The definite truth is,your opinion isnot the definite truth
Opinion Haiku
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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...
Should Buddhists Take COVID-19 Vaccines?
Question: Should we go for COVID-19 vaccines, from the Buddhist point of view, after they are certified safe for the masses, also after taking note of individual health considerations? Answer: Here...
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A review with eight ‘what if’ questions… What if ancient myths are not totally outdated world views, not merely arbitrary ‘theories’ for explaining the nature of life...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...
What 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?
Question: Is sickness like cancer a result of karma? Some of the elderly seem to get cancer because their body systems are already malfunctioning? A friend said this is due to karma. Is this so? For...
‘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?
Question: What is inappropriate about getting dressed and undressed before a Buddha image (such as in a bedroom)? Answer: In the absence of the Buddha in person, Buddha images are customarily taken...
‘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...
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 RepentanceFrom my past, those created all evil karmas,all due to beginningless greed, hatred and ignorance,from body, speech and mind, of...
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 sun shining 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...
To Pull Or Not To Pull… That Is The Question
If you are not able to choose,it is not your choice to make,not your responsibility to bear.— Shilashanti In ethical philosophy, perhaps the most famous dilemma is that of ‘Trolleyology’...
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 this...
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 slaughteredone 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 meatis also rising as the global populationapproaches 8 billion,including many who are increasinglyadopting 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 stages to be...
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
Hearing Slander But Not Debating 闻谤不辩
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...
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。 释迦牟尼佛《涅槃经》 All phenomena* is impermanent,being rising and falling dharmas.*With rising and falling eradicated already,it is stillness...
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...
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...
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 patta* prostration and repentance robe,I now with my crown support and receive it,** in life after life, may I always 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 On...
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...
Why Take Threefold Refuge & Receive Five Precepts? 为何受三皈持五戒？
First, be inspired by the Triple Gem to take refuge in the Triple Gem. – Shilashanti As the Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng (净土宗十三祖印光大师) taught in his ‘Third Reply...
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 Complete End)...
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 flourish. –...
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 between… C: You...
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 rockis not shaken by the storm,even so the wiseare 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)
Will Dharma Learning & Practice Create Obstacles?
The cause of right Dharma learnt gives rise to the effect of right Dharma practised and realised. – Shilashanti Is it so, that with when we are keen to learn and practise the Buddha’s teachings...
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.
What Is ‘New’ This Year?
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 that so-called ‘new’? Is it also like ordinary persons’ pasting of new spring couplets, wearing new clothes and...
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;...
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...
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 [to...
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
What Makes The Worldly Go Round & Round?
On eight worldly conditions which obsess the world and round which it revolves: gain and loss, status and disgrace, blame and praise, pleasure and pain. – Śākyamuni Buddha (Lokavipatti Sutta) As...
Always Listen To Continually Learn
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. – H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama [A]fter Sulak [Sivaraksa] saw a photograph in which the Dalai Lama was drinking Coca-Cola, [h]e mentioned his disapproval...
Does Buddhism Promote Medium Practice?
Question: A medium said a friend’s problems from seeing of ghosts is because he is chosen by Guanyin Bodhisattva to ‘work’ – I guess to help spread the Dharma? Is there such a...
Lessons On ‘The Fundamentals Of Caring’
‘The Fundamentals Of Caring’ begins with a lesson summarising them… ‘Caregiving is not just about feeding and clothing and cleaning. It is about understanding how to navigate...
Time Haiku
Those running out of time are usually those who thought they still had lots of time.
[8] How To Be Released From Attachment
Undefiled by the stains of the superstitions of the eight worldly concerns, may I, by perceiving all phenomena as illusory, be released from the bondage of attachment. – Geshe Langri Tangpa...
Ancient Symbiotic Relationship Of Monastics & Laity
Receive needs humbly and gratefully. Offer needs humbly and gratefully. – Shilashanti Before the Dalai Lama departed from Thailand, he told his secretaries that he wanted to go out in the morning on...
Can Animal Experimentation Be Alright?
Question: If one’s job uses sentient beings such as animals for research to find cures for human diseases, this creates negative karma due to the animals’ imprisonment, torturous experimentation and...
Here’s ‘The Fix’ For Global Warming
‘The Fix’ is a comedy talk show hosted by a comedian with the assistance of a data expert. Two teams of comedians try to half-joke and half-seriously fix the world’s problems with...
Snow Haiku
The snow of yesterday That fell like cherry blossoms Is water once again – Gozan
Giving Little Gains Much 施少得多
贤者好布施， 天神自扶将， 施一得万倍， 安乐寿命长。 [Of] virtuous ones [who] delight [in] generosity, heavenly gods [will] personally look after [them]. [When] giving once, [they] attain ten thousand times [more], [with]...
[7] How To Offer Benefits To All
In short, both directly and indirectly, do I offer every happiness and benefit to all my mothers. I shall secretly take upon myself all their harmful actions and suffering. – Geshe Langri Tangpa...
The Great Value Of Spiritual Friendship
Radical transformation of society requires personal and spiritual change first or at least simultaneously. – Sulak Sivaraksa A topic that Sulak [Sivaraksa] weaves into nearly every talk, essay, book...
How Should Buddhist Images Be Worn?
Question: Is it alright to wear images, names and mantras of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas on clothes, socks, shoes and such? Answer: it is best not to wear prominent Buddhist imagery in the above ways, as...
‘The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs’ On Mortality
Buster Scruggs who is dressed in white sings his songs to the audience in a laid back manner, as he rides upon his white horse, taking his time to trot along into town. He seems supremely cool and at...
How The Future Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva ‘First’ Visited Hell
佛名大觉，具一切智， 若在世时，我母死后， 傥来问佛，必知处所。 – 婆罗门女 《地藏菩萨本愿经》 [The] Buddha [is] named [the] Great Awakened [One], complete [with] all wisdom, thus [on] when alive, [and] my Mother after death, if coming...
Flower Haiku
Lose your un-flower mind Paul Reps Zen Telegrams
The Dharma
Learn the Dharma thoroughly. Practise the Dharma fully. Share the Dharma generously. – Dharma Saying
[6] How To See Those Who Have Betrayed Us
When someone whom I have benefited, and in whom I have great hopes gives me terrible harm, I shall regard that person as my holy guru. – Geshe Langri Tangpa Reflections On ‘The Eight Verses Of...
You Stop Too
Spiritual practice starts by stopping the unskilful, before starting the skilful, and perfecting it. – Shilashanti A famous bandit, a murderer named Angulimala, had been sighted in the...
Can I Offer Dead Animals To The Buddhas?
Question: Is it alright to offer food with meat to the Buddha? Answer: It is not a good idea to offer any dead sentient being to any Buddha, as each Buddha loves each sentient being like an only...
We Are Humans In A ‘Bird Box’
An inexplicable presence turns people crazy when seen, leading to suicide and murder. With no one who has seen it surviving, no one lives to tell what it really is, be it some spirit being, alien or...
Axe
Every fool who is born has an axe within his mouth with which he cuts himself when he uses wrong speech… The worse of the two is he who, when abused, retaliates. One who does not retaliate wins...
[5] How To Handle Those Who Abuse Us
When, out of envy, others mistreat me with abuse, insults, or the like, I shall accept defeat, and offer the victory to others. – Geshe Langri Tangpa Reflections On ‘The Eight Verses Of Thought...
Be More Mindful Of The Ocean Not Its Waves
What to be dissolved is not the self, but the sense of self, by realising it is not there in the first place. – Shilashanti Suzuki Roshi… had a very helpful way of describing the relief that...
Can We Take Refuge On Behalf Of The Deceased?
Question: Can we take the Threefold Refuge and receive the Five Precepts on behalf of deceased loved ones? Answer: While going through the above ceremonies, we can think of ourselves as doing so with...
‘Pottersville’ Or ‘The Town That Cried Bigfoot’
One night in a small and lifeless town, a slightly depressed and drunk man puts on a makeshift gorilla costume and rampages through it. He then awakens to news of a Bigfoot sighting in the...
Appreciation Haiku
When you can appreciate everything you can learn something from anything, even the so-called ‘bad’ things.
[4] How To See The Suffering And Insufferable
Whenever I see beings who are wicked in nature, and overwhelmed by violent negative actions and suffering, I shall hold such rare ones dear, as if I had found a precious treasure. – Geshe Langri...
How The Buddha Turned Arrows Into Flowers
Cultivation is more transformation of the unskilful than its eradication. – Shilashanti In the hours preceding his final enlightenment, when he is doing battle with his ego, the Buddha’s...
Does The Donor Or Deceased Gain Merits From Post-Death Donations?
Question: Who benefits from the merit-making when a donation is made to the temple which accommodates the deceased’s niche – the donor or the deceased? Answer: If the donor has no intention to...
‘The Kominsky Method’ Of Being Here
‘The Kominsky Method’ is a bittersweet drama series on the challenges of two old friends growing older together, as they look out for each other while musing on life. Sandy Kominsky is an...
Diligence Haiku
All the time in the world due to (endless) rebirth(s)? Ever less time in this life due to (impending) death! How many more times do you wish to assume you have enough time? May all be diligent to...
三宝偈 Verse On Triple Gem
依止佛陀， 依止正法， 依止圣僧， 乃真皈依。 Reliance upon the Buddhas, reliance upon their true Dharma, and reliance upon the Arya Sangha* [who teach it], is thus true refuge [in the Triple Gem]. *Noble (Holy) Sangha:...
[3] How To Avert Harming Of All
Vigilant, the moment a delusion appears in my mind, endangering myself and others, I shall confront and avert it without delay. – Geshe Langri Tangpa Reflections On ‘The Eight Verses Of Thought...
Just Your Thinking So Does Not Make It So
Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree in the midst of them all. – Buddhist Saying While Right Speech conventionally...
Is It Bad Karma To Report Inconsiderate Parking?
Question: When I see inconsiderate drivers parking at lots reserved for the handicapped, I consider reporting their cars. If they get fined, will I have negative karma? Answer: If you will create...
All Lies Of The ‘Allied’?
How can a spy truly love a spy? To make it more confounding, how can a very ‘good’ spy love another very ‘good’ spy? After all, a very good spy is also a very good actor. Such...
Speaking Haiku
I begin to speak only when I’m certain what I’ll say isn’t better left unsaid. – Cato
[2] How To See Ourselves When Relating To Others
When in the company of others, I shall always consider myself the lowest of all, and from the depths of my heart hold others dear and supreme. – Geshe Langri Tangpa Reflections On ‘The Eight...
A Monk’s Friendly Goodwill To A Snake
I have good will for footless/ two/ four/ many-footed beings… May footless/ two/ four/ many-footed beings do me no harm. May all creatures… meet with good fortune. May none of them come...
What Does ‘Tathāgata’ Mean?
Question: What is the meaning of ‘Tathāgata’? Answer: ‘Tathāgata’ is Sanskrit for ‘Thus Come One’ (如来), which means ‘as if came; also as if gone’. This...
The (Mind-Only) Verses By Forest Of Awakening Bodhisattva 觉林菩萨偈
心如工画师， 造种种五阴， 一切世间中， 无法而不造。 – 如来林菩萨 《华严经》夜摩宮菩萨说偈品第十六：唯心偈 [1] [The] mind [is] like [a] painter, [who] creates various kinds [of] Five Aggregates, [of] all within [the] world, without dharmas yet...
Delusion Haiku
Greed for this is with hate of that, from delusion about both.
[1] How To Most Greatly Benefit From All
Determined to obtain the greatest possible benefit from all sentient beings, who are more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel, I shall hold them most dear at all times. – Geshe Langri Tangpa...
Protect & Heal Yourself & Others With Metta
As a mother would risk her life to protect her child, her only child, even so should one cultivate a limitless heart with regard to all beings. – Karaniya Metta Sutta You should be as devoted to...
Can Accidental Mention Of Death Cause Actual Death?
Question: There was accidental declaration of an informant of a death as the deceased. A family member of the informant is now worried that unfortunate things might happen. What can be done? ...
An ‘Apostle’ Of The Earth Goddess?
Set in 1905, ‘Apostle’ tells of a trio of false prophets, who discover a strange old lady wandering in the woods, with powers to cause fertile growth of vegetation. For power and gain...
Wellness Haiku
Prepare well. Do well. Reflect well.
Test Well For Gold
比丘与智者， 当善观我语， 如炼截磨金， 信受非唯敬。 – 釋迦牟尼佛 Monastics and wise ones, should well contemplate my words, like burning, cutting and rubbing [to test for] gold, with faithful acceptance not only out of reverence...
How To Not Be Reborn As Animals
The very shortsighted must learn to see much further. – Shilashanti The Kukkuravatika Sutta records how Puṇṇa (of the Koliyans), an ox-duty ascetic, and Seniya the naked dog-duty ascetic learnt the...