Jendhamuni - Buddhism and inspiring quotes

Empty your mind of its habitual chatter

2 July 4, 2024

Cleanup at our Peace Meditation Center on July 4th, 2024 for the upcoming meditation retreat.

We take for granted that we need to take showers, clean our house, and wash our clothes. Yet the mind and its thoughts need cleansing and ordering as much as our bodies. While few of us would consider eating dinner on yesterday’s dirty dishes, we think nothing of tackling our problems with yesterdays cluttered minds…. The purpose to any meditation technique is to move beyond the normal contents of our consciousness, empty your mind of its habitual chatter, and concentrate your attention for the purpose of experiencing a higher state. ~ Anodea Judith
Beyond beauty…

2 June 27, 2024

Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are. —Markus Zusak

Pink lilies in my garden on June 27, 2024.
Remembering Upasika Yath Pok, age 78

3 May 30, 2024

May 30, 2024 — My beloved Grandma passed away 39 years ago today…

Funeral service for Upāsikā Yath PoK at the Springfield Crematory, Springfield, Massachusetts on May 30, 2024.

And… today, is the funeral service for our beloved Upāsikā Yath PoK, meditation practitioner and loyal supporter at our Peace Meditation Center. Upāsikā Yath, age 78, passed away in Easthampton, Massachusetts on May 20, 2024 at 6:29 p.m. (2 days prior to Visakha Puja). Continue reading →
Remembering my beloved Buddhist nun Sony Nuon

2 April 2, 2024

Jendhamuni with Buddhist nun Sony Nuon at Kiryvongsa Bopharam, Buddhist Peace Meditation Center on July 4, 2013.

Buddhist nun Sony Nuon became my lifetime favorite nun ever since I first met her. She’s very calm, very kind, caring, gentle and compassionate — rare qualities many lack… She’s the Buddhist nun I love most in this world… I hope we will meet again…

My beloved Buddhist nun passed away in Cranston, Rhode Island on Monday March 18, 2024 at 12:40 p.m.

Jendhamuni at Buddhist nun Sony Nuon’s funeral service in Warwick, Rhode Island on March 24, 2024.

Jendhamuni with Buddhist friends at the Glory Buddhist Temple on March 31, 2024 during the memorial service for Buddhist nun Sony Nuon.

Continue reading →
The Story of the Defeat of the King of Kosala

2 March 11, 2024

Verse 201: Conquest begets enmity; the conquered live in misery; the peaceful live happily having renounced conquest and defeat.

The Story of the Defeat of the King of Kosala

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (201) of this book, with reference to the King of Kosala who was defeated in battle by Ajatasattu, his own nephew.

In fighting against Ajatasattu, the King of Kosala was defeated three times. Ajatasattu was the son of King Bimbisara and Queen Vedehi, the sister of the King of Kosala. The King of Kosala was ashamed and very much depressed over his defeat. Thus his lamentation: “What a disgrace! I cannot even conquer this boy who still smells of mother’s milk. It is better that I should die.” Feeling depressed and very much ashamed, the king refused to take food, and kept to his bed. The news about the king’s distress spread like wild fire and when the Buddha came to learn about it, he said, “Bhikkhus! In one who conquers, enmity and hatred increase; one who is defeated suffers pain and distress.” Continue reading →
Rest in Peace brother

2 February 9, 2024

I’ll always remember you, brother…

Jendhamuni with brother Mony Heng at little sister Alanthara’s grave on November 9, 2013.

Those who touch our lives, stay in our hearts forever.

I did not see you close your eyes or hear your last sigh. I only heard that you were gone, too late to say goodbye. ~ Milano

Jendhamuni visiting brother Mony Heng at Lowell General Hospital on February 22, 2018. Mony (aka Vanny Heng) passed away at home on February 5, 2024 at 3:30 a.m.

Jendhamuni at little sister Alanthara’s grave on November 9, 2013.

Continue reading →
The Story of Mara

2 December 31, 2023
Verse 200: Indeed we live very happily, without any anxiety (i.e., without greed, ill will and ignorance); like the Abhassara brahmas we shall live on delightful satisfaction (piti) as our food.

natthi kincanam: without any anxiety, here it means without greed, ill will and ignorance (raga, dosa and moha).

deva abhassara: Abhassara brahmas are the radiant brahmas of the abode of the second Rupavacara Jhana Brahmaloka.

The Story of Mara

The Buddha uttered Verse (200) of this book in a brahmin village known as Pancasala (village of five halls), with reference to Mara.

On one occasion, the Buddha saw in his vision that five hundred maidens from Pancasala village were due to attain Sotapatti Fruition. So he went to stay near that village. The five hundred maidens went to the riverside to have a bath; after the bath they returned to the village fully dressed up, because it was a festival day. About the same time, the Buddha entered Pancasila village for alms-food but none of the villagers offered him anything because they had been possessed by Mara.

On his return the Buddha met Mara, who promptly asked him whether he had received much alms-food.

The Buddha saw the hand of Mara in his failure to get any alms-food on that day and replied, “You wicked Mara! It was you who turned the villagers against me. Because they were possessed by you they did not offer any alms-food to me. Am I not right ?” Mara made no reply to that question, but he thought that it would be fun to entice the Buddha back to the village and get the villagers to insult the Buddha by making fun of him. So he suggested, “O Buddha, why don’t you go back to the village again? This time, you are sure to get some food.” Continue reading →
Cultivating humility

4 December 30, 2023

Jendhamuni at Wachusett Mountain on March 27, 2022

Cultivating humility as part of our efforts to live interdependence can be enhanced by a heartfelt awareness that we are always in a state of development. Because everything arises based upon the coming together of continually shifting conditions, however much or little of a certain positive quality we have, further growth is always possible. Moreover, our positive qualities can be developed without limit. As long as we are human, we can continually keep discovering new potentials. ~ 17th Karmapa
Find happiness and good qualities

Comment December 30, 2023

External appearances appear to the mind, but they are just a construction of the mind; when they appear, the mind gives them a label. For that reason, even if outside things seem good, there is not actually a whole lot to be attached to. If they seem bad, there is nothing to feel aversion toward. Therefore if we want to be free of suffering and faults and find happiness and good qualities, the most important thing is to tame our mind and to be diligent about doing so. This is why we meditate and this is why there are mind instructions. Since the mind is root of everything and everything comes down to the mind, there is nothing more important than taming our mind, meditating on samadhi, and resting in equipoise. ~ Thrangu Rinpoche
The Story of the Pacification of the Relatives of the Buddha

Comment December 18, 2023
Verse 197: Indeed we live very happily, not hating anyone among those who hate; among men who hate we live without hating anyone.

Verse 198: Indeed we live very happily, in good health among the ailing; among men who are ailing we live in good health.

Verse 199: Indeed we live very happily, not striving (for sensual pleasures) among these who strive (for them); among those who strive (for them) we live without striving.

aturesu/atura: ailing or ailment; moral ailment is meant here.

The Story of the Pacification of the Relatives of the Buddha

The Buddha uttered Verse (197) to (199) of this book, in the Sakyan country, with reference to his relatives who were quarrelling over the use of the water from the Rohini river.

Kapilavatthu the town of the Sakyans and Koliya the town of the Kolyans were situated on either side of the Rohini river. The cultivators of both towns worked the fields watered by the Rohini river. One year, they did not have enough rain and finding that the paddy and other crops were beginning to shrivel up, cultivators on both sides wanted to divert the water from the Rohini river to their own fields. Those living in Koliya said that there was not enough water in the river for both sides, and that if only they could channel the water just once more to their fields that would be enough for the paddy to mature and ripen. On the other hand, people from Kapilavatthu argued that, in that case, they would be denied the use of the water and their crops would surely fail, and they would be compelled to buy from other people. They said that they were not prepared to go carrying their money and valuables to the opposite bank of the river in exchange for food. Continue reading →

Shantidevas’ Bodhisattva vows

Should anyone wish to ridicule me and make me an object of jest and scorn why should I possibly care if I have dedicated myself to others?

Let them do as they wish with me so long as it does not harm them. May no one who encounters me ever have an insignificant contact.

Regardless whether those whom I meet respond towards me with anger or faith, may the mere fact of our meeting contribute to the fulfilment of their wishes.

May the slander, harm and all forms of abuse that anyone should direct towards me act as a cause of their enlightenment.