Busy layperson's way

Decided to share this topic as I see the urgency in doing so!

Urgency not as time is running out, not as being requested or plainly wanting to. But in relevance of time management issues faced by buddhist layperson? Maybe not just in the context of time spent but how should Buddhism stay relevant in our life.

Monk was commonly known as someone that has went from home to the homeless, to practise the path full heartedly and being mindulful of their practise in all single moments of the day. Still remember a Venerable once said, time of a layperson should be divided into personal, family as well as time for their spiritual practise. Not on the exact dividing into 3 equal parts but more like degree of emphasis to carry them out. Venerable ended by a humorous note saying she was rather worried to see children nowadays spend all their time helping out in temple activities and if we had wanted to delegate 24hrs to Buddhism, she welcomes us to join her career :)

It is definitely meritorous to help out in dharma activities and indeed was a blessing to have the chance to contribute. And through some events, I get to know more like-minders and the spirit of voluntarism is indeed very fulfilling.

Buddhism practice focus alot on being mindful of our actions and thoughts. And a meditator will find it easy to notice how easy thoughts arise spontaneously through actions and even in-actions. It is thus very important to be mindful of the arising of our thoughts and simply getting to know more about ourselves. Without some training in grasping of the mind, right intentions may lead to not so wholesome outcomes.

Noble 8 fold path says that we should exercise "Right Effort". Buddha never mention total effort or how much is right effort. But as from above, I suppose right effort for layperson will not be just right effort on the spiritual path but also right effort in carrying out our different roles.

Without proper introducing of spiritual practice to personal life, practices proves no meaning into our life. I once heard a Venerable said," mediation should be done when you are drinking water, brushing teeth and going to the toilet." To be able to be in constant mindfulness even in small and trival task, I do not think one has to do any particular task or organising any large events to walk the path. The path should also be a journey of self discovery. Not just on what we can or can not do, but what goes on in our mind.

For someone that has the ability to hold large dharma events but lacks mindfulness in daily practise, that person I feel gains important useful life skilsl but blinded to the spiritual path. Once condition arises, mundane life skills do little to support that person spiritually and emotionally.

Volunteering in dharma services are a great way to cultivate the mind and builds up one's character. It also allows chance to establish blissful affinity with alot of people. But it is after all a brick in the whole pyramid. Strong foundation has to be build and enormous effort needs to be rendered to build a pyramid that withstands the stormy weathers. And only a strong pyramid inspires others.

Having said that, at least realising and starting to walk the path is much better than not knowing any directions at all. A journey that is praised by the wise are blameless and seeks to gradually lessens our greed, hatred and delusion. And a journey that are coloured by dharma friends are definitely less lonely. Buddha mentioned that spiritual friendship is the whole of the spirtual life.

As the popular Buddhist saying goes, "May all be well and happy."

Higher Criticism by Ajahn Brahm

Higher criticism the name itself might even provoke some form of criticism in our mind. How can any criticism be higher or better? And Ajahn Brahm delivered his several perspective on the topic on criticism and how we should view them.

The ultimate truth of all thing is change, the impermance of things and problem starts when we resist to change. Its the resistance to change that limits our growth and causes suffering. And the reason to resist changes is we hold on to belief too dearly.

As from a research done in Harvard, students are exposed to a picture in split seconds, nobody can guess anything. As the lecturer increase the exposure time, some guess the picture was a boat and only after a much longer exposure time, the student recognise it as the stairways of their campus. But fresh students that were exposed to an initial longer exposure, tend to give the right answer sooner. The former students having the initial guess of a boat blocks their mind to change their guess and thus limits their thoughts.

In politcs and religion, we see people dogmatise their belief, thinking things should behave certain way and putting self into the picture. Conflicts come when some one criticised them. But religion should be a sbject that stands criticism since truth should withstand questioning.

It is through criticism, we then grow. Ajahn Brahm shared that his teacher Ajahn Chah said, "When people says you are a dog, look at your bottom. If you don't have a tail then the abuse should not hurt you. And if you does have a tail, thank the abuser instead."

Sometimes we hold abuses too personally especially the abuse is directed to something you egoistically hold true. But nothing stays and if nothing stays, the criticism will not stay. And if we retaliate on the abuse, we might lose the chance to learn.

To deal with criticism, Ajahn Brahm advise to pause into silent for a while after the abuse has ended. Its an elegant way to allow the abuser to recall his own words and I find it the best chance for us to reflect on the validity of the claim. And if its valid, thank the abuser with gratitude, cause he has made you wiser.

One day, the foremost student of Buddha, Sariputra was criticise by a novice monk. Despite his elderly status, he accepted the criticism and went over to a tree to adjusted his robe and join back the road. And since that day on Sariputra humbly calls the novice a teacher whenever they meet. A sage with wisdom only seek to change for the better instead of arguing over things that is impermance and grows his ego.

Art of accepting criticism is even more important for people that holds high recognition and makes important decision. A leader that accepts criticism with wisdom will lead his follower to a happier tomorrow :)

May all be well and happy.

Einstein Quotes

Source of the quotes are questionable but let it not be the mud that covers the clear lake. The water that purifies from within quench the thirst for knowledge and the root to all happiness......

Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: It transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural and spritual; and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity.

-Albert Einstein

If there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism.

-Albert Einstein

A human being is part of the whole, called by us 'Universe'; a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest--a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compasion to embrace all living creatures and the whole nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely but striving for such achievement is, in itself, a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.
-Albert Einstein