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Re: Pure Land
Pureland Practitioners are no longer of this saha world, they are people of another realm, by Master Jingzong
Individual people and the world resemble a tightly sealed boiler. Humankind’s afflictions of greed and anger are like the fire, while the constraints imposed by worldly laws and ethics are the walls of the boiler. People are like the water in the container.
The rapid development of technology today has facilitated the extensive expression of human creativity. At the same time the pursuit of material desires has greatly intensified, and conflicts and crises have multiplied. The constraints of conscience are weakening and moral values are falling by the wayside. This is like the fire burning ever more fiercely inside the boiler, even as the container’s walls are being corroded. The water boils and the pressure from the steam builds steadily; the boiler is in danger of exploding any time.
The reality is that more and more people, unable to bear the intense pressure, are taking their own lives. Indeed, the whole world is like a powder keg that could ignite at any minute!
Thinking people are all worried about the situation. These problems would naturally be solved if practitioners could douse the flames of greed and anger, and achieve a realization of emptiness. In that case, the fire would be extinguished, the water cooled – and the pressure would vanish. Yet ordinary beings today are incapable of accomplishing this. So while this is a door to a solution, it is a door that is closed.
Buddhism’s Pure Land school teaches us to cultivate an aversion towards our Saha world and a joyful aspiration to the Land of Bliss. It is like removing the fire underneath and opening the boiler’s top. Though the flames of greed and anger have not been put out and the water of wisdom have yet to form, the pressure is quickly released. We feel at peace, relieved and happy.
Today’s Pure Land practitioners have not extinguished their inner flames of greed and anger. But they understand deeply the suffering and unease that such afflictions bring to themselves and others, to the nation and to the world. With their basic attitude of aversion and letting go, they no longer wish to experience intense conflict with either themselves, other people or the world as a result of personal pursuits. Such actions would only worsen the suffering all around.
At a fundamental level, Pure Land practitioners have no expectations of this world. They chase after nothing, and have neither powerful loves nor hatreds. They are not judgmentally attached to notions of good and evil. They have let go, and their minds are unfettered and calm. They view themselves, others and the world with a sense of peaceful harmony. A Pure Land practitioner thinks, “What can I really do for others?”
The minds of Pure Land practitioners are settled and at ease, focused on the Land of Bliss a hundred thousand koti Buddha-lands away. There, their minds find repose and comfort, and are energized. Their eyes too are focused there. They are no longer of this world, and they have no desire to possess a single tree or blade of grass here. They are people of another realm.
(Pure Land Perspectives on ‘Humanist Buddhism’, By Dharma Master Jingzong, English translation by Householder Jingtu, pages 19-20)
🙏 Namo Amitabha Buddha 🙏
Bunks
Re: No constitutional protection for abortion in the US
@Lionduck said:
The ORKS are also setting their sights on the LGBTQ community.
Hmmm
"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
~Martin Niemoller~
Shoshin1
Re: Buddhist quotes
Suppose you are on a flight. The aircraft is state-of-the-art, comfortable. Beautiful sky outside the window, attentive stewards, soft music, classy passengers…everything is perfect! You are sure that the journey will be quite pleasant.
But suddenly comes the voice of the captain; “Our plane is off course and has lost contact with the ground. We have no landing point and must keep flying. We have enough fuel to do so for only ten minutes.” How would you feel then? All these wonderful things disappear instantly. “Captain, please try all means to find a safe landing spot before the fuel runs out!”
When a person is born, the plane of his life takes off. Even if one has another 40 or 50 years to live, the time is like the fuel of the plane: it only decreases and will soon be used up.
Where is the landing point of our life? Can we enjoy living at ease until we find it?
Power, status, money, career, family – are any of these the final landing point of our life?
Someone who believes that these are the aim of life is like a lost plane taking the clouds in the air as a safe landing field.
- Master Jingzong
Bunks
Re: The Guru Papers discussion
@Jeroen said:
Anger as fuel to right systemic wrongs always comes down to individual anger, when you try to fight the person who represents the system. Unless you just want to stand wrapped in anger shouting slogans in a demonstration, which might come to a head in a confrontation with the police.The theory of controlled anger is fine, but I’m yet to be convinced of the practice.
Sometimes there is no person singlehandedly representing "the system", no figurehead, nor any identifiable group. For example, a broken medical system or insurance system. Or social work bureaucracy. Or a society that's blind or indifferent toward people who struggle with marginalization. "Untouchables" or their equivalent will continue to exist no matter who's in charge. Who is responsible for mass homelessness? Who is there to get angry at?
It takes a combination of anger and compassion to be motivated to bring about change. And that anger doesn't have to be directed at anyone in particular. It could mean simply contacting the right senator with a well-worded appeal. Or organizing a labor union. I think the key is to mindfully let compassion be the guide, vs. allowing the anger to take over. Then there would be too much risk of unskillful decisions being made.
Dakini
Re: Quandary of Knowledge
Knowledge without Wisdom can be likened to collecting heaps of firewood (Knowledge) to last the long cold winter nights, but having no means of lighting it to keep warm (Wisdom)
Shoshin1
Re: Pure Land
@Tosh - I’d suggest you mouth the words as you chant though. If that’s not possible you can try mouthing them with your lips closed (if that makes sense).
This allows greater focus on the words.
Bunks
Re: Wim Hof - Feel the Cold and do it Anyway
@federica said:
Yup. Mental. And sane. I fear I have been an instigator.
Don't knock it 'til you've tried it, mate!
It's exhilarating, and very, very good for you.
I've had cold showers and once in training (army) we had to do a river crossing in winter. There was frost on the ground. It was so cold that I shrieked when I entered the water and my testicles literally ached.
I'd rather run, lift weights, and try to avoid eating my weight in chocolate for health reasons.
But fair play to you; I admire your fortitude.
Tosh
Re: The Guru Papers discussion
Anger as fuel to right systemic wrongs always comes down to individual anger, when you try to fight the person who represents the system. Unless you just want to stand wrapped in anger shouting slogans in a demonstration, which might come to a head in a confrontation with the police.
The theory of controlled anger is fine, but I’m yet to be convinced of the practice.
Jeroen