Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Reactions to the 8 Verses of Thought Transformation and 5 Remembrances
1. With the thought of attaining enlightenment
For the welfare of all beings,
Who are more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel,
I will constantly practice holding them dear.
In verse one we are reminded to treasure those we meet, and to seek enlightenment for their well-being. When I first learned about Buddhism, to be honest, I did not think about this very much. I wanted to become enlightened for myself. I wanted to become enlightened to gain my own freedom from suffering. I think you could call this a lesser vow, even if it is still a very wonderful one to have. As I grew and learned more, I realized that we can never really free ourselves from dependence upon others and the presence of others. Even while struggling for my own personal success, I was using the teachings of a great number of compassionate Buddhas. As I grew it occurred to me that helping others is a joyful experience. Since we are never really alone, after attaining some proficiency in the Dharma, we should strive to help our brothers and sisters who are also struggling to find happiness and peace in life. This is just what I feel is right and good to do.
3. In all actions I will examine my mind
And the moment a disturbing attitude arises,
Endangering myself and others,
I will firmly confront and avert it.
In verse three, we are reminded to be aware of our ever-changing mind, confronting what destructive unwholesome thoughts that arise. For Hinayana practitioners this is no different than practicing right-view, right-speech, right-action, right-mindfulness, and so forth. For Mayahana and Ekayana practitioners, this practice will lead one to perfecting one’s patience, diligence, and mindfulness, as one continuously masters their mind. I have not reached the point where I can guard my mind at all times, as is asked in this verse, but I do have a story to relate.
While working at a grocery store in the past, most of my coworkers and managers treated me very kindly. However, one manager would often give me trouble or scold me when I had not even made a mistake. I think we have all had someone in our life like this some time. I almost got frustrated with him over time, but I saw this frustration in my mind and took a step back. Perhaps he was just trying to help me be a very strong worker, or perhaps he had a difficult life. It wouldn’t be right for me to just dislike him when I barely knew him. Instead of getting frustrated, I worked harder and tried to be friends with him. After knowing each other for some time, he let me know a bit about his life. He let me know that he had to come to the store at 3am or 5am very often, and, to make matters worse, he had a very complex and difficult family situation. Hearing his story helped me realize that we should not jump to conclusions or let other people frustrate us too soon. He was actually a very nice guy, he was just a little rough around the edges because life had been a bit rough to him. The lesson is this, take hold of your frustration and difficult thoughts! We are so much greater than they are, even if they are in a way a part of us.
- President Joseph Hennessee, Nov. 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Reactions to the 8 Verses of Thought Transformation and 5 Remembrances
7. In short, I will offer directly and indirectly
Every benefit and happiness to all beings, my mothers.
I will practice in secret taking upon myself
All their harmful actions and sufferings.
My interpretation of the meaning: Coming from a Roman Catholic point of view, I interpret this verse as something somewhat similar to “turning the other cheek”. Whenever there is someone suffering and imposing their suffering onto myself or another, I should be able to “take a step back” and see that they don’t really mean to be so awful to myself or that other person; but instead they are hurting from an unknown source of suffering. I should be able to understand that and wish/pray that their unhappiness will turn into some aspect of joy and happiness. We all revere our mothers (I hope) and in turn if we offer the same reverence to one another, there is no reason why we shouldn’t receive kindness from one another (and achieve world peace!).
THE FIVE REMEMBRANCES
I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape having ill health.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no escape being separated from them.
My deeds are my closest companions. I am the beneficiary of my deeds. My deeds are the ground on which I stand.
When Venerable Tenzin Kacho did a short meditation on the Five Remembrances, I remember becoming very sad and attached to the idea of Life. Personally, I am the type to attach onto things whether they are ideas or physical objects or people. By turning to Buddhism, I am trying to detach myself from my attachments – these were the thoughts that were running through my mind:
I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
In today’s society, there is a growing pattern of trying to hold on to staying as youthful as possible. The younger generation is featured more often on any type of advertisement possible. The fountain of youth in popular culture can be interpreted as going to a plastic surgeon and getting facelifts and injecting toxins such as Botox into the skin in an effort to “maintain a youthful appearance.” While one can fight the signs of aging as much as possible, there really is no way to escape from the reality forever. Forgetfulness will creep up sooner or later and Botox will eventually stop working.
I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape having ill health.
The modern day’s response to this would be the physical appearance of a hospital. While hospitals are the place where the general population goes to “cure/treat” ill health, one can never escape this reality. Especially when one grows older, ill health is very much a part of life.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
When Venerable Tenzin Kacho said this, there was a red flag that went up in my mind. While I KNOW that death can happen at any time to anyone, I am still very much attached to the idea of living on past 80 (women in America are living past 80 now!) ß See what I mean?.. When Shakyamuni Buddha went out of his palace on his few trips, he saw these three “horrors” that plighted civilization: old age, ill health, and death. These are the reasons why he chose to become an ascetic in order overcome these “horrors”. This is why we (whether Buddhists or not) should be able to come to terms with these concepts and accept them.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no escape being separated from them.
“The only thing that remains constant is change” was a phrase that Venerable Tenzin Kacho told us. I very much agree with this statement. Due to a variety of reasons, people do come in and out of our lives, and as redundant and mundane we may think our lives are, there is always something different happening at any given time.
My deeds are my closest companions. I am the beneficiary of my deeds. My deeds are the ground on which I stand.
My mother has also told me when I was a child that the one thing that would define me later, were the friends that I held near and dear to my heart. As much as my parents and family can try to shape and form me to be a great person, it would be my friends and other people who I am going to be in more close contact with who will shape and define who I am as a person. With this in mind, I have tried very hard to surround myself with wonderful people who will influence my actions (hopefully great actions). I do sincerely believe that if I help others and if I am as kind as I can possibly be to everyone, that goodness and kindness will one day be offered to me.
- Activities Coordinator Vienna
Every benefit and happiness to all beings, my mothers.
I will practice in secret taking upon myself
All their harmful actions and sufferings.
My interpretation of the meaning: Coming from a Roman Catholic point of view, I interpret this verse as something somewhat similar to “turning the other cheek”. Whenever there is someone suffering and imposing their suffering onto myself or another, I should be able to “take a step back” and see that they don’t really mean to be so awful to myself or that other person; but instead they are hurting from an unknown source of suffering. I should be able to understand that and wish/pray that their unhappiness will turn into some aspect of joy and happiness. We all revere our mothers (I hope) and in turn if we offer the same reverence to one another, there is no reason why we shouldn’t receive kindness from one another (and achieve world peace!).
THE FIVE REMEMBRANCES
I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape having ill health.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no escape being separated from them.
My deeds are my closest companions. I am the beneficiary of my deeds. My deeds are the ground on which I stand.
When Venerable Tenzin Kacho did a short meditation on the Five Remembrances, I remember becoming very sad and attached to the idea of Life. Personally, I am the type to attach onto things whether they are ideas or physical objects or people. By turning to Buddhism, I am trying to detach myself from my attachments – these were the thoughts that were running through my mind:
I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
In today’s society, there is a growing pattern of trying to hold on to staying as youthful as possible. The younger generation is featured more often on any type of advertisement possible. The fountain of youth in popular culture can be interpreted as going to a plastic surgeon and getting facelifts and injecting toxins such as Botox into the skin in an effort to “maintain a youthful appearance.” While one can fight the signs of aging as much as possible, there really is no way to escape from the reality forever. Forgetfulness will creep up sooner or later and Botox will eventually stop working.
I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape having ill health.
The modern day’s response to this would be the physical appearance of a hospital. While hospitals are the place where the general population goes to “cure/treat” ill health, one can never escape this reality. Especially when one grows older, ill health is very much a part of life.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
When Venerable Tenzin Kacho said this, there was a red flag that went up in my mind. While I KNOW that death can happen at any time to anyone, I am still very much attached to the idea of living on past 80 (women in America are living past 80 now!) ß See what I mean?.. When Shakyamuni Buddha went out of his palace on his few trips, he saw these three “horrors” that plighted civilization: old age, ill health, and death. These are the reasons why he chose to become an ascetic in order overcome these “horrors”. This is why we (whether Buddhists or not) should be able to come to terms with these concepts and accept them.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no escape being separated from them.
“The only thing that remains constant is change” was a phrase that Venerable Tenzin Kacho told us. I very much agree with this statement. Due to a variety of reasons, people do come in and out of our lives, and as redundant and mundane we may think our lives are, there is always something different happening at any given time.
My deeds are my closest companions. I am the beneficiary of my deeds. My deeds are the ground on which I stand.
My mother has also told me when I was a child that the one thing that would define me later, were the friends that I held near and dear to my heart. As much as my parents and family can try to shape and form me to be a great person, it would be my friends and other people who I am going to be in more close contact with who will shape and define who I am as a person. With this in mind, I have tried very hard to surround myself with wonderful people who will influence my actions (hopefully great actions). I do sincerely believe that if I help others and if I am as kind as I can possibly be to everyone, that goodness and kindness will one day be offered to me.
- Activities Coordinator Vienna
Monday, November 9, 2009
Reactions to the 8 Verses of Thought Transformation and 5 Remembrances
2.Whenever I am with others,
I will practice seeing myself as the lowest of all,
And from the very depth of my heart
I will respectfully hold others as supreme.
What I think the meaning is: Essentially, I believe the meaning is for people to treat others with a humble and respectful attitude. My reaction: It wasn't hard for me to formulate a reaction when I read this. By treating others as supreme, or in other words, better than you, smarter than you, more capable than you, and in all ways, better than you(regardless if it is true or not), you'll be treated kindly in response. By showing people that you won't ever talk down, condescend, or belittle them, they will most likely treat you in the same manner.
4. Whenever I meet a person of bad nature
Who is overwhelmed by negative energy and intense suffering,
I will hold such a rare one dear,
As if I had found a precious treasure.
What I think the meaning is: In a nutshell, I believe this verse states that we should help people who cling onto negative emotions (such as the talk that Venerable Jian Liao gave about anger).My Reaction: I thought of Vienna when I read this LOL (Don't mention this hahahha). Reading this verse reminded me of an aspect of Christianity. Although I am not very familiar with the religion at all, I have heard that there are some Christians who try to convert people to their religion in their attempt to "save" others from going to hell. With a view like this, it isn't difficult to imagine that they see all nonchristians as people of "bad nature" or "overwhelmed with negative energy". Anyway, similar to their view, I agreed with this verse because of the fact that any negative emotion/energy/suffering/etc isn't desirable. And a proper response would be to alleviate this negativeness. By holding someone of this nature as one would hold a precious treasure would enable one to liberate a person of this negative energy.
I will practice seeing myself as the lowest of all,
And from the very depth of my heart
I will respectfully hold others as supreme.
What I think the meaning is: Essentially, I believe the meaning is for people to treat others with a humble and respectful attitude. My reaction: It wasn't hard for me to formulate a reaction when I read this. By treating others as supreme, or in other words, better than you, smarter than you, more capable than you, and in all ways, better than you(regardless if it is true or not), you'll be treated kindly in response. By showing people that you won't ever talk down, condescend, or belittle them, they will most likely treat you in the same manner.
4. Whenever I meet a person of bad nature
Who is overwhelmed by negative energy and intense suffering,
I will hold such a rare one dear,
As if I had found a precious treasure.
What I think the meaning is: In a nutshell, I believe this verse states that we should help people who cling onto negative emotions (such as the talk that Venerable Jian Liao gave about anger).My Reaction: I thought of Vienna when I read this LOL (Don't mention this hahahha). Reading this verse reminded me of an aspect of Christianity. Although I am not very familiar with the religion at all, I have heard that there are some Christians who try to convert people to their religion in their attempt to "save" others from going to hell. With a view like this, it isn't difficult to imagine that they see all nonchristians as people of "bad nature" or "overwhelmed with negative energy". Anyway, similar to their view, I agreed with this verse because of the fact that any negative emotion/energy/suffering/etc isn't desirable. And a proper response would be to alleviate this negativeness. By holding someone of this nature as one would hold a precious treasure would enable one to liberate a person of this negative energy.
-- Webmaster Peter
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