Amituofo
In ancient times, ordained people led a simple life with one meal a day. They received food donated by people in the village, rested under the trees at night and cultivated constantly. So, the way place was more like a school to educate the local community in Buddhism. Learned and far-sighted people built them with Read More …
This is to savor the Dharma joy. Whichever practice method we choose, the basic achievement we have in our practice is happiness. If we feel unhappy after beginning our practice, we have definitely encountered a serious problem. But the problem does not lie with the Buddha’s teachings. We may have done something that goes against Read More …
All of the members who live together need to do so without quarrelling. In this way, they can best concentrate their efforts on cultivation. When people are together, the most frequent act is that of speech, so speech karma is the easiest to commit. We have a proverb, “Illness enters by the mouth.” Another is Read More …
The purpose of establishing a way place is to help everyone achieve in a group practice. It is definitely not to help individuals escape their worldly responsibilities. It is a serious mistake to think this way, especially in the light of all the offering way places receive fro followers and reality that every offering will Read More …
When we live and practice together, we need to have rules and regulations for without them there will be disorder. Needless to say, the rules need to include the five fundamental precepts set by the Buddha. Rules vary for lay sanghas and those at way places. The former conforms to the five fundamental precepts, the Read More …
This means mutual understanding or agreement. A group needs to share the same viewpoints of the principles and methods for study and practice. This is the basis for harmonious group cultivation. If a society is to remain stable, its members need to live in harmony. Only harmony can draw us together in terms of opinions, Read More …
The Three Conditions are the basis for individual cultivation whereas the Six Principles of Harmony are the basis for group cultivation. The sangha is a group of four or more people who properly practice the Buddha’s teachings together, especially the Six Principles of Harmony. They are: Sharing the same viewpoints or goals, Abiding by the Read More …
Third Condition: The Good Fortune Required to be a Bodhisattva The Third Condition is built upon the basis of the Second Condition and includes: Generating the Bodhi Mind Deeply believing in the Law of Cause and Effect Reciting and upholding the Mahayana sutras and Encouraging others on the path to enlightenment. The eighth principle is Read More …
The Second Condition: The Good Fortune Required to be a Theravada Sage The second of the Three Conditions is: Taking the Three Refuges Abiding by precepts laws and customs Behaving in a proper and dignified manner Mahayana Buddhism is based on the foundation of Theravada Buddhism, which was introduced into China during the Sui and Read More …
To be a virtuous person, it is necessary to first follow the Three Conditions. In sutras, we often see the phrase “good men and good women.” What are the requirements for being good? Meeting each of the eleven principles contained in the three conditions. Thus, we will see that the requirements are stringent. Good men Read More …