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...
Author - random reader
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-knowing wisdom. If when in the world, after my mother’s death, if coming to...
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? 何为如来？
Question: What is the meaning of ‘Tathāgata’? Answer: ‘Tathāgata’ is Sanskrit (梵文) for ‘Thus Come One’ (如来), which also means ‘as if came (如来); also as if...
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...
How We Should Train Ourselves
Of a worthy goal reachable, have Faith to reach it, have Aspiration to reach it, have Practice to reach it. – Shilashanti … there is the case where a certain monk follows right after the...
Thoughts On ‘The Haunting Of Hill House’
People are first haunted by their inner demons, before they become ghosts haunting haunted places, who might in turn become others’ outer demons. Haunted by unresolved and deluded attachment...
Focus Haiku
With life able to end any day, you are always already too old to waste your time on nonsense.
One Way To Understand ‘Two’ Kinds Of Impermanence
We as mind and matter, arose and ceased in our past lives, from life to life. – Nowanden There might seem to be ‘two’ kinds of impermanence? The first kind is the arising and ceasing of...
Food Of The Monks, Devotional Cuisine
Eat and drink well, for the long-term well-being of yourself and others, including those you might eat and drink from. – Moustachoman Shojin Ryori (精进料理) is the devotional cuisine of monks in Japan...
How To Handle Workplace Non-Listeners
Question: How do I handle a slightly senior co-worker, who is not exactly my superior, but tells other colleagues that I will do this and that. When I do not handle the ‘promised’, she...
‘The Angel’ Of Peace?
‘The Angel’ tells the supposedly true story, of how an alleged double-agent high in political office cried wolf, on oncoming war, to avert war itself. The stakes were not just a sheep or...
Mindfulness Haiku
Mind your mind always, as it is there always, yet changing always.
Which Of These Four Actions Do You Create?
There are four kinds of [karmic] actions proclaimed by me, after realising them for myself with direct knowledge. – Śākyamuni Buddha (Kukkuravatika Sutta) (As paraphrased and extended from the second...
6 Brief Universal Lessons
Your mind cannot hold two thoughts at once. This means that a single thought can occupy your entire mind. Whether good or bad, everything stems from a single thought. If we are careful with that...
How To Handle Someone In A Rush?
Question: I was sick at at a clinic. There was a patient there who complained that she had wasted time waiting for an hour, asking if the next in line can let her go first, so that she can go home to...
‘Bleach’ing Out Darkness Of Evil
‘Bleach: The Soul Reaper Agent Arc’ is a movie adaptation of the ‘Bleach’ manga series, featuring soul reapers who guide ‘souls’ in the afterlife. Not...
Work Haiku
Your real work is to use your worldly work to support your spiritual work of learning, practising and sharing the Dharma.
Did The Buddha Ever Say The Disagreeable?
What the Buddhas think, say and do is out of perfect compassion for all sentient beings. – Shilashanti As recorded in the Abhayarājakumāra Sutta, Prince Abhaya asked the Buddha if he would ever say...
How Encouragement Now Transforms The Future
In a way, Buddhas confer predictions of future attainment of Buddhahood as the purest ‘self-fulfilling’ prophesies – by inspiring greater practice towards it, with which definitely...
How Should Buddhists View Politics?
Question: What is the Buddhist view of politics? When there is social injustice due to politics, how should Buddhists approach it as concerned citizens? Answer: The Buddha personally, after...
The Secret Life Of ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’?
This imaginative telling of Lincoln’s life as a part-time vampire hunter is an elaborate allegory perhaps, of how capitalistic slave-owners were like exploitative and unrelenting...
Giving Haiku
Give till there is nothing left to give by your time to die – to perfect your generosity best you can. Love till there is no one left unloved by your time to die – to perfect your loving-kindness...
How Do You Tame Your Six ‘Animals’?
Like a pure mirror, experience the pleasant only clearly as they are, without any attachment. – Shilashanti In the Chappana Sutta, the Buddha gave two analogies… First, suppose a person caught...
A Zen Master’s 3 Lessons
If you think you are either superior or inferior to someone, an invisible wall goes up between you. Treat him like an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. When you let your guard down, so...
Are Cordyceps Considered Vegetarian?
Question: Are cordyceps considered vegetarian? Answer: There are cordyceps that are grown out of the bodies of caterpillars, usually sold retaining the form of caterpillars. As the definition of what...
‘Jason Bourne’ Vs His Past Karma
‘Jason Bourne’ recalls his once forgotten ‘past life’ within this life… He was kind of tricked, yet kind of volunteered to be ‘trained’ as a ruthless killer...
Late Haiku?
Never just take; give more meaningfully, and never hate; love all meaningfully… before it is too late.
Which Is More ‘Allowable’ For Consuming?
第三食肉[轻]戒：若佛子，故食肉，一切肉不得食。夫食肉者，断大慈悲佛性种子，一切众生见而舍去。是故一切菩萨，不得食一切众生肉。食肉得无量罪。若故食者，犯轻垢罪。 – 释迦牟尼佛 （梵网经菩萨戒本） [The] Third [Light] Precept [Against] Eating Meat: If [as] Buddhas’ [Bodhisattva] disciples, [of]...
Just Work Harder
Should you desire the great tranquillity, prepare to sweat white beads. – Zen Master Hakuin There are no shortcuts or ways to bypass the Apprenticeship Phase. It is the nature of the human brain to...
Does Blood Donation Break Any Precept?
Question: Does blood donation break any Buddhist precept? Answer: Voluntary donation of blood does not break any precept at all. In fact, it upholds the spirit of the First Precept, as not only is...
Lost & Found In ‘The Sea Of Trees’ 在《青木原树海》遗失与找到自己
‘The Sea Of Trees’ (Jukai: 树海) is an alternative name of Japan’s ‘Suicide Forest’ (Aokigahara: 青木ヶ原), with its dense foliage that moves with swells and waves like the...
Learning Haiku
Even more stupid than mere stupidity is refusal to learn.
Who Are Your Karmic Creditors?
Create not karmic creditors by harming any. Be not karmic creditors by harming any. – Nowanden Who are karmic creditors (冤亲债主)? They are those whom we owe karmic debts to, who we have harmed, from...
How To Guard Your Six Senses?
To experience things as they are, as clearly as you can, do so with as little attachment, aversion and delusion as you can. – Shilashanti And how does a noble disciple guard the sense doors? When a...
Can Chanting Where The Deceased Are Not At Benefit Them?
Question: Is it alright to practise chanting at other temples or Buddhist centres, where ancestral tablets of deceased loved ones are not placed, while still benefiting them? Answer: Yes, as...
How To Vanquish ‘The Darkness’?
‘The Darkness’ is based on a ‘myth’ that Anasazi Indians bound demons to rocks hidden in underground caves. If removed, they will take the shape of a crow, snake, coyote, wolf...
Refuge Haiku
Take refuge in the Buddhas and eventually also become one of the Buddhas. Take refuge in the Dharma and eventually also become one with the Dharma. Take refuge in the Sangha and eventually also...
The Glass Is Already Broken
[Mis]fortune falls heavily on those for whom she’s unexpected. The one always on the lookout easily endures. – Seneca (On Consolations To Helvia, 5.3) There is a story of a Zen Master who has a...
‘Seven’ Deadly Sins Vs Five Poisons?
‘Se7en’ can be seen as a contemporary fable on the dangers of the Seven Deadly Sins, which according to Christian teachings, are pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth. (They...
Countdown Haiku
Is your life countdown to redeath and rebirth or towards liberation?
The Easiest Ways To…
If even perfect Buddhas and great Bodhisattvas express themselves humbly in thought, word and deed, who are we as ordinary beings to be proud? – Shilashanti The easiest way to carry clothes is to...
Be Ever More Sober
The height of cultivation runs to simplicity. – Bruce Lee The great philosopher king Marcus Aurelius… wrote to himself, he must ‘fight to be the person philosophy tried to make you...
Am I At Fault For Not Finishing Shared Food?
Question: When people are unable to finish shared food, they tend to pass the dishes around to clear them. If I am the last one but cannot finish it, would I be at fault for wasting food? Answer: It...
An Imaginary Movie On Water Ghosts’ Origins
Those haunted by the inner demons of attachment, aversion and delusion, who do not see or vanquish them will eventually become outer demons. – Shilashanti There was a horror movie (based on a true...
Beyond Yet Within
A[n ideal] monastic is a human who is separated from all and who is in harmony with all. – Evagrius Ponticus
The ‘Three Provisions’ For Accomplishing Everything
设我得佛，十方众生， 至心信乐，欲生我国， 乃至十念，若不生者，不取正觉。 唯除五逆，诽谤正法。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《佛说无量寿经》 阿弥陀佛第十八大愿 If I, [Dharmākara Bodhisattva] attain Buddhahood, [the] ten directions’ sentient beings, [whom with] utmost sincere...
One Hell Of An Act Of Compassion
Hell is absence of compassion by oneself and for oneself, by others and for others. – Shilashanti We may be surprised to hear how the Buddha[-to-be] first generated compassion in the hell realm. In...
Do Doctors Create Negative Karma By Healing?
Question: When a doctor heals a patient, does the doctor personally create negative karma, by not allowing the patient’s negative karma to ripen naturally? Answer: No. As the doctor’s...
Nobler Brotherhood For ‘A Better Tomorrow 2018’
‘A Better Tomorrow 2018’ (英雄本色 2018) almost seems like exploration on what brotherhood (or sisterhood) means, in both the actual brotherly sense, and the non-sibling, sometimes gangster...
Greed Haiku
If not much needs to be spent, why make too much? If not much needs to be saved, give those with too little.
How Can We Handle Our Jealousy?
Spiritual cultivation is but the actualisation of our pure potential and deactivation of our defiled habits. – Shilashanti When we see those worse off, such as the very poor and sick, we usually...
There Is No ‘Need’ To Be Depressed
The Buddha’s first teaching was a message with the greatest hope – telling us that all beings have Buddha-nature. – Shilashanti There is Buddha-nature in every sentient being‘s mind, no...
Why Does The Bad Happen To The Good?
Question: Why do good things happens to bad people, and bad things happen to good people? Answer: The question has two wrong premises – that only good things happen to bad people, and that only bad...
‘The Empty Hands’ Full Of Spirit
‘The Empty Hands’ is the almost literal translation of the ‘way of empty hands’ (空手道), otherwise known as Karate-do. As strongly urged by a Karate expert father, his daughter...
Practice Haiku
Spiritual cultivation is the exorcism of personal demons.
Pure Land Teachings Within Earliest Found Buddhist Scriptures (Before The Pāli Canon Formed)
We have the impression [through the earliest found sūtras]… that [the] Mahāyāna [tradition] was NOT distinct from [so-called] ‘mainstream’ Buddhism at this period [when these sūtras...
How To Clean A Buddha Statue?
Question: How do I clean a Buddha statue? Answer: You can use a clean and dedicated cloth to wipe with some water. Take note that if there is paintwork on the statue, it might be wiped off. Thus, it...
How Does ‘Attack On Titan’ Relate To Humans?
‘Attack on Titan’ (or more accurately, ‘Attack by Titans’, or ‘Advancing Giants’ in Japanese) presents a mystery of humongous proportions at first… Who are...
Should The Old Travel Or Watch More TV?
The mindless keep missing the common essence of what seems different. – Shilashanti Should the elderly have many leisure trips? Well, this depends on what is done during the trips. If it is just much...
Should An Unethical Job Be Done For Survival?
Question: A relative recently got a job offer after months of unemployment. However, the company deals with supply of slaughtered animals. Is this alright? Answer: It is not alright, as it is not...
The Rise & Fall Of ‘Icarus’
In his acceptance speech at the 90th Oscars ceremony for best documentary feature ‘Icarus’, the director Bryan Fogel said, ‘We dedicate this award to Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, our...
Regret Haikus
Regret not unresolvable regrets – just dissolve them. Regret not resolvable regrets – just resolve them.
What Truly Is ‘The Shining’?
‘The Shining’ (1980) is classic mystery horror, perhaps due to it being somewhat scripted to be ambiguous? A man goes to an isolated hotel to be its winter caretaker. He hears about a...
Gratitude Haiku
See all with gratitude, like how the Buddha gazed gratefully at the Bodhi tree.
Repair & Repurpose Before Rebuying
Learn to do more with less before wanting more and more. – Shilashanti One of the principles of a Buddhist lifestyle is to take care of things and repair them. The unsui monks of Eihei Temple...
Can A Buddhist Shrine Be Near A Dining Table?
Question: Can a Buddhist shrine (with a Bodhisattva image) be set up very near – right in front of a dining table at home? Answer: If family members are going to be eating killed animals (i.e. meat)...
How Can A ‘Creator’ Be ‘Created’?
I’m the one who asked Brahmā in the Hall of Justice before the assembly: ‘Friend, do you still have the same view that you had in the past? Or do you see the radiance transcending the Brahmā realm?’...
Learning Haiku
Keep relearning the Dharma, even what already known, to check if it is practised well.
Don’t Put It Off Till Tomorrow
To live each day fully, is to live each life fully. – Shilashanti ‘Zengosaidan’ is a Zen expression meaning that we must put all our efforts into each day so that we have no regrets, and...
Are These IVF Choices Killing?
Question: During the process of IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation, for ‘test tube babies’), ‘extra’ embryos (fertilised eggs) are [1] donated to other potential mothers, [2] donated...
‘The Monkey King 3’: Kingdom Of Women (Vs Four ‘Monks’)
Although also with ‘casual spirituality’ added for such movies meant to be entertaining yet somewhat ‘enlightening’, this third instalment (西游记女儿国) offers quite a bit of...
Obstacle Haiku
The obstacle on the path is part of the path; not end of the path.
How Sariputra Spoke The Dharma
In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be factual, true, beneficial, and endearing and agreeable to others, he has a sense of the proper time for saying them. – Sakyamuni Buddha (Abhaya...
Do Donations To The Corrupted Create Bad Karma?
Question: If I made donations to an organisation now realised to be corrupted, will there be negative karma on my part if they use the money for not so good purposes? Answer: As karma is created...
Don’t Be A ‘Don Verdean’
Depending on the viewer’s perception, ‘Don Verdean’ is the kind of movie, that can be perceived as either sincere or satirical… or somewhat both at the same time. Verdean is a...
Wisdom Haikus
The dying who are also wise waste not a single moment on greed, hated and delusion. ___ The living who are also wise waste not a single moment on greed, hated and delusion. ___ We the living now are...
The Obstacle Is The Way
The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way. – Marcus Aurelius (Meditations) There is an old Zen story about a king whose people had grown soft and entitled...
Can Buddhists Convert To Other Religions?
Question: Can a Buddhist, having taken the Threefold Refuge in the Triple Gem formally, convert to another faith? What about one who also committed to the Five Precepts? Answer: Since there is no one...
Clarity Haiku
Be calm to be clear, or you will be fearful and more confused.
How To Better Interest Others In The Dharma
Four Bases Of Sympathy: [1] Generously giving gifts [2] Speaking kind words [3] Doing kind deeds [4] Being equal in treatment Hatthaka [the lay Buddhist] was famous… for his ability to...
Is It Alright To Have A Buddha Image In A Fish Tank?
Question: Is there any wrong with keeping a Buddha statue in an aquarium in my room? Answer: While a statue being in a room is alright as long as nothing disrespectful is done in there, as the...
Note Haiku
Note the noteworthy. Note not the rest. Share the noteworthy.
The Buddha’s Leading Lay Disciple’s Dialogue With Mahavira
In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be unfactual, untrue, unbeneficial, unendearing and disagreeable to others, he does not say them. – Sakyamuni Buddha (Abhaya Sutta) [Citta was the...
Must Mantras Be Chanted Accurately?
Question: Is it such that when chanting a mantra like the Great Compassion Mantra, it must be chanted accurately? Answer: Although sincerity matters more than accuracy, especially for longer mantras...
Busting The ‘Ghostbusters’?
Despite the ‘good, clean (or rather slimy) fun’ portrayed in the comical ‘Ghostbusters’ (1984) movie, there are some subtle moral issues raised. When the pseudo-scientific...
Curb Haiku
They who curb not their deluded greed and hate are already curbed by them.
The Hitter And The Hit
Practise to be as deliberate as you can now, so that you can be as free as you can later. – Shilashanti In the case of archery, the hitter and the hit are no longer two opposing objects, but one...
What Is The Simplest Way To Offer Food?
Question: As there are many long traditional chants for offering food, is there a simple version, that is easy to remember and recite, that can be used by children too? Answer: Here is a common...
Without ‘Doubt’, The Best Anti-Gossip Sermon?
In the movie ‘Doubt’, Father Brendan Flynn masterfully delivered this unnerving sermon… ‘A woman was gossiping with her friend about a man whom they hardly knew… [Note:...
Moment Haiku
As this moment could be your last — think, speak and act accordingly.
The Power Of Even One Word
Words are empowered as much by their speakers as by their listeners. – Shilashanti Once a monk was called to heal a sick child with a few words of paritta [protection] chanting. A skeptic in the...
From Life As ‘Surrogates’ To Being ‘Altered Carbon’
The universe of stacks (‘hard disks’ that contain consciousnesses) and sleeves (i.e. bodies that can be switched like clothes) of ‘Altered Carbon’ (2018) is as if expanded...
Control Haiku
Control your mind or be controlled by its defilements.
Five Good Qualities Of Suffering
Furthermore, the good qualities of suffering are that you Dispel arrogance with disenchantment, Develop compassion for the beings of cyclic existence, Carefully avoid sin [or misgivings], and delight...
Are Kids Growing Up Faster These Days?
Question: It seems that kids these days ‘mature’ earlier. Is this due to human lifespan being on the general decline, according to the Buddhist teachings, in this Dharma-Ending Age? Is it...
Haikus On Movies, Documentary & Drama Series
Movie Haikus Watch a movie, have an adventure, into the unknown. Learn to empathise, watch your hopes, face your fears. Fictitious yet ‘real’, thought experiment with sight and sound...
Repentance Haiku
If the truly wrong, do not truly repent, they are truly wrong indeed.
Is Life Just A Lamp To Be Snuffed Out?
Just look at how the circuit of the universe returns upon itself. You will see that nothing in this cosmos is extinguished, but everything falls and rises and turns. – Seneca (Epistle 36.7-12) As...
We Should Repay The Kindness Of All Mother Sentient Beings
They are kinsmen stranded in Samsara’s ocean Who seem to have fallen into the abyss; When due to birth, death and rebirth You don’t recognise them and reject them, Freeing only yourself:...
Can Lay Buddhists Teach Buddhism?
Question: Should only monastics teach the Dharma? Answer: From the book ‘The Buddha and His Disciples’ by Venerable S. Dhammika is a section that can answer this question – ‘It...
Wisdom Haiku
The intelligent might understand much, while the wise realise the essential and follow through with action.
Why There Is Never Reason For Anger
Just as a doctor does not fight but helps patients who are possessed by spirits, though they get angry, so the Sage sees that the afflictions are at fault, not the person who have the afflictions. –...
Refuge Haiku
Find your refuge. Take your refuge. Be your refuge.
A Monk To A King On Listening To Good Advice
As skilful means, say the true, beneficial, and even possibly displeasing only at appropriate times. If a king acts in a way that contradicts the Dharma or does something that does not make sense...
‘Meet Joe Black’, Life & Death
Bill chats with Joe as they watch ephemeral fireworks burst into the night sky at a great party: Bill: It’s hard to let go, isn’t it? Joe: Yes, it is, Bill. Bill: Well, that’s life...
The Buddha’s Lay Disciple Foremost In Teaching The Dharma
(Importance Of Seeking Forgiveness From The Wronged) Should one person ignorantly do wrong And another ignorantly become angry (with him), Who would be at fault? And who would be without fault? –...
The ‘Black Mirror’ That Reflects Darkness
One of, if not the most thought-provoking Netflix series is Black Mirror. What does the title refer to? It is what you are looking at now — the screen of your phone, computer or TV, that is black by...
Never Retaliate The Harmful With Anger
Do not be angry when others do harm, but realise that it is [the effect of] previous karma. Without causing any more suffering, eliminate your own faults. – Precious Garland Of Advice To A King...
What Is Love Under ‘A Full Bright Moon’?
Great Master Hongyi’s (弘一大师) ex-wife was reluctant to let go of him, and was puzzled by the nature of love. She thus asked him – ‘Please tell me, what is love?’ (请告诉我，什么叫爱？) If she really loved him...
Blame Haiku
The Buddha too got wrongly blamed, what more us? Related Article: Fable Of The Father, Son & Donkey
Are You Ready To Face ‘Yourself’?
Why should you give up on yourself if you can always change yourself? [to be continued…] – Stonepeace | Books Do you wish to meet your doppelgänger (i.e. look-alike or double)? Well, be careful...
How Does Buddhism Explain Natural Disasters?
Question: Why are some places affected by natural disasters, including some religious places? Answer: Of course, there are scientific reasons to explain them, based on natural processes. However...
Existential Chats In ‘Café Society’
In ‘Café Society’ is discussion of some interesting existential issues. Bobby exclaims, ‘[W]hen the end’s near, you need something… I have to know that all this just...
Craving To Have King Midas’ Golden Touch?
All that glisters is not gold— Often have you heard that told. Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold. Gilded tombs do worms enfold. – The Merchant of Venice (William Shakespeare) In...
Better Without An Itch Than To Scratch One
If you scratch an itch, it feel good, but it feels even better not to have an itch at all. So too, one is happy in obtaining worldly desires, but there is greater happiness in having no desires at...
Commitment Issues In ‘Café Society’
Why commit to another love interest if already committed to another? Was the first commitment not genuine then, and thus meaningless? If there was meaningless commitment for the first case, what...
I Don’t Wanna Be A Bodhisattva Or Buddha
Confession: I do not find it necessary to walk the Bodhisattva path to help others, as there are already countless Buddhas around. It does not make a difference if there is one less. Attaining self...
Did The Buddha Die Of Food-Poisoning In Old Age?
Question: How is it that the Buddha could have died at 80 years old due to eating spoiled pork? Answer: Since the Buddha already announced the date of his passing at least 3 months in advance, he did...
Why Are Plants Non-Sentient?
Question: If plants are also living things, why do they not have consciousnesses, like humans, animals and such? Answer: This question is similar to asking – ‘If apples are also fruits...
How Marvellous!
奇哉！奇哉！此诸众生云何具有如来智慧，愚痴迷惑，不知不见？ 我当教圣道，令其永离妄想执着，自于身中得见如来广大智慧与佛无异。 – 释迦牟尼佛《华严经》 Marvellous! Marvellous! Of all these sentient beings, why are they complete with the Thus Come Ones’ wisdom, yet...
Letter To A Buddhist Centre For Kinder Offerings
Hello Venerable Sirs & Committee Members, It would be great if we can encourage all to make and take vegan meal offerings (free of meat and other animal products, as they all come from continual...
Do All Religions Share The Same Essence?
Appreciate similarities for harmony. Acknowledge differences for harmony too. – Stonepeace | Get Books (Although the below reflects how Buddhists see Buddhism; it does not necessarily reflect how...
The Ultimate Taming Of Disturbing Emotions
Emptiness is [full of] form[s]. Forms are [full of] emptiness. – Stonepeace | Books The god [Lord of Peace and Calm] said, “Mañjuśrī [Kumārabhuta Bodhisattva], how are disturbing emotions tamed? Are...
Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now?
Question: I am working at an accounting firm, which has a wide clientele across many different industries. One of them is food retailing. The firm does audit and advisory services for companies...
How Two Journeyed Into Darkness & Light
The first step of learning is to recognise evil, so as to avoid evil. Without this first step, what learnt might be evil. Her Journey Into The Darkness Of Delusion Since young, she was taught by her...
Should I Learn Yoga Before Buddhism?
Question: I wish to introduce my friends and relatives to Buddhism through yoga, as there seems to be a link between the two, and since yoga is getting popular. However, I am not a yoga practitioner...
Is ‘An Honest Death’ An Ideal Death?
‘An Honest Death: A Palliative Care Doctor’s Final Days’ is a documentary featured on NHK World Prime. Masahiro Tanaka was a palliative care doctor and a Japanese Buddhist priest...
Time Haiku
True living is about finding time to do what you should.
Are Stray-Feeders Bodhisattvas?
Question: Can one who feeds strays be considered doing Bodhisattva practice? Answer: It depends on whether the animals are fed with other animals (meat and produce – that come from killing...
The Sunbathing Carcass
Live well to die better. – Stonepeace | Books There was a (Y)outh leaning against a tree. He was ragged and depressed, yawning dispiritedly. A Chan (Chinese Zen) (M)aster came by… M: Young man...
How Do You Grasp Emptiness?
色不异空；空不异色； 色即是空；空即是色；– 心经 （观世音菩萨） Form is not different from emptiness; emptiness is not different from form; form is the same as emptiness; emptiness is the same as form. – Heart Sutra (Guanshiyin...
How To Reply To Claims That I Am Hellbound?
Question: I am a learning and practising Buddhist. During a discussion with a family member of another faith that believes in a creator god who damns all non-believers to hell, he said I am the devil...
Four Kinds Of ‘Spiritual Teachers’ (Gurus) To Avoid
Seek good enough teachers who lead to the perfect teacher of Amituofo, in the perfect school of his Pure Land, to be a perfect student of his, to be a perfect teacher like him too...
How Does Buddhism Differ From Taoism?
Question: How is Buddhism different from Taoism? Answer: The differences are many. From the Buddhist perspective, let us see some in terms of refuge in the Triple Gem (of Buddhas, Dharma and Sangha)...
All Sentient Beings Love Their Lives
As all love their own eyes, So too they love their young. The love for one’s own life is endless. Therefore, one should never kill sentient beings. – Śākyamuni Buddha (Sūtra of Accepting the Ten...
Is Eating Vegan Meritorious?
Question: Why is eating vegan food meritorious? Answer: To be exact, eating by itself, of any food, is not exactly meritorious. It is the active choice of compassionate food in the first place...
How To Lessen Suffering Of Animals
Even if the ideal is hard to reach, working towards the ideal is still more ideal than to not. – Stonepeace | Books I saw on TV that Australia was selling huge numbers of sheep and cows to Indonesia...
We, The ‘Well’, Are Dying Like The Sick Too
We are truly running out of time if we still do not realise we are truly running out of time. – Stonepeace | Books It is extremely important to be able to help a dying person and, if you can, the...
Which Buddha Should We Pay Homage To?
Question: Some ‘Buddhists’ have strong objection to the chanting of ‘(Namo) Amituofo’ (南无阿弥陀佛: [Homage to and refuge in life in] Amitabha Buddha), for personal practice, and...
Why Are Some Buddhists Not Monastics Here & Now?
Though the problems below are not all’s views, they do reflect those faced by the idealistic, who wish for nothing but the best. Problem [1]: Perfect Teacher Sought Being with idealistic hopes...
Never Have Contempt At The Contemptuous
Since the mind is not physical, No one can ever destroy it. It is strongly attached to the body, And so it is harmed by physical suffering. Contempt, offensive speech, Ans unpleasant words Do not...
Is It Possible To Fire With Compassion?
Question: As I hired an incompetent domestic helper via an incompetent agent, I technically fired the helper. But the agent asked for some holding on to the helper in name first, to facilitate her...
What Are The Most Relevant & Lasting Buddhist Teachings?
佛法如大海， 唯信能入， 唯智能度。 – 大智度论 （龙树菩萨） The Buddhadharma [Buddha’s teachings] is like a great ocean [profoundly deep and vast]: only by faith can it be entered, only by wisdom can it be crossed. –...
Rely Only On Those Superior In Morality & Understanding
People degenerate by relying on those inferior to themselves; By relying on equals, they stay the same; By relying on those superior, they attain excellence; Thus rely on those who are superior to...
Is A Meat-Buyer Also A ‘Meat-Eater’?
Question: When I dine with my family in the same restaurant, I will be having vegan food while they have meat dishes. As I pay for all, am I considered to have ‘eaten’ meat? Answer: This...
Are You Waiting For Your ‘Guru’ To Find You?
当来之世，经道灭尽，我以慈悲哀愍，特留此经 ，止住百岁。其有众生，值斯经者，随意所愿，皆可得度。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《无量寿经》 In the world of the future, when the paths of the sutras [to enlightenment] are destroyed and ended, I, with loving-kindness...
A Checklist For Bad Gurus (Spiritual Teachers)
Good students appreciate being corrected of their mistakes as they are good students. Good teachers appreciate being corrected of their mistakes as they are also good students. – Shilashanti If a...
Should Buddhists Play Matchmakers?
Question: Is it alright to matchmake good friends who are good in character? Answer: It does not accord with a Bodhisattva Precept in the Brahma Net Sutra to do matchmaking – as it facilitates...
We Are All Passing Travellers
As we merely passing by here, what matters is what we leave behind – in terms of our words and deeds. – Stonepeace | Books Master Han Shan was one of the four great masters of the late Ming...
Should I Help Pay For Non-Vegan Food?
Question: I am a vegetarian and an aspiring vegan. As my workplace offers discount in an attached restaurant, friends like to visit to have meals with me, to also benefit from the staff discount I...
6 Reflections On Departure From ‘Buddhist’ Cults
Swiftly avoid evil yourself. Swiftly do good yourself. Swiftly purify yourself. – Stonepeace | Books [1] Question: Ironically, the constant reminder not to slander the ‘Dharma’ and...
Can Precepts Really Be Broken Virtually?
Question: Does killing someone and stealing something in a computer game create any negative karma? Answer: The answer is not so straightforward. Despite the virtual nature of these deeds, it is to...
What Do You Allow To Pull Your Strings?
Recognising our fetters is the first step towards being as free as we want to be. – Stonepeace | Books Fa Yan, one of the masters of the Lingji sect of the Zen school of the Song dynasty told his...
Love Not Terrorism But Hate Not Terrorists
‘He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered me, he robbed me.’ Those who do not harbour such thoughts still their hatred. – The Buddha (Dhammapada) Someone quipped this on our post...
Your Money Or Your Self?
That which is true can never be lost. That which is lost can never be true. – Stonepeace | Books Once, when Sakyamuni Buddha was meditating in a forest, he heard, from a distance, the laughter of a...
When Okja’s Mija Meets #ForNature’s Greta
‘Okja’ begins with the mercenary Lucy Mirando (Tilda Swinton) announcing, ‘The world’s [human] population is 7 billion. 805 million humans struggle with hunger every day...
Where Are The 17 Arhats?
Sudden windfalls seldom bring about sudden happiness; bringing sudden unrest instead. – Stonepeace | Books A peasant dug up a very valuable golden statue of an Arhat from a hill. When his friends...
Should Buddhists Fear God?
Question: Someone suggested that even Buddhists should fear God. Is this sensible? Answer: How about asking which of the millions of gods worshipped throughout history should be the one feared? And...
Taste Flavours As They Are
If experiences are experienced as they are; not as what we want them to be, they will be very different experiences – of truth itself, in its different manifestations. – Stonepeace | Books The great...
Where Are ‘Religious’ Killers Reborn?
Question: When terrorists claim to kill in the name of a deity believed in, will they go to hell? Answer: Yes, unfortunately, if there is no sincere repentance in time. This is so as such killing is...
Should Buddhism Focus On Humans Only?
The good qualities of humanity are the basis for human beings, to evolve as humane qualities for benefitting all sentient beings. The whole of Buddhism is simply the Buddha’s teachings in all...
How To (Not) See The Attractive?
It is not so much of what you see but more of how you see that decides what is seen. – Stonepeace | Books A Zen master asked his disciples: ‘How should you confront feminine [or masculine]...
Rebirth Haiku
If not returning bettered, and to make things better, why return worse to worsen? * Why not reach Pure Land to better train first?
Oceanography, Meteorology, Astronomy, Swimology
Even much accurate theory that is yet to be practised is yet to be practical. – Stonepeace | Books There was a Professor taking a sea voyage in a little boat and one night he goes up to the old...
Can Females Reordain As Buddhist Nuns?
Question: Can females ordain twice as Buddhist nuns? Answer: No, according to the record of this event and rule by the Buddha in the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya’s Section On Miscellaneous...
Who Did You Bury In Your Past Lives?
The Bodhisattva path seeks to create pure connections between all sentient beings with the pure Triple Gem. – Stonepeace | Books Once upon a time, as two loved each other very much, they soon...
How Attachment To Fame & Wealth Harms
Though you become famous and many bow to you, And you gain riches to equal Vaishravana’s [a wealth deity], See that worldly fortune is without essence, And be unconceited – This is the practice...
The Most Reliable Buddhist Practice
丛林以无事为兴盛， 修行以念佛为稳当。 – 百丈大智禅师 《丛林要则二十条》 [In] monasteries, [it is] without matters [of contention, confusion, complication…] as [spiritual] prosperity. [For] cultivation [of] practice, [it...
Why Confident Patience Is A Strength
Just as anger is a sign of an unstable emotion, calmness is a sign of stable reason. – Stonepeace | Books Many people think that to be patient in bearing loss is a sign of weakness. I think this is a...
Is This Bad Karma Ripening?
Question: In my business, if I find many obstacles, with one after another, is it due to previous karma’s ripening? Answer: Whenever there is suffering in any matter, it is due to past or...
What Is There To Hold On?
To think you can ‘have and hold’ the worldly is to ‘have and hold’ delusion. – Stonepeace | Books Once, when the Layman was on his way to sell his bamboo baskets, he stumbled...
Are Realms In Other Faiths Elsewhere?
Question: Do realms of different faiths exist in different world systems (e.g. galaxies or such)? Or do they exist at similar frequencies (or dimensions)? Answer: In the Buddha’s...
Liar Haiku
The worst liars are liars who lie about their lying.
Purify Yourself Without Projecting Perfection On Others
When I am born in a place of impurity It is the weapon of destructive karma turning upon me. For always cultivating impure perceptions. From now on I will cultivate only pure perceptions...
Rely Upon Buddha As Best Spiritual Friend
To befriend the Buddha is to familiarise with the perfect embodiment and expression of the Dharma. – Stonepeace | Books Once, in the Sakyan country, Venerable Ananda said to the Buddha...
Reflect To Diffuse Your Anger
YOUR hatred cannot be ceased by MORE hatred. YOUR hatred can only be ceased by MORE love. OTHERS’ hatred cannot be ceased by MORE hatred. OTHERS’ hatred can only be ceased by MORE love. –...
How Should Dharma Teachers Protect Dharma Students?
Without names, so that timeless lessons can be universally learnt, the below is based on an actual incident. Case There was a public Dharma talk with many misconceptions shared. A teacher, having...
Should Buddhists Be Bothered By Numbers?
Question: As a Buddhist, should I be bothered by my house number? Is it right to believe in numerology? I have read a lot about it and it is affecting my thinking. Answer: The Buddha banned monastics...
Verse On Road
涉路而去， 当愿众生， 履净法界， 心无障碍。 – 文殊菩萨 (华严经: 净行品: 第51偈) [When] walking on a road to go off, [reflect that] ‘May sentient beings, tread [into the] pure Dharma realm,* [with] minds without obstacles and...
Do You Believe In The Flying Spaghetti Monster?
No god, no brahma can be called the maker [creator] of this wheel of life [and death]; just empty phenomena roll on [without fixed forms], [inter]dependent on [changing] conditions [are] all. –...
Focus Haiku
Nianfo is focus on one skill for mastering focus on all other skills [upon reaching Pure Land].
Is He A True Buddhist ‘Teacher’?
Question: A friend asked a layperson to help ‘clear’ her workplace of suspected spirits by chanting, and it seemed to have effect as there were less accidents and quarrels after. She also...
Beware Of Westernised Self-Centric ‘Mindfulness’
Realise there is no self within the five aggregates to realise the true self beyond. – Stonepeace | Books But there are significant problems with how Buddhism has been appropriated to fit directly...
Do You Have The Twin Guardians?
Those with neither conscience nor shame can guard neither themselves nor others, and are bound for eventual suffering. – Stonepeace | Books According to the Buddha, the human world is protected by...
Transcending The Limits Of Worldly Philosophies
Be not so worldly that transcending the worldly out of wisdom is totally neglected. [to be continued…] – Stonepeace | Books When Confucius’ disciples asked if he thought they will be...
Precepts Haiku
Teachers lax with the precepts cannot be accurate or effective in teaching morality and karma.
See Yourself As Lowest Of The Low
Once proud of your practice, you have nothing to be proud of; only your egotism to be ashamed of. – Stonepeace | Books Do not turn gods into demons. When displeased, the worldly gods cause harm. The...
Where Did God Come From?
Question: I was chatting with a friend when she asked, ‘If there is no God, where do we come from?’ How should I answer? Answer: For the Buddhist perspective, you can answer in this way...
All Too Human, The ‘League Of Gods’
‘League Of Gods (封神传奇)’ is a way too creative retelling of the fictional 16th century Chinese classical novel (封神榜), sometimes translated as ‘Canonisation Of The Deities’ or...
How A Grudging Man Sought Deadly Revenge
Be quicker in mindfulness of your temper than the rise of your temper to dissolve it in time. – Stonepeace | Books Once a man was consumed with anger at another man. Day and night, he was agitated by...
Doing Evil Knowingly Vs Unknowingly
The very ignorant continue to ignore their ignorance, which harms them continually. – Stonepeace | Books The king asked Nagasena again, “Who gets greater demerit, a wise person who does evil, or an...
The Benefits of Previous Endeavour
Everything we do and even not do now bears consequences for better or worse later. – Stonepeace | Books The king [Milinda] asked Nagasena again, “Suppose a man were to do good deeds, should he have...
How To Relate To Fengshui & Bazi?
Question: How should we relate fengshui (Chinese geomancy)? Eg. ideas like how the bed should not face the toilet door? Answer Some fengshui principles are just common sense. Eg. Of course the bed...
We Reap Fruits From Seeds We Sow
While the one doing wrong creates negative karma in the present, the one who is wronged created negative karma in the past. – Stonepeace | Books Nagasena gave another simile, “Suppose a man were to...
How Should Buddhists View Astrology?
Question: How should we view online circulated advice from some fortune-telling masters, about the fortune of those of different zodiac signs in the coming new year, about what best colour to wear...
What Is Meant By Time?
We are running in time yet running out of time. – Stonepeace | Books The king [Milinda] asked, ‘Venerable Nagasena, what is meant by ‘time’?’ Nagasena replied, ‘Concerning the past...
Who Is A True Sangha Member?
The not correctable are not commendable. The incorrect yet correctable are still commendable. – Stonepeace | Books Though not totally right, ‘the Sangha’ is often defined as the fourfold...
How To Explain, End And Prevent Mass Hysteria?
Individuals’ delusions can lead to collective confusion. Individuals’ clarifications can lead to collective illuminations. – Stonepeace | Books Mass hysteria is sometimes the expression...
Parable Of The Greedy Child
Precepts are let go of when the poisons of greed, hatred and delusion are instead taken up. – Stonepeace | Books One day, a nursemaid who was carrying a child a long distance grew very tired and...
Question Of Maitreya On Eight Qualities
Before attaining Buddhahood, the swiftest way to attain swiftest progress to Buddhahood without retrogression is via swift rebirth in Pure Land. – Stonepeace | Books The Blessed One [Sakyamuni...
The Middle Way
‘All exists,’ Kaccayana, this is one extreme, ‘All does not exist,’ this is the other extreme. Without veering towards either of these extremes, the Tathagata teaches the...
Who Decides Who Is A Bodhisattva?
Question: If a Bodhisattva is not supposed to declare oneself as one, who declared the famous Bodhisattvas to be so in history? Answer: There is a difference between announcing aspiration to walk the...
Speculation Haiku
Speculate not on the Dharma; only specialise!
How To Most Swiftly Attain Buddhahood
As long as there is attachment to ego, there are demons. When there is no more attachment to ego, there are no more demons either! – Machig Labdron For those who wish to become Buddhas swiftly...
Should We Kill Many Others To Protect Ourselves?
Thinking, ‘As am I so are others, as are others so am I’, harm none nor have them harmed. – Sakyamuni Buddha (Sutta Nipata 705) For protecting humans upon complaints, does the searching...
How Even Stubborn Rocks Agreed With A Master
The only beings who ‘cannot’ become Buddhas are those who still refuse to see their Buddha-nature. — Stonepeace | Get Books One of the foremost disciples of the Venerable Huiyuan [慧远大师:...
Karma Follows Like A Shadow Does
We are experiencing rippling effects from the past, even while we create rippling effects for the future. – Stonepeace | Books The king [Milinda] asked Nagasena again, “Is there a spirit [unchanging...
Countdown Haiku
Make this life countdown to the greatest school ever – Amituofo’s land!
Peace Haiku
Of little use is peace if only for oneself, forgetting others need it too.
How Shariputra Saw A Man, His Son & Their Dog
… Stop harming others, as you would want others to stop harming you… You can benefit others right away by not harming numberless sentient beings, by not eating them… With so many...
Hail Humour Of ‘Hail, Caesar!’
The following is perhaps the most interesting part of the critically acclaimed ‘Hail, Caesar!‘ It is an argument over the nature of God, as believed by some faiths. (You can catch the...
Queries On Abstention From Killing (& Meat-Eating)
(Upasaka Zhou Anshi was an eminent Qing dynasty Buddhist and author of Anshi Quanshu (安士全書). His masterpiece fully captures the spirit of Chinese Buddhism and the vision of the Buddha and sages. The...
How Time Is Relative To Our Experiences
An hour sitting with a pretty girl on a park bench passes like a minute, but a minute sitting on a hot stove seems like an hour. — Albert Einstein (paraphrased) A day and a night in the Heaven of the...
The Buddha As The Ultimate Revolutionary
Transform yourself inside out, first in your thought, then in speech and action. – Stonepeace | Books Today, many people think that Buddhists are running away from reality. But this is a deep...
Be Inspired By Great Master ‘Xuan Zang’! | 观看《大唐玄奘》记
The biopic ‘Xuan Zang’ (大唐玄奘), which focuses on the life and times of Tripitaka Master Venerable Xuan Zang (602-664), reminds us of the tremendous challenges that ancient Chinese pilgrim...
Should Buddhists Kill In War?
Question: If we are at war, in defending our country, as a Buddhist conscripted soldier, should we kill enemies charging towards us, or just let them overrun us? Answer: In this situation on defence...
A Buddhist Tale Of Sex & Violence
Those who intentionally break precepts with plans to repent after doing so will find it very difficult to repent truly. – Stonepeace | Books Once when the Buddha Shakyamuni was in the world, there...
You, ‘Animals And The Buddha’
All beings fear danger, life is dear to all. When a person considers this, he does not kill or cause to kill. – The Buddha (Dhammapada, 129) ‘Animals And The Buddha’ () is a...
Should I Accommodate With Non-Vegan Meals?
Question: There are work lunches catered only with halal but no vegan choices, and there are gatherings, for which I do not wish to cause inconvenience to others’ food choices. As an aspiring...
Is There A God Who Allows Suffering?
With more selfless empathy, more will realise that when ‘others’ suffer, all of us as ‘one’ suffer, and all should help all. According to an article in ‘The...
Great Good & Evil Start Small
Take care of each thought to take care of each word and deed too. – Stonepeace | Get Books How does one accumulate blessings? It is from a number of actions, not just one. There is a saying...
Do Buddhist Talismans Work?
Question: Do Buddhist talismans work? What is written on them? If they work, must they be ‘renewed’? Answer: Anything, including paper talismans consecrated by proper Buddhist chanting...
How Asanga Urged Vasubandhu To Be A Bodhisattva Too
To slander the Mahayana teachings is to speak against the path to Buddhahood, to create obstacles for others to be Buddhas, to create causes for oneself to be reborn wretched. – Anonone Asanga...
Can I Simply Do Good To Cover Evil?
Question: If one brutally killed an animal, such as a cat, and later liberates many other kinds of animals otherwise destined for slaughter, would this person had ‘atoned’ for the...
Offering Self-Sacrifice Vs Wanting Others Sacrifice
The perfection of sacrifice is attained with sacrifice till there is no more sacrifice. – Stonepeace | Get Books Few of us can love all humanity. Life for us cannot but be centered around ourselves...
Why The Chinese Canon Is As Important As The Pali Canon
(Why The Pali Canon Does Not Represent All Of Buddhism) Availability of pure teachings depends on our availability of reverence, diligence and merits. – Anonone From Foreword by Roderick S. Bucknell...
Can I Write On Sutra Books?
Question: I have written notes in the margins of a sutra book to help me understand its Dharma terms. However, someone told me that I should not write anything on the book as it is disrespectful. Is...
Is Collection Of ‘Blessed’ Amulets Buddhist Practice?
If you take refuge only in ‘blessed’ items, you have yet to take refuge in the truly blessed Triple Gem. – Stonepeace | Books Some believe that making money offerings to...
Should Buddhists Wear Buddha Images?
Question: Some say that wearing Buddha jade pendants creates negative karma as this disrespects the Buddha. I do wear one but respect the Buddha. Can I continue wearing it? Answer: Jade by itself as...
Why It Is Wiser To Turn Grievance To Friendship
Until the senseless cycle is broken, cyclical greed, hatred and delusion keeps the cycle of rebirth spinning. – Stonepeace | Books During the Ch’ing Dynasty in China, in Yang Chou, there was a...
The Buddha’s Perfect Fatherly Speech
Those not aware that they can be mindfully firm and not unmindfully harsh harm by choosing anger. – Stonepeace | Books “Sariputta the chief disciple said, ‘The Tathagata [Sakyamuni...
Bell Haiku
Evicted from the sunset bell… Firefly – Issa .入相のかねにつき出す蛍哉 Translation © David G. Lanoue
How Are Arhats, Bodhisattvas, Pratyekabuddhas And Buddhas Different?
Question: How is the enlightenment of Arhats different from Buddhas’? What about that of Bodhisattvas and Pratyekabuddhas? Answer: The enlightenment of Arhats can be called self-liberation –...
Gargoyle Haiku
Scowling at the hot night… Gargoyle – Issa .暑き夜をにらみ合たり鬼瓦 atsuki yo [wo] nirami aitari onigawara (Note: Are what we perceive what they are, or mere projections of how we perceive?)
How Do I Handle An Abusive Spouse?
Will your karma change when you walk away? You will only know if you try. [To be continued below…] – Stonepeace | Books ‘If I am a mother with an abusive spouse, how can I resolve or...
Fire Haiku
Why is playing with fire such fun… tiger moth? – Issa .どれ程に面白いのか火とり虫 dore hodo ni omoshiroi no ka hitorimushi
Transforming Bandits To Bodyguards
Dharma practice is to transform the negative to the positive, so as to realise the pure. – Stonepeace | Books Tibet.. is full of long and lonely roads… in the mountains… Travelling is...
Lotus Haiku
Suddenly, the dog stops barking… Lotus blossoms! – Issa 犬の声ぱつたり止て蓮の花 inu no koe pattari yamite hasu no hana
A Profound & Essential One-Word Teaching
Briefly, without being mindful of death, whatever Dharma practices you take up will be merely superficial. – Milarepa He [Milarepa]… said, ‘I have an unusually profound pith-instruction...
The ‘Go Drink Tea’ Koan (‘吃茶去’的公案)
何为禅？ 何非禅？ 何须问？ 吃茶去！ What is Zen? What is not Zen? Why need ask? Go drink tea! 《赵州禅师语录》: 师问二新到：’上座曾到此间否？’ 云：’不曾到。’ 师云：’吃茶去。’ From ‘Record Of Chan Master...
Cherry Blossoms Haiku
Tomorrow and tomorrow, Will they still be? Cherry blossoms – Issa 翌あらばあらばと思ふ桜哉 asu araba araba to omou sakura kana
The Noble ‘Fightless’ Fight Of ‘Selma’
The film ‘Selma’ commemorates a historical walk in 1965, a literal ‘movement’ led by Martin Luther King, Jr and company. It is about the makings of an ultimately successful...
Can Buddhist Monastics Change To Lay Clothes?
A briefer version of this was published in the January 2016 issue of ‘For You Information’, a Singapore-based Buddhist magazine. What we prefer to keep doing without others seeing us do...
What Is Good & Evil?
佛言： 众生以十事为善，亦以十事为恶。 何等为十？ 身三、口四、意三。 身三者，杀盗淫。 口四者，两舌、恶口、妄言、绮语。 意三者，嫉恚痴。 如是十事，不顺圣道，名十恶行。 是恶若止，名十善行耳。 – 四十二章经: 第四章 （释迦牟尼佛） The Buddha said, ‘Sentient beings with ten matters are good, also with...
How The Buddha-To-Be Saw The Four Sights
The realities of life are the truths we live in the midst of now – they are truths so close that they are often neglected. – Stonepeace | Books Then the Bodhisattva [Sakyamuni Buddha-to-be]...
Best Haiku
Just do your best now – for what else can you do now, till you get better?
Constructive Compassion
Instead of criticising [destructively], find out how to help [constructively]. – Shunryu Suzuki Roshi
Distraction Haiku
See all distractions As reminders to focus And they thus transform.
Are There ‘Buddhist’ Extremists?
Question: How is it that there are some ‘Buddhist monastics’, who are supposed to be good at practising Metta (loving-kindness), who have instead become extreme racists against minorities...
Repentance As Cure
佛言： 人有众过，而不自悔、 顿息其心，罪来赴身； 如水归海，渐成深广。 若人有过，自解知非、 改恶行善，罪自消灭； 如病得汗，渐有痊损耳。 – 四十二章经: 第五章 （释迦牟尼佛） The Buddha said, ‘If a person has many misgivings, yet not personally repenting, to instantly cease...
Should We Follow Only One Teacher’s Teachings?
One who positions oneself to always be unquestionable will always be questionable. – Stonepeace | Books As rephrased, a Dharma class participant asked the following – ‘A so-called...
Sand Haiku
Like sand slipping off, All things fleeting can’t be held – But handle with care!
We Need More Practice
博闻爱道， 道必难会； 守志奉道， 其道甚大。 – 四十二章经:第九章 （释迦牟尼佛） With extensive learning attached to the path, the path is surely difficult to realise. Guarding intention to give reverently to the path, this path is...
Irony Haiku
Irony is just how things misalign with how the way things should be.
Life Of Practice
Let the length of your practice equal the length of your life. — Shabkar
Change Haiku
It is not over until really all over – but what can be so? * * as there is only continual change if still samsaric
Constant Pure Land Practice
虽知诸佛国， 及与众生空， 而常修净土， 教化诸群众。 — 维摩经（维摩诘） Although knowing that all Buddha lands and their sentient beings are emptiness.* yet constantly cultivate the Pure Land [practice], for teaching and...
Joy Haiku
Cling to (small) worldly joys and miss the transcendental, (the) immeasurable!
Are There Buddhist Paper Offerings To Burn?
Question: Should we burn paper offerings with Buddhist wordings on them for the deceased? Answer: ‘Rebirth money’ (往生钱) or ‘rebirth talismans’ (往生符) refers to usually yellow...
Is There An Almighty, All-Good & All-Wise Creator?
The most mighty, good and knowing ones possible are the Buddhas, having the most powerful skilful means (superpotence) with perfect compassion (omnibenevolence) and wisdom (omniscience) for guiding...
Kindness Haiku
Turns out that kindness for one another always is best for us all
Best Haiku
If out of time now to doubt if you can make it, just do your very best now!
When Do Buddhists Pray During The Seventh Lunar Month?
Question: Do Buddhists have to pray on the first and last day of the seventh lunar month, as many Chinese do? Answer: For Buddhists, what matters more is the full moon day of the seventh lunar month...
What Happens After Suicide And How Can We Help?
Question: If one committed suicide, is there anything we can do to help the person? Is it true that the person will undergo seven lifetimes of suffering thereafter? Answer: It is generally agreed...
Equanimity
It is absurd to maintain attachment and hatred toward beings of the six realms who have all been [reborn as] our parents.* Realise that they are all equal.** Is this not in itself a great liberation...
Time Haiku
Though ‘all in good time’, while taking your own time now, time hurries and runs [out]!
Noble Haiku
Nobly, the great priest deposits his daily stool in bleak winter fields – Buson
The Three Kinds Of Laziness
There is no goal that diligence cannot fulfil, as long as it is fulfillable. There is no goal that laziness can fulfil, even if it is fulfillable. – Stonepeace | Books [1] People are inextricably...
Cicada Haiku
In the cicada’s cry No sign can foretell How soon he must die – Basho
Are Prayers For The Distant Deceased Helpful?
Question: When a famous but non-religious person dies and people of various faiths hold religious and memorial services with prayers and well wishes in the name of that person in their own places of...
Practice Is Needed For Perfection
Taking pride in perfect potential present yet not willing to actualise it at all, it as as ‘good’ as being perfectly absent. — Stonepeace | Get Book Just as is the case with the sesame...
Is Vegetarianism Of Secondary Or Arbitrary Value?
Humans do not need to eat animals to live. Animals need humans to not eat them to live. ___ Even if veganism might seem secondary to some humans, it is always primary to all animals. –...
What Pure Land Here & Now?
It is unkind to insist that ‘Pure Land is only here and now’, when this cannot be experienced by all of us non-Buddhas in the midst of disasters now. It is unwise to insist that...
Just Do The Needed Now
Just do the needed now, but be sure it is truly what is needed now. — Stonepeace | Get Books A student was on Mount Tiantong in China, studying Chan [Chinese Zen], when one day he encountered an old...
Complacence Haiku
To be complacent of how ‘good’ the way things are is how things turn bad
Disagreement Haiku
To be able to disagree without hatred is (to) both kind and wise.
Thoroughly Examine Your Mind
Even if another examines you, you have to examine yourself, to see if that examined is true. – Stonepeace | Books To see if you’re aware of impermanence or not, check whether your plans are...
Self Haiku
Why want another Attracted to your make-up Instead of true self?
Make-Up Haiku
Why is it ‘make-up’? To make up another face, or make up for flaws?
The Choice Is Yours
The more compassionatehave compassion forthe less compassionate too. – Stonepeace No one can compel you to eat meat or to be vegetarian. You have to think carefully for yourself, and then act...
Dharma Alone
He who in autumn does not provide for the coming winter Is considered a fool. The Dharma alone will help us when we die, and we know that death is certain – So not to practice it now is utterly...
How To Better Offer Incense?
Question: I am troubled by a report that says inhaling burning joss sticks is harmful to our health. Is there any solution? Answer: There are some forms of incense made of herbal substances. Perhaps...
What Are Supreme Offerings To All Buddhas
Is there need for lengthy explanation? Childish beings look out for themselves, While Buddhas labour for the good of others: See the difference that divides them! – Shantideva (Way Of The...
Fear Death Now
We ought to fear death now, And thus become fearless at the time of death; But instead we are careless now, And when death arrives we will beat our breast in anguish. – Buddhist Saying RIP:...
Waste Haiku
We are quick to clear our everyday body waste; yet slow for mind’s filth.
[Full Review] What If You Are A ‘Tulku’? (‘Recognised Reborn Master’)
[The summarised version of this can be seen at ] Who is a tulku? A tulku is anyone who is formally recognised by proficient Buddhist masters to be another Buddhist master reborn. Directed and hosted...
[Brief Review] What If You Are A ‘Tulku’? (‘Recognised Reborn Master’)
If it is easy to lose one’s way in this one lifetime, it is even much easier to lose one’s way from lifetime to lifetime. – Stonepeace | Books Who is a tulku? A tulku is anyone who is...
Wit Haiku
To miss the witty, is to miss the wisdom too — to become witless!
The Power Of Buddhas & Bodhisattvas’ Names
Perfected virtues are always more powerful than defilements of greed and hatred, which are weaknesses due to delusion. – Stonepeace | Books Mara, the demon king, asked the Buddha [Sakyamuni]...
Smile
If someone does not smile at you, be generous and offer your own smile. Nobody needs a smile more than the one who cannot smile at others. – H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama
You Have A Rebel Buddha Within
Spiritually worthy rebels are the first to awaken, who awaken the rest. – Stonepeace | Books If we could, we would probably all sink completely into this dream that passes for our waking life, but...
Is It Okay To Attend Controversial ‘Dharma’ Events?
Question: If there is a controversial ‘Buddhist’ organisation with a controversial ‘teacher’ or associated disciple ‘teachers’, that is hosting a...
Silence Haiku
Silence can mean consent, indignation, confusion, indifference, something else or nothing much.
Beware Of Fake ‘Reborn Masters’ (False ‘Tulkus’)
Only fools and Bodhisattvas rush into Samsara – the latter to save the first. Sometimes, we are in-between. – Stonepeace | Books Some people might carry the name tag of “tulku,”...
Why Do Some Monks Take Angbaos?
Question: Does Buddhism advocate materialistic pursuits? If not, why do some monastics collect angbaos (red packets with money offerings)? Do they give them to the temples they are from after taking...
Full Emptiness
Where there is form, already there is emptiness. Where there is emptiness, already there is form. — Buddhist Saying Form is emptiness. Emptiness is form. — Heart Sutra
Can We Eat Food After Offering At Shrines?
Question: After offering fruits and other kinds of food at a Buddhist shrine in a temple or at home, is it alright to consume them? Answer: Yes, they are alright for consumption. Some believe such...
Symbol Haiku
Everything symbolises something which symbolises something else… which symbolises everything too.
155 Spiritual & Physical Differences Between Buddhas & Arhats
All who give rise to Bodhicitta are able to become Bodhisatvas, who are able to become Buddhas, who are able to guide all to give rise to Bodhicitta. – Stonepeace | Books The Lord [Sakyamuni]...
Should I Eat Black Garlic?
Question: I read that black garlic is recommended by some nutritionists, as it has greater health benefits than the usual kind. It is supposedly sweeter, with smell and spiciness removed. Is it...
Sumeru Vs Seed
宁可执有 如须弥山， 不可落空 如芥子许。 Rather be attached to form [great] like Mount Sumeru, [and] not fall to emptiness [little] like a mustard seed.* – Buddhist Saying *As forsaking forms renders one unable...
The Man Who Learnt Too Much
To waste this moment is to waste this life, as we speak. – Stonepeace | Books A man decided to make his son a monk. ‘Study the laws of karmic cause and effect,’ he told him...
Grief Haiku
Grief that does not turn into strong resolution only cripples you
The Moon Wanes Faster Than Expected
The most urgent attitude to have in life is the sense of urgency. – Stonepeace | Books The full moon’s perfect roundness lasts barely a moment, and in no time is lost. Those with no eye...
Honesty Haiku
One honest mistake after yet another one… So very honest!
Be More Mindful When Complacent
Healthy fear, like sound courage, can protect and save lives. Unhealthy fear, like sheer arrogance, can harm and cost lives. – Stonepeace | Books A man famed for his tree-climbing skills once...
Should We All Monkey See Monkey Do?
Some say that if something is not broken, there is no need to fix it. Yet, not wanting to improve it is already a kind of brokenness that needs to be fixed. Imagine some monkeys, and a ladder with...
Calm & Clear Equanimity
We suffer from attachment when we deludedly overly idealise. We suffer from aversion when we deludedly overly demonise. We liberate with equanimity when we clearly see all as they are. — Stonepeace |...
How To Prevent Being Tricked By ‘Buddhist’ Cults?
Although this information does not originate from any one organisation or individual alone, it does reflect the true Buddhist teachings, and thus all true Buddhists’ perspectives, as based upon...
Anew
The new year should not [just] be about getting new things. It should be about getting a new [and better] state of mind [for spiritual development]. – Geshe Yonten (paraphrased)
The ‘Curse’ Of Intoxication
Those who wish to be fully awakened do not bear to spend even a moment intoxicated or confused; they only wish to further awaken. — Stonepeace | Get Books If drinking like this profited us in this...
Serious Haiku
So very serious Tapping away on his phone A candy crusher
How To Use The Anti ‘Buddhist’ Cult Articles Here
Question: You have probably heard of ‘Xin Lin Fa Men’ (观音心灵法门) by ‘Guanyin Citta Dharma Door’ Master Lu Jun Hong (卢军宏 or 卢台长). In his practice, after reciting Dabeizhou (Great Compassion Mantra) for...
Do It Till You Make It
To change your life, change your mind, which changes your speech and actions, which changes others’ experiences of you, which changes their responses to you, which changes your experiences of...
Dinner Haiku
Reunion dinner With live and dead relatives? Why eat past parents?
More New Year Haikus
Solar new year’s day Was just a false start of sorts? Lunar new year soon! ___ Resolutions made But yet to be upheld well? Here comes a new chance! ___ Yet, every day Is as good as any one. New...
On Gassho, Dojo & Ailments
Modesty is the foundation of all the virtues. Let your neighbours find you before you make yourself known to them. – Chanyue Guanxiu (Suggestions for Disciples) Gassho Gassho is the Japanese...
How To Awaken Those Tricked By ‘Buddhist’ Cults
As published in April 2015’s issue of Singapore’s ‘For You (Information)’ Buddhist magazine 此诸众生， 去佛渐远。 邪师说法， 如恒河沙。 All these sentient beings [in the Dharma Ending Age (now)...
Grudge Haiku
The grudges you hold do not protect or help you; they imprison and punish you.
The Chinaberry Fools
Some fools see no one’s faults. Some fools see others’ faults. Some fools see their faults. The wise see everyone’s faults. – Stonepeace | Books We then noticed a priest who...
Do Plants Feel Pain?
Question: How should vegetarians and vegans reply to meat-eaters who claim that plants feel pain? Answer: Plants are definitely lifeforms, but are not complex enough to be fully sentient. Though they...
New Year Haiku
Dance with drums and cymbals To chase off the monster of time (Nian), But to welcome it too.
We Know Not What We Know Not
The very foolish cling to delusions. The more foolish fight for them. The most foolish die with them. — Stonepeace | Get Books An ignorant person will always be wrong when he sizes up another and...
Is Surrogacy Right In Buddhism?
Question: Is surrogacy morally right or wrong in the Buddhist perspective? Answer: Surrogacy in short is when another woman carries and gives birth to a baby for a couple who wants to have a child...
Right Haiku
The first right to exerciseis to be personally right,before ‘righting’ others.
Truth Over ‘The Theory Of Everything’
‘The Theory Of Everything’ has the acronym TOE. But it is the other TOE that is much more interesting – the Truth Of Everything; not mere theories, no matter how grand. Beyond the...
Can Buddhists Seek Advice From Divination?
Question: Is it alright for Buddhists to cast or draw divination lots for advice? Answer: The answer is not so straightforward, as there are many considerations. However, divination is generally...
Sight Haiku
Hard is it to see what you cannot truly see. ___ Harder is it to see that you do not truly see. ___ Hardest is it to see that you refuse to truly see.
This Transient World Offers No True Refuge
The foam that floats on stagnant pools, now vanishing, now forming, never stays the same for long. So, too, it is with the people and dwellings of the world. – Chomei Yes, take it for all in...
Can Buddhists Seek Fengshui Advice?
Even when not mindful of how mind is the forerunner, the potential power of the mind still rules over matter. – Stonepeace | Books As Buddhists, is it considered superstitious to seek fengshui...
Humour Haiku
Truly good humour is the wise and witty spark despite the stark and dark.
One Shot For One Hit – Now!
Procrastination only leads to more procrastination, and eventual regret. – Stonepeace | Books A man who was studying archery took two arrows in his hand and stood before the target. ‘A...
Can One Committed To The Five Precepts Cook Meat?
Question: Having committed to the Five Precepts, can I still cook non-vegetarian food for my family? Answer: The first of the Five Precepts requires avoiding killing of sentient beings (and does not...
Groot Haiku
Who is Groot? ‘I am Groot.’ But ‘We are Groot’ too. ___ What is Groot? Interdependence is Groot. Interconnectedness is Goot. ___ Where and when is Groot? Here and now is Groot...
Is It ‘Better’ To Eat Bigger Animals?
Question: If I buy and eat a bigger animal’s meat, such as pork from a pig, does this create less negative karma (from being part of the supply and demand cycle)? Was thinking that one pig can...
How Attachment To Freedom Prevents Freedom
Total freedom is to be totally free from the sense of anyone being free from anything. – Stonepeace | Books Once a student who was upset told me that he wanted to leave his family. I asked him...
Rest Haiku
Rise as there is much that you should do, but rest to do more too.
The Dharma In A Bowl Of Curry Rice
This experiencer is changing. This experiencing is changing. This experienced is changing. – Stonepeace | Books One day, answering the call of a food craving, I decided to drive to a vegetarian...
Before It’s Too Late
It is not too late now, if you have time to wonder if it is too late now. – Stonepeace | Books However industrious you may be, there is no end to worldly activities; but if you practice the...
How To Help Those With Sudden Deaths?
Question: What will happen to those who have sudden deaths, such as being in a crash, who might be sound asleep? Will their consciousnesses be able to find their way home or reach Pure Land? How can...
Why Tezuka’s ‘Buddha’ Is No Buddha
In Osamu Tezuka’s ‘Buddha’ comic book series, the above was depicted towards the end of the fourth book, and adapted into ‘Buddha 2’, part of its animated trilogy. The...
This ‘Buddha’ Should Be Forgotten
Originally featured at ‘The Buddhist Channel’ on 14 April 2008 In the article “Buddha made unforgettable”, this was mentioned of Osamu Tezuka’s “Buddha”...
How Not To Portray The ‘Buddha’
The following was submitted from users of : Confession #192: There was an animated film titled ‘Buddha 2’ promoted and featured by a supposedly ‘Buddhist’ film festival in...
Review Of Osamu Tezuka’s ‘Buddha 1 & 2’
Recently, I watched Osamu Tezuka’s ‘Buddha 2’ in a Buddhist film festival (‘THIS’ or ‘Thus Have I Seen’). Like its predecessor ‘Buddha 1’...
Three Poems Of Master Shih Te
If you lose yourself in the wild, without any egoistic bearings, you might just find yourself, your true nature. —Stonepeace | Books XII See the moon’s bright blaze of light, a guiding lamp...
Does Hearing Amituofo’s Name Lead To Buddhahood?
‘… if there are people who have already vowed, are now vowing, or will be vowing, with the desire to be born in Amitā[bha] Buddha’s land, all these people and others, will all...
Cause & Effect Haiku
Cause and effect here, and cause and effect here too… even if not seen.
Don’t Spoil Your Teachers
Too much deference actually spoils the guru. — H.H The 14th Dalai Lama The problem with the [Vajrayana] practice of seeing everything the guru does as perfect is that it very easily turns to poison...
Craziness Haiku
The truly wise seem truly foolish to the truly foolish.
Right ‘Craziness’ As Spiritual Sanity
Wisdom shared appropriately, even if ‘crazily’, is skilful. Wisdom shared inappropriately, even if ‘sanely’, is unskilful. – Stonepeace | Books We should really have...
Is Pure Land Sexist?
Question: Is Pure Land sexist? Answer: In his 35th Vow, Dharmakara Bodhisattva stated this — ‘If I attain Buddhahood [as Amituofo (Amitabha Buddha)], in all immeasurable and inconceivable...
The Dharma Nurtures Like Rain & Shine
To skilfully share the Dharma just as the Buddhas do is part of the path to Buddhahood. – Stonepeace | Books According to the Lotus Sutra, then, Buddhas possess a supramundane and...
Cause & Effect
因因果果, 果果因因, 因中有果, 果中有因. Of causes and effects, Of effects and causes, In causes are effects, In effects are causes. – Buddhist Saying [Just as potential of effects are in causes, new potential...
Time Haiku
Always running in it, Always running out of it – Time.
Is Pruning A Plant Cruel?
Question: Having gotten a bonsai plant, I realised that pruning it needs much effort, using wires and such to unnaturally direct its growth. Scarring the plant too, this bending of nature to satisfy...
The Eight Things To Remember
Never mistaken getting the fleeting as the true goal. Always recognise attaining the enduring as the true goal. – Stonepeace | Books At the moment you are fond of large estate sites, You...
Bit Haiku
If every little bit did not matter, how could they together make up what does matter?
What Should We (Not) Offer Monastics?
Question: Should making of offerings to Buddhist monastics be limited to basic necessities? Or should they be extended to other material things if they request for them? Answer: Basic necessities...
Surprise Haiku
Surprise haiku! For there is no surprise… here… or is this one?
It Is Love
The path to Buddhahood for all begins with compassion for all, is walked with compassion for all, and completed with compassion for all. – Stonepeace | Books A brief verse that has always been...
The Silently Teaching Tears Of Compassion
Saying so much more than speaking many words is one timely act of kindness. – Stonepeace | Books … Ryokan’s sparse use or absence of words came from his lifelong practice of...
Blossoms
Falling blossoms. Blossoms in bloom are also falling blossoms. – Ryokan
From Bodhicitta To Bodhisattvas To Buddhas
无大乘法即无菩提心， 无菩提心即无菩萨道， 无菩萨道即无菩萨成, 无菩萨成即无佛陀成, 无佛陀成即无佛所教, 无佛所教即无罗汉道, 无罗汉道即无罗汉成. With no Mahayana teachings, there is no Bodhicitta. With no Bodhicitta, there is no Bodhisattva path. With no Bodhisattva...
Should I Support Weapon Creation?
Question: I remember you mentioned you were in the navy. Onboard the ships, there are some weapon control systems. If we are at war, would you operate those systems? Even in peace time, should we...
Always On Your Mind
Always having Bodhicitta on your mind, your thoughts, words are deeds will always be that of a Bodhisattva. – Stonepeace | Books
Surprise Haiku
Great enlightenment is when great truth greatly surprises!
Rid Your Regrets
The older you get, the less regrets you should have, because the less time you have, to rid these regrets. – Stonepeace | Books
Why Do I ‘Naturally’ Hold My Breath During Meditation?
Question: I realised that I tend to hold my breath when I practise meditation on mindfulness of breathing (Anapanasati meditation, as a kind a Samatha or calm-abiding meditation). But when I breathe...
Tibet’s Best Shrine Offering
When we give anything or make any offering, may we give with genuine generosity, while we give up greed for returns. – Stonepeace | Books Geshe Ben once lived in retreat in a mountain cave...
The Nightmare That Woke Me Up
As all need true compassion, have true compassion for all. – Stonepeace | Books I dreamt that we were at the void deck of an empty block of flats. There was a ceremony going on but I...
How The Buddha Discriminates No One
Perfect compassion is with perfect loving-kindness and perfect equanimity. – Stonepeace | Books In Savatthi of India, there was a scavenger named Sunita. As a road-sweeper he received a very...
The Slave Of Passion (Maccha Jataka)
We are slaves of our craving, before being enslaved by that craved for. – Stonepeace | Get Books … When a Bhikkhu [monk] admitted that he was being tempted by his former wife and that he...
How Buddhists Can Prevent Harm From Black Magic
Question: A Buddhist friend deludedly believes that a mutual friend got an evil spirit to speak to her, asking her to harm him, to get her into trouble. How can I help her? Answer: If her accusation...
Pain Haiku
You might not remember or regret later, of how you are sowing seeds of pain now… but the bitter fruits will still be painful then. (As continual unmindfulness perpetuates this, it is always...
Mother Sentient Beings
As every sentient being, was at least once our mothers, all are mother sentient beings.
Stand Up For Justice Without Anger
Never mistake the need to be firm as the need to be angry, as it is possible to be firm without being angry. — Stonepeace | Get Books Even the Dalai Lama, whose patience and nonviolent compassion in...
Is Pure Land Here & Now?
Question: I came across an event about ‘Pure Land Here & Now’, that claims to offer ‘study’ of the Amitabha Sutra, ‘linking’ it to the practice of mindfulness...
Does Buddhism Explain ‘Creation’?
Question: Is Buddhism an ‘incomplete religion’ as it does not seem to teach about how things were created? Answer: The Buddha did teach on how things evolve and devolve. Below are some...
How To Overcome Food Craving Gladly
Question: When I am aware that I am craving for Mickey Dee’s , I know that the craving isn’t good, and will try to suppress the feeling. However, that made me more disappointed instead...
Karma Haiku
Even forgiven and forgotten, unpaid karmic debts can accumulate interest. ___ Always forgive, but never forget… to pay back!
Must Loved Ones & I Have Niches?
Question: I came across a columbarium flyer in my mailbox, offering early-bird booking discount. It is designed like a condominium ad, with pictures of lavish ‘suites’ (the term used in...
How To Humble The Proud To Better Learn The Dharma?
Question: I know a stubborn and arrogant person, who keeps claiming she is right, that she already knows enough about the Buddha’s teachings. How can I let her know she has much more to learn...
Force Of Habit
As our habits either diminish or deepen, it is crucial to deepen the wholesome ones and to diminish the unwholesome ones. – Stonepeace | Get Books
Are There Deadly Water Ghosts?
Question: We sometimes hear of the belief that drowning in water bodies is sometimes caused by ‘water ghosts’ tugging them down, who are previously drowned persons, who want someone to...
Six Perfections
For generosity, nothing to do, Other than stop fixating on self. For morality, nothing to do, Other than stop being dishonest. For patience, nothing to do, Other than not fear what is ultimately true...
Star Haiku
We are all made of star stuff made by our mind stuff.
Is Giving Virtual Life Meritorious?
Question: Can giving someone lives for a game like Candy Crush with good intention be considered a good deed? Answer: You have to consider if it really does good. E.g. Does it support the spiritual...
Are Manifestations & Mediums Of Bodhisattvas & Buddhas Around?
This article was submitted to, and published in the April-June 2014 issue of Nanyang Buddhist, the magazine of Singapore Buddhist Federation. We should respect all beings, even helpful humans, gods...
Light Haiku
With warmth and illumination of compassion and wisdom – the Buddha’s light of blessings!
Three Authorities
There are only three kinds of authorities – the totally enlightened, the only somewhat enlightened and the totally unenlightened. Without a Buddha present, the first does not exist. With only...
There Are No Unforgiving Bodhisattvas
Even if, as a skilful means, one does not accept another’s apology, so as to further awaken that person, one should not bear any grudge, so as to further awaken that person. – Stonepeace...
Meat Haiku
Countless imprisoned, tortured, exploited and slaughtered slaves. Every bite of meat demands more.
Smile Haiku
Behold! And hold The Buddha’s smile. Behold! And hold The Bodhisattva’s grin.
Utilisation
A skilled craftsman has no material to waste. A bright king has no attendant to dismiss. – Buddhist Saying
What Is Extreme About Veganism?
Claiming what you choose to eat and drink has nothing to do with your spiritual betterment, is like claiming what you choose to eat and drink has nothing to do with your physical health. –...
Should Buddhists Pray To Tai Sui? 佛教徒该拜太岁吗？
Question: As Buddhists, do we have to be concerned about ‘offending Tai Sui (Taisui/ 太岁 deity/ deities)’? Is there the need to make offerings for the purpose of appeasement? Answer: Praying to Tai...
Love Haiku
What do you love — the love, the lover, the loving or being loved?
How Can I Give Better?
Question: My idea of generosity is to give happily within my means without any strings attached. Did the Buddha teach about how generosity can be measured? Answer: Actually, to further practise...
Do Buddhas Have Selective Compassion?
Question: Is the concept of 本命佛 (‘fundamental life’s Buddha’) a true Buddhist teaching? Based on this, is it such that a certain enlightened Buddha or Bodhisattva will have greater affinity with us...
Deadline Haiku
Even if you set no deadline for when this life ends, your karma sets it for you. ___ Even if your karma sets a deadline for when this life ends, you can change your karma.
Zombie
Without mindfulness, you are like a heartless zombie, a walking corpse. – Khenpo Nyoshul Rinpoche
Should I Go Vegetarian During Confinement?
Question: I encouraged a friend on confinement (after childbirth) to go vegetarian to create merits for the baby, herself and family, but she became confused and asked if she can do so after the...
Are Buddhas Omnipotent, Omnibenevolent & Omniscient?
The Buddhas are perfectly capable ‘Teachers of Humans and Gods’ as they have perfected their humanity and transcended the compassion and wisdom of even the greatest yet unenlightened gods...
Gold Grit
However priceless, a piece of gold in the eye is nothing but grit. – Buddhist Saying
Are Buddhists Okay With Divorce?
Question: I have a friend whose husband had an affair. He is trying to make amends but trust is already broken. How should I advise as a Buddhist? (They don’t have kids.) Answer: In the...
Is Animal Liberation & Veganism Extreme?
Question: Why liberate animals when going vegetarian is already practice of compassion? Answer: This is a wonderful but passive means. In addition and contrast as an active means is liberation of...
Nature Haiku
What terrifying storms! Is it true malevolence; Or only just natural? What soothing breezes! Is it true benevolence; Or only just natural? What weather! Never by ‘chance’; But your karma...
Can Plants Be Reborn?
Question: If humans, animals and such can be reborn, why are plants not also reborn? Could it be that if they are part of the process of rebirth, Buddhists will all be starving because there will be...
It Depends On Your Determination
As long as you are determined towards a clearly worthy goal, even much effort needed is no concern. – Stonepeace | Get Books Long ago, in T’ang China, there was an old monk going on a...
How Much Should I Accommodate?
Question: I turned vegetarian two years ago, and am the only one in my family. Despite being aware of this, my relatives still arrange gatherings at non-vegetarian Chinese restaurants. I reckon that...
How To Prevent Drowsiness From Overeating
With right mindfulness is there skilful restraint from evil. With right mindfulness is there skilful diligence in good. — Stonepeace This instruction was given by the Teacher (Buddha) while he was in...
Cliff Haiku
The same cliff inspires some, frightens some, bores some.
The Miraculous Tooth
The power of personal sincerity connects and resonates with the power of universal truth. – Stonepeace Faith is like a ring, a grommet; the Buddha’s compassion is like a hook, or...
Does Going Vegan Increase Craving?
Question: I support the promotion of vegetarianism/ veganism as a practice of compassion and wisdom for the welfare of animals, humans and the environment, but what if having gatherings with Buddhist...
The Mooning Teaching
Practising for learning is just as important as learning for practising. – Stonepeace (Get Books) After years of solitary meditation in a cave, interspersed with visits to Milarepa, Gampopa...
Crossing To The Other Shore
Even attachment to Nirvana and aversion to Samsara obstructs ultimate Nirvana. – Stonepeace One day, two Tibetan monks who were on a pilgrimage came to a rushing river. There on the bank sat an...
Mountain Haiku
What a tall mountain to conquer? Of ego!
The Mani Man
I don’t know if this is good or bad. It is just like that. — Stonepeace | Get Books A prayer wheel, or mani wheel, is a wheel filled with innumerable mantras and inscriptions wrapped clockwise...
The Sage, The Lady, And The Fish
Although we have both grudges and gratitude linked to one another in the rounds of rebirth, it is by focusing on gratitude that grudges dissolve. — Stonepeace | Get Books In the fifth century B.C...
Note To Self Haiku
Mercy please! To me and others around… Please be good.
Not A Damned Thing!
Realising the emptiness of forms, there is no aversion of anything in particular. Realising the forms of emptiness, there is no attachment to no-thing in particular. — Stonepeace | Get Books Konchog...
‘I Could (Have) Eat(en) A Horse?!’
All sentient beings love their own selves and their own kind, even if not loved by others. – Stonepeace There is this expression, ‘I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.’ Its...
Easier & Better
If you see one as severely wicked, it is easy to give rise to anger. If you see the same person as severely deluded, it is easier to give rise to compassion. – Stonepeace
Sutra Haiku
Nature is full of wordless truths In sound and action Already Sutra! (Pic: Jack Wolf, Creative Commons 2.0)
How To Handle Wrong ‘Dharma’ Materials?
Question: How should I deal with printed (books, flyers and posters) and DVD materials which misrepresent the Buddha’s teachings that I come across? (E.g. materials from ‘Buddhist’...
Beating A Thief With The Triple Gem
As the Buddha is the invincible teacher of the infallible Dharma to the inspiring Sangha, the Triple Gem is the indispensable refuge. — Stonepeace A lama in Eastern Tibet lived beside the Dzachu...
What Are You Fighting For? (Review Of ‘Ah Boys To Men’)
At the end of the movie ‘Ah Boys To Men (Part 1)’, there was this reflection by Recruit Ken thought aloud for the audience to hear – ‘People always say that there is no war in...
Rain Haiku
Dampening spirits, what good does the downpour bring? Water.
Awaken To The Light Of Understanding
When your mind is not clear… you may well take a thief to be your own child. – The Buddha (Surangama Sutra) When you practice meditation in stillness and enter samadhi, the essence of...
The Buddha’s Warnings Against Demonic False Teachers
‘Those ignorant, deluded or negligent of the Buddha’s true teachings might be ready for Mara’s false teachings.’...
Should I Change My Job?
Question: Since I got in touch with the Buddha’s teaching, I’ve been questioning the meaningfulness of my career path. While my job could not be categorised under ‘wrong...
Following The Buddha’s Perfect Example
If there are no followers of the Bodhisattva ideal, there would be no Buddhas arising to teach the Buddhadharma, and no followers of the Buddhadharma [including the Arya Sangha]. — Stonepeace | Get...
How Subha Gave & Gained Her Eye
External beauty is only skin deep and the skin is not very deep. – Stonepeace As inspired from the Therigatha, the world’s earliest collection of poetry by women, is a dramatic incident...
How To Say ‘Thanks, But No Thanks’ Virtually?
Question: I had come across the ‘Happy Buddhist Card’ at and wish to use it as a response for some ‘friends’ who are overbearing in trying to convert me. However, it feels...
Can The Departed Receive Food Offerings?
Question: When we make offerings such as fruits to departed ones, can they receive them? Answer: Only if they are hungry ghosts or wandering spirits, can they be received via the power of dedication...
Is Buddhism Okay With Premarital Sex?
[Sex is] The melting pot of sensual pleasures [that is] is easy to slip into life after life, and difficult to crawl out of life after life. — Stonepeace | Get Books Premarital sex is a problem which...
Is One Who Resembles The Buddha Bound For Buddhahood?
Question: If a person resembles the Buddha in appearance to some extent, is he or she destined become a monastic? Does it means that he or she has been a Dharma practitioner in a past life? Answer:...
Idol Worship?
Question: Some Christian friends say they don’t visit Buddhist temples (and other ones Hindu, Taoist…) as they believe there are idols with spirits in them, that they don’t feel...
The Buddha’s Perspectives On ‘God’
If there is an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient and omnipresent ‘creator’ of all, all of ‘his creation’ should be similar to ‘him’. As this is not so, this...
True Great Power & Compassion
True self greatness is from great selfless service to others; not great selfish service for oneself. – Stonepeace There is a Buddhist saying: “You will be the Great Power [Strength]...
Flowers & Money?
Buddha’s Nirvana, beyond flowers and money. — Issa
How To Deal With The Unforgiving?
Question: How can I deal with someone who is unforgiving? Answer: By forgiving the person. There is no need to punish yourself for someone’s pettiness if you are sure you have already done your...
Victory & Defeat
When victorious, this increases enmity. When defeated, this increases grief. Not contending for victory or defeat, Such bliss is foremost. —The Buddha (‘Treasury of Miscellaneous Gems’...
Is A Buddha Image In My Bedroom Okay?
Question: If I stay in a rented room, where can I place a statue of Buddha? I heard that it is not advisable to put one in the bedroom. Without an image, where do I face when I am doing my Dharma...
The Buddha On Bondage To Sexuality
Of attachments and desires, none is more extreme than lust. With lust as desire, its greatness has no other. Fortunately, there is only one of its kind. If there are two similar desires, of all...
Definition Of Success
If success is not morally and meaningfully defined before striving for it, it could already be failure from the start. — Stonepeace | Get Books
Why Quarrel?
‘People, other than the wise, do not realise, “We in this world must all die,” (and, not realising it, continue their quarrels). The wise realise it and thereby their quarrels cease...
Stanzas of Victory (Jaya Mangala Gatha)
By the firm determination of this truth, may I ever be well. — A Buddhist Prayer Closing Line These verses are recited by Buddhist devotees on many Buddhist countries on auspicious occasions such as...
Two Effects Of Comparison
If comparison leads to rejoice, this leads to greater happiness. If comparison leads to jealousy, this leads to greater suffering. — Stonepeace | Get Books
Milestones Of Life & Death
New year’s decorations, milestones on the journey to the other world – auspicious and not auspicious at the same time. – Ikkyu
Who Has Been To Pure Land & Back?
If there are beings, who hear of this teaching, they should aspire, to be born in that [Pure] Land. – Amitabha Sutra (The Buddha) 若有众生, 闻是说者, 应当发愿, 生彼国土。 – 阿弥陀经（佛陀） Who has been to Amituofo’s Pure...
No Regrets
My religion is to live and die without regret. – Milarepa
The Four Noble Truths & The Four Great Vows
The Four Noble Truths partially realised lead to self-liberation. The Four Noble Truths totally actualised lead to liberation of others [as they transform to be the Four Magnificent Vows]. First...
Should I Practise Non-Buddhist Meditation?
Question: Is it alright for Buddhists to practise a ‘third eye meditation’ technique that I came across? There is no reference to the Buddha’s teachings though. Answer: Here are...
The Path To Non-Retrogression Starts Now
You and all other beings, should have Faith in this ‘Sutra Praised For Its Inconceivable Merits, As Mindfully Protected By All Buddhas’. (汝等众生，当信是称赞不可思议功德，一切诸佛所护念经) – Amitabha Sutra...
The Best Conqueror
One may conquer in battle a thousand times a thousand men, yet one is the best of conquerors, who conquers oneself. — The Buddha (Dhammapada)
The Only Path
Of all the paths, the Noble Eightfold Path is the best. (Of all the truths, the Four Noble Truths are the best)… This is the only path… Walking upon this path, you will make an end of...
The Buddha’s Victory Over A God & Demon
If your inner Mara already subdues you, you are subdued by the outer Mara too. — Stonepeace | Get Books As summarised from the Brahma-Nimantanika Sutta, the Buddha spoke of an occasion, when a wrong...
Safeguarding The Buddhist Community’s Integrity
When one expresses good will, one is always blameless. When one bears ill will, one is already blameworthy. — Stonepeace | Get Books Some friends occasionally speak of feeling troubled when they...
The Four Seals Of Truth
‘… if one utters these 4 aphorisms of the Dharma, in uttering them one is expressing all 84,000 articles of the Dharma… “To fully engage in understanding the inexhaustible...
The Three Levels Of Suffering
To fully recognise suffering is to fully begin the path to fully transcend suffering. – Stonepeace The practice here is to meditate on the three expressions of suffering and to experience their...
Dharma@Cinema (Take #2)
‘Enlightenment Thru Entertainment’ We will watch an interesting movie together before chatting about it. In these intriguing film discussion sessions, specially selected films are chosen...
Cottage
You have your old cottage. Now you want a new one. But friend, don’t you realize, a new cottage is just new anguish? — Kutiviharin (‘Cottage’ refers both to physical possessions and...
‘Creation’ Of Evolution
Marking the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, the 2009 film ‘Creation’ tells of how he came to publish his instant bestseller ‘On the Origin of the Species’...
Water & Ice
All sentient beings are essentially Buddhas. As with water and ice, there is no ice without water; apart from sentient beings, there are no Buddhas. Not knowing how close the truth is, we seek it far...
Through & Through
When you understand one thing through and through, you understand everything. — Shunryu Suzuki (As all is interconnected, based on universal truths.)
From The ‘Womb’ Of Attachment Or Love?
If even no two snowflakes are exactly the same due to countless combinations of different environmental conditions, can there ever be perfect clones of anyone? Not likely at all. Even if you can...
Is Suicide Release?
Question: I hear friends saying there is nothing in this world that we cannot let go of as once we feel attachment is painful, we will naturally let go. Is this true? Answer: Due to the power of...
Gateless Gate
As Zen has no gates, nothing is not of Zen; everything can be an entry point into Zen, we can be enlightened by anything. — Stonepeace | Get Books
Inferiority & Superiority By Action
Beings are owners of their actions, heirs of their actions, they originate from their actions, are bound to their actions, have their actions as their refuge. It is action that distinguishes beings...
Why There Is No Creator
If there is an independent creator of everyone, this would be the one responsible for everyone, instead of anyone else, who never asked to be created. – Stonepeace Buddhism refutes the...
Healing From Jealousy
Question: Have been bothered by some thoughts and wonder what is the Buddhist way of looking at them. I feel as if the theory of the Dharma cannot quite tally with actual human experience. Theory is...
With Whom Should You Be Angry?
How could I find enough leather To cover the earth? Having leather on the soles of your sandals Is the same as covering the whole earth. — Shantideva (Engaging in the Deeds of Bodhisattvas) Check...
Can Self-Help Help Others?
Question: I read that we should help ourselves first, and help our family and friends later. Should this be so? Answer: This is not always true. Most of the time, we can help them as we help...
Supernormal Powers Anyone?
Question: I heard that it is possible for Dharma cultivators to have supernormal powers. How do they arise? Answer: Some non-Dharma cultivators have such powers too – as a result of having...
Are Eggs Considered Vegetarian?
Question: Why do Buddhists consider eggs to be non-vegetarian, even when they seem unfertilized or from cage-free hens that don’t get killed? Answer: A Buddhist master once replied so...
Some Ullambana Queries
Question: Am quite confused about the Ullambana festival during the seventh lunar month. Is giving offerings to the Sangha then the Buddhist practice? Answer: Yes. Question: What about the offering...
Did The Universe Have A Creator?
If there is an immovable prime mover of all things, how can it move any one thing, including itself? As such, the universe is an interdependent web [network] of moving [changing] physical and...
Are Buddhists Atheists?
According to online dictionary m-w.com, an “atheist” is “one who believes that there is no deity” and a “deity” is “the rank or essential nature of a god/ a god or goddess/ one exalted or revered as...
An Easy Way To Say ‘Thanks, But No Thanks’
Do You Need The ‘Happy Buddhist Card’? Here is something handy and easy to use, for swift dissuasion against the ways of pushy preachers. I call it the ‘Happy Buddhist Card’. A...
Must Payback of Karmic Debts Be Complete for Enlightenment?
From issue 258 (October 2010) of ‘For You Information’, in the article ‘On Worship, Sutras & Mantras’, there was this question, ‘Can mantras erase kammic debts...
Meditation by Catholic & Buddhist Chanting
This is a review of the article ‘His Serene Highness’ from ‘The Straits Times’ by Lee Siew Hua on 22 September 2010, which reports an interview with GIC (Government of...
Is Pure Land Here or There, Now or Later?
A True Vision of Pureland Sometimes, in other Buddhist traditions, the term ‘Pureland’ is used generally to represent this very world of ours being wonderful when experienced occasionally and...
Will Any ‘Mantra’ Do For You?
If the key repeated mantra of one’s life is not based on goodness and truth, how can one attain greater compassion and wisdom through it? — Stonepeace | Get Books In an interview with Lee Kuan Yew by...
The Buddha’s Real Views on Meat-Eating
Dear Sir, Someone sent me the below article. Can you comment on it? Thank you. With Metta, AIA Hi AIA, Please see below, the article, with bold comments juxtaposed within. Amituofo The Buddha’s View...
Can a ‘Creator God’ be ‘Created’?
Unless out of Bodhicitta, wanting to create something external is a sign of internal [spiritual] imperfection, incompletion and discontentment. — Shilashanti In the Brahmajala Sutta (), the Buddha...
Praise & Blame
Not all blame is blameworthy; Some blame is praiseworthy [if justified]. Not all praise is praiseworthy; Some praise is blameworthy [if unjustified]. — Stonepeace | Get Books
‘The Blind Side’ Seen
‘The Blind Side’ tells the true story of how the once underprivileged and racially discriminated Michael Oher became a successful football player by proving his worth in various aspects of life —...
The Seeing of Magic in the Ordinary
With deep mindful experience of the world, everything in it is great magic. — Stonepeace | Get Books ‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine de Saint Exupery is another wonderful example of...
An ‘Avatar’ for All the Oppressed
The epic movie ‘Avatar’ is a must-see – for every generation, every kid and adult. Its dramatic and educational messages are direct and simple, but portrayed in probably the most powerful and...
The Bird That Flew Too Far
Dharma practice does not require faith in any god, while every god requires faith in Dharma practice. – Shilashanti It is said in the Kevatta Sutta that a monk once wondered where the four...
How Death Realised Deathlessness
Whether a myth is true or not differs from whether it has truth or not. — Stonepeace | Get Books In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, where ornate visual representations of Buddhist insights were...
Of Truth, Character, Teachers & Students
Judge knowledge by how effective it is, not by how difficult it is to acquire. — H.H. the 17th Karmapa Force of Truth: To walk the path of truth is difficult. It can even be a bit risky in the...