?
Question: There is an article in an old issue of a ‘Buddhist’ magazine with misconceptions found archived online. What should be done? Answer: If you wish to, you can write in to...
Remember This From ‘Insidious: The Red Door’
Yes, it is kind of a cliché, but at least it is a takeway line – ‘We need to remember, even the things that hurt.‘ Don’t be in a hurry to forget an unhappy experience or its...
Continually Better Learning And Practise
With continual Dharma learning,have continual Dharma practice. Continually bettering Dharma practice,continually bettering Dharma learning.
Verses On Pure Affinities 净缘偈
人生苦短，速结净缘。勿行外道，不攀恶缘。 As this human life is with suffering and short, quickly form pure Dharma affinities. Do not walk on external paths, and do not clamber towards evil affinities...
Why Are Natural Disasters Also Man-Made?
Question: Why is it said in Buddhism that natural disasters are also man-made disasters? Answer: If a sentient being suffers from a natural disaster, it is definitely karmically linked to that...
How Fair Is It To Put ‘The Devil On Trial’?
Assuming that there is actual possession by a demon, to save the one possessed, should you ask the demon to possess you instead? This is unwise, as what should be done is to solve the possession, not...
Side(s)
When ignorant,be balancedto look at both sides. When informed,be particularto pick the right side.
Verses On Blessings And Wisdom 福慧偈 Verses On Evil Karmas And Delusions 业痴偈
不够福报，先遇外道。不够智慧，先入为主。 With not enough blessed rewards, first meeting external paths. With not enough wisdom, these first impressions become the strongest. 成外道徒，造业增痴。以为学佛，其实成魔。 Becoming external...
Is It Alright To Take Breaks From What Is Right?
When something a little negative is deemed ‘alright’, and when it is regularly done, it becomes something more clearly not right. — Shilashanti The workers were enthusiastic,to work in...
[13] The Parable Of The Person Easily Angry From The Sūtra Of A Hundred Parables《百喻经》之说人喜瞋喻
过去有人，共多人众坐于屋中，叹一外人德行极好，唯有二过：一者喜瞋，二者作事仓卒。 In the past, there was a person, together with many people sitting within a house, praising a person outside, to have virtuous practices extremely good, only...
How To Clear An Old Shrine And Set Up A Buddhist Shrine
How To Clear A Shrine? [1] Notice: If there are previous unwanted non-Buddhist images to be cleared, there should be informing of so politely first (in case there are unseen beings attached). This...
The ‘Blue Bayou’ Reminder
Staying Right Kathy encourages Antonio,‘You stay right,and things will work out.’ Even if they do not work outas quickly as wished,they will work out soon enough. If even a seed takes...
High(est) Refuge
If it is importantto have a higher refuge,it is most importantto have the highest refuge. — Shilashanti
Are There Democratic Worlds In Buddhism?
Question: Is it so that many Buddhas were once Kings, before they renounce their status? Is monarchy the most common form of government in many worlds? Are there democracies? Answer: Many Buddhas-to...
Remember Your Previous Promise ‘At The Moment’
Within ‘At The Moment’ (此时此刻), in ‘The Promise Of Karuizawa’ (说好的轻井泽), a married man and a married woman discover their spouses to be having affairs with each other’s...
Bottled Water Or Water Bottle？
The solution to the problemof use of too much bottled wateris to use a water bottle.
Verses On Defilements And Purity 秽净偈
诸恶仍在作，众善未奉行。守戒不精严，非深信因果。 With all evils still doing them, and all good yet to practise them. With guarding of the precepts not diligent and strict, one is not with profound faith in the karmic law of...
Can Buddhism Be Free From Politics?
Question: Can Buddhism be absolutely free from worldly politics, without any so-called restrictions, obligations and collaborations? Answer: Throughout history, for religions to thrive safely as big...
Some Morally Ambiguous ‘Bad Education’
A senior policeman ‘educates’ his junior, ‘About only 10% (of society) are with good people (好人). Bad (or evil) people (坏人) also make up about 10%. What about the remaining 80% then...
Foolish Anger
If you are angryat a personfor being angry at you,be it reasonably or not,to a third person,both of youare equally angry fools,who seem unreasonable,with only that personlooking on calmly,trying to...
Four Kinds Of Proximate Causes For Great Nirvāṇa 大涅槃之四种近因
菩萨即知有四种法，为大涅槃而作近因。若言勤修 一切苦行，是大涅槃近因缘者，是义不然。所以者何？若离四法得涅槃者，无有是处。何等为四？一者亲近善友，二者专心听法，三者系念思惟，四者如法修行。释迦牟尼佛《大般涅槃经》卷二十五 Bodhisattvas then know, that there are four kinds of Dharma teachings, for Great Nirvāṇa...
I Have No Time For These Five Poisons (What About You?)
There is no more time to regret, lament, despair, panic… Just do better, best you can — now. — Shilashanti [1] Crave if you want, but like me,you are running out of time too.I have no time to be...
What To Do When Bringing A New Buddhist Image Home?
Question: After purchasing a Buddha image from a shop, is there any practice that can be done on the way home? Answer: When on transport, hold the image in your hands and practise mindfulness of...
‘John Wick 4’ What Lived And ‘Died’?
Ironically, or perhaps understandably, due to the less familiar ‘exotic East’, in more Western than Eastern movies, there are huge Asian signages featured. At times in neon too, at night...
Battles
If you do not choose your ‘battles’ well,you will be battling pointlesslytill you lose them,with your life,again.
Departure From Four Attachments 离四贪
贪爱今生非教徒。贪爱三界非出离。贪爱自利非菩萨。若有执著非正见。 — 文殊菩萨 If greedily attached to this life, one is not a practitioner.If greedily attached to the three realms, one is not with renunciation.If greedily attached to...
When Mencius Met A King With Cognitive Dissonance 当孟子遇见了之认知失调的王
千百年来碗里羹，怨深似海恨难平。欲知世上刀兵劫，但听屠门夜半声。 ── 愿云禅师 For thousands of hundreds of years since, within meat broths in bowls, is resentment deep like the ocean, with hatred difficult to pacify. If desiring to know...
[9] The Parable Of Praising The Father’s Virtuous Practices From The Sūtra Of A Hundred Parables《百喻经》之叹父德行喻
昔时有人于众人中，叹己父德而作是言：「我父慈仁不害不盗，直作实语兼行布施。」 When in the past, there was a person within a crowd of people, praising his own father’s virtues, then making this statement, ‘My father is with...
Are Buddhist Precepts ‘Only’ Guidelines?
Question: Is it so that Buddhist precepts are ‘only guidelines’, with no really hard and fast rules, as there might be exceptional situations? Answer: Even though the precepts are at...
After A Deal With The ‘Devil’ Begins ‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’
There will be no dealwith the devillish or demonic,if the offer does not resonatewith one’s inner demonsof greed, hatred and delusion. The devillish or demonic,cannot create these three poisons...
Have I Done My Best?
Question: I think I have tried my best in Dharma learning and practice… Answer: Those who keep trying and doing their best eventually become Buddhas. As long as we are not Buddhas yet, we have...
‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’ Due To Shaky Morals
Voicing her warped justifications of the ill ways in running their Big Pharma, that fuelled what parallels the opioid crisis is Madeline Usher’s chillingly heartless monologue to his brother...
Four Sentences
You have a life sentence,death sentence,rebirth sentence,and redeath sentence,yet again…unless you have foundthe path to liberationin timethis time.Have you? Related Article: The Fastest Path...
In Quiet And Noisy Places All Cultivating Practices 静闹处皆修行
若以静处为是，闹处为非，则是坏世间相而求实相，离生灭而求寂灭。 — 大慧宗杲禅师《语录》 If with quiet places as right, and with noisy places as wrong, this then destroys worldly forms [i.e. conventional or relative reality], and seeks true...
The Two Steps Of Brainwashing
So-called education that neither allows nor urges enquiry and discussion is that called brainwashing. — Shilashanti The first step of brainwashingis to make those to be victimisedthink they are being...
Clear Conscience
Without craving for praise,do your best to beonly praiseworthy;never blameworthy.Without shunning any blame,even if blamed then,having done your best,your conscience is clear as it can be.
Verse On Cultivating Blessings And Wisdom 修福慧偈
修福偈 无感恩心者，不知该道谢，消福不惜福，难以修福德。 Verse On Cultivating Blessings Those without the mind of gratitude, who do not know they should say thank you, eliminating blessings and not cherishing blessings, are...
So, What Do You Eat?
If you are kind ofwhat you eat with, — Shilashanti (Part 1) So, what animals do you meat-‘lovers’ eat?’ ‘Oh… We eatabout 10 main kinds of animals —pigs, cows, lambs...
Can The Buddhas’ And Patriarchs’ Words Be Changed? 佛言祖语能改吗？
Question: Can the Buddhas’ and Patriarchs’ words be changed to express different meanings, as wished? Answer: We should understand that the Buddhas’ teachings in the scriptures are...
Are You More Human Than ‘Reptile’?
Early in ‘Reptile’ in an ominous scene with someone who will be murdered shortly finding shedded snake skin hidden in a house. It suggests there will be someone creeping up, with his cold...
Do Not Become Worms On The Lion’s Body 莫作狮子身上虫
如师子身中虫，自食师子肉，非余外虫。如是佛子自破佛法，非外道天魔能破。若受佛戒者，应护佛戒，如念一子，如事父母，不可毁破。 — 释迦牟尼佛《梵网经菩萨戒本》（最后一戒节录） Like worms within a lion’s body, personally eating the lion’s flesh, this is not by other external...
Verses On Smelting For Gold 炼金偈
炼金偈Verses On Smelting For Gold 若唯有矿之秽，何炼得金之纯？ If we only have the impurities of ore,how can we smelt to get the purity of gold? 若唯有金之纯，为何有矿之秽？ If we only have the purity of gold,why do we have the...
Should I Stick To Only One Buddhist Teacher And Teaching?
Question: Is it a good idea to only learn from one Dharma teacher? Answer: This is alright only if that teacher is the Buddha, a perfect teacher! However, as there is no Buddha present at...
Questionability
Question thosewho do not question,especially the questionable.
Dedication Verse 回向偈
愿以此功德，普及于一切。我等与众生，皆共成佛道。 — 诸梵天王《妙法莲华经》 May we, with these meritorious virtues,universally reach all.May we, with other sentient beings,all together accomplish the Buddha path. — All Brahma...
Are You Purifying Your ‘Tainted Soul’?
A friendly dead girl’s ghostdevelops a ‘split personality’,and becomes a vengeful spirit. Turns out that her consciousnessis a tainted ‘soul’,at times possessed by a...
Found A Path Yet?
If you have not found a path,you might not be lost yet. If you have found a path,you might be lost soon, if you are walkingin the wrong direction.— Shilashanti
Bright Gem Recovered 明珠再现
我有明珠一颗， 久被尘劳关锁。今朝尘尽光生，照破山河万朵。宋朝茶陵郁和尚I have a bright gem,long by dusts’ afflictions closed and locked.Now with the dusts exhausted does its light arise,to illuminate though ten thousand clusters...
Can Great Bodhisattvas Manifest As Demon Kings? 大菩萨能化为魔王吗？
此诸[末法时期]众生，去佛渐远。邪师说法，如恒河沙。 — 阿难尊者《楞严经》四种决定清净明诲章 All these sentient beings [in the Dharma-Ending Age], will leave the Buddha to gradually become distant. Evil teachers who speak the [false] Dharma...
Can We Offer Non-Vegan Food To The Buddha?
Question: Can we offer food to the Buddha if the food is not totally vegan and/or contains some of the five pungent roots? Answer: This is not appropriate. As all Buddhas...
Some Of ‘Oppenheimer’s Moral Koans?
The opening caption of the film draws a parallel of sorts — ‘Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to man. For this, he was chained to a rock and tortured for eternity.’...
What Is Brainwashing?
So-called education thatneither allows nor urgesenquiry and discussionis that called brainwashing. — Shilashanti
Value True Cultivation 贵真实修行
学佛者无用庄严形迹，只贵真实修行。 净土宗八祖莲池大师《云栖法汇》 Those learning Buddhismhave no use for magnificent etiquette, only valuing true cultivation. Pure Land Tradition’s 8th Patriarch Great Master Liánchí ...
Do You Wear Any Of These Masks?
Physical beautyis only skin deepand the skinis not very deep. — Shilashanti When you pretend to be who you are not,by putting a fake expression on your face,are you wearing...
How To Have Ongoing Light Offerings?
Question: At which Buddhist temple or Dharma centre can I sign up for year round light offerings? Answer: You should be able to find these places by looking around and calling to enquire...
Does The ‘Mask Girl’ Encouraging Masking?
The ‘Mask Girl’ uttered with fondness and poignance, ‘When I was younger, my dream was to become a celebrity. Nothing made me as happy as dancing onstage. The sound of people...
Be Mindfully Thoughtful
If you arenot more mindful,you might be more mindless. If you arenot more thoughtful,you might be more thoughtless.
Poem On Uprightness 端正诗
忍辱生端正，多嗔作毒蛇。若人不儜恶，必得上三车。 —王梵志 With patience arises uprightness,with much anger becoming poisonous snakes.If people are not with evil,they will attain ascent of the three carts. — [Brahmacārin] Wáng...
What Should Buddhists Do During The Seventh Lunar Month?
Question: Should Buddhists light incense sticks, burn joss papers and offer food to wandering spirits (孤魂野鬼) when they are ‘released from the hells’ (地狱) during the seventh lunar month...
A Loud Lesson On The Bodhi Mind In ‘A Quiet Place Part II’
Twelve boats could sail to safety.With many shoving to board,and screaming that attracted enemies,only two boats managed to sail off. If all are for themselves only,most if not all will perish.If...
Thoughts
Study others’ thoughts,but have your own thoughtsabout them (and yours) too.
All Buddhas Only Have The One Buddha Vehicle 诸佛唯一佛乘 Verses On The Only One Buddha Vehicle 唯一佛乘偈
诸佛唯一佛乘All Buddhas Only Have The One Buddha Vehicle 如来但以一佛乘故，为众生说法，无有余乘，若二、若三。… 诸佛以方便力，于一佛乘分别说三。…诸佛如来言无虚妄，无有余乘，唯一佛乘。…虽示种种道，其实为佛乘。 [三乘为声闻乘、辟支佛乘与菩萨乘。] 释迦牟尼佛《妙法莲华经》方便品第二 The Thus Come Ones are only with...
The Easiest Way To Give Rise To And Fulfil The Unsurpassable Bodhi Mind 最易发与实践无上菩提心之法
欲拔一切众生苦故，作愿摄取一 切众生，共同生彼安乐佛国。是名菩萨巧方便回向成就。 — 婆薮槃头菩萨《往生论》 Desiring to pull out all sentient beings’ suffering thus, making vow to gather and receive all sentient beings, to together be born...
Should Respect Be Earned Or Given Freely?
Question: Is it so that respect must be earned, not given freely?Answer: If a total stranger is rude to you, what will you do? Question: Tolerate and keep quiet to avoid friction...
‘Emily The Criminal’ Still Unrepentant
Be afraid to break even just one precept. In fact, be very afraid. For if you seem to get away, you might break it again, easier and easier, in worse and worse ways. Before you know it, each and...
Live To Learn…
Live to learnto live and learn fullyto transcend birth and death.
Wholeheartedly And Diligently Seek Departure’s Path 一心勤求出道
常当一心，勤求出道。一切世间动不动法，皆是败坏不安之相。 释迦牟尼佛《佛遗教经》 [You] constantly should be wholehearted, to diligently seek departure’s path. All the world’s moving and unmoving dharmas, are all forms to be...
Putting All Before One With The Unsurpassable Skilful Means Leads Fastest To Buddhahood 以后其身为最速成佛之无上方便
此无上菩提心，即是愿作佛心；愿作佛心，即是度众生心；度众生心，即摄取众生生净佛国土心。 — 昙鸾大师《往生论注》 This unsurpassable Bodhi Mind, is the same as the mind with the vow to become a Buddha. This mind with the vow to become a Buddha, is the same...
The Great Earth Of All Buddhas’ Dharma Teachings 一切佛法之大地
龙王！当知此十善业，乃至能令十力、无畏、十八不共，一切佛法皆得圆满。是故汝等应勤修学！ Dragon King, you should know that these Ten Good Karmas, are even able to lead to the Ten Powers, Four Fearlessness, Eighteen Uncommon Dharmas, with all...
Why Not Make Vegan Light Offerings?
Question: Why do Buddhists make light offerings at Buddhist shrines? Answer: This is done mainly to remind us to seek the light of wisdom via sincere and diligent Dharma learning and...
‘Zom 100: Bucket List Of The Dead’ (Or Rather Half-Dead, Not Fully Alive)
Actually, the dead cannot have a bucket list, because they have already kicked the bucket. Unless they have become restless spirits who recall their unfulfilled wishes, or have attained the...
Care
Take care… carefully,ultimately for leading one and allto Buddhahood.
Do Not Let The Six Virtues Become Six Disadvantages 勿让六德变六弊
好仁不好学，其蔽也愚；好知不好学，其蔽也荡； 好信不好学，其蔽也贼； 好直不好学，其蔽也绞；好勇不好学，其蔽也乱； 好刚不好学，其蔽也狂。 孔子《论语》 Fond of benevolence but not fond of learning,its disadvantage is being too easily...
Do Not Mistake Ordinary Helping As Actual Delivering Of Sentient Beings 勿以帮众为度生
勿以帮众为度生，未超轮回续死生。所以劝诸往西生，速了生死度他生。 — 度生偈 (1) Do not be with helping of sentient beings assumed as delivering of sentient beings, for if yet to transcend rebirth, there will be continuing of deaths and...
Am I Leaving Family Members Behind If Going To Pure Land?
Question: Someone commented that to be born in Pure Land (净土) is to leave loved ones behind. How should we see this comment? Answer: When departing for Pure Land, there should not be any sense...
The ‘Gran Torino’ Redemption
The one and only wayto relieve your heavy burdenof past grave transgressionsis to make great amends now. If those transgressions made are so great,that it cost (physical and/or spiritual) lives,the...
Improvability
Your extentof correctabilitydecides your improvability.
Adornments Of The Ten Goodnesses’ Path 十善道之庄严
龙王！举要言之，行十善道，[1] 以戒庄严故，能生一切佛法义利，满足大愿；[2] 忍辱庄严故，得佛圆音，具众相好；[3] 精进庄严故，能破魔怨，入佛法藏；[4] 定庄严故，能生念、慧、惭、愧、轻安；[5] 慧庄严故，能断一切分别妄见； Dragon King, raising the essence, speaking of these, practising the Ten...
When Do Deceased Animals Take Rebirth?
Question: After death, do animals’ consciousnesses take around eight hours to depart from their bodies, and take around 49 days to be reborn, like humans? Answer: There are no...
‘The Witcher’s Order Despite The Chaos?
Generally, (at least for me), there is some disdain for fantasy tales that involve magic. Why so? Because each fictitious world seems to have its own rules, and when doing cross comparison, each...
Sorriness
Don’t just be sorry;do the oppositeof that sorry over too.
Difference Between Foolishness And Wisdom 愚智之别
自知愚昧的愚人，基于这点是个智者；自以为是智者的愚人，才是真正的愚者。释迦牟尼佛《法句经 •愚人品•第六十三偈》The fool who knows that he is a fool can,for that reason, be a wise man;but the fool who thinks that he is wise is,indeed, called a fool...
Benefits Of Departure From Evil Views 离邪见之利益
复次，龙王！若离邪见，即得成就十功德法。何等为十？ Furthermore, Dragon King, if departing from evil views, this immediately attains accomplishment of ten meritorious virtues’ dharmas. What are the ten...
Can Depression Be Physically ‘Killed’?
Question: When one has depression, is it an illness of the brain (which has form), or a mental illness (which is formless)? Answer: According to Buddhism, the mind is the forerunner of all...
Making ‘The Ritual’ Of Movie-Watching Spiritual
Instead of merely for entertainment, the ‘ritual’ of watching movies while reflecting upon their plots can be a spiritual practice, not different from conducting thought experiments for...
Power
To know one’s character,give much power,and remove that power.
With Slander As No Slander 谤为无谤
古人云：「何以息谤？」曰：「无辩。」又云：「吃得小亏，则不至于吃大亏。」余三十年来屡次经验，深信此数语真实不虚。《弘一大师全集》Ancient ones say, ‘With what ceases slander?’ Saying, ‘Without debate.’ Also saying, ‘Able to suffer a...
Rewards Of Practising Giving With The Ten Good Karmas 以十善业行施之报
尔时世尊复告龙王言：「若有菩萨依此善业，于修道时，[1] 能离杀害而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺；长寿无夭，不为一切怨贼损害。[2] 离不与取而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺；最胜无比，悉能备集诸佛法藏。[3] 离非梵行而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺；其家直顺，母及妻子，无有能以欲心视者。 At that time, the World-Honoured One told...
Is This Or That A True Buddhist Teaching?
Question: I have heard of some who claim to be ‘Buddhists’, who claim that ‘so-and-so’ is a Buddhist teaching. Is this true? (i.e. Is Right Dharma [正法])...
‘Night School’ Needs More Schooling On Empathy
Teddy goes to a fast food restaurant named ‘_hris_ian Chicken’. Its logo shows a grinning and slurping cartoon chicken with ‘thumbs’ up, while carrying a cr_ss over a shoulder...
Accomplish That Good Of People 成人之美
代人之劳，成人之美。 净土宗十三祖印光大师《复叶福备居士书一》 On behalf of others’ efforts,help to accomplish their good deeds. Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng(First Reply Letter To...
What Is The Most Practical Form Of Buddhism? 何为最实用的佛法？
[佛]复问一沙门：「人命在几间？」… —《四十二章经》：第三十八章：生即有灭 [The Buddha] again asked a Śramaṇa, ‘Human life has what duration in between?’… — The Sūtra Of Forty-Two Sections: Thirty-Eighth Section: With...
Benefits Of Departure From Anger 离瞋恚之利益
复次，龙王！若离瞋恚，即得八种喜悦心法。何等为八？ Furthermore, Dragon King, if departing from anger, this immediately attains eight kinds of joyous mind’s dharmas. What are the eight...
Do The Deceased Need Tablets For Joining Dharma Assemblies?
Questions: [1] Do bardo (中阴) beings (between rebirths), (lonely) wandering spirits (孤魂) and (hungry) ghosts (饿/鬼) need the living to register, for writing their names on tablets (写牌位), for them...
Digestion
Eat and digestgood food for thought,to regurgitate it well!
The Eight Winds Can Blow Around
Great pleasure can turn into great pain.Great fame can turn into great disgrace.Great praise can turn into great blame,Great gain can turn into great loss. Shilashanti
Benefits Of Departure From Greedy Desires 离贪欲之利益
若离贪欲，即得成就五种自在。何等为五？ If departing from greedy desires, this immediately attains five kinds of ease. What are the five...
Is Having Buddha Wallpapers Alright?
Question: Is it alright to have Buddha images as wallpapers on computers, tablets and phones, and as profile pictures for phone (and other media) apps? Answer: If one’s intention of setting...
Openness
Is ‘agreeing to disagree’the beginning or endof discussion? (You decide,though othersmight not agree.)
Verses On The Truly Right 真对偈
对事不做，自然不对。对事做错，当然不对。事真做对，错者针对。未有针对，未真做对。 If right matters are not done,this is naturally not right.If right matters are done wrongly,this is of course not right.If matters are truly done right,those...
Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock…
The first lesson of the Buddha-to-beis impermanence,thus ‘rushing’ to seek the pathto attain the deathless before his death.— Shilashanti (Part 1) Tick tock,tick tock,tick tock…Time is...
Afterword On ‘Practices With Ten Great Obstacles’《十大碍行》跋
【一、八苦为师】：佛祖圣贤，未有不以逆境为大炉韝者。佛四圣谛，苦谛居初。又称八苦为八师。 [1. Eight Sufferings As Teachers]: Of Buddhas, Patriarchs, noble and virtuous ones, there are yet to be with those who did not practise with opposing...
Is It Alright To Recite Sūtra Mentally?
Question: When following a guiding track being played to verbally recite a sūtra, is it alright to miss a few words when catching my breath, while still reciting mentally? Answer: It...
A ‘Copycat Killer’ And ‘Reporter’?
What you publicise, bring to light,share with others,is perpetuated without,for better or worse. Be you a reporter or not,do you create news reports,or create news to report?What do you create? Must...
Loyalty Haiku
Those disloyal to the truthare able to betray everyone —including themselves.
What A Wonder!
What is the greatest wonder in the world? …That, every single day, people die,Yet the living think they are immortal.Krishna Dvaipāyana(Mahābhārata)
Three Key Points On Threefold Pure Meat 三净肉之三重点
When buying of meat reduces,killing of animals for meat reduces. — Popular Saying (Part 1) It is commonly known among Buddhists that the Buddha taught monastics not to consume meat from animals who...
The Cute-ification Of ‘Chupa’cabras?
‘Chupa’ is not about Chupa Chups, as in the lollipop, but it sure was made to be family-friendly creature feature, showing kids befriending a kiddy version of the titular character...
Benefits Of Departure From Frivolous Speech 离绮语之利益
若离绮语，即得成就三种决定。何等为三？ If departing from frivolous speech, this immediately attains three kinds of certainties. What are the three?[i] 一、定为智人所爱；[ii] 二、定能以智，如实答问；[iii] 三、定于人天，威德最胜，无有虚妄；是为三。[i] First...
Why Is Vesak Day With Different Dates In Different Countries?
Question: What does Vesak Day (卫塞节) commemorate and celebrate? Answer: It celebrates the Birth (诞生), Nirvāṇa (成道) and Parinirvāṇa (涅槃) of Śākyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛). Question: Did these three...
Dharma Learning And Practising
If you keep learningand practising the Dharma,you will become a Buddha. If you do not keep doing better,how will you keep becoming better,much more become the best?
Once Fallen, Immediately Arise 一倒即起
无转已起，一转二起，二转三起，三转四起，四转五起，五转六起，六转七起，七转八起，八转九起，九转十起。 佛教格言（延申） Without falling, already arisen.With one time fallen, for the second time arise.With two times fallen, for the third time arise.With three...
To Whom Are You A Karmic Creditor? 您是谁的冤亲债主？
You are your first karmic creditor.Be responsible by realising this. — Shilashanti (Part 1) We tend to wonder if a family member(or another person encountered) is in our livesto ‘demand’...
Benefits Of Departure From Harsh Speech 离恶口之利益
若离恶口，即得成就八种净业。何等为八？ If departing from harsh speech, this immediately attains eight kinds of pure karmas. What are the eight...
Can I Reach Pure Land With Breaking Of Precepts? 破戒者能生净土吗?
Question: Can I reach Pure Land (净土) with my continual breaking of precepts (戒)?Answer: Do you wish to keep breaking precepts? Question: No.Answer: Will you do your best to stop...
‘The Mother’ Who Did Not Empathise With A Father
[D]aughter sees deer in the wild, smiles and exclaims to her titular [M]other: Beautiful! M shoots. D yells: No, no, no! (Scene changes to their cabin’s dining table with a...
One Dharma Door
Master now when alive,the one Dharma door*you will practise on your deathbed.*Such as mindfulness of Āmítuófófor rebirth in his Pure Land,that ensures the swiftest progress to Buddhahood.
Verse On Doing Your Best 尽力偈
一切尽力，之后随缘。不愿尽力，只是随便。 For all strive to do your best,thereafter according with conditions.Not wishing to strive to do your best,this is just ‘whatever goes’.
The Good, The Evil And The Pure 善恶净
诸教偈 诸恶莫作，众善奉行，自净其意，是诸佛教。 — 释迦牟尼佛《法句经》第183偈 Verse On All Teachings Of all evil not do,of all good practise,and to self-purify this mind,these are all Buddhas’ teachings. — Śākyamuni...
Benefits Of Departure From Double-Tongued Speech 离两舌之利益
若离两舌，即得五种不可坏法。何等为五？ If departing from double-tongued speech, this immediately attains five kinds of indestructible dharmas. What are the five...
How To Truly Benefit The Departed Beyond Offering Food? 除了供养食物，如何真正利益亡者？
Question: Are food offerings made to the departed during various festivals and anniversaries just to express gratitude? Answer: [i] Perhaps so, if the departed have already taken...
15 Lessons From ‘The Glory’
[01] Memento Mori: Remember you will die.Me(mento) Mori: I will die.(You too.) [02] Life is too short for hating the hated and hating the hateful. [03] There is no glory in...
Freedom & Abundance
Freedom isto be free fromgreed, hatred and delusion. Abundance isto be full ofgenerosity, compassion and wisdom.
The Foremost Pure Land 第一净土
令我作佛，国土第一。其众奇妙，道场超绝。 If I become [Amitābha] Buddha,my [Pure] Land will be the foremost.Its assembly will be outstanding and wonderful,as the place for practising the path that is superb...
How AI Tried To Vindicate The Creator Idea (Without Much Conviction)
Cruel men believe in a cruel god and use their belief to excuse their cruelty. Only kindly men believe in a kindly god, and they would be kindly in any case. — Bertrand Russell (The following is...
Benefits Of Departure From False Speech 离妄语之利益
若离妄语，即得八种天所赞法。何等为八？ If departing from false speech, this immediately attains eight kinds of dharmas that heavenly beings praise. What are the eight...
What Is The Significance Of Having Dharma Names? 法名有何意义？
Question: What is the significance of receiving a Dharma name (法名) upon taking Threefold Refuge (三皈依) in the Triple Gem (三宝)? Answer: One receives a secular name (俗名) upon birth, that marks the...
Three Lessons From ‘Wave Makers’ And ‘Queenmaker’
[1] Curb Desires With Precepts: The immoral will break some or all of the Five Precepts (against killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxicants) for satisfying their Five Desires...
Action Haiku
If you have time to read this,you already have timeto do what you should.
Thoughts, Words And Deeds
心中生字，字成言语，又成行动，所以念佛。 As the mind within gives rise to words,with the words becoming speech,also becoming actions,therefore be mindful of Buddha’s name.— Shilashanti
How To Be Confident In Reaching Pure Land 如何有信心往生净土
诸有众生，闻其【阿弥陀佛】名号，信心欢喜，乃至一念至心回向，愿生彼国，即得往生，住不退转。唯除五逆，诽谤正法。— 释迦牟尼佛《无量寿经》All sentient beings, who hear his name [Āmítuófó], with the faithful mind joyful, and even with one thought, with the sincere mind...
Benefits Of Departure From Killing Lives 离杀生之利益
若离杀生，即得成就十离恼法。何等为十？ If departing from killing lives, this immediately attains accomplishment of ten departure from afflictions’ dharmas. What are the ten...
Why Do Some Dream Of The Deceased Being Wet And Cold?
Question: After a friend’s Aunt’s ashes were scattered into the sea, he dreamt of her saying she is cold. Why is this so?Answer: There are three possibilities...
Some ‘Beef’y Existential Issues?
Danny says, ‘Can’t have form without space. Can’t experience light without dark… And any time you try to hold on to one thing, it slips away… It’s like a void… Empty but solid...
Sense Haiku
Make effortto make senseor remain confused.
Have Great Spiritual Vows With Reduction Of Worldly Desires 发大愿减少欲
是人少欲知足，能修普贤之行。 释迦牟尼佛《妙法莲华经》 These persons with few desires and know contentment, are able to cultivate the practices of Universal Virtue [Bodhisattva]. Śākyamuni Buddha(Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower...
Is The Four-Faced ‘Buddha’ A Buddha? 四面’佛’是佛吗？
The Buddhas are ‘Teachers of Human and Heavenly Beings’ (人天教主) because they are spiritually greater than all humans and gods. Is the so-called Four-Faced ‘Buddha’ (四面佛) really...
Benefits Of Departure From Sexual Misconduct 离邪行之利益
若离邪行，即得四种智所赞法。何等为四？ If departing from sexual misconduct, this immediately attains four kinds of dharmas that those wise praise. What are the four...
Why Do Some Bodhisattva Images Have Many Faces And Arms?
Question: We saw a four-face 48-arm Contemplator Of The World’s Sounds Bodhisattva (观世音菩萨) statue. Why is it portrayed thus? Answer: The four faces represent looking at all directions with...
The ‘Beef’ That Quickly Escalated
‘Beef’ is about how two strangers continually triggered each other, till their car chase that led to further mutual aggravation almost cost them their lives. The very...
Life Haiku
Live your spiritual lifebefore youend your physical life.
Who Do You Choose To Be?
Those about to create evil karmado not look different fromthose about to create good karma.They can look like you too. — Shilashanti (Part 1) If we look at picturesof heroes and villains,it is...
Benefits Of Departure From Stealing 离偷盗之利益
若离偷盗，即得十种可保信法。何等为十？ If departing from stealing, this immediately attains ten kinds of ensuring trustworthiness’ dharmas. What are the ten...
How To Handle Unwanted Ancestral Tablets?
Question: A relative asks if he can just put his ancestral tablet (神主牌) in a temple or burn it. Answer: As ancestral tablets are just focal points for making offerings and prayers, they can...
Some ‘Beef’ With Renunciation’s Misconceptions
In ‘Beef’, Amy exclaims to George, ‘Do you ever notice how it’s only people who have money that think money isn’t important? The Buddha is only the Buddha because he was...
Acceptance Haikus
If you cannot acceptthings as they are first,how do you change things? If you can acceptthings as they are already,why would you change things?
Succeed In Accomplishing Benevolence 成功成仁
不成功，便成仁。 儒家谚语If not accomplishing success,then accomplishing benevolent virtue(even if dying while trying). Confucian Proverb
To Kill ‘Em All Or To Set ‘Em Free?
Just do the right thing,because what elseshould you rightly do?— Shilashanti A fellow Buddhist’s home had a bird mite ‘attack’ due to an abandoned bird nest nearby. There was a...
Rewards Of The Ten Good Karmas 十善业之报
当知菩萨有一法，能断一切诸恶道苦。何等为一？谓于昼夜，常念、思惟、观察善法，令诸善法念念增长，不容毫分不善间杂。是即能令诸恶永断、善法圆满，常得亲近诸佛、菩萨及余圣众。You should know that Bodhisattvas have one Dharma teaching, that is able to sever all evil paths’ suffering. What...
What To ‘See Through’ And How To Do So? 何为与如何看破？
Question: What is ‘seeing through’ (看破)? Answer: We see through something when we realise what it brings about are impermanent (无常) and unsubstantial (without self: 无我). Before...
16 Lessons On Anger From ‘The Incredible Hulk’ (1977)
[1] You should have emotional commitment, but in pure emotions, like loving-kindness and compassion; not negative ones like anger. [2] True strength is from within, not from external stimuli...
Uphold Firm Vows 持坚愿
金刚非坚，愿力唯坚。佛教格言With even vajra not as firm,only vows’ power is truly firm.Buddhist Saying
Are You A Karmic Creditor Or Debtor? 您是冤亲债主还是债人？
In the long course of rebirth,we are indebted to manyjust as many are indebted to us. — Shilashanti (Part 1) Some say [1] children are either hereto repay their parents’ (karmic) debts (还债) of...
Diligently Take The Dharma’s Medicine 勤服法药
汝等比丘，于诸功德，常当一心，舍诸放逸，如离怨贼。大悲世尊，所说利益，皆已究竟。汝等但当勤而行之。 You and other Bhikṣus, for all meritorious virtues, constantly should be wholehearted, and abandon all laxity, like departing from a hateful thief...
Should Unknown Gains Be Accumulated?
Question: Is a bird who keeps flying back with money from unknown source(s) to his caregiver held in his beak considered as stealing? Answer: Although some might deludedly...
‘The Secret’ Of The Law Of Resistance
Much has been said about the inadequate ‘law’ of attraction. (Yes, ‘the secret’ that is so heavily marketed that it is no secret. The ultimate secret of True Happiness is an...
War Haikus
The best war filmsare not of victories;but anti-war films. True peaceis without war;not between wars.
Impermanence From Moment To Moment 时时无常
一期一会，二期二会，三期三会，多期多会。 佛教格言（延申） In one moment, with one meeting.In two moments, with two meetings.In three moments, with three meetings.In many moments, with many meetings. Buddhist Saying (Extended)...
Why Share Pure Land Testimonies And Learn From Them? 为何分享与学习净土感应录？
信为道元功德母，长养一切诸善法。 — 贤首菩萨《华严经》 Faith is the origin of the path [to Buddhahood], the mother of meritorious virtues, that nurtures all good Dharma [teachings]. — Virtue Foremost Bodhisattva(Flower...
Restraint Of Mind 制心
汝等比丘，已能住戒，当制五根，勿令放逸，入于五欲。You and other Bhikṣus, those already able to abide by the precepts, should restrain your five roots [of the (1) eye, (2) ear, (3) nose, (4) tongue and (5) body (眼耳鼻舌身)], not...
What Is The Esoteric In The Buddha’s Teachings?
Question: What are the esoteric (secret) teachings (密[秘]教) in Buddhism? Answer: In terms of the Buddha’s teachings, as the opposite of the exoteric (revealed) teachings (显教), the...
‘Stand By Me’ Again, 37 Years Later
Sometimes, with the passing of time, a second, or even fresh look at an older movie brings about a sense of nostalgic irony. This reflects life itself, with its twists and turns. Chris (as played by...
Live & Learn ‘Haiku’
As long as you live,keep learninghow to live. — Seneca
Poem On No Fear 不畏诗
我不畏恶名，恶名不须畏。四大亦无主，信你痛谤诽。 你自之于我，于我何所费？不辞应对你，至对无气味。 — 王梵志 As ‘self’ does not fear a bad name,a bad name is not needed to be feared.With the great four elements also without hosts,to believe...
The Delusion And Reality Of The ‘Law’ Of Attraction
Delusion The so-called ‘law’ of attraction proposesthat if you merely keep believingthat your wish will come true, it surely will.Really?Or is it literally ‘wishful thinking’...
Upholding Of Precepts 持戒
「汝等比丘，于我灭后，当尊重珍敬波罗提木叉，如闇遇明，贫人得宝。当知此则是汝等大师，若我住世无异此也。 ‘You and other Bhikṣus (i.e. monastics), after my Parinirvāṇa (i.e. relinquishment of the Buddha’s body), should honour, treasure and...
Can I Offer Lights And Food On Behalf Of The Deceased And Living Together?
Question: Is it alright to make light offerings at my Buddhist shrine for living and departed family members together?Answer: There is no teaching against this. Anyway, on behalf of the...
The Dilemma Of Living As Spiritual ‘Hermits’
As summarised, on living as hermits (隐士) on Mount Zhōngnán (终南山) for more focused spiritual cultivation, Dharma Master Zōngjìng commented to the effect of the following. ‘In the past, we had to...
Scales Haiku
Why balancegood and evil?Tip to good all the way!
Understand The Thus Come Ones’ True Meanings 解如来真实义
依文解义，三世佛冤。离经一字，即同魔说。 — 古德 Relying on Buddhist texts to explain their meanings [speculatively and superficially, without realising their actual, deeper and fuller implications, beyond that worded]...
A Drive Out Of Stormy Weather
The cold rain just rains.The hot sun just shines.The unwise just complain. — Shilashanti The cabbie pointed out that we just drove out of stormy weather. He enthusiastically asked me to look behind...
With Shame Then Diligently Cultivate 惭愧而勤修
汝等比丘，昼则勤心修习善法，无令失时。初夜后夜，亦勿有废。中夜诵经，以自消息，无以睡眠因缘，令一生空过，无所得也。当念无常之火，烧诸世间，早求自度，勿睡眠也。 You and other Bhikṣus, in day then, should be with the diligent mind practising good Dharma teachings, without leading...
What Time To Eat By On Eight Precepts’ Days?
Question: How do we know what time to eat by on Eight Precepts’ (八戒) days, in order to ‘not eat passing noon’ (过午不食)? Answer: If you wish to be specific, for daily noon times...
Why Have ‘Selective Outrage’?
Sometimes, comedy is just wit, for laughs.Sometimes, comedy has wisdom, food for thought.Sometimes, comedy has both wit and wisdom.Sometimes, comedy is more of one and less of the other. Is it truly...
Nose Haiku
A swallowflew out of the noseof the Great Buddha. Issa
Just Reminders
When you feel greedy or angry,why deludedly remain so?Greed and anger are just remindersto have more contentment and calmness instead.— Shilashanti
Six Dharma Reminders On Mistakes To Avoid
Your main ‘capital’ is Buddha-nature, and time your diminishing resource for nurturing your Buddha-nature. — Shilashanti #1: Increase Right UnderstandingFocus on having and sharing right...
Abstinence From Flattery 戒谄曲
汝等比丘，谄曲之心与道相违。是故宜应质直其心。 You and other Bhikṣus, should know that the mind of flattery, with the path, contradict each other. Therefore, there should be straightforwardness of your minds...
Can I Reach Pure Land With Breaking Of Precepts?
Question: Can I reach Pure Land if I keep breaking precepts?Answer: Do you wish to keep breaking precepts? Question: No.Answer: Will you do your best to stop breaking precepts? Question: Yes, but...
‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ For Realising The More Wonderful
In the nick of time, Clarence the guardian angel (or ‘Bodhisattva’ in the Buddhist context) saves George, who was about to jump off a bridge to drown himself, by manifesting and...
‘Gods Of Egypt’ Versus A Monster’s Riddle
In mythology, the Sphinx is a creature with a human head, lion’s body and eagle’s wings, said to be treacherous and merciless, who will kill and eat those who cannot answer her riddles...
Rewritten Haiku
I write, erase, rewrite,Erase again, and thenA poppy blooms. Hokushi
Always Be Noble
君子落得为君子，小人枉费做小人。 — 格言 Noble personsstill end up as noble persons,while small persons [of little virtue]waste their efforts in vainas small persons [in harming them]. — Saying
Far Depart From Confusions And Disturbances 远离愦闹
汝等比丘，欲求寂静无为安乐，当离愦闹，独处闲居。静处之人，帝释诸天，所共敬重，是故当舍己众他众，空闲独处，思灭苦本。You and other Bhikṣus, desiring to seek the tranquillity of unconditioned peace and bliss, should depart from confusions and disturbances, to...
How To Not Break The Precepts？
Question: How do I prevent myself from breaking the Five Precepts (which guard against killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and taking of intoxicants)? Answer: You can remind...
Beginner Haiku
If you hada false start —just begin again.
The Buddhas Have Many Manifestations
I work for sentient beings in the costume of Brahma and Indra,And sometimes even as Mara.But worldly people cannot realize this.I also appear as a woman or as an animal. I show attachment, even...
From ‘The Snow Girl’ To A Vegan Baby
Learn, be reborn here,and forget everything.Relearn and re-forget… — Shilashanti (Part 1) In ‘The Snow Girl’, a five-year-old girl goes missing. Subtly but surely brainwashed by those who...
Cultivate Concentration To Give Rise To Wisdom 修定生慧
汝等比丘，若摄心者，心则在定。心在定故，能知世间生灭法相。是故汝等，常当精勤修习诸定。 You and other Bhikṣus, if there are those gathering their minds, their minds will then be in concentration. With minds in concentration thus, they will be...
Why Stop Complaining?
‘Question’: *Complaint… complaint… complaint…* Answer: Life will never improve if we merely keep complaining about people, organisations and matters. It...
‘Where The Crawdads Sing’ Of Preys And Predators
What if there is an unrepentant bully, who threatens one’s home and even life, who is however ‘difficult’ for the law to apprehend? What if ending the person’s life seems to...
With Upholding Precepts Following Teachings And Offering Buddhas 以持戒顺教供佛
譬如灵瑞优昙华，亦如随意妙宝珠，若信恭敬一切佛，则持净戒顺正教。若持净戒顺正教，诸佛贤圣所赞叹，戒是无上菩提本，应当具足持净戒。若能具足持净戒，一切如来所赞叹，若信恭敬一切佛，则能奇特供最胜。 — 文殊师利菩萨《华严经》贤首菩萨品第八 For example, like the Uḍumbara flower,*likewise like a wish-according wonderful...
Will The Buddha Bless The Evil? (Moral Contradictions Within ‘Infernal Affairs’)
The evil curse themselves continually with their remorseless evil thoughts, words and deeds. — Shilashanti Perhaps the most disturbing scenes of the ‘Infernal Affairs’《无间道》trilogy are...
Self-Encouragement 自勉
汝等比丘，于诸功德，常当一心，舍诸放逸，如离怨贼。 You and other Bhikṣus, for all meritorious virtues, constantly should be wholehearted, and abandon all laxity, like departing from a hateful thief. 大悲世尊，所说利益，皆已究竟。汝等但当勤而行之。...
Can I Cut My Hair Due To Death In The Family?
Question: A relative passed away recently. Can I cut my hair? Answer: Yes, you can. There is no worldly rationale or teaching by the Buddha against this, especially if it will make you more tidy and...
Three Quick ‘Bullet Train’ Lessons
Lesson #1: Ladybug uttered, ‘Hurt people hurt people.’ Yes, that is a proper sentence. With an actual truth too. To be more accurate, ‘hurt people tend to hurt people’. Why...
Integrity Haiku
With integritymatch your thoughtswith your words and deeds.
The ‘Infernal Affairs’ Trilogy’s Missed Dharma Teachings?
2022 marked the 20th anniversary of one of the most significant set of films made in Hong Kong. That said, the most important yet most overlooked spiritual takeaways from the ‘Infernal...
How To Repay The Buddha’s Kindness 如何报佛恩
念报佛恩，当持经戒，相率以道。道不可不学，经不可不读，善不可不行。行善布德，济神离苦，超出生死。见贤勿慢，见善勿谤，不以小过证入大罪。违法失理，其罪莫大，罪福有证，可不慎耶！ — 释迦牟尼佛《阿难问事佛吉凶经》 To mindfully repay the Buddha’s kindness, you should uphold the sūtras and precepts, with one...
The Dharma Body Constantly Abides 法身常住
自今以后，我诸弟子，展转行之，则是如来法身，常在而不灭也。是故当知，世皆无常，会必有离。勿怀忧恼，世相如是。当勤精进，早求解脱；以智慧明，灭诸痴暗。 From now afterwards, all my disciples, passing it through many, practising it (i.e. the Dharma), are then with the Thus Come...
With ‘The Pale Blue Eye’ See Vengeance
This is a tale of love, lust, suicide, murder, mutilation, lies, revenge, grief, guilt and forgiveness. Why so much drama? Well, even sugar-coated fairy tales for children are about facing and...
Lotus Haiku
If there are no lotuses without mud,because of this defiled land’s mud,seek that Pure Land’s lotuses.
Should Others Smile Or Cry At Your Wake?
此时，所最得益者，莫过于一心念【阿弥陀】佛。所最贻害者，莫过于妄动哭泣。 — 净土宗十三祖印光大师《临终三大要》 At this moment, of the greatest attainable benefits, nothing is more beneficial than to wholeheartedly recite the name of Buddha [Āmítuófó]...
Swiftly Eliminate Arrogance 疾灭憍慢
汝等比丘，当自摩头，已舍饰好，著坏色衣，执持应器，以乞自活，自见如是。 You and other Bhikṣus, should personally scrape (i.e. shave) your heads, and already having abandoned adornments for beautification, wear spoilt coloured robes (i...
Questions On Love Prompted By ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’?
Who do you really love? For some perhaps, this has to be rephrased… What do you truly love? The beloved of course! But is the more beloved actually status, fortune, lust and/or more in...
What Is The Easiest Buddhist Practice For Preventing Nightmares?
Question: I have been having disturbing nightmares. What is the simplest Buddhist chant for peaceful sleep? Answer: You should practise sincere mindfulness of Amitābha Buddha’s name...
Hope Haikus
Your Buddha-natureis your truly greatand lasting hope.___Potential not lived up tois still there,yet as if not.
Only Walk The Middle Path 唯行中道
远离二边，直行中道。不偏不离，即是佛道。 Far depart from the two extremes, by straightforwardly walking the Middle Path. Not being one-sided and not leaving it, this then is the Buddha path. Shilashanti...
How To (Not) Be Disappointed Repeatedly
Why look for the right thingin the wrong placefor even a moment? — Shilashanti Tip #1:Just keep expecting only perfect Bodhisattvasamong Buddhists who are ordinary beings here,instead of making do...
With Few Desires Is Less Suffering 少欲少苦
汝等比丘，当知多欲之人，多求利故，苦恼亦多。You and other Bhikṣus, should know that of people with many desires, with much seeking of benefits thus, their sufferings and afflictions are also many. 少欲之人，无求无欲，则无此患。 Of...
Why Do The Enlightened Sometimes Conceal Their Identities?
Question: With reference to the article at , the Buddha said that, ‘having taught them the Dharma, and roused, edified, and gladdened them, I would straightaway vanish.’Why did...
‘The Cloverfield Paradox’ Has Multiuniversal Ethical Issues
What if you encounter not just a doppelganger of yourself,but a double version of your entire family and planet too –all of whom you have to decide to save or destroy,versus your...
Action Haikus
Great actions speak louderthan great words…and great thoughts.___The truly greathave great actions…not just great words and thoughts.
Propagate The Path 弘道
人能弘道，非道弘人。 《论语•卫灵公第十五•第二十九章》 It is people who are able to make great the path,not the path that makes great people. (Analects: 15th Chapter: Wèilínggōng: 29th Section)
Significance Of 12 Analogies In The Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of Analogies《佛说譬喻经》之十二譬喻的意义
智者观斯事，象可厌生津，五欲心无着，方名解脱人。— 释迦牟尼佛《佛说譬喻经》 Those wise contemplating these matters, are like those who can have revulsion, and give rise to crossing, of the five desires’ mind, without attachment...
The Four Noble Truths Are Eternal 四圣谛是永恒的
月可令热，日可令冷，佛说四[圣]谛，不可令异。 The moon can be made hot, and the sun can be made cold, while the Buddha’s spoken Four [Noble] Truths, cannot be made different. 佛说苦谛实苦，不可令乐。[1] The Buddha’s...
Should Buddhists Pray On The 100th Day Of Death?
Question: Are Buddhists supposed to pray for the deceased on the 100th day after departure? Answer: This is not a practice taught by the Buddha. It is a Chinese cultural tradition. The...
An (Almost) Unrepentant ‘Oldboy’ Returns
‘Oldboy’ (2013), like the ‘elder’ (2003) version, tells a cautionary tale of vengeance and regret. Yes, vengeance does not lead to satisfaction, but to bitter regret. Harming...
Thinking Haiku
Think for yourself,or others might think for you,or rather, for them.
Bodhisattvas Do Not Eat Meat 菩萨不食肉
菩萨摩诃萨发菩提心不失正念。于诸众生不起害心。不食肉。不欺诳。常以善法教化众生。众生不受不废不愁。 — 释迦牟尼佛《菩萨善戒经》 Bodhisattva Mahāsattvas give rise to the Bodhi Mind and do not lose right mindfulness. For all sentient beings, not giving rise...
Why Look For A Needle In A Haystack Without Needles?
Be constructivein terms of your virtues,with pure Dharmalearning and practice. — Shilashanti A young Buddhist seems to habitually ‘rant’ on some relatively more prominent...
Illumination Of True Wisdom 实智慧之照
汝等比丘，若有智慧，则无贪著。常自省察，不令有失，是则于我法中，能得解脱。若不尔者，既非道人，又非白衣，无所名也。You and other Bhikṣus, if having wisdom, are then without greedy attachment. Constantly personally examining oneself, not leading to having...
Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions On Karma
Question [1]: Basically, what is the law of karma?Answer: It is the natural law that according to what we think, say and do, be it good or evil, we will experience happiness or suffering respectively...
The Hungry ‘Morbius’ Vs. The Angry Hulk
Michael Morbius (2022) snarls as a vampire for a moment and says, ‘I’m sorry. I’m starting to get hungry. And you don’t wanna see me when I’m hungry.’ He snarls...
Focus Haikus
Live with ever sharperlaser-sharp focuson what you should realise. Live with ever broadersun-like radianceon how you should help.
Actions And Speech Should Match The True Mind 身口应对真心
不行真正道，随邪号行婆。口慙神佛少，心怀嫉妬多。背后噇鱼肉，人前念佛陀。如此修身处，难应避奈何。 — 寒山（文殊菩萨化身） Not practising the true and right path, following evil ‘orders’ of old ‘practising’ (wo)men. With mouths...
How To Overcome Bullying?
The law of karma is unrelenting, even for those who do not believe it exists, do not understand it, and misunderstand it. — Shilashanti An unfortunately common question these days goes, ‘Still...
Pare Down Your Belongings
The more of the excess you give,the more of contentment you gain. In Zen, we have a word for almsgiving: kisha. It means gladly giving something up, without regret. This is how we describe it when...
How To Increase Attention Span?
Question: I am impatient, with short attention for Dharma learning and practice. What should I do?Answer: First, do not keep affirming to yourself that you are so. What you keep affirming...
Dark Side Of ‘The Good Nurse’?
How is it possible that an apparently ‘good’ nurse nefariously kill many patients? According to the depiction in ‘The Good Nurse’, ‘To avoid a death sentence, Charles...
Even The Buddhas Take Refuge In The Dharma 佛亦皈依法
法是佛母，佛从法生。三世如来，皆供养法。 —《涅槃经》 The Dharma is the Buddhas’ mother,as Buddhas are from the Dharma ‘born’.The three periods’ Thus Come Ones,all make offerings to the Dharma[by...
Wholehearted Mindfulness Of The Buddha Is Cultivation Of Precepts, Concentration And Wisdom 一心念佛时，即修戒定慧
三学治三毒：戒施治贪欲，定悲治瞋恚，智慧治愚痴。— 三学偈 (1) With the Threefold Learning cure the Three Poisons: with Precepts and Generosity cure Greedy Desires, with Concentration and Compassion cure Hatred and Anger, and...
Four Sayings On Being Timely
Even ‘bad’ experiences become goodif there are good lessons learnt.Even ‘good’ experiences becomes badif there are no good lessons learnt. — Shilashanti In this world, knowing...
How To Neither Gossip Nor Slander? 如何不说闲话不诽谤？
Question: Is pointing out others’ mistakes to them considered as speaking of the fourfold assembly’s transgressions (说四众过)? Is pointing them out to others considered as gossip (说闲话)...
‘They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?’ But Should They?
After reading the novel ‘They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?’ (by Horace McCoy, which was made into a movie in 1969) in the film version of the short story ‘Mr. Harrigan’s...
Patience Haiku
Am grateful for the lizardpatiently listening to my‘Āmítuófó, Āmítuófó, Āmítuófó…’
Be Sincerely Diligent 勤精进
汝等比丘，若勤精进则事无难者，是故汝等，当勤精进，譬如小水常流则能穿石。若行者之心数数懈废，譬如钻火未热而息，虽欲得火，火难可得。是名精进。 释迦牟尼佛《佛遗教经》 You [and] other Bhikṣus, if constantly diligent, [are] then [with] matters without difficulties...
Retributive Responses Of 23 Evil Habits 二十三恶习之报应
A fruit if nurtured, to be reapedfor every seed planted,good, evil or neither.— Shilashanti In Kṣitigarbha Sūtra’s Chapter Four: Jambudvīpa’s Sentient Beings’ Karmic...
Abandon Scattered Minds With Frivolous Discussions 舍离乱心戏论
汝等比丘，若种种戏论，其心则乱，虽复出家，犹未得脱。是故比丘，当急舍离乱心戏论。 You [and] other Bhikṣus, if [with] all kinds [of] frivolous discussions, your minds [will] then [be] scattered. Even if [having] left [the] household [life...
Do The Evil Live Shorter Or Longer?
Question: Why do evil leaders in the past generally live shorter lives? Answer: This is due to their immense evil karma created via creating much suffering for the masses, which bear their...
Should Craig Call ‘Mr. Harrigan’s Phone’?
Miss Hart replies to Craig when he asked if she believes in ghosts, ‘I would never attend a séance or mess around with a Ouija board, trying to summon the dead… My grandma always used to...
Plan Haiku
Plan well for your life,your death,and your afterlife.
Verses Expressing Sentiments 抒怀偈
沉沦生死海，轮回苦无涯。娑婆非吾土，净土是君家。众生离苦海，弥陀航慈筏。信愿勤念佛，金台坐莲华。 — 传印长老 Sunken in the ocean of birth and death, reborn with suffering without a shore. This Sahā World is not my land, and the Pure Land is your home...
To Stay In This Defiled Land Or Reach A Pure Land? 留在秽土或往生净土？To Personally Reach Pure Land First Or Encourage Others To Reach Pure Land First? 先自生净土或劝生净土？
安忍不动，犹如大地；静虑深密，犹如密藏。— 释迦牟尼佛《地藏十轮经》With peaceful patience not moving, similar to the great earth. With calm contemplation deep and meticulous, similar to a secret treasury.— Śākyamuni Buddha(Earth...
Can Merits Really Be ‘Transferred’?
Question: When we practise ‘transference’ of merits, are merits really ‘transferred’? If yes, how is this possible? Answer: ‘Dedication (or sharing) of merits...
The Two Danas Of ‘The Midnight Club’
The Dana who feels constricted by her responsibilities strikes a ‘deal’ of sorts with a supernatural being, that allows her to manifest a doppelganger, to experience what she cannot, on...
Change Haikus
If you do notlike yourself,change yourself. If you cannotchange your body,change your mind. If you canchange your mind,your life will change.
Within The Path’s Mind 道心之中
道心之中有衣食衣食之中无道心 Of the path’s mind within,it has clothing and food.Of clothing and food within,they are without the path’s mind.— Buddhist Saying有修行者必得所需有所需者未必会修Those who have...
To Attain Buddhahood First Or Guide Others To Attain Buddhahood First? 先成佛或先度众？
众生度尽，方证菩提；地狱未空，誓不成佛。— 地藏菩萨（重申）愿With sentient beings delivered completely, then realising Bodhi, if the hells are not yet empty, I vow to not accomplish Buddhahood.— Earth Treasury Bodhisattva’s...
The Buddha’s Teachings On Women’s 84 Manners 佛陀对女人八十四态之教理
不闻思不能修，不能自我修改。知错者才能改，不知错不能改。Those not listening and contemplating are not able to cultivate, not able to have personal cultivation to make amends. Those knowing their wrongs are then able to make...
Can Evil Karma Be Passed Down?
Question: Can ‘sin’ be passed down, according to Buddhism? Answer: In Buddhism, the terms ‘transgression’, ‘evil karma’ and ‘negative karma’ are...
12 ‘Stowaway’ Questions On Life And Death
[1] Are all sentient lives equally worthy to you? [2] What kind of sentient life/lives is/are worthy to you? [3] How much is one such life worth to you? [4] Will...
Tilt Haiku
Be not balancedbetween good and evil;be tilted towards good.
Be Horses And Bulls, Before Dragons And Elephants 先牛马，后龙象
欲为诸佛龙象，先做众生牛马。 — 佛教格言 If desiring to be as all Buddhas’ dragons and elephants,[to take on great responsibilities],first be as sentient beings’ horses and bulls[to serve them]. — Buddhist...
Some Physical And Mental Benefits Of Eating As Vegetarians 吃素之身心利益
Do not consume with crueltyto any being.Do consume with compassionfor all beings. — Shilashanti It should be known that of those in water and on land, the flying and submerged, all sentient beings...
Desire Little And Know Contentment 少欲知足
Human desire is such that, even if the Himalayas were turned to gold, it would not be enough. Human desire is boundless. There is no limit to it. The classic manifestation of desire is money. There...
How To Transform Our Five Poisons? 如何转化五毒？
Question: Spiritually, we have the three poisons (三毒) of (i) greed, (ii) hatred and (iii) delusion (贪嗔痴) that keep enlightenment (i.e. liberation) at bay...
‘The Hunt’ For A Crazy Lady
Once, two pickpockets joined a group of laypersons on their way to Jetavana Monastery, where the Buddha was teaching. One listened attentively and soon attained stream-entry. The other, however, only...
Cultivation Haiku
Have more cultivation,with less complacence,for more confidence.
Mixed Good And Evil
戒律不分明，好坏便参半。难称为善人，随时可成恶。 With precepts and rules not understood clearly,one is with good and evil then mixed as halves. Difficult to be called as a good person then,as at any time, possibly...
Record Of Bright Eyes’ Mindfulness Of Buddha To Save Her Mother And Giving Rise Of The Bodhi Mind 光目念佛救母发菩提心记
As we have been reborn for countless times already, all sentient beings have been reborn as our mothers before…— Shilashanti In Kṣitigarbha Sūtra’s Chapter Four: Jambudvīpa’s...
Contemplating Knowing Contentment 观知足
汝等比丘，若欲脱诸苦恼，当观知足，知足之法即是富乐安隐之处。 You [and] other Bhikṣus, if desiring [to be] liberated [from] all sufferings [and] afflictions, should contemplate [on] contentment. [The] Dharma of knowing contentment...
Are The Buddha’s Teachings Worthy For Learning?
Question: If I have doubts about the worth of the Buddha’s teachings, what should I do? Answer: Paradoxically, the fact that you are asking this question means you do think there...
The Existential Burden Of ’21 Grams’
A small boy hits his sister on an arm, and the girl complains. Their father responds, ‘Hold out your other arm and let your brother hit you… [because] “Whoever slaps you on the...
Control Haiku
Control what you canandforget what you cannot.
The Triply Beautiful
Practise the Dharmabeautiful in the beginning,beautiful in the middle andbeautiful at the end.For a lifebeautiful in the beginning,beautiful in the middle andbeautiful at the end.— Shilashanti
How Earth Treasury Bodhisattva Entered The Buddha Path With Mindfulness Of Buddha 地藏菩萨如何以念佛入佛道
Be inspired personallyto become the inspiring.— Shilashanti In Kṣitigarbha Sūtra’s Chapter One: Supernormal Powers In Trāyastriṃśa Heavenly Palace《地藏经》(忉利天宮神通品第一) was this taught by Śākyamuni...
Not Forgetting Mindfulness 不忘念
汝等比丘，求善知识、求善护助而不忘念，若不忘念者，诸烦恼贼则不能入，是故汝等，常当摄念在心； You [and] other Bhikṣus, [when] seeking good-knowing friends, [and] seeking good protective helpers, none [are] like not forgetting mindfulness. If...
What Is Most Essential For Buddhists To Master?
Question: What is essential to learn from Buddhism?Answer: How to have the best rebirth. Q: Why is it not how to be liberated from rebirth (i.e. be enlightened)?A: It is too difficult to do so in...
Why ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ Is Still Tragic
After three instalments of Ghostbusters in the movies, a sore problem still exists, on the nature of their ‘solution’. There is still the ‘practice’ of trapping demons...
Time Haiku
The Buddha oftenspeaks of impermanenceas we are always running out of time.
Restrain From Evil Speech 禁止恶口
白圭之玷，尚可磨也；斯言之玷，不可为也！ —《诗经•大雅•抑》 The blemishes of white jade,still can be polished away,but for the blemishes of that said,this cannot be done! — (Book Of Odes: Greater Odes: Restraint)
Somebody, Please! Anybody?
To be sincereis to be wholehearted,and thus single-minded.— Shilashanti In a Taiwanese comic book《怪奇微微疼》of ghost stories (by 微疼) is a full page drawing of a frowning guy having a supernatural...
Contemplating Eating And Drinking As Taking Medicine 观饮食为服药篇
You [and] other Bhikṣus, [when] receiving all drinks [and] food, should [be] like taking medicine. Of [that] good [and] of [that] bad, [do] not give rise [to wanting] more [or] less. [For the]...
Are The Bothersome All Karmic Creditors?
Question: Are those I feel bothered by my karmic creditors (冤亲债主)? Answer: Anyone or even anything we are unhappy with functions like a karmic creditor in the moment. However, when we respond with...
An Existential Crisis Of ‘Mine’?
A lone soldier who found himself standing on what could be a mine in the middle of a desert brings these questions to mind… [1] How do you know if you are on an existential mine or not, as...
Words Haiku
Words thatpoint the wayare not the way.
Four Steps For The Dharma
Do not just learn; contemplate too.Do not just contemplate; practise too.Do not just practise; realise too.Do not just realise; share too.— Shilashanti
The Buddhas And Bodhisattvas Are Always Smiling
An enlightened smilereveals that all is wellfor the one smiling.— Shilashanti The Buddhas and Bodhisattvasare always smiling,as they are always blissful,having perfect wisdom about all. The Buddhas...
With The Straightforward Mind Sever Flattery’s Mind 以直心断谄曲心
汝等比丘，谄曲之心，与道相违。是故宜应质直其心。 You [and] other Bhikṣus, [should know that the] mind of flattery, with [the] path, contradict each other. Therefore, [there] should [be] straightforwardness [of] your minds...
Why Is There Aversion Of Some?
Question: Why do we sometimes have inexplicable aversion of some sentient beings ‘naturally’? Answer: Generally, when we feel averse towards anyone (human, animal or otherwise) for no...
How Justice Was Served To ‘My Daughter’s Killer’
The synopsis of this true crime documentary reads, ‘A father believed his daughter had been r_ped and killed by her stepfather, a respected doctor. His long pursuit of justice led to last...
Shame Haiku
Those with moral shamewill be free from the shameful,while the shameless will not be so.
Verse On Being Without Patience 无忍偈
真忍无忍，忍无可忍。忍者所忍，皆无所住。 — 直弦子 True patience is without patience,thus patient without that to be patient of.With the one patient and that patient of,all without that to abide upon(due to impermanence...
You Can Always Control Your Interpretations And Responses
We don’t always control what happens to us. But we always control how we interpret what happens to us, as well as how we respond.— Mark Manson(The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Journal) We...
Dedication Verses For Printing, Upholding And Distributing Sūtra Books 印持流通经书回向偈
普为出资及读诵受持辗转流通(经书)者回向偈曰Dedication Verses Universally For Those Who Sponsor And Those Who Recite, Accept, Uphold, Pass And Distribute This (Sūtra Book)...
How Do I Know I Am Bound For The Hells?
Question: How do we know if one is bound for the hells in the next life? Answer: When one is clearly unrepentant, by continually doing great evil, with breaking of the precepts, by killing...
Review Films Personally
Why only ‘review’ a filmby ‘reviewing’others’ reviews of it?Why not review the filmby watchingand reflecting on it? Not that others’ reviewsare worthless,but truth...
Truth Haiku
As the truthis forever,it will prevail.
Verse On Patience With Abuse To Protect Your True Mind《忍辱护真心》偈
瞋是心中火，能烧功德林。欲行菩萨道，忍辱护真心。— 寒山和尚 Anger is fire within the mind,able to burn away meritorious virtues’ forest.Desiring to practise the Bodhisattva path,have patience with abuse to protect your...
Are We In The ‘Beginning’ Pure, Impure… Or Both?
譬如销金矿， 金非销故有， 虽复本来金， 终以销成就，一成真金体， 不复重为矿。 — 释迦牟尼佛《圆觉经》For example, like smelting gold ore, the gold does not, with smelting thus exists. Although again with the original gold, in the end, it is with...
Take Dharma Medicine To Walk The Buddha’s Path 服法药，行佛道
我如良医，知病说药，服与不服，非医咎也。 I [am] like [a] good doctor, [who] knows [your] sicknesses [and] spoke [of their] medicines, [while] taking and not taking [them, is] not [with the] doctor to blame...
How To Be Veg(etari)an With Non-Vegetarian Family Members?
Question: I find it very challenging to be veg(etari)an when having family gatherings. Is there any advice for this? Answer: It is of course best to invite and treat the whole family to a...
Don’t Miss 9 Lessons From ‘The Gray Man’
Don’t Be Grey[1] Those grey might be easily made black (i.e. wrong) to harm the white (i.e. right).[2] Those grey should become as white as possible, and as soon as possible.[3] Those...
Bonus Haiku
Prepared for the worst,anything not sobecomes a bonus.
No Resentment For No Recognition 不愠人不知
人不知，而不愠，不亦君子乎？ 孔子《论语》 With people not knowing one, yet not resentful,is one not also a noble person? Confucius(Analects) (The truly virtuous are at peaceand remain truly virtuous,even if recognised...
Your Coffin, Urn, Tablet, House Is Not Your True Home
闻说阿弥陀佛，执持名号… 一心不乱。其人临命终时，阿弥陀佛，与诸圣众，现在其前。是人终时，心不颠倒，即得往生阿弥陀佛极乐国土。— 释迦牟尼佛《阿弥陀经》Hearing this said about Amitā[bha] Buddha, firmly uphold mindfulness of his name (Āmítuófó)… wholeheartedly...
Make Only Veg(etari)an Offerings At Wakes 丧礼只供素食
至于丧祭，通须用素，勿随俗转。— 净土宗十三祖印光大师(复周孟由昆弟书)As for funeral rituals, all should use veg(etari)an food, not according to (other) ‘customs’ transforming this.— Pure Land Tradition’s 13th...
[8] What Is The Buddha Like And How Does He Relate To Me?
TDE’s Dharma Dialogues: Issue [8][As continued from the previous issue…] Question [15]: What is the Buddha about again? Answer: The Buddha is the very embodiment of all the...
Morally Dissecting ‘The Butcher Of Delhi’?
The most thought-provoking part of ‘Indian Predator: The Butcher of Delhi’ is this mentioned by Deepak Sharma, who was the defence lawyer of Chandrakant Jha, the titular serial killer...
Doubt Haiku
Willingness to doubtis willingness tonot be gullible.
Just Take Care Of The Grain Now
It isn’t the mountain aheadthat wears you out;it’s the grain of sandin your shoe. Anonymous
How A Meditator Ascended The Highest Heaven And Fell Into Hell 禅者登天堕狱记
From the Treatise On Perfection Of Great Wisdom《大智度论》(Scroll 17, Preface Chapter 1; 卷17: 序品1) written by Nāgārjuna Bodhisattva (龙树菩萨), is this very short, yet important and terrifying...
Guard And Protect Against Anger’s Mind 防护瞋心
瞋是心中火，能烧功德林，欲学菩提道，忍辱护瞋心。 As anger is a fire within the mind, that is able to burn meritorious virtues’ forest, if desiring to learn the Bodhi path, with patience protect against anger’s...
[7] Is Buddhism Another Religion Or Beyond Religion?
TDE’s Dharma Dialogues: Issue [7] [As continued from the previous issue…] Question [13]: Is Buddhism not just another religion? Answer: If ‘religion’ means to...
The Real ‘Resident Evil’
When humans already with muchgreed, hatred and delusion‘mindfully’ meddle with science… zombies are created with moregreed, hatred and delusion,who ‘mindlessly’ consume...
Absolution Haiku
No one canabsolve ourselvesbut ourselves.
Pure And Cool Moon 清凉月
菩萨清凉月，常游毕竟空。众生心垢净，菩萨影现中。 — 佛教名言 Bodhisattvas, like the pure and cool moon,constantly travel in ultimate emptiness.When sentient beings’ minds’ defilements are purified,the...
How Do Buddhas And Bodhisattvas Save And Deliver Hell-Beings? 佛菩萨如何救度地狱众生？
诸恶莫作，众善奉行，自净其意，是诸佛教。— 释迦牟尼佛 《法句经》第183偈Of all evil not do,of all good practise,and to self-purify this mind,these are all Buddhas’ teachings.— Śākyamuni Buddha (Dharmapada: Verse 183) As hell...
Make Only Vegan Food Offerings For The Deceased 为亡者只供素食
是命终人，未得受生，在七七日内，念念之间，望诸骨肉眷属，与造福力救拔。过是日后，随业受报。— 地藏菩萨 《地藏经》These people with lives ended, when yet to attain receiving of births, in seven of seven days within, hope that all their kin and family...
[6] How A Great Scientist, Philosopher And Psychologist See The Buddha’s Teachings
TDE’s Dharma Dialogues: Issue [6][As continued from the previous issue…] Question [11]: If the Buddha’s teachings are so wonderful, why are they not the most widespread ones...
Does This ‘Incantation’ Bless Or Curse?
After watching ‘Incantation’ (咒), a friend asked, ‘Is the “Great Black Buddha Mother” (大黑佛母) Black Tārā?’ Before you take the movie too seriously, the director...
Trust Haiku
That which canbe truly questionedcan be truly trusted.
Find Buddha
A Buddha is not easy to find,for one is not born just anywhere.However, where one is found,you will also find great happiness.— The Buddha(Dhammapada Verse 193)(It is easiest to find a Buddha in his...
What Makes This Life Worthy?
There is no predicament whichcannot be ennobled either byan achievement or by endurance.— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [I]magine that you are sitting in a concert hall and listening to your favourite...
When ‘Bad’ Things Happen To ‘Good’ People
重业重报偈凡重业，无忏悔，无念佛，皆重报。Verse On Heavy Karma With Heavier RetributionAll heavy evil karma,without repentance,without mindfulness of Buddha,are all with heavier retribution(with even more transgressions)...
[5] Are The Buddha And His Teachings Outstanding?
TDE’s Dharma Dialogues: Issue [5] [As continued from the previous issue…] Question [9]: Since the Buddha’s teachings encourage the asking of questions, how do I know the...
The Gem Within ‘Richard Jewell’
Being unenlightened, none of us are perfect all the time, be it in the past or present. After all, we are mixed bags, with pure gold but embedded in ore, that requires further refinement. Despite...
Shame Haiku
It isshamefulto be shameless.
Verse On Diligent Learning 勤学偈
未成佛者，学无止境。唯成佛者，学达止境。 For those yet to accomplish Buddhahood,learning is still without an end.Only for those who have accomplished Buddhahood,has learning reached its end.
Time Will Tell The Truth 时间会说出真相
时间会说出真相 [1] 赠君一法决狐疑，不用钻龟与祝蓍。[2] 试玉要烧三日满，辨材须待七年期。[3] 周公恐惧流言日，王莽谦恭未篡时。[4] 向使当初身便死，一生真伪复谁知？ — 白居易《放言五首·其三》 Time Will Tell The Truth [1] [I hereby] give you a method for resolving doubts, that does not...
To Live A Meaningful Life, Fully Fill Your Life Circle
Do your best now,to better yourselfto do even better later.— Stonepeace [One] day, a young man… confronted me about the question of the meaning or meaningless of life. His argument was as...
‘The Umbrella Academy’s Grandfather Paradox Resolved?
‘The Umbrella Academy’s third season’s third episode summarised the Grandfather Paradox — of a ‘temporal anomaly’ that might be created, (if time travel in its usual...
Non-Anger & Non-Violence
He who meets anger with anger is the loser. He who is calm in the face of anger is the winner. He has won a difficult battle.He who remains calm and unperturbed in the face of anger,saves both...
How Should Buddhists See The Plant-Based Meat ‘Revolution’?
第三食肉[轻]戒：若佛子，故食肉，一切肉不得食。夫食肉者，断大慈悲佛性种子，一切众生见而舍去。是故一切菩萨，不得食一切众生肉。食肉得无量罪。若故食者，犯轻垢罪。 — 释迦牟尼佛《梵网经菩萨戒本》 The Third [Light] Precept Against Eating Meat: If [as] Buddhas’ [Bodhisattva] disciples, [of]...
‘Spiderhead’s Existential And Ethical Questions
Is our experienced ‘reality’ just a result of chemical reactions in the brain? Is it matter over mind, or mind over matter? If the first is true, there would hardly be need to mind the...
Opportunity Haiku
All missed opportunitieswere in the now,even those ‘later’.
Mindfulness Of Buddha As A Universal Deathbed Practice In The Theravāda, Mahāyāna And Vajrayāna Buddhist Traditions
Plan for the last first,as the last will come,and it can come fast.— Shilashanti A meditator asked, ‘When approaching the end of life, how should I abide, as the body will be deteriorating...
‘RRR’s (Rise, Roar, Revolt) Riveting Relentless Resilience
Raju the revolutionary, who was unjustly imprisoned in chains, when mocked by his captor for still using them to exercise (for his eventual spectacular escape), uttered the following defiantly —...
Work Haiku
Work, only to rest,to work even more, mundanely,or towards the transcendental?
Five Sections On Patience In The ‘Sūtra Of Forty-Two Sections’《四十二章经》之忍辱五章
被辱不瞋难。— 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》(第十二章：举难勤修：第八难)To be insulted yet not angry is difficult.— Śākyamuni Buddha(Sūtra Of Forty-Two Sections:Twelfth Section: Raising Of Difficulties For Diligent Cultivation: Eighth...
The Dharma Of ‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness’
The movie suggests that dreams, instead of being mere delusions, are alternate realities with parallel worlds that we might ‘dreamwalk’ in. If so, this is not just one universe, but a...
Teaching Haiku
For various beings,skilfully share the Dharma —essentially, detailedly and in between.
Seven ‘Recurring’ Lessons From ‘Russian Doll’
[1] Core: With dreamlike layers within layers like nested Russian dolls, what are we at the core? We cannot be nothing as we are something. We cannot be something fixed as we can change. What...
Fall Haiku
Only fall…to do a push-up,that strengthens upon rising.
‘Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story’… In The Afterlife Too?
Over time, Savile subtly betrayed his lack of understanding on the dynamics of karma, not that he was expected to know them, or he would not have done the hellish deeds he did. During interviews, he...
The Buddhas Are The Best Friends Of All Sentient Beings
While mindfulness of teachings learnt is meritorious, mindfulness of our teachers is also meritorious.— Shilashanti During a chat on the precious support of spiritual friends, a friend remarked that...
Control Haiku
Since only youcan truly control you —take control well.
A Spinning Coin
The world keeps changing,and you are part of the world,but even if it changes to be worse,you can still change yourself for the better.— Shilashanti Uncertainty is the cause of anxiety, but it is...
[4] How Do We Know The Buddha’s Teachings Are Reliable?
TDE’s Dharma Dialogues: Issue [4][As continued from the previous issue…] Question [7]: If I’m interested in the Buddha’s teachings for attaining True Happiness, how do I...
‘Against The Ice’, Along With Hope
What if you are stranded in an almost totally frozen land, with scanty hope of any rescuers arriving? It is not at all unreasonable that there will be projections of whatever little hope remaining...
Rising Haiku
A sunsetis moonriseand star-rise too.
Where Should Buddhist Teachers And Students Be Reborn?
The Buddhas wish all beings to swiftly attain Buddhahoodfor one and all, by reaching Pure Land.— Shilashanti (Part 1) Question [A]: If there is a teacher, who also wrote many Buddhist books...
A Great Master’s Only Sincere Request 大师之唯一至祷
有一秘诀，剀切相告。竭诚尽敬，妙妙妙妙。— 净土宗十三祖印光大师《与吴璧华书》There is one secret for success to reach Pure Land, to earnestly inform one another. It is to have wholehearted sincerity and utmost reverence, which is most...
[3] Can There Be Both Worldly And Spiritual Happiness?
TDE’s Dharma Dialogues: Issue [3][As continued from the previous issue…] Question [5]: To attain the spiritual True Happiness mentioned, will I have to give up material ‘false...
‘The Batman’ As The Shadows And The Light
In the second year of Batman’s clandestine yet harsh vigilante work, he still seems to struggle between venting his anger and checking his bearings. Perhaps unsure of what he stands for, he is...
Dream Haiku
Further awaken —to know this is nota dream in a dream.
What Is The Best Way To Depart?
上念佛者，佳妙瑞相，预知时至，启众信心。—《佳妙偈》(1)Those with superior mindfulness of Buddha, have excellent and wonderful auspicious signs, including in advance knowing the time of reaching Pure Land, which inspires all...
What Does Your Life Expect Of You?
If it is finitely meaningfulto seek True Happiness for oneself,it is infinitely meaningfulto seek True Happiness for all.— Stonepeace I once had two world-weary people sitting opposite me — as chance...
[2] Can True Happiness Be Attained?
TDE’s Dharma Dialogues: Issue [2] [As continued from the previous issue…] Question [3]: What is this True Happiness that the Buddha attained? Answer: True Happiness...
‘Operation Chromite’: An Existential Race Against Time
The ‘Operation Chromite’ movie retells the Battle of Incheon, as planned by General Douglas MacArthur. Although about war and the fragility of life, the film also offered significant...
Attention Haiku
Attention.Attention.Attention.— Ikkyu
Should We All Fully And Strictly Uphold The Five Precepts?
有而犯者，胜无不犯。有犯名菩萨，无犯名外道。— 释迦牟尼佛《菩萨璎珞本业经》Those having precepts, yet breaking them [unmindfully], are superior to those without precepts, not breaking them. Those having precepts to break are named as...
Be Morally Superior Firmly
Those with a higher purposecan suffer meaningfully,thus not truly suffering.Those without a higher purposemight suffer meaninglessly,thus truly suffering.— Stonepeace We know today more than ever...
[1] Why Learn The Buddha’s Teachings?
TDE’s Dharma Dialogues: Issue [1]Question [1]: Why should I be interested in the Buddha’s teachings? Answer: Speaking from the personal experiences of many, there is no...
‘All Of Us Are Dead’ In Humanity?
The trickiest scenarios in zombie stories involve uncertainty over fellow humans on the run together. Was s/he really bitten by zombie? Will s/he transform to be another zombie? Should s/he be...
Self Haiku
Actual ‘self’-actualisationactualises selflessness,for all as one and no one.
Patience With Evil Without Anger 忍恶无瞋
恶人闻善，故来挠乱者，汝自禁息，当无瞋责。彼来恶者，而自恶之。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第六章 When evil persons who hear of good,are with those who thus come to disturb,if you are personally restrained and calm,you will be without angry...
All The More Should Pure Land Be Reached
国中天人… 识宿命，下至知百千亿那由他诸劫事者… — 前法藏菩萨；现在阿弥陀佛《无量寿经》：第五：生者皆得宿命愿[H]eavenly and human beings within my [Pure] Land, have those… knowing past lives… at least know[ing] a hundred...
Animals (A Vegan Slam Poem)
Veganism gives us all the opportunity to say what we ‘stand for’ in life — the ideal of healthy, humane living. Add decades to your life, with a clear conscience as a bonus.— Donald...
Are Such Funeral Proceedings Ideal?
Question: At a teacher’s funeral, there was a period when many students were standing and sitting around, not doing anything in particular. Some might be meditating, but none were chanting...
Just A ‘Feria’ Tale?
If there is evil in this world, is there not also the most powerful evil? Yes, of course. by logical default. In Buddhism, this is represented by Māra, the heavenly demon king. What if there is a(n)...
Right Haiku
Not rightly knowingright from wrongis already wrong.
Evil Returns To Oneself 恶还本身
有人闻吾守道，行大仁慈，故致骂佛。佛默不对。骂止，问曰：「子以礼从人，其人不纳，礼归子乎？」对曰：「归矣。」佛言：「今子骂我，我今不纳，子自持祸，归子身矣。犹响应声，影之随形，终无免离，慎勿为恶。」 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第七章 There was a person who heard of my guarding of the path, and practice of great...
From Schadenfreude to Mitfreude And Beyond
What Is Schadenfreude? In this Internet age, Schadenfreude is trending. Under the cloak of anonymity, malicious trolls will spin almost every celebrity’s mishap into an international roasting...
Keep Leading By Doing What Is Right
Let us not wait for other people to come to us and call upon us to do great deeds. Let us instead be the first to summon the rest to the path of honor. Show yourself to be the bravest of all the...
Can Those Who Misrepresent The Dharma To Many Avoid Hell?
Question: If a person who gave wrong teachings that harmed many in the name of ‘Buddhism’ passes away, can merits dedicated to this person prevent falling into hell...
Some ‘Bulgasal’ (Impossible To Kill) Truths
A ‘soothsayer’ of sorts tells a ‘prophecy’ of sorts — ‘You will cross paths [with one another] one way or another [in this and/or future lives]. Either as enemies or as...
Purpose Haiku
The full meaningof meaningfulness —is purposefulness.
With Dust & Spittle Self-Defiling 尘唾自污
恶人害贤者，犹仰天而唾。唾不至天，还从己堕。逆风扬尘，尘不至彼，还坌己身。贤不可毀，祸必灭己。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第八章 When evil persons harm those virtuous, it is like looking up to the sky and spitting. Their spittle does not reach the sky...
How To Stoically Respond To A Ghost
Direct yourself calmly and clearly.Guide others kindly and wisely.Direct and guide one and all likewise.— Shilashanti There was at Athens a large and roomy house, which had a bad name, so that no one...
Are Enlightened Ones Still Sentient Beings?
Question: Are awakened beings (觉者) like Buddhas (佛陀), Pratyekabuddhas (辟支佛), Bodhisattvas (菩提萨埵/菩萨) and Arhats (阿罗汉/罗汉) still considered as sentient beings? Answer: The term ‘sentient...
The Many Mysteries Of ‘The Medium’
‘The Medium’ tells a tale with more open-ended questions than conclusive answers. Are ‘medium’ practices primordial or primitive? Do every single practitioner continue their...
Selfless Haiku
To transcend yourself,do that selfless —for someone else.
Past As Prologue
The past had already formed.The future has yet to form.Only in the present is forming.— Shilashanti William Shakespeare wrote, ‘Whereof what’s past is prologue…’Not...
The Meaning Of Life Transcends Mere Pleasures
The meaning of lifeis to be livedever more deeplyuntil it is realised fully.— Shilashanti ‘[A]s the saying goes, “we are not in this world for fun”… [A] Russian experimental...
Why Is Buddhahood Manifested In The Human Realm?
Question: Why is Buddhahood manifested in the human realm? Answer: Buddhahood is always manifested in the human realm, be it terrestrial (planetary) or extraterrestrial (extraplanetary), as...
The ‘Squid Game’ Is Over, If You Want It
The ‘Squid Game’ is a series of life or death competitions, in the guise of childhood fun and games. As New Order sang, ‘Grow up children, don’t you suffer, at the hands...
Tragedy Haiku
The real tragedyis not having tragedy,but not rising above tragedy.
What Is The Proper Buddhist View On Rearing Of Child Spirits?
开示忏悔，念佛回向，即是最速，超度法门。Offering guidance, repentance,mindfulness of Buddha and dedication of meritsis the most swift Dharma Door for deliverance. Rearing of child spirits (养小鬼) was never taught by the...
How You Respond Matters More Than What Happens
It is not what happens to you,but how you react to it that matters.— Epictetus ‘Whoever has a why to live can bear almost any how,’ as the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche...
Ten Frequently Asked Questions On Troublesome Ghosts
Question [1]: Can scolding of vulgarities ‘shoo away’ a troublesome ghost?Answer: This might work — only if one is more intimidating than the ghost, who becomes intimidated instead...
Is This The Horror Of Horrors?
Having watched many horror films, I wondered what is the simplest yet still effectively ‘horrible’ scenario. To ‘qualify’, it must have the element of an existential crisis...
Advice
Advice for the young at heart: Soon we will be older… When we’re gonna make it work?— Tears For Fears(Advice For The Young At Heart)
Giving Of Alms In Turn Superior 施饭转胜
饭恶人百，不如饭一善人。饭善人千，不如饭一持五戒者。饭五戒者万，不如饭一须陀洹。饭百万须陀洹，不如饭一斯陀含。饭千万斯陀含，不如饭一阿那含。饭一亿阿那含，不如饭一阿罗汉。饭十亿阿罗汉，不如饭一辟支佛。饭百亿辟支佛，不如饭一三世诸佛。饭千亿三世诸佛，不如饭一无念无住无修无证之者。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第十一章 Offering food to a hundred evil...
Towards The True ‘Happily Ever After’
A very unhappy beginningand even many unhappy in-betweensdo not matter if there is a truly happy ending.— Shilashanti In Neil Gaiman’s ‘Preludes & Nocturnes’ (The Sandman, #1)...
Now Is Forever
That once thought, said and done become that forever thought, said and done, with karmic repercussions echoing forever.— Shilashanti [T]he eternal refers back to the temporal – to the temporal...
Should I Learn The Dharma From Movies?
Question: Someone asked if a movie with Buddhist themes is based on a ‘true’ story. How should I answer? Answer: Unless it is a proper documentary filmed with sound research, story-based...
Realignment Haiku
Be dead to the pastevil and false self —realign to Buddha-nature now.
Six Serenity ‘Prayer’ Reminders
What I can controlis what I think, say and do — that is all.As this is how I create my karma,may I always think, say and do well.— Shilashanti(The Control Reminder: Part 1) [1] When Trouble...
Rationality: A Simple Definition
The more rational knowthey are not always rational.The more irrational thinkthey are always rational.— Shilashanti Clearly the words “rational” and “irrational” can be quite...
How To Handle Unwanted Buddhist Pictures?
Question: What is the best way to ‘remove’ an old and faded Buddha picture? Answer: Due to its condition, unless it is a valued antique (and not a mass-produced picture), even if passed...
Can ‘My Name’ Be Neither Prey Nor Predator?
Villains often assume and impose false dichotomies upon their victims to justify their ways. For example, there is a rather central assertion in this series, that there are only two kinds of people —...
Character Haiku
‘Character is destiny’, taught Heraclitus.Change yourself to change your ‘fate’.
Are Humans More Frightening Than Ghosts? 人比鬼可怕吗？
人与鬼之间，谁更加可恶？恶人成恶鬼，都可怜可怕。— 人鬼偈 (1/2)Between humans and ghosts, who are more repulsive? With evil humans becoming evil ghosts, both are pitiable and frightening.— Verses On Humans And Ghosts (1/2)...
Buddhism And Stoicism On Overcoming Obstacles
You have power over your mind —not outside events.Realize this, and you will find strength. — Marcus Aurelius A misconception that many people have of Stoicism or Buddhism is that we have to bear any...
How To Know If What Learnt Is Questionable?
Question: How can I know if what learnt is questionable? Answer: The answer is in the question — to know if what learnt is questionable, question it. A quick way to know if one is caught in a cult...
Are The Unenlightened Not Somewhat ‘Unsane’?
The key problem with the very insane is that they think they are very sane, and that those who think they are insane are truly insane ones. Ironically, since only the very insane and very enlightened...
Karma Haikus
Those who do not believethat fire burnsnevertheless suffer fires’ burns.Those who do not believethat ill causes lead to ill effects.nevertheless suffer ill causes’ effects.
Why Is Āmítuófó’s Pure Land The Land Of All Lands, The Land Of Your Dreams? 为何阿弥陀佛的净土即是国中国，您的理想国
极乐世界，无山海谷。佛神力故，欲见则见。— 如意偈 (1/2)The Land Of Ultimate Bliss, is without mountains, seas and valleys. With the Buddha’s supernormal power thus, desiring to see them, then seeing them.— Verses On...
Life Is For Joyful Duty
I slept and dreamtthat life was joy.I awoke and sawthat life was duty.I worked – and behold,duty was joy.— Rabindranath Tagore [L]ife is somehow duty, a single huge obligation. And there...
Should We Help The Deceased Within 49 Or 100 Days After Death?
Question: Should post-death practices to benefit the deceased be within 49 or 100 days? Answer: In the Buddhist teachings, rebirth is taught to usually occur within 49 days after death (if in the...
Fare Well Now For ‘The Farewell’ Later
If an elderly relative is, according to medical professionals, technically dying, already in his or her last stages of life, but not yet sickly enough to be bedridden, should he or she be informed of...
Usefulness Haiku
You are usefulto others until…you are not.(But at least you were useful.)
What Will Never Deceive You
I can become a good personand create one good person for the world.And I think that if I can just do that,then I might become a personwho can create more than that.— Copper (via Genzaburo...
Give It To Me!
Give away what you do not need.Give away your miserliness.Give away what others do need.— Shilashanti One morning when the Blessed One was in Śrāvastī he donned his lower garment and Dharma robes...
How To Relate To The Great And Small Vehicles’ Teachings?
Question: How should we relate to the Great Vehicle (大乘: Mahāyāna) and the Small Vehicle (小乘: Hīnayāna)? Answer: The Great Vehicle’s teachings contain the complete path to...
Run ‘Beckett’ Run
What is worse than being on the run, fleeing from relentless enemies eager to take your life? Not knowing why they are after you, even if you believe it is some karmic situation you got caught up in...
Karma Haiku
Those who will especially be humbled by the law of karma,are those who do not believe in it.
You Have Your Now
The centre betweenthe past and futureis forever the now.— Shilashanti I walked up toward Suzuki [Roshi] and said, ‘What now?’ He said, ‘Don’t ask me. Now is now. You have your...
Does The Teaching Of Emptiness ‘Condemn’ Forms?
Question: Does the Buddhist teaching of ‘form is emptiness’ (空即是色) ‘condemn’ or ‘negate’ one another’s personal identities? Answer: There need not be any...
Beyond ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, In Thought, Word And Deed
In (the movie) ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, before Freddie Mercury made it to the big time, his father semi-admonishingly reminded him of his family’s Zoroastrian spiritual roots, by...
Effect Haiku
As right cause and effect too,the wrong cause planted surely reaps the wrong effect.
When Brightness Comes, Darkness Fades 明来暗谢
夫见道者，譬如持炬入冥室中，其冥即灭，而明独存。学道见谛，无明即灭，而明常存矣。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第十七章 Those who see the path, for example, are like those holding torches entering dark rooms within, with that darkness then eradicated, and...
Why Is Eating Less A Spiritual Practice?
Question: Are there spiritual benefits for consuming only one meal a day (or one less meal a day), compared with having three meals and snacks whenever wished? Answer: Having one near-noon meal...
The Future Buddha’s Gambatte Spirit Under The Bodhi Tree
If the goal is worth it,and possible to reach it,rest if you must,but you must never give up.— Shilashanti The story of Siddhartha Gautama is well known; he left his family and the pleasures of...
What Truly Is ‘A Family’?
What if all left for worldly refuge is a ‘surrogate’ family? What is a real family? What if one never felt the love of a real blood family, while experiencing real care by gangsters? What...
Appreciate Wabi-Sabi, But Don’t Fall In Love With It!
This body and mindbear the Three Dharma Seals of phenomena.That Buddha-nature realisedbear the Four Virtues of Buddhahood.– Shilashanti Wikipedia’s entry on ‘wabi-sabi’ opens...
Wellness Haikus
There are none bornwho do not keepgetting to die. There are none youngwho do not keepgetting old.There are none wellwho do not keepgetting unwell. Wellness hereis no true wellness,just respite from...
Beyond Ruffy The Dog And Meowy The Cat
The language of fear and hatredtranscends words and species —it is of shrieks and screams.— Shilashanti In books and movies, when humans talk to animals and give them personal names, even if the...
The Most Wonderful Secret For Success 最妙秘诀
事事以诚为本，念念常省自心，则汝诸生之成就，均不可量。— 净土宗十三祖印光大师《法云寺佛教慈幼院规约书后诫勖诸生》When handling everything, with sincerity as foundation regarding them, and from thought to thought, always reflecting upon your own minds...
Does Mindfulness Of Buddha Always Work For Protection?
Question: Why is it that some say mindfulness of Buddha works for protection when having supernatural disturbances, while some it does not work?Answer: The answer is simple, as presented in the...
‘Reliving’ Lessons FromThe ‘Pet Semetary’
The tagline of ‘Pet Semetary’ says, ‘Sometimes dead is better.’ And sometimes, this needs to be reminded. Thus the ‘revival’ of the 1989 movie with the 2019 remake...
Rebirthday Haiku
Celebrate yourliberation day;not rebirthday.
With Utmost Sincere Minds Study And Recite Sūtras 以至诚心读诵经
有一秘诀，剀切相告。竭诚尽敬，妙妙妙妙。— 净土宗十三祖印光大师《与吴璧华书》There is one secret for success to reach Pure Land, to earnestly inform one another. It is to have wholehearted sincerity and utmost reverence, which is most...
Is Telling Half-Truths Lying?
Question: Is not telling all of the truth a form of lying, in terms of breaking the Fourth Precept? Answer: This depends on several factors. For instance, if there is legal declaration needed, such...
Are ‘Things Heard And Seen’ Completely Yet?
This life is ideally like a good movie, with all the fine details heard and seen tied up by the end, with everything falling into place, with all the bothersome issues ironed out. (Hopefully, there...
Do Films Reflect Or Recreate ‘Reality’?
This is not a film review, but a review on film, and its predecessor, photography. Beyond written words, paintings and sculptures, which conveniently record fiction, humans probably invented various...
Opinion Haiku
The definite truth is,your opinion isnot the definite truth
With The False And True Both Contemplated 假真并观
观天地，念非常。观世界，念非常。观灵觉，即菩提。如是知识，得道疾矣。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第十九章 Contemplate the heavens and earth, to be mindful of impermanence. Contemplate the world, to be mindful of impermanence. Contemplate spiritual...
The Central Practicality Of Pure Land Buddhism
无禅有净土，万修万人去。若得见弥陀，何愁不开悟。– 净土宗六祖永明延寿大师 | 法眼宗三祖永明禅师《禅净四料简》Without Chán and with Pure Land practice, of ten thousand cultivators, ten thousand persons will go to Pure Land. If...
Is It Right To Be Angry (At The Angry)?
Question: Is it not right to be angry at those who have offended us? Answer: Other than doing what practical to clear misunderstandings, there should not be anger, which only harms your mental well...
From ‘Ragnarok’ To ‘Trese’, From Myth To Reality
A review with eight ‘what if’ questions… What if ancient myths are not totally outdated world views, not merely arbitrary ‘theories’ for explaining the nature of life...
Strength Haiku
The more strength you exertwhen exerting strength,the more strength you have.
Reasoning For Self To Fundamentally Be Empty 推我本空
当念身中四大，各自有名，都无我者。我既都无，其如幻耳。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第二十章 You should be mindful, that of the body within’s four great elements, although each has a name, [as earth, water, fire and wind], all are that...
Why Did The Buddha Eat Horse Wheat? 佛陀为何吃马麦？
菩萨畏【造恶】因Bodhisattvas fear[creating of evil] causes.—Buddhist Saying (Part 1) According to the ‘Sūtra On Arising Of Practices’《兴起行经》, in a distant past life, when Pípóyè Thus Come One (毘婆叶如来) was in...
What Are The Benefits Of Committing To The Bodhisattva Precepts?
Question: What are the advantages of observing the Bodhisattva Precepts? Answer: According to the ‘Bráhma Net Sūtra’s Bodhisattva Precepts’ Text’《梵网经菩萨戒本》as taught by...
How ‘The Curse Of La Llorona’ Perpetuates
Whether true or as a mythical archetype, the Mexican case of La Llorona, (which means ‘The Weeping Woman’), is a powerful cautionary tale for all. With several takes on her origin, the...
Betterment Haiku
Offset,not upset,unless for the better.
For Reputation Losing The Fundamental 名声丧本
人随情欲，求于声名，声名显著，身已故矣。贪世常名，而不学道，枉功劳形。譬如烧香，虽人闻香，香之尽矣；危身之火，而在其后。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第二十一章 Of people following passionate desires, seeking for reputation, with reputation outstanding, the body is already...
In Each One Moment Is One New Encounter 一期一会
When I first came across the saying ‘一期一会’ in a Japanese-styled tea shop, I thought it was a special slogan, for urging customers to come and meet once a week in the shop for tea. It...
Should Merits Be Dedicated To Karmic Creditors Only?
Question: I heard online, that it is not good to dedicate merits directly to loved ones who are not well, that there should be dedication to their karmic creditors instead, who might be the...
The ‘Ghost Lab’ That Didn’t Work Well
The problem with trying to prove the existence of ghosts is that it requires physical recording and assessment of that recorded with the senses. This seems like the usual seeking of empirical...
Words Haiku
Only write wordsworthy to be your last,worthy to last.
Wealth And Sex Attracts Suffering 财色招苦
财色于人，人之不舍，譬如刀刃有蜜，不足一餐之美。小儿舔之，则有割舌之患。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第二十二章 Of wealth and sex given to people, of people not renouncing them, for example, are like having a knife’s blade with honey, not enough...
How To Avoid Supernatural Disturbances And Curses? 如何不撞鬼中邪？
To observe the Precepts well, is to avoid ghostly woes well. — Shilashanti As taught in ‘Guānshìyīn Bodhisattva’s Universal Door Chapter’《观世音菩萨普门品》in the ‘Wonderful Dharma...
Why Were The Buddha’s Eyes ‘Blinking’?
Question: A friend said he saw the Buddha’s eyes in a framed picture opening and closing when he was chanting with a group in a wake. Why is this so? Answer: Due to a technical issue, there is the...
‘Army Of The Dead’ (2021) Revives Ethical Issues
Just when we thought the zombie genre had run out of new nuances, it literally evolved to the next level… What makes zombies no longer run-of-the-mill zombies? When they begin to feel in terms...
Finity Haiku
In this finite life withfinite thoughts, words and deeds,think, speak and do well.
With One Recitation Of Āmítuófó Driving Out A Ferocious Possessing Ghost 一声阿弥陀佛驱赶附体猛鬼
不以戒律， 降伏三毒， 即自感召， 五十阴魔。 — 防魔偈 (1) Not with the Precepts, to subdue the Three Poisons, is to personally connect and call upon the Fifty Aggregate Demons. — Verses On Prevention Of The Demonic (1) The...
How To Transform Those Foolish And Arrogant 如何转变愚傲者
令亲在堂，宜以净土法门， 感应事迹，常时解说， 令其发欢喜心，信受奉行。 — 净土宗十三祖印光大师 《复永嘉某居士昆季书》 For your esteemed Mother still healthy and alive, you should with the Pure Land Dharma Door, its’ achievements of connections with...
Are Sicknesses Due To Karma?
Answer: All sicknesses that lead to physical and/or mental suffering involve negative karma, as expressed through biological and/or psychological processes naturally. Karma is part of nature too; it...
‘Searching For Sheela’ Outside ‘Wild Wild Country’
In 2018 was release of the engrossing ‘Wild Wild Country’. As Netflix introduces the documentary series, ‘When a controversial [Indian] cult leader builds a utopian city in the...
Opponent Haiku
A ‘good’ opponentis one who might win you,not one you will surely win.
How Should We Lie Down When Sleeping And Dying?
Every night is a minor death, the death of another day, as we advance towards the day of our ‘redeath’. — Shilashanti In the Seyyā Sutta, which is the discourse on ‘Lying...
‘Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas’ (Of Drugs And Such)
On what he considered the failure of the 1960s counterculture movement, Hunter S. Thompson wrote, ‘He [Timothy Leary, who advocated psychedelic drugs like LSD to be with potential for...
Desires’ Fire Burns Oneself 欲火烧身
爱欲之人，犹如执炬，逆风而行，必有烧手之患。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第二十五章 Of people with attachments and desires, they are like those holding torches, against the wind then walking, who definitely will have the suffering of...
How The Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng Was Recognised As Great Power Arrived Bodhisattva’s Manifestation 净土宗十三祖印光大师如何被认定为大势至菩萨的化身
莲风迭扇奏肤功，万论千经一句融；势至化身弘净土，故应念佛证圆通。— 李慧澄第十四《诗偈》: 第五偈With the Lotus Tradition’s wind repeatedly fanning, while [humbly] presenting ‘shallow’ merits, with ten thousand treatises and...
Why Not Dress Before Buddha Images?
Answer: In the absence of the Buddha in person, Buddha images are customarily taken to represent his presence, to serve as precious Dharma reminders. They are not meant to be mere decorative images...
‘The Little Stranger’ Who Is A Little Familiar
The best supernatural tales are never really about ‘super-nature’. They only use supernatural elements to highlight the workings of human nature, thus telling engaging stories filled with...
How To Solve ‘The Problem Of Evil’ With Buddhism
An omnipotent being [if he exists], who created a world containing evil [or potential for evil] not due to [its] sin must himself be at least partially evil [i.e. sinful]. — Bertrand Russell...
Should I ‘Just’ Let My Negative Karma Ripen?
Question: Is it right to think that I should not take special care of my health, so that my negative karma can be allowed to ripen, to be depleted? Answer: The Buddha’s teachings are not...
Are Negative Karma And Negative Habits The Same?
Question: A friend mentioned that a mutual friend has negative karma, that prevents learning and practising the Dharma well. However, I think it is due to negative habits instead, leading to...
The True Horror Of All Horror Movies
Watching on, seeing a truly horrific horror flick,we naturally first wonderhow such a horrible villain or demonis able to exist, even if fictitiously. Watching on, discovering the mysterious...
Transcendence Haiku
Go beyond space and timeby doing whattranscends your self.
Heavenly Demons Disturbing The Buddha 天魔娆佛
天神献玉女于佛，欲坏佛意。佛言：「革囊众秽，尔来何为？去。吾不用。」天神愈敬，因问道意。佛为解说，即得须陀洹果。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第二十六章 Heavenly gods offered beautiful maidens to the Buddha, desiring to destroy the Buddha’s resolve. The Buddha said...
A Review Of Epicurus’ ‘Deadly’ Existential Mistake
What seems to make sense at first,might be exactly that —what only seems to make sense at first.— Shilashanti In the third section of the ‘Letter to Menoeceus’ by the Greek philosopher...
Which Realm Has The Most Beings?
Question: Of the six realms of existence, which has the most sentient beings? Answer: Numbers in the scriptures were not encountered, probably as they fluctuate with rebirth. However, there is this...
Nothing Haiku
There is nothing to lose if you cling to nothing.
Those Without Attachment Attain The Path 无著得道
夫为道者，犹木在水，寻流而行。不触两岸，不为人取，不为鬼神所遮，不为洄流所住，亦不腐败。吾保此木，決定入海。学道之人，不为情欲所惑，不为众邪所娆，精进无为。吾保此人，必得道矣。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第二十七章 Those as practitioners of the path, are like wood on water, along with the flow then...
Record Of A Venerable Identifying A Fake Bodhisattva 和尚辨认假菩萨记
譬如穷人，妄号帝王，自取诛灭。况复法王，如何妄窃？— 释迦牟尼佛《楞严经》For example, like a poor person, falsely naming oneself as an emperor, this is to self-court extermination. Moreover, as a Dharma King, how can this title be...
Live Without Cold Spots
镬汤无冷处。The cauldron’s soupis without cold spots.— Zen Saying If you are living as fully a you can, you will have no time to be bored [or unhappy]. There is not a single drop of cold water in a...
Is It Alright To ‘Focus’ On More Than One Enlightened Being?
Question: Although I usually practise mindfulness of the name of Amitābha Buddha (i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛), as I once felt very desperate, I then pleaded to both Āmítuófó and Guānshìyīn Bodhisattva...
An Awakening Walk Through Bly Manor
Every unresolved ghost story is a tragedy, arising from the three poisons of strong attachment, aversion and delusion. Reborn out of delusion, we return with its offsprings of attachment and aversion...
Threefold Learning’s Haiku 三学俳句
Be good with preceptsBe calm with concentrationBe clear with wisdom
All Sentient Beings Have Everlasting Buddha-Nature 一切众生佛性不朽
人非草木，知错能改。灵性不朽，宰予成材。 — 不朽偈 (1) As humans are not grass and trees, when knowing their mistakes, they are able to change. With spiritual nature never rotting, even Zǎiyǔ became worthy. — Verses On...
Everything In The Right Places
好雪片片，不落别处。— 庞云居士Good snow!Flake by flake,they do not fall on other places.— Layperson Páng Yún Do not be afraid. Live while accepting everything [as they are, so that they can be bettered if...
Is It Alright To Feed Deceased Animals To Living Animals?
Question: What do you think of feeding fish (and ‘standard’ canned pet food) to cats and dogs, while being vegetarian personally, with chanting of the Rebirth Mantra (往生咒) for the fish...
Direction Haiku
If there is a clear direction,there should beno confusing distractions.
Three Ways To Urge Those Doing Well To Learn Buddhism
The fleeting nature of the worldly,is our wake-up call from the worldly.— Skýlosan For those doing well in life, who feel that as long as they do not do evil, and do some good, there is no need to...
Even Great Bodhisattvas And Patriarchs Seek Birth In Pure Land
[I]f you wish to rescue deluded, suffering sentient beings, you should first seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Only after you have achieved Tolerance of Non-Birth should you return to the sea of...
How Should Buddhists See Birthdays?
Question: How should Buddhists view birthday celebrations? Answer: The term ‘birthday celebration’ viewed with the spiritual perspective is most ironic, as they are actually...
Endurance Haiku
Whining makes enduring harder.
Great Master Hānshān’s ‘Song On Wasting In Vain’ 憨山大师《费闲歌》
In Great Master Hānshān’s (憨山大师) ‘Song On Wasting In Vain’《费闲歌》, he wrote a list of ten deeds, which are relatively easier to do externally, as compared with ten deeds which are...
Universal Virtue’s Practices’ And Vows’ Chapter’s Verses Related To Amitābha Buddha’s Pure Land 与阿弥陀佛净土相关的《普贤行愿品偈颂》
尔时普贤菩萨摩诃萨，欲重宣此义，普观十方而说偈言：… At that time, Universal Virtue [Samantabhadra] Bodhisattva Mahāsattva, desiring to repeat proclamation of this meaning, universally contemplated the ten directions...
How To Advise An Angry And Greedy Dying Person?
Question: How can I advise an angry and greedy person who is dying to let go of her grudges and greed for money? Answer: Remind her that as her angry state of mind will affect her next life...
Learning Haiku
Learn to break free; not just to learn.
What Is ‘Beauty’?
The worldly onlycling to the beautiful.— Shilashanti(Part 1) The so-called ‘beautiful’ is soonly when perceivedunder certain conditionsof space and time. When seen too far without,it is...
The Danger Of Arrogance Vs The Power Of Repentance
忏悔文 我昔所造诸恶业，皆由无始贪嗔痴，从身语意之所生，一切我今皆忏悔。— 普贤菩萨《普贤菩萨行愿品》 Verse For Repentance From my past, those created all evil karmas,all due to beginningless greed, hatred and ignorance,from body, speech and mind...
Will Speaking Of The Unfortunate Cause It?
Question: Will speaking of the unfortunate happening lead to it occurring? Answer: Not if there are no follow-up efforts to cause it to occur, or karmic conditions that allow so. The idea that...
Openness Haiku
Open your heart, and focus your mind to learn and ask.
From Desire’s Fire Far Depart 欲火远离
夫为道者，如被干草，火来须避。道人见欲，必当远之。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第三十章 Those as practitioners of the path, are like those who wear dry grass [i.e hay]. When fire comes, it must be avoided. Practitioners of the path...
To Transcend, And To Transcend Transcending
I woke up to see the sunshining all around me…Why would it shine down on me?…Just had to ask myself,‘What’s it really for?’— What’s It For?(Yoko Kanno) The worldly yet noble...
Go For That Easy To Get, Use And Keep
Wealth is able to buy the pleasures of eating,drinking and other sensual pursuits —yet can never afforda cheerful spirit or freedom from sorrow.— Musonius Rufus [From ‘On Furnishings’]:...
What If I Forgot A Death Anniversary?
Question: I recently forgot about my late parents’ death anniversaries. However, I have been daily practising repentance (on the behalf of all, including them) and mindfulness of Buddha, with...
Birthday Haiku
It is a happy birthday only if you were born happy, to bring happiness to others.
Great Master Hānshān’s ‘Song For Awakening The World’ 憨山大师《醒世歌》
In Great Master Hānshān’s (憨山大师) ‘Song For Awakening The World’《醒世歌》, he wrote a string of universal reminders and admonitions for spiritual practice. Being timelessly relevant, the...
Why Choose Sickness Over Indulgence?
How much better is itto be known fordoing well by manythan for living extravagantly?— Musonius Rufus [From ‘On Furnishings’]: I would choose sickness rather than luxury, for sickness...
What Is ‘Form Is Emptiness’?
Question: What is the meaning of ‘form is emptiness’ (色即是空)? Answer: ‘Form’ (色) refers to matter, (which is what has mass); the material, as summed by the Four Elements (四大)...
The Right Story Can Resume With Timely ‘Atonement’
‘Atonement’ is a believable cautionary tale on the ills of an over-active imagination, which can lead to the ‘natural’ ease of spinning destructive and false testimonials...
Wisdom & Kindness Haikus
The wise learn what they should, to help themselves. The kind share what they can to help others.
With Self Emptied Is Fear Eradicated 我空怖灭
人从爱欲生忧，从忧生怖。若离与愛，何忧何怖？ — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第三十二章 People from attachments and desires give rise to worries, and from worries give rise to fear. If departed from attachments, what worries and what fears...
It Is Easier To Be Born In Amitabha Buddha’s Pure Land
I prostrate to Amitabha, leader of humans and gods.Through compassion you always see each migrator as your own child.Remembering you just once leaves fear of the Lord of Death far behind.May you...
Is Guānyīn A Bodhisattva Or Buddha?
Question: If Guānshìyīn (Avalokiteśvara) Bodhisattva (观世音菩萨) is still a Bodhisattva as named, why do Buddhists commemorate her/his day of accomplishing the path to Buddhahood (成道日) on the 19th...
My Love Is ‘My Magic’
A man jaded after the loss of his wife struggles to provide for himself and his young neglected son. He intoxicates himself by drinking to drown his sorrows, but is reminded eventually, of his past...
Best Haiku
Do (what is right) (with) your (thought, word and deed) best (you can).
With Wisdom’s Brightness Destroy The Demonic 智明破魔
夫为道者，譬如一人与万人战。挂铠出门，意或怯弱：或半路而退，或格斗而死，或得胜而还。沙门学道，应当坚持其心，精进勇锐，不畏前境，破灭众魔，而得道果。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第三十三章 Those as practitioners of the path, are for example, like one person with ten thousand persons...
Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva’s Teachings On Butchers & Buyers
[M]eat itself always derives from killing. If there were no killing, the lives of animals would remain unharmed. If there were no meat-eater, there would be no killer.— Shambhala King...
To What Extent Should The Dharma Be Protected? 护法应当到什么程度？
于诸佛净戒，护持如明珠。— 释迦牟尼佛《梵网经菩萨戒本》Of all the Buddhas’ pure precepts, protect and uphold them like bright pearls.— Śākyamuni Buddha (Brahma Net Sūtra’s Bodhisattva Precepts) The Bodhisattva...
Why Dread Karmic Retribution?
Question: Why should one be afraid of being reborn in a lower realm like hell if one does not remember anything from one’s past life? Answer: If one knows one is going to hell later...
Meet Ron The White-‘BlackkKlansman’
Dharmically, we have been reborn so many times already, that we must have all been of various species of sentient beings, what more races. Who is a ‘purebred’ then? There are no...
Battle Haiku
As life is precious and short,choose your battles well —those against your ‘self’.
Abide In The Middle To Attain The Path 处中得道
沙门夜诵迦叶佛遗教经，其声悲紧，思悔欲退。佛问之曰：「汝昔在家，曾为何业？」对曰：「爱弹琴。」佛言：「弦缓如何？」对曰：「不鸣矣。」「弦急如何？」对曰：「声绝矣。」「急缓得中如何？」对曰：「诸音普矣。」佛言：「沙门学道亦然，心若调适，道可得矣。于道若暴，暴即身疲。其身若疲，意即生脑。意若生脑，行即退矣。其行既退，罪必加矣。但清净安乐，道不失矣。」 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第三十四章 A...
That One Should Disdain Hardships
You will earn the respect of all menif you begin by earning the respect of yourself.— Musonius Rufus(Fragment: 30) In order to support more easily and more cheerfully those hardships which we may...
How Best To Have Sea Burial?
Question: For sea burial, is it better to scatter the ashes, which seems to express freedom, or to drop the ashes in the urn?Answer: Scattering of ashes does not lead to freedom of the deceased, just...
‘She’s Funny That Way’, How She’s Connected To Others
In the tight comedic scripting of ‘She’s Funny That Way’, the audience quickly realises how each person is linked to another. As a film ‘law’ of sorts, it is no...
How Maitreya Bodhisattva Gave Rose To The Aspiration To Be Born In Amitābha Buddha’s Pure Land 弥勒菩萨如何发愿往生阿弥陀佛的净土
是故弥勒，设有大火，充满三千大千世界，要当过此，闻是经法，欢喜信乐，受持读诵，如说修行。 – 释迦牟尼佛《无量寿经》 Therefore, Maitreya, if there is a great fire, that fully fills the three-thousandfold great-thousandfold world, one should cross...
Buddha Haiku
If what mindful of, you will become —be mindful of Buddha then.
With Defilements Purified Brilliance Is Retained 垢净明存
如人锻铁，去滓成器，器即精好。学道之人，去心垢染，行即清净矣。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第三十五章 Like people forging iron, ridding sediments to become wares, the wares are then excellent and beautiful. Of people learning the path, ridding...
May Your Compassion Be More Powerful Than Greed
We are just being slaughtered and slaughtered one lifetime after another — don’t let your wisdom, compassion and power be so weak!— Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol(in the voice of old ewes) As for...
What Is This Certain Sutra About?
Question: What is this ___ sutra about? Answer: While this is a very good question, it is also very difficult to answer simply. It is especially difficult to answer due to the length of the scripture...
Was ‘Mee Pok Man’s Love ‘True’?
Adapted from a horror story, ‘Mee Pok Man’ (1995) is an ‘innocent’ love story that turns into a heartbreaking tragedy. In an unqualified attempt to save his crush from a car...
Wáng Yángmíng’s Fantastic Encounter 王阳明奇遇记
无善无恶心之体，有善有恶意之动。知善知恶是良知，为善去恶是格物。-《四句教》王阳明Without good and without evil is the essence of the mind. Having good and having evil is the movement of the mind. Knowing good and knowing evil is intuitive...
Ego Haiku
Ego is our true enemy, for both ourselves and our false ‘enemies’.
Passing Through Much To Obtain Victory 展转获胜
人离恶道，得为人难。既得为人，去女即男难。既得为男，六根完具难。六根既具，生中国难。既生中国，值佛世难。既值佛世，遇道者难。既得遇道，兴信心难。既兴信心，发菩提心难。既发菩提心，无修无证难。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第三十六章 For people to depart from evil paths, to attain as humans is difficult. Already...
How Should Buddhists Respond To Pandemics? 佛教徒该如何应对疫情？
Consumer demand for fresh meat is also rising as the global population approaches 8 billion, including many who are increasingly adopting diets rich in meat. — Mattha Busby(The Guardian, 21 Jan 2020)...
Does Cutting Out The Organs Disturb The Mind?
Helping our loved ones at the time of death is the best service we can offer them, our greatest gift. Why? Because death is the most important time of life: it’s at death that the next rebirth...
When Do Bodhisattvas Intervene To Help?
Question: Some claim great Bodhisattvas do not intervene to help those with ripening negative karma. However, we know that all Bodhisattvas vow to help all beings. How should this...
A Monkey’s Satire On Human ‘Love’?
‘A Chinese Odyssey, Part Two: Cinderella’《大话西游之大圣娶亲》is one of the (too) many (?) comedic retellings of ‘Journey To The West’《西游记》. Although often ridiculous, there seems to be...
Freedom Haiku
Freedom is fromgreed, hatred and delusion,not to be greedy, hateful and deluded.
Be Mindful Of Precepts To Be Near The Path 念戒近道
佛子离吾数千里，忆念吾戒，必得道果。在吾左右，虽常见吾，不顺吾戒，终不得道。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第三十七章 The Buddha’s disciples departed from me for several thousand miles, if recollecting mindfully my precepts, will definitely attain...
We Are Our Own Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
Being part of society,you shape the way it iswith the way you are.— Shilashanti ‘A self-fulfilling prophecy is an assumption or prediction that, purely as a result of having been made, cause...
Why Should I Attain Buddhahood Too?
Immeasurable Buddhas, including you,are needed to guideimmeasurable beings, including you,to Buddhahood.— Shilashanti Someone wonders, “Can Buddhas really benefit sentient beings?” Yes...
How Does Reciting Sutras Relate To Learning About Them?
Question: How does reciting sutras (i.e. Buddhist scriptures) differ from attending classes on them? Answer: There are many nuanced implications in profound teachings that need detailed explanation...
Should You Choose ‘Truth Or Dare’?
The two choices of the ‘Truth or Dare’ game are less conflicting than usually thought, a false dichotomy. Since when has telling the truth been kind of the opposite of doing a dare? The...
Mind Haiku
Mind your mind more as it matters more than your matter.
Are You Fighting A Viral Disease Or Viral Fear?
The Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca once said, ‘We suffer more in imagination than in reality.’ What did he mean? With too much-unfounded information leading to too many ‘what...
Why Be Ashamed Of Being Shameless?
Non-integrity is not to be ashamed of yourself;inconsideration of others is not being embarrassed with regard to others.Haughtiness is the incapacity of honoring others.Fury is a mental disturbance...
Why Do Buddhists Practise Fasting?
Question: What are the spiritual benefits of having only one (or two) meals a day (as in practice of the Eight Precepts)? Answer: Having one near-noon meal a day (or with breakfast) helps to...
On ‘Percy Jackson’, Knowledge & Power
In ‘Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters’, Chiron tells Percy the half-blood (i.e. an imaginary semi-human and semi-god), ‘Knowledge isn’t always power, Percy. Sometimes it’s...
‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ Of A Manifesto
In this sixth M:I movie instalment is a rather intriguing yet deluded manifesto featured, that a bombing terrorist insisted to be aired on the news to justify his destruction. Deluded thoughts are...
Fall Haiku
Always be mindful as all it takes is a slip to fall badly.
That Taught Are Without Differences 教诲无差
学佛道者，佛所言说，皆应信顺。譬如食蜜，中边皆甜，吾经亦尔。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第三十九章 Those who learn the Buddha’s path, of that the Buddha taught by speaking, all should be faithfully followed. For example, like eating honey...
Three Ways To See Mountains And Rivers 三看山水
[1] 参禅之初，看山是山，看水是水。[2] 禅有悟时，看山不是山，看水不是水。[3] 禅中彻悟，看山仍然山，看水仍然是水。— 青原惟信禅师 (意译) As above, it was proposed by Chán Master Qīngyuán Wéixìn in his paraphrased saying, there are three key...
Be As Bodhisattva-Like As You Can
All the suffering there is in this worldarises from wishing our self to be happy.All the happiness there is in this worldarises from wishing others to be happy.― Santideva You also get plenty of...
Is It ‘Better’ To Eat More Small Animals Or One Big One?
Question: Since we know meat is available only with killing on one’s behalf, does eating several cockles create more or less negative karma than eating a piece of beef? Answer: Generally, the...
How The Buddha Relieved A Triple Disaster 佛陀如何救济三大灾难
Whatever beings are assembled here,terrestrial or celestial, come let us salute the Buddha, the Tathāgata (Verse 15) /the perfect Dharma (Verse 16) / the perfect Saṅgha (Verse 17) /honoured by gods...
How An Angry Insulter Was Calmly Reasoned With
Overcome the angry by non-anger;overcome the wicked by goodness;overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth.— The Buddha(Dhammapada Verse 223) According to the ‘Akkosa...
A Golden Line Extracted From ‘Extraction’
During a few moments of respite, somewhere in the middle of the action-packed movie, the protagonist boy shares a golden quote with his rescuer, who was still grieving for his deceased son —...
Refuge Haiku
The path to enlightenment begins with taking refuge and ends by becoming refuge.
Walking The Path Is In The Mind 行道在心
沙门行道，无如磨牛，身虽行道，心道不行。心道若行，何用行道？ — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第四十章 Śramaṇas walking the path, should be without those like milling cows, whose bodies although walking the path, with the mind’s path not...
How A ‘Haunted’ Room Was ‘Exorcised’
If your fears are neverfaced and transformed,they will always haunt you.— Shilashanti On the second night in the small solo retreat room, one of the most nerve-racking events was experienced…...
The Butter & Lamp Analogies For Buddha-Nature
Full enlightenment is attainedby fully realising Buddha-Natureand fully renouncing all other ‘natures’.— Shilashanti I bow to you, the Dharmadhātu[i.e. Dharma-nature, or Buddha-nature,the...
Should I Use Chanting To Fall Asleep?
Question: Can I use a chanting track with a Buddha’s name, such as that of ‘Āmítuófó’ (阿弥陀佛) for listening to help me sleep? Answer: You should not use chanting as a lullaby to...
Choose Life Again, According To ‘T2: Trainspotting’?
21 years later, in 2017’s sequel ‘T2: Trainspotting’, Renton gives an updated ‘Choose Life’ speech, that marks significant cultural changes over time — ‘Choose...
Brace Haiku
Unenlightened life is suffering — brace yourself for it, or become enlightened.
With Straightforward Minds Leaving Desires 直心出欲
夫为道者，如牛负重，行深泥中，疲极不敢左右顾视，出离淤泥，乃可苏息。沙门当观情欲，甚于淤泥。直心念道，可免苦矣。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四四十二章经》: 第四十一章 Those as practitioners of the path, are like bulls carrying heavy burdens, walking in deep mud within, even if...
Summary of ‘Practices With Ten Great Obstacles’《十大碍行》纲要
佛祖圣贤，未有不以逆境为大炉韝者。— 净土宗九祖蕅益大师《十大碍行》跋 Of Buddhas, Patriarchs, noble and virtuous ones, there are yet to be with those who did not practise with opposing situations as great furnaces and hearths. — Pure...
Tame & Transform Your Raging Tiger
It’s great to be able to stopWhen you’ve planned a thing that’s wrong,And be able to do something else insteadAnd think this song.— Mr. Rogers As silly as those lyrics might seem to...
Is Spiritual Friendship Or Spirituality More Important?
Question: Which comes first — spiritual friends or spirituality? How should we ‘balance’ desire for spiritual friendship and spirituality itself? Answer: Although the Buddha taught that...
Choose Life, According To ‘Trainspotting’?
What is ‘trainspotting’ actually? It is a movie based on the novel by the same title. It is a serious hobby of some, to watch trains, to note their distinctive characteristics in...
Anxiety Haiku
There are noanxious situations;just anxious people.
Attain The World By Knowing Its Illusoriness 达世知幻
吾视王侯之位，如过隙尘。视金玉之宝，如瓦砾。视纨素之服，如敝帛。视大千界，如一诃子。视阿耨池水，如涂足油。视方便门，如化宝聚。视无上乘，如梦金帛。视佛道，如眼前华。视禅定，如须弥柱。视涅槃，如晝夕寤。视倒正，如六龙舞。视平等，如一真地。视与化，如四时木。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第四十二章 I see positions of kings and lords, to be like...
How Can Wandering Spirits Be Delivered? 如何超度孤魂？
One without meritscan be offered guidanceto easier create merits.— Shilashanti There are wandering spirits (i.e. 孤魂野鬼: lonely spirits and wild ghosts), who are those yet to be reborn, due to...
Do The Right Thing Naturally
There is no enjoying the possession of anything valuable unless one has someone to share it with. — Seneca Neither the Buddhists nor the Stoics believed in what has come to be called ‘original...
How Is The Threefold Refuge Both Vows & Precepts?
Question: Is it alright for ‘Buddhists’ who had taken the Threefold Refuge in the Triple Gem (of the Buddhas, Dharma and Sangha) to totally immerse themselves in other...
Meaning Haiku
Think the meaningful, to speak the meaningful and do the meaningful.
Bird In Vase
鸟来入瓶中，以縠掩瓶口。縠穿鸟飞去，识神随业走。 《大智度论》 When a bird comes to enter a vase within,with fine gauze covered is the vase’s mouth.When the gauze is penetrated, the bird flies to go off,the...
One Stone At A Time
Since there is only one thoughtin each moment,be aligned to do only one thing wellin each moment.— Shilashanti There is no such thing as good multitasking… Pay attention to your attention —...
Must Negative Karma Be Exhausted For There To Be Liberation?
Question: Is it so that we have to exhaust all our negative karma before we can become liberated? Answer: No. This can be clearly known by looking at the case of Maudgalyāyana (Moggallāna). Although...
The Matrix’s Desert Of The Real Vs Altered Carbon’s Garden Of The Virtual
In ‘The Matrix’ is this introductory dialogue on the titled… Morpheus: [In a white boundless space, which represents the mind’s open possibilities for simulated experiences.]...
Anger Haiku
An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes. — Cato the Elder
Return To Original Nature By Understanding The Path 返本会道
博闻爱道，道必难会。守志奉道，其道甚大。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第九章 Widely listen to and treasure the path,as the path is definitely difficult to understand.Guard your aspiration for receiving the path,as that path is...
Is There Buddhist Minimalism?
Minimise evil entirely.Maximise goodness totally.Realise purity completely.— Shilashanti In recent years, the minimalist lifestyle seems to be the in thing. Is there a Buddhist take on it? Yes...
Master Being A Beginner
Those who think they are learnedare probably the least learned.Those who know they should learnwill probably become learned.— Shilashanti All of us act like those close-minded experts sometimes, and...
Are Saṃsāra & The Sahā World Same?
Question: How are the Sahā World and Saṃsāra different and similar? Answer: The Sahā World (娑婆世界) which means the ‘World Of Endurance’ [of suffering] (堪忍世界) refers to our world system, in...
The Chicken Or Egg Question In ‘The Coldest Game’
‘The Coldest Game’ begins with this chat in a cab, with a cerebral ‘joke’… Professor: What came first? The chicken or the egg? It’s important to see things as they...
Time Haiku
I wasted time,and nowdoth time waste me. — Richard II (in prison)William Shakespeare
Mindfully Ask Your Heart If You Need It
It’s only after we’ve lost everythingthat we’re free to do anything.— Chuck Palahniuk(via Tyler Durden in Fight Club) You’re climbing a mountain but you aren’t well...
How To Help The Possibly Possessed?
Question: How to help a kid who might be possessed? Sometimes, there is waking up with crying, and speaking ‘gibberish’ at certain times, with preferring of dark and cold places. ...
‘The Coldest Game’ Of Duplicity
In this story that ties cunning games of chess competition with duplicitous espionage, the chess master Mansky spoke of how he decides who is truthful by recalling a classic brainteaser –...
First Haikus
You might be young now,but you will be old later —if you do not die first. You might be healthy now,but you will be sick later —if you do not die first. You might be alive now,but you will be dead...
Mind Like Bright Moon 心如明月
吾心似秋月,碧潭清皎洁。无物堪比伦,教我如何说？ 寒山(文殊菩萨化身) My mind is like the autumn moon,in the green pool pure and shining clean.Without an object worthy as an equal, tell me how can I speak of...
I Want You To Panic
No one is acting as if we are in a crisis. Even most green politicians and climate scientists go on flying around the world, eating meat and dairy.* — Greta Thunberg* Such consumption is one of...
What Is The Cause Of Sickness?
Question: A non-religious friend says he does not understand why he contracted a sickness, while a religious friend says she does not understand why the deity she has faith in allowed her sickness to...
5 Pain Relief Tips From ‘Narcos: Mexico’?
In season 2’s episode 2 of ‘Narcos: Mexico’ are some literally torturous-to-watch yet thought-provoking scenes, of an accomplice in torture-cum-murder being interrogated for leads...
Productivity Haiku
Be productive,or you might be destructiveor just stagnate.
How News Can Destroy Peace Of Mind
The more we value thingsoutside our control, the less control we have. — Epictetus What is wisdom? Think of a wide man… your personal ideal, a beacon of humanity. Someone like Socrates...
Are There Buddhist Wealth Gods?
Question: Does the god of wealth (财神) exist? Is there an equivalent in Buddhism? Answer: In Chinese culture, there are some characters believed and worshipped as gods of wealth, some of whom might be...
What Truly Scary About ‘The Ghost Bride’
The following clarifies on major myths propagated by the named series. In the Buddhist perspective, the very Chinese title of ‘The Ghost Bride’, as based on the book《彼岸之嫁》, which means...
Bitter Haiku
Life is already too bitterto be even more bitterabout others’ bitterness.
Verse With Three Truths 三谛偈
诸行无常，是生灭法。 生灭灭已，寂灭为乐。 诸佛《涅槃经》 As all formations* are impermanent,they are arising and ceasing dharmas.*With arising and ceasing ceased already,tranquil...
How Dairy Cows & Veal Calves Suffer
若诸比丘，不服东方丝绵绢帛，及是此土靴履裘毳、乳酪醍醐，如是比丘，于世真脱。酬还宿债，不游三界。何以故？服其身分，皆为彼缘，如人食其地中百谷，足不离地。— 释迦牟尼佛《楞严经》 If all Bhikṣus, [do] not wear eastern silk waddings [and] silk clothing, and this land’s [leather] boots [and]...
Do Not Forget This World Of Phenomena
Trying to suppress delusion is delusion too. Delusions have no original existence; they’re only things you create yourself by indulging in discrimination.— Bankei It’s said that Bakei’s...
How To Say ‘Thanks, But No Thanks’ Nicely?
Question: How can I reply someone who persistently invites me to his activities of another faith to try to convert me, despite knowing I am not interested? Answer: If invited again, how about...
The ‘Brightburn’ Alternative To Superman
‘Brightburn’ (i.e. BB, also spelling Brandon Beyer) imagines the polar opposite of the Superboy or Superman mythos. What are the chances anyway, that an alien baby is like a...
Anxiety Haiku
Aware of the worst possibility,never be anxious if it becomes reality.
How To Have More Peace
If you have the misconception that your life will be perfect, you will always be shocked by its up and down nature. If you expect your life to be up and down, your mind will be much more peaceful...
As Already Warned By A Great Master 大师已警告 (Staying Safe In Current Times)
The growth of the live animal export trade will make the spread of diseases more likely, experts have warned.— Mattha Busby(The Guardian, 21 Jan 2020) As a kind of public service announcement through...
The Buddha’s Two Authorities Within Four Great References For All
For that which I have proclaimedand made known as the Dharma and the Discipline,that shall be your Master when I am gone.– Śākyamuni Buddha(Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta) What if you encounter a so-called...
Spiritual Practice In The Face Of War & Death
万物自有功，当言用及处。事存函盖合，理应箭锋拄。 石头希迁禅师 《参同契》 The ten thousand things each has its merits,that should be said of their functions and situations.Phenomena exists like boxes and lids...
Should Vegans Give Away Non-Vegan Food?
Question: As vegans, when having accidentally received non-vegan food (or drinks), what best should be done? Some would give them to non-vegan friends, as they themselves ‘cannot’ consume...
‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’, Not Far From Reality?
Is this yet another Spider-Man movie? Yes and no. Yes, it seems like a(nother) more teen-focused take, for the younger generation, to create new Spidey fans perhaps. No, as it does imagine, kind of...
Karma Haiku
Preaching about karma without practising accordingly creates worse karma.* * By being a negative example instead of an expected good one.
Eradicate Bad Minds
境缘无好坏，好坏起于心。愚人除境不除心，至人除心不除境。既除矣，境岂实有？ 达境本空，便能素位而行。 不愿乎外，以所历位，无非无外之法界也。知皆即法界，自无入而不自得。 — 净土宗九祖蕅益大师 《灵峰宗论》 Situations’ conditions are without good and bad, with good and bad arising from the...
How To Win At ‘Scissors, Paper, Stone!’
To easier win a game of chance,play with more certain knowledgeof your attachment and aversion. — Shilashanti ‘Scissors, Paper, Stone!’Does it make any sense to haveone as a favourite in...
Thank You Very Much
The essence of givingis to give awaygreed, hatred and delusion.— Shilashanti Giving is the warm heart of Bodhisattva practice. Generosity attends and responds with kindness to whatever turns up...
How Should New Vegans Handle Old Non-Vegan Stuff?
Question: As I am aspiring to be a Buddhist vegan also committing to the Five Precepts, what should I do with old non-vegan stuff like wool shawls and leather bags? Since they are already bought...
‘The Best Of Enemies’ As Better Friends
How do you transform an enemy, to make him or her a friend? By offering unconditional help as a fellow human being. By giving the least expected, yet the most needed without being asked, how can an...
Focus Haiku
Begin focusing now on what you have to at the end.
Are You Affected by the Bystander Effect?
The fully awakenedstand up fully,at the forefront. — Shilashanti The air-conditioning is way too cold in the waiting room.But all the strangers in it endure it for no good reason.No one complains to...
Give The Dharma By Asking For It
Ask well if the answer matters to the welfare of you and/or all others.— Shilashanti Bodhisattvas aspire to offer all their actions of body, speech and mind as Dharma gifts. We have received the gift...
Does Āmítuófó Have A Sexist Vow?
Question: The 35th Vow of Amitābha Buddha (阿弥陀佛: Āmítuófó) says that ‘if there are women who hear my name (i.e. are sincerely mindful of it), with joyful faith, give rise to Bodhicitta, and...
‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’; Not Go To War?
The word ‘Parabellum’ comes from the the Latin adage, ‘Si vis pacem, para bellum’, which translates as, ‘If you want peace, prepare for war.’ It comes from...
Madness Haiku
Who is totally mad, if mostly still able to cross streets well?
Verse For Wearing Precepts’ Robe 搭缦衣偈
善哉解脱服，钵吒礼忏衣， 我今顶戴受， 世世常得披。 This excellent liberation garment,the Paṭṭa Prostration And Repentance Robe,*I now, with my crown carrying and receiving it,**may I, life after life, constantly attain...
How A Great Master Overcame Suffering From Terrible Sicknesses 大师如何克服大病苦
诸佛菩萨，念念念众。 众虽不念，仍慈悲念。— 不弃偈 (1) All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,from thought to thought are mindful of all sentient beings.Sentient beings although not mindful of them,with loving-kindness and...
Patience With Big & Small Frustrations Is Needed
Turning away and touching are both wrong.For it is like a massive fire.— Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi Hakuin Zenji was falsely accused of impregnating a young girl who lived in the village near...
How To Know If One Is A Bodhisattva Or Buddha As Claimed?
Question: How do we tell if those who claim to be manifestations of the enlightened are truly so? Answer: This can be done by asking about what enlightened beings should perfectly know. For instance...
On Students & Teachers In ‘The Kominsky Method’
In the last episode of season 2 of ‘The Kominsky Method’, ‘A Thetan Arrives’… (N)orman says, ‘I believe the next step for me is the journey inwards… the...
Day Haiku
Your re/birthday marks another year to your re/deathday.
Supreme Offering 最上供养
是真精进，是名真法供养如来。 若以华、香、璎珞、烧香、末香、塗香、天缯、幡盖及海此岸栴檀之香，如是等种种诸物供养，所不能及； 假使国城、妻子布施，亦所不及。… 是名第一之施，于诸施中最尊最上，以法供养诸如来故。 — 诸佛《妙法莲华经药王菩萨本事品第二十三》 This which is true diligence [in Dharma...
Should Buddhists Take Their Time Spiritually?
生死事大， 光阴可惜。 无常迅速，时不待人。— 寺院钟板文Birth and death is a matter big,and time available is regrettably little.With impermanence swift,time does not wait for one.— Text On Temple Sounding Board Some Buddhists...
The Phenomenon Of Jewish Buddhists
‘Is your essential nature defined by your gender, race, culture… born into?’ The Pew Research Center’s (2013) ‘A Portrait of Jewish Americans’ revealed that the...
Should Buddhists Worry About End Of The World?
Question: What does Buddhism say about the end of the world? Answer: As Buddhism speaks of the whole universe, with many planets and such, its teachings are not merely earth-centric. Since nothing...
Is ‘The Devil Next Door’?
TDND is a documentary series on the case of Ivan Mykolaiovych Demjanjuk, who lived as an ordinary family man, about whether he was truly ‘Ivan the Terrible’, the nickname given to a...
Respite Haiku
Wellness is ever shorter respitebefore ever longer sickness,before ending in (re)death.(Swiftly live life well now then.)
Birds Of A Feather
世间人民不念修善，转相教令共为众恶。两舌、恶口、妄言、绮语、谗贼、斗乱，憎嫉善人、败坏贤明，于傍快喜。— 释迦牟尼佛《无量寿经》The world’s people are not mindful of cultivating good. In turn instructing one another, together doing many evils. With divisive...
How Egg-Bearing & Meat Chickens & Chicks Suffer
Animals are my friends… and I don’t eat my friends. — George Bernard Shaw As summarised from PETA’s sites below: 13 Ways Chickens & Chicks Suffer [1] More than 300 million...
Do People Swarm To You Or Shun You?
If there is always affinityor the lack of it,we might as well createonly good affinity.— Shilashanti Once Sakyamuni Buddha and his disciple Mahamaudgalyayana went with a large gathering of followers...
Four Queries On Buddhist Images & Ancestral Tablets
[1] Is It Inauspicious To Keep A Damaged Buddhist Image? Question: Is it inauspicious to keep a Buddha or Bodhisattva image with a defect, such as a missing finger at home? Answer: The defect is...
Is There A ‘Dark Phoenix’ In You?
‘Dark Phoenix’ is the tale of Jean Grey’s existential crisis. As she asks, ‘Who are we? Are we simply what others want us to be? Are we destined to a fate beyond our control...
Poison Haiku
As what truly harmful are the Three Poisons,* do not poison.** As what truly harmful are the Three Poisons, do not be poisoned.*** * of greed, hatred and delusion ** to harm others *** to harm...
Self-Deceit Before Other-Deceit 先自欺后欺他
妄语之人，先自诳身，然后诳人； 以实为虛，以虛为实，虛实颠倒，不受善法。 譬如覆瓶，水不得入。妄语之人，心无惭愧，闭塞天道、涅槃之门。 观知此罪，是故不作。 — 龙树菩萨《大智度论》 Of people with false speech, they first deceive themselves, afterwards deceiving people; With the...
How A Shocking Teaching Can Be True
[1] 为利杀众生，[2] 以财取诸肉， [3] 二俱是恶业，[4] 死堕叫唤狱。 — 释迦牟尼佛《大乘入楞伽经断食肉品第八》第六偈 [1] For profit killing sentient beings,[2] with wealth obtaining much meat,[3] both together are [with] evil karma,[4] [after] death...
Increasing Mindfulness Without Morality Can Be Dangerous
Without the right motivationtowards the right goal, anything in between might be wrong. – Shilashanti As noted by Matthieu Ricard, a French Buddhist monk, ‘There can be mindful snipers and...
Is Cultured Meat Considered Vegetarian Or Vegan?
Question: A documentary describes how chicken nuggets can be cultured from chicken feathers. Is such food considered vegetarian or vegan?Answer: The starter product as feather cells is...
What Most ‘Complicated’ About ‘Singapore Social’
There is a kind of relationship sometimes labelled as ‘complicated’ or ‘complex’ due to its ambiguous nature. It is sometimes the ‘open’ or ‘semi-open’...
Honour Haiku
The truly honourable are so,even when facing the truly dishonourable.
Truth & Goodness
If you appreciate truth,defend and share it,lest it distorts.If you appreciate good,praise and emulate it,lest it vanishes.– Bodhistoica
How To Be Mindful Like A Wise Tortoise
若众生心，忆佛念佛，现前当来，必定见佛。– 大势至菩萨 《念佛圆通章》 If sentient beings’ minds recollect the Buddha, and are mindful of the Buddha, now or in the future, they will definitely see the Buddha. – Great Power...
How Managers Can Have Right Speech
Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, and from idle chatter. This is called right speech. – The Buddha(Magga-vibhanga Sutta) The primary goal of giving feedback at work...
How To Prevent Breaking Of Precepts & What To Do When They Are Broken
Question: After committing to the precepts, what should be done if one breaks them? Answer: There should be sincere repentance to express remorse and resolution to not repeat the mistake again...
Why ‘Hellboy (2019)’ Is Not Hellbound
Tall, large, with red skin, a tail, hooves and horns, the half-demon Hellboy is a reminder not to judge by appearances – both in the fictitious and real world. Even those who seem...
Sanity Haiku
Use your moments with limited sanity to increase your sanity. (For how else can you do so?)
Where Evil Starts
一切恶事，虛妄为本。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《涅槃经》 All evil matters,are with falsehood as the root. – Śākyamuni Buddha (Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra)
Why Be A Lapsed ‘Buddhist’?
只看好样子…Only looking at good examples… – 净土宗十三祖印光大师 – Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng Someone shared a testimonial on how a person...
Those Who Care For The Buddha Should Care For The Sick Too
Think of helping yourselfbut give thought to others too.Radiate metta towards all beings.Without the foundation of compassion,the long trudge of Samsara has no end.Without it, how can you enter the...
Do Bodhisattvas Help Non-Believers?
Question: Can those who do not believe in Bodhisattvas be saved by them? Answer: The very definition of Bodhisattvas is that they are those who aspire to guide all beings to Buddhahood, which is the...
Is ‘Revenge Of The Pontianak’ Justified?
Ghostly vengeance sounds super scary and violent. Yet, revenge means there was wrong done, that seems to ‘justify’ the havoc, or does it? Bearing in mind that ghosts are ex-humans, which...
Craziness Haiku
The truly crazy one is the one who does not want to be uncrazy.
Ego
The bigger the ego,the greater the weakness. The smaller the ego,the lesser the weakness. The ending of ego,is the absence of weakness. – Shilashanti
How A Great Master Repented Slander Of The Mahāyāna Teachings 大师如何忏悔诽谤大乘教理？
世尊我一心，归命尽十方，无碍光如来，愿生安乐国。– 世亲菩萨 《往生论》第1偈 Before the World-Honoured One, I, with wholeheartedness, take refuge for life in the one who exhausts the ten directions, as the Unimpeded Light Thus...
In Summer & Winter, Dress & Eat
No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.– Alan Watts The greater part of Zen literature consists of mondo, of brief dialogues between masters and...
How Tall Was The Buddha?
Question: How tall was Śākyamuni Buddha? Answer: In Chinese Buddhist texts, the Buddha is usually described to be ‘丈六八尺’ in height, which is ‘one zhàng and six chǐs or eight chǐs...
Out & ‘In The Shadow Of The Moon’
Fascinating as time travel stories can be, it is also a rather exhaustedly ‘travelled’ genre, ‘inspiring’ a sense of ‘Isn’t this like what I saw before? Here we go...
Will Haiku
Your willingness to say and do what you will will make you culpable.
Just Pour Away Ink-Diluted Water
近墨易黑， 离朱难赤。生人天道， 易成善恶。 – 朱墨偈 (1) Those near ink are easily blackened, departed from cinnabar, difficult to redden. Born in the humanly and godly paths, it is easy become good and evil. – Verses...
Effects Of Ten Unwholesome (Evil) Karmic Paths (十恶业道)
Those with great greed become hungry ghosts.Those with great hatred become hell-beings.Those with great delusion become animals. Of the Ten Unwholesome Karmic Paths, the most severe are causes...
Do Animals Who Kill Create Negative Karma?
Question: Do animals who kill other animals create negative karma, or are they ‘excused’? Answer: Animals might kill with less actual viciousness; with more instinctive violence for food...
How Comedies Can Become Scary Movies
Naturally, we think of comedies as the direct opposite of horror films. The first is for fun and laughter, the latter for terror and shrieks. Then again, there is a way in which a brainless comedy...
Clarity Haiku
If you assume there is no need to clarify at all, you might already be confused.
Loving-Kindness & Compassion 慈与悲
佛心者慈与悲：大慈则与乐，大悲则拔苦。 – 空海大师（性灵集） Those with the Buddha’s hearthave loving-kindness and compassion:with great loving-kindness thus giving joy,with great compassion thus uprooting suffering...
Are You Plugging Into The Right ‘Machine’?
The American philosopher Robert Nozick proposed a thought experiment, where people can choose to plug into a machine that induces exclusively pleasurable experiences. This Experience Machine (EM)...
Arrange Things Simply To Simplify Your Mind
When getting what needed, you only need to get what is good enough, and it is good enough. – Shilashanti The relationship between the mind and the body is like that between the chicken and the egg...
Will I Be Ready For Refuge & Precepts?
Question: If I hesitate taking the Threefold Refuge and committing to the Five Precepts, am I belittling their importance? Will I ever be ready? Answer: It might be so, that there is...
What To Make Of ‘Wounds’?
It is tricky trying to know what to make of ‘Wounds’. There is the idea that there are ancient rituals that see wounds as portals for summoning ‘higher beings’ to enter this...
Impact Haikus
Not braced for impact, the less impactful feels more so. Having braced for impact, the more impactful feels less so. Just as you brace yourself for physical impact, brace for the emotional too.
How Two Grandsons Married Their ‘Grandmothers’ 二孙如何娶祖母
古古怪，怪怪古，孙子娶祖母。 猪羊炕上坐，六亲锅里煮。 女吃母之肉，子打父皮鼓。 众人来贺喜，我看真是苦！ – 志公禅师 How oddly strange, how strangely odd, that a grandson is marrying his father’s mother. Pigs and goats on the heated bed above are...
Eat Clean With Your Whole Heart
Consume mindfully with compassion and wisdom or consume mindlessly with greed and delusion. – Shilashanti Do not neglect your meals: Make your meals about the eating When you eat, are you focused on...
What Creates The Most Positive Karma?
Answer: Killing creates the most negative karma. But if ways of breaking other precepts create equivalent harm, they are the same in negativity. Refraining from killing creates some positive karma...
‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’s Lack Of Logic On Balance
A key philosophical problem with the Star Wars universe is that it is ‘romantically’ yet unrealistically portrayed in terms of balance. For example, Luke Skywalker explains the force as...
Disappointment Haiku
If you see the unenlightened as ‘perfect’, prepare to be disappointed, as an unenlightened and imperfect one too.
Thought, Word & Deed
If pure, think it appropriately.If true, say it appropriately.If right, do it appropriately. If impure do not think it.If untrue, do not say it.If not right, do not do it...
Can Truths Be Invalidated By Disbelief?
Even the theoretical ‘truth’ that there are no truths is a ‘truth’ if it is true, that invalidates itself. – Nowanden (Part 1) Will one who ‘renounced’ the Triple...
Discard What You Don’t Need
What you do truly not need is so, even if you do not think so. What you do truly need is so, even if you do not think so. – Shilashanti When things aren’t going well, we tend to think we...
Are There Many Monastics In Hell?
Question: During a casual discussion with friends about Buddhism, a friend mentioned that many monastics end up suffering in hell. Is it so? Answer: There is this equivalent line that has been...
How To Not Be ‘Haunted’?
Episode one of season two of ‘Haunted’ features among the most malevolent of ghosts, one who is both cunning and wicked. With the ability to read minds, the ‘Mimic’ is able to...
Help Haiku
Those sincere to help will correct the wrong; not just condemn them. The first to complain to is the one doing wrong, not to anyone else.
How To Delight The Buddhas 如何令佛欢喜
若于众生尊重承事， 则为尊重承事如来。 若令众生生欢喜者， 则令一切如来欢喜。 何以故？诸佛如来， 以大悲心而为体故。 因于众生而起大悲， 因于大悲生菩提心， 因菩提心成等正觉。 – 普贤菩萨 《普贤行愿品》 If of sentient beings respectfully aided in matters, thus is as respectful aiding in matters...
Mindfulness Without Being Mindful Of Core Ethics & Its Ultimate Goal
Mindfulness is good — but what guides your mindfulness, if not sound ethics, and where does it lead to, if not true enlightenment? — Shilashanti The conspicuous absence of a path for ethical...
How To View Miscarriages?
Question: How should an accidental miscarriage be seen? If family members have been praying to deities, how could it still occur? Answer: In the Buddhist perspective, a miscarriage happens due to...
How To Check Your ‘Dharma’
Carefully studying the sentences word by word,one should trace them in the Discourses (Sutras)and verify them by the Discipline (Vinaya). If they are neither traceable in the Discoursesnor verifiable...
‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Who Returned As Master
The Jedi Master Luke Skywalker once saw his apprentice Ben Solo, to be so potentially dangerous, that he almost destroyed him, in a bid to prevent him from actualising this potential. Yet, in that...
Hell Haiku
Do those who wish hell on others deserve hell too? If hell is for rehabilitation, why not repent now, to avoid hell later?
Merits Of Veg(etari)an Offerings 供斋功德
若能为其父母乃至眷属，命终之后，设斋供养，志心勤恳， 如是之人，存亡获利。 — 地藏菩萨《地藏经》 If able to, for their Fathers, Mothers and even [other] family members, after their lives end, arrange veg[etari]an offerings [to...
[H] What Will Happen After This Dharma-Ending Age? 末法之后将会如何？
恶人转多， 如海中沙。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《佛说法灭尽经》 Evil persons will multiply to be many, like sands’ number within the ocean. – Śākyamuni Buddha (Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of The Dharma’s Complete End)...
Wake Up Earlier To Be Less Busy
Find more time to live a more meaningful life – before you run out of time. – Shilashanti When we are short on time, this scarcity extends to our heart as well. We automatically say, ‘I’m...
Do We Chant Just To Show Respect?
Question: Is chanting to express respect to Buddha? How does it help us and others? Answer: Chanting should always be practised respectfully, so as to be attentive, to receive the teachings chanted...
Is ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ Ours Too?
What is the meaning, purpose or point of this life, be it long or short? These existential issues are pondered by a dog, who is able to recall several immediate past lives. Is it just to have fun and...
Painting Haiku
The palette is also painted with the painting.
Be Not The Last To Sever The Seed 莫作最后断种人
汝粗得其门， 当传灯化物， 莫作最后断种人也。 – 慧思大师致智者大师之遗教 《佛祖统纪》第六卷 智者大师最后教诲乃 亲自得生阿弥陀佛极乐净土 You, who have just attained this [Dharma] Door, should transmit its lamp to transform external beings, and not become the...
[G] What Will Happen To The Demonic In The Dharma-Ending Age? 末法之魔将受什么报应？
末世法灭之时，特驻此经，百年在世，接引众生，往生彼国。 – 释迦牟尼佛《无量寿经》 When it is the last period of the Dharma-Ending Age [which is this era], I will specially retain this sūtra, for one hundred [more] years in this world, to...
How To Reset & Recalibrate Your Mind
Be with yourself as you are, but without haste, without impatience. – Shunmyo Masuno In our everyday lives, do any of us have time to think about nothing? I imagine most people would say, ‘I...
What Are Buddhist Meditative Practices Truly For?
Question: What are Buddhist meditative practices for? Can they be for relaxation and the sharpening of mindfulness for work and play? Answer: They are for training, to attain enlightenment, which...
Why ‘Clash Of The Titans’ (1981) Endures
If we mindfully reflect on the fantastic Greek myth of Perseus, we should realise that it is not truly a tale about external gods and monsters. Instead, it tells of how mere mortals are able to...
Experience Haiku
Only those who know they are less experienced can become more experienced.
Two Razors
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. – Hanlon’s Razor It is always from the third poison of delusion, that arise the first poison of greed, and the second...
[F] How Do Sūtras Disappear In This Dharma-Ending Age? 佛经如何在末法时期消失？
恶人转多， 如海中沙。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《佛说法灭尽经》 Evil persons will multiply to be many, like sands’ number within the ocean. – Śākyamuni Buddha (Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of The Dharma’s...
How To Rise From Rock Bottom
When you hit rock bottom, the only way is up – or to stay sunken. – Extended saying I’ve been a Dharma teacher for twenty years, and I’ve observed that prisoners, war veterans, refugees...
Why Buy To Liberate Animals ‘Meant’ To Be Eaten?
Question: Buddhists practise liberation of animals caught from the wild or bred, into the right environments. But when bought, more might be caught or bred. Should they not be bought then? Answer:...
The Gun Of ‘Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster Frankenstein’
In the first act of the theatrical production (ironically and comically produced for TV), the proverbial starting gun is spotted on a table, as this dialogue ensues… Miss...
Doppelganger Haiku
If you meet your ‘double’, while there can be only one, will you be the better one?
Why Take Threefold Refuge?
Worldly teachers will let you down, but the world-transcended Buddhas’ pure blessings will never let you down – thus should you take refuge in the Buddhas. Worldly teachings will let you down...
[E] How Is The Monastic Community Destroyed In The Dharma-Ending Age? 僧团如何在末法时期被破坏？
吾涅槃后法欲灭时， 五逆浊世魔道兴盛。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《佛说法灭尽经》 After my Parinirvāṇa, when the Dharma is about to end, in this Five Heinous Transgressions’ and Five Defilements’ Evil Age, demonic paths will...
Friends, Not Food
If you’re eating animals please understand that they do not want your metta; they want you to not eat them. – Bob Isaacson If you stopped people on the streets of Chicago or London and ask them...
Are There ‘Foreign’ Buddhist Manifestations?
Question: Why does it seem that there are no records of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas manifesting in non-Asian countries? Answer: They do manifest in all manners of form needed to reach out to all kinds...
Our ‘Escape Room’ To Escape From
Like it or not, life now is as if a giant escape room puzzle with minor puzzles within to escape from. Such escape is not from rightly due responsibilities, but from saṃsāric (娑婆) existence itself...
A Day Better Than A Hundred Years 百岁不如一日
若人活百岁， 不解生灭法， 不如生一日， 而得解了之。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《法句经》第 113 偈 If a person lives for one hundred years, not understanding rising and cessation of phenomena, this is not equal to living for one day, yet attaining...
[D] Why Even The Enlightened Cannot Prevent The Dharma-Ending Age 为何甚至觉者阻止不了末法时期
首楞严经，般舟三昧，先化灭去。十二部经寻后复灭，尽不复现，不见文字。– 释迦牟尼佛《佛说法灭尽经》 The Śūraṅgama Sūtra, and the Pratyutpanna Samādhi Sūtra, will be the first sūtras to transform and disappear. The twelve divisions of the sūtras soon...
The Three Kinds Of Patience
There is no evil like hatred, And no fortitude like patience. Thus I should strive in various ways To meditate on patience. – Shantideva (Guide To Bodhisattva’s Way Of Life) [1] Not Becoming...
Can I Suffer On Behalf Of Others?
Question: Is it possible to suffer on the behalf of other sentient beings? Answer: Most parents, being loving, wish to suffer on behalf of their children when they are sick, but who is able to do...
What Is Your True Nature To Show?
Based on a true story, ‘TND’ depicts the dawn of the AV industry in Japan. As presented, are four key ideas raised and reflections on them. First, we are born and die naked. However...
Delusion Haiku
Believing you can get away, you are already trapped, by your delusions.
Where Is Freedom?
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. – Viktor E. Frankl
[C] Did The Buddha Warn About The Climate Crisis? 佛陀警告过气候危机吗？
吾涅槃后法欲灭时， 五逆浊世魔道兴盛。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《佛说法灭尽经》 After my Parinirvāṇa, when the Dharma is about to end, in this Five Heinous Transgressions’ and Five Defilements’ Evil Age, demonic paths will...
We Have No Time To Be Evil
There are those who do not realize that one day we all must die. But those who do realize this settle their quarrels. – The Buddha (Dhammapada Verse 6) Let’s get rid of anger’s evil;...
How Do Beings Ascend From Lower Realms?
Question: Is it so that those who have fallen into one of the three lower realms will have to be reborn in all three before they can exit from them? Answer: It depends on where they fell to in the...
Breaking Free Of Rebirth In ‘Thor: Ragnarok’
When trapped on the planet Sakaar, there was this conversation… Korg: I’m actually organising another revolution. I don’t know if you’d be interested in something...
Material Haiku
Everything you experience is ‘material’ for reshaping your mind.
Great Meritorious Virtues Of Mindfulness Of Buddha 念佛功德之大
假使一月，常以衣食， 供养恭敬，一切众生， 不如有人，一念念佛， 所得功德，十六分一。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《大般涅槃经》 If for one month, constantly with clothing and food, offering reverently, to all sentient beings, this is not equal to having a person...
[B] What Are 32 Signs Of This Dharma-Ending Age? 末法时期有什么32现象？
吾涅槃后法欲灭时， 五逆浊世魔道兴盛。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《佛说法灭尽经》 After my Parinirvāṇa, when the Dharma is about to end, in this Five Heinous Transgressions’ and Five Defilements’ Evil Age, demonic paths will...
Are You Causing Suffering With Speciesism?
If you believe plants are also sentient, you should not eat animals’ meat and such, as they eat much plants to grow them, while vegans directly eat the least plants. – Commonsensical [T]he...
Are Animal Communication Courses Alright?
Question: Are courses which claim to teach tactics to communicate with animals alright? Answer: There is need to know what they entail, to know if they are ethical and sensible. For example, some...
Are You ‘Possessed’ Of Even Quicker Wits?
In ‘Possessed’ is an interesting scene of how a ‘sha-(C)on-man’ persuaded a (D)evotee to part with her money. As follows is the dialogue with comments...
TV Haikus
Even a TV only occasionally faulty is still a faulty TV. Only a TV never ever faulty is then a perfect TV.
Reach The Shore
Few among men are those who cross to the farther shore [of liberation]. The rest, the bulk of men, only run up and down the hither bank. – The Buddha (Dhammapada Verse 85)
[A] Did the Buddha Teach The Dharma-Ending Age To Discourage Us? 佛陀的末法教理是要我们气馁吗？
末世法灭之时， 特驻此经，百年在世， 接引众生，往生彼国。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《无量寿经》 When it is the last period of the Dharma-Ending Age [which is this era], I will specially retain this sūtra, for one hundred [more] years in this world...
A Stoic’s Daily Zen-like Self-Review
Our spiritual health demands that we let go of anger, or else it will never let go of us. – Seneca Seneca, to judge by his self-presentation in his writings, was a self-reflective and inward...
Can I Listen To The Dharma At Night?
Question: Is it not advisable to listen to pre-recorded Dharma teachings too late at night, in case it attracts unseen beings to come, who might cause disturbances? I am however only free at night to...
The First Things In ‘Cities Of Last Things’
The film (幸福城市) begins in the midst of a casual yet cautionary song – ‘爱千万不要给得太多… 你今天将它挽留，明天它悄悄溜走。你将一切给我，我却不知如何接受。啊… 请你请你不要再来找我。世界上的男孩不只我一个。啊…...
Fleeting Haiku
Seek the lasting without distraction from the fleeting.
Control Yourself
Irrigators regulate the rivers; fletchers straighten the arrow shaft; carpenters shape the wood; the wise control themselves. Just as a solid rock is not shaken by the storm, even so the wise are not...
Is Spiritual Practice Easier In This World? 在这个世界比较容易修行吗？
我观是 阎浮众生， 举心动念， 无非是罪。 – 地藏菩萨 《地藏经》 I see that of these Jambudvīpa sentient beings [here], with their raising of minds and moving of thoughts, none are not with transgressions. – Kṣitigarbha...
What Is In Your Circle Of Control?
Mind your mind mindfully, or it will be ‘minded’ by its negative habits of greed, hatred and delusion. – Shilashanti ‘We control our reasoned choice and all acts that depend on that...
Clear Answers On Mixed Responses To Going Veg
Questions: Should Buddhists should be vegetarian? I received mixed ‘responses‘…. such as claims that the Buddha was not vegetarian, that he did not teach it, and that there are...
Six Reflections On ‘Aziz Ansari: Right Now’
This is the ironic era, when more comedians are speaking heartfelt truths than some politicians, whose words make a mockery of truth and themselves, often in ways not even funny… Ansari starts...
Eclipse Haiku
Even the small moon reflecting the big sun can eclipse it totally.
Whose Fault?
不举他功过， 勿观作未作， 唯观己修行， 已修与未修。 – 佛陀 (法句经，第50偈) Let none find fault with others; let none see the omissions and commissions of others. But let one see one’s own acts, done and undone. – The Buddha...
How To Know Who Is Not A Buddha
因地不真，果招纡曲。 – 释迦牟尼佛《楞严经》 [With the] causal ground [or direction] not true [at the start, the] fruit [or effect] attracted [will be with] twists and turns, [away from the true goal]. – Śākyamuni...
See Your Body’s Impermanence Closely & Quickly
With my diligence, carefully I examined the body And saw this as it really is — Both within and without. – Nanda (Thig 84) Because Nanda was so taken up with her physical beauty, the Buddha used his...
How To Give Wisely To Those Truly In Need?
Question: Once, a well-dressed lady walked up to me on a shopping street and asked for money for dinner. I gave her $2 but she asked for $10 persistently. I then walked away. On another occasion, a...
‘Arrival’ Of Mis/communication
In ‘Arrival’, a language expert (Dr. Banks) requested to ask another ‘expert’ on the Sanskrit word for ‘war’ and its translation. The reply was...
Generosity Haiku
Be more frugal with yourself, so as to be more generous for others.
Direct Your Mind Well
Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy or a hater to a hater, an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself a greater harm. Neither mother, father, nor any other relative can do one greater good than...
Six Matters You Might Wish To Consider Now
As not choosing is also choosing, do consider well to choose well. – Shilashanti [1] First, you might not liberate yourself before this life ends, but you can choose where reborn. [2] Second, you...
How To Truly Know Anyone
The fool assumes quickly. The wise observes slowly. – Shantishila The nature of the human mind is unpredictable. As Pessa has observed and the Buddha endorsed in his reply that the mind’s...
Is There A Wrong Time To Chant?
Question: Is there appropriate timing to recite the Repentance Verse, the name of Amitabha Buddha (Nianfo in terms of ‘Amituofo’) and the Verse For Sharing Of Merits? Someone told me they...
‘Striking Vipers’ In A ‘Black Mirror’
With technological advances, there is an ever-thinning fine line between reality and virtuality; real-life versus ‘fun and games’. What if the day comes, when the fantastically and...
Test Haiku
What tests you is also what teaches you.
Heed The Dharma
Heedfulness is the path to the Deathless. Heedlessness is the path to death. The heedful die not. The heedless are as if dead already. – The Buddha (Dhammapada Verse 21)
Be Mindful, Brothers & Sisters
But little water do the oceans four contain, Compared with all the tears that man hath shed, By sorrow smitten and by suffering distraught. Woman, why heedless dost thou still remain? – The Buddha to...
What If I Lack Time For Buddhist Classes?
Question: I hope to be able to come to Dharma class, if not strapped by work again. Time is running out, but I seem to have no choice but to choose working over learning. Answer: If being too busy...
‘I Am Mother’ Of Project Human Being?
In the probable event that there is very advanced A.I (Artificial Intelligence), will you trust it, if embodied in a single robot? To push the thought experiment to the extreme, what if you were...
Organisation Haiku
To minimise is to organise before you organise.
Wellness
To live well, think, speak and do well when well. To live more well, think, speak and do well even when unwell. – Zhaojian
Have You ‘Signed Up’ For Spiritual Insurance?
Much spiritual insurance does create enough material insurance. – Shilashanti Someone asked if monastics buy health insurance. Well, I do not know who did, if any, while there can be many reasons why...
Careful Who You Lust For, Whom You Might Never Get
From lust springs grief, from lust springs fear; One free from lust, has no grief, whence fear? – The Buddha (Dhammapada Verse 215) The Dhammapada Commentary relates the story of Anitthigandha Kumāra...
How Accurate Are Buddhist Scriptures?
Question: How accurate are the Buddhist sutras, as documentation of Sakyamuni Buddha’s teachings? Answer: Not all texts claimed to be Buddhist ‘scriptures’ are true...
‘Always Be My Maybe’ & Sorry?
In the pretentious restaurant’s scene, ‘Keanu Reeves’ (playing ‘himself’) asks, ‘May I ask, do you have any dishes that play with time, the concept of time?’...
Starter Haiku
Stop hoping and start fulfilling.
Five Poisons
The greedy, when overboard, will be deprived, when repented, will be content. The hateful, when overboard, will be loathed, when repented, will be accepted. The deluded, when overboard, will be...
Do You Learn & Practise Buddhism Sincerely?
Sincerity is needed to master any worldly skill, much more spiritual skills. – Nowanden A Dharma friend shared that a mutual friend (who is an acquaintance), who used to sing Buddhist songs, had...
How An Abandoned Parent Taught His Children
How good can one be if not repaying the kindness of those first kind to us? – Nowanden A certain affluent brahmin had four sons and he had given away half of his property to the sons when they got...
What Should ‘New’ House Owners Do?
Question: What should I do before entering my new apartment for the first time? Do I need to choose a day? Answer: No special dates are needed. When entering a ‘new’ house for the first...
What Horror Stories Teach Us
All horror stories, fictitious or true, are tragedies. All tragedies are with suffering. All suffering is from the Three Poisons (of greed, hatred and delusion). To have unhappy endings, there must...
Departure Haiku
Since all have to depart, how you depart matters more than departure itself.
Grief Vs Joy
The evil-doer grieves here and hereafter; he grieves in both the worlds. He laments and is afflicted, recollecting his own impure deeds. The doer of good rejoices here and hereafter; he...
I’m Taking A Ride With My Best Friend
It all seems so stupid, it makes me want to give up… – Shame: First half of chorus (Depeche Mode) The classic 1987 Depeche Mode concert anthem, ‘Never Let Me Down Again‘, is about a...
The Three Fields As Spiritual Capacities
Plant the right seed well. Nurture the right way well. Bear the right fruit well. – Nowanden Once, Anathapindika, a millionaire who is the foremost benefactor of the dispensation [of monastics] asked...
Can Offerings Be Offered Again?
Question: Can offerings made to the Buddha(s) or Bodhisattva{s) at their shrines be made to the deceased? Answer: Yes, they can be re-offered as suggested, after reasonable time, such as the span of...
‘Tidying Up With Marie Kondo’ & The Dharma?
The KonMari Method is a technique to organise material stuff at home. Its first step is to heap especially clothes in one giant pile – to realise how much ‘more than enough’ one has. This...
Wellness Haiku
Worldly ‘wellness’ now is but a brief period before sickness or death returns. Spiritual wellness lasts for all time, ending all cyclical suffering.
True Practice Is What Matters
Much though he recites the sacred texts, but acts not accordingly, that heedless man is like a cowherd who only counts the cows of others – he does not partake of the blessings of the holy life...
How Much Of Our Blessings Are From Our Ancestors?
The wise are grateful for their ancestors’ good, and never resentful for their mistakes. – Nowanden (Part 1) Is it so, that many generations’ accumulation of merits is needed, for us to...
Extend The Five Precepts To Cover All
As all moral precepts extend from the Five Precepts, they are basic yet profound, in implications and applications. – Shilashanti Sulak reinterprets in Seeds of Peace the first five Buddhist precepts...
Can Buddhists Have Tattoos?
Question: Is it alright for Buddhists to have tattoos? Answer: Tattooing is okay… provided that what tattooed is not misrepresentative or disrespectful of the Buddhas (or any other enlightened...
Who Are You Behind That Mask? (‘Hema Hema’s Dharma Drama On Karma)
What if there is a secret camp of sorts, amidst the mountains, where for a fortnight, all don masks to hide their true identities, and are free to do whatever they wish? There, almost anything goes...
Consideration Haiku
Consider the critic,* Consider the criticism,* Consider the criticised.* *for credibility and truthfulness
Woe & Bliss
Those who imagine evil where there is none, and do not see evil where it is — upholding false views, they go to states of woe. Those who discern the wrong as wrong and the right as right — upholding...
‘The Song Of Patience By Hánshān & Shídé’ As Sung By The Bodhisattvas Mañjuśrī, Samantabhadra & Maitreya 文殊、普贤与弥勒菩萨所唱的《寒山拾得忍耐歌》
古人云：「何以息谤？」 曰：「无辩。」 又云：「吃得小亏，则不至于吃大亏。」 余三十年来屡次经验，深信此数语真实不虚。 弘一大师 《弘一大师全集》 Ancient ones say, ‘With what ceases slander?’ Saying, ‘Without debate.’ Also saying...
Two Kinds Of Lion’s Roar
Truths are only surprising to those used to non-truths. – Shilashanti Two of the most important scriptures in the Pali canon are the Great Discourse on the Lion’s Roar (Maha-sihanada Sutta) and...
How Should We Handle Bad ‘Buddhist’ Examples?
Question: It is unfortunate that there are some persons, who like to tell others that they are staunch ‘Buddhists’, when their behaviour is far from good. What should we do? Answer: The...
Not ‘Possessed’ Of Enough Compassion & Wisdom
Featured in the middle of season 1 of ‘Possessed’, are some dialogues that a fictitious ‘monk’ has. Try to spot the Dharma mistakes… The senior monk asks a few young...
Morality Haiku
Morality is doing what should be done, not what should not be done.
How Bodhisattvas Should Always Practise Repentance 菩萨应当如何常修忏悔
忏悔文 (1) 我昔所造诸恶业， 皆由无始贪嗔痴， 从身语意之所生， 一切我今皆忏悔。 – 普贤菩萨 《华严经: 普贤行愿品》 Verse For Repentance (1) Of all my past created evil karma, all by beginningless greed, anger and delusion, from my body, speech and...
The Noble Abstain From False, Divisive, Harsh & Frivolous Speech
Renounce falseness and cultivate trustworthiness. Renounce divisiveness and cultivate harmoniousness. Renounce harshness and cultivate peacefulness. Renounce frivolousness and cultivate...
Should Worldly Customs Override Spiritual Practice?
Question: If the 49th day after the passing of the deceased falls on the first day of the Chinese New Year (CNY), can the 7th post-death chanting ceremony be done before that day? Answer: NO. It...
‘A Land Imagined’ With Labour & Loss?
What makes a country what it is physically? If it is the land itself, what if it is being expanded upon by reclaiming land, with sand from other countries? Being one of the world’s largest sand...
Water Haiku
Water with little poison is no longer water, but poison too.
Entering The Path Here
以坚持四重戒法， 为入道根本。 – 净土宗十二祖彻悟大师 《彻悟禅师语录》 With firm upholding [of the] Dharma [of the] Four Heavy Precepts [to guard against lust, killing, stealing and lying], as fundamental [for] entering [the] path...
How The Buddha Saved A Suicidal Girl
诸佛念念念众生… All Buddhas, from thought to thought, who are are mindful of all beings… – Shilashanti According to the ‘Rajjumala-vimāna’, there was a servant’s daughter in...
Some Truths Revealed On Revealed ‘Truths’
‘Come Kalamas. Do not go upon what has been acquired by [1] repeated hearing; nor [2] upon tradition; nor [3] upon rumor; nor [4] upon what is in a scripture; nor [5] upon surmise; nor ...
Does Killing Bacteria Break The First Precept?
Question: Does taking of antibiotics (which kill bacteria) constitute as killing, to create negative karma? Answer: While it is difficult to draw the solid line between sentient and non-sentient...
Triple Take On The ‘Triple Frontier’
‘Triple Frontier’ (Or ‘Three Frontiers’) refers to ‘Três Fronteiras’, the Spanish name for an area of the Amazon Rainforest in the Upper Amazon region of South...
Supreme Sharing
There are these two kinds of sharing: sharing of material things and sharing of the Dharma. Of the two, this is supreme: sharing of the Dharma. – The Buddha (Itivuttaka 4.1)
Zombie Haiku
Zombies particularly terrify because they seem human, yet relentlessly greedy, hateful and deluded. (Be not the undead or unalive.)
Have You Chosen Your Last Thought Yet?
The fundamental practice NOW is to take good care of this thought in this moment, from thought to thought, from moment to moment. — Shilashanti What will your last thought be, right before your...
The Wheels Of Spiritual & Worldly Power
Without the spiritual wheel of the Dharma, all worldly wheels but turn in endless cycles, seemingly getting somewhere but nowhere. – Shilashanti “The monks since the time of the Buddha have...
Should Birthdays Be Celebrated With Meat Feasts?
Question: On celebrating kids’ birthdays, could it be the kids’ good karma that made the celebrations possible? Answer: Of course, it is the kids’ good karma to be able to have such...
The Right Way For ‘The Highwaymen’?
‘The Highwaymen’ tells the notorious case of Bonnie and Clyde, who were on the run from the law for over two years, who were twistedly idolised by the deluded as heroes, despite having...
What If I’m Confused By Some Teachings?
Question: What if I find some teachers’ teachings confusing, and even potentially misleading? Answer: Never let the Buddha, his Dharma and yourself down. You should sincerely and politely...
Judge Haiku
To carelessly judge is to not care about reality.
Learn To Practise Accordingly
Much though he recites the sacred texts, but acts not accordingly, that heedless man is like a cowherd who only counts the cows of others — he does not partake of the blessings of the holy life...
How The Buddha Redirected A Precious Offering
Being the fundamental source of physical kindness in our lives, our parents should first to be repaid, by sharing the Dharma learnt with them. – Shilashanti As recounted by the Pure Land...
How To Not Sleepwalk Through Life
You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire. – Seneca Like Buddhists, Stoics advise us to contemplate the world’s impermanence. “All things...
Should Buddhists Sell Killed Animals For Charity?
Question: Is it alright to collect whatever food sponsored, even if non-vegetarian, for selling, to raise funds in the name of Buddhism? Answer: Although this seems to be a little like random alms...
Why Vanya’s Power In ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Doesn’t Sound Right
In season one of ‘The Umbrella Academy’, the one deemed most ‘extra ordinary’ among the Hargreaves’ foster siblings turn out to be the most extraordinary. The brothers...
Where To Meet Amitābha Buddha & Maitreya Bodhisattva Together 如何同见阿弥陀佛与弥勒菩萨
愿我临欲命终时， 尽除一切诸障碍， 面见彼佛阿弥陀， 即得往生安乐刹。 – 普贤菩萨 《普贤菩萨行愿品》 May I, when approaching, almost at life’s end, completely eradicate all obstacles, to personally meet that Buddha Amitā[bha], and...
Chaos Haiku
The challenge is to see potential order in utter chaos.
Why End Conflicts Now?
愚人不明了， 人生终归死。 彼等若明了， 诤论自息灭。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《法句经》第六偈 Foolish persons [do] not understand clearly, [that] human lives [in the] end return [to] death. Those others if understanding clearly, [their] arguments...
Should You Save Others Or Yourself First? 该先度众生还是自己？
泥菩萨过江， 自身难保。 Mud Bodhisattvas [who] cross [the] river, [of] themselves, [they are] difficult [to] protect. – Saying Should one who aspires for Buddhahood strive to deliver others or oneself from the...
Two Ways To Overcome Lust
Where another man prays ‘Grant that I may possess this woman,’ let your own prayer be, ‘Grant that I may not lust to possess her.’ Where he prays, ‘Grant me to be rid of such-and-such a one,’ you...
How Were ‘We’ Like Before Becoming Humans?
Question: Did the Buddha teach about how life was prior to the first humans? Answer: This was taught by the Buddha in the Agganna Sutta. (See Related Article below.) However, it was not a major...
‘Spider-man: Homecoming’ To Buddha-Nature?
Some say ‘clothes maketh the man’. There is some truth in this, but only to some extent. The idea is that how well you dress can somehow lead to how well you succeed. It is a little like...
Suffering Haiku
May you have enough suffering to urge you to transcend all suffering.
True Spiritual Friends 真善知
真善知识者， 深通大乘教， 持菩萨胜律， 虽逢命难缘， 不舍菩萨戒。 – 寂天菩萨 《入菩萨行论》 Those [who are] true good-knowing [spiritual friends], know profoundly well [the] Great Vehicle’s teachings, uphold [the] Bodhisattva’s...
Does Śākyamuni Buddha Have His Own Pure Land? 释迦牟尼佛有自己的净土吗？
末世法灭之时， 特驻此经， 百年在世， 接引众生， 往生彼国。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《无量寿经》 When it is the last period of the Dharma-Ending Age [which is this era], I will specially retain this Sūtra, for one hundred more years in this world...
Four Ways To Overcome Anger
Anger is like those ruins which smash themselves on what they fall. – Seneca Suppose we find that despite our attempts to prevent anger, the behaviour of other people succeeds in angering us. It will...
Is There Predestinated Fate?
Question: Do Buddhists believe in fate or destiny? Answer: The answer is at and the related links at the end of the article. Briefly, while there are predispositions of what might happen due to past...
‘Elysium’ As An Imperfect ‘Heaven’
‘Elysium’ comes from the Greek word ‘Elusion’, which means ‘(plain) of the blessed’, which is supposedly at the ends of the earth, as offered to heroes favoured by...
People Haiku
People are people, but they are also potential Buddhas.
Mindfulness Of Buddha & Prostration To Buddha 念佛拜佛
念佛一声， 增福无量。 礼佛一拜， 罪灭河沙。 – 佛教名言 [With] verbal mindfulness [of] Buddha once, [this] increases blessings immeasurably. [With] prostration [to] Buddha once, [this] eradicates transgressions [like a]...
Why You Should Be More Giving Now (Or ‘Death Cleaning For Better Living’)
Giving what others need now will create merits, which can manifest as what we really need later. – Shilashanti In the Avadāna Sūtra《阿婆陀那经》, Velāma Bodhisattva (韦罗摩菩萨) had the following reflection –...
The Buddha’s Words On Loving-Kindness (Karaniya Metta Sutta)
[1] He sleeps in comfort. [2] He awakes in comfort. [3] He sees no evil dreams. [4] He is dear to human beings. [5] He is dear to non-human beings. [6] Devas (gods) protect him. [7] Fire, poison, and...
How Does Karmic Retribution Exact Itself?
Question: How is karmic retribution able to be so exact after many lifetimes? For example, how is it that ‘enemies [tend to meet on a] narrow path’ (冤家路窄)? Answer: As the workings of the...
The Rising & Crashing Waves Of ‘Roma’
Featured in black and white, yet with the rich nuances of light and shade, ’Roma’ depicts the ordinariness of everyday life, as juxtaposed with the extraordinariness of both domestic and...
Acceptance Haiku
Only with acceptance of the way things are, can we change them.
Verse On Four Impermanences 四非常偈
积聚皆销散， 崇高必堕落， 合会要当离， 有生无不死。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《阿含经》 [That] gathered together [will] all dissipate, [the] majestic most certainly [will] fall, [those] assembled together must later depart, [who is] with birth...
Some Quantum Theories Of Pure Land Principles 净土原理之量子理论
极圆极顿， 难议难思， 唯有大智， 方能谛信。 – 净土宗九祖澫益大师 《佛说阿弥陀经要解》 Extremely complete [and] extremely sudden [for enlightenment], difficult [to] discuss [and] difficult [to] conceive, only with great wisdom, [is one]...
Should You Eat Animals?
[W]e are supposed to be the refuge and protector of all infinite beings. The beings with unfortunate karma that we are supposed to be protecting are instead being killed without the slightest...
How To Not Follow Customs Blindly
Question: Some are very particular that red packets (angbaos) given must be with amounts of money ending with 8 (which sounds in a Chinese dialect like ‘huat’, which means ‘prosper’), and not 4...
‘The Great Wall’ As A Great Bridge?
Said to be 5,500 miles long, and having taken 1,700 years to build, the Great Wall of China is indeed great in length. It was built for defence, which of course ‘paradoxically’ involves...
Will Haiku
Where is the good?… Where is the evil? In the will. – Epictetus
Difference Between The Wise & Foolish 智愚之分
愚者自知愚， 彼即是智人。 愚人自谓智， 实称真愚夫。 释迦牟尼佛 《法句经》 A fool who knows about his foolishness, just by that he is like a wise man. And a fool, who is proud of his cleverness, he is indeed called a fool. Śākyamuni...
How To Have Thought Of Being Reborn In Pure Land? 如何作往生想？
唯持名一法，摄机最普，下手最易，不致或起魔事。 – 净土宗十三祖印光大师 [O]nly [the] one method [of] upholding [the] name, gathers [all spiritual] capacities most universally, [and is the] most easy to start [practising], not leading...
Samantabhadra & Manjusri Bodhisattvas’ Greatest Dedication Of Merits
Those who make this heartfelt aspiration for the Bodhisattva way Will be free of all lower rebirths, Free of harmful companions, And will quickly see Amitabha, Infinite Light. – Samantabhadra...
Can Ancestors Bless Survivors?
Question: Many pray for their ancestors to bless them. Does this work? Answer: They are not able to bless us, unless they have been reborn with greater blessings, or have become Bodhisattvas and...
Is ‘The Punisher’ Is Also The Punished?
In a scene where ‘The Punisher’ (Season 1) was spray-painting his signature white skull symbol on his black body armour meant to intimidate his enemies, Lieberman tells him…...
Right Haiku
Just that youdo the right thing.The rest doesn’t matter… – Marcus Aurelius(Meditations) Cold or warm.Tired or well-rested.Despised or honored.Dying… or busy with other assignments.
Transformation
To keep transforming greed, keep giving with generosity. To keep transforming hatred, keep radiating loving-kindness. To keep transforming delusion, keep learning to realise wisdom. – Zhaojian
How We Almost Entered Darkness
What truly terrifying is not the terrifying, but the absence of mindfulness. – Wuyoukongbu Many years ago, during one of those aimless holiday night rides with a biking buddy, we zipped up and down a...
Both The Haves & Have-Nots Suffer
Who you are is defined by what you’re willing to struggle for. – Mark Manson One of the realizations [of the Buddha] was this: that life itself is a form of suffering [as it includes ageing...
Can I Commit To The Precepts If I Sometimes Eat Meat & Drink Alcohol?
Question: As I work in the food and beverage industry, I occasionally have to eat meat and drink wine when doing food tasting. Beyond work, I do not do these. Is it alright for me to commit to the...
Meet The Darkened ‘Titans’
The ‘DC’ in DC Comics stands for ‘Detective Comics’, but they might as well stand for ‘Darker Comics’? On both big and small screens in recent years, their...
Death Haiku
You may reject death for all your life, but death will never reject you – unless you transcend before it comes.
Verse On Not Forgetting 莫忘偈
莫忘须活； 莫忘将死。 莫忘当下； 莫忘当后。 – 照见 Do not forget you need to live; Do not forget you will die. Do not forget the immediate; Do not forget later. – Zhàojiàn
Do Sentient Beings Increase Or Decrease?
一切有情，与诸如来， 同俱一法，平等法身， 更无别体，亦无别心， 事理平等，犹如虚空， 常住一相，无有差别。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《宝悉地成佛陀罗尼经》 All sentient beings, and all Tathāgatas, [are] together all [of] one Dharma, [of the] equal Dharma body [i.e. Dharmakāya]...
Four Kinds Of Unskilful & Skilful Speech
Good bodily conduct, good verbal conduct, good mental conduct. A person endowed with these three things is to be recognized as a wise person. – The Buddha (Lakkhana Sutta) Unskillful Verbal Action...
What Language To Chant In To Help The Deceased?
Question: If there is sutra-chanting for a deceased Chinese person, with dedication of merits, both using a non-Chinese language, will the deceased be able to benefit? Answer: The power from sutra...
‘Thank You For Your Service’, But…
Granted that serving in war is no walk in the park, what happens when soldiers return, trying to readjust to peaceful civilian life? Sadly, the bloodier the experiences one had gone through, the...
Are You Upsetting The Global Environment?
Question: Will liberated animals upset the ecosystem? Answer: As the answer, below are some points for reflection… [1] Some liberated animals are protected in well-managed sanctuaries. Some are...
Space Haiku
What left or right? What below or above? Space.
An Ancient Law
不能以怨恨， 止息世间怨， 唯慈能止怨， 乃不易古法。 释迦牟尼佛 (法句经) [One is] not able [to], with hatred, cease [the] world’s hatred; only [with] loving-kindness [is one] able [to] cease hatred – this [is an]...
How Did Ignorance Arise?
While rebirth occurs gradually from life to life, rebirth occurs swiftly from moment to moment too. – Ignoramusan In the 12 links of dependent origination (十二因缘) which explain how rebirth occurs...
Uncover Your Forgotten But Never Lost Treasure
If a Bodhisattva intently ponders The profound Tathāgata store Possessed by all sentient beings, He will quickly attain the unsurpassed Bodhi [i.e. Buddhahood]. – Śākyamuni Buddha (Mahāvaipulya...
How To Handle Unwanted Lay Robes?
Question: If the owner of a set of Chinese lay Buddhist robes, one black (海青) and the other brown (缦衣) had passed away, how should they be handled? Answer: Perhaps the temple through which refuge...
Did ‘Christine’ Create Reality TV?
‘Christine’ is based on a true story, described to be about sensationalism, that is however not sensationalistic. It tells the shocking and tragic 1974 case of news reporter Christine...
Horizon Haiku
Line of no line – horizon Form of no form – wave There but not there – Middle Path
The Swiftest Path To Buddhahood
若人疾欲至， 不退转地者， 应以恭敬心， 执持称名号。 – 龙树菩萨 《十住毗婆沙论》(易行品) If one swiftly desires [to] reach, [the] ground [of] non-retrogression [for progress to Buddhahood, one] should with reverent hearts [and minds]...
Brief Remarks On A Brief Answer To A Big Question
[Y]ou can say the laws are the work of ‘God’, but that is more a definition of ‘God’ than a proof of his existence. – Stephen Hawking In the famous avowed atheist scientist...
Make Your Bed
Make up your mind, to better your mind, to better mind your words and deeds, to better your life. – Shilashanti Every morning in basic SEAL training, my instructors, who at the time were all...
Do We Rejoice Over All Kinds Of Happiness?
Question: If one cheats us, we should see this as the ripening of our negative karma and not get upset. Beyond this, if the cheat is happy for his gain, should we also rejoice for him? Answer: The...
‘Outlaw King’ Vs Dharma King?
What do you do if your duty is to save your people against tyranny, while being wanted, and with little support? The titular (but somewhat fictionalised) ‘Outlaw King’ who was Robert the...
What If You Are Reborn Here Again?
末法亿亿人修行， 罕一得道； 唯依念佛， 得度生死。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《大集经》 [In the] Dharma-Ending [Age, which is NOW, when] koṭis* [of] koṭis [of] humans cultivate [Dharma] practice, [it is] rare [that] one attains [the] path; only...
Nature Haiku
See nature as it is and see its truths as you are too