Mrs. Kong Heang, age 95, passed a way on Monday October 22, 2012, in Rhode Island.
Written by Mr. Kuy Sothon; Read by Jendhamuni Sos
As a bee gathering nectar does not harm or disturb the color & fragrance of the flower;
so do the wise move through the world. ~Buddha, The Dhammapada
Flower in Bristol, Connecticut
Poem title in Khmer: Srohnoh Srok Preah
Written by Upasaka Kuy Sothon
Read by Jendhamuni Sos
இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ¬~♥
WISDOM NOT SUPERSTITION
Similar to other religions, Buddhism has incorporated various types of traditions, custom, miracles, mysticism, fortune-telling, fung-shui, charms, talismans, mantras, prayers and many rites and rituals that may not be found in the original teaching. As a result, people give more attention to self-protection from evil spirits and to seeking good luck and prosperity, etc. They are only interested in discovering ways to get rid of misfortunes, difficulties and bad influence of stars, black magic, etc. by external powers. Thus, religious practices and beliefs are degenerated, and confined to worldly pursuits. People become superstitious because of their blind faith in the name of that religion.
The Buddha rejects superstitions but urges us to pursue wisdom. The Buddha teaches us to develop the most important practices: self-discipline, self-restraint, cultivation of morality and spiritual development. The Buddha also teaches us to cultivate the strength of will-power, wisdom, understanding of Mind and self-nature.
IDEAL WORSHIP, NOT IDOL WORSHIP
Regarding as a way of cultivation, some people place the Buddhist images to worship. However, if they pray the images requesting for guidance and protection for health and wealth for good luck and fame, for power and love, etc, or if they ask favours from the images and figures to forgive their evil deeds, then they are not in the right path of cultivation.
The worship of the Buddhist images is to pay respects to the Buddha, the greatest, wisest, most benevolent, compassionate man who has ever lived in this world. The images help people to recall the Buddha in their mind. They may be used as a symbol or an object of concentration to gain a piece of mind. The serenity of the Buddhist images influences and inspires them to observe the right path of conduct and thought. Continue reading
Faith is called “the seed,” and without it the plant of spiritual life cannot start at all. Without faith one can, as a matter of fact, do nothing worthwhile at all.
Source: “The Way of Wisdom: The Five Spiritual Faculties”, by Edward Conze.
Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 30 November 2013.
Lotus pond.
Snow scene today February 2, 2015.
Snow scene on February 2, 2015.
Every step we make has the power to heal and transform. Not only can we heal ourselves by our steps, but we can help the Earth and the environment.
When we look deeply into ourselves, we can identify elements of the Kingdom of God that are available in the here and now. To me the Kingdom of God or the Pure Land of the Buddha is not a vague idea; it is a reality. That pine tree standing on the mountain is so beautiful, solid, and green. To me the pine tree belongs to the Kingdom of God, the Pure Land of the Buddha. Your beautiful child with her fresh smile belongs to the Kingdom of God, and you also belong to the Kingdom of God. ~Thich Nhat Hanh
Though you might conquer in battle
A thousand times a thousand men,
You’re the greatest battle-winner
If you conquer just one – yourself.
~The Dhammapada
Vipassana Master, Ven. Dejapanno and the student.
In the development of compassion, boundaries play an interesting and sometimes complicated role. They are like the stake and wires that are used to help keep young trees rooted and growing straight. Early on in our practice of compassion, or when we’re faced with difficult, new challenges, a lack of healthy boundaries can lead to our compassion being blown away before it’s had a chance to take root. As we develop, though, boundaries held too tightly can stifle our compassion and keep it from reaching maturity. In the process of developing compassion, we need to become skillful at knowing when to apply boundaries and when to relax or release them.
Setting healthy boundaries involves saying no, refusing to do something, or refusing to interact in a certain way when not refusing likely would lead us to feel stressed out, hurt, disrespected, resentful or angry. Things that stress one person out might be enjoyable to another, so exactly where we set out personal boundaries is an individual decision.
Source: “Developing The Lost Art of Compassion” by Lorne Ladner
