QUESTION 84: AFTER ATTAINING RIGHT MINDFULNESS, IS THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS ALWAYS THE SAME?ANSWER: When a practitioner's Right Endeavor matures, their level of Awareness gradually increases until it becomes powerful and naturally becomes the master of their mind. Alternatively, due to past causes ripening, the practitioner may suddenly experience enlightenment, and an overwhelming Awareness fills their mind. At that moment, wandering thoughts become like strangers, flickering shadows on the periphery, or troublesome parasites that need to be purged from one's inner being.However, the Awareness that masters the mind can also vary in strength and depth. When Awareness is not yet very strong, wandering thoughts will still lurk and flicker, though they no longer have the power to dominate the mind. When Awareness is deep, wandering thoughts disappear altogether. An example of this is the level of enlightenment of Master Yixuan, the patriarch of the Linji (Rinzai) school, where wandering thoughts had no ground to exist.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions

QUESTION 83: WHAT IS THE HINDRANCE OF DOUBT? WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PERSON WHO HAS ELIMINATED THIS HINDRANCE?ANSWER: "Doubt" in this context refers to a state of wavering, uncertainty, or skepticism. When the Hindrance of Doubt has not been eliminated, the practitioner, despite diligent practice, will still experience some uncertainty. They may question whether they are on the right path, whether their practice will yield results, or what the benefits of sitting meditation might be. When one attains deep Mindfulness, and progresses to overcoming the Hindrance of Doubt, the feeling of uncertainty immediately vanishes. The practitioner gains immense confidence in the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) and the path of spiritual cultivation they are following.However, even though the meditation level of someone who has overcome the Hindrance of Doubt is very high—to the point where their Mindfulness would remain even if they were thrown into a fire—they have not necessarily reached the point of no decline. The practitioner might still harbor some remaining wrong views and could potentially make mistakes. At the same time, because their Mindfulness is so strong, they may develop extreme self-confidence, which can turn into extremism. They may easily say inappropriate things, look down on others, or even speak disrespectfully of the Buddha, which could lead to their decline in this life or the next.In many discourses (suttas), the Buddha praises the elimination of the Five Hindrances as like casting off a heavy burden, getting rid of debt, or emerging from a wilderness. It brings great lightness and tranquility to the mind. After overcoming the Hindrance of Doubt, thus overcoming all five Hindrances, the practitioner prepares to enter the first Jhana.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions

QUESTION 82: THE HINDRANCE OF RESTLESSNESS IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND. HOW SHOULD IT BE UNDERSTOOD?Answer: “Restlessness” refers to a state where the body is not at peace and cannot remain still. The cause is the constant transmission of signals from the brain to the entire body and limbs, causing slight movements. For a new practitioner, sitting still can feel like torture because the body is accustomed to constant movement. Due to a restless mind, the body always wants to fidget. Sometimes, even an itch can make us unable to sit still. When one's practice becomes more refined, others may see us sitting still, but in reality, there are still subtle movements.When the Hindrance of Restlessness is eliminated, the neural activities in the brain calms down, and the practitioner will feel the entire body becoming stiff and immobile, but without tension. This feeling is always accompanied by a very deep state of mindfulness, and the mind is quite pure and mindful. One should absolutely not force the body to become immobile by tensing the whole body, as this will strain the brain's nervous system and lead to physical problems.When one achieves Right Mindfulness to the point where there is a feeling of not perceiving the body, it does not necessarily mean that the Hindrance of Restlessness has been eliminated, because when Restlessness ends, the body should have a feeling of stiffness. Later, when entering the first Jhana, the body will begin to feel soft and relaxed while still remaining immobile.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions

QUESTION 81: WHEN THE HINDRANCE OF SLOTH AND TORPOR IS ELIMINATED AND THE PRACTITIONER IS NO LONGER SLEEPY, CAN HE/SHE THEN PRACTICE VIGOROUSLY?Answer: It is true that when the Hindrance of Sloth and Torpor is eliminated, the practitioner loses the feeling of sleepiness, and the need for sleep naturally disappears even if he/she stays up very late. When the mind becomes tranquil and bright, many people are eager to advance further and try to stay awake to practice. Later, their health deteriorates, and their bodies weaken. Some people are eager for quick results and want to practice vigorously for enlightenment, but in the end, they go insane. It is important to remember that the more stable the mind becomes, the greater the harm if there is a mistake.At that time, if everything no longer bothers the practitioner, they can devote more time to practice, but they must balance it with their health to be harmonious to progress further. The practitioner should not abuse this ability to stay awake for long periods but should allow the brain to sleep, as even the Buddha had to sleep a few hours each night.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions

QUESTION 80: WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PRACTITIONER WHO HAS OVERCOME THE HINDRANCE OF ILL-WILL (ANGER)?ANSWER: Ill-will refers to irritability and frustration, and in its more extreme form, it manifests as hatred and resentment. The root of anger lies in selfishness and jealousy, and it is a deeply ingrained structure within the mind, making it very difficult to eliminate. The presence of anger causes tension, dissatisfaction, frustration, hatred, restlessness, discomfort, and resentment within us.A person who has not yet eliminated the Hindrance of Ill-Will will react with anger and harsh responses when they feel harmed or insulted. When others make mistakes that cause them personal loss, they respond with frustration and resentment. In contrast, one who has attained prolonged Right Mindfulness and has completely eliminated the Hindrance of Ill-Will never experiences anger again, not even in its subtlest form, as tiny as a speck of dust. Such a person may sometimes remain silent in the face of others' mistakes, or they may choose to express their viewpoint. However, their response is never motivated by personal discomfort or resentment over any harm suffered. Instead, it arises solely out of the wish to prevent others from making mistakes. Whether they speak or stay silent, their mind remains light, calm, and entirely free from agitation or frustration.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions

QUESTION 79: THERE ARE MANY FORMS OF DESIRE, SUCH AS DESIRE FOR WEALTH, FAME, AND AFFECTION. HOW SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND THE HINDRANCE OF SENSUAL DESIRE IN THIS CONTEXT?ANSWER: The Hindrance of Sensual Desire is not merely fleeting cravings; rather, it is a deeply rooted structure within the mind that constantly disturbs our inner peace. In daily life, we may not be obviously greedy, but that does not mean desire has been eradicated—because this hindrance still lurks within us.This hindrance is invisible and difficult to perceive; it only becomes apparent when triggered by external stimuli, urging us toward unwholesome actions. When this hindrance is present, we feel pleasure upon seeing wealth, luxury, or status. We become restless when encountering an attractive person of the opposite gender. Even in the absence of such external triggers, we may still indulge in imagination and longing.When the Hindrance of Sensual Desire is eliminated, the practitioner experiences the joy of meditation, naturally feeling light, serene, and detached from material possessions, wealth, fame, and worldly status. There is no longer personal attachment to any particular individual, even though one may recognize that some people are kinder or more connected to them than others.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions

QUESTION 78: ONE WHO ATTAINS RIGHT MINDFULNESS IS LIKE ENTERING THE COURTYARD OF THE GRAND PALACE OF MEDITATION, WHERE THE MIND BECOMES CLEAR AND EMPTY, GRADUALLY ELIMINATING THE FIVE HINDRANCES ONE BY ONE. WHAT IS THE SEQUENCE OF THESE FIVE HINDRANCES?ANSWER: First, the Hindrance of Sensual Desire disappears first.Second, the Hindrance of Ill-Will follows, allowing the practitioner to remain undisturbed by life's adversities.Third, the Hindrance of Sloth and Torpor vanishes next, enabling the practitioner to meditate for long periods without feeling drowsy. However, they can still sleep normally when needed. At this stage, the brain becomes significantly more powerful.Fourth, the Hindrance of Restlessness and Worry is eliminated, making the practitioner's body feel firm and stable from within, completely motionless and at peace, with no inner turbulence, not even the slightest.Fifth, the Hindrance of Doubt is shattered, giving rise to an intense self-confidence, a state where the practitioner feels that even if thrown into fire, they would not lose Right Mindfulness. However, this newfound confidence can become extreme, conceited, or reckless since at this stage, the mind is entirely governed by an overwhelming clarity and awareness.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions

QUESTION 77: WHY IS IT POSSIBLE THAT A MEDITATION PRACTITIONER WHO HAS MASTERED MIND CONCENTRATION STILL TEACH MEDITATION INCORRECTLY?ANSWER: This Situation is similar to a poor person asking a wealthy person how to live in a luxurious house. The wealthy person then describes how elegant the interior of their home is, what kind of food they eat, and how comfortable their life is. However, the wealthy person mistakenly believes that merely describing the lifestyle inside the mansion will somehow help the poor person attain wealth and luxury.Likewise, the poor person, upon hearing these descriptions, feels satisfied, believing that they now understand wealth and that it is as if they already live in such a house. In the end, the poor remain poor, as mere descriptions do not change their circumstances.Similarly, when a person achieves mind concentration, it often means they have accumulated sufficient merit, even if their practice is not entirely correct. Most people, upon reaching a concentrated mind, believe they have followed the right method and thus become eager to promote and teach that method to others. However, if their approach is flawed, they will inevitably misguide their students.If students lack the same merit as their teacher and practice incorrectly, they will see no results—or worse, they may experience mental instability. This is akin to an already poor person becoming even poorer.Moreover, when students hear descriptions of higher meditative states, they may become overly fascinated, attempting to imagine or fabricate experiences of spiritual realization. Some may even overestimate their level of attainment, believing their consciousness has advanced far beyond its actual state. This leads to a severe loss of merit, preventing them from making genuine progress in meditation.Therefore, in Buddhism, the Buddha placed Right Endeavour before Right Mindfulness and Right Meditative Ecstasy. The word "Right" also signifies the correct method of meditation. In reality, many practitioners engage in meditation but unknowingly follow an incorrect method.However, finding a teacher who can guide us correctly is not easy amid the vast and complex world, with its countless paths and different approaches. The only thing we can do is sincerely kneel before the Buddha and pray for His guidance, so that we may encounter a True Master who will lead us on the Buddha's path toward non-self.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions

QUESTION 76: IF ONE PRACTICES MEDITATION TO THE POINT OF A SERENE MIND, DOES THAT MEAN ALL PAST WRONGDOINGS ARE COMPLETELY ERASED?ANSWER: No, it is not like that. For example, if in a past life we slapped someone, at some point, we will be slapped in return—either by that person or by someone else. When receiving this karmic consequence, our mind may react with anger, pride, or suffering, or if we have attained serenity, we may feel no anger or pain at all. Whether our mind remains tranquil and untroubled or still reacts with resentment, the karmic debt must still be repaid. Karma operates with absolute fairness and impartiality.Saying that meditation practice and a serene mind can completely erase all past wrongdoings is not in accordance with the Law of Cause and Effect. A serene mind does not eliminate karma but rather helps one endure karmic retribution without suffering.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions

QUESTION 75: WHEN THE MIND IS CALM, MANY PEOPLE CONSIDER THAT STATE AS THE TRUE MIND OR BUDDHA-NATURE. WHY DID THE BUDDHA NOT MENTION THE TRUE MIND OR BUDDHA-NATURE DURING HIS TIME?ANSWER: Because the Buddha guided sentient beings toward non-self Nirvana, a state in which there is no separate self, characterized by profound serenity and clarity. Any state of consciousness, no matter how extraordinary, still contains a sense of self. As long as the self remains, there are still many errors, meaning it cannot yet be called the True Mind or Buddha-Nature. Many meditation practitioners, upon experiencing a calm mind in meditation, mistakenly label their special state of consciousness as the True Mind or Buddha-Nature. In reality, this is no longer in accordance with the Buddha's original teaching.When a meditation practitioner perceives themselves as superior, they can easily fall into conceit and boastfulness, which leads to a severe loss of merit. Achieving inner tranquility requires diligent spiritual cultivation and performing numerous acts of merit for the world, gradually transforming restlessness into serenity. Therefore, we must always pray for the Buddha's guidance to ensure that our practice follows the right path and constantly remind ourselves of our ignorance and past wrongdoings. If any of us can understand and firmly hold onto this ultimate truth—no matter how peaceful our mind becomes—we will have the opportunity to step onto the summit of non-self in the grand palace of meditation.On the other hand, misunderstanding this truth can lead us into delusion, making us believe that we have attained great enlightenment or that Buddha- nature inherently exists within our minds. This misconception can cause us to lose the merits of our practice and may even lead to spiritual decline in the future. Instead, we should follow the Buddha's teaching and aim toward the goal of non¬self, seeing ourselves as nothing, as mere dust or grass. By maintaining this humble perspective, we avoid conceit and complacency, ensuring that our path of meditation remains steady and enduring.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions