【Description】
Practicing meditation can increase compassion and wisdom, generate merits and promote health and happiness. Not only does it benefit us, the practitioners, but also our future generations. However, the journey of meditation practices is a delicate one; a single misstep and we could get entangled in the afflictions of daily life. We may even neglect our daily practice and show signs of regression in response to the demands of a busy schedule.
How do we maintain our aspiration and stay motivated? How do we make meditation practices a regular part of life? How do we banish laziness to avoid regressing? Find out in this teaching from Grandmaster JinBodhi!
【You will learn】
- Methods that prevent regression in our meditation practices
- Methods that make self-cultivation a part of our life
- Grandmaster JinBodhi’s story of his time with the imam
【Content】
Practicing self-cultivation and doing good deeds are not easy. Sitting here and teaching doesn’t bring me glory. The honor belongs to Buddha. The pressure is not bearable for everyone. It is a huge responsibility, so you must have the right aspiration and intention.
On your practice path, examine yourself daily; do you still remember your original intention? Check yourself daily. Practice at least 2 hours daily. A true practitioner would practice 3 hours daily. Only this way can we stop regression, have enough energy, keep the wisdom we should have, and become one with Master and Buddha. So once you truly have that aspiration, set up a practice schedule. Even though you volunteer for Bodhi during the day, you still need to practice in the evening.
Have I told you the story of my visiting a Muslim household? Anyone heard it? I was at an imam’s house. He was knowledgeable. The house was in a mountainous area. He treated me very nicely. He knew I am a devoted Buddhist, and I was hoping to ask him some questions. He was very nice to me. I slept in a big earthen bed with his family. I slept late. He had a string of luminous pearls hanging on the wall; it was their chanting beads. The family practiced chanting, and they liked chanting beads. They used an oil lamp and put it out at night; then the luminous pearls shone brightly. I was looking at the pearls all night; I couldn’t sleep for almost the whole night. I finally fell asleep at dawn. Then, the family started their daily prostrations.
The imam had gone to the mosque at 4am. His wife got up at 5am; she prostrated quietly beside me. I was a teenager then. One of their special practice methods was prostration. She was quiet so as not to wake me. She couldn’t go to the mosque as women were not allowed there. She was very faithful and practiced at home. Later, I chatted with them. “You guys wake up so early. I heard you prostrate 5 times a day. How do you do it?”
The imam said he prostrated 2 to 3 times a day, 40 minutes or more each time. The wife had to prostrate at least once a day, no matter how busy she was. I asked her the reason. “For health and wisdom,” she said. She was smart. She said, “When I am healthy, my brain works better.” The wife did all the farm work. The husband took care of the mosque. They had 3 kids. Their minds were so clear. When I compared them to other villagers around there, I saw that Han villagers’ wisdom was not as developed as that of Muslims.
Putting aside the spiritual pursuit; every believer must practice diligently. No matter how busy they are, they have to set a time to practice. Generally speaking, compared to Han people, Muslims have better health; the degeneration of their brain and body is slower than that of Han people. Many Han people are not clear-minded at 50, and some are dull at 60. Many 70-year-old Muslims get new wives. Their brain and energy are very good. A huge difference.
Our daily practice is so important. Otherwise, you regress. Because you don’t cherish it; then you slowly become lazy, until you may not want to practice at all. Finally, you lose faith. This lifetime’s chance to learn Buddhadharma may be missed. What a pity! Our daily practice is very important. I also hope that every disciple prays before meals. Thank the Buddha. “I am about to eat. I hope all beings have food.” May Buddha-light shine on the world. Wish for world peace. May all have a job. Think this way.
Also, think of the hungry ghosts. You might think they are scary. After your father dies, maybe he doesn’t go to Heaven, but floats around. He is feeling pain, hunger and lack of sunlight. Don’t you want to give him water? Are you afraid of him? He is not going to hurt you. Unless you can’t for cleanliness reasons, give them some food and water once in a while. The food and water has to be what we can eat and drink. We remember all sentient beings; it is part of our practice. By helping others, we elevate our compassionate mind. Why don’t we start doing such good deeds? Can you do it? (Yes.) Think about all sentient beings.
Every week has 7 days including a worship day. Catholics go to church on Sundays. They gather to pray on that day, and to read the Bible and worship God. Everyone goes and prays to God. What about us? We should thank and pray to Buddha. They do better than us. Many Buddhists don’t incorporate reverence, belief and gratitude into their daily life. When we apply these daily, we will have more faith.
We are often touched by Christians. I was at a park in Taipei practicing Energy Bagua. I saw a senior man holding flyers and bravely walking up to people. We were practicing Energy Bagua. Most people wouldn’t disturb us. Instead, he came up to me and said, “Here, God loves you.” How should I respond? Keep the flyer? How can we reject God’s love? He was enjoying handing out flyers, which many Buddhists can’t do. When you practice like him, everyone will be compassionate and auspicious.
The purpose of our practice is to cultivate our inner compassion, wisdom, merits and virtues. Don’t just donate to the building of a temple, or go to dharma ceremonies; these bring merit and virtue too. Daily accumulation is more important. Integrating your practice into your life is more important. When Theravada Buddhists are counting breaths, they are thinking of Buddha.
Of all practice methods, we should choose one. Some combine different methods and practice them together. Some dharma methods are OK, they qualify as Buddhadharma; some are not helpful. Some are fundamental training, so they are good only for a period of time. So when you learn from me, practice what I teach you. Your heart and aspiration should be in a high state.
Practice diligently every day. Thus you can stop regression, have energy and wisdom, and become one with Buddha.