Mind foreruns all mental conditions, Mind is chief, mind-made are they ; If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, Then happiness follows him Even as the shadow that never leaves.
-Buddha
Translation by Sathienpong Wannapok
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Top ideas in Buddhism & Famous Stories in Buddha’s time
Top Ideas in Buddhism and Famous Stories in Buddha's Time Acharavadee Wongsakon Published by School of life Foundation 3-11/12 Decho Rd. Suriyawong, Bangrak 10500 Thailand Tel: +662 6347461-3 Fax: +662 634 7423 Email: info@knowingbuddha.org www.knowingbuddha.org www.5000s.org FB: Knowing Buddha with Master Acharavadee First edition printed in September 2018 1,500 copies Printed at Than Printing Co.,Ltd. 11/9 Lad Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900 Tel: +662 9542790-9
ISBN 978-616-8125-06-9 Famous Stories section are translated by Chotika Rujirachun, Pathitta Kawinchutipat, Peeraphong Chearanai, Siriporn Kuprasertsin, Wisuwat Sutthakorn, Uamdao Noikorn Layout by Apanee Wongsakon Buddha image on cover by Sukrit Chatikavanij Copyright Š 2018 School of life Foundation Revenue from all sales after deducting expenses will be donated to School of life Foundation Top ideas in Buddhism & Famous Stories in Buddha’s time
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Top Ideas in Buddhism 1
Dhamma
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Soul or Knowing Mind
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Consciousness
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Karma...Creation Of One’s Fate
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Cause And Effect
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Cause of Misery and Impurity
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Mindfulness
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Five Codes Of Conduct
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Mind Purification
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10 The Four Noble Truths
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11
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The Noble Path, The Middle Path
12 The Seven Noble Treasures
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13 Meditation
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14 Vipassana Meditation (Insight Meditation)
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15 Detachment
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16 Enlightenment
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Nirvana
18 Cycle of Rebirth
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19 Equanimity of the Mind
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20 Compassion
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21 Inner Peace
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22 Impermanence
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23 Faith
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“Giving” Is the Best Way to Lose
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Ten Meritorious Actions
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Famous Stories in Buddha’s Time 26 Tolerence
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The Magic Only the Grateful Deserves
28 The Gift of Anger
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29 Where Does Benevolence Begin?
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30 Where Are You Going?
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Two Earthen Pots and the Key to Heaven
32 I Have Stopped…
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33 Anna Kondanna, He-Who-Knows
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The Great Benefactor Anathapindika
35 The House that Escapes Death
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36 The Woman Who Spat into the Sky
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The Gratitude of Sariputta
38 The Ungrateful Hunter
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39 The Power of Mercy
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Misconception in Buddhism 40 Did the Buddha Really Abandon his Family?
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Is Meditation A Waste of Time?
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About the Author
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Introduction Learners of Theravada Buddhism must have heard the phrase 84,000 dhammakhandha (Dhamma teachings). Also known as “84,000 Dhamma Doors”, it refers to countless paths to enlightenment in Mahayana, and traditional description of complete Buddha’s Teachings which total 84,000 topics in Theravada. Dhammakhandha means the Dhamma Section, one of the Triple Gem which is the supreme embodiment of Buddhism consisting of Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha (monks). The teachings are the compilation of the truth discovered by the Buddha after innumerable lifetimes of strenuous mental and spiritual training. Since his enlightenment at the age of 35, the Enlightened One had taught everyone he could, welcomed everyone coming to seek solace, travelled to places for hundreds of miles tirelessly even if it was only one soul he could save. With his boundless compassion, the Buddha showed us the path to Ultimate Truth through direct discourse, storytelling, answering questions. He never missed an opportunity to bring all beings out of
suffering through the observation of Five Precepts and meditation practice. While the key to spiritual freedom is in regular Vipassana practice, not memorizing the Buddhist scriptures and that a person can only gain a genuine spiritual insight into the Buddha’s teachings or “see” Dhamma through direct meditation experiences, understanding the basics is still essential as it helps establish the right view about Buddhism and its essence. This book does just that. As you go through each chapter in this book, you will realize there’s nothing mysterious about this Eastern religion. The concepts and ideas in Buddhism are well explained in simple language that is easy to understand. Exactly the way Dhamma is. Simple and natural.
-Knowing Buddha Foundation
Image: Pathomkrit Navapraditkul
From the author With my utmost humble respect to Lord Buddha. I’m hundred percent Thai Buddhist. I’ve taught Dhamma for 11 years. When my Vipassana meditation teaching has spread out to over hundred thousands of people who read the Thai Dhamma books that I wrote, they’ve always asked, “Will you have a book in English?” They want their friends and family to read the way I explain Dhamma from my own experience which they never read from anywhere before. I refused with the reason that I’m not ready and my English is not perfect. Somehow, I started to have foreign students come learn Vipassana meditation, making me have to ask help from my students to translate the Dhamma discourses to record for students to listen to during the course. Often times my foreign students have questions on some points after listening to the discourse. Some felt upset and some felt depressed. They said it’s as if Dhamma or Buddha will turn them into non-human with no love, no feelings, no excitement, no desire and have to let go of everything. “How can I live my life now? I don’t want to be a monk.” This is a sample of a complaint I received. After I explained to clear the doubt of each teaching directly from my own words, his doubt vanished away and he became more happy to continue practice. I came
to realize that there must be something missing in the delivery of the message, some missing translation or misuse of words that made the teaching unclear or give wrong meaning. Because I don’t have such problems with teaching in Thai. Later on I started to explain the core teachings of the Buddha from my words to a foreigner, he said “That’s it. I understand clearly, more clear than any explanation I’ve heard before. Please fix the translation of the Dhamma discourse because after listening I felt so sad.” He said, “What a relief! I thought Dhamma will take life away from me.” His relief has become my awakening over the lost in translation. Later, I brought this issue to discuss with my students who have the ability in English translation. I said, “We must improve or adjust the way we translate and the use of vocabulary, it’s clear that there is a lot of misconception of Buddha’s teaching happening from the translation.” During the meeting I explained the most important teaching of Buddha “Detachment” to them in English. I spoke slowly with no worry about grammatical mistakes. I explained from my heart, direct from my wisdom. The meeting room of 14 people were in silence, letting the message float into their hearts. In summary, I said Dhamma doesn't mean it would steal life away from you, you will still have feelings, you will still have joy, you will find meaning in life, and more importantly Dhamma will show you the way to end misery in life.
After finishing, some students were almost in tears and one of the students said to me, “Master, I think you should write in English by yourself even though the grammar is not perfect. The reader should read your message directly, it’s more pure, more touching than trying to let the corrections of grammar come in between the message.” I took that comment to my consideration. I always feel that there is a thin line that blocks the true meaning of the Buddha’s teachings from foreigners, that thin line was separating a normal human being way too far from the Enlightened One. In the afternoon while I was contemplating about this matter, I received a holy stream of energy pouring into my mind and body with the message: “We were taught to be far away from the truth. English learning in the university level is to learn how to cook up english words to make them sound beautiful and to use complex sentence structures. It emphasizes the eloquence of the words rather than their true meaning.” I felt even more alert and decided to write in English rather than write in Thai and send to an English expert to translate my writing. Because if anyone does not practice Vipassana meditation seriously, it will be very difficult to understand the true and in-depth meaning of the Buddha's teachings. Buddha also taught that
reaching the Ultimate Truth must come from the experience level, the same way one would know if a well-decorated dish of food is delicious or uneatable by eating it, and not by just admiring how it looks. My original plan is to write the book “Awaken from madness - A message from the Buddha”. It is a book about my meditation experience which leads to enlightenment. The technique to purify the mind is called Techo Vipassana, which is based on the Four Fundamentals of Mindfulness. Techo Vipassana is a specific technique in using the fire element in the body to purify the mind. The technique has helped me reach the Ultimate Truth at the energy level. I have received the holy stream in energy form from the Buddha to reveal my journey to others in order to awaken their mind from illusion. The book has required so much energy to write and is not yet complete. Since I have already explained the teaching’s of the Buddha in many occasions, so I have decided to publish this book first as an introduction. I have to thank my students to encourage me that day and also thanks for all the effort they put in to help make this book. The Top Idea’s part is direct writings from me which most of it I wrote in English. The part of Famous stories in the Buddha’s time I received help from my students, where the stories were gathered from Buddhist scriptures; Tripitaka (The Pali Canon). The
stories come from many sources. I’d like to thank everyone who helped preserve, and deliver the teachings of the Buddha for us to have guidance to learn and practice. Happiness or unhappiness is not limited for a certain religion. Buddha never chose to teach only those who vow to be Buddhist. He taught everyone who wished to find true happiness and wish to end the cycle of misery. To truly understand the Buddha’s teaching, it cannot be reached at the intellectual level, only at the practicing level that can make you reach the Ultimate Truth, especially about oneself. Also I hope this book will help you find what you are looking for. I wish this book can be a candle to light up true wisdom that awaits to shine upon you and help you find true inner peace which is missing in humans’ life.
Acharavadee Wongsakon
WHO IS BUDDHA? Buddha is the Enlightened One and the father of Buddhism. His teachings liberate us human beings from a life in misery. His compassion has brought peace and harmony to the world. Buddha was born as a prince named Siddhartha. He grew up to excel in all the 18 fields of traditional arts and sciences ranging from politics to philosophy. When he reached the age of 16, his father arranged his marriage to Princess Yasodhara. They had a son together. The Turning Point One day, the prince wondered what life was like outside the palace so he made a trip. There, he saw an old man with a gloomy face, a diseased man laying with a moan, and a dead person surrounded by his tearful family. He then said, “How can I live a life of pleasure when there’s so much suffering in the world”? Later, when he saw an ascetic in peacefulness, the prince thought this would be the path to end the cycle of the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death.
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Realizing his beloved father and family too would face the same ending, the prince ran away from the palace to end the cycle of those sufferings. The Middle Path Siddhartha began his monastic life under the guidance of two famous masters, but they could not find the path to end the suffering either. He began searching for a way on his own and starved himself until he was left with only skin and bones. One evening the angels, disguised as musicians, played a lute in front of him while he was sitting in meditation. Hearing the music, he realized a loose string did not carry sound and a very tight string would break. The music was perfect only when the strings were neither too loose nor too tight. He then found the answer was to take the middle path: Siddhartha began eating normally again after six years. The Reach of Enlightenment On a full moon day in May, he sat under the Bodhi tree and vowed, “Even if my flesh and blood were to dry up, leaving only skin and bones, I will not leave this place until I find a way to end all sufferings.” Through a meditation technique now known as Vipassana, he discovered the Ultimate Truth about himself, life, and the universe. Siddhartha
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was finally enlightened and became Gautama Buddha at the age of 35. Buddha taught human to be free from misery and life cycle for 45 years. He reached Nirvana (died) at age 80. The enlightenment of Buddha is the state of mind that maintains the absolute equanimity or neutrality, not clinging to positive or negative energy, free from impurity. Buddha discovered the Ultimate Truth that everything is merely an assembly of energy. With this neutrality, he made his mind free from gravity, ending the cycle of rebirth. The Fundamental Teachings of Buddha 1) Refrain from all kind of sins. 2) Do good deeds. 3) Purify your mind. The 5 Major Sins in Buddhism are killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, taking alcohol or drugs. The Core Teaching of Buddha: Equanimity (Neutrality) It means the mind is not shaken by or attached to happiness, unhappiness, and illusion. Whatever comes to the mind, it knows without seasoning the feeling into craving and aversion.
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THE IMPORTANT TEACHINGS Cause of Misery Craving and Aversion is the cause of misery because it will develop into Anger and Hatred, Greed, and Illusion which in Buddhism are called “Kilesa” or impurity. The impurity causes attachment to emotions such as obsession, depression, and anxiety. The attachment also causes misery and the cycle of rebirth. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to end the cycle of rebirth, in another word, to reach enlightenment. The Middle Path The Middle Path is a life in morality, not extremely addicted to happiness and unhappiness as the addiction eventually leads to depression. When we’re happy or sad, we know it without letting our mind sink into those feelings as we realize things are impermanent. We do not season our feelings into emotions since this will develop into addiction or obsession, leading to attachment. The Four Noble Truths 1. Suffering - To suffer from being born, being old, being sick and dying. These sufferings are common to us all.
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2. Cause of suffering - We are the cause of our own suffering. 3. End of suffering 4. Path to end suffering - The way to end it. The Truth of the Universe 1. Nothing is lost in the universe - Matters turn into energy, energy turns into matter. 2. Things are impermanent 3. Law of Cause and Effect - This law is known as karma. Nothing ever happens to us unless we deserve it.
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TOP IDEAS IN BUDDHISM
“Dhamma has a meaning associated to goodness, righteousness, and appropriateness.�
1 DHAMMA Dhamma is directly translated as nature or normality. All things have their own distinctive characters or qualities. For example, water has a cooling quality while fire has a heating quality. Good deeds have the quality that brings happiness and brightness. Bad deeds have the quality that brings miseries and trouble. In Buddhism, Dhamma has a meaning associated to goodness, righteousness, and appropriateness. It is timeless. All three factors must be met. A person practicing Dhamma is said to practice on the path of virtue.
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“The original mind is called the Knowing Mind or the Soul. The human’s original mind has the characteristics of cleanliness and purity.”
2 SOUL OR KNOWING MIND The soul is the most powerful energy. The mental energy is so refined that no scientific equipment is capable of detecting its energy. Human beings, live their lives under the mind’s command. Matters in the world consist of earth, water, wind and fire elements. The Buddha added the soul as another type of energy. All beings in the world comprise the four elements, with three-fourth of the world being water and one-fourth the land. Similarly, a human body is about 70% water and the rest of earth element. This means human is a part of nature. A body without a soul is a corpse. When a soul lives in a body, that lifeless body becomes a human. A human has thoughts that drive all life activities. The soul is therefore the most powerful energy. The Western world overlooks the importance of the soul and mostly focuses on studying the brain.
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“Those who attain enlightenment, their consciousness is always clear and stable”
3 CONSCIOUSNESS Consciousness is clear awareness of something for what it is and of an action being done. It is wholesome. The ill-will actions lack consciousness on what is being done. As such, the defilements can take control of the action to commit a sin. Consciousness is an important quality of the original mind. For those who still have impurities (Greed, Anger, Hatred and Illusion) in the mind, it means their Knowing Mind is dominated by impurities. Those who attain enlightenment, the mind is pure from impurities. Their consciousness is always clear and stable. They can distinctively differentiate wholesome and unwholesome deeds. They will then choose to merely do decent deeds. Drunken people lose their mindfulness and consciousness. They behave inappropriately as well as act on impulses. They cannot control themselves. That is the state of lacking the Right Mindfulness and Consciousness. Practicing consciousness is very important in Buddhism. It is an essential characteristic leading to spiritual liberation.
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“The karmic effect works immediately or subsequently. Sometimes we do not understand why miseries in life happen.�
4 KARMA...
CREATION OF ONE’S FATE The Buddha said, “All beings are the owners of their karma, heirs of their karma, born of their karma, related to their karma and supported by their karma.” Karma means actions with intention that is also reflected through words and thoughts. It is the law of Cause and Effect and accords with the law of physics which states that energy with the same characteristics is grouped together by magnetic wave. So good karma brings good results and bad karma brings bad results. Bad deeds cause one’s rebirth in hell through 3 actions; killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct, 4 verbal acts; lying, malicious, harsh, and useless words, and 3 mental acts; greed, ill will, and wrong view. In Buddha’s time, there was a story about a woman being thrown into the sea by her own husband who was also the captain. Earlier, the ship
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FAMOUS STORIES IN BUDDHA’S TIME
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“He was asked how one should go through insults from a worse person since there was nothing special about enduring putdowns from those with superior or equal status.�
26 TOLERENCE In the age of multitasking, we suddenly find ourselves unable to focus on something long enough to even complete a simple work. We are less patient, get angry easier, and more ready to pick a fight. And what can incite hurt and anger more than harsh words? It cuts like a knife because it hits directly at ourselves or our ego. In one of Buddha’s lifetimes, he was a hermit named Soraphaka, renowned for his exemplary tolerance. Once he was asked how one should go through insults from a worse person since there was nothing special about enduring putdowns from those with superior or equal status. His answer was that anyone who could endure a worse person has the highest tolerance of all. That was because the patience in the other two could be from fear and a wish to avoid an unnecessary competition.
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Image: Ponkrid Boonsnong
“Gratitude is a true indicator of goodness, the great virtue as well as the most important step to Nirvana. A grateful mind will always find a way to return favors whenever possible.�
27 THE MAGIC ONLY THE GRATEFUL DESERVES The Buddha said there are two rare types of people. First is a giver, who does favors for others, such as parents and teachers. Second is the one with gratitude. Among the disciples the Buddha ordained was Devadatta, who was Buddha’s foe from several lifetimes. Yet he lied that Buddha was not his master. Devadatta also used to lie in the previous life about the same thing. When he was a Brahmin, he learnt a magic spell to create mangoes in an instant from an outcaste master, on the condition that the spell would only work if the student spoke the truth. Because of this magic, the Brahmin accumulated a lot of wealth. One day the King of Varanasi had tried the mango and was very pleased with its taste, so he Top ideas in Buddhism & Famous Stories in Buddha’s time
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“The Buddha, however, remained peaceful and happy, unruffled by his insults.”
28 THE GIFT OF ANGER There was a Brahmin who dismissed the Buddha's teachings as he had faith in different practice. When his seven sons and daughters- in-law converted to Buddhism and practiced meditation, he became very mad and believed the Buddha was the reason why they changed from the old belief. The Brahim then stormed into the temple where the Buddha was staying at that time and lashed out at him, calling him with offensive names. The Buddha, however, remained peaceful and happy, unruffled by his insults. When he saw the Brahmin began to get tired, the Buddha asked him a question. "Brahmin, what's your purpose of the visit?" The Brahmin repeated his cursing at the Buddha until he was tired again. "Well, Brahmin, let me ask you a question. Have you ever had a visitor at your house?" the Buddha asked.
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MISCONCEPTION IN BUDDHISM
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40 Did the Buddha Really Abandon his Family? Many foreigners are interested in the Buddha’s teaching: what he had taught and why his symbols can give them peacefulness. However, there is this unresolved question left on their minds. It is the disappointment from learning that he left his wife and his newborn son in search of the way out of suffering. It makes them doubt his teaching and can’t help thinking that Buddhism teaches people to abandon their family and loved ones with the word ‘detachment’. Did Buddha really abandon his family? Before he reached enlightenment, the Buddha was born as a prince named Siddhartha. His father, King Suddhodana, expected him to be a great king in the future. During the celebration of his birth, many Brahmin scholars predicted that the child would either become a great king or a supreme religious leader. But there was one Brahmin, Top ideas in Buddhism & Famous Stories in Buddha’s time
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“An untrained mind is not adequate in terms of effectiveness... Meditation calms and empowers our mind to live wisely. �
41 IS MEDITATION A WASTE OF TIME? Meditation is training of the mind in order to make it stable, peaceful and able to overcome a distraction. One can practice meditation in any movement: walking, standing, and sitting. One aspect of meditation is your mind must be still otherwise the meditative state will not happen while also being fully aware of any emotions that occur within. A powerful mind increases performance in everyday activities including work, study, and all others. So meditation is beneficial to everyone not only to Buddhist monks and novices. An untrained mind is not adequate in terms of effectiveness. We encounter different things, pleasant and unpleasant, all the time and take them all in through our senses. Meditation calms and empowers our mind to live wisely. These days, humans spend so much time and effort to learn and comprehend everything except their own mind.
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“Buddhism is the religion of wisdom”
DOS Once you enter the land of Buddhism, you will see many temples and Buddha statues both inside and outside the temples or even in residences. Buddhists have the images of Buddha to pay respect to and remind themselves of his teachings. To know what is appropriate and to whom one should pay respect is a common sense and basic morality. The world has gone too far in using Buddha images wrongly, without consideration. Please let us provide this summary to help explain how to treat the Buddha image appropriately. Simple respect will bring good vibration and harmony for us all. 1. Respect To pay respect to Buddha doesn’t mean you must be a Buddhist. If you act with respect to a prophet of other religions, you should treat the Buddha the same way because he is worshipped as the spiritual Father of Buddhism. Respect can be shown through humbleness and respectful body language. If you don’t want to pay respect at all at least do not look down on the Buddha.
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2. Correctness If you see a picture, an amulet, or a statue of Buddha in inappropriate places such as on the floor, in a toilet, or on a chair, please help to place it somewhere up high. 3. Knowledge If you are a Buddhist, inform those who have the wish to know about the Buddha. If you are not a Buddhist, and someone asks, “Who is Buddha?”, the simple answer can be that Buddha is the enlightened one who taught Buddhists to do good deeds the same way other prophets do.
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DON'TS
1. Please do not treat Buddha’s symbols, statues or images badly. If you cannot pay respect to Buddha at least do not treat the image of Buddha badly. Buddhists respect Buddha as the spiritual father. All leaders of religions are regarded with respect. This should also be applied to Buddha. 2. Please do not use Buddha images as objects or place them at inappropriate spots. True Buddhists who see a Buddha image placed as objects in inappropriate places will feel very unhappy. This could lead to an anger and conflict. Top ideas in Buddhism & Famous Stories in Buddha’s time
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3. Please do not use the name “Buddha” for commercialization or without respect. Naming your pet dog “Buddha” or a bar “Buddha Bar” is wrong.
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4. Please do not place images or statues of Buddha as furniture or decorative items. Buddha symbols and images are not furniture nor decoration. They are to be revered. But many people aware of their own disrespectful acts. We must improve awareness of what is right and wrong. You might wonder why there are merchants even in some Buddhist countries who treat Buddha statues or images without respect and sell them as decorative items. That is the reflection of human nature. In every society there are good and bad people. Bad people don’t care about anything except their own benefits but true Buddhists will feel ashamed of that; seeing an amulet, a statue of Buddha on the floor, in the toilet, or on a chair. When you see it, please help place it in a proper place up high such as on a shelf or higher.
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WHY IS BUDDHA NOT FOR TATTOO ? Our body is considered dirty Buddha was a person who was clean from the inside out. His mind was free from illusion and impurities. He is respected by all Buddhists around the world. Our body and mind still need to be cleaned. If we don’t wash our body even for a day, it stinks badly. Some people have said that they had the Buddha tattoos on their bodies out of love and respect and that they wanted to stay close to him. This idea is not correct and a misunderstanding. The best way to stay close to him is to follow his teaching. These are the appropriate ways to show your love and respect to Buddha. We don’t practice sexual abstinence. To tattoo his image on a body that still indulges in sexual acts is considered a serious lack of respect. The Buddha statue needs to be placed in a proper place. Always put the Buddha statue in a high place, way above the head as a respectful act to him. To put the symbol in a low position or to tattoo him on the body is thus very inappropriate. Top ideas in Buddhism & Famous Stories in Buddha’s time
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Acharavadee Wongsakon, Vipassana Meditation Master Master Acharavade has taught Techo Vipassana meditation since 2011. Unlike other Vipassana techniques, the technique uses the fire element within the body to cleanse impurities in the mind. For the past seven years, around 7,000 people have participated in Techo Vipassana and Anapanasati courses, all of them being free of charge. Through this new technique, which she had learned from a highly revered Buddhist monk, and rigorous practice for more than 20,000 hours, Master Acharavadee has gained a spiritual insight of all things and beings at the Ultimate Truth level or at the energy level in terms of science. The wisdom allows her to explain in detail how the universe works and the truth behind the relationship between the world, the magnetic field, and the gravity force with the souls in the way that nobody has ever done this clearly before. Most importantly, her discovery also reveals the true purpose of life. Her students come from all walks of life ranging from scientists, medical doctors, nurses, and high-ranking military officers to actors, architects, and artists. Master Acharavadee has also written several books on Buddhism based on experiences of her Vipassana practice and those subjects in relation to
Buddhism in plain language. "Top Ideas and Famous Stories in Buddha's Time" is her first book in English language, with the second book "Awaken from Madness" scheduled to be released soon. Earlier, Master Acharavadee was a hugely successful designer and owner of jewelry firm with several awards, and had been a serious meditator who devoted much of her life to Buddhism before turning to Buddhism fulltime. She started "The School of Life Foundation" in 2004, with an aim to strengthen morality in children and young adults through Dhamma principles laid out by the Buddha. The school is still running alongside her other work as Vipassana teacher and president of Knowing Buddha Organization, a nonprofit working on ending commercialization of Buddhist artifacts and images around the world. Through her works, Master Acharavadee is determined to bring back the core of Buddha’s teachings with the intention of reviving the religion’s status as the “Religion of Awakening” as the name “Buddhism” suggests. If you are interested in Vipassana meditation, please visit www.techovipassana.org for more information. We offer the following courses: 1) 4 days/3 nights of Anapanasati Meditation (Breathing Meditation) by Assistant Meditation Teacher 2) 1 day course of Anapanasati Meditation by Assistant Meditation Teacher 3) 7 days/6 nights of Techo Vipassana Meditation by Master Acharavadee Wongsakon *Applicants for Techo Vipassana Meditation course are required to complete the Anapanasati 4 days/3 nights Meditation course from here first. Information and details about application is available on the website. The meditation center is located in Kaengkoi district, Saraburi province.
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Knowing Buddha Organization (KBO) We speak out to protect Buddhism by giving correct knowledge on proper treatments to Buddha images and symbols. In recent years, Buddha images and statues have been used as “Buddhist Art” for decorations - such as furniture, rather than as a remembrance of his compassion with respect and gratitude. KBO was founded by Vipassana Master Acharavadee Wongsakon in 2012, consisting of a new generation of Buddhists who follow Buddha’s teachings through vigorous training and practice of Vipassana meditation. The changes within themselves have resulted in immeasurable gratitude to the Buddha. With determination to reverse the growth of misguided knowledge and end the lack of respect to the Enlightened One, we strive to bring back the core of Buddha’s teachings with the intention of reviving the religion’s status as the “Religion of Awakening” as the name “Buddhism” means.
Not only we protect Buddhism. But we awaken the morality of mankind. -Master Acharavadee Wongsakon
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Bangkok out-bound to Suvanabhumi international airport
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SUPPORT US Knowing Buddha invites you to support our work in protecting the
Buddha and restoring Buddhism to last for as long as 5,000 years.
How do we spend your donation? ​Since 2014, KBO has been funded entirely through public contribution.
Our major goals are to educate, protect and stop disrespectful actions toward Buddha image. Our activities include:
Campaigns on giant billboards in areas with heavy tourist traffic, e.g.
the gateway to Bangkok city inbound from Suvarnabhumi
Airport, the Phuket International Airport, and the Chiang Mai Airport.
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Campaigns on various medias i.e. short-film video campaigns,
campaigns on social network and websites.
Annual Dhamma walk campaigns to raise awareness in key touristic
markets such as Chatuchak weekend market, Kaosarn road.
Annual exhibitions on important auspicious Buddhist days in main
tourist attractions several times a year.
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