Category: Sunday class (WPCS)

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Bro Teoh’s 12 May 2019 Sunday class

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Enclosed below are the audio and short notes links to our Sunday class dated 12th May 2019 for sharing by all.
Regards,
Teoh
Subject: Re: Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 12th May 2019

Dear Mun Yuen and all,
Enclose below are the above edited outline short notes for sharing by all.

Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 12th May 2019

Brother Teoh’s transcript book: Cultivating the Bodhisattva Way, pages 78-97

  1. The 4 great/basic vows of the Bodhisattvas are very important as they will help to take us through the 5 stages of Bodhi mind developments cumulating to Buddhahood.

    Stage 1: Aspire to plant the seed of Bodhi deep into your nature’s consciousness to arise the Bodhi mind.

    To arise the Bodhi mind to walk the Bodhisattva way sincerely, with faith and perseverance via taking its 4 basic vows. These will set the conditions for us to be awakened. As our vows are being nurtured, the Bodhi mind becomes active even during era where there is no Buddha Sasana.

    Stage 2: Bodhi mind that subdues all vexation or suffering.

    Able to develop the wisdom not to be deluded by the phenomenalworld so that one will not grasp, cling or hold on to them. That is how one is able to renounce the world, all worldly things which are unreal, condition arising and dependent originating. That is the reason why when we take this vow to endure and sever all vexations and suffering, we are cultivating renunciation.

    Stage 3: Bodhi mind that illuminates the true nature or Buddha nature as enlightenment.

    Vow to penetrate and understand all Dharma to realize the perfection of all wisdom leading to one’s ability to illuminate one’s true natureuntil it becomes so clear which means you are able to connect to the gateway to your nature. You are able to transform and illuminate that nature within. This third stage will make you a true Bodhisattva. This third stage is very powerful because after this stage, you will never regress.

    Stage 4: Bodhi mind that renounces samsara.

    Time or duration in samsara is not an issue anymore as by then we would have understood the profound diamond sutra cultivation of no thought, no mark and no dwelling. Cultivation and Perfection becomes easy at this stage onwards.

    Stage 5: Bodhi mind that realizes the consummate of Sammasam Buddhahood.

    Perfection of all the 10 Perfections. This stage is not difficult becauseas you cultivate the first four stages you would have started perfecting many of the 10 perfections especially Love, Renunciation, Sila, Panna, Viriya, Dana, Khanti, Adhitthana and Sacca.

  1. Master Sheng Yen taught silent illumination (awareness) meditation which is similar to Brother Teoh’s teaching of the silent mind.
  2. Silent without illumination is samatha meditation. This type of meditation is not with a free mind but with a conditioned mind. The 5 mental hindrances are all suppressed through energy field. They are mainly Jhana and one pointedness concentration type of practices. The mind is like blank because there is hardly any awareness within. You are like a Buddha statue and this type of mind cannot develop wisdom.
  3. Brother Teoh’s silent mind with clear awareness within is a wisdom based meditation via a free mind, where one’s mind is relax, aware and without thought naturally borne of understanding/wisdom. The mind is not in concentration and has the ability to realize the true mind.
  4. The mind needs the 5 spiritual faculties to root out the 5 mental hindrances to be in the meditative state. All methods and techniques are only initial skilful means to train the mind to have sati. They are not the meditation.
  5. Renunciation to the Mahayana tradition, means to renounce all thingsthat are not real, conditions arising and dependent originating. When we vow to sever all vexations and all suffering, we are cultivatingrenunciation. However, the Theravada tradition mainly teaches physical renunciation, i.e. to be a monk.
  6. We need to cultivate all the 10 steps listed in the Avijja Sutta’s enlightenment cycle. Most of us kalyanamittas already have the first 3 steps of having true dharma friends, able to listen to the true Dharma& have faith in the Triple Gem. Now, we need to work on the 4th and 5th steps, (i.e. 4th Step: cultivating the initial wisdom (yoniso manasikara) while attending to step 2 and 5th step: Cultivating the daily mindfulness leading to sati sampajanna, the real meditation). These are the two most difficult steps. Step 4 is relatively easier.
  7. Yoniso manasikara is cultivating the initial wisdom via the 1st and 2ndturnings of the Four Noble Truth’s wisdom to straighten our views after listening to the Dharma to weaken avijja (ignorance). The 1st turning wisdom is suttamaya panna (wisdom borne of hearing the Dharma) and the 2nd turning wisdom is cintamaya panna (Wisdom borne of reflection, inquiry, contemplation and Investigation to put to test all Dharma). This is also the advice from his teacher Phra Ajahn Yantra to Brother Teoh – ‘we choose contemplate all dharma until very, very clear’.
  8. With yoniso manasikara in place, there will be less thinking and more moments of mindfulness leading to the 5th step cultivationof Mindfulness and clear comprehension (Sati Sampajanna) which is the real meditation. At this step, apply the 4 Right Efforts and the 5 Ways to overcome unwholesome thoughts as taught by the Buddha to progress. Especially the 3rd and 4th ways which are the meditative ways. Use the 3rd way (silent the mind) and the 4th way (trace the origination factors of the negative thought or mind state and then reverse it retrospectively) to cultivate.
  9. After step 7 (the 3 ways of right conducts), one would have realize at least Sotapanaship (1st stage of sainthood) already where the first 3 fetters of sakayaditthi, rites and rituals and doubt in the Triple Gems have been severed. After finishing step 7 one might also realize sakadagamiship (2nd stage of sainthood) where the 4th and 5th fetters of sensual desire and ill-will have been attenuated.
  10. At step 8 (cultivating the 4 Foundation of Mindfulness) onwards, one may realize at least Anagamiship (3rd stage of sainthood).
  11. For those who understand, broteoh.com website is truly a dharma Gem. All the Dharma there are shared for free. So do make use of it.Develop the understanding of it then put them into practice. If you do not put them into practice, Dharma will remains as knowledge and it will not benefit you.

(Above outline short notes draft is by Sister Mun Yuen).

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh
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Re: 10 March and 7 April 2019 Sunday classes

Dear Kalyanamittas,
A. Enclosed below are the audio and short notes links to our 10 March  2019 Sunday class for sharing by all.
Law of attraction Video link: https://youtu.be/n9wJnrttj4U
Cetasika video link: https://youtu.be/0AcK_bA2rFk

Cetasika chart: https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Cetasika-Chart-190310.pdf

B. Enclosed below are the audio and short notes links to our 7 April  2019 Sunday class for sharing by all.

Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com>
Sent: 05 May 2019 05:57

Dear Mun Yuen and all,
Below are the above edit outlines short notes for sharing by all.

A. Outline short notes for Bro Teoh’s Sunday class dated 10th March 2019

Brother Teoh’s transcript book: Cultivating the Bodhisattva Way, pages 55-62

1. Karmic fruitions can trigger karmic obstructions and they can be very powerful obstructions.

2. To clear karmic obstructions, one need to sincerely ask for forgiveness from the Triple Gem and all beings and vow not to repeat all these karmic negativities via following the advice of the Buddha to avoid all evil, cultivates wholesomeness and meditates to purify one’s mind. Then invoke power of merits for turn around and recovery.

3. The 10 Perfections cultivation are generosity, morality, renunciation, wisdom, spiritual zeal, patience endurance, truthfulness, determination/aspiration, loving kindness and equanimity.

4. Dharma is not just theory. It has to be cultivated while in the midst of life because it is a living dharma, not theory or knowledge which is not the true dharma. Investigate the Dharma in our daily life activities. When the Dharma stands up to investigation, there will be understanding and faith.

5. Only Bodhisattvas have precepts to break because Bodhisattvas have very extensive vows and work to do.

6. It is very important to understand what constitute evil so that they can be recognised and abandoned.

7. Strive on with heedfulness to connect to our true nature early in every life. Learn the Dharma fast so that the Bodhi mind or seed can be activated early to perfect our karmic nature until it cannot fall back any more.

8. Long or short period of cultivation time is of no significance for a Bodhisattva who had realized the Enlightenment.

9. Question from Sister Tammy: Is Adhitthana and Law of Attraction the same?

10. Brother Teoh explained that the Law of Attraction does not give the whole perspective of things as it does not take into account the law of karma. Even though the thoughts are positive and motivating but with evil roots, negative karma will arise. Then, those positive thoughts (with evil roots) may only work for a while in the beginning until the negative karmic fruition kicks in. (Do view and listen attentively to the video recording which is very clear and complete to understand this topic better. This video recording is available in our broteoh.com website under recording of classes.)

11. Question from Sister Soo: What is cetasika? How can cetasika help in our cultivation?

12. Brother Teoh explained that cetasikas are just mental concomitants/states/content of consciousness which we must be aware of while cultivating our daily mindfulness. (Do view and listen attentively to the video recording which is very clear and complete to understand this topic better. This video recording is available in our broteoh.com website under recording of classes.)

13. Brother Song shares his cultivation experience, where he experienced heightened awareness and understanding of the Dharma. His consciousness experience bright lights and was aware of even the birds flying high above his head but he was not distracted by such experiences. He continues to relax and maintain awareness until he can be aware of his very subtle greed, resentment and dislike including all the very fine mental movements and mind states within his mind.

14. Brother Teoh rejoiced with Brother Song’s rather good progress and understanding and cautioned others against attaching to the manifestation of bright light (consciousness very bright) which is one of the 10 defilements of insight because it is just a conditioned state. Clinging will block progress. Silent the mind until the mind enters sati. Stabilize the daily mindfulness until one can develop the direct seeing from their pure nature. (Must listen attentively to the audio recording from the 2hr 7 minutes onward to develop the clear and deep understanding of the actual cultivation.)

15. At the moment of sense experience and feeling, if there is the initial wisdom (yonisomanasikara) the mind will not stir and one will then have sense restraint and more moments of silent awareness.

16. Sister Soo asked why for a period she can have no feeling and thoughts during her recent spiritual trip to India. She also asked why at one stage she at the same time also has so much dislike or aversion towards those beggars that harass her and causing her to cringe. Later she can also see other people’s suffering, desire and greed for blessings and fame. She then decides to reverse the light and look within or inwards to see her own defilements.

17. Brother Teoh explained that her faith and conditioned mind brings about the initial calm state of mind that conditioned her to associate every encounter with equanimity. If she is mindful with a free mind it will not be

the same. If she had relaxed into it and maintain awareness, it will change into a free mind. Regarding the beggars, there must be understanding to overcome or root out the aversion. The last part she did – to reverse the light and see within was good. Actual cultivation is usually the opposite way. One must reverse the light and look within to see our own defilements and how these defilements condition us via our own self-delusion to stir and project our thoughts leading to all the fear, worry anxiety and suffering borne of wrong thoughts. Through understanding ourselves we will be able to understand others. (Must listen attentively to the audio recording from 2hr 26 minutes onward to develop the clear and deep understanding of this cultivation.)

18. Bro Teoh introduced and shared the 3-Fold Lotus Sutra (Fa Hua San Bu Jing) with kalyanamittas.

B. Outline short notes for Bro Teoh’s Sunday class dated 7th April 2019

Brother Teoh’s transcript book: Cultivating the Bodhisattva Way, page 62 to 65

1. We are all connected in existence. Everything within the conditioned world is interdependent. All our natures contribute to what the universe is today. Reason why it is often said, ‘one is all and all is one’.

2. The egoic mind that separates us from the Whole causes us suffering. Enlightened Beings can see clearly this truth or reality of life, i.e. no mark of a self, living being and life and also all phenomena are conditions arising and dependent originating following nature’s laws.

3. Explanation by Bro Teoh on – the importance of the 5 Daily Contemplations as advised by the Buddha.

4. Accept the law of karma. Don’t react to karmic fruition with negativity. Develop the right view. Follow the Noble Eightfold Path to resolve all issues and so called problem amicably. When one can understands this, one’s mind can be liberated. If this is not understood, one will suffer and become miserable. With the Dharma, life is beautiful and wonderful.

5. We cannot just want to help everyone that is suffering because there are so many suffering beings in the world and it is beyond our means. When there is no condition, nothing will be done. When there is condition developed via wisdom, help can be offered. A true cultivator must learn to differentiate between the desire to help (which is a craving) and true wisdom.

6. Relationship is considered important only for the form and mind which is subject to the law of karma.

7. Buddha hood is realized upon the completion of the cultivation of the Bodhisattva way.

8. Cultivate and investigate the Dharma to have the understanding to live life. To cultivate repentance to break karmic obstructions.

9. Do no continue to gullibly play the game of suffering, i.e. to indulge and cocoon oneself in wrong thoughts via holding on to one’s negative thoughts of previous experiences like fear, worry, phobia, insecurity, anxiety, sorrow and lamentation, etc. which impacted so much suffering on them. Re-playing all these negative memories again and again through wrong thoughts can lead to depression. Need to be aware of all these and abandon all these wrong thoughts which has become so habitual and so harmful via applying the 4 right efforts.

10. Whenever we are not happy and not peaceful, the evil roots and wrong thoughts have arisen. There are defilements. When one is caught in a cocoon of wrong thoughts one will be severely afflicted.

11. Question from Sister PG: How to establish affinity with Great Beings besides invoking power of merits?

12. Brother Teoh explained that we can pay respect to them and chant names of the Great Beings with faith.

13. Brother Teoh went through the Q&A section of an ealier Klang talk on understanding meditation where Sister Jeanne’s son asked whether anapanasati as taught by the Buddha is a technique or a meditation.

14. Meditation is to train the mind to be heedful to cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path (N8FP).

15. Heedfulness is to be ever mindful and constantly meditative of the N8FP.

16. The cultivation of the 4 Foundation of Mindfulness (after overcoming covetousness and grief) is the only way for the purification of beings, for overcoming of sorrow and lamentation and to realise enlightenment:

(1) First foundation – Kayanupassana or mindfulness of the physical body:

· The Buddha recommends us to start with anapanasati which is just a method and technique that serve as an initial skilful means to train the mind to be mindful so that it does not wander off and be lost in thoughts.

· After anapanasati is developed, do not continue to do it without understanding. Use it to develop Passaddhi (the silent mind in stillness) until the mind enters sati.

· Then move on to cultivate the mindfulness of the 4 postures followed by mindfulness of all the movements between the 4 postures leading to the sati sampajanna practices. This daily mindfulness cultivation must reach the stability of mindfulness that can enable one to see one’s own mental intentions and mental defilements clearly (starting with the gross tending towards the subtle ones) to understand the spiritual teachings as taught by the Buddha clearly.

(2) Second foundation – vedananupassana or mindfulness of feelings

(3) Third foundation – cittanupassana or mindfulness of the content of consciousness

(4) Fourth foundation – dhammanupassana or mindfulness of the following essential dhamma:

  •  Mindfulness of 5 mental hindrances
  •  Mindfulness of 5 aggregates of form and mind
  •  Mindfulness of 6 internal sense bases and 6 external sense bases
  •  Mindfulness of the 7 factors of enlightenment
  •  Mindfulness of the 4 Noble Truths (N8FP is the last Noble Truth)

(Above draft short notes were developed by sister Mun Yuen)

Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh

Posted on

Linking the Avijja sutta’s 10 steps practices to the cultivation of the Four foundation of Mindfulness

Dear Kalyanamittas,
The below is a very good sharing for all kalyanamittas to develop the understanding of the cultivation. (To read the last email at the bottom first then its reply leading upwards from the bottom.)
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: xxxxxxx Sent: 01 May 2019 09:50
To: Bro Teoh Kian Koon
Subject: Re: Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 10th March and 7 April 2019

Dear Brother Teoh,

Thank you very much for the explanation. I know it’s due to my lack of understanding. I just want to understand how I got it wrong.
With Metta always,
xxx

On 1 May 2019 16:51, “Teoh Kian Koon” <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi! xxxxx,
You still could not understand what the Buddha meant. It is not what u mentioned below. Because step 3 involves the whole  4 FOM (Step 3) cultivation. Before steps 7, 6, 5 and 4 are mastered u are not able to do the 4 FOM and that is the reason why the Buddha put in those words, ‘after overcoming covetousness and grief…’ then only can one cultivate the 4 FOM.  Your interpretation below is not accurate.
Step 7 is only the initial wisdom develop via 1st and 2nd turnings, especially the 2nd turning wisdom. This step can be done before cultivating step 6 (Mindfulness and clear comprehension or Sati Sampajanna).
And step 6 is not equivalent to the 2nd-4th foundation of mindfulness as mentioned by u. It is mentioned in the 1st foundation of Mindfulness – 3rd category of practice and can only be done after step 7 is being developedotherwise without the initial wisdom, a stable daily mindfulness is impossible to develop because the mind will continue to stir and react to sense experiences. So don’t be too impatient or eager to go into the 4 FOM firstbefore doing steps 7, 6, 5 and 4. If u do that u are wasting your precious cultivation time.
Hope this is clear to u by now.
​
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: xxxxxxx

Sent: 01 May 2019 07:43

To: Bro Teoh Kian Koon

Subject: Re: Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 10th March and 7 April 2019

Dear Brother Teoh,

Thank you for the explanation. If I understand correctly, steps 4-6 are also inclusive in step 3 as follows (??):
1. Step 4, ie three ways of good conduct are equivalent to right view, right speech, right action in step 3 (mindfulness of the N8FP).
2. Step 6, ie mindfulness and clear comprehension is equivalent to the 2nd-4th foundation of mindfulness
3. Step 7, ie wise attention requires right view in step 3 (mindfulness of the N8FP)
What I am trying to understand is, steps 4-6 seems to be part of step 3, and not a strict sequence as in must complete steps 4-6 first then only can reach step 3. Since step 4-6 are already part of step 3, then one is already cultivating the 4FOM before reaching the full blown step 3 which is the 4FOM itself.
Also, it says that the 4FOM is the only way out or sorrow and lamentation but it also says that we have to overcome covetousness and grief first before cultivating 4FOM. Isn’t sorrow and lamentation somewhat the same as covetousness and grief?

Can Brother Teoh help please. TQ.

 With Metta always
xxx
On Wed, 1 May 2019, 11:47 Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.comwrote:
Dear xxxx,
Regarding your below question I had already answered them before. Please refer to the 10 steps as stated in the Avijja sutta on cultivation as reproduced below from our broteoh.com website.

The second sequence of Avijja sutta is:

1. True Knowledge (Vijja) leading to enlightenment and the nutriment for this is

2. The Seven Enlightenment factors (Satta Bojjhanga) and the nutriment for this is

3. The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthana) and the nutriment for this is

4. The three ways of good conduct (mind, body and speech) and thenutriment for this is

5. Restraint of the sense faculties and the nutriment for this is

6. Mindfulness and clear comprehension (Sati and Sampajanna) and nutriment for this is

7. Wise consideration (Yoniso Manasikara) and nutriment for this is

8. Confidence/Faith (Saddha) in Buddha, Dharma, and the Sangha andnutriment for this is

9. Listening to true Dharma and nutriment for this is

10. Association with good Dharma and spiritual friends (Kalyanamittas).

(Note: Again you can see association with good Dharma or spiritual friendsor Kalyanamittas is a pre-requisite needed to arrive at that path that ends in True Knowledge (or Vijja)/enlightenment. That is the reason why the Buddha clearly instructs us via saying to Venerable Ananda: ‘havingDharma/spiritual/noble friends (kalyanamittas) is 100% of the holy life.”Hence developing and promoting true kalyanamittaship among all Buddhist within the Buddhist communities is most important.

Base on the above you  must have completed steps 4, 5, 6 & 7 before you can commence the cultivation of  the Four foundation of mindfulness (step 3). Step 7 (Yoniso manasikara)  will give rise to the initial wisdom required for sense restrain (step 5) leading to step 4 (the 3 ways of right or good conduct) to be possible. Having the 3 ways of good conduct means the cultivator already has the ability of overcome covetousness and grief.  Step 7 leading to step 6 is also very important because without step 6 you lack a very stable daily mindfulness to see your defilements and to overcome them via the 4 right efforts.
The other reason is, without steps 4, 5, 6 & 7 cultivated you will be wasting your time ‘cultivating’ step 3 which is the Four foundation of mindfulness because you are not ready and u don’t have the ability to do it because youcan’t understand the cultivation which is sati based and not thought based.
Hope the above helps and is clear by now.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: xxxxxx
Sent: 30 April 2019 14:44
To: Bro Teoh Kian Koon;

Subject: Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 10th March and 7 April 2019

Dear Brother Teoh,
I have a question. Why is it that only after overcoming covetousness and grief, can one start to cultivate the 4 Foundation of Mindfulness? Is it not because we have covetousness and grief that we need to purify ourselves through the 4 Foundation of Mindfulness? 

Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 10th March 2019

Brother Teoh’s transcript book: Cultivating the Bodhisattva Way, pages 55-62

  1. Karmic fruition triggers karmic obstruction and is very powerful.

  2. To clear karmic obstruction, ask for forgiveness from the Triple Gem and invoke power of merits. The Triple Gem are ever ready to forgive through their vow and pure wish so that sentient beings are able to cultivate the Way/Path of Dharma without obstruction.

  3. The 10 Perfections cultivation are generosity, morality, renunciation, wisdom, spiritual zeal, patience endurance, truthfulness, determination/aspiration, loving kindness and equanimity.

  4. Dharma is not just theory. It has to be cultivated in the midst of life. Investigate the Dharma in our daily life activities. When the Dharma stands up to investigation, there will be understanding and faith.

  5. Only Bodhisattvas have precepts to break because Bodhisattvas take precepts.

  6. It is very important to understand what constitute evil so that they can be recognised and abandoned.

  7. Strive to connect to our truth nature early in every life. Learn the Dharma fast so that the Bodhisattva seed is activated early and perfect our karmic nature until it cannot fall any more.

  8. Long or short period of time is of no difference for a Bodhisattva once Enlightenment is attained.

  9. Question from Sister Tammy: Is Adhitthana and Law of Attraction the same?

  10. Brother Teoh explained that the Law of Attraction does not give the whole perspective of things as it does not take into account the law of karma. If the thoughts are positive but with evil roots, negative karma will arise. Then, those positive thoughts (with evil roots) will only work in the beginning until merits are depleted, then negative fruition will kick in.

  11. Question from Sister Soo: What is cetasika? How can cetasika help in our cultivation?

  12. Brother Teoh explained that cetasika is just mental concomitant/states/content of consciousness which we must be aware of.

  13. Brother Song shares his cultivation experience where he has heightened awareness and understanding of the Dharma. He saw bright lights and was aware of birds flying above his head.

  14. Brother Teoh rejoiced with Brother Song’s progress but cautioned him against attaching to the manifestation (the bright light) which is just a conditioned state. Clinging will block progress.

  15. At feeling, understand the cause so that the mind does not stir and one will then have self restraint.

  16. Sister Soo asked why she has no feeling and thoughts during her spiritual trip to India. She also asked why she has so much aversion to beggars.

  17. Brother Teoh explained that her mind was suppressed through faith. If she has relaxed into it, it will change into a free mind. As for the beggars, there must be understanding to overcome the aversion.

Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 7th April 2019

Brother Teoh’s transcript book: Cultivating the Bodhisattva Way, pages 62-

  1. We are all connected in existence. Everything is interdependent. Our nature contributes to what the universe is today.

  2. The egoic mind that separates us from the Whole causes us suffering. Enlightened Beings can see clearly this reality of life, i.e. no mark and are conditions arising.

  3. Law of independence = Karma – due to causes and conditions.

  4. Explanation of 5 Daily Contemplation.

  5. Accept karma. Don’t react to karma with negativity. Develop the right view. Follow the Noble Eightfold Path to resolve the problem. When one understands this, one is liberated. If this is not understood, one will suffer or be miserable. With the Dharma, life is beautiful.

  6. We cannot help everyone all the time. When there is no condition, nothing can be done. When there is condition, help can be offered.

  7. Relationship is important only for the form and mind.

  8. Buddhahood is the completion of the cultivation of the Bodhisattva Path.

  9. Cultivate and investigate the Dharma to have the understanding life after life to break karmic obstruction.

  10. Do no play the game of suffering, i.e. cocoon oneself in wrong thoughts or holding to thoughts of previous negative experiences like phobia, sorrow which impacted on them – re-playing these negative memories again and again through thoughts or speech. Need to be aware of this and abandon this habit.

  11. Whenever we are not happy, there are defilements. One is caught in cocoon of wrong thoughts and is miserable.

  12. Question from Sister PG: How to establish affinity with Great Beings besides invoking power of merits?

  13. Brother Teoh explained that we can also pay respect with faith or call/chant name of the Great Beings.

  14. Brother Teoh went through the Q&A section of the Klang talk on understanding meditation where Sister Jeanne’s son asked whether anapanasati as taught by the Buddha is a technique or a meditation.

  15. Meditation is to train the mind to be heedful to cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path (N8FP).

  16. Heedfulness is to be ever mindful and constantly meditative of the N8FP.

  17. The cultivation of the 4 Foundation of Mindfulness (after overcoming covetousness and grief) is the only way for the purification of beings, for overcoming of sorrow and lamentation and to realise enlightenment:

    (1) First foundation – Kayanupassana or mindfulness of the physical body

      • To train the mind to be mindful, the Buddha recommends us to start with anapanasati which is just a method and technique that serve as an initial skillful means to train the mind to be mindful so that it does not wander off and be lost in thoughts.

      • After anapanasati is developed, do not continue it any more. Move to daily mindfulness (sati sampajanna) of the 4 postures.

      • Then later move to mindfulness of all movements in between the 4 postures to reach stability of mindfulness, to see our mental intentions and to understand the spiritual teachings.

(2) Second foundation – vedananupassana or mindfulness of feelings

(3) Third foundation – cittanupassana or mindfulness of the content of consciousness

(4) Fourth foundation – dhammanupassana or mindfulness of the essential dhamma

      • Mindfulness of 5 mental hindrances and spiritual faculties

      • Mindfulness of 5 aggregates of form and mind

      • Mindfulness of 6 internal sense bases and 6 external sense bases

      • Mindfulness of of the 4 Noble Truths (N8FP is the last Noble Truth)

Thank you.

With metta always,

xxx

Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 27 Jan 2019 Sunday class

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio and short notes links to our 27th Jan 2019 Sunday class recording for sharing by all.
With metta always,
Teoh
Posted on

6th Jan 2019 Sunday class sharing

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio and short notes links to our 6th Jan 2019 recording for sharing by all.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 16th Dec 2018 Sunday class

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio and short notes links to our Sunday class dated 16th Dec 2018 recording for sharing by all.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
Enclosed below are the above edited outline short notes for sharing by all.

Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 16th Dec 2018

Reference book: Bro Teoh’s transcript book, ‘Cultivating the Bodhisattva Way’, pages 37-41

  1. After one realized Nibbana in the here and the now, one will understand what this 5 aggregates of form and mind is. For the sotapana they usually experience only a glimpse of this cessation (Nibbana) but this is already profound enough.
  2. The eternal Nature is never born, therefore never dies.
  3. The mundane mind cannot conceptualize or express in words what Nibbana is?
  4. Dharma is just the teaching pointing towards the realization of Nibbana.
  5. Only the form and mind that has gone through this cessation can understands, otherwise, it’s just knowledge based on ideas and concepts.
  6. We must meditate and cultivate sincerely and diligently to realize this cessation.
  7. To walk the Sainthood way, refer to the Heart Sutra Short Notes Book.
  8. Have faith, sincerity and perseverance to develop the cultivation until Sati comes.
  9. Daily mindfulness (Sati Sampajana) is very important – it must be cultivated before one can move on to cultivate the 4 foundations of mindfulness. With Sati, one will have wise attention at the moment of sense experiences, leading to sense restraint. Sense restraints enables one to develop the 3 ways of right conduct.
  10. Only after overcoming covetousness and grief, can we begin on the cultivation of the 4 Foundations of mindfulness.
  11. Please refer to the very important Thursday class outline short notes dated 6 December 2018 to check your progress in the cultivation. These notes put forth the guidelines for you to be awakened. The short notes talk about the Avijja Sutra.
  12. The Dharma sharing has to be repeated because the important messages have not been sunk in as yet. Most of you are still having your old habits, reacting the same way (with fear, worry, anxiety etc.) to sense experiences. When one lack understanding of the cultivation one tend to seek for teachers and teaching everywhere without any clear focus. When the Dharma is not put into practice with understanding one can never progress. Reason why pariyatti is the 1st phase of dhamma is very important.
  13. We must have gratitude and thank our good karmic nature to have met up with the true Teachings this life.
  14. After we have trained the mind to develop sati via formal meditative training,stabilized it to develop the daily mindfulness until you are ever mindful and constantly meditative. Determine to be aware all the time.
  15. The 2nd session is meditation for 45 minutes followed by a review of the 6thDecember Thursday class outline short notes which are very important. Please do listened to the recording for detail of its sharing.

(Above draft by Sister Chow Mun Yuen)

Bye! with metta always,

Teoh
Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 25th Nov 2018 Sunday class

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio and outline short notes links to our last Sunday class dated 25th November 2018 for sharing by all:
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 11th November 2018 Sunday class

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our above Sunday class dated 11th November 2018:

*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/4-Cultivating-the-Bodhisattva-Way-11-Nov-2018.mp3 or at:

https://www..dropbox.com/s/2uqt7lj1znbp8o5/4%20Cultivating%20the%20Bodhisattva%20Way%2011%20Nov%202018.MP3?dl=0  *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*

The Outline short notes are: https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Short-Notes-Teoh-WPCS-181111.pdf

Finding Silence: https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Finding-silence-J.-Krishnamurti.pdf

Bye!  and with metta always,

Teoh