Category: Tuesday class

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the outline short notes and audio links to our 11th Sept 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all:

Outline short notes link: https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Short-Notes-Teoh-Tue-180911.pdf

Bro Teoh’s Tues class Sep 11, you can download at below audio links:

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Teoh-Tue-180911.mp3

or at:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/txtu56dxvs1o8b6/Teoh%20Tue%20180911.MP3?dl=0

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com></teohkiankoon@hotmail.com>
Sent: 17 September 2018 03:41
Subject: Re: 11th September 2018 Tuesday Talk outline Short Notes

Dearest Soo Yee and  all,

Thank you for your below very good outline short notes and I am please to forward herewith the slightly edited outline short notes for sharing by all.

Brother Teoh’s  11^th  September 2018 Tuesday Talk outline Short Notes

Book Reference: The Buddha and His Teachings – The Working of Kamma (Chapter 20, Page 360)

1. 1. Bhavanga – is a life continuum or mind stream. A type of consciousness, below the threshold of sense consciousness, that just flows like a continuous undercurrent when there is no intruding sense activity (i.e. impinging sense data like sound/vibration to trigger off the hearing consciousness).
      1. Unimpinged – Past Bhavanga (Atīta Bhavanga)
      2. Impinging – Vibrating Bhavanga (Bhavanga Calana)

• When we rest/sleep the mind performs a clear-out leading to recuperation of mind:
• Built-up (or accumulated) fear, phobias and scars of memory are released through our subconscious and unconscious states to bring about order to the mind;
• 1. Dreams are an example of such releases.

1. When the Bhavanga stream of consciousness is arrested/Impinged (Bhavanga Upaccheda):
   1. Sense-door consciousness (Āvajjana) steer towards the sense data/object
   2. Sense consciousness (Panca Viññāna) arises
      – e.g. visual consciousness (cakkhuviññāna) arises which sees the object
   3. followed by a moment of the sense object’s reception (sampaticchana)
   4. the investigating thought-moment (santīrana) examines the perceived object
      – the process of knowing the object; relating to memory / learning / past experiences
   5. followed by the determining thought-moment (votthapana) when discrimination is exercised and freewill may play its part:

      – with wise attention (yonisomanasikāra), it becomes moral,
      – with unwise attention (ayonisomanasikāra), it becomes immoral

   6. 7 Javana/stages of the determining thought-moments decide the nature of Karma:
      – all these thought-moments are similar, but the potential force differs.
      – if it occur in the 1st thought moment then if there is no condition for its fruition in this present life then the karmic potential will cease to be after that life.
      – if it occur on the 7th thought moment then if there is no condition for its fruition in the present life and the next life then the karmic potential will cease to be after that.
      – if it occur between 2nd – 6th determining thought moments then its karmic potential is forever present.
   7. This entire thought-process, which takes place in an infinitesimal fraction of time, ends with the registering consciousness (tadālambana) lasting for 2 thought-moments.
      – a single thought-process is completed at the expiration of 17 thought moments.
      – this process is multi-dimensional (e.g. multiple thought-processes, all at different stages happening very fast and some may not even complete the 17 thought moments but continue to spawn off new thought-processes in between depending on condition.)
2. Sis Alicia asked whether these 17 thought moments are similar to the 8 types of consciousness. Brother Teoh answered no but said that they are related. The 17 thought moments if fully completed will form a thought process and depending on the mental intention associated with that thought process the type of consciousness will be classified accordingly.
3. Bro Teoh recommends to the class kalyanamittas to read ahead of the next class in order to have more active participation during the next Tuesday class discussion.
4. Have gratitude for what you have (e.g. a healthy form and mind) and able to make use of what you have to the fullest, to cultivate wisdom, compassion and mindfulness is true blessing and understanding to live life.

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our 4th Sept 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all. Also enclose below is the outline short notes link for sharing by all:

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Short-Notes-Teoh-Tue-180904.pdf

Brother Teoh Tuesday Class dated 04/09/2018 recording :

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Tue-180904.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vnroouxk2rgvp4c/2018-09-04.MP3?dl=0

2018-09-04.MP3 www.dropbox.com Shared with Dropbox

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our 28th August 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all. Also attached are the outline short notes.

Brother Teoh’s 29 August 2018 Tuesday Talk outline Short Notes

1. Review of 9 Aug outline short notes prepared by Sister Phey Yuen.
2. Sister Padmasuri was full of joy after hearing the Yunnan spiritual trip’s reports from Kalyanamittas in previous classes on how it had benefitted them and also how it had turned out so beautifully. She recollects the occasions when her thoughts projection lead to proliferation of her fears (during landslides, bad weather, etc) and anxieties (when encountering unfamiliar rites and rituals). She then shares her realisation that without those wrong thoughts, those negativities are immediately unfounded and she was able to return to experiencing the beautiful Yunnan nature within its vicinity.
3. Discussion on importance and significance of straightening our views to inculcate wholesome right thoughts, to challenge our rigid belief systems, formed through society’s conditioning via investigating within to develop the understanding.
4. Bro Teoh expanded on the topic regarding rites and rituals, with examples of differing views and opinions (all seemingly logical debates from each person’s standpoint). Then he recaps the following reminders to kalyanamittas:

a.  Faith not born of understanding is blind faith.

b.  Faith born of understanding is unshakable.

c. Without understanding one is force to just belief or accept what is being told.

5. Expression of gratitude to Mr. Er for his good itinerary suggestions leading to the wonderful and unhindered visits to so many rather meaningful and beautiful temples with good energy, especially those in Dali region, which still preserves the Buddha teachings.

6. Sharing of real life experiences that reveal to the true cultivators, the profound workings of nature and karmic forces. How with understanding leading to the right cultivation that resulted in nature’s rather favourable conditions unfolding all the way leading to such beautiful and wonderful spiritual trip that was like meant to be.

7. Sister Padmasuri wraps up by remarking that the planning for every of our spiritual trips (5 thus far) are all very unique experiences because they are all very different. It is not applicable to leverage considerations / decisions from past trips. Each and every decision needed was made in accordance to conditions that arise during the progression of the trip via understanding, leading to each and every unpredictable journey also unfolding beautifully; like everything just falling into places. Have faith and just trust your beautiful nature developed via right (true) understanding.

(Above outline short notes draft was prepared by Sis. Soo Yee)

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

From: Sis Hui Rong

Brother Teoh Tuesday class on 28/08/2018 record :

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Teoh-Tue-180828.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ffode163p0ha6bo/2018-08-28.MP3?dl=0

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our 21st August 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all. The outline short notes link is as below:

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Short-Notes-Teoh-Thu-180821.pdf

Brother Teoh’s 21^st August 2018 Tuesday Class outline Short Notes

  1. Bro. Song’s recent spiritual trip sharing on his special encounter while visiting the temple at Shui Mu Shan. Brother Teoh rejoice with his good new understanding now. That is after understanding that whatever happened in meditation (no matter how wonderful and beautiful or unique those experiences may be) they are just conditioned states of mind and if it does not brings about wisdom and understanding or awakening then it is of not much use. So don’t cling otherwise ‘mana’ or minor conceit will arise.

 

2.   Bro. Teoh summarised what Kalyanamittas were able to learn from their recent spiritual trip to China:   

• How to break free from the 2^nd fetter (attachment to rites and rituals) that binds living beings to samsara. 
• How to breaking free of the 9^th fetter (minor conceit or mana) that binds beings to samsara.
• How the 7 factors of enlightenment is to be developed and cultivatedvia following the following sequence of cultivation:

Sati > Dhamma Vicaya > Viriya > Piti > Passadhi > Samadhi > Upekkha. That is with a stable daily Mindfulness (sati) established leading to > Dhamma Investigation. When the dhamma stands up to investigation > faith and Spiritual Zeal (viriya) arise leading to > Spiritual Joy (piti) > Stillness and tranquillity of mind (passadhi) leading to > Collected & unwavering mind(Samadhi) leading to > wisdom (borne of the direct seeing) thereby arising the last factor of enlightenment of Equanimity of mental formations borne of wisdom.

3.       3. There are 2 types of mind:

a. Mundane or Thinking mind is impermanent because it is dependent originating and condition arising. It is basically thoughts triggered by Ignorance or Avijja. They are thoughts that containing the 3 evil roots of Greed, Hatred and Delusion and the 5 mental hindrances and they arise following the law of dependent origination or the 12 links as shown below:

Avijja paccaya-> Sankhara -> Vinnanam -> Name Rupa -> Salayatana -> Phassa -> Vedana -> Tanha -> Upadana -> Bhava -> Jati -> Jaramarana …… [That is dependent on Ignorance arises -> Mental Activities -> mental Consciousness -> 5 mental aggregates of Form and Mind -> 6 Sense Bases -> Contact -> Feeling -> Craving -> Grasping -> Becoming -> Birth -> whole mass of suffering.]

b. True mind is the Silent mind, the Meditative mind that is just aware and without thought.  When the mundane mind does not arise (or when the thinking mind slows down and cease) the True mind (which is always there) will surface. Within the true mind there is only peace, clarity, awareness, stillness and tranquillity or Passadhi which is the 5^th enlightenment factor. When Passadhi is stabilised it leads to > Samadhi.

• The True mind in passadhi and Samadhi can lead to Direct seeing and awakening > giving rise to the initial wisdom needed for the upekkha enlightenment factors to arise.

 

       4. Sis. Alicia’s shared her progress on cultivation of awareness and mindfulness. Her initial wisdom came mainly from the 2^nd turning of the Four Noble Truths which she developed via constant contemplation, reflection and inquiry on the essential dhamma as taught by the Buddha. Brother Teoh advise her to continue to develop the daily mindfulness until it is very stable to realise the 3^rd turning wisdom which is more stable. 

 

    5. Bro. Teoh emphasises the importance of cultivating Kayanupassana daily mindfulness until it is very stable before moving on to Vedananupassana and Cittanupassana, otherwise it is just thought based meditation i.e. thought trying to watch another thought. 

6. The sentence on “After overcoming covetousness and grief...” – as stated in the Satipatthana sutta clearly indicate to us the prerequisite of cultivating the initial wisdom borne of Kayanupassama (of the 4 foundations of mindfulness) to overcome covetousness and grief  in this world before going into  vedananuppasana, cittanupasanna and dhammanupassana. 

 

       7. The 6 categories of Kayanupassana practices are as follows:

 

• 1. Mindfulness of the in and out breath (Anapanasati) – to establish mindfulness or sati (1^st factor of enlightenment;

      

  2. Mindfulness of 4 postures – to establish daily mindfulness on the 4 postures first;

      

  3. Clear comprehension and mindfulness (Sati Sampajanna) of all actions and movements in the present moment – to establish a very stable daily mindfulness leading to the initial wisdom;

      

  4. Mindfulness of the 4 elements – to overcome form delusion;

      

  5. Mindfulness of the 32 parts of the human body – to overcome sakkayaditthi (self-delusion);

      

  6. Mindfulness of the 9 stages of cemetery decomposition – to overcome lust for pretty form via understanding that when the form is devoid of consciousness it goes the way of nature.

(Above outline short notes draft was prepared by Sis. Soo Yee)

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

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From: Sister Hui Rong

Brother Teoh Tuesday Class on 21/08/2018 record :

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Teoh-Tue-180821.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vpdfxrt1lucepv1/2018-08-21.MP3?dl=0

2018-08-21.MP3 www.dropbox.com Shared with Dropbox

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our last Tuesday class dated 7th August 2018 recording for sharing by all.

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

Dear Kalyanamittas

Below are the audio links to our 17th July 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all. Also listed below are the outline short notes for sharing by all:

BROTHER TEOH OUTLINE SHORT NOTES FOR TUESDAY CLASS dated 17th JULY 2018

Reference text: THE BUDDHA AND HIS TEACHINGS – CHAPTER 19 Page 348 – 351

1.    WHAT IS KARMA? “Volition is Karma” – volition is mental intention (moral and immoral volition via thoughts, actions and speeches).

Any bad mental intentional action, speech or thought resulting in sufferings or harm or death will give rise to bad karma and vice versa as expressed by the Buddha via his following Dhammapada verses:-

• Dhammapada verse 1 :  “If one speaks or acts with a wicked mind, pain or suffering will follows one as the wheel that follows the hoof of the ox that draws the cart” 

• Dhammapada verse 2 :  “If one speaks or acts with a pure mind (free of the 3 evil roots of Greed, Hatred and Delusion), happiness will follows one like the shadow that never leaves you”

2.   Sister Chwee suggested that each and every Kalyanamitta should be given a chance to share own their experiences, understanding and outlook of karma.
 

3.   Sister Qunni, Adeline, Poh Lian and Mei Hsiang shared their experiences.
 

4.    Each and every one of us is responsible for our own karma (we are born of, heir to our karma) as shared by sister Saw Hoon.

5.  Bro. Chai also shared his experiences on the law of Karma. He stressed the importance of having perseverance, sincerity, faith and wisdom when confronting karma. One will reaps what one sows. If we plant the seeds of wholesomeness we will reap the fruit of wholesomeness. Likewise if we plant the seeds of evil we will reap the fruit of evil for Good begets Good and Evil begets Evil.

(Above draft outline notes were prepared by Sister Quinni.)

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

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From: Bro. Tune

Brother Teoh Tuesday Class on 17/07/2018 record :

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Tue-180717.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/iwvdl9fns3g3rc5/2018-07-17.MP3?dl=0

2018-07-17.MP3 www.dropbox.com Shared with Dropbox

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our 10th July 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all. Also enclose below are the outline short notes:

Outline short notes for Tuesday class dated 10th July 2018

(above outline short notes prepared by Sister Yoon Chun)

Bye! with metta always,

Teoh

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From: Sister Hui Rong

Brother Teoh Tuesday Class on 10/07/2018 record :

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Tue-180710.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hdnqktuo7vyr7wk/2018-07-10.MP3?dl=0

2018-07-10.MP3 www.dropbox.com Shared with Dropbox

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our 3rd July 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all. The outline short notes are as below:

Below are the edited outline short notes for our Tuesday class dated 3rd July 2018.

3rd July 2018 Tuesday Class Outline short notes

A. Reading and sharing of the below daily quotes from J. Krishnamurti :

1. “Extraordinary Seeing”

• direct seeing; alertness, attentiveness; just aware; seeing things as they are leading to direct knowledge and vision of the reality (Nanadassana).
• an insight to be realised; coming upon it unknowingly, there is no effort, noseeking and no experience involved;
• innate to the free mind which is still, e.g. the beating of our hearts (there is no active doing or ‘will’ behind its arising)
• “without seeking” is the only way to find it.
• this ‘extraordinary seeing’ is not something that can be practiced.
• the mind is highly sharpened, highly awake, no longer dependent upon any experience to keep itself awake.

2. “The Active Still Mind” 

• the mind can only be silent when it has understood the process of (psychological) time and that requires watchfulness/mindfulness/awareness
• the really still mind that is astonishingly active, alive, potent in understandingphenomena and their flow; capable of “Extraordinary Seeing”
• such a mind is verbally free; free from experience and knowledge; understands thefact, as it is, without translating, without condemning and without judging; andbeing free such a mind is an innocent mind.
• It is only such a mind that can perceive that which is true, which is beyond time.

3.  Bro Teoh advised the class to attentively read through the outline Short notes dated  21st June 2018 (Thursday class) to develop the clear understanding of therather beautiful dhamma shared.

B. Discussion proper led by Sister PG  from the Reference book: The Buddha and His Teachings – Kamma (Chapter 18, Page 340)

4. Nature’s law has its own selection

• Kammic energy is needed for the production of the foetus
• We (2 aspects of form and mind) are the heirs of our own kamma
• Accumulated Kammic tendencies inherited, over the course of previous lives, could influence our physical features and mental characteristics, it could also nullify the potentiality of the parental cells and genes
• The law of Kamma, important as it is, is only 1 of the 24 causal conditions (paccaya) as described in the Abhidhamma pitaka.
• The law of kamma is very intricate and requires great wisdom borne of awareness from a silent mind to understand.
• The enlightened pure mind is free, i.e. not afflicted due to non-grasping to the form and (mundane) mind (borne of wisdom).

2.  Sister Chwee’s questions on karma regarding Sakyamuni Buddha’s last meal, and about the other 23 causal conditions were discussed.

3. Bro Teoh’s sharing on the understanding and  workings of our mother Earth’s “planetary consciousness”

• summation of all the beings’ consciousness on Earth give rise to the planetary consciousness.
• to change the world, the individual must change; i.e. begin with ourselves.

(Outline prepared by Sis Soo Yee)

Dear Kalyanamittas,

Below are the audio links to our last Tuesday class dated 26th June 2018 recording for sharing by all. The outline short notes are as below:

Outline short notes for last Tuesday (26th June 2018) talk presented by Sis PG Lim on Kamma – from pg 337 to 340 of the book ‘The Buddha n his teaching’

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh

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From: Sister Hui Rong

Brother Teoh Tuesday Class on 26/06/2018 record :

https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Teoh-Tue-180626.mp3

or at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ztyjzs7p0v9ndmp/2018-06-26.MP3?dl=0

2018-06-26.MP3 www.dropbox.com Shared with Dropbox