Jendhamuni - Buddhism and inspiring quotes

A General offering meals to the Buddha

Comment August 7, 2016

A General, a fresh convert to Buddhism, offering meals to the Buddha

45. A General, a fresh convert to Buddhism, offering meals to the Buddha

A General called “Siha” of Vesali was an important lay devotee of the teacher known as Nigantha Nataputta. He heard of the virtues of the three gems namely, the Buddha, the Doctrine and the Order from a gathering of Licchavi princes. Accordingly he asked his teacher to allow him to go to the Buddha, but was not allowed to go. He asked for permission for the second time but it was again refused. On the third occasion, however, without asking for permission he proceeded to where the Buddha was, with many followers in five hundred chariots.

When he came to where the Buddha was he asked the Buddha several questions on points which were not clear to him and was thoroughly satisfied with the answers given. He then said, “I take my refuge, Lord, in the Buddha, the Doctrine and the Order. May the Lord receive me as a disciple who, from this day forth while his life lasts, has taken his refuge in them?”. After that the General requested the Buddha to visit his house on the morrow together with his retinue of monks to partake of food. He then, out of a very generous heart, served them with an excellent meal the next morning at his house.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
True Wealth

Comment August 7, 2016

Are we willing to accept that having more wealth – no matter how someone acquires it – is a sign of being more advanced? Surely there are other measures we could use to determine if we have enough, besides comparing ourselves to those who happen to have amassed more money and things than we have. If the measure of success is having more than the people around us, then that is a recipe for failure.

Comparing with others simply cannot bring happiness. Even if happiness did come from being the best or having the most, ultimately only one person in the world – the one with the most – could ever be truly happy or “successful.” Everyone else would be condemned to failure.

I think we have to be very careful not to confuse economic success with personal happiness. Just because we have a market economy does not mean we have to have a market society. We can find ways to relate to each other on different principles than business ones. We could define development in terms of how much we are able to increase bonds of friendship and closeness, and by how central we make community and mutual affection.

When I think of a society that creates happiness, I think of a society where compassion and love replace competition and greed as the emotional forces that bind us together. ~ 17th Karmapa
Technique to help in turning a selfish attitude around

Comment August 7, 2016

With a selfish attitude, oneself is important, and others are not so important. According to Shantideva’s advice, a technique to help in turning this attitude around is to imagine- in front of yourself as an unbiased observer- your own selfish self on one side and a limited number of other beings on the other side- ten, fifty, or a hundred. On one side is your proud, selfish self, and on the other side is a group of poor, needy people. You are, in effect, in the middle- as an unbiased, third person. Now, judge. Is this one, single, selfish person more important? Or is the group of people more important? Think. Will you join this side or that side? Naturally, if you are a real human being, your heart will go with the group because the number is greater and they are more needy. The other one is just a single person, proud and stupid. Your feeling naturally goes with the group. By thinking in this way, selfishness gradually decreases,and respect of others grows. This is is the way to practice. ~Dalai Lama
Loving kindness and compassion

Comment August 7, 2016

When we practice loving kindness and compassion, we are the first ones to profit. ~Rumi
Good wishes are not sufficient

Comment August 7, 2016

In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems. Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged. ~Dalai Lama
Meaning of compassion and love

Comment August 7, 2016

Before we can generate compassion and love, it is important to have a clear understanding of what we understand compassion and love to be. In simple terms, compassion and love can be defined as positive thoughts and feelings that give rise to such essential things in life as hope, courage, determination, and inner strength. In the Buddhist tradition, compassion and love are seen as two aspects of the same thing: Compassion is the wish for another being to be free from suffering; love is wanting them to have happiness. ~Dalai Lama
Greatest, Purest Love?

Comment August 6, 2016

Greatest, Purest Love? Love and give kindness to people you don’t even know and your enemy. ~Master Cheng Yen
A compassionate heart

Comment August 6, 2016

A compassionate heart is a clear and cool place ~ Master Cheng Yen
Buddha taming Ala Vaka, the demon-god

Comment August 6, 2016

The Buddha taming Ala Vaka, the demon-god with a sermon on loving-kindness

44. The Buddha taming Ala Vaka, the demon-god, with a sermon on loving-kindness

There stood a giant banyan tree at a distance of a little more than three miles from Alavi city. Alavaka, the demon-god had his dwelling in that tree. One night Alavaka was attending a meeting of gods at the Himalayas, when the Buddha entered his dwelling in order to tame this cruel monster. The door-keeper of the dwelling, a deity, paying homage to the Buddha, said, “May I go and seek permission from Alavaka for you to enter his dwelling?” So saying, he went to the meeting of gods to get the permission. At that moment, Alavaka who had to keep his anger in check became furious when he heard from other gods about the arrival of the Buddha at his dwelling. He left the meeting at once and jumped on to the dizzy heights of Kelasa Mountain, and shouted out this challenge:

“Alavaka am I!” Then throughout the night he flung all sorts of weapons at the Blessed One who was not hurt at all because of his infinite power of loving-kindness. Then Alavaka approached the Buddha who tamed him peacefully with a sermon on Loving-Kindness.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Respect yourself

Comment August 6, 2016

Respect yourself, so you can love all those on earth. ~ Master Cheng Yen

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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.