Jendhamuni - Buddhism and inspiring quotes

The Two Faces of Reality

Comment June 7, 2015

A Dhammatalk by Ajahn Chah

In our lives we have two possibilities: indulging in the world or going beyond the world. The Buddha was someone who was able to free himself from the world and thus realized spiritual liberation.

In the same way, there are two types of knowledge – knowledge of the worldly realm and knowledge of the spiritual, or true wisdom. If we have not yet practiced and trained ourselves, no matter how much knowledge we have, it is still worldly, and thus cannot liberate us.

Think and really look closely! The Buddha said that things of the world spin the world around. Following the world, the mind is entangled in the world, it defiles itself whether coming or going, never remaining content. Worldly people are those who are always looking for something – who can never find enough. Worldly knowledge is really ignorance; it isn’t knowledge with clear understanding, therefore there is never an end to it. It revolves around the worldly goals of accumulating things, gaining status, seeking praise and pleasure; it’s a mass of delusion which has us stuck fast.

Once we get something, there is jealousy, worry and selfishness. And when we feel threatened and can’t ward it off physically, we use our minds to invent all sorts of devices, right up to weapons and even nuclear bombs, only to blow each other up. Why all this trouble and difficulty?

This is the way of the world. The Buddha said that if one follows it around there is no reaching an end.

Come to practice for liberation! It isn’t easy to live in accordance with true wisdom, but whoever earnestly seeks the path and fruit and aspires to Nibbāna will be able to persevere and endure. Endure being contented and satisfied with little; eating little, sleeping little, speaking little and living in moderation. By doing this we can put an end to worldliness.

If the seed of worldliness has not yet been uprooted, then we are continually troubled and confused in a never-ending cycle. Even when you come to ordain, it continues to pull you away. It creates your views, your opinions, it colors and embellishes all your thoughts – that’s the way it is. Continue reading →
Use them to heal

Comment June 7, 2015

Today is one of its kind; it won’t come again. Bring joy to someone,
speak good words and use them to heal, encourage others and learn to care.
~Mufti Ismail Menk
Everyone loves kitty

Comment June 7, 2015

Cats, not dogs, are the most common pets in America. Studies have shown that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks. Over 50% of all pet owners would rather be stranded on a desert island with their pet, not another person. Source: AnimalLeague
Moving forward or shrinking back

Comment June 7, 2015

All life is either moving forward and evolving or shrinking back and dying. If you want to evolve in your own life, you have to push through the obstacles instead of running from them. Obstacles and challenges are the agents of growth. Nobody gets to be large and in charge without facing challenges and moving through them. Birth is messy, painful, scary, uncertain, and freaky. Birth is also a glorious miracle that leads to new life. If you want the new life you say you want, you have to do the work instead of just studying and discussing and wishing and wanting. ~ Jen Sincero
Turtle wants to be with friends in water

Comment June 7, 2015

Like other reptiles, turtles are cold blooded. In some species of turtle the temperature determines if the egg will develop into a male or female, lower temperatures lead to a male while higher temperatures lead to a female. Some turtles lay eggs in the sand and leave them to hatch on their own. The young turtles make their way to the top of the sand and scramble to the water while trying to avoid predators. Sea turtles have special glands which help remove salt from the water they drink.
Source: ScienceKids
Whether travelling or living in one place

Comment June 7, 2015

Ajahn Chah asks “What is Peacefulness Like?”
Ajahn Chah Answers; “What is Confusion? Well Peacefulness is the End of Confusion”.

Know what is Good and Bad, whether Travelling or Living in One Place. You can not find Peace on a Mountain, or in a Cave. You can even go to where the Buddha Attained Enlightenment, without getting Closer to the Truth. Looking Outside the Self, is to Compare and to Discriminate. You will not find Happiness that Way. Nor will You find Peace if You spend Your Time looking for the Perfect Person, or Teacher. The Buddha taught Us to Look at the Dhamma, the Truth, and not to look at other People. ~Ajahn Chah
Not a battle to be fought

Comment June 7, 2015

Dealing with our overweight – or with any of our life’s difficulties, for that matter – is not a battle to be fought. Instead, we must learn how to make friends with our hardships and challenges. They are there to help us; they are natural opportunities for deeper understanding and transformation, brining us more joy and peace as we learn to work with them. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Photo credit: School of Vice, KI Media
The forest is peaceful

1 June 7, 2015

The forest is peaceful, why aren’t you? You hold on to things causing your confusion. Let nature teach you. Hear the bird’s song then let go. If you know nature, you’ll know Dhamma. If you know Dhamma, you’ll know nature. ~Ajahn Chah
A proud beetle in a lump of cow dung

Comment June 7, 2015

There once was a beetle which came upon a lump of cow dung. He worked himself into it and liking what he saw, he invited his friends to join him in building a city in it. After working feverishly for a few days they built a magnificent `city´ in the dung and feeling very proud of their achievement they decided to elect the first beetle as their king. Now to honour their new `king´ they organised a grand parade through their `city´.

While these impressive proceedings were taking place, An elephant happened to pass by and seeing the lump of cow dung he lifted his foot to avoid stepping on it. The king beetle saw the elephant and angrily shouted at the huge beast. `Hey you! Don´t you have any respect for royalty? Don´t you know it is rude to lift your leg over my majestic head? Apologies at once or I´ll have you punished.´ The elephant looked down and said, `Your most gracious majesty, I humbly crave your pardon.´ Thus saying he knelt down on the lump of cow dung and crushed king, city, citizens and pride in one act of obeisance.

~Ven. Dr. K Sri Dhammananda
Kitty is not happy

Comment June 7, 2015

An angry cat is probably fairly obvious to many a cat owner but it is important to know how to distinguish between a cat that is afraid and one that has become angry. A cat that is angry will puff out his fur, arch his back and spit, while a cat that is afraid will not puff up his fur or attack. Be aware that a cat can turn from being calm to afraid or angry in a matter of seconds. Know what play-fighting looks like. If you have more than one cat in the home, it’s important to be able to tell the difference between real aggression and mock fighting. Cats that are play-fighting may look violent but it’s all posture. Look closely (within reason); play-fighting cats don’t have their claws out and their bites are small and harmless. Source: wikihow

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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.