Question:(unedited)
Let me know where and how and I'll purchase your book. Thank you,
R.....
My comment:
Hi R....,
My book is a compilation of extracts from many publications. It is arranged in an orderly manner for easy reading for the beginner. The book is out of publication. May I suggest you surf through the following Buddhist websites which will provide you ample info to go further:
www.ksridhammananda.com
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda is my revered teacher. His writings have benefitted countless people throughout the world.
www.geocities.com/wave_books
You can obtain excellent publications from them.
www.allbuddhist.com
www.buddhanet.net
www.dharmanet.org
www.buddhism.about.com
www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/index.htm
www.nibbana.com
www.triplegem.net
www.buddhistchannel.tv
http://dharmaavenue.com/home.htm
www.dharmagames.org
www.thebuddhistsociety.org
Happy learning :-)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Confession of a Christian Preacher! (Part 2 of 3)
Question:(unedited)
I am a simple fellah: I've tried Vipassana and I love the Dammapada. I'd like to basically live a practice that is simple to do daily, that will eventually give me answers as I go, and that will provide a degree of peace/happiness providing achievement. Furthermore, I love helping others, so I'd like to know where to point them, for example all the lost young people out there, confused and aimless and dedicated to self and self only. I can meditate twenty minutes in the morning and evening, and memorize the Dammapada daily, and follow the five precepts. Is that enough for a good Buddhist life?
Let me know and thank you for your time.
R......
My comment:
Hi R.....,
I am assuming that you are the same R.... the "super evangelist". Welcome back. What you are doing now is good enough as a good Buddhist. Actually what we need is peace of mind and inner happiness; such intrinsic experience cannot be bought with money or power. If we follow the advice of the Buddha to lead a dignified, noble and harmless life, then we will find inner peace and happiness. This is so because we are now willing to reduce our greed, hatred and delusion. Others will see your change and when they are curious to ask, it's time you could share your discovery with them.
I am a simple fellah: I've tried Vipassana and I love the Dammapada. I'd like to basically live a practice that is simple to do daily, that will eventually give me answers as I go, and that will provide a degree of peace/happiness providing achievement. Furthermore, I love helping others, so I'd like to know where to point them, for example all the lost young people out there, confused and aimless and dedicated to self and self only. I can meditate twenty minutes in the morning and evening, and memorize the Dammapada daily, and follow the five precepts. Is that enough for a good Buddhist life?
Let me know and thank you for your time.
R......
My comment:
Hi R.....,
I am assuming that you are the same R.... the "super evangelist". Welcome back. What you are doing now is good enough as a good Buddhist. Actually what we need is peace of mind and inner happiness; such intrinsic experience cannot be bought with money or power. If we follow the advice of the Buddha to lead a dignified, noble and harmless life, then we will find inner peace and happiness. This is so because we are now willing to reduce our greed, hatred and delusion. Others will see your change and when they are curious to ask, it's time you could share your discovery with them.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Confession of a Christian Preacher! (Part 1 of 3)
Question: (Unedited)
I came back to Christ exactly a year ago after twenty two years of being away from Christ. I had lost my faith as a missionary during the ministry and then I didn't follow Christ exclusively for twenty two years. Then, on Nov. 20th last year I gave my life back to Christ. A year later, however, after really giving it a solid try, I'm finding myself not able to believe any more because it simply asks me to accept too much on faith. Virgins don't have babies, miracles don't happen nowadays, prayer doesn't really get answered, people really don't get healed, and the righteous do indeed suffer even though there are thousands of verses saying they won't. I'd love to believe this message but it simply doesn't add up. Not to speak of the fact that I have been totally celibate for an entire year which is very hard for a good looking 53 year old, and I ain't gettin' any younger. I can do it, I do it way better than most Christians, and that doesn't add up as well. So I'm at the threshold of becoming a Buddhist and leaving the Christian faith and let me say, that if there is indeed an enemy, perhaps this is his tactic. I'm a super evangelist, I have the gift of talking to anybody, anywhere, anytime, about anything, I love to preach, I love to teach, I love to minister to others, and I have been doing so ever since I came back. But I don't want to mislead anybody, and I'd rather teach people to meditate, since I know that works, rather than accept something that doesn't make sense, and which down the road can hurt them, and don't tell me people don't get hurt in church. We both know they do. What do you have to say to my questions? What answers do you have that you think would/could keep me from taking this step?
The ball is in your court. As a Christian, if somebody wrote a letter to me like this, I would know what to say. My arguments don't work anymore, however, and that's why I'm asking you.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Cordially,
R......
...and, people follow a religion or religious belief because it makes most sense of the reality we all experience. How does the Buddhist path fit life better than other paths? Just curious. It appeals to me but it does leave some holes that Christianity, for example, fills...like where do we go after death, why are there evil people...the problem of evil...what is this life all about, and things like that.
My comment:
Hi R.....,
Thank you for communicating with me.
I am indeed very honoured to have a "super evangelist" telling me things that I like to hear. Usually it gives me a great headache listening to Christian preachers.
I notice that you have finally decided to use your human intelligence and common sense to analyze Christianity without fear or favour. The positive result from this approach is realizing that many questions cannot be logically answered because they simply have no logical answers. Since the ball is now in "my court", let's start playing the game. Use your freedom to analyze the teachings of the Buddha. If you find that all your questions cannot be answered logically and to your full satisfaction, you are free to reject Buddhism.
" where do we go after death, why are there evil people...the problem of evil...what is this life all about, and things like that."
Why do we always have criminals in jails? Why do we always have sick people in hospitals? If we can SEE the real nature of this world and this life, we will understand why evil and problems exist in this world and in our lives. It is the very nature of this world where all beings are subject to this unstisfactoriness. It is such because the very nature of this world is subject to change and is not permanent. We cannot have permanent happiness and complete satisfaction simply because the nature of this world cannot provide for such desires.
To explain "where do we go from here...what is this life all about, and things like that", I will have to "preach" the Buddha's teachings. Are you prepared to listen to concepts that are totally contradictory and alien to Christian concepts? In the process I may hurt your feelings because the Buddha's message is like a "shock therapy".
If you wish to communicate further please come back with specific questions, but please limit your questions to two each time so that I can respond quickly.
Take care.
I came back to Christ exactly a year ago after twenty two years of being away from Christ. I had lost my faith as a missionary during the ministry and then I didn't follow Christ exclusively for twenty two years. Then, on Nov. 20th last year I gave my life back to Christ. A year later, however, after really giving it a solid try, I'm finding myself not able to believe any more because it simply asks me to accept too much on faith. Virgins don't have babies, miracles don't happen nowadays, prayer doesn't really get answered, people really don't get healed, and the righteous do indeed suffer even though there are thousands of verses saying they won't. I'd love to believe this message but it simply doesn't add up. Not to speak of the fact that I have been totally celibate for an entire year which is very hard for a good looking 53 year old, and I ain't gettin' any younger. I can do it, I do it way better than most Christians, and that doesn't add up as well. So I'm at the threshold of becoming a Buddhist and leaving the Christian faith and let me say, that if there is indeed an enemy, perhaps this is his tactic. I'm a super evangelist, I have the gift of talking to anybody, anywhere, anytime, about anything, I love to preach, I love to teach, I love to minister to others, and I have been doing so ever since I came back. But I don't want to mislead anybody, and I'd rather teach people to meditate, since I know that works, rather than accept something that doesn't make sense, and which down the road can hurt them, and don't tell me people don't get hurt in church. We both know they do. What do you have to say to my questions? What answers do you have that you think would/could keep me from taking this step?
The ball is in your court. As a Christian, if somebody wrote a letter to me like this, I would know what to say. My arguments don't work anymore, however, and that's why I'm asking you.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Cordially,
R......
...and, people follow a religion or religious belief because it makes most sense of the reality we all experience. How does the Buddhist path fit life better than other paths? Just curious. It appeals to me but it does leave some holes that Christianity, for example, fills...like where do we go after death, why are there evil people...the problem of evil...what is this life all about, and things like that.
My comment:
Hi R.....,
Thank you for communicating with me.
I am indeed very honoured to have a "super evangelist" telling me things that I like to hear. Usually it gives me a great headache listening to Christian preachers.
I notice that you have finally decided to use your human intelligence and common sense to analyze Christianity without fear or favour. The positive result from this approach is realizing that many questions cannot be logically answered because they simply have no logical answers. Since the ball is now in "my court", let's start playing the game. Use your freedom to analyze the teachings of the Buddha. If you find that all your questions cannot be answered logically and to your full satisfaction, you are free to reject Buddhism.
" where do we go after death, why are there evil people...the problem of evil...what is this life all about, and things like that."
Why do we always have criminals in jails? Why do we always have sick people in hospitals? If we can SEE the real nature of this world and this life, we will understand why evil and problems exist in this world and in our lives. It is the very nature of this world where all beings are subject to this unstisfactoriness. It is such because the very nature of this world is subject to change and is not permanent. We cannot have permanent happiness and complete satisfaction simply because the nature of this world cannot provide for such desires.
To explain "where do we go from here...what is this life all about, and things like that", I will have to "preach" the Buddha's teachings. Are you prepared to listen to concepts that are totally contradictory and alien to Christian concepts? In the process I may hurt your feelings because the Buddha's message is like a "shock therapy".
If you wish to communicate further please come back with specific questions, but please limit your questions to two each time so that I can respond quickly.
Take care.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Reason for the week's silence
Back after a hectic week
Hi everyone,
I've been very busy moving house.
Now a bit settled, but still unable to reconnect my internet access. So I am now using for the first time the internet in an internet cafe in my new place.
Just to say hello and wish everyone good health and happiness.
I am not "at home" without my own PC , so better to sign off now.
Hi everyone,
I've been very busy moving house.
Now a bit settled, but still unable to reconnect my internet access. So I am now using for the first time the internet in an internet cafe in my new place.
Just to say hello and wish everyone good health and happiness.
I am not "at home" without my own PC , so better to sign off now.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Know when to stop
(Picture above may not relate to this post)
(Just for viewing pleasure)
Question:(unedited)
Today's dynamic and industrial world convinces us that we are always in a hurry for somewhere and we are constantly running out of time. How do Buddhists who believe in reincarnation and peaceful existence adapt to these modern views?
Answer: Hi D,
Thank you for asking me.
There are 2 aspects in our lives. One is the worldly life that we are living. The other is the spiritual life where we try to find inner peace and spiritual happiness. We have to strike a balance between these 2 aspects which more often than not, contradict each other. The Buddha's advice to us is to use our human intelligence and common sense to maintain this equilibrium. We have to be ever alert to the onslaught of worldly temptations and to know when to stop. This is Buddhist wisdom.
Smile from Justinchoo :-)
Today's dynamic and industrial world convinces us that we are always in a hurry for somewhere and we are constantly running out of time. How do Buddhists who believe in reincarnation and peaceful existence adapt to these modern views?
Answer: Hi D,
Thank you for asking me.
There are 2 aspects in our lives. One is the worldly life that we are living. The other is the spiritual life where we try to find inner peace and spiritual happiness. We have to strike a balance between these 2 aspects which more often than not, contradict each other. The Buddha's advice to us is to use our human intelligence and common sense to maintain this equilibrium. We have to be ever alert to the onslaught of worldly temptations and to know when to stop. This is Buddhist wisdom.
Smile from Justinchoo :-)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Go ahead; get annoyed!
(Picture above may not relate to this post)
(Just for viewing pleasure)
Question:(unedited)
hello again my friend, I hope you are well. I find myself frustrated this week. You see, I work long shifts as a paramedic (12 sometimes 14 hours). And this particular week I'm working with a rather unpleasant individual. She is angry, impatient, rude, and generally not nice to be around. Now I've tried to be understanding, I've tried to think that this is my chance to practice the dharma and be compassionate towards her. But I have to say, I find myself very frustrated. Why does it have to be so? Why do some people have to go through life so angry? It just makes me sad (and its hard to work with too). Does the attitude of some people in this world not sadden even you, and others like you who practice the dharma so fully?
My comment:
Hi G.......,
I'm fine except the irritating coughs which started today. That makes me very tired. That's the reason for the slight delay in my reply.
The fact that you realize the situation is an achievement in itself. It is this realization of the true picture that we see the Dhamma. So long as we realize our reactions to situations, we are learning. This is treading the path of Dhamma. We learn to be a better person through our personal experiences. If you are forever patient with all difficult situations, you would be a saint by now; and I will be out of job!
It is easy to recommend radiating metta. But let's be more practical. Get annoyed and reflect on the bad effects of this annoyance. Perhaps this will help us to realize that each time we get annoyed, we feel terrible. And if we don't want to feel terrible, perhaps a little less annoyance can help.
hello again my friend, I hope you are well. I find myself frustrated this week. You see, I work long shifts as a paramedic (12 sometimes 14 hours). And this particular week I'm working with a rather unpleasant individual. She is angry, impatient, rude, and generally not nice to be around. Now I've tried to be understanding, I've tried to think that this is my chance to practice the dharma and be compassionate towards her. But I have to say, I find myself very frustrated. Why does it have to be so? Why do some people have to go through life so angry? It just makes me sad (and its hard to work with too). Does the attitude of some people in this world not sadden even you, and others like you who practice the dharma so fully?
My comment:
Hi G.......,
I'm fine except the irritating coughs which started today. That makes me very tired. That's the reason for the slight delay in my reply.
The fact that you realize the situation is an achievement in itself. It is this realization of the true picture that we see the Dhamma. So long as we realize our reactions to situations, we are learning. This is treading the path of Dhamma. We learn to be a better person through our personal experiences. If you are forever patient with all difficult situations, you would be a saint by now; and I will be out of job!
It is easy to recommend radiating metta. But let's be more practical. Get annoyed and reflect on the bad effects of this annoyance. Perhaps this will help us to realize that each time we get annoyed, we feel terrible. And if we don't want to feel terrible, perhaps a little less annoyance can help.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Hello friend !
From Freefoto.com
(Picture above may not relate to this post)
(Just for viewing pleasure)
Question: (unedited)
Hello justin my friend. I want to share two recent experiences with you that relate to my growth as a buddhist.
Recently I was meditating in a park near my home, enjoying a good session with good concentrattion. Suddenly my cell phone rang and I foolishly answered thinking it might be work. But it was a friend who started talking to me about some problem she was having. I became irritated at first because she had distrurbed my meditation, but then I realized: this situation is exactly why I meditate in the first place. To listen, be compassionate, and give selflessly.
Secondly, I recently made some bad financial desicions and became very sad and frustrated at my lack of money. But then I realized after a few hours of sadness, that if I had more money, new problems would creep up. There will always be something to dissatisfy me. I simply must accept this truth. My question is: Why does it take so long to realize these truths? It seems so simple and yet we get so caught up in not seeing how life really is!!
Anyway, just thought I would share my everyday experiences with you, take care my friend.
G. M.
My comment:
Hi G.M.,
Thanks for dropping by; especially when I'm having a dry run this period with no one asking me. You are constantly on my mind and I'm glad to hear from you again. That's what friends are for.
Your experience is what I would regard as being mindful at the right moment. It is a skill that you have now developed. Often times we are not mindful at the crucial moment and continue to make fools of ourselves. I am such a person.
Your second experience can be a lesson learnt; that is, not to repeat the mistake. As for having more money, it isn't that bad to have more than enough. We just have to be wise to spend them wisely and to do more charitable work.
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