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Thanks for your thoughts Ven. Lal Sir.
Yes, I agree with what you said above.
I recently started listening to Dalai Lama. As far as my intuition goes, I think he is genuinely trying to follow the Bodhisattva path. But he is NOT aware of the true Buddha Dhamma. So he has many misconceptions about pure teachings of Lord Buddha. But his efforts to help promote world peace are commendable.
There are other people too who are genuinely into the Bodhisattva mindset.
The most famous one, whom the world knows is Jesus Christ. Yes! He is a Bodhisattva. Many people don’t know about this but Jesus himself came from higher realms to meet most Ven. Waharaka Thero on a Christmas day. Jesus is not satisfied with heavenly pleasures and is actively working (in unseen ways) to help people realise the message that he gave 2000 years ago.
Jesus is worried about how his people are misled and are not doing what Jesus taught them to. Actually, the deeper teachings of Jesus Christ are hidden these days. Just like the Tipitaka, the Bible also contains the words of the Christ, but the deeper meanings behind them are forgotten.
Very few people know about this…. Jesus was a “yogi” and during his famous “lost years” he visited the Himalayas and did meditation. He also came to Sri Lanka, the land of the Samma Sambuddhas! Jesus has deep respect towards Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha.
Those who are interested in this program, please comment here so that we can count your participation.
Thanks.
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Yes, dear Dhamma friend (Gad). You are correct.
The efforts done to understand Buddha Dhamma will not go to waste. It carries forward. This is a part of the Paramis (or Parmithas). So no one should be discouraged if they are not getting visible results. Our efforts and diligence are changing our gathi (bending it towards Nibbana). So it will bear fruit someday (or in future lives) IF “one continuously follow the path properly.”
In other words, we are (directly or indirectly) cultivating the 37 factors of Enlightenment/Awakening.
I hope this encourages everyone to follow the Path towards Nibbana even more energetically and with joy in their hearts so that they can reach Nibbana soon.
Sadu Sadu Sadu!
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Thanks a lot dear Christian Sir for explaining these facts.
Yes, there exists many extreme practices within Tibetan religion (we CAN NOT call this as Buddhism). This is the reason they are esoteric. Of course they CAN NOT lead to Nibbana.
I know about these tantric practices because I was born in a Hindu family and still live among Hindus. So I am familiar with these things.
However, I am not sure whether the Dalai Lama also do these extreme practices. I think he is a good person. In fact many Tibetan monks and followers are good people. But unfortunately they are following wrong practices due to delusion/lack of wisdom. And the most shocking thing about it is that they believe that the Shakyamuni Buddha gave these teachings. (see how delusion can wrek havoc on the minds of people)
The westerners (generally) are easily influenced by such alluring practices.
Similarly, the Mahayana version also has many delusional beliefs and practices.
We should never insult anyone. But we should NOT equate any mundane beliefs or teachings with pure Buddha Dhamma.
We should develop compassion for those people and help them find the real Buddha Dhamma (if they are ready to receive it).
One more point that I forgot to mention.
Distorted sanna DOES NOT arise when an Arahant is in “Arahant pala samapatti” (which is the same as pabhassara citta).
This state is the purest state of a citta. An Arahant enjoys the bliss of Nibbana in this state.
Furthermore, even the pabhassara citta stops arising in Nirodha samapatti (sanna vedayita nirodha). This is the most peaceful state of Nibbana.
Nibbana has two elements:
(i) Saupadisesa Nibbana dhatu– The element of Nibbana that is experienced while still having the five aggregates.
(ii) Anupadisesa Nibbana dhatu– The element of Nibbana which is reached after the five aggregates of an Arahant stops arising (which is also called Parinibbana or complete Nibbana). An Arahant is said to be “merged” with Nibbana dhatu forever, hence attaining the Supreme peace.
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Distorted sanna arises in the “hadaya vatthu” (or seat of the mind, where citta arises) of all sentient beings.
Hadaya vatthu and the pasada rupa (in each bhava) is created due to the kammic energies generated in the past.
Kammic energies were generated in the past lives due to the set of gathi present at that time.
Hence, our own defiled gathi is responsible for the arising of the “distorted sanna”.
If we don’t remove our defiled gathi, we would continue to generate kammic energies, creating hadaya vatthu (and hence distorted sanna) for the future, thereby perpetuating suffering filled Sansaric journey.
Removing all kinds of gathi is what is done in the Sathipatthana/Anapana Sati bhavana.
When one reaches Arahant stage, all kinds of gathi are removed, hence the possibility of any future lives is eliminated. Although all gathi are removed but still distorted sanna arises in an Arahant because the old hadaya vatthu is still present. But since an Arahant has optimum panna (wisdom), he/she does not get deceived by the distorted sanna anymore, hence CAN NOT generate any kammic energy, since avijja is completely removed. In other words, an Arahant has “yathabhuta nana”.
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Happy new year everyone.
Friend Vajraguru (Dharmakirti), I apologise if my comments were too harsh. I don’t want to demotivate anyone. I just wanted to make clear distinctions between real Buddhism and the counterfeit ones.
A person can follow anyone’s teachings if it suits his/her understanding. There is no compulsion. My point is that we should be very careful in labelling or declaring any guru’s/ lama’s/yogi’s/god’s teachings as Lord Buddha’s Dhamma.
Lord Buddha’s Dhamma is very unique, very rare and very profound. Its the Dhamma that the world has not heard before (pubbe ananusutessu Dhammesu).
A Samma Sambuddha’s Dhamma (if followed properly and diligently) leads to the removal of raga, dosa, moha from the mind. This is the method to check whether you are following Lord Buddha’s Dhamma or any mundane teaching.
Note that there is a huge difference between “removing” raga, dosa, moha and “suppressing” (temporarily subsiding) raga, dosa, moha. Its very important to identify this difference otherwise many people start believing that they have attained Nibbana whereas in reality they have only achieved a mundane Samadhi/anariya Jhana.
For understanding Lord Buddha’s teachings, knowing the correct meanings/interpretations of key concepts like Paticca Samuppada, Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta, Pancupadanakkhanda, etc is necessary.
I hope you or anyone reading this comment will wisely reflect, investigate and contemplate the TRUTH.
With loving kindness…
May everyone realise the Noble Truth and achieve Nibbana!
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One more clarification for those who (intentionally or unintentionally) distorted pure Buddha Dhamma.
After the Parinibbana of Lord Buddha, some people started creating “new sutras” in Sanskrit and later in Chinese, Tibetan and other languages. They introduced many “dangerous concepts” which distorted and obscured pure Buddhism.
One of these “dangerous concepts” was that an Arahant or a Pacceka Buddha is not fully enlightened as they are following “Hinayana” (lower/inferior vehicle).
Later on, many “esoteric practices” were introduced which has nothing to do with the original teachings of Lord Buddha. I wonder why do they even call it “Buddhism”.
Please understand that I don’t have intentions of hurting anyone. I just want to make things clear.
- A Samma Sambuddha achieves the same Nibbana as that achieved by an Arahant or a Pacceka Buddha. There is no difference.
- However a Samma Sambuddha and a Pacceka Buddha attains Nibbana by their own while an Arahant (or Savaka Buddha) attains Nibbana by the help of Samma Sambuddha or his disciples (Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami, Arahat).
- Furthermore, the power and knowledge of a Samma Sambuddha is unsurpassable and unparalleled . It can’t be compared to anyone in the entire existence. This is due to the power of his 10 Paramithas (or perfections) which he fulfilled throughout many-many aeons (maha kappa).
We should remember that arising of a Samma Sambuddha and his Dhamma is extremely rare. Someone who distorts or pollutes Buddha Dhamma is playing with fire. We should be very careful.
I hope those who are wise enough can distinguish between what is Buddhism and what is not.
May all sentient beings achieve the Supreme peace of Nibbana!
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The topic of this thread is “Different types of Buddhism”. However, according to my understanding there are no “different types of Buddhism”. Buddhism has only one type and that is to get rid of all sufferings and attain Nibbana.
Lord Buddha didn’t teach Hinayana, Mahayana or Vajrayana. These branches were made up or created by philosophers and other religious people after the Parinibbana of Lord Buddha.
Buddhism or Buddha Dhamma means “a Dhamma which teaches how to uproot all types of bhava” (Buddha= Bhava + uddha). Bhava roughly means “field” (of existence). There are three categories of bhava: kama bhava, rupa bhava, arupa bhava.
The goal of a Buddhist is to attain liberation from this suffering filled Sansara. This liberation is called Nibbana. Lord Buddha defined Nibbana as “ragakkhayo Nibbanan, dosakkhayo Nibbanan, mohakkhayo Nibbanan” (removal of raag, dosa, moha is Nibbana).
This liberation can be achieved only through wisdom (panna) which comes through the inner realisation of “Paticca Samuppada/4 Noble Truths/Anicca,Dukkha,Anatta“.
The factors needed to achieve this are collectively called the “37 factors of Awakening” (sattis Bodhipakkhiya Dhamma).
I hope it gives a very brief summary of what actually “Buddhism” is.
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Thank you so much dear Dhamma friend (Gad). I really appreciate your support.
May you achieve the Supreme peace of Nibbana soon!
Sadu Sadu Sadu !
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Dear Dhamma friend (Gad),
I agree with you except this: “A bodhisatta is always a Puthujuna and therefore subject to the apayas.”
We cannot compare a Bodhisatta with a puthujana. Although a Bodhisatta has not achieved magga phala, but he has much much higher wisdom as compared to a puthujana!
A puthujjana gets frequently born into the apayas (its like their home base), but on the other hand a Bodhisattva (due to the power of his paramithas) gets to higher realms (human, deva, brahma) more frequently and less frequently in the apayas.
One interesting fact, I would like to mention here. Samma Sambuddhas and Pacceka Buddhas DO NOT attain sotapanna magga phala. They only attain Sakadagami, Anagami & Arahant magga phala. They have a different pathway.
Sotapanna stage is an additional stage only for the Noble disciples or the ariya savakas (one who enters the stream of Noble Eightfold path through listening to Dhamma). “Sota means “stream”, another meaning of “sota” is “ear”. Hence one who enters the stream by listening/hearing is called a Sotapanna. That is the reason in Dutiyasariputta sutta (SN 55.5), Lord Buddha mentioned 4 factors required for someone to become a Sotapanna (the second factor is saddhammassavanaṁ which means listening to Saddhamma).
One more clarification, there are two types of Bodhisattvas.
(i) One is a “Bodhisattva candidate” (who aspires and is striving/working towards becoming a future Lord Buddha but still in the initial or intermediate stages).
(ii) The other one is a “confirmed Bodhisattva” (who is destined to become a Samma Sambuddha in the future, there is no turning back).
Many sentient beings start at (i) but only very few get to the (ii) stage.
To achieve Samma Sambuddhahood, immense amount of Buddha Shakti (pure Buddha energy) is needed. Throughout millions of maha kappa (aeons), a Bodhisattva fulfills the 10 paramitas (perfections) and gathers immeasurable Buddha energy required to achieve Buddhahood. Its very difficult even to imagine!
As for myself, I am also in the (i) stage.
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Thanks a lot Ven. Sir
May all sentient beings realise this “illusion of happiness” and get to the peaceful and suffering-free Nibbana soon.
Theruwan Saranai.
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I recommended this movie not because to focus on AI or simulation. Please understand my intentions. The message is what is important not the words.
The Matrix (or a mental reality/ mental projection of the outside world) should be wisely reflected and compared to the Dhamma that we have learned. Just as Lord Buddha gave a simile of “lump of foam” for “rupa”… a simile of “bubble” for “vedana”… “mirage” for “sanna”… “banana trunk” for “sankhara”… “illusion” for “vinnana”. These should be compared and contemplated like this.
So “The Matrix” is like a mind-made world in which we all are living (each one of us has their own version of reality). We think that the “outside world” we see, hear, smell, taste and touch is “real” and has inherent pleasures and displeasures (just like in a dream).
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) shown in this movie can be compared to our own defilements which we have created in the past and present lives (anusaya/asava/gati/kiles, etc).
The Matrix can be compared to our pancupadanakkhanda (all five of them are mental and fabricates our own versions of reality). But the kammic energy we create is REAL and that’s what come back to us as vipaka. In the long run, most sentient beings mostly create negative kammic energies as compared to positive ones which lead them to the apayas most of the time and that suffering is REAL (although it is also prepared by our mind… “kamma-vipaka”).
The Agents shown in this movie can be compared to Mara (both internal and external) which wants us to keep enjoying these mind made kama pleasures and don’t want us to awaken or escape from The Matrix.
Morpheous and his crew can be compared to Kalyana Mittas who are guiding us to see the TRUTH and escape from this Matrix. But we ourselves have to make the choice of taking the blue pill or the red pill (those who have seen the movie can relate!).
The critical point is that when we see an image, hear a sound, smell a fragrance, taste a food or touch any tangible objects, we think or perceive that we are sensing the “outside world” but in reality our mind is just experiencing the “mind-made rupas” which is actually a mental projection (mental version) of the outside world. This is the Matrix!
And based on this virtual reality we attach ourselves to these “mind-made rupas” and generate kammic energies. These all are internal processes (just like we see a dream, our own self image as well as the images of others and all the experiences in our dream are created by our own mind!). And to awake from this dream is what is Dharmavabodhaya (realisation of Dhamma).
I hope this is making sense. Its difficult to express our thoughts in words or writings.
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