Question 71: WHAT ABOUT THE IDEA THAT EACH OF US HAS AN INHERENT BUDDHA-NATURE OR TRUE NATURE, AND THAT BY SIMPLY REDISCOVERING THIS TRUE NATURE, WE CAN BECOME ENLIGHTENED?Answer: Let's revisit the three invisible foundations of beings:- The Noble foundation: Individuals born with this foundation possess exceptional qualities. With brief practice, they can easily attain Meditative Accomplishments, Sainthoods. These individuals often feel their minds are inherently pure, as if they've always been this way. They simply need to rediscover this purity. Such people spend their lives proclaiming the existence of an inherent, pure Buddha-nature, encouraging others to seek Enlightenment. Their claims, based on personal experiences, sound convincing and instill great confidence. However, whether others believe them is a personal choice.- The Ordinary foundation: People born with this foundation are average. However, due to some positive karma, they may develop an interest in meditation and experience moments of mental tranquility. But their minds are still subject to fluctuations, like a house that can be both clean and dirty. While the house remains, it's still a modest dwelling, not a mansion (not of the Noble foundation). Similarly, whether their minds are calm or agitated, they remain ordinary beings, not saints. If an ordinary person believes they possess a sublime and pure Buddha-nature, it can hinder their spiritual progress. They may waste thousands of years in practice without results of existence due to excessive pride, or even fall into the inferior foundation.- The Inferior foundation: These individuals were destined for lower realms, but due to some merit, they have retained a human body and have the opportunity to practice the Dharma. It's vital to comprehend that these individuals can't easily enter deep states of meditation. They struggle with maintaining mindfulness and are often distracted by wandering thoughts. With diligent practice, they can avoid falling into lower realms, but they can't expect to quickly ascend to a higher foundation. If such a person believes they possess a sublime and pure Buddha-nature, they risk mental illness, personality disorders, and causing fear among those around them.Therefore, the premise, the belief, the thought in an inherent, pure Buddha-nature is plainly true of Those with the Noble foundation. If we assess ourselves as having the ordinary or inferior foundation, we must immediately shun such thought.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

Question 70: THE MIND IS CONSTANTLY THINKING. HOW CAN WE STOP THINKING WITHOUT HARMING OURBRAIN?

Answer: The brain is always active, processing necessary thoughts. When there'snothing specific to focus on, the mind wanders, and we call these randomthoughts WANDERING THOUGHTS. To stop thinking, we must actively choose'suitable thoughts' for the mind to concentrate on. By dwelling on these Suitable Thoughts, the mind will gradually cease its wandering. This is the GOLDEN FORMULAfor stilling the mind.

Imagine a plot of land overgrown with weeds. To clear the land, we plant suitableplants that grow strong and tall, shading the entire area. The weeds,unable to thrive in the shade, will wither and stop growing.

Originally,these suitable thoughts will create mindfulness but not immediately stopwandering thoughts. As mindfulness deepens, it's like a shadow covering theentire area, and the wandering thoughtsgradually cease, just as the weeds no longer grow. This is calledentering a meditative state.

Different Meditation traditions offervarious Subjects for contemplation, reflection, and inquiry to stimulate mindfulness. Unlike schools, unlikeSubjects. While all approacheshave their merits, it is safer and moreauthentic to focus on thesubjects taught by the Buddha.

Remember, there are three stages to pass through: Virtuous Mind,Mindful Mind, Tranquil Mind.

Those who rush into seeking a meditative state without cultivatingthese stages are mistaken. The VirtuousMind is rooted in abyssalmorality. The MindfulMind is a state ofpresent-moment awareness. The Tranquil Mind is of the meditative state. Eachstage requires a long period ofpractice. Only after passing throughthe Tranquil Mind stage can one enterthe Enlightened Mind one.

Question 69: WHAT INTENTION SHOULD ONE HAVE WHEN BEGINNING MEDITATION?

Answer: When starting meditation, one should begin by folding their hands andreciting a mantra, such as a Buddha'sname, to confesspast wrongdoings, seek meritfor spiritual growth, and pray for the enlightenment of all sentientbeings. After lowering the hands, the practitionershould cultivate the following three fundamental virtues:

-      Absolute obeisance to the Buddha

-      Infinite compassion for all beings

-      Utmost humility

Thesethree fundamental virtues serve as the foundation for developing countless others.

Eachquality can be explored more deeply depending on the practitioner's specificneeds. For example: When cultivating complete reverence for the Buddha, one cancontemplate the Buddha's infinite wisdom and compassion for seconds. Whencultivating boundless compassion for all beings, one can reflect on thesuffering of animals, humans, and even inanimate objects. When cultivatinginfinite humility, one can view oneself as insignificant as a speck of dust ora blade of grass, and aspiring to respect all beings. By cultivating thesequalities during each meditation session, one's mind will gradually become morerefined.

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Question 68: WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO SIT IN THE FULL LOTUS POSITION?

Answer: Sitting in the full lotus position often leads to quick numbness in thelegs, followed by intense pain. This pain can make concentration duringmeditation challenging. One might assume that a different, more comfortableposition would be better for meditation. However, this is a misconceptionstemming from lack of experience on the meditative path. The Buddhas of the ten directions and three times all meditated in the full lotus position due to its unique benefits. When the mind is calm, the full lotus position provides themost stable posture for both body and mind. As meditation deepens, the paindiminishes and becomes less significant.

Usea meditation cushion or thin pad wide enough to support our legs without themhanging over the edge.

Cross our left leg over our right thigh, then our right leg over ourleft thigh. Some find it easier to cross the right leg first, then the left.

Place our hands, palms up, one on top of the other and altogether onour soles. This aligns the palms of the hands and soles of our feet, directing our focus toward the True Yin.

Keepour back straight, but avoid over-arching, as this can cause tension and headaches.

Keep our elbows slightly away from our sides.

Initially,look at a point in front of us, but don't focus on anything external as ourattention should be inward. Keep our eyes open at first to maintain alertness, but once we developinner awareness, we can close them.

Rest our tongue on the roof of our mouth. Keep our shoulders level butrelaxed.

Our entire body should be relaxed and soft, yet still and motionless.

While in the full lotus,scan our body to check for any tension or misalignment.

Ifour muscles are too tight for the full lotus, practice the half lotus position.Gently press down on our knees with our hands to help lower them. After a fewdays of practice, we should be able to sit in the full lotus.

Ifour back slumps, it indicates low internal energy. Attend to our sacrum and breathe evenly and gently. Our innerenergy will strengthen and support our back.

We may initially experience facial itching.Don't scratch; it will subsideon its own.

Legnumbness is common at first. Don't change our position; endure the numbnessuntil it passes. Pain will follow, varying in intensity from person to person.Pain is a measure of our meditation effort and can help reduce past negativekarma.

Evenwhen just starting with the full lotus position, try to sit for at least 30minutes. Gradually increase our practice duration.

#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind, 

Question 67: SHOULD WE ENCOURAGE GROUP MEDITATION PRACTICES? WOULDN'T THIS MOTIVATE EVERYONE TO PRACTICE MORE DILIGENTLY?

Answer: Meditation is often viewedas an advanced spiritual practice.When someone discloses thatthey meditate, it can be perceived as boasting about their spiritualachievements. This may lead to a loss of merit and createobstacles on one's spiritualjourney. Meditation requireshumility and discretion; the fewer peoplewho know about our practice, the better.

However, the principle of altruism suggests that we should sharebeneficial practices with others, and Meditation is no exception. We shouldn'tkeep it to ourselves.

This creates a dilemma. On one hand,keeping meditation privatemight seem selfish. On the other hand, openlypromoting it could be seen as bragging.

Therefore,a lay practitioner must strive to balance these two conflicting tendencies:maintaining discretion whilealso encouraging othersto practice. How can we achieveboth?

One approach is to present the benefits of Meditation in a way thatappears to praise the Buddha, the Arahants, or other enlightened beings, ratherthan ourselves. This way, people will be more inclined to practice withoutfeeling that we are boastingabout our own accomplishments.

#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind, 

Question 66: WHAT IS A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF YIN AND YANG, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE CONCEPT OF "TRUE YIN"?

Answer: The philosophy of YIN YANG suggests that everything in the universeconsists of two opposing but complementary forces:Yin and Yang.Yin represents the obscure, while Yang does the obvious.For instance, the visible part of a house is Yang,while the foundation buried underground is Yin. The architecture of a house isYang, while the interior design is Yin.

Thevisible part of a tree rising from the ground is Yang, while the roots runningunderground are Yin.

The outer appearance of a person is Yang, the inner mind is Yin. The front of a person isYang, the back of a person is Yin.From the navel up is Yang, from thenavel down is Yin. Facial expressions are Yang, voice is Yin. Talent is Yang, morality is Yin. Physicalstrength is Yang, inner potential is Yin. Speech is Yang, thought isYin, etc.

Upon examining these examples, it becomes clear that Yin is often themore fundamental and crucialaspect. A wise person pays more attentionto Yin, as a strong foundation (Yin) is necessary forthe growth and development of the visible aspects (Yang).

True Yin is an invisible energy source located deep in the abdomen. Itis responsible for maintaining the stability and health of the entire body, includingthe internal organs and the brain. The more abundantTrue Yin is, the healthiera person will be. Thereare several ways to cultivate True Yin:

-       Practicing humility:Consistently viewing oneselfas humble and respectingothers.

-      Limiting sexual desire:Sexual pleasure can drain True Yin.

-      Practicing meditation with a focus on the lower abdomen.

-      Strengthening the legs.

-      Consuming foods with favorable medicinalproperties, such as root vegetables.

Meditationpractitioners should strive for a thorough understanding of True Yin tocultivate it effectively and promote optimal health.

#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind, 

Question 65: THE BRAIN'S NATURAL TENDENCY IS TO THINK CONSTANTLY. IT'S EXTREMELY CHALLENGING TO COMPLETELY STOP THE MIND FROM THINKING THROUGH MEDITATION. IF PRACTICED INCORRECTLY, COULD THIS SEVERELY DAMAGE THE BRAIN WITH DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES?

Answer: It's true that the brain's default state is one of constant thought. If forced or improperly suppressed, the brain can indeed be harmed, potentially leading to conditions like mental instability or psychosis.A key principle to remember is that we shouldn't directly confront or try to eliminate our thoughts. Instead, we should use skillful and appropriate methods to indirectly allow WANDERING THOUGHTS TO SUBSIDE. For example, focusing on the breath is an indirect method that can naturally lead to a reduction in thoughts.The entire Buddhist tradition doesn't teach direct confrontation with wandering thoughts. It emphasizes various methods of true contemplation and moral insight that ultimately result in the natural cessation of thinking. While it's possible to directly face and quieten thoughts when one has a high level of awareness and inner strength, prolonged use of this method can harm both the body and mind. Excessive focus on the head can weaken the kidneys, deplete true yin, and damage the brain. Practitioners should avoid concentrating too much on the head area, regardless of the reason, whether it's for opening chakras, activating the crown chakra, or directly observing thoughts.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

Question 64: WHY DOES ONE GAIN A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THINGS WHEN THE MIND ENTERS A MEDITATIVE STATEAND CEASES TO THINK?

Answer: There are two types of wisdom. Wisdom acquired through thinking, gainedthrough observation, reasoning, experimentation, and learning, leads to thedevelopment of science and technology. Wisdom acquired through meditationarises from a calm and focused mind, allowing us to see beyond the surface ofthings and understand the universal nature.

The path to comprehending the world through learning orients us as faras we can, with a specific and practical approach, and scientists have opted toseek knowledge this way. This path has been accumulated over thousands ofyears, through many generations, and has led the world to its presentcivilization.

Thepath to cultivate wisdom through meditation bearing a distinguished perspectiveon life allows us to bypass the limitations of our sensesand intellect and connect with a deeper level of understanding. Meditation demands morality, principles, purity, inner peace,and the release of worldly attachments. Those who walk this path may not beinterested in building a powerfuland technologically advancedcivilization, as they maysee the potential for such civilizations to become corruptand destructive. Instead,they may focus on helping others achieve supreme spiritual awakening,inner peace and noble sustainability.

Our mind could be on track to obtain wisdom if it is tranquil. The mind is not merely a void; it is avast and complex landscape. When it is agitated, it can lead us astray.Otherwise, it can reveal universal truths and morality.

#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

Question 63: WHY MIGHT A SUCCESSFUL MEDITATOR (SUCH AS A MEDITATION MASTER) STILL GIVE INCORRECT MEDITATION INSTRUCTIONS?Answer: People often teach based on their personal experiences, which can lead to misleading advice. For example, someone who's made a fortune in the stock market, real estate, new coffee shops, high-yield durian trees, karaoke restaurants, etc, might encourage others to invest heavily, without considering the unique circumstances that led to their success. Correspondingly, a successful meditator may recommend techniques that worked for them, but these methods might not be suitable for everyone because of merit fluctuation.When a meditator successfully enters a meditative state, it's often due to a combination of their accumulated merit and the specific meditation technique they're using. Everyone's karmic circumstances are unalike, and what works for one person may not work for another. Every method has its strengths and weaknesses. A person with abundant merit can often avoid a method's drawbacks, while someone with less merit might experience negative effects.For instance, a person with good karma might find that focusing on the breath quickly leads to a calm mind. However, someone else trying the same technique might develop insomnia. The first person, unaware of this potential side effect, might struggle to explain why the second person is having difficulties.Furthermore, many meditation teachers focus on describing their own enlightened experiences rather than providing clear instructions. This can be misleading, as it encourages others to try to replicate their experiences without understanding the underlying principles, and end up depleting their merit.The Buddha, in contrast, taught a universal method that could be adapted to suit different individuals' needs. He didn't teach based solely on His own unique experiences. This is the Buddha’s Great Wisdom.While it's important to respect successful meditators, we should be cautious about blindly following their instructions. It's better to seek out a comprehensive and systematic approach to Meditation that covers all aspects of the practice. This will enable us to make informed decisions about our own practice and, if necessary, to guide others effectively.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

Question 62: DOES ENTERING A MEDITATIVE STATE MEAN I HAVE BECOME A ZEN MASTER?

Answer: There are three foundations that we should understand to avoid self-deception (flattering ourselves):

- The Noble Foundation: Individuals born with this quality possess the attributes of a saint, even before practicing meditation. When they meditate, they naturally attain enlightenment. Even if their minds momentarily wander, their fundamental nature remains that of a saint. It's like a mansion; even if it gets a little dirty, it's still a mansion.

- The Ordinary Foundation: People born with this quality possess the characteristics of ordinary beings, and tenuous connection to Buddhism. Through diligent meditation, they may achieve certain meditative states, but they remain ordinary. It's like a thatched hut; no matter how clean it is, it can't become a mansion. To transform into a mansion requires accumulating countless good deeds and cultivating profound virtue. Many meditators fall into this category, achieving meditative states but remaining ordinary beings.

- The Inferior Foundation: These individuals were destined for lower realms such as those of animals, hungry ghosts, or hell but were able to maintain a human form due to past good deeds. However, their spiritual potential is quite limited. Even upon encountering the Dharma, they have developed a sincere intention to practice meditation, they may struggle to enter deep meditative states and may only be able to maintain a state of mindfulness. This is like living in a dilapidated hut where rain and wind can easily penetrate, despite any efforts to repair it. If such individuals persevere in meditation and diligently practice repentance, they may improve their spiritual condition in future lives hopefully.

We must assess our own foundation to understand our potential and limitations.