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!
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.”
🙂 When things are at stake, it draws the inner strength out in full force – either die or live! Now, our choice is to strike – “live”!