Hi Everyone! Our Captivating Talks Series is back!! Next up, we'll be having a talk about 'Life and Death' by Venerable You Wei next Monday! It'll start at 6 pm at YIH Training Room 3! Refreshments will be provided too! So, see you there!
11 Oct Meditation
*4 scientific benefits of meditation *
1. Reduce stress
(Start with small and fixed duration with gradual increment)
(When the mind is calm, meditation seems relatively easier.
To meditate when the mind run wild is a significant achievement.)
(Letting go is not giving up.
Attachment summons energy,(keeps us going), however, too much attachment will burn us out.
Meditation is the relaxation time of letting go these attachment.
A conscious decision to relax)
2. Control anxiety
(Controlled breathing helps reduce anxiety)
3. Promote emotional health (Improve self image, and having positive outlook in life)
4. Enhance self awareness
(Through Self inquiry meditation,
Don't auto pilot)
(You can grow into better self after self awareness
Understanding and acknowledging your fear, dislike and grow beyond these during the meditation)
*4 scientific benefits of meditation *
1. Reduce stress
(Start with small and fixed duration with gradual increment)
(When the mind is calm, meditation seems relatively easier.
To meditate when the mind run wild is a significant achievement.)
(Letting go is not giving up.
Attachment summons energy,(keeps us going), however, too much attachment will burn us out.
Meditation is the relaxation time of letting go these attachment.
A conscious decision to relax)
2. Control anxiety
(Controlled breathing helps reduce anxiety)
3. Promote emotional health (Improve self image, and having positive outlook in life)
4. Enhance self awareness
(Through Self inquiry meditation,
Don't auto pilot)
(You can grow into better self after self awareness
Understanding and acknowledging your fear, dislike and grow beyond these during the meditation)
Hi Everyone! Once again, our Captivating Talks Series. We will be having a talk about โHow to live as a Buddhist Laypersonโ by Venerable Phra Goh next Monday. It starts at 6 pm at YIH Training Room 3. Refreshments will be provided too! See you!
Hi Everyone! On our Captivating Talks Series we will have a talk on โBuddhism Preceptsโ by Venerable Chun Hui next Monday. It starts at 6 pm at YIH Training Room 3. Refreshments will be provided too! See you!
#nus #nusbs #nusbuddhistsociety #lpe #learnpractiseexperience #precepts #buddhism
#nus #nusbs #nusbuddhistsociety #lpe #learnpractiseexperience #precepts #buddhism
Wanting to get to know someone outside NUS? Making new friends with similar interest? IVDC 3-days camp is here for you! Sign up link:
http://tiny.cc/IVDC2018
http://tiny.cc/IVDC2018
Google Docs
Intervarsity Dharma Camp 2018
Venue: Fo Guang Shan Singapore
Start date: 14th December 2018 @ 4pm
End date: 16th December 2018 @ 5pm
Participants: 16-35 years old, unmarried youths
This online registration will take only 2 minutes of your time. Thank you!
Start date: 14th December 2018 @ 4pm
End date: 16th December 2018 @ 5pm
Participants: 16-35 years old, unmarried youths
This online registration will take only 2 minutes of your time. Thank you!
Buddhism Precepts
-Definition: Rule or discipline that restrict one to do immoral actions
-Difference from other religion:
Buddhist precepts is voluntary, not imposed. Buddha always encourage free spirit of enquiry to his teaching.
Vinaya level of discipline (Framework for Sangha)
Origin: In the past, there was no rules for even Sangha. It is because the Sangha are easily spiritually matured, they achieve various Sainthood or Arahant-hood easily. Their purified mind doesnโt have defilement.
... Until the 5th year Sangha has been formed,
People of different calibre, not spiritually matured, starts to make mistake.
Observance of precept is very essential in spiritual practice, towards enlightenment.
Nirvana
-Break the cycle of life and death.
-Complete destruction of greed, anger and ignorance
-Attain enlightenment, when we have purified all our defilement (E.g greed, impatience, hatred, delusion, ignorance, etc..) through noble eightfold paths
The noble eightfold paths consist of 3 important trainings.
Mortality, Concentration and Wisdom (ๆๅฎๆ ง)
Morality
- Training involving speech and action.
- 5 precepts (No killing, No stealing, No sexual misconduct, No lying, No intoxication), 8 precepts
5 precepts are causes of happiness for this life and future life, and important foundation of spiritual practice towards enlightenment.
Main reason why 5 precepts are causes of happiness is due to mainly the Law of Cause and Effect.
(e.g By performing the act of killing, we decrease otherโs lifespan, and this in turn, with the cause and effect, will reduce our own lifespan. By performing the act of stealing, we are decreasing otherโs wealth, and with cause and effect, our wealth will decrease. Thatโs why we are encouraged donate ๐ This applies for sexual misconduct and lying too ๐ )
However, even though drinking(intoxication) is not morally wrong. When one is intoxicated, one might commit the first 4 immoral actions, no matter how less the alcohol be, it affects the clarity of mind. Truthfully, we are already not so clear when we are not intoxicated. Even worse so when we are intoxicated, we will have no control over mind and physical actions.
Misconception about the first precept (No killing)
โOh I must become vegetarian in order to observe the first precept of no killingโ
Wrong! As long as you don't ask for killing, you do not kill, rejoice or give permission in others killing (note, avoid going to fresh seafood restaurant, direct killing from chef), you observe the first precept.
โMy baby is just a lump of flesh. Abortion is okay!โ
Wrong! If there is the sign of life, one should not abort.
Suicide will break the first precept as well.
As 5 precepts is a voluntary lifelong practice, it can be overwhelming for some.
Introducing the 8 precepts (for lay people), for just one day and one night (till dawn break until when you can see your palm with just natural light)
No killing
No stealing
No sexual conduct (different from 3rd precept from 5 precept, no sexual misconduct)
No lying
No intoxication
No taking of food after midday
No singing or dancing, putting make up to beautify
No seating from high and luxurious places
8 precepts are causes of enlightenment for yourself by the renunciation of sensual pleasure.
To achieve higher, can go Renunciation(Ordination)
However, you need to have the right aspiration and motivation to become monk!
(self) End the cycle of life and death, & to attain enlightenment
(world) Inspire and guide others to walk this path
(Dharma) To preserve and propagate Dharma
You can still stay as a layperson to practice.
However, by observing the precepts are not enough. Precepts are training targeting speech and actions. Negative emotions, though we donโt act upon them, they manifest in our lives (e.g anger) how to handle this?
This is where training for concentration comes in.
Concentration
Training in concentration, is to tackle those non-speech and non-action, (e.g Anger, Greed)
These (E.g Anger, Greed ) exists as tendency, just like dormant volcano They are just not triggered, doesnโt mean they
-Definition: Rule or discipline that restrict one to do immoral actions
-Difference from other religion:
Buddhist precepts is voluntary, not imposed. Buddha always encourage free spirit of enquiry to his teaching.
Vinaya level of discipline (Framework for Sangha)
Origin: In the past, there was no rules for even Sangha. It is because the Sangha are easily spiritually matured, they achieve various Sainthood or Arahant-hood easily. Their purified mind doesnโt have defilement.
... Until the 5th year Sangha has been formed,
People of different calibre, not spiritually matured, starts to make mistake.
Observance of precept is very essential in spiritual practice, towards enlightenment.
Nirvana
-Break the cycle of life and death.
-Complete destruction of greed, anger and ignorance
-Attain enlightenment, when we have purified all our defilement (E.g greed, impatience, hatred, delusion, ignorance, etc..) through noble eightfold paths
The noble eightfold paths consist of 3 important trainings.
Mortality, Concentration and Wisdom (ๆๅฎๆ ง)
Morality
- Training involving speech and action.
- 5 precepts (No killing, No stealing, No sexual misconduct, No lying, No intoxication), 8 precepts
5 precepts are causes of happiness for this life and future life, and important foundation of spiritual practice towards enlightenment.
Main reason why 5 precepts are causes of happiness is due to mainly the Law of Cause and Effect.
(e.g By performing the act of killing, we decrease otherโs lifespan, and this in turn, with the cause and effect, will reduce our own lifespan. By performing the act of stealing, we are decreasing otherโs wealth, and with cause and effect, our wealth will decrease. Thatโs why we are encouraged donate ๐ This applies for sexual misconduct and lying too ๐ )
However, even though drinking(intoxication) is not morally wrong. When one is intoxicated, one might commit the first 4 immoral actions, no matter how less the alcohol be, it affects the clarity of mind. Truthfully, we are already not so clear when we are not intoxicated. Even worse so when we are intoxicated, we will have no control over mind and physical actions.
Misconception about the first precept (No killing)
โOh I must become vegetarian in order to observe the first precept of no killingโ
Wrong! As long as you don't ask for killing, you do not kill, rejoice or give permission in others killing (note, avoid going to fresh seafood restaurant, direct killing from chef), you observe the first precept.
โMy baby is just a lump of flesh. Abortion is okay!โ
Wrong! If there is the sign of life, one should not abort.
Suicide will break the first precept as well.
As 5 precepts is a voluntary lifelong practice, it can be overwhelming for some.
Introducing the 8 precepts (for lay people), for just one day and one night (till dawn break until when you can see your palm with just natural light)
No killing
No stealing
No sexual conduct (different from 3rd precept from 5 precept, no sexual misconduct)
No lying
No intoxication
No taking of food after midday
No singing or dancing, putting make up to beautify
No seating from high and luxurious places
8 precepts are causes of enlightenment for yourself by the renunciation of sensual pleasure.
To achieve higher, can go Renunciation(Ordination)
However, you need to have the right aspiration and motivation to become monk!
(self) End the cycle of life and death, & to attain enlightenment
(world) Inspire and guide others to walk this path
(Dharma) To preserve and propagate Dharma
You can still stay as a layperson to practice.
However, by observing the precepts are not enough. Precepts are training targeting speech and actions. Negative emotions, though we donโt act upon them, they manifest in our lives (e.g anger) how to handle this?
This is where training for concentration comes in.
Concentration
Training in concentration, is to tackle those non-speech and non-action, (e.g Anger, Greed)
These (E.g Anger, Greed ) exists as tendency, just like dormant volcano They are just not triggered, doesnโt mean they
are not there.
E.g Fetch a pail of muddy water, let the water to stay, the mud will settle down, then you are able to see the layer of sedimentation and layer of water.
If a person practice meditation and concentration, the mind is more settled and not easily triggered. Concentrated person aware of these tendencies and let them go immediately. It doesn't mean these tendencies does not exist in him. It's just mean it's settled.
Training in concentration tackles manifestation in mind, but not the roots of defilement That's where wisdom come in to clear the roots of defilement.
Wisdom
Not much is mentioned due to time constraint (todayโs focus is on Buddhist precept)
Acquired wisdom is wisdom gained by reading or listening to Dhamma discourses. Intellectual wisdom is gained by reflecting on what one had read or heard. However, real wisdom is gained by direct experience. We gain direct wisdom by direct personal experience. (from online source Vridhamma)
Which is the most important?
Morality comes before Concentration, Concentration comes before Wisdom.
When mind not stable (not concentrated), no wisdom and no insight can come in. To develop wisdom, mind must be concentrated. To develop concentration, you need morality. If you are telling lies, you mind is not in line with actions, you will worry which will falter your concentration. Unwholesome actions lead to uncalm mind. Actions are prompted out by mind.
All are important. These 3 essential training deals with defilement at various stages.
You can developed all 3 concurrently.
Essence of precept is compassion.
(E.g If we are compassionate, we will not kill because the victim will suffer. If we are compassionate, we will not steal, because the victim will be upset of the loss)
Best way to observe the precept is restrain the mind ๆๅฟ
When the tendencies (e.g anger, greed, delusion), let them go immediately
Advice: Attend the ceremony for 3 refuges and 5 precepts
By attending the ceremony, the action itself will give you the moral strength and karmic link with Buddha (When you want to perform evil action, the moral strength will deter you, even in your dream)
- Summary of 29 oct sharing session by speaker -
E.g Fetch a pail of muddy water, let the water to stay, the mud will settle down, then you are able to see the layer of sedimentation and layer of water.
If a person practice meditation and concentration, the mind is more settled and not easily triggered. Concentrated person aware of these tendencies and let them go immediately. It doesn't mean these tendencies does not exist in him. It's just mean it's settled.
Training in concentration tackles manifestation in mind, but not the roots of defilement That's where wisdom come in to clear the roots of defilement.
Wisdom
Not much is mentioned due to time constraint (todayโs focus is on Buddhist precept)
Acquired wisdom is wisdom gained by reading or listening to Dhamma discourses. Intellectual wisdom is gained by reflecting on what one had read or heard. However, real wisdom is gained by direct experience. We gain direct wisdom by direct personal experience. (from online source Vridhamma)
Which is the most important?
Morality comes before Concentration, Concentration comes before Wisdom.
When mind not stable (not concentrated), no wisdom and no insight can come in. To develop wisdom, mind must be concentrated. To develop concentration, you need morality. If you are telling lies, you mind is not in line with actions, you will worry which will falter your concentration. Unwholesome actions lead to uncalm mind. Actions are prompted out by mind.
All are important. These 3 essential training deals with defilement at various stages.
You can developed all 3 concurrently.
Essence of precept is compassion.
(E.g If we are compassionate, we will not kill because the victim will suffer. If we are compassionate, we will not steal, because the victim will be upset of the loss)
Best way to observe the precept is restrain the mind ๆๅฟ
When the tendencies (e.g anger, greed, delusion), let them go immediately
Advice: Attend the ceremony for 3 refuges and 5 precepts
By attending the ceremony, the action itself will give you the moral strength and karmic link with Buddha (When you want to perform evil action, the moral strength will deter you, even in your dream)
- Summary of 29 oct sharing session by speaker -
Hi Everyone! Once again, our Captivating Talks Series! We will be having a talk about โStudying Smartโ by Venerable You Wei next Monday. It starts at 6 pm at YIH Training Room 3. Exam blessings will be provided too!
Refreshments will also be provided! See you!
Refreshments will also be provided! See you!