Buddhism As Education

Karma means action. It refers to the intentional deeds we do with our body, speech and mind through action, talking and thinking. Karma is the law that every deed done, given the conditions will bear certain fruits. All deeds leaves imprints or seeds on our consciousness which ripens into our experiences when appropriate conditions come together. For example, if we help someone with a kind heart, this action leaves a positive imprint on our mindstream. When conditions are suitable, this imprint will ripen in our receiving of help when we need it. Karmic seeds continue with us from lifetime to lifetime. However, if we do not create the cause or Karma for something, we will not experience that result. If one does not plant a certain seed, that plant will not grow. The Buddha taught: According to the seed that is sown, So is the fruit you reap, The doer of good will gather good results, The doer of evil will gather evil results, If you plant a good seed well, Then you will enjoy the good ...

The simplest expression of one's intention of taking the Threefold Refuge in the Triple Gem as refuge is by repeating the following lines three times: I go to the Buddha for refuge; I go to the Dharma for refuge; I go to the Sangha for refuge. These lines can be repeated by one alone before an image of the Buddha or repeated line by line after a monk or nun. The formal ceremony is very simple, but it is the commitment that one has in the heart that truly matters. A Buddhist may repeat the Threefold Refuge daily to remind himself that he has made a commitment to attain the goal of happiness and Enlightenment through the guidance and inspiration of the Triple Gem. Benefits of Taking Refuge Taking the Threefold Refuge is the first step on the path to Enlightenment. Therefore, through Moral Conduct and Mental Development, Self-Mastery, Wisdom and Compassion is achieved. Even if Enlightenment is not achieved in this life, one who takes the Threefold Refuge is more likely to have favoura...

Taking Refuge means to "return and to rely". From where do we return from and to what we do we rely upon? When we take refuge in the Buddha, we are returning from our deluded state of mind and relying upon an Awakened and Understanding mind. When we take refuge in the Dharma, we are returning from deviant view and understanding. When we take refuge in the Sangha, we are returning from pollution and disharmony and relying upon Purity of Mind and the Six Principles of Harmony. Taking refuge in the Triple Jewels restores the complete wisdom and abilities of our Self-Nature. We will attain purity, equality, honesty, contentment, compassion and overall true happiness.

To understand the Complete Teachings of the Buddha thoroughly, one must first cultivate the Pure Heart. When the Pure Heart is attained, the Teachings would naturally be learned and understood. Without the Pure Heart, one can study the Teachings for a hundred years and still would not be able to understand it at all. Those of you who are interested in explaining sutras in the future must memorise the sutra you plan to lecture plus its explanation by an authorised teacher. This is the way practiced by all successful lecturers of the past. If that person is not able to memorise the material and cannot meet the standards, the person should let go of all their attachment to the world and single-mindedly recite Amitabha's name. There is no need to feel upset and feel sorry for not being able to lectur the sutras. In putting the teachings into practice, the first thing we should cultivate is the Pure Heart. The Pure Heart is a mind without discrimination or attachments. We must also deve...

How do we know when our our cultivation has improved? The time comes when we begin to understand the sutras deeper, when we can read between the lines and realise the true meaning of the Buddha's teachings. This is when our cultivation has improved. Is your mind really set on reaching the Pure Land? Wanting to reach the Western Pure Land is a great wish. We must let go of our worldy affinities and single-mindedly recide Amitabha's name. To be mindful of the Buddha is to dwell in true wisdom. The ultimate goal to which all methods of cultivation lead is the complete pure and equanimous mind. It is our original nature, our Buddha nature. During Dharma Assemblies, we must be sincere when reciting the sutra texts in order to touch the hearts of the attending Assembly. The words of the sutra should flow forth from our hearts and not merely spoken. We must truly cultivate. Those who have the ability can just take one look at us and tell if we are sincere or just putting on a show. Du...

Buddhism is an education, not a religion. We do not worship the Buddha, but we respect him as a teacher. His teachings enable us to leave sufferings and attain happiness. What does Buddha mean? Buddha means enlightenment and understanding. Complete understanding is when one realises the truth about life and the universe. It is when one is apart from all delusions. What is purity? Purity is apart from defilement which is the greed, hatred and stupidity in our minds. Cultivation is cleansing these impurities from our hearts. To keep our mind pure and at peace is like keeping a pond clean and undisturbed. When the water is clear and still, it can reflect the sky, sun and trees just as they are, without distortion. Our mind is the same, when we are polluted by greed, hatred, ignorance and disturbed by discriminations and attachments, we distort our picture of reality and fail to see things as they are. Wrong perception of reality can prevent us from enjoying clear and happy life. Learn to ...

A Maha Sanghikadana will be held on 11 October 2009 at the Butterworth Buddhist Association located at 7156, Tingkat Mak Mandin 3, Mak Mandin,13400 Butterworth, Penang. Monks from the Mahayana and Theravada traditions will be invited to this event and all devotees and friends are welcomed to participate in this meritoruous deed. For all information and those who want to make contributions to support this event please contact the association's office at Tel : 04-333 4499.

The Most Venerable Hai Tao will be in Butterworth again soon on this coming 10 November. He has been invited by the Penang Palme Gon Buddhist Society to conduct a Dharma discourse to our devotees and members. We will keep you informed on the latest updates on our Ven. Hai Tao's upcoming event.

The Most Venerable Tulku Palme Khyentse Rinpoche was invited by the Penang Palme Gon Buddhist Society to give a Dharma discourse in Bagan Lallang, Butterworth recently from 10 September to 11 September in the evenings. During the Dharma discourse, Khyentse Rinpoche also led our members and devotees in performing liberation, smoke offerings and chants of the mantras in conjunction with the 7th lunar month. Tulku Palme Khyentse Rinpoche is acknowledged as the mind manifestation of the first Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892) that was born into the Palme Monastery in Nangchen, Eastern Tibet. The 2nd Palme Khyentse Kunzang Drodul (1897-1945) took the 34th Drikung Kagyu Throne Holder H.H. Tenzin Shiwe Lodrö (6th Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche (1886-1943) as his root guru and discovered with pure vision as well as from earth and mind treasures eight volumes of Treasure Texts (terma). His remarkable achievement also earned him the name ‘Chakaravarti of all treasure revealers’, a compliment paid b...