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Buddhism Lamp PDF
Buddhism Lamp PDF
BE
A
LAMP
UPON
YOURSELF
Contents
Whats so Wonderful About Buddhism ?
How to Seek the Truth
Buddha
The Four Noble Truth
Eight Fold Path
The Threefold Refuge in The Triple Gem
The Five Precepts
The Three Universal Characteristics
Karma
Rebirth and The Six Realms of Existence
The Four Immeasurable Minds
Dependent Origination
Emptiness
Buddhist Rituals and Festivals
Meditation
Fruits of Attainment
Buddhism and Science
Know This !
School of Buddhism
Who is a True Buddhist ?
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Dedication
This book is dedicated to all Sentient Beings.
May each be a Lamp upon Oneself.
May we be Bodhisattvas to each other,
And attain Enlightenment swiftly.
This book is inspired by:
Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh
Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda
Venerable Thubten Chodron
Venerable S. Dhammika
and many other great Dharma teachers
Foreword
This third edition of Be a Lamp Upon Yourself is an
expanded version of the well received first and second
editions. The usefulness of the book is in its concise
approach to the basic teachings of the Buddha. Building
on these strengths, we have cpme up with this edition.
Once again, we hope you will find it useful as an
introduction to the vast field of the Buddhas teachings.
Please pass this book around should you feel you do not
need it. As the Buddha taught, the gift of Truth excels all
other gifts! May we all know the Dharma and make the
Dharma be known.
Yours in the Dharma,
Bro. Shen Shian
Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
Dharma Propgation Department
Whats So Wonderful
About Buddhism?
Perfect Example
The historical Buddha is an embodiment of all the virtues
that He preached. He translated all His words into action.
He was tireless in His spreading of the Truth and was the
perfect model example. At no time did He ever show any
human weakness or base passion. His qualities of Morality,
Wisdom and Compassion are the most perfect the world
has ever known.
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Universality
As the Buddhas concern is the True Happiness of all beings,
His teachings can be practised in society or seclusion, by
all of every race and belief. It is totally unbiased and truly
universal.
Purification of the Mind
Buddhism is the only religion that encourages not just
the ceasing of all evil and the doing of all good- it also
teaches the purification of ones Mind, which is the root
of all good and evil, the cause of both suffering and True
Happiness.
Self-Reliance
When the Buddha was meditating to gain Enlightenment,
no gods came to reveal any hidden secrets of spiritual
power. No one gave Him any religious laws to teach. He
said, I never had any teacher or divinity to teach me or tell me
how to gain Enlightenment. I achieved supreme Wisdom by my
own effort, energy, knowledge and purity. Likewise, we can
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Standing Unchallenged
The Buddha was an unequalled teacher. He freely and
actively invited both His followers and those of other
beliefs to challenge His teachings from every possible angle
till there was no room for any kind of doubt. True to His
injunctions, His followers have debated about His doctrine
and even founded various schools of Buddhism according
to their understanding without violence or bloodshed.
The Buddha knew that if one really believed that one
knows the Truth, one should not be afraid to have it
challenged, as the Truth will always win. His replies to
numerous questions enriched the Buddhist doctrine into
a vast religious field. We are today able to answer any
questions about Buddhism, simply by referring to the
Buddhas explanations.
No Blind Faith
The Buddha did not promise heavenly bliss or reward to
those who called themselves His followers. Nor did He
promise salvation to those who had faith in Him. To Him,
religion is not a bargain but a noble way of life to gain
Enlightenment and salvation for oneself and others. He
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One should not honour only ones religion and condemn the
religion of others, but one should honour others religion for
this or that reason. In so doing, one helps ones own religion to
grow and renders service to the religions of others too. In acting
otherwise, one digs the grave of ones own religion and also
does harm to other religions.
Holy wars, crusades, inquisitions and religious
discrimination do not mar the annals of Buddhist history.
Buddhist missionaries have no need or desire to convert
those who already have a proper religion to practise.
Buddhists are happy to see the progress of other religions
so long as they help people to lead a religious way of life
according to their faith and enjoy peace, harmony and
true understanding. However, the Buddha urged us to share
the Truth with those who might be interested in it:
Go forth, O Bhikkhus (monks), for the good of the many, for
the happiness of the many, out of Compassion for the world,
for the good, benefit and the happiness of gods and humans...
Let not two go by one way. Preach, O Bhikkhus, the Dharma,
excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, excellent in
the end, both in spirit and in the letter. Proclaim the Holy Life
altogether perfect and pure.
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1.
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Buddha
What is a Buddha?
The word Buddha means The Awakened (or
Enlightened) One. A Buddha was previously a human being
like us, who had reached the highest peak of spiritual
cultivation through purification and mastery of the Mind,
attaining the highest perfection possible by anyone. Having
awakened to reality, He is one who has found True
Happiness in realising the true nature of all things. With
the attainment of Enlightenment (realisation of the Truth
of all things),Wisdom and Compassion is perfected among
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chooses to appear in a form (instead of the Sambhogakayasee The Bliss Body of Buddha) that we can relate to.
When Shakyamuni Buddha passed away into Parinirvana,
only His physical body died. The essence of His
Enlightenment still exists in the form of the Dharmakaya
(see The Truth Body of the Buddha).Today, the remaining
relics of Shakyamuni Buddhas manifested body are
enshrined in stupas all over the world.
With the Moon representing Buddha, the Nirmanakaya is
like a reflection of the Moon upon a lake. The Moon can
be reflected differently in many lakes at the same time.
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(Greed or Wanting),
Aversion (Hatred or Not Wanting) and
Ignorance
(Delusion or Lack of Wisdom)
The Third Noble Truth
The Truth of the End of Dukkha- Nirvana
Life Can be Without DissatisfactionsThere is a peaceful state where there are no unsatisfactory
experiences:
Enlightenment or Nirvana (the extinguishment of Craving,
Aversion and Ignorance)
The Fourth Noble Truth
The Truth of the Path Leading to the End of Dukkha
The Way to Life Without Dissatisfactions-
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Motion) All the teachings that the Buddha later gave were
either further in-depth elaboration of the Four Noble
Truths, or teachings that led to them. He used a wide
variety of skillful means and methods in teaching them to
different people.
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Perfect Speech
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Perfect Action
Perfect Livelihood
Perfect Effort
Perfect Mindfulness
Perfect Meditation
Wisdom:
Perfect Understanding
Perfect Thought
Perfect Speech
We should make an effort to notice and comment
upon others good qualities and achievements instead
of venting our anger or frustration on them. We can
give moral support, consolation in times of grief, and
share the Dharma. Speech is a powerful tool to
influence others. When used wisely, many will benefit.
Perfect Speech includes the avoidance of:
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Lying
Tale-bearing
Harsh Speech
Idle Talk
We should
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Killing
Stealing
Sexual Misconduct
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Deadly Weapons
Animals for Slaughter
Slavery
Intoxicants
Poisons
Perfect Effort
Effort is needed to cultivate Virtue or develop ones Mind,
because one is often distracted or tempted to take the
easy way out of things. The Buddha teaches that attaining
True Happiness and Enlightenment depends upon ones
own efforts. Effort is the root of all achievement.Thus, no
matter how great the Buddhas achievement may be, or
how excellent His Teaching is, one must put the Teaching
into practice before one can expect to obtain the desired
results. There are 4 types of Perfect Effort that should be
practised:
1. Effort to Prevent the Arising of Unwholesome Thoughts
(of Craving, Aversion and Ignorance)
2. Effort to Rid Unwholesome Thoughts that have Arisen
3. Effort to Develop Wholesome Thoughts
(of Generosity, Loving-kindness and other positive
qualities)
4. Effort to Maintain the Wholesome Thoughts that have
Arisen (even when they are not appreciated by others)
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Perfect Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an essential quality in everyones daily
activities. It is a mental factor that enables us to remember,
and keep our awareness and attention on what is beneficial
in terms of thought, word and deed. For example, when
we awake in the morning, we can determine, Today I will
try not to harm others and will benefit them as much as
possible. Mindfulness helps to keep this thought in our
Mind all day and makes us aware of whether our daily
actions correspond to this motivation.The Mind must be
constantly aware of what is happening for neither mishaps
nor misgivings to occur.
Perfecting Mindfulness is necessary if one is to progress
towards Wisdom and Enlightenment. The Mind must be
controlled and protected against distractions. Greed and
Anger should be consciously avoided. Attention is given
to the Mind because it is through the Mind that everything
is comprehended, interpreted and understood. If lasting
happiness is to be attained, the undisciplined Mind must
first be looked after. To tame the Mind is to tame the
world.
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Perfect Meditation
Meditation is the gradual process of training the Mind to
focus on a single object, and to remain fixed upon that
object without wavering.The object of concentration may
be a material thing such as a flower or a quality such as
Loving-kindness. Even if one was to practice meditation
for fifteen minutes a day, one will begin to experience its
benefits. The constant practice of meditation helps one
to develop a calm and concentrated Mind, and prepares
one for the attainment of Wisdom and Enlightenment
ultimately.
Perfect Understanding
Perfect Understanding is the seeing of all things as they
really are, rather than as they appear to be. In order to
see things as they really are, one must observe ones self
and situation carefully, examining the meaning of what is
observed. It is the true knowledge of all things realised by
oneself through practice.
An inquiring and analytical attitude is important in acquiring
Perfect Understanding. The Buddha taught us not to rely
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Perfect Thought
Thoughts influence ones words and actions. If one speaks
or acts out of Greed or Anger, then one will speak or act
wrongly and suffer consequently. It is necessary to purify
ones thoughts if one really wishes to improve ones
conduct. Perfect Thought is knowing how to use the
knowledge that we have for the benefit of one and all.
Perfect Thought means to avoid Craving and Ill Will, and
to cultivate thoughts of Renunciation (giving up
Attachment), Loving-kindness and Compassion. Craving
should be avoided because it can never be fully satisfied,
leading to unwholesome actions.Thoughts of Renunciation
remove Craving, while thoughts of Loving-Kindness and
Compassion remove Ill-Will.
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Sangha
The Sangha that a Buddhist takes refuge in is the
community of noble monks and nuns who lead exemplary
lives, who attained insight into the true nature of things.
Their lives and achievements show others that it is possible
to progress on the path to Enlightenment.
However, the Sangha also generally refers to the fourfold
community of monks (bhikkhus), and nuns (bhikkhunis),
and excellent male and female lay followers (though
Sangha is usually used to address monks and nuns who
have renounced the lay life to practise and teach the
Dharma full time.) Monks and nuns are respected for their
good conduct and experience in spiritual practice. They
are also respected for their diligence, mindfulness and
calmness. Wise and learned, they are able teachers of the
Dharma, like trusted friends who inspire us along the path
of practice.
The lay followers accept the Four Noble Truths and the
other teachings of the Buddha, and seek happiness and
Enlightenment as their common goal in life. They also
uphold common moral values. Thus a Buddhist can also
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Taking Refuge
The simplest expression of ones intention of taking the
Threefold Refuge in the Triple Gem as refuge is by
repeating the following lines thrice:
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 True 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.Thereafter, through Moral Conduct and
Mental Development, self-master y, Wisdom and
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Anicca
Anicca describes phenomena from the point of view of
time. Everything in the Universe, be it physical (from the
smallest cells of our bodies to the biggest stars) or mental
(such as the thoughts running through our minds),
constantly undergo change, never staying the same for
even just two consecutive split-seconds. As everything is
a result or effect of changing causes and conditions,
everything changes constantly.
The smallest component of the most solid thing is only
a ball of fluxing energy. The untrained Mind is even much
more fickle and prone to change, having no stability of a
fixed self-nature.All living and non-living elements are thus
subject to decay and destruction. The law of Anicca is
neutral and unbiased. It is ungoverned by any higher poweras things decay, as well as become renewed naturally.
Why Should I Realise Anicca?
When one realises that people (their personalities,
interests and attitudes) and life situations are unfixed and
constantly changing, one will approach each moment of a
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Karma
What Kinds of
Karma are There?
If an action brings pain and misery in the long term for
oneself and others, it is unwholesome or negative Karma.
And if it brings happiness, it is wholesome or positive
Karma. Actions are not inherently good or bad- they are
only so according to their motivations and the
consequences they bring.Whatever happiness and fortune
we experience in our lives comes from our own positive
actions, while our problems result from our own negative
actions.
How is Negative
Karma Created?
There are ten unwholesome actions which should be
avoided if one does not wish to create negative Karma.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Killing
Stealing
Sexual Misconduct
Lying
Tale-bearing
6. Harsh Speaking
7. Idle Talking
8. Having Craving (Greed)
9. Having Aversion (Anger)
10. Having Wrong Views
How is Positive
Karma Created?
There are ten wholesome actions which one ought to
strive to do to create positive Karma.The ten wholesome
actions also include the avoidance of the ten unwholesome
actions.
1. Practising Charity
2. Practising Self-Restraint
3. Practising Meditation
4. Having Reverence
5. Practising Service
6. Transferring of Merit
7. Rejoicing in Others Merit
8. Hearing the Dharrna
9. Teaching the Dharma
10. Straightening Ones Views
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Can Karma be
Created Together?
Karma can be both collective and individual. Collective
Karma is action done together as a group. For example, a
platoon of soldiers may kill together. The results of this
action can be experienced together as a group, often in
future lives.Yet each member of the group thinks, speaks
and acts differently, thus also creating individual karma,
the results of which he will experience for himself.
Who Controls Karma?
There is no one that decides the rewards and
punishments for what we do. We create the causes of
our actions, and we experience their results. We are
responsible for our own experience. The Buddha
discovered the law of Karma- He did not create it. (No
one created it.) By teaching us the law of Karma, the
Buddha shows us how to work within the functioning of
cause and effect in order to attain True Happiness and
avoid pain.
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Is Everything
Subject to Karma?
The law of Karma does not apply to mindless actions
such as walking, sitting or sleeping. Such actions do not
produce effects apart from the actions themselves.
(However, Karma applies to the intentional thoughts one
thinks.) Similarly, accidents are considered neutral Karma
because they are unintentional. However, we should always
work towards increasing our mindfulness such that
accidents do not occur.
Can Karma Change?
Karma is not inflexibly fixed- it does not mean fate or
predetermination. Intentional actions at some time or
other produce their effects when favouring conditions
exist.Though people in their present lives are experiencing
the effects of their past actions (Karma), it is possible to
change, reduce or increase the effects of these past actions
through present actions, which can affect the immediate
future and future lives. Understanding the law of Karma
helps one realise that we are whatever we make ourselves
to be. We are entirely responsible for our destiny.
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How do We
Know Our Karma?
The Buddha gave us general guidelines about the results
of various actions. For example, the Buddha taught us that
killing causes a short life and generosity results in wealth.
However, only a Buddhas omniscient Mind can understand
the complete dynamics of Karma.
There is flexibility in the functioning of actions and their
results. While we know that constantly insulting others,
for example, brings us an unfortunate rebirth, just exactly
what form we will be reborn into varies. If the action was
very heavy- for example, with strong anger we repeatedly
abused many people and felt gratified that we had hurt
their feelings, the result will be more unpleasant than if
we casually teased someone and later regretted our
insensitivity.The conditions present at the time that karmic
seed ripens also influences what specific results it brings.
Is Karma Always Fair?
When we see dishonest people who are wealthy, or cruel
people who are powerful, or kind people who die young,
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For example, in England, a five year old girl said she could
remember her other Mother and Father and she talked
vividly about what sounded like the events in the life of
another person. Parapsychologists were called in and they
asked her hundreds of questions to which she gave
answers. She spoke of living in a particular village in what
appeared to be Spain. She gave the name of the village,
the name of the street she lived in, her neighbours names
and details about her everyday life there. She also tearfully
spoke of how she had been struck by a car and died of
her injuries two days later. When these details were
checked, they were found to be accurate. There was a
village in Spain with the name the five year old girl had
given.There was a house of the type she had described in
the street she had named. What is more, it was found
that a twenty-three year old woman living in the house
had been killed in a car accident five years before. Now
how is it possible for a five year old girl living in England
and who had never been to Spain to know all these details?
And of course, this is not the only case of this type.
For example, Professor Ian Stevenson of the University
of Virginias Department of Psychology has described
dozens of cases of this type in his books. He is an
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when it comes in contact with a new, material structurethe receiver. So with our possible spirit (consciousness)emanation. It... would never think or feel unless again
embodied in some way. Our personalities are so based
on body that it is really impossible to think of survival
which would be in any true sense personal without a body
of sorts... I can think of something being given off which
would bear the same relation to men and women as a
wireless message to the transmitting apparatus; but in that
case the dead would, so far as one can see, be nothing but
disturbances of different patterns wandering through the
universe until... they came back to actuality of
consciousness by making contact with something which
could work as a receiving apparatus for Mind.
Where Can I be Reborn to?
The Buddha taught that there are six realms of existence
(Samsara- this wold of prevalent suffering) that we are
continually reborn into. These six realms correspond to
the six general mindstates that we fall into again and again
due to Craving, Aversion and Ignorance. These six worlds
are physically existent in our world and other dimensionssome seen and others unseen.They are worlds manifested
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Am I a Hell-Being?
The Human Hell-Being lives life habitually seeing the
world full of dangerous strangers out to get take their
advantage- everyone seems to be constantly threatening.
Their prime motivation is to eliminate or evade their
menaces, and are in a state of open enmity with everyone
they encounter. They suffer agonies of insecurity and feel
the pain and humiliation of imagined wrongs. Because of
how they behave towards others, they bring into being
the enemies they imagine. Hell-Beings are dominated by
the mental state of Hatred (Aversion), fear and/or even
violence.They live in Hell in this world as they make every
situation a place of torment for themselves. If one is to
die tuned to this mindstate, one is likely to be reborn in
Hell.
What is the
Realm of Hungry Ghosts?
The dimension of Hungry Ghosts is of phantom-like
creatures representing a mix of Craving and Hatred.
Tormented by unfulfilled cravings and insatiable demanding
of impossible satisfactions, they are beings with have a
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Am I a Hungry Ghost?
Some people are so possessed by neurotic Craving and
longing out of inner emptiness that they live only to gather
material things or emotional experiences (or assurance)
for themselves. Even if they get what they want, it gives
them little pleasure. No matter what they possess, they
always feel that there is something missing. These people
crave for certain experiences to feel real and substantial,
distracting themselves momentarily from their repressions
and lack of spirituality. Such people are dominated by the
mental state of Craving. If one is to die tuned to this
mindstate, one in likely to be reborn as a Hungry Ghost.
What is the Realm of Animals?
The world of Animals is that of instinctive gratification, of
the biological drives of hunger and sexuality.All endeavour
is directed to the satisfaction of physical desires and selfpreservation. This world is of the ignorant refusal or
inability to see beyond the natural needs of the body.
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Dependent Origination
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An Example of
Dependent Origination
To illustrate the nature of Dependent Origination of the
things around us, consider an oil lamp. The flame of an oil
lamp burns dependent upon the air, oil, heat and wick.
When all these are present, the flame burns. If one or
more of these elements are absent, the flame will cease
to burn. Thus, all phenomena arise dependently upon a
number of causal factors, and not independently. This is
the principle of Dependent Origination.
Dependent Origination
and Relativity
The Law of Dependent Origination is a realistic way of
understanding the Universe. The fact that everything is
nothing more than a set of complex relations is consistent
with modern scientific views (such as Einsteins Theory of
Relativity and the Quantum Theory). Since everything is
conditioned, relative and interdependent, there is nothing
in this world which can be regarded as a permanent entity
with a permanent identity. Things are what they are, only
in relation to other things.
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An Interesting Conversation
on Dependent Origination
The following is edited from a Dharma talk at National
University of Singapore Buddhist Society: (Ven:Venerable
Thubten Chodron, Aud:Audience)
Where is the Cracker?
Ven: (Holding a cracker) A cracker appears to be a real
cracker as there is some cracker-ness about it- it seems
to exists out there, independent of our Mind. If it really
exists like that, then when we analyse and search for just
what the cracker is, we should be able to find it. (The
cracker is broken and a piece is held up) Is this piece a
cracker?
Aud: Yes.
Ven: (Holding up the other piece) Is this a cracker?
Aud: Yes.
Ven: (Crumbles the cracker pieces) What is this now?
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Emptiness
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Realising the second aspect without the first can lead one
to be pessimistic, passive or immoral, falsely believing that
nothing is worth striving for as everything is hollow and
meaningless.
It is therefore very important to see both these aspects
together in order to function with Wisdom in a balanced
way in everyday life. One should learn to perceive
everything as they are while knowing the true nature of
their existence. One who realises Emptiness is able to
live positively with great ease and freedom, treasuring
everything without attachment.
Emptiness is
NOT Nothingness
Emptiness does NOT mean physical or mental
nothingness- it is the law of total openness and infinite
possibilities. Emptiness, is like the vast clear sky that allows
clouds, birds, planes etc. to come in and go by, allowing
infinite phenomena to occur within it. Emptiness is thus
infinitely more than everything that the unenlightened can
perceive. It is because of Emptiness that everything,
including ourselves, can continually change for the better.
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Offerings
Making shrine offerings is an act of devotion which
expresses appreciation and veneration to the Triple Gem.
Each item of offering has its significance.
Light
The offering of light reminds us of the illuminating
brightness of Wisdom which dispels the darkness of
Ignorance on the path towards Enlightenment. This urges
us to seek the light of ultimate Wisdom.
Reverencing the Buddha, we offer candles and lamps:
To Him, who is the light, we offer light.
From His great lamp, a lamp we light within us:
The lamp of Bodhi (awakening) shining within our hearts.
Flowers
The offering of fresh and beautiful flowers which soon
becomes withered, scentless and discoloured serves as a
reminder of the impermanence of all things, including our
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Fruits
Fruits symbolises the fruits of spiritual attainment that
lead towards the ultimate fruit of Enlightenment, which is
the goal of all Buddhists. This urges us to strive towards
Enlightenment for one and all.
Chanting
Chanting (Puja) is a melodious way of reading as one
reflects upon the Buddhas teachings. Besides aiding
memorisation, chanting in a soothing tune has a calming
effect on both the reciter and the hearer. Chanting should
be done solemnly with mindfulness and energy. Like
meditation, chanting helps one to concentrate and develop
a peaceful state of Mind.
Words of the Buddha may also be recited in mindfulness
of the Triple Gem in times of fear or disturbance, whether
arising from external sources or from oneself, so that
such disturbances can be overcome. This is possible as
the Triple Gem is free from all kinds of defilements and
hindrances such as Craving, Aversion and Ignorance.
Chanting can be done in any language. Popular languages
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Upavasatha Days
On Upavasatha or new and full Moon days (the first and
fifteenth days of the lunar month), many Buddhists
assemble in temples to meditate, make offerings, recite
sermons and perform acts of veneration to the Triple Gem.
Many also take vegetarian meals on these days as they
observe the Eight Precepts.
Ullambana Day
Ullambana is an expression of Buddhists respect for their
ancestors and their Compassion for all beings suffering in
the realms of misery. The observance of Ullambana on
the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month is based on
the incident of Maudgalyayana (Mogallana), a disciple of
the Buddha, who discovered through his meditative
powers that his Mother had been reborn in one of the
realms of misery. Distressed, he approached the Buddha
for help, who then advised him to make offerings to the
Sangha, as the merit of doing so would help relieve the
suffering of his Mother, and that of other beings in the
realms of misery. Making offerings to relieve the suffering
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Meditation
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Fruits of Attainment
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Buddhahood
With the perfection of Bodhisattvahood, one attains
Buddhahood, becoming a Buddha. A Buddha is one who
has attained Supreme Enlightenment, possessing perfect
Wisdom and Compassion.
When a Buddha passes away, He leaves His body and
enters the perfect timeless bliss of Parinirvana. Out of
Compassion, He can re-manifest Himself indefinitely as
Bodhisattvas or Buddhas to help others realise Supreme
Enlightenment.
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Matter
The Buddhist teaching, Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is
Form. Form is not different from Emptiness; Emptiness is
not different from Form, refers to the fact that matter is
neither truly solid nor ultimately different from the
emptiness of energy, as the material can become
immaterial with no solid core and vice versa. It is the
Buddhist version of the famous law E=mc2 (E = energy, m
= mass, c = the speed of light). The atomic bomb is an
example of how a little matter can be converted into
tremendous energy. Likewise, energy can be converted
to matter. Though Science has yet to discover how, the
Buddha was recorded to have performed such
miraculous feats. He did so only out of Compassion, to
humble the proud, that He knew were already ready to
listen to His teachings, only being hindered by pride.
Mind
The Buddha declared that the primary factor and most
powerful force of the Universe is the Mind. Scientists today
are seeing this Truth- realising that the Mind of a person
can create reality in what is perceived. Mind energy is not
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Quantum Physics
Scientists discovered in quantum physics that atoms and
subatomic particles do not have definite locations or
meaningful motion, appearing random and unpredictable.
This led them to conclude that the building blocks of
reality are imaginary ghosts. The way an observer
chooses to view an experiment determines the part of
the observed phenomena to be manifested.The manifested
properties are nothing but intersection and interaction
of the observers Mind with the phenomena. The theory
also suggests that reality is not merely constructed by
the Mind of the observer, but that there are countless
realities constructed by countless Minds- each equally real
or equally unreal. They may be very much resemble each
other, or be virtually opposite in nature.
Likewise, in Buddhism, it is the Mind that constructs the
indeterminate nature of the manifestation of ultimate
reality in a particular way. Given particular conditions, the
Mind constructs reality in a determinate way, generally in
terms of existence or non-existence and more specifically
in the form of the six realms of existence or the thirtyone planes of existence.
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Interdependence
The constituents of the material and mental Universe
interact with one another and are inseparable such that
nothing (no single thing) exists individually, each being
equally important. The Buddha taught this as the
interdependent origination of all phenomena.
Change
The existence of any object is an illusion as the Universe
is simply a complex process of unceasing interconnected
activities in which nothing moves independently of the
others.The Buddha taught this as the constant fluctuation
and transient nature of all conditioned things- even to
the level of minutest atomic matter.
Microorganisms
The Buddha once held up a cup and remarked that there
were 84,000 (a number to denote many or countless
beings in it. No one understood what He meant. Today,
we use a microscope and see that He referred to invisible
microorganisms.
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Quasars
Some world systems (galaxies) are described in the
Buddhist scriptures to erupt violently like volcanoes.This
corresponds to quasars that actively explode, ejecting
incredible amounts of matter from the nuclei of galaxies.
Black Holes
Some cosmic worlds are described in the Buddhist
scriptures to be like the lions mouth which eat
everything- this corresponds to Black Holes that devour
everything within its gravitational reach.
Planets
The Buddhist scriptures describe that, many worldsystems are full of rock-torn earth- dangerous and
destroying. While this may be true of planets of other
star-systems, it is proven for our Solar System- planets
such as Mars and Venus. The Earth was also described to
have formed out of a mass of heavy thick matter that
gradually hardened to solidify- this is agreed by Science.
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Evolution
The Buddhas teaching agree with Darwins theory of
Evolution and Natural Selection to a certain extent. It
teaches that that all sentient beings, by their instinctive
will to survive, continuously evolve either into higher (and
more intelligent) life forms or de-evolve into lower life
forms (through the force of Karma- in a single life or
through rebirth).This carries on indefinitely till one attains
the highest state of evolution, becoming a Buddha- having
fully evolved both mentally and physically.
The Buddhas account of how life arose and developed in
our world is startlingly similar to parts of the theory of
evolution as proposed by Charles Darwin. In the Aganna
Sutta, the Buddha relates the becoming and re-becoming
of the Universe over a period of countless millions of
years in relation to the evolution of Human Beings, the
arising of good and evil in society, and how such a society
progressed. The Buddha also taught on how the first life
formed on the surface of the water of the Earth, and
again, over countless millions of years, evolved from simple
to complex organisms. All these processes are without
beginning or end, and are set in motion by natural causes.
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Causality
The Buddha taught that all physical and mental phenomena
are brought about by the combination of causes and
conditions. The law of Karma (the Buddhist law of cause
and effect) is equivalent to the law of causality (causation)
in Science. It is the belief that there is a cause for every
single thing (effect) that occurs or exists. With the right
conditions, every effect can in turn be the cause of another
effect.There is no unexplainable, random or supernatural
phenomena in Buddhism. The supernatural is only nature
yet to be understood by the unenlightened.
Psychology
The Buddha was the first to look in depth into the human
psyche and its experience. His teaching is a radical cure
for mental dissatisfaction. The West is discovering that
modern psychology is but a recent extension of Buddhism.
Buddhist meditation undeniably offers the most timeless
yet advanced methods for self-healing and psychotherapy.
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Psychic Powers
E.S.P. (Extra Sensory Perception), telekinesis and other
such phenomena are explained by the Buddha as psychic
powers are achievable by anyone who trains to
concentrate and focus the Mind (this is Mind over
matter). As the Mind is the most powerful force in the
Universe, mastery of the Mind opens the gates to unlimited
power. The Buddha Himself was fully capable of psychic
powers as He had mastered His Mind perfectly. However,
knowing that psychic powers do not bring True Happiness,
His displayed miracles were only sideshows to inspire
faith, being secondary to His teachings.
Electron
In the words of the famous American physicist J. Robert
Oppenheimer, If we ask, for instance, whether the position
of the electron remains the same, we must say no; if we ask
whether the electrons position changes with time, we must
say no; if we ask whether it is in motion, we must say no.The
Buddha has given such answers when
interrogated as to the conditions of a mans self after his
death
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Know This!
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Schools of Buddhism
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About Author
Shen Shian is a Singapore Polytechnic (Buddhist Society)
graduate in engineering. He currently heads the IT
Department of Kong Meng San Phor Kark Sees Dharma
Propagation Division. He was the Dharma Purchaser of
the ongoing Awareness Place bookshop chain project. He
was the founder and chairman of Phor Kark See Youth
Mission, the editor of Awaken- Gateway to Buddhism
CD-ROM (which was the first of its kind when it was
launched). He was also the editor of Be a Lamp Upon
Yourself and The Daily Enlightenment Book I. He is
also the founder and chief editor of
www.TheDailyEnlightenment.com -Singapores largest
Buddhist portal and the worlds largest Dharma mailing
list with over 7000 international members. He currently
teaches The Way to Buddhahood by Venerable Yinshun
at Phor Kark See and is a volunteer Dharma teacher at
Manjusri Secondary School. He is also the Assistant English
Editor of For You Information Magazine (www.4ui.com)
(Singapores only universal Buddhist magazine), which he
regularly writes for.
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