May 2018 - Bro. Teoh's Kalyanamittas

May 30, 2018

Bro Teoh’s 27th May 2018 Sunday class sharing

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our Sunday class dated 27th May 2018 recording for sharing by all. The outline short notes is as below:

Outline short notes for lesson 75 of the 6^th Patriarch’s Dharma Jewel Platform Sutra dated 27.5.2018

Continue from Page 382 Chapter X – Final Instructions:

1. The Self Nature is the Oneness, source of everything. Originally, there is nothing, where can the dust alight?

2. “Dust” here means defilement or unwholesome mind states. It arises because of duality created by the mundane mind via words, concept and idea. The mundane mind creates the “duality” of good and bad, wholesome and unwholesome, right and wrong, etc. It is impossible to then use the mundane mind to do away with such dualities because the mundane mind is fighting its own creation which always comes together as a pair; meaning if one does not create then things are just the way they are – no right, no wrong and no good and no bad.

3. If the mundane mind does not create duality via delusion, then the true mind can see things as they are.

4. We must learn to use the mundane mind and yet not deceived by it.

5. Do not waste time on tainted merit. Instead, work towards awakening via the silent mind.

6. Story of Bodhi dharma transmitting the dharma from India to China.

7. Enlightenment is to awaken to the self-nature or true-nature. It is not about just sitting without understanding.

8. Start from basic, i.e. understand that everything arises from the self-nature, including the mundane mind. ForMind is the forerunner of all things, when mind arises, everything arises. Whether something is wholesome or unwholesome (duality), they all arise from the mundane mind.

9. There is a nature that is independent of thinking. All beings are connected to the self-nature which is never born, hence it doesn’t get sick, get old or die for this is the eternal nature.

10. When one understands this, one will be able to cultivate and meditate accordingly. If one does not understand, then one is just following instructions blindly. Meditation is not about whether one is doing it right or wrong but one must understand what one is doing in the name of cultivation and meditation.

11. The mundane mind needs to be trained via mindfulness to realize the true/silent mind.

12. Not until there is mindfulness, there is no real meditation leading to wisdom.

13. Just relax and be silent. Develop the 5 spiritual faculties to overcome the 5 mental hindrances first. If there is still thinking, it’s because sati is lacking and the untrained mind is heedless. Accept it and just be aware.

14. Use the heart (awareness within) to be aware of external things (observe without views, opinions and thought)Learn to see things as they are. Be with the moment in silent awareness.

15. Don’t be too eager to know about ones progress because that is a form of craving. If you have cultivated correctly then conditions will unfold by themselves naturally.

16. In the midst of life, cultivate the daily mindfulness, i.e. learn to see the physical, mental and nature’s flow within nature. If there is mindfulness thoughts will not arise but when thoughts do arise just be aware and do not allow it to continue or proliferate into a chain of heedless thinking.

17. Thinking ahead while doing our intended bodily actions or movements is not being mindful at all. Try doing one thing at a time with full awareness. Be with the moment in silent awareness more and more so that thisheedless thinking will be reduced. Learn to live life instead of always thinking, planning and worrying about life.

18. Try not to accumulate via memorize so that the brain has space. Especially those psychological memories like your fear, worry, anxiety, phobias, scars of memories, insecurities, etc. Instead, jot them down so as to be free from the need to use memory. No thoughts mean no worries, fear, worry, anxiety etc.

19. Tranquility, silence and clarity of mind leads us to see things as they are leading to wisdom.

20. When there is awakening, wisdom that arise will be connected to the form and mind. The form and mind (or human being) is no longer deluded, one can say it has become enlightened. However, this form and mind is not you and it is still subject to the law of Karma. This must be understood so that one can cultivate correctly.

21. Enlightenment has nothing to do with whether one has completely exhausted ones bad Karma or not?

22. 2 aspects of the Middle Path: i) To avoid the 2 extremes of self-mortification and sensual indulgence; and ii) totranscend duality via wisdom. Duality is to be understood. Duality pertains to the conditioned world.

23. Ignorance leads to heedless thinking (Avijja paccaya sankhara). Be aware of these mental activities via mindfulness to develop wisdom to straighten ones views so that one can weaken such heedless thinking.

24. The real meditation will always bring one back to the cultivation of the Noble Eightfold Path which is the meditation as taught by the Buddha. Always reflect and contemplate until the dharma is very clear.

25. The 1^st and 2nd Noble Truths are the mundane aspect of life.

26. 1^st Noble Truth explains the reality of life and existence, i.e. the 8 realities leading to dukkha if one lack wisdom. The prevalence of suffering if one confronts them without proper understanding.

27. 2^nd Noble Truth – the cause of suffering is craving borne of delusion.

28. 3^rd noble truth – Suffering need not be. Nibbana can be realized in the here and the now.

29. 4^th noble truth – cultivates the N8FP (mundane cultivation) leading to the realization of the supra mundane.

30. Question by Sister Adeline: Can Bro Teoh explain how we can one overcome or transcend duality in cultivation?

31. Question by Sister Eng Bee: According to Bro Teoh N8FP still have duality right? Reason why Bro Teoh said in the last Tuesday and Thursday classes that the 4^th Noble Truth is about cultivating the N8FP (mundane cultivation) leading to the supra mundane which is the realization of Nibbana. Can Bro Teoh explain this further?

32. Question by Sister Lee: What does one need to do once the silent mind cultivation has been developed?

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Sister Lee Siew Gaik

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/75-6th-Patriarch-27-May-2018.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/inbwt2u2blhhqfs/75%206th%20Patriarch%2027%20May%202018.MP3?dl=0

May 26, 2018April 29, 2019

Bro Teoh’s 24th May 2018 Thursday class

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our last Thursday night’s 24th May 2018 recording for sharing by all. Also enclose below is the outline short notes:

Outline notes for 24th May 2018 Thursday class sharing

1. Recap of 1st May 2018 Tuesday class short notes.

2. Recap of 17th May 2018 Thursday class short notes on GE14 and Karma.

3. The analogy of a cluttered table top, used to describe the untrained/heedless thinking mind:

Without right views one will deludedly accumulate a lot of “rubbish” (views and opinions, conditioning, belief systems, rites and rituals, superstitions, psychological memories of fear, worry, anxiety, insecurity, etc) within our brain/memories.
Hence brain is cluttered with no Space to allow one to move around or act freely. Due to self-delusion one is full of sankhara (wrong thoughts), living a life of disorder.
Space (between thought) is freedom. Without thought there is no fear, no worry, no anxiety, etc. hence one can be with the moment to experience the pristine beauty and wonders of nature and life.
Thoughts are response to memories so spaciousness or not accumulation of memories means no thought.
No thought implies silence, tranquility, stillness, peace and clarity of mind.

4. Choose to contemplate dhamma until it is very very very clear to stabilize ones 2nd turning wisdom to prepare the stable base for one to receive/awaken to truth. 5. Do not neglect your physical form and mind. It is karmically conditioned for us to come to this condition/existential world hence learn to use it and do not be deluded by it.

6. Sis Eng Bee’s question:

what Bro Teoh meant by “the Consciousness had started to move since the year 2008”;
about the speculated prophecies of the words “RAHMAN” and “MAHATHIR”.

(Note: Outline prepared by Sis Soo Yee)

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Bro Swee Aun

*if you missed Bro Teoh’s Thurs class May24, you can download at*

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Thu-180524.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/paucsif5xt6laxb/Teoh%20class%20180524.MP3?dl=0

Teoh class 180524.MP3

www.dropbox.com

Shared with Dropbox

May 24, 2018April 29, 2019

Bro Teoh’s 22nd May 2018 recording

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our 22nd May 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all. Also attached is outline short notes as blow for your further reference:

22nd May 2018 Tuesday Class outline short notes

Recap of 1st May 2018 Tuesday class short notes.
5 great universal laws of nature (2 scientific + 3 spiritual)

Physical order [Utu niyama]
Biological order [Bija niyama]
Law of karma [Karma niyama] (Do good begets good and do evil begets evil & you reap what you sow)
Law of the mind [Citta niyama] (12 links / paticca samupada)
Law of truth / Dharma [Dhamma niyama] (4 noble truths, etc.)

3 Buddhism (Teaching of the Buddha) = Dhamma = Truth. The essence of the Buddha’s teaching is the Four Noble Truths. Noble Truths are truths that can make you noble ones or enlightened ones when you had understood (awakened to) them.

4 Bro Teoh’s sharing from the Book, “The Buddha and His Teachings” – Chapter 17 – The 4 Noble Truths, until page 321 ‘….Insatiate are all desires.’

4(a) The 3 Lokas (31 planes of existence)

kama Loka (sensual world) – 6 realms of Devas, 1 human realm and 4 woeful states/realms.
rupa Loka (form world) – 16 Brahma realms.
arupa Loka (formless world) – 4 formless realms.

4(b) Why is your form and mind (the human being) so important?

It allows us to live and experience life to the fullest and we can also use it to cultivate the 4 foundations of mindfulness (kaya-, vedana-, citta- and dhammanupassana) to realize the enlightenment.
Everything you cling and grasp onto (including all sense pleasure) is a prelude to dukkha (suffering), as they are impermanent – arising and passing away following nature’s conditions. Hence not a permanent unchanging entity where you can cling onto and grasp onto.

4(c) The MISCONCEPTION of defining the 1^st Noble Truth of dukkha as – “life is suffering”

The Buddha never say that. The Buddha proclaimed that there is a noble truth that explain to you clearly the prevalence of suffering when one confronts the 8 realities of life without the requisite wisdom.
The Buddha teaches instead the prevalence of suffering, how suffering comes to be due to delusion, the secret of life and suffering need not be if we understand his teaching. The liberated mind can live life without being affected / afflicted.

4(d) 3 types of craving/tanha

Kama tanha (sensual craving)
Bhava tanha (craving to ‘be’ – becoming)
Vibhava tanha ( craving ‘not to be’)

4(e) Ambition is not a craving

As Buddhist we can have ambition to realize our good and noble wishes via cultivating the Noble 8-Fold Path following the Dhamma way of no delusion.

(Outline prepared by Teoh Soo Yee)

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Sis Hui Rung

Brother Teoh Tuesday Class on 22/05/2018 record :

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Tue-180522.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ik6tt2llysbrhgc/2018-05-22.MP3?dl=0

2018-05-22.MP3

www.dropbox.com

Shared with Dropbox

May 21, 2018

Re: Bro Teoh’s Sunday class dated 20th May 2018

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our last night’s WPCS Sunday class dated 20th May 2018 recording for sharing by all. Also enclose below are the short note outline of the sharing:

Short notes for WPCS Sunday class dated 20th May 2018

The 6^th Patriarch’s Dharma Jewel Platform Sutra sharing from Page 379-382 (Chapter X Final Instructions) :

The 6^th Patriarch’s teaching points directly to the True Mind (the silent mind – with no thought), i.e. in involves training the mundane mind to be mindful leading to heedfulness to cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path.
Master Hui Neng does not teach thought based meditationwhich cannot lead one to realize the enlightenment which is beyond thought and beyond time.
Real cultivation is to be developed while in the midst of life. Meditation developed under conducive/peaceful environment alone may not be of much use, i.e. stability of daily mindfulness under all conditions and circumstances must be developed. One must be able to be heedful at all time.
Do not cling to the form and mind. The form and mind are just our vehicle and tool in this existence for us to use with understanding.
Bro Song’s question: Apart from the handful of leaves (i.e. the 4 Noble Truths and its 3 Turnings) that the Buddha taught he also mentioned about the rest of the leaves in the forest that the Buddha did not teach. What are those teachings? Bro Teoh’s answer: They are those teachings related to the cultivation of the Bodhisattva way leading the perfection of Samma Sam Buddhahood via Cultivating the 5 stages of the Bodhi Mind development (to refer pages 97 and 98 of the blue transcript book – ‘Cultivating the Bodhisattva way’ for details).

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Sister Lee Siew Gaik

Audio links:

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/74-6th-Patriarch-20-May-2018.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j7hfhstug4gbkt6/74%206th%20Patriarch%2020%20May%202018.MP3?dl=0

May 18, 2018

Bro Teoh’s 15th May 2018 Tuesday class sharing

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our last night 15th May 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all. The out line short notes are as below:

Outline notes of Bro Teoh’s Tuesday class dated May 15, 2018

1) Short talk by Bro Teoh on the recently concluded GE14 (9^th May 2018): Bro Teoh expressed his great respect for Tun Mahathir’s extraordinary feat and ability to pull off the greatest upset win despite his age of 92+. His great will-power, foresight and strategy had enabled him to lead the opposition front to break the incumbent government of 61 years to give new hope to the people of Malaysia – a new Malaysia is born. The fall of BN (Najib’s National Front) was expected because all the signs, causes and conditions were there. We can learn from this great event of true change for our beloved nation and we are all indeed very blessed and proud to be part of the change. Kamma has taken place following dhammapada verses 119 and 120: verse 119: Even an evil person may still find happiness so long as his evil deed does not bear fruit; but when his evil deed does bear fruit he will meet with evil consequences. Verse 120: Even a good person may still meet with suffering as long as his good deed does not bear fruit; but when it does bear fruit he will enjoy the benefits of his good deed. 2) The Buddha and his Teachings (Chapter 16 page 306 – 318): – Buddhism is nothing mysterious nor is it mystical – It is a religion of great wisdom for it gives love, wisdom and understanding to all beings struggling in the ocean of birth and death (samsara) – It reveals to living beings the secret of life so that they truly understand life – The precepts are to be observed and they are not commandments but modes of discipline to be followed based on one’s understanding 3) Buddhism and Caste system The Buddha do away with the caste system by saying: – – By birth is no one an outcaste; By birth is no one a Brahmin; – By deeds is one an outcast; By deeds is one a Brahmin In conclusion the Buddha commented – birth makes no Brahmin, nor non-Brahmin; it is life doing that makes a true Brahmin and their life moulds farmers, tradesmen, merchants and serfs or moulds robbers, soldiers, chaplains, kings, etc.

(Note: Above draft outline was prepared by Sister Quinni)

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Sis Hui Rung

Brother Teoh Tuesday Class on 15/05/2018 record :

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Teoh-Tue-180515.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dv9fj6g70sx39yo/2018-05-15.MP3?dl=0

May 18, 2018

Bro Teoh’s 8th May 2018 Tuesday class recording

May 15, 2018April 29, 2019

Bro Teoh’s WPCS Sunday class dated 6th May 2018

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links and outline short notes to our above 6th May 2018 Sunday class recording for sharing by all.

Outline pointers for 6^th May 2018 Sunday class sharing

Chapter viii – Difficult questions Pages (369 – 370) and Chapter ix Proclamation were discussed:

What are true merits?

True merits are pure merits performed without the ego/personality and the 3 evil roots.
Tainted merits are not pure merits. These merits are tainted with ‘self’ and ‘greed’.
Must one always sit in meditation to realize enlightenment (liberation of mind)?

2. Not necessary. Daily mindfulness to cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path in the midst of life is the way. The form and mind is not a permanent unchanging entity. The form and mind exist dependent on conditions. When one realizes this, there will be no more delusion to arise the grasping. When the Buddha realized this, he came to great awakening. 3. A real cultivator is not dependent on whether one is a monk or a layperson. Its sincerity, understanding and virtue that makes a person a true cultivator. It is the virtue and wisdom within our nature that counts, not the external appearance, status and title.

With the Bodhisattva vows, the Bodhi mind will be there then even if the Sasana is not around, one will still have the conditions to encounter the Buddha’s Teachings when born as a human being.
Rare is it to be born a human, even rarer is it to encounter the Teachings. Now that we are born human and have the Teachings and the sasana within our reach, do not forsake the great opportunity to cultivate.
PG shared her recent 1 week Mahayana chanting retreat experience at Cameron Highlands.
Sister Lee shared a story of a 100 year old lady who recently passed away recently. This lady who was illiterate cultivated via just chanting Kuan Yin’s name. She realized that cultivation is in the mind hence can be done anywhere and not at a specific place.
Bro Teoh explained the 3 types of Dharma friends.

(Note: above outline draft is prepared by Sister Mun Yuen)

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Ms Lee Siew Gaik

‪

[06/05, 21:37] Lee Siew Gaik:

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/73-6th-Patriarch-6-May-2018.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a8m3i7xk7hlawu6/73%206th%20Patriarch%206%20May%202018.MP3?dl=0

73 6th Patriarch 6 May 2018.MP3

www.dropbox.com

Shared with Dropbox

May 11, 2018May 12, 2018

Bro Teoh’s 3rd May 2018 Thursday class recording

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our 3rd May 2018 Thursday class recording for sharing by all. Below are the short notes for the above talk:

SHORT NOTES OF TALK ON 3 MAY

1. Sharing by Sis Adeline

During her recent retreat at Cameron Highlands with a few Kalyanamittas (Mahayana Retreat), there was a lot of chanting. It was a struggle for her on the first day, but on the second day, her faith and mindfulness was so strong that her mind settled down and became one with the chanting. The five mental hindrances ceased and were replaced with the five spiritual faculties. 2. Sharing by Sister Padmasuri
She explained the wordings and meaning of the chanting done during the recent Mahayana retreat. It will help a lot if one can chant them with understanding because their meanings are very profound. If one has strong faith in Kuan Yin, during times of danger and difficulties, Kuan Yin’s nature via its vows can appear to help bless, protect and guide one.

Bro Teoh’s answer
When doing repentance, do it with sincerity and understanding from the heart.
Asking for forgiveness has a slight difference as compared with repentance. Repentance is more effective and powerful because there is a strong determination not to repeat this karmic negativity anymore.
If one is a true cultivator, never allow one to break the precepts and commit karmic negativity that will give rise to negative karmic fruition.
One should really repent and vow never to repeat the old ways. Instead, determine to change to a new way of living life via following the advice of the Buddha.
As one goes deeper into the practice or cultivation, one’s understanding of the dharma deepens in stages.
If one has cultivated before in past lives, it will be much easier to connect to the true mind.
The real cultivation begins when the mind is just aware and silent within (without thought).
When the stability of the silent mind is strong, one can awaken to the 3 characteristics.
Understanding path and fruition in cultivation. For some, they can bypass certain stages if they have cultivated before in the past.
One should not be impatient with one’s cultivation. If one uses the mundane mind to give rise to doubts, this becomes a mental hindrance. Instead, one should understand the nature’s laws. Only when there are causes and conditions, things will unfold accordingly.
We too have to go through the stages of cultivation unless we have our past. If we have not cultivated before in the past, we should put in more faith and diligence this life as well as learn to make aspirations for causes and conditions for us to progress along the path of dharma. It is not easy for these teachings to come about.
Whatever we do in the name of cultivation or meditation, if it doesn’t bring us back to develop the 5 spiritual faculties leading to heedfulness to cultivate the Noble 8fold path, then it is not the meditation as taught by the Buddha.
Before the transformation happens, we cannot understand many things, so don’t worry but just proceed on with faith and sincerity to cultivate accordingly because after the transformation, the understanding will unfold naturally. The key thing is: `train your mind to be heedful.’
Hence, don’t be gullible and be influenced by what others tell you. Bro Teoh advised us to constantly check ourselves with these questions – i) am I training my mind to be heedful? ii) Are my 5 spiritual faculties developed? iii) Am I cultivating the Noble 8-Fold path?
It is essential that we see the importance of returning to daily mindfulness training via bowing and chanting etc. Also to develop the spiritual faculties, cultivating mindfulness of the 4 postures and sati sampajanna leading to the silent mind. If the spiritual faculties are still not developed as yet then to use the mind sweeping method & metta to de-condition the heedless thinking first, before stabilizing the silent mind with anapanasati leading to a stable mindfulness. When the mind becomes so quiet and still with hardly any movement until the mind enters sati and to bring this trained mind state into daily life so that throughout the day, you are mindful and heedful with awareness and clarity within.
Coupled with the Noble 8-Fold path cultivation, we can reflect or contemplate on all the essential dharma as taught by the Buddha. Even if one manages to have a glimpse of Nibbana, there is still the need to constantly reflect and contemplate all dharma to develop the stability and more penetrative understanding.
As one gains more insights, wisdom grows leading to further straightening of one’s views. One begins to see how all the essential dharmas are connected. One also starts to see things as they are without the grasping or clinging. The wisdom that arises will help one deal with the reality as they are (without the memory or conditioning coming in to interfere and distort ones seeing. The sensual desires and ill-will cease because most of the time, one is aware and peaceful within due to one’s wisdom.
The transformed mind has less sankhara and it becomes more and more quiet/silent. Eventually, one reaches the silent mind state of passadhi leading to Samadhi to arise the direct seeing and then wisdom keeps on arising. The views will also keep on being straightened out.
As one’s views continue to be straightened, one is peaceful and aware most of the time. The world of duality doesn’t delude us anymore because of the ability to see things as they are. The world is the world so it cannot be otherwise. Problem only arises when we perceive the phenomena with negativity. Everything is dependent origination and condition arising, – mind made are they. One will then realize that the phenomenal world is a world of consciousness. The form and mind is for us to use without the need for us to worry about it from growing old, getting sick or die. We can then accord and flow with whatever that manifests then Life becomes meaningful, beautiful and wonderful.

3. Sharing by Sister Adeline continued

After a few days of chanting during the Mahayana retreat, her sati developed. She felt very light and her sitting became very easy. There was no more pain and she could get into the silent mind state straightaway. Her consciousness need not stay at the brain area anymore and she could stay at the heart to listen from her heart most of the time. She felt very relaxed and mindful most of the time. There were no more sankhara to disturb her. Her brain was always clear and light. She could just walk mindfully in a very relaxed and natural manner.

Bro Teoh explained the importance of making aspirations and cultivating the spiritual faculties. Sister Adeline’s determination to be mindful most of the time bore fruit during her retreat in Rayong, Thailand. And this has helped her to progress further. She has strong faith and sincerity in her cultivation.

4. Sharing by Bro. Song:

He shared his experience before the March 2018 Cameron Highlands retreat. During puja in one of the Tuesday classes, the chanting came from his heart.
During the retreat, he hardly sat or lay down. Instead, he helped out at the kitchen area and did not participate in the morning chanting.
He just walked in a relaxed but mindful manner most of the time.
On the 4^th day of the retreat, he was doing sitting meditation at the Shrine Hall. He experienced his form disappearing leaving only the breath which was very clear, long and slow. He was very calm and everything dropped to his heart. He could hear his heartbeat very clearly and the sound of the motorbike though it was a distance away.
His heart’s vibrations slowed down and there was deep silence within. After 20 plus minutes, his consciousness started to appear. He returned to normal consciousness and then went to help out in the kitchen.
When he was listening to the dharma (shared by Bro Teoh), he didn’t feel the need to listen.
On the eighth day, while talking to Sister Alicia, he saw his mind arise from the heart. He realized the meaning of being ever mindful to cultivate the Noble 8fold Path.
His understanding came from his experience and not from thoughts. When he went back to work in his office, the minute he heard the Heart Sutra on his computer, the heart area started to vibrate. When he was told about the Kuan Yin Retreat at Cameron Highlands, he immediately felt like going though later, he asked himself why he needed to go. He finally decided to follow his first instinct to attend the Mahayana Retreat. However during the retreat, he did not chant but remained silent. On the third day, he continued reciting his Bodhisattva vows and realized his mind state was different. His heart kept vibrating and he could feel his whole body vibrating. When he joined the Mahayana chanting and walking meditation of going round the Bodhisattvas, he felt his movements becoming awkward if he had kept to their walking paces. Initially, he wanted to correct his movements to keep up with their paces but the realization came that there was no need to do so. Again, he gained new insights by doing so.
Kuan Yin Bodhisattva has served 10,000 billion Samma Sambuddhas and her vows are deeper than the oceans.
After his recent Cameron Mahayana retreat, he realized he does not have the chattering mind anymore. His faith and understanding by following Bro Teoh’s advice has helped him move from one level of cultivation to another.

Bro Teoh’s answer:

If one’s faith is strong, our aspirations or vows can manifest.
Bro Teoh explained how the Heart Sutra book was published. It has helped many people learn very fast.
For this year’s retreat, the Penang group has benefited greatly because their understanding of the dharma has deepened. They have attended many dharma talks before in the past but they still did not have a clear understanding of the dharma and how to apply it in their lives as so clearly explained by Bro Teoh.
Bro Teoh emphasized the need to be heedful and ever mindful to cultivate the meditation as taught by the Buddha (which is the Noble 8-Fold path)..
If one takes the Sainthood way, the mind can still arise though there is wisdom.
However, if one goes the Bodhisattva way, even when things happen, one doesn’t use the brain but straightaway go to the heart. One acts through understanding (wisdom) and accepts the reality of the moment so that there is peace within always.
With wise-attention or yoniso manasikara at the moment of sense experience, questions of why and how do not arise anymore. There is the understanding to accept things as they are as well as accord and flow with the conditions that unfold.

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Bro Swee Aun

Bro. Teoh’s Thursday class sharing (3 May 2018) is ready for download:

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Teoh-Thu-180503.mp3

or at:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sdm8eiu7y6beob1/Teoh%20Thur%20Class%2020180503.MP3?dl=0

Teoh Thur Class 20180503.MP3

www.dropbox.com

Shared with Dropbox

May 4, 2018April 29, 2019

Bro Teoh’s Tuesday Class recording dated 01/05/2018

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our Brother Teoh’s Tuesday Class recording dated 01/05/2018 for sharing by all.

01 May 2018 Tues Class – Outline notes

Introduction for newcomers.
Benefits of performing devotional practice or Puja.

Bro Teoh’s sharing from the Book – “The Buddha and His Teachings” (Chapter 16, Page 298):

Characteristics of Dhamma

Sandiṭṭhiko – this dhamma can be realised in the here and the now (no need to wait till death);
Akāliko – this dhamma is Beyond thought, beyond time (timeless);
Ehipassiko – this dhamma can stand up to investigation (inviting investigation);
Opanayiko – this dhamma leads inward into the heart leading to the realisation of Nibbana;
Paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhi ti – This dhamma can be realised or understood by the wise each for themselves.

2. 3 Universal Characteristics of life

ANATTA – within the conditional world, everything is dependent originating; only mighty nature rolling by hence empty (emptiness) – no ‘permanent-unchanging-entity’ for one to cling and hold onto.
ANICCA – impermanent nature of all condition arising entities (only arise when supporting conditions are there, when supporting conditions are no longer there, they cease to be).
DUKKHA – craving/clinging and grasping to impermanent entities of the phenomena world of consciousness via wanting things “your way” which is against nature’s way. This implies not able to get what one desires (through one’s habitual tendencies borne of self-delusion), brings about suffering. And mind made are they because upon contact the senses can give rise to sense door consciousness within our form and mind.

3. Final summary of the 1^st Noble truth: When you deludedly grasp onto the 5 aggregates of form and mind as “I” / “Me” and “Mine”, you will be afflicted and suffering will arise.

Bro Teoh made reference to the 4 signs (of an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a Samana) from the life of the Buddha and the 5 daily contemplations as taught by the Buddha to expand on its understanding.

4. 1st aspect of the 5 aggregates of form and mind (as a human being)

FORM – physical form.
MIND – its 4 aggregates of feeling, perception, content of consciousness (sankhara) and consciousness.

5. 2nd aspect of the 5 aggregates of form and mind (as a mental 5 aggregates)

FORM – external form brought into the mind (mental form) via the perception aggregate.
MIND – feeling, perception, content of consciousness (sankhara) and consciousness.

6. This so-called living being (5 aggregates of Form and Mind – 1^st aspect) is just a karmically conditioned ‘vehicle and tool’ for us to come to this existential world to develop the cultivation and experience all of the pristine beauty and wonders of life. So, use it with wisdom to arise the appropriate right thoughts, right speeches and right actions to be a blessing to all and not to be deluded by it.

7. 5 DAILY CONTEMPLATION: Old age, Sickness/Disease, Death, Separation from loved ones and prized possessions; we are all born of our karma, heir to our karma, conditioned and supported by our karma and we are what we are because of our Karma.

8. 4 NOBLE TRUTHS: Essence of the Buddha’s teaching – When you understand the Buddha of teaching (Dhamma), you understand the secret of life…

[MUNDANE ASPECT – 1st and 2^nd Noble Truths]

1^st Noble Truth – THE REALITIES OF LIFE AND EXISTENCE (the 8 realities)

2th Noble Truth – cause of suffering which is Craving borne of self-delusion

[SUPRA MUNDANE ASPECT – 3^rd Noble Truth]

3th Noble Truth – Nibbana or ENLIGHTENMENT in the here and the now can be realised (is possible).

[MUNDANE CULTIVATION leading to the SUPRA MUNDANE Realisation – 4^th Noble Truth]

4^th Noble Truth – CULTIVATING THE NOBLE 8 FOLD PATH leading to the end of all suffering/Enlightenment (realisation of Nibbana).

9. If there isn’t the unconditioned, then freedom from the conditioned world will be IMPOSSIBLE.

– Cessation of form and mind leading to the realisation of Nibbana liberates completely.

(Note: Above outline short notes are prepared by Teoh Soo Yee)

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Sister Huol Rung

Brother Teoh Tuesday Class on 01/05/2018 record :

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Tue-180501.mp3

or at:

ttps://www.dropbox.com/s/twzwup0xw8eoi6j/2018-05-01.MP3?dl=0

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

May 2, 2018

Sister Huoi Rong’s House Dana dated Sunday, 29 April 2018

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links and short notes to Bro Teoh’s sharing at Sister Huol Rung’s house dana dated 29.4.2018 for sharing by all.

Huoi Rong’s House Dana dated Sunday, 29 April 2018 (outline pointers)

Bro Teoh on behalf of all Kalyanamittas, thanks Sister Hui Rong and family for hosting this April 2018 house dana which is very wholesome. This monthly (pot luck) house dana is an occasion for the host to make offering to all kalyanamittas attending and also act as an occasion for fellowship, wholesomeness, joy, interaction, rejoicing and dharma sharing, etc.

Sincerity / Honesty is a virtue

When you are sincere, things will go your way.
Don’t try to know too much or over-analyze. Be honest, sincere, gentle and kind then just let things be and act with understand and wisdom.
Blessings in disguise can then happen; E.g. Huol Rung’s house purchase experience and Bro Teoh sharing his own life experiences.

Audio Time: 20:20 onwards, Dharma Sharing starts

Topics of the day are as per below’s 3 Questions:

Q1. Host Huoi Rong’s husband asks how to let friends (who neglect spiritual practice) see the importance of the spiritual aspect of life?

Q2. Huoi Rong shares her joy of seeing everyone in the house, as this is the first time they have so many visitors. She shares her experience of having the ability to become more observant nowadays of her changing mental states as she goes through her daily life, which is a great gift to her. When encountering negativity, her approach is to quiet down her mind and let the emotions or mental states dissipate, but she finds it very hard to share her understanding with others. She also inquires about how to advance her cultivation further from here onwards?

Q3. Huoi Rong shares her experience of encountering death, with reference to recent departures within the Kalyanamitta group. She asks how one can face pending death with understanding, calm and peace of mind.

[Interruption due to system’s technical fault – Audio Time: 38:20 onwards].

Topic #1 – Spiritual Understanding of Life

Answer to Q1:

1. It is hard for human beings to be interested in spiritual things (especially listening to spiritual advice), when they are not having real or serious life problems. Also due to most human being’s common misconception of what religion really is and their taboo regarding the discussion of death as a topic.
2. When there is no appropriate condition to share, don’t be too eager to share. Wait for appropriate causes & conditions. Causes and conditions can either be karmic or affinity wise. Learn to see the signs.

To have the ability to share or teach the first criteria is ‘You yourself must develop the change (personality wise and character wise) via your own understanding of the Buddhadharma and the cultivation of it:

1. 1. Transform your mind via understanding the following essential Dharma like
    > the 4 NOBLE TRUTHS (essence of the Buddha’s teaching) and its 3 turnings; then cultivate
    > Right view → right thought → right speech → right action → right livelihood/living → 4 right efforts →etc. via following Noble 8 Fold Path (N8FP).
  2. This transformation gives rise to noble behavior in all aspects of life
    > with the first right view (with regards to law of karma) i) one will know how to take care of karma via following the advices of all Buddhas to avoid all evil, do good and purify one’s mind and
    
    ii) Accept the reality of whatever that had arisen (within the moment) so as to be at peace with it.
    > asking for forgiveness and sincerely seek repentance for past karmic negativities via unwholesome thoughts, speeches and deeds. Then vow never to violate these 5 precepts again via keeping these precepts closely from then on.
    > Invoke power of merits for turnaround and progress along the path of dharma.
    > achieving a unique quality of having the ability to confront all the “8 realities of life and existence” with peace, tranquility and understanding.
    > Finally having the ability to command respect and faith via one’s demeanour or good and wise conduct.
  3. That is, No longer behaving foolishly via using the form and agitated mind to harm oneself and others.
  4. Virtue is our highest protection.

Security is a myth, true security stems from understanding yourself and with true wisdom to take care of karma to arise the appropriate causes and conditions for things to go your way via understanding.

In summary: When one cultivates and transforms to be virtuous, wise, kind, gentle, patient, sincere, loving, etc, people will come to you for advice naturally because they can feel and sense that you are different.
8 Realities of Life and existence: Birth, old age, sickness and death; separation from loved ones and ones prized possessions, association with the disliked, not able to get what one desires and final summary of – in short the 5 grasping aggregates of form and mind borne of self-delusion is dukkha or suffering

Either you accept via wisdom, or be afflicted via delusion via wanting things your way which is not nature’s way. I.e. if one were to attach, crave, and cling onto the 5 aggregates of form and mind via self-delusion, one will suffer and become afflicted.)
The power of wisdom to free the mind: – Bro Teoh gave an example of his son’s classmate’s death experienced by his son when he was very young (about 9 years old) via telling him ‘it is just a thought’ to free.

Answer to Q2:

1. Train your mind to be heedful to develop wisdom via the silent mind and the daily mindfulness.
2. Cultivate the Noble 8-Fold path in daily life (especially the four foundation of mindfulness).

Intend on Heedfulness to develop the understanding of the unconditioned dharma and the conditioned dharma.

Form and mind even though it is impermanent and not so real or not you (anatta) but it is subject to the law of Karma so one must also have the right understanding to cultivate one’s right duty towards this law of karma to take care of its karma which is needed for future coming.

Answer to Q3:

1. Nothing is permanent within the conditioned world – “Whatever that is of the nature to arise is of the nature to cease.” Only mighty nature rolling by following nature’s laws.
2. However, your true nature is the unconditioned (eternal life/nature), i.e. not subjected to birth and death.

Realizing that nothing really dies, you will be able to have the understanding to confront death with ease and with that one will be able to live life to the fullest with those understanding.

(Above draft was prepared by Sister Soo Yee and Sandra)

Dated: 30.4.2018

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Sister Huol Rung

[30/04, 09:50] HuiLong: Brother Teoh at Huol Rung & Family House Dana on 29/04/2018 record :

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Teoh-180429-Huol-Rung-House-Dana.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u5unm49mn69joxa/2018-04-29.MP3?dl=0

2018-04-29.MP3

www.dropbox.com

Shared with Dropbox

[30/04, 09:55] teohkiankoon: House Dana means our monthly gathering at one of our kalyanamitta’s house to make offering to all kalyanamittas attending. It is also an occasion for wholesomeness, joy, fellowship, interaction, rejoicing n dhamma sharing etc.