Boarding the southbound train at around 9.45pm after work, an uplifting sight caught my eye. The man with outstretched legs in the photo above was reading a copy of ‘Be a Lamp Upon Yourself‘ (which introduces basic Buddhism with abridged materials from a few good books plus some original sections). First published in 1999 and expanded over the years, the latest edition is the sixth. I happen to be thinking of expanding it further, though there’s the problem of it becoming too thick. To memory, it was the first local ‘one-stop’ introductory free distribution book of my generation designed specifically to be pocket-sized.
I wanted it to fit in ladies’ handbags then, which were small. Who would have known, that handbags would evolve over the years to be huge enough to contain phone books (Yellow Pages)! Over the years, I had looked forward to seeing commuters on trains or buses reading it – the way some would read the Bible or a novel. It took me 10 years to finally see the above. I wonder if the size or contents ‘worked’. A book is a bestseller when more than 5,000 copies are sold. Tens of thousands of ‘Lamp’ have been distributed so far, with a Chinese version (点亮心灯）available too. Does that make it a bestgiver, since it is a gift of Dharma given free? Even if so, there are really many other bestgivers too. Isn’t it wonderful, the Buddhist culture of sponsoring books to share the Dharma? Sadhu!
Hey weiya, what do you mean you wanted it to fit…..U mean that book was by U??
Also, how did you do up your blog with 3 column? Teach me leh.
Nah, the book is not done by me, it’s compiled and edited by shian.
The 3 columns template is from WordPress, i’m sure blogger has it as well. Or you can always google search blogger compatible template on the web.
Shian only thinks about ladies’ handbags, how about men who don’t bring bag! Just kidding …
Anyway, I just want to say – these books are good and the efforts put in are worth it and it spreads far too … Keep on improving too …
I took some of these books and send oversea to someone for sharing and told them if it does not suit them, asked them to pass on to other or leave them at temple/Veg Eateries that has a place for such stuff. In fact, I feel that such lovely beautiful books should go far, to the rest of the world.
Anyway, my avid reader boy loves the books on Tales of the Buddha’s Former Lives. He even sat at KMSPKS to finish reading the book on Filial piety (got picture), some years back. He reads The Stories of Refraining From Killing and Liberating Lives too.
Hmm….:) THANK YOU VERY MUCH
If those who read such books and changed their life in one way or another, it would be good to share with the rest …
Donors for publishing such books get to see that their efforts or donations is going the positive way and in deed helping others in some ways …
Keep the lamp shining folks! Sadhu!
I noticed some new publications added to the free distribution collection during the Plum Village Dharma talk recently.
For those who do not visit the temple as often, do visit the ksmpks Dharma books free distribution booth at annual “Vesak @ Orchard” outside Takashimaya next month on 25&26 Apr09!
New addition!!!! yes, yes I think I saw some too
ilovebooks, you remind me of it.
I pass by KMSPKS that day! I discovered something new – “Discovering Meditation’, is this new too? Not sure how many would go and check out these spots regularly.
Usually, we see the same old one and thought no new stuff and can’t be bothered to check it out.
I actually go to pick up some books/CDs to put at the Veg Stall near my place, they have a little basket for such books, those very old and torn ones there does not present a good impression (maybe I am vain lah, that’s why think in this way) … I am thinking not all will have the time to go KMSPKS or Waterloo Street Fortune Centre or aware of this, so just put some there and I discovered, they are gone quite fast too …
Maybe a ‘mobile’ one, like some Buddhist Taxi Driver, can put such books in seat pockets for other who is interested to take and read … I get the idea from BookCrosser@SG ‘s ‘Hotspots’ – SMRT Taxis!
Clinic ??? Hair Salon??? Old folk home??? Hospice’s Library??? Buddhist Free Clinic??? These places place old magazines … maybe too sensitive to be placed there, I don’t know …
I just wish that Veg eateries, who allocated places for such Dharma books, really take good care of the area and not just make it look like ‘rubbish’ site. Clean and simple, maybe like Starbucks Coffee, where Magazine placed nicely there. The only setback once the eateries have too much such stuff, it might become too religious and non-buddhist might not want to patronize …
New Books added, is there anyway to let more know, like via moonpointer etc or book reviews of those who read it?
Sometime by doing a short book review or some short reflection of what read, is kind of reinforce, hmmm… maybe looking deeper or it can sparkle some interesting discussions, at the same time collect some feedbacks or …
Just my personal view …
The free book – ‘preparing for death and helping the dying’ by ven sangye khadro is a good quick guide.
When my mother diagnosed with cancer more than a decade ago, I did borrow books related to cancer, hospice, dying, to read. When I read the ‘preparing for death and helping the dying’, I can appreciate its content.
The section on ‘How to help some who is a not a Buddhist’ is a REAL GOOD section, I am glad it is there. Helping terminally ill, is a very sensitive task.
Many Buddhists out of good will, unknowingly talks more about their religion (Pureland Practices) and what need to be done in their practices, so it turned out to be adding unnecessary burdens, confusions to the patients and their family members rather than helping them. Of course, there are some who did a very good job and really help the dying person goes to Pureland. So far, we only hear positive stories but in real life, are all 100% went well and what are other things that need to be taken care of?
Helping terminally ill, should go for a volunteer training course in this area and be guided by a volunteer mentor till ready to go solo or work as a team. It is a compassionate and demanding task and need follow up from beginning to the end, with professional ethic. Moreover, the volunteer needs special care/support for themselves too, dealing with the tough topic – death, can be very emotional thing for some, especial they befriend the patients and next moment the person is gone forever …
On the whole, this book is a GOOD read, whether you are helping a dying person or not. It is good information, get to know this, and maybe can recommend this book to someone else that might need it …
I read this to prepare for my grandma’s death last year. THANK YOU for printing this book.
Rejoice for all these Dhama books readily & freely available…
Among the newies also CDs by Bodhicitta, yes, we do have English Buddhist song groups as well!
Congrats Shi An!:)
Hi all, thanks for the support! Let’s all support good publications by helping to fund and circulate them far and wide!
It’s true that many book distribution places are not well tended. It takes much effort to coordinate all of them. But if we all do our bit to help tidy up messily placed books we come across and top them up when we can (ideally with permission), then things will improve.
Bookcrossing is possible. In a way, it has always been done for Dharma books – though not in a systematic manner with tagging. If we know Buddhist taxi drivers, we can suggest placing books in their cabs too!
We can do our bit to publicise good books by blogging about them too. Feel free to drop links here :-]
(I have not heard of Buddhists overpushing Pureland practices to the dying so far. Phew!) Amituofo
Hi, May I know if there is feedback channel to kmspks publication if we find nice Dharma books to recommend for free distribution printing?
Hi, you can email publication [at] kmspks [dot] org ^_^ Amituofo
Me always encountered weird things, must be my karma attracting all these … anyway it is a good learning platform …
Ha..ha…, I even received phone call from stranger (Buddhist of Pureland Practise), telling me my mother was going to die and I should do this and that. They even brought my mother to settle important issue without us knowing. Even brought non-vegetarian food for vegetarian mom… OMG, there were many ridiculous things …
There is a person after a retreat decides to embark on a very challenging task – Introducing Buddhism to a Dying person. Good intention but from certain thing this person did, I felt that there was something lacking –
are we doing thing which we think is right or want to do OR are we doing thing with correct understanding and doing correctly?
Reason for bring this up, is not to talk bad … Positive and Negative Feedbacks are equally important to move forward …
Hmmm… That’s an example of a lousy Buddhist, if really Buddhist at all.
Good intentions should be coupled with appropriate skilful means.
I share the same wish as shian.
I really hope one day I can get to see people who are taking public transport reading a pocket or hangbag-sized (LOL) introductory and one-stop Buddhist guidebook, much like a Bible or a novel.
I appeal to all who share the wish to continue to get honest and constructive feedback from those who had read or are still reading the latest version.
Every book published is a work-in-progress. There’s always room for improvement.
Yes indeed! Always can improve… to better suit the a’changing times especially.
At the time when I was young and getting lots of influence from the missionary secondary school i was attending, “Be a Lamp” was the book that struck me and kept my faith.
Thanks loads!
I think jilexin’s appeal is very valid – “I appeal to all who share the wish to continue to get honest and constructive feedback …â€
There is an important task for Buddhists and also doing good, helping the current and future world, beautifying our world via carrying on spreading Dharma … Only this, can we ensure for those who waiting to be reborn or those who miss the “plane†to Pureland or opt to be reborn as human …to be able to born into Buddhist communities and hear the Dharma
I like to share some of my feedbacks (not that I know a lot, not all are good) but hope that it can be of any use, if not just let them goes. It is ok, if it is of no benefits why waste time.
I think there are many talented, capable people out there who can contribute even MORE and BETTER, but are very quiet and WHERE ARE THEY? The world NEEDS them …
Bookcross@SG NLB thingy, sometimes, I wonder where they got the idea from. Could it be from the Free Dharma books that were around at Veg stalls/eateries?
Spreading dharma, some are already working very hard (like Dharma Propagation Division of KMSPKS etc) and some are silently doing it …
There is this Vegetarian Eatery – Rice House @ Blk 129 Geylang East Ave 2 #01-102, that I went in January. I am so impressed by how treated the free Dharma books for distribution … WOW, nice wooden shelves to place these dharma books and so neat, you just got to go and have a look at it before believing what I say..
It is just like the Bookcrossing@SG ‘Hotspot’ (the Café Galilee @ library). The ambience there is relaxing, you can just go have some vegetarian food there and pick up some free dharma books …
I think BUDDHIST (Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian) should support these eateries that are helping to spread Dharma, they are helping to bring them nearer to the public. Just like Buddhist supporting the Sangha (referring to Monks,right?) so that they can become Buddha and return to save ALL from Samsara.
Buddhists should go there to dine often (very easy and cost not much) so that these Buddhist ‘Hotspots’ can continue to survive to help to spread the Dharma a bit …
To us, we are helping a good cause, therefore is doing goods, can I say that? If I happen to be reborn as human, at least, the world still has Dharma for me to learn …
I think I saw a list of such eateries from Vaidurya Mag (a free Buddhist Lifestyle Mag Distribution Pts), some of them are Kwan Yin Zhai Vegetarian, Rice House, Southern Palace Veg Restaurant, The Whole Earth Vegetarian Restaurant, Ci Yan Vegetarian Health Food, Angel’s Heart, 7 Sensations, Just Greens Vegetarian Food, Miao Yi Vegetarian, Grand Court Vegetarian, Zi Yean Centre, Fo Lai Ping Vegetarian …
There could be more, I just don’t know yet … =]
Dharma books for “bookcrossing†can be fun and easy reading books like ‘Just say OM – by Soren Gordhamer’ (I got it from Awareness Place many years back) or ‘The Buddha Next Door – by Zan Gaudioso’ (just read one story at Kinokuniya, can’t resist it) or a list of those books recommend in Buddhist free Lifestyle Magazine …or Zen Comic Books …
Something that is simple, can zoom into any chapter (not necessary to read whole books) that can be read within a short time like waiting for the ordered food to come …
It can be some beautiful Buddhist free Lifestyle Magazine (old or current issues) or some vegetarian cookbooks … I don’t know …
Hi Shixiong, Thanks for letting me know Lamp was useful! I came from missionary schools too. Now we are Dharma brothers instead of Catholic brothers from ‘Catholic Brother Schools’
Hi Crystal, Yes, I think it’s a good idea to share Dharma books at eating places! (Had browsed but not read the Gaudioso book in detail. It’s a Soka book. For the late great Ven.Shengyan’s advice on Soka, please see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Amituofo/message/48 )
OMG, thanks, I really didn’t know, blur me. Just that the book title and the layout kind of like ‘Chicken Soup’ series and just scan one story of it.
So, what I was thinking is if True Buddhism books go in that line, will it make the public more willing to pick up the book to read and not so taxing but some message passes thru.
Crystalbymail: Ha..ha…, I even received phone call from stranger (Buddhist of Pureland Practise), telling me my mother was going to die and I should do this and that. They even brought my mother to settle important issue without us knowing. Even brought non-vegetarian food for vegetarian mom…
Shian:Hmmm… That’s an example of a lousy Buddhist, if really Buddhist at all. Good intentions should be coupled with appropriate skilful means.
Many would think that it is my mother’s 业障 that she turned non-vegetarian at the last few months of her life. But, Buddhist friends brought non-vegetarian food for her and think we should let her eat what she wanted.
So, are these Buddhist friends my mother’s 业障? The irony is that they encouraged my mother to do Pureland ways and yet on the other hand encouraged her to have non-veg food (æ€ç”Ÿ). So, I was puzzled.
And can’t this situation be changed? Not at all?
What if Buddhists (Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian) are aware that they should encourage other to be vegetarian or encourage other to hang on to it if they have thoughts of going to be non-vegetarian? If not at least keep neutral??
In fact, I think if Buddhists whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, encouraged each other to be vegetarian (if they can) or at least eat more meatless (not just stop at – go vegetarian on 1st and 15th day). Then by doing so, isn’t we helping others (Buddhists accumulating positive karma and the animals) and doing goods (merits – more positive karma for ourself?)
I don’t know. Let’s say, if I am a non-vegetarian and I am going for a seminar that offer tea/lunch, should I opt for vegetarian (available or not available), so that there is at least some or more vegetarian items and therefore lesser meat stuff items. Then, am I generating positive karma?
As a non-vegetarian, definitely I would not be deprived of good stuff if for one such meal without meaty stuff. It is not that difficult too for such making such requests.
If this become a trend (just like most such events would offer HALAL food), in future all such buffet catering would have at least 30%-50% meatless, are we doing the animals a flavour and at the same time accumulating good merits? :straight:
Every Buddhist would like to do lots of good deeds and accumulate lots positive karma (and this is should be the way to go) …
We also understand 业障, do we think we have none at all from past lives or do we feel that it cannot be changed at all?
In our past lives, we could have owe others or others could have owe us, if we make a vow to totally let go the ‘debt’ others owe us if any and don’t want them to repay in any forms. Are we able to help to change the业障 or the bad karma of others, put more positive energy into the universe? If everyone is doing this, then our 业障 if any could be changed too if other let go?
If this statement is valid, then the world will have more peace …rather than we just chant and wish for world peace …
And is it difficult to do? After all, we don’t even remember anything from past lives that hurts, hate etc (unless you can), to make such a vow is easy and at the same time training us to let go … The important thing is lesser suffering …
Just my weirdo thinking again … maybe Dharma Teachers or Enlighten ones can let us know, can this be achievable?
Quotes by crystalbymail:
“There is an important task for Buddhists… … Only this, can we ensure for those who waiting to be reborn or those who miss the “plane†to Pureland or opt to be reborn as human …to be able to born into Buddhist communities and hear the Dharma”
That’s my wish for all, especially those who wish the ‘plane’ or opt to be reborn as human, to be able to born into Buddhist communities and not just hear the Dharma, but to be able to receive proper guidance on understanding and practising the Dharma in real life, in their respective eras.
“I think there are many talented, capable people out there who can contribute even MORE and BETTER, but are very quiet and WHERE ARE THEY? The world NEEDS them …
That’s true. If as many talented, capable, but very quiet Buddhists or inclined towards the Buddhist faith come out to contribute as much as they can, as best as they can, maybe even though what the Buddha said about the Dharma-Ending Age will eventually happen, the people of that era will still get to hear and receive some true form of the Dharma.
May this come true for the benefit of all. ^_^
There should be more Buddhists sharing/exchanging ideas, wisdom, views in these turbulent times … don’t be shy. Don’t fear making mistakes, it is only through mistakes we learn the most … If not, me not a Buddhist won’t be talking so much here …:p
In school, we need exams to test our understanding and how much we know. For Dharma ??? If we don’t discuss and talk, we won’t know deeper, won’t know that much and remember that much …
Moonpointer might be able to serve as an outlet to ask for advice or a place where others can advice …
In fact, I would think that living in this age, it could be best era to learn Dharma and the chances of getting out of Samsara are very high … You need to be more positive …
There are something this era have where other periods don’t have, if it can be made full use of, it is definitely helpful..
Hmmm… It’s strange that the ‘Buddhist friends’ would encourage her to eat meat during her last days, especially if she didn’t request for it. 8/
业障 can be changed. It starts with a change of mind – which can be done via chanting or aspiring for world peace, which then affects our actions. Thoughts affect speech and deeds. Change has to begin internally. Amituofo
Maybe those friends are anti-vegetarianism, my mother had craving for non-veg food during last few months of her life (it is related to something that she can’t fully let go in this life) …
By bringing this up, I hope in future (hope not) under such situation, Buddhists (veg*n or not) should try their best try to support their Buddhist friends to keep to the right path at those crucial moments … or at least buy those food like beancurd dessert, pancake etc (neutral one and also vegetarian)
“…it could be best era to learn Dharma and the chances of getting out of Samsara are very high … You need to be more positive …
There are something this era have where other periods don’t have, if it can be made full use of, it is definitely helpful..”
That’s true. One can be both realistic and positive at the same time. Many non-Buddhists feel that Buddhism is a pessimistic religion due to certain concepts like emptiness but those who really understand will taste the freedom and peace in that wisdom.
In the Bible, there is talk of a Judgment Day where the good and evil are judged based on their obedience to God. In Buddhism, we have the Dharma-Ending Age where it’s not really about telling people to give up hope and not do anything. It’s about what we can do now to help others and ourselves to understand the Dharma better.
The concept or word “dharma-ending age” merely gives us a sense of urgency in making progress in our spiritual cultivation.
In fact, I’m grateful that this era will come. Why? Cos only in this era, will some of us feel the need to cherish and practise the Dharma more wholeheartedly than ever, feel the urgency to let as many people and other living beings hear of and understand the Dharma as compared to other eras.
Buddhism is the Middle Way; it’s neither pessimism nor optimism. It’s factual, realistic, problem-solving oriented.
The Buddha says, “I only teach what is suffering and the way out of suffering.”
Me – “In fact, I would think that living in this age, it could be best era to learn Dharma and the chances of getting out of Samsara are very high … You need to be more positive …
There are something this era have where other periods don’t have, if it can be made full use of, it is definitely helpful..â€
Jilexin – “In fact, I’m grateful that this era will come. Why? Cos only in this era, will some of us feel the need to cherish and practise the Dharma more wholeheartedly than ever, feel the urgency to let as many people and other living beings hear of and understand the Dharma as compared to other eras.â€
Jilexin inspired me to think further. Let me rant a bit and all of you can see whether it make sense or not …
Why did I feel living in this era, is the best time compare to the past? What do we have in this era that can help?
1. We have great advancement in Technology (transport, IT etc), after Industrialization. We see Dharma printed in the form of books, DVD, CD internet etc at cheap cost, reach out faster and bigger mass. There are Buddhist Forums that allow Buddhist to share and help to advice on each other problems and support each other …. If you can’t attend any Dharma Talks here or oversea, it can be made available at your own time and pace via youtube, CD etc. You can repeat it as many time as you want, or pause to ponder and cont’d later …
2. We have education (esp woman), all can read. If we can’t read, there is audio books … etc
3. We have great advancement in Science that help us to understand our mind work, how meditation is proven to be good, hypnosis to support the belief of reincarnation or even using hypnotism to cure addictions, science research to analyze the dying process and talk about it openly … Positive psychology and other workshops etc to help us deal with our mind and help us in practicing Buddhism …
4. We understand the problem of earth facing – global warming, that telling us not so good to be reborn as human, we better work something out. And the falling birth rate show that too …
5. We have figure to showing human population is 6 billions and EVERY YEAR 50 billions land animals being killed. And our population is in a way ‘encouraging ‘more animals to be born due to our demand. See this great number of reborn into animal’s realms and that sends big signals to us, practice, DO Good and don’t end up here. The suffering of animals in the factory farming and slaughter house tell us this too.
6. We are able to help less fortune people or victims of natural disasters before of our technology (we see news, we can fly there) to do goods and build up our compassionate hearts and merits. All these also telling us, how fragile life is …
7. Even going vegetarianism is so much easier now. We have good vegetarian foods, supports and knowledge on how to live a healthy vegetarianism lifestyle that we can have the choice of living compassionate (follow the ‘don’t kill’ ) compare to living in the past …
8. We have different crises in this world that help us understand what is important in life. We read history to understand, to learn from the past experiences of other which can be useful in the spiritual practices. We can see for ourselves what we are seeking in this world is not the true happiness that we should go for. And this can be shared so quickly which can never happen in other era.
9. Meeting Truth Teaching and Great Teacher is, so much HIGHER because of technology compare to the past. They can ‘fly’ or they be in the form of CD, Books etc …
10. And the list goes on … you can help to add on …
Yes, technology makes Dharma propagation much more of a breeze these days. I use to refer to http://www.TheDailyEnlightenment.com as the way through which ‘Guanyin Bodhisattva’ can spread the Dharma via ‘thousands of hand-delivered’ Dharma mails in one go. I can’t imagine life without the net now. So much of my life centres around it. However, the net also makes propagation of non-Dharma (e.g. ideas of hate) spread easier too.
Shi an, I can’t help hijacking this post
hope you don’t mind … a crazy woman turned so 
… sorrie …
Jilexin’s post in the old moonpointer was going round and round in my brain this morning …
“At present, I’m just concentrating on one to get a better feel of how Buddhism is being promoted to the masses there … I hope what I do will eventually contribute to helping people understand what is Buddhism truly about and how it can benefit them even if they do not wish to take refuge in the Triple Gems yet. … “
Out of sudden, I have a different thinking, just to share the thought, and I think it is already working silently in the society … It is working from the opposite direction …
We would always think spreading Dharma via the name of ‘Buddhism’ (that is one way), but can spreading of Dharma not really using the name ‘Buddhism’. Is name so important? 管它是黑猫白猫,会æ‰è€é¼ 就是好猫!
Our current society, our habits/desires and Dharam don’t go hand in hand. If the Buddhist Teaching don’t resonate the public thinking and temperaments, it will be very difficult to work miracle …We also understand that we need certain ‘criteria’ be it sufferings or something else to enter into Buddhism …So, maybe work backward from there …
Buddhism teaching let call it ‘Truth Values’ does not have to appear in Buddhism Materials, it appears as nameless and yet it can help other and push them onto the right path …slowly guiding them, changing their thinking toward the positive and right way. And eventually, their thinking and Buddhism Teachings go hand in hand, and able to move forwards from there …
Even if it does not push them over to Buddhism, they are living the right way and thus creating more positive karma then negative karma … It benefits themselves (good rebirth) as well as the society on the whole – moving to the direction of creating a pureland on earth. A harmony society where you are practicing the Buddhist way even your religion is something else …
I guess to Bodhisattas, the important thing is help other to end sufferings (离苦得ä¹), name is not that important …
I derived this, after I pick up and open the Andrew Matthew’s book and read a page … this content of this page is ‘actually’ like what Ajahn Brahm talked about how his own experience, on how to quiet his mind (via letting go etc) and then he was able to go into meditation …
Two different topics but on the SAME Concept and it reaching different masses and benefiting others …
And presentationzen is also one way help other to see some lights … and there are many other books and materials too …
So, there are many options available … maybe, the enlightened ones are ‘hidden’ in the society doing things in another ways that help people progress … maybe I am wrong …
:sleep: :sleep: :sleep:
Actually, it is important to brand Buddhist teachings as Buddhism – because it lets the public know where to go to for more similar and relevant teachings. Here are more details as to why branding matters:
http://moonpointer.com/index1.php?itemid=1570
http://moonpointer.com/index1.php?itemid=2040
But I agree that Buddhist teachings don’t always have to be branded as Buddhism directly and straightaway – but it should be – eventually – lest people get half-truths and benefit only halfway. The Dharma can be skilfully packaged at first – to attract.
It’s true that names are not that important, but names are useful and guideposts too. Without appropriate labels, it is hard to identify and connect further.
Buddhism is interested not just in leading people to better lives – but eventually to enlightenment too. That’s why full refuge in the Dharma is crucial at some point.
About Matthew’s ‘meditation’, unless he realises a path totally in sync with the Dharma that leads to enlightenment, what he experienced might just be part of the path. If he lacks further wisdom (without Dharma guidance), there might be no further progress. The Dharma is always found in bits and pieces in different philosophies and even some religions. But the value of the Buddhadharma is that we see that it is already complete in itself – this is why the one-stop that is Buddhism deserves good branding. ^_^
What I am saying is …
“We would always think spreading Dharma via the name of ‘Buddhism’ [b](that is one way)[/b], but can spreading of Dharma not really using the name ‘Buddhism’. “
This is to suit some others, as there are many different ‘category’ of people … There is also a need for Truth Buddhism which I always talk about – I am hoping that Monastics could guide in this direction, this is their mission … The world is looking at them …
Andrew Matthew’s book is not on ‘meditation’ and it is something else, the thing is if the concept can used in some other things and proven useful, it might be easily for some to enter into Buddhism Teachings, as they can find something proven and similar, thus might have faith in continuing …
That is what I think … only proven things have the power, that why in school, we have theory and practical class.
In fact, we don’t really lack theory, there are so many Dharma talks/books/teachings etc in this era, theoretically it is suppose to have a quantum leap, but … I don’t know …
Actually, currently, there is increasing good news of measuring happiness scientifically attained via Buddhist practice. This is a good balance of Buddhist branding and scientific research!
Here are some recent news: http://tinyurl.com/dhpkdd (About the happiest man in the world being a Buddhist monk)
Although I have similar views as shian with regards to the views crystal had expressed here about one of my posts in old moonpointer, I have also been thinking along other lines like crystal. So I can sort of understand where crystal is coming from.
Indeed there is no need to be too uptight on spreading Dharma via the name or label ‘Buddhism’. However like what shian had said, branding and packaging still plays an important role in guiding youths or free-thinkers working adults to start to get interested in understanding what Buddhism really is.
What you are talking about is actually the skillful means of spreading Dharma, crystalbymail.
All Bodhisattvas and Buddhas have great wisdom in applying skillful means to guide every sentient being to start getting interested in realising the true path to lasting happiness and peace within ourselves. They do not need to say what I am teaching is Buddhism or will lead to Nirvana in this lifetime. They teach things according to the needs and levels of understanding of each and every sentient being.
However, most Buddhists now, though they have compassion and patience of varying degrees, they are unable to maintain it towards every sentient being they meet in the long run. This applies to me as well. One of those factors is the karmic affinity with each sentient being, second is that the people they meet can be stubborn, lazy, very slow in understanding or even wicked and twisted. Hence they back off by comforting themselves the time is not yet ripe, but actually it also shows their lack of conviction in cultivating further compassion and patience.
As such we need to make consistent sincere efforts to develop and maintain deep spiritual connection with every sentient being, and at some point (maybe this needs to be carried forward to countless future lifetimes for some), we need to challenge ourselves to approach people who we don’t like or are afraid of due to various reasons.
I’m still very far away from helping people I like, much less those that I don’t. So there could be such a group of Buddhists like me among the local or international Buddhist community, wherby their own insecurities, subtle biasness etc, prevents them from reaching out to more people and maintaining their spiritual friendships with both old and new faces of the community.
Intiating a spiritual friendship can be easy or difficult, depending on the individual’s mindset, personality, aspiration etc, but maintaining one is almost definitely more difficult.
Ok, thank you
. I think I find the answer and know what’s next, maybe there is a gap …
I think I am too naïve again too think that for those that I don’t like or can’t really help, I hope others or other means can help them.