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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Features

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Movies

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...

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Quotes

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

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Excerpts

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...

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Quotes

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

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Excerpts

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...

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Letters

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Letters

Why Stop Complaining?

‘Question’: *Complaint… complaint… complaint…* Answer: Life will never improve if we merely keep complaining about people, organisations and matters. It...

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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。...

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Haikus

Lotus Haiku

If there are no lotuses without mud,because of this defiled land’s mud,seek that Pure Land’s lotuses.

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Features

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]...

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Excerpts

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...

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Haikus

Hope Haikus

Your Buddha-natureis your truly greatand lasting hope.___Potential not lived up tois still there,yet as if not.

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Haikus

Action Haikus

Great actions speak louderthan great words…and great thoughts.___The truly greathave great actions…not just great words and thoughts.

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Quotes

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)

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Haikus

Focus Haikus

Live with ever sharperlaser-sharp focuson what you should realise. Live with ever broadersun-like radianceon how you should help.

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Features

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Letters

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Letters

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Haikus

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.

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Quotes

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...

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Movies

‘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...

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Quotes

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

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Excerpts

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...

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Quotes

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)

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Features

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...

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Movies

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...

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Quotes

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

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Letters

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Movies

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...

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Features

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...

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Features

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...

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Movies

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Movies

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...

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Quotes

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.

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Features

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Features

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Features

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Features

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Letters

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...

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Movies

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)...

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Letters

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...

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Features

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...

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Movies

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...

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Haikus

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)

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Features

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Haikus

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.

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Excerpts

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...

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Features

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Movies

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...

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Haikus

Karma Haiku

Those who will especially be humbled by the law of karma,are those who do not believe in it.

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Excerpts

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Movies

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...

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Haikus

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Letters

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Letters

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Features

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...

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Letters

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...

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Movies

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Letters

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Movies

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Features

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...

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Excerpts

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 RepentanceFrom my past, those created all evil karmas,all due to beginningless greed, hatred and ignorance,from body, speech and mind, of...

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Quotes

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...

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Letters

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)...

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Quotes

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...

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Letters

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...

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Movies

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Letters

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Excerpts

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...

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Letters

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...

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Quotes

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...

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Letters

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...

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