Can Happiness be found through anything – J Krishnamurti
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14 Annual Gathering of Kalyanamittas (21st Oct 2018)
Dear kalyanamittas,
Below is the video link to our coming 14th annual Gathering of Kalyanamittas video on reminiscing 2018 for sharing by all. Do come early on the 21st Oct 2018 for our 14th annual gathering of kalyanamittas lunch at Copper Mansion Restoran PJ so as to have meaningful fellowship with all organisers and kalyanamittas and also to collect whatever transcript books that u all have missed out.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
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11th Oct 2018 Thursday class
Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio links to our 11th Oct 2018 Thursday class recording for sharing by all: https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Thu-181011.mp3
or at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ol91ogzsxcpzr2/Teoh%20class%20181011.MP3?dl=0
The outline short notes link:
https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Short-Notes-Teoh-Thu-181011.pdf
Outline Short notes of Thursday class talk dated 11th October 2018
1. Sister Keat Hoon asked three questions as below:
A) How to prepare for a loved one’s death? – From a Buddhist perspective.
B) According to the Buddhist teaching – what is the concept of death? What is death? Who dies and what dies?
C) As a Buddhist, how do one conduct a funeral ritual?
2. Brother Teoh continued with his sharing of the 27th September Thursday class outline short notes regarding heart and mind before addressing the questions above.
3. The concept of death – Death is separation of Consciousness from the physical Form. Three things sustaining life are: a functioning physical body, Consciousness (all the accumulated memories i.e., accumulation of views, opinion, experiences and conditioning) trapped in the physical form and the Karmic or Life force from our karmic nature.
4. When you are brain dead, you lose your life entity of who you are. When one has stroke, one loses brain function depending on which side of the brain is affected, leading to inability to function or remember. Thus the human being is not real in that sense and also because it is impermanent, dependent originating. To arise thought consciousness, the brain is needed because the brain is where the memory is leading to arising of thoughts via response to memory.
5. The rebirth consciousness is just one simple consciousness. That is why when a baby is conceived, and later its sense bases and organs are formed, then the heart starts to pump when the rebirth consciousness goes in. When rebirth consciousness goes in, this is just a simple rebirth consciousness only. Then over the years of conditioning and accumulation of experiences, views and opinion etc. the consciousness evolved into what it is nowadays.
6. What is death consciousness? When you are about to die usually you are no longer conscious and karmic conditioning has taken over unless you are a cultivator with very stable mindfulness and understanding. You are no longer yourself in this state. If the dying person had committed one of the five heinous crimes (garuka kamma) such as parricide etc. or developed the jhánas (ecstasies), he would experience such a kamma before his death. These are so powerful that they totally eclipse all other actions and appear very vividly before the mind’s eye. If he had done no such weighty action, he may take for his object of the dying thought-process a kamma done immediately before death (ásanna kamma); which may be called a “death proximate kamma.” In the absence of a “death proximate kamma” a habitual good or bad act (ációóa kamma) is presented, such as the healing of the sick in the case of a good physician, or the teaching of the Dhamma in the case of a pious teacher, or stealing in the case of a thief. Failing all these, some casual trivial good or bad act (katattá kamma) becomes the object of the dying thought–process. (Most of the time the Death proximity karma will take over especially the habitual thing one constantly do, good or bad, e.g. if you’re good at torturing people through wrong livelihood, you will behave like those creatures that you harmed or killed. If you do harm to others, when close proximity karma takes over, your consciousness will develop the same fear you do onto others. E.g. if you kill chickens, you will behave like them – the fear they have before they die would be on you too. Similarly if you have constantly done good things and wholesome actions like listening to the dharma, doing dana and kathina, rejoicing, etc. then your Death proximity karmic consciousness will be related to such wholesomeness signifying a good rebirth. This type of habitual karmic consciousness will take over. A good example is that of our late Aunty Tan (Dana Queen), wife of ex-BMS president, who had done a lot dana/Kathina and wholesomeness – when her consciousness change or when she are not herself anymore she kept telling the devotees at the hospital that she was having kathina and doing dana here and there. As her parami was very good, on that day a lot of devotees and monks were praying for her recovery, people also shared and transferred merits and performed Bodhi Puja for her at Brickfield Buddhist temple. Brother Teoh who was also there doing the Bodhi puja, felt something very strong and powerful at his heart area and he can sense she would recover. True enough, after the puja, she regained consciousness and survived for another 20 over years.
7. There must be conditions for things to arise. The dharma is such, it can only happen when all appropriate conditions fall into place, or else things won’t happen. Malaysians are so blessed with such good parami to have such a good PM at this time of need. Without Tun Mahathir, change leading to downfall of the 61 year old ruling party of our country can’t happen. Brother Teoh shared that Tun Mahathir has very strong mind (will-power) and he will survive long enough to do the work he wants to do. It is not easy to be PM at his age (94), but with his willpower, he is definitely no ordinary being but a great being with a mission – to lead the world and our country to bring about the higher consciousness and a New Malaysia.
8. When death proximity consciousness takes over, you are no longer in control. Then “trying to think of good thoughts before you die to have a better rebirth” won’t be possible or that easy anymore. The only thing that can help avoid this condition of the Karmic death proximity consciousness from taking over is to meditate to develop a very stable mindfulness. When you are heedful and aware, you won’t have such thing coming to take over your consciousness because your awareness which is beyond thought will be there to protect and guide you.
9. When Brother Teoh was 9 years old, he actually died. His consciousness came out and could not go back to take control of his body, like it’s not his body. But because he was determined to get back into his body so he gave it a push (he did not know what makes him do that but somehow he just know what to do) and he went back into his body. His awareness was there although at that time, he still did not know what meditation was or anything regarding the dharma as yet. Yet he was able to be fully aware of his own craving force dissipating thereby freeing his consciousness from his body. He also witness how his full consciousness came out of his body.
10. The first thing he wanted to check and confirm was what he saw when his consciousness was up there (above his body). His brother walked into the room, said something and went out. As he was entering the room, Brother Teoh called out to him but his brother could not hear him. It was the same as the brother walked out. Brother Teoh then realized his body was down there. Thus he wanted to go back to his body. Once he went back into the body, he was not able to take control of his body at first. But once he gave it a push and regained consciousness and took control of his body again, he straight away ran after his brother to ask if he did what he did while in the room. His brother answered yes and asked how come Brother Teoh could know as he was sleeping like a log.
11. Brother Teoh was in that state because he was too tired after playing the whole day and his energy was almost completely drained. He just collapsed on the bed. As he rested, his craving force starts to dissipate – the craving force that binds the consciousness to the body loses its grip on his body. Then a while later, suddenly the three areas of consciousness came back to one and reside at the heart area before coming out.
12. Most people experience only the astral body going out, and in such cases they can come back anytime. There is an energy line (the silver cord) linking the consciousness to the body. This cord will bring you back. This is astral traveling. It is the astral mind that goes out.
13. If you have awareness, the close proximity karma won’t happen. You will know how to die. Brother Teoh knew that because if he can do it when he was young (before even knowing the dharma), after cultivating the dharma, it would be a lot easier for him to do it.
14. Six years ago, Brother Teoh experienced a heart attack. Three months before, a message came from his nature advising him to go for a medical checkup concerning his heart and arteries condition. He then said, if there are signs then he will self-admit himself to the hospital. The signs came 3 months later. He felt something not right and knew he had to see the doctor. After being checked, true enough he actually had a heart attack, an Angina. But because he was aware, he did not feel any pain but just an eerie feeling. The ECG shows an abnormal elevation. After that they jab him and he was admitted for 5 days. After this incident, his consciousness experiences some changes. But with the dhamma, Brother Teoh knew what was happening and how he can best overcome it. Although mentally he was strong, but physically he was pretty weak during and after the surgery because of the lack of food due to his fasting since the night before until the next day about 5pm. After an energy drink of milo, his consciousness was more stable. Or else he would have gone into the meditative state and sleep to rest. He was still fully aware then. He was aware how his body was fully exhausted and went through a peculiar phase, and he knew that anytime the form and mind could separate because it lack physical energy at that time.
15. A full consciousness has 17 thought moments. In between there are 7 determining thought moments that decide the type of karma. For Death consciousness it is shorter, there are only 5 javanas instead of the usual 7. Immediately after the death consciousness (cuti citta), Avijja (ignorance) conditions rebirth consciousness. Rebirth consciousness is just a simple consciousness, born of ignorance. Immediately this consciousness inherits its karmic past from his karmic nature. This consciousness starts to develop inside the fetus. It receives the food and nutrient from mother through the umbilical cord and grows. When it is born, it will be subject to conditioning by those who care for them. The brain starts to develop. Then as they go to school, their education curriculum together with the social media, and their belief system and family culture, etc. conditioned and molded them accordingly. But Karma has a great influence on all these, consciousness then develops into a bundle of memory with its views and opinions, conditioning, belief system, accumulation of fear, insecurities, and scars of memory, phobias etc. – and this is what you are. This sophisticated consciousness is trapped in the physical form till death. Heartbeat/pulse of life is needed to arise consciousness. If no life force, you cannot function as a human being. The moment the heart pumps, it sends the consciousness into the blood which goes around to nourish the entire body. That’s how you can be aware of any location within you; where there is blood, you can have the ability to be aware there.
16. This pulse of life/the life force, apart from sending blood to your body, can also be used to arise consciousness, for us to be conscious of things. It is like a power bank or energy source. When you know how to meditate, this whole life force can be switched off at the heart base and channeled into our nature via the gateway to our nature. Once it goes in, it activates the internal movements via trust. During that time, Brother Teoh’s nature transformed and he progressed very fast. Most human beings do not know how to use this life force or pulse of life. Instead they use it to arise thoughts and emotions (like sorrow, lamentation, anger, envy, jealousy, fear etc.) leading to stress and high blood pressure. They don’t know how to calm themselves down and are not sensitive enough to feel all these emotions. They don’t know how to develop the ability to be aware, stay calm and peaceful to experience the tranquility and stillness and quietness of mind. When it pumps, instead they use it to arise thought and emotions. Hence a lot of this energy is being wasted in the heedless thinking and emotions. This life force energy is not properly and wisely utilized.
17. This life force energy should be used for meditation, to develop our nature. Most people just let it arise and then disappear because they use it mostly for thinking to condition their emotions like fear, phobia etc. This takes away a lot of your life force energy. When you think a lot, or feel stressed, unhappy and anxious, you are very tired and completely drained. However if you use it appropriately, you are most of the time in the meditative state; you recuperate and recharge yourself very fast. You feel calm, peaceful and aware most of the time. You are always fresh and have clarity of mind. This is what the pure consciousness is all about. When it is not properly used because of delusion then its consciousness becomes complicated and deluded, – this remnant of consciousness is the one that comes out upon death, i.e., separation of consciousness (the bundle of memories with its conditioning, etc.), from the physical form. This remnant of consciousness has to come out because the form cannot support it anymore.
18. When there is no more life force, your heart beat stops; Consciousness cannot stay inside because brain dead, and the blood cannot nourish the vital organs. Then when your heart fails to pump, all organs will fail. There is no use for the consciousness to stay inside as it cannot give life or allow the body to function as a human being again. When vital organs within the physical body is/are destroyed, consciousness has to leave too. The moment any of the remaining 2 vital conditions that supports life is no longer there, the trapped consciousness has to leave the body.
19. For non-cultivator, you cannot decide what happens before you die. In the Tibetan tradition they teaches you POWA, a technique on how to die, and a chance to get enlightened in that dying state. For Brother Teoh, this type of practice is of not much use because most importantly is to prepare yourself via meditation long before death actually take place. Cultivate strong mindfulness to develop the ability to understand clearly what death is? When you have mindfulness and awareness, you will know how to die. This death proximity karmic consciousness won’t come and disturb you. This is because the awareness nature is beyond the mundane mind. It will know this is not real. The remnant of consciousness will just come out. And when it does, it can see and hear everything except that it doesn’t have a physical body. Everything that others say, this remnant consciousness can know and hear. This remnant consciousness can even call out to you but you can’t hear it. Out of anger, they could even create eerie feeling in you and the surrounding. Brother Teoh shared that if the decease holds onto any of their religious belief, upon death, the visions they see will manifest according to their conditioning and fear. Although rebirth consciousness is already gone, but because the remnant of consciousness (which is still deluded), are still attached to this world, so they will stay around just like those non-humans or hungry ghosts, spirits, etc. (in the other realm of existence) for such time till it disperse (when there is no more conscious energy to support its existence).
21. When there is self-delusion, you will think you have lose your loved one and this is attachment. The remnant of consciousness is not you nor your loved one. When there is no longer any attachment, this remnant of consciousness will then disperse, and be gone completely. This remnant of consciousness is in another realm which can only communicate with the other remnant of consciousness in the same realm. But if you are mindful, you can feel them, when they are around.
22. Death is separation of consciousness from the form, no reality because the form and mind is dependent originating, condition arising hence impermanent and not you, it goes the way of nature. When you understand this, you mind can be freed.
23. From the Buddhist perspective, the best way to repay your loved ones (especially your parents) is to thank them, take care of them via loving them, express your gratitude towards them, honor them and teach them the dhamma while they are still alive. But more often than not, most people prepare for their death just outwardly as a formality, to feel good so that they will have no remorse.
24. Those 3 questions are usually asked by non-Buddhist. As a Buddhist you will understand in actual fact, no one dies. It is just nature’s law manifesting because death is a reality and no one can escape death, so why worry? But there is such a thing as filial piety and to be able to express our love and gratitude towards our loved ones while they are still alive is important. After they pass away, you just do what you have to do, for the Buddha said, ‘no amount of sorrow and lamentation can bring back the dead’, so no need to cry. As for the ritual, no need to spend too much money on the coffin and ceremony thinking it can give you more merits. But if there is a necessity to do the wake properly to inform others on their passing, then just go through it following the Buddhist way which does not cost much. As for the ashes, they are just elements because their consciousness already left. You can either keep them in an urn or dispose it off into the lake or river or sea. Finally the understanding is ‘Hey no you and hey no me’. If the decease is a cultivator then you may collect its relics and keep them.
25. If you want to develop filial piety, you can put the ash inside the urn and place it either at home or at a location with proper Buddhist chanting. Make offering in their name is also a good practice. For Buddhist, just understand what death is. Understand there is this law of karma which recognizes relationship, so we need to do our duty towards our loved ones. Duty means our responsibility to care for them, provide for them and do what is proper, no selfishness, no evil root nor negativity. When it comes to death, there is no reality. Acceptance of what is, if you need to talk to them, do so. This remnant of consciousness is no longer the real entity. Even when it is trapped inside, it is also not them for it is dependent originating. Finally this remnant of consciousness will disperse. But you can always talk to your loved one, telling them that they have passed over to another realm. It is not them anymore, and if they want to roam about with it, they can. But ultimately it is not real and they can’t do much without the physical form. They can listen to dharma and rejoice though.
26. The best is to have awareness and mindfulness, then you will know how to die and you can die well as this consciousness can be used for wondrous things. Just without the physical body. Brother Teoh further said he can’t tell if it can go to another body or not unless one has that ability because it involves the karmic law which is very complex.
27. In Tirokudda Sutta, it explains further regarding loved ones after they die. We must think of them and express our gratitude towards them. Then their remnant of consciousness will be at peace because they will be happy knowing what you have done. But if you say negative things, they can be angry with you.
28. For near death experience (NDE), the astral mind or consciousness can still come back to the body because the silver cord is still connected and the full consciousness did not leaves the body.
29. When a loved one dies, you can still send metta to them and make them peaceful. Ask them to listen to dharma, and develop the joy. Brother Teoh shared that he may use his remnant of consciousness (connected to his nature) to explore the universe if there is condition for his nature to do so. Even though it is not him anymore, but it is the tool for his nature to use before it finally disperse. Brother Teoh also shared that, one of his mission in this life is, when his consciousness comes out, it will use it to explore the universe and find out things that scientists still cannot understand. It will go to the star, the sun and explore the universe. This consciousness with the nature’s awareness, can be used for such studies. But whether it can after that come back through another body, he can’t tell.
30. If there is any unfinished business, this remnant of consciousness of unenlightened being can still linger around for quite a long time without dispersing. That’s why you can sense eerie feeling if they are angry and around. You can radiate metta towards them, express gratitude instead of being fearful. This makes them feel good and at peace. Recall to mind all the good things they have done. These are all stated in the Tirokudda Sutta which will be shared in the next sharing.
31. While loved one is alive, be loving towards them. When they are gone, no need to do complicated or expensive rituals. Also we need to respect our other family members’ wish. You do your part, share merits, transfer merits etc. Some people use the Pak Kim received from well-wishers for donation to charitable organizations and do something wholesome with the money instead of spending more on the funeral rituals. To do something wholesome in the name of the deceased is a lot better. If you put the urn in a special place it is good too. If the consciousness is still around, let them listen to the music and chanting which are more conducive for them instead of roam about without understanding. Buddhist understanding simplifies everything. Simplest way is to cremate and put ashes in the urn or disperse it into the river. Some cultivators will keep the relics which can give rise to good vibration/energy.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
9th Oct 2018Tuesday class (The buddha and his teaching)
Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio links to our Tuesday class dated 9th Oct 2018 recording for sharing by all. Brother Teoh Tuesday Class on 09/10/2018 record :
https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Tue-181009.mp3
or at:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i69duvvlnhmpd5p/2018-10-09.MP3?dl=0
Also enclosed is the link to its outline short notes: https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Short-Notes-Teoh-Tue-181009.pdf
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
7th Oct 2018 Sunday class (Cultivating the Bodhisattva way)
Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio links to our 7th Oct 2018 Sunday class recording for sharing by all.
https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/1st-Cultivating-The-Bodhisattva-Way-7-Oct-2018.mp3
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Outline short notes link:
https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Short-Notes-Teoh-WPCS-180107.pdf
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
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4th October 2018 Thursday class
Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio links to our 4th Oct 2018 Thursday class recording for sharing by all: https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Thu-181004.mp3 or at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/tbgt1eznbyq7d8u/Teoh%20class%20181004.MP3?dl=0
Also enclose is the link for the outline short notes: https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Short-Notes-Teoh-WPCS-180107-1.pdf
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Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
Bro Teoh’s 2nd Oct 2018 Tuesday class
Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio links to our last 2nd Oct 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all. Also attached are the outline short notes link:
https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Short-Notes-Teoh-Tues-181002.pdf
*Bro Teoh’s Tue Talk 2 Oct audio links :
https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Tue-181002.mp3
or at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/g3dglncilb14gcm/Teoh%20Tue%20181002.MP3?dl=0
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Peace Beyond suffering (Anandagiri Hermitage)
Dear Kalyanamittas – I am please to share the latest Anandagiri Chedi project details which I had recently received from Ajahn Achalo. It is really very magnificent and very well done. Full of awesomeness, wholesomeness and meticulousness. We should all Rejoice – Maha Sadhu!
And as kalyanamittas we are indeed very blessed to be able to partake in such wholesomeness because of our group’s special affinity with Ajahn Achalo since the year 2012 when we first visited his way place. We all should also thank Ajahn Achalo for giving us (kalyanamittas) the conditions to partake in all the wholesome projects and activities of Anandagiri Hermitage thus far. Sadhu!x3 and Thank You Ajahn!
Do read through Ajahn’s rather beautiful email below and then view the slides show to see the latest progress photos and then with faith rejoice.
Looking forward to our spiritual trip there this coming November 2018.
Bye! and with metta always,
Brother Teoh
From: noreply+feedproxy@google.com <noreply+feedproxy@google.com> on behalf of Peace Beyond Suffering – Keep In Touch <noreply+feedproxy@google.com></noreply+feedproxy@google.com>
Sent: 04 October 2018 01:50
To: teohkiankoon@hotmail.com
Subject: Peace Beyond Suffering … – Subscribe
Sent: 04 October 2018 01:50
To: teohkiankoon@hotmail.com
Subject: Peace Beyond Suffering … – Subscribe
Peace Beyond Suffering … – Subscribe |
| The Birth and growth of a Sacred Chedi (cetiya)
Posted: 01 Oct 2018 02:11 AM PDT A Visual JourneyDear Fellow practitioners,
On this occasion I am sharing with you the second slideshow illustrating the growth and development of the Sacred Chedi which we are building here at Anandagiri. The construction of this Holy Monument has been the catalyst for visits from several wonderful senior monks. Tahn Ajahn Pasanno, Tahn Ajahn Piak, and Tahn Ajahn Anan just in this past year alone. It has also been a project that has brought many people together repeatedly, to celebrate our Faith and join in creating something beautiful in honour of our love for Lord Buddha and his Liberating Teachings. It may sound presumptuous my saying this? But I’ll say it anyway! This slideshow is no ordinary slideshow! Sifting through the thousands of pictures that many people shared with me, I have been able to select The 300 Images, (which take 20 minutes to scroll through at four seconds each) that capture many remarkable things. With many people taking pictures from many angles – on many occasions, I had A LOT of material to sift through and choose from. The Slideshow gives thorough glimpses into the following… – The very process of building such a monument. – All of the people involved – monks, laypeople, sculptors, labourers, villagers etc. – Then the witnessing of solid lumps of stone becoming beautiful pieces of Buddhist art under the guiding eye of myself and our chief artists, as well as the experienced hands of many sculptors. Then seeing plain bricks neatly laid becoming an inspiring sacred object. The places of devotion that I’ve been to, along with other monks and students which inspired much of this project’s design are another important component not so easily seen. A lot of factors go into building such a monument! (There have been many visits to museums in many countries as well) The Chedi was inspired initially by the desire to help ‘brighten up and clean up’ the ‘psychic atmosphere’ around the vicinity of the monastery, for just 40 years ago it was a war zone, where communist guerrilla forces fought the army of the Thai government. This project has already taken a lot of time, faith, love, energy and devotion. And to be honest I would never have given myself to such a taxing task were it not for the sense that it was definitely needed. So the tiring and taxing side is the negative, although such endeavours bear great fruit in future we are told. The positive has been the extraordinary support we have received from so many people to bring it into being. It is quickly becoming more beautiful than I ever dared imagine. Other good news is that according to some of my gifted Teachers, many ‘wandering souls’ have, through the power of the merits produced and dedications made, been able to move onto happier situations. Saaaaadhuuuu !!! There is much to be seen in the making of this Chedi. And perhaps even more going on in realms that we cannot yet perceive? In any event, the slideshow gives a very good look at many of the most significant events of the past year here at Anandagiri. The community, the Chedi and the trees are all growing. And of course in the future we hope that the Chedi will be a site that inspires much inner reflection, quiet meditation, and perhaps even liberating insight, when people recollect and then practice in accordance with the Buddha’s Teachings. May it be so! We rejoice in the offerings of the many big and small donors who have helped to make this project go forward. At the current pace the entire project should be finished by the end of next year. I hope that this visual journey will prove to be interesting and uplifting for you as well – wherever you are. With Loving-Kindness Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu
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Bro Teoh’s 27th Sept 2018 Thursday class
Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio links to our 27th Sept 2018 Thursday class recording for sharing by all.
From: Bro Swee Aun:
*If you missed Bro Teoh’s Thurs class Sept27, you can download at audio links:*
or at:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0yfl7ufh3fbtyr1/teoh%20class%20180927.MP3?dl=0*highly recommended, must listen* 👍👍👍
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0yfl7ufh3fbtyr1/teoh%20class%20180927.MP3?dl=0*highly recommended, must listen* 👍👍👍
Also enclosed and attach are the outline short notes link for sharing by all: https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Short-Notes-Teoh-Thu-180927.pdf
Brother Teoh’s 27th September 2018 Thursday Talk outline Short Notes
- What is Heart and what is Mind? According to brother Teoh this is a very difficult topicand very few people can truly comprehend. In Mandarin, the same word 心 (xin) is being used for both (the Heart and the Mind). Mahayana tradition teaches two types of minds – the Mundane (or Thinking) mind and the True mind.
- Sincerity is related to the conscience (no evil roots or cunningness). The Heart as an organis special as it is related to the conscience. Reason why true cultivator always said, ‘follow your heart and not your deluded thoughts (mundane mind).’ The heart is where the seat of consciousness resides. The karmic force triggers off the life force and cause the heart to beat giving rise to the pulse of life that pumps our blood to nourish our entire body. Thebrain is where the memories are and as thoughts (mundane mind) are response tomemories hence the mundane or thinking mind is closely related to the brain. The consciousness since birth is trapped within this physical body that has the 5 physical sense bases and the brain. Upon contact of mind with the sense bases, sense door consciousness (like seeing consciousness, hearing consciousness and thought consciousness, etc.) can manifest. You need to understand all these to penetrate the Mind and the Heart and to understand who you are?
- Life force or karmic force comes from our karmic nature. When destructive karma hits,heart beat stops. Form and mind separates because brain dead and we call this death. Thelife force energy can be used to pump the heart, to make us conscious, to sustain life and give rise to consciousness, thoughts and emotions. It can also be use to access the gatewayto one’s nature to bring about the internal transformation (of consciousness) via trustingour nature to meditate without the interference of thought.
- The 3 things that sustain human life are: – consciousness, the physical body and the life force. A functioning physical body is needed to sustain life. But when some vital bodily organs are damaged, then consciousness can’t stay on. Body and consciousness need to harmonize just like the analogy of the car and the driver. If car is not in proper conditionthe driver also can’t drive it. Just like candle light’s analogy – it can only lights up with these 3 important conditions sustaining it: Wax (equivalent to the physical body), wick and the candlelight.
- One needs wisdom to be able to live life well. To understand oneself one needs to understand the consciousness, the physical body and the life force.
- Mind is linked to the brain because brain is memory and thoughts are response to memory. Thought consciousness comes about when mind consciousness makes contactswith the brain. Before one develops the wisdom via meditation, this (the brain) is hellbecause one will acts according to memory (which are the accumulations of all our goodand bad experiences, views and opinions, belief systems, and delusion, etc.), which is Not acting at all. Most of the time, the accumulated experiences are your negativepsychological memories (i.e. you scars of memories, fears, worries, anxiety, phobias, sorrow and lamentation and insecurities, etc. Human beings want to be secure and safe in life (the wanting is a craving) which is all part of their delusion. Nowadays, the world seems to be less safe, human beings seek safety/security hence their insecurity is the root cause of their own fear, worry and anxiety. One should instead act according to wisdom following Noble 8-Fold Path.
- According to the Buddha, the highest security or only safe refuge is taking refuge in theTriple Gem. The Buddha is perfect in virtue and wisdom, thus he has the dharma. The Dharma is his teaching. The Sangha are his enlightened disciples and thus have the dharma as well. With the Dharma, one knows how to cultivate following the advice of the Buddhato avoid all evil, do good and purify the mind. One must thus takes care of karma and develops wisdom. Hence the highest security is virtue and virtue is your highest protection. If you want to have the good and happy life, do not break the precepts for do Good begets good and do evil begets evil. Without fear, your mind states are peaceful,calm and secure. There are no worries or insecurities as you have faith in your own nature(both karmic and spiritual).
- Virtue is the highest and best protection. If you take care of karma, karma will take care of your life. There is nothing to fear. Whatever that happens, there are causes and conditions behind, hence what happens is the reality of the moment – cannot be otherwise. When you act according to memory (which are your accumulation of wrong views, traditions, belief systems, conditionings and the 3 evil roots), you are in fact acting according to yourfears, worries, anxieties, insecurity, selfishness, etc. Instead, you should act according towisdom and understanding. With right view, you can act following Noble 8-Fold Pathwhich is the path that leads to the end of all suffering.
- Law of karma – ‘We are borne of our karma, heir to our karma, conditioned and supported by our karma and we are what we are because of our karma’. So whatever that arise there are causes and conditions linked to karma behind. Therefore Act with wisdom via not blaming others or yourself and not getting angry or fearful as one knows it is all karma related. No point being miserable over what happened. Accept the reality of the moment, as most likely you have done these to others in the past, and now with conditions, you have to go through it. Thus you are at peace, have clarity of mind to understand what has happened then you can act to resolve things amicably the dharma way and move on.
- To resolve something amicably we need to apply the Noble Eightfold path; right view leading to the arising of right thought, right speech, right action, etc. following advice of the Buddha to avoid all evil, do good and purify the mind. Develop wisdom throughcomprehending the law of dependant origination (12 links) to understand how you function as a human being, how this mind functions. And the other essential dharma orteaching of the Buddha (4 noble truth, its 3 turnings, other related essential dharma that spin off from there). You will know how to act because you will know what dukkha is? Thecause of its suffering, knowing that suffering need not be because cessation of suffering which is realizing the enlightened state of Nibbana in the here and the now is possible; and the path to realize it is through cultivating the Noble 8-Fold path.
- There are 2 types of mind, mundane mind and true mind: True mind = silent or meditative mind (your nature). Mundane mind = thinking mind, condition arising/dependant originating mind, monkey mind which is heedless.12. Meditation is to get one to realize one’s true mind. Master Hui Neng’s teaching is tobring one directly to the true mind. When you silent your mind, your true mind in pure awareness will be able to see how the mundane mind functions and operates and insight into phenomena to realize the 3 universal characteristics of nature.
13. Due to ignorance (avijja), thinking (or sankhara activity) starts causing the mundane mind to arise. To cease avijja, one needs the dharma, the right view or wisdom tostraighten one’s views. Without self-delusion (sakkayaditthi), one will understand that the form and mind is impermanent, dependent originating hence not you. Then the 3 evil rootsof greed, hatred, and delusion cannot arise.
14. These evil roots arise due to one’s self-delusion – believing that this form and mind is you and real (or exist) causing the “I”, the Ego or Personality to arise. With the deluded Egowanting to own, possess and control things, grasping and clinging arise, giving rise to thisevil root of Greed (selfishness and greediness). As you think you exist, you can also becomeemotional, angry, jealous (evil root of Hatred) and insecure and fearful (evil root ofDelusion). 15. When you can see that they are all condition arising, dependant originating and causal phenomena that arise when the supporting conditions are there then you willawaken to or insight into the 3 universal characteristics of impermanence, suffering and non-self (anatta) which are inherent in all things within the conditioned world. Then you will understand clearly why this body and mind is not you, but merely a karmically conditioned vehicle and tool for you to come to this existential world of ours.
16. Thus, contemplate daily that this body of ours is of the nature to grow old, get sick, and die. No amount of sorrow and lamentation can bring back the dead. Nothing actually dies. Hey no you, hey no me. No mark of a self cultivating, no mark of others and no mark of even dharma, existence and life. This penetrative understanding from the Diamond Sutraand Heart Sutra will bring forth the wisdom needed to live life beautifully within this existential world. When you understand all these, you become very different.
17. Human beings tend to follow their thought (mundane mind) instead of their heart (conscience). Thought is neither good nor bad. It depends on the user of thought. Thus one must know how to use it. With dharma, thoughts become right thoughts which are rather beautiful. Without wisdom, these thoughts come from memories which are filled with fear, greed and delusion hence no conscience, sincerity nor virtue. On the other hand, with conscience, sincerity and virtue, one cannot harm others. But for human beings withoutwisdom, the cunning, deluded mundane mind takes over, not knowing there is a true mind. But when you understand all these, your mind is beautiful.
18. How can the heart, an organ have a conscience? The life force pumps the heart, that’s how your heart area receives the karmic or life force. The final link is: for one to come to this existential world, one needs a form and mind (vehicle and tool) to come. The Karmic force and mind that comes due to karma resides within the heart. The gateway to yourtrue nature is also within your heart area. That’s the reason why when you are in yournatural state of silence (without thought) your true nature or conscience around your heart area is sensitive and can truly feel with pure awareness. But very fast your mundane mind takes over and causes you to doubt. When one meditates with understanding, one will come into contact with one’s true mind. Then when you continue to relax into all mindstates and silent everything, your nature will be able to detect the gateway and ‘melt’ orflow soothingly into it. The true mind is also your conscience, no evil, no ego, thus anatta. This true or silent mind (which is connected to the form and mind) can meditate and cause one to insight into or awaken to truth, reality and all nature’s law. This wisdom which is then connected to this form and mind can cause the form and mind to be enlightened. But this – your this life’s segmented form and mind of your nature is not you because it is anatta.
19. Every living being has this true mind i.e. the conscience (inborn) which won’t do any evil. However, most human beings don’t understand what that is and they tend to overwrite it via their thoughts (mundane mind). The heart is the conscience. The gateway is inside the heart. Hence the famous quote: “follow your heart”. For example, when one goes looking for property, your nature knows – if you feel comfortable and good with the place, before any thought comes to delude you then you can buy the property. Only when you feel good, you buy. With Dharma cultivated, everyday is an auspicious day. Without the dharma, an auspicious day could also turn into an inauspicious day. Your heart or conscience comes from your nature’s understanding and wisdom. For those unenlightened, they can hardly perceive their conscience. Even if it arises it can only guide them for awhile before their thought (mundane mind) comes in and takes over.
20. Brother Teoh was able to explain all these are because his nature understands and all these sharing from him are not from any book or other source. Today’s sharing is a true gem, covering the whole understanding of life and the cultivation. To understand thisdharma cultivate, Pariyatti – the learning of the teaching (1st phase of dharma) is not that difficult but to realize it via putting it into practice – Patipatti (2nd phase of dharma) is more difficult and takes time. When one awakens then one get to realize Pativedha (the 3rdphase of dharma), to live the noble life of an ariya (an enlightened being), and one gets to enjoy the fruition of one’s practice.
21. What makes the world turns or goes round? It is love. Here love is not Universal love. It is craving, attachment, possessiveness, emotions, lust and passion. When you have craving, your thought will develop craving to own and have things, leading to strong will power to plot, scheme, deceive and violence – by hook or by crook you need to have it. But with dharma, you can’t do all those things those normal deluded living beings like to do e.g.you are not greedy for money; you are not violent; you don’t take advantage of others; you can’t cheat, deceive, kill or harm others; you can’t do highly excitable and crazy worldly things, etc. With dharma, you can still be part of life, but the inside is already so different. You won’t be so excitable like normal people, as there is clarity, heedfulness and understanding (wisdom) that enable you to understand that all these are not real or what you think. When you have this wisdom, your mind and your brain is different and you arevery sensitive because you can sense and feel many things. You will come to understand why living beings are really living beings and they are rather deluded because of their ignorant inherited from their karmic past, and there is nothing to be pitiful about. Becausethey are deluded, they would do foolish things. People are just the way they are. Foolish people do foolish things, deluded people do deluded things and crazy people do crazy things. Wonderful people do wonderful things. With this understanding, you can become a blessing to all, you are so different, so ‘beautiful’ and you are always at peace, have such beautiful mind and understanding, always heedful, joyful and contented.
22. Brother Teoh shared, it is because he went through life, and he understands deeplywhat fear, anxiety, sorrow and lamentation are like. He saw how people suffer and hewitnesses a lot of suffering during his young days. He contemplated deep into life when he was young because he was unique and different. He has a strong conscience to not harmany living beings. And when he did try to drown a mouse, he got his ‘payback karma’ very fast, getting sinuses. He further shared, things we do due to ignorance in the past will come back to haunt us when there is condition (karma). And with wisdom, one can’t do any harm to anyone. But before you connect to your true nature, you can still make mistakes. But because of your unique spiritual and karmic nature, when you come, your karmic nature, vows and your understandings will prepare you because you are different;you will know you are different and you will understand somehow. When Brother Teoh was young, he too has this very strong feeling to sense that he was different but at that time he can’t understand what it is (the full picture) until later. But as he grows older, hewitnessed how things unfolding so beautifully and naturally. In the year 1986 via aspecial message from one of the great beings (Quan Yin Bodhisattva) brother Teohstarted his cultivation sincerely and diligently. Then when his form and mind connect in the year 1989, everything became very clear. During those 3 years (1986 till 1989) the teachers come, the guide comes, the books come, messages come and his understandingsand transformations kept unfolding. Since 1989, His nature and his nature’s understanding have become so ‘strong’ and life was so meaningful and wonderful. Just like what is stated in the Heart sutra: “True emptiness is wonderful existence”.
23. All these understanding of the Karmic and spiritual Natures and other Natures’ lawespecially the law of karma that brother Teoh had shared with us all, are not documented in any book or anywhere. Most cultivators also cannot understand unless they have that type of cultivation and Nature. Brother Teoh shared that karma is only ‘stored’ and linked to our karmic nature, and when his present segmented life’s form and mind came to this world it can sense and see all the unique signs and happenings occurring when he was young and that was the reason why he knew he was different. Later on as he grew up andwhen he has developed the condition to receive and inherit all his past cultivation then he saw how all these unique things unfolding very naturally, like it is meant to be (as if everything has been planned and taken care off already). It is as if my nature doesn’t haveto do anything apart from just accord and flow with nature’s conditions as they unfold so beautifully. Speaking from his own experience, brother Teoh shared that once his meditation enables him to connect to his true nature, these wisdom and understandingkeep arising. The karmic nature starts operating upon conception of the being (our 5 aggregates of form and mind) but for the spiritual nature it is different because before you connect to your true nature you cannot inherit anything. But the moment you connect, you will progress very fast because you will start to inherits from your spiritual nature immediately after that. One progresses very fast from then on and can reach back to theirprevious cultivation level from their past lives very fast. Once connected back the cultivator will continue his cultivation from where he/she stopped in this lifetime. When you have touched your true mind and realize your true nature you will be able to access the gateway to your nature. The only way to do that is via cultivating the Bodhisattva way. The sainthood way is still very elementary (not as complete) – equating it to a handful of leaves verse those leaves in the whole of the forest. The sainthood way is only a handful of leaves i.e. mainly the 4 noble truths and its 3 turnings teaching. The Bodhisattva way is much more comprehensive because it involves the cultivations of the 10 perfectionsover long periods of time; especially the parami on – perfection of wisdom. The Bodhisattva way is therefore definitely not easy but is rewarding and very wonderful.
24. Sister PG shared what happened to her this afternoon while at work. When negative mind states come into play, she was aware and mindful of it. She was trying to key into her waze the address to her destination somewhere in Puchong but it could not be done and time was running out. She can see her impatient building up because of her wrong thoughts conditioning. As she was driving, she reminded herself to be heedful and mindfuland not let any negative mind states set in. She was very careful when driving. As she wasvery mindful, it helped her to brake on time as another vehicle swerve into her lane suddenly. Everyone in the car froze. Brother Teoh further shared that when one is mindful, one is able to avoid conditions which could lead to negative karma to arise.
25. When you take care of karma, karma will take of your life. Nothing protects other than your virtues, kindness and wisdom. When one cultivates the dharma correctly, one can see the changes happening for the better in one’s life – personality-wise, character-wise, and understanding-wise. The way one lives one’s life, is very important. After all our wrong views (especially self-delusion) have been rooted out, sensual desire and ill-will will also dissipate. When one is heedful with the 5 spiritual faculties developed, the opposite 5 mental hindrances would not arise anymore. People are just the way they are, the world is the world, so just let things be – this is right view. Whatever happens in life, do not panic,do not arise the fear, worry and anxiety to stir your mind to arise the mental hindrances of mind that will hinders your mind from entering the meditative states of inner peace and inner awareness. And also don’t be reactive or emotional for these activities will only creates negative condition for negative karma to arise/ripen. Without this understanding,when things don’t go your way, you will become angry and agitated because your thoughtvia your wrong view will tell you to react with negativity. What needs to be done is to not believe those thoughts, calm your-self down then with clarity of mind do the needy toresolve issues amicably via the dharma way (Noble 8-Fold Path).
26. Brother Teoh shared that whenever he is in a situation, he will never perceive it with negativity but instead accept it as a life reality with right view and then take it as a blessing in disguise for him to learn from it. He will use his understanding and at times his common sense to finally resolve the issue at hand amicably via the dharma way. Then you can laugh over it after that.
27. After the mundane mind has collapsed, he shared that the cultivator will have to learn how to use that Supra–mundane mind which is so fine (like No mind), and you hardly feel anything and like there is no movement. This mind is so different from the mundane mind which is very gross with a lot of images. It is much easier to train the mundane mind to bemindful or aware because it is grosser. But after it has collapsed, there is like nothing at all and no mind to train, so like nothing to do. You need to know how to handle such situation via wisdom or you will end up having unnecessary ‘problem’ again.
28. Brother Teoh shared that there is a tendency for most cultivators who have progressedto be deceived by the thought again after a period of cultivation. Don’t listen to thethought because this is the mundane mind that has duality! Instead, silent your mind andgo back to your nature to develop the understanding. Only the nature or silent mind can see things as they are to awaken. But thought is useful when there is wisdom. Whenwisdom is already a part of you and it has stabilized, you can then share your understanding with others, and then thought becomes beautiful. Everything is beautiful. Today’s dharma sharing is due to condition from Brother Swee Aun’s question and thehigher consciousness among some kalyanamittas, who can understand what brother Teoh shared.
29. Progress in dharma cultivation, lead to more understanding, then one is able to use it in real life. Dharma understanding and virtue can protects those like Sister PG. She was able to avoid the conditions for negative karma to arise. With dharma, one feels blessed. With one’s virtues developed via correct cultivation, one is protected, giving rise to favorable conditions to avoid any severe karmic conditions/fruition. If you don’t take care of karma and you are heedless, you get entangled in situations and problems, leading to suffering and misery. But if you cultivate sincerely you will find your life changing for the better. This is for the individual cultivator to find out. When this happens, your faith in triple gem will be unshakable especially their faith in the Buddha and his teaching. This free teaching is a true gem! Do cherish it! Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.
(Above draft is prepared by sister Phey Yuen)
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
Bro Teoh’s 25th Sept 2018 Tuesday class
Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio links to our 25th Sept 2018 Tuesday class recording for sharing by all:
*If you missed Bro Teoh’s Tue Talk on 25 Sept, you can download at:*
https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Teoh-Tue-180925.mp3 or at:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rkpsjnlcaeyow6w/Teoh%20Tue%20180925.MP3?dl=0
Outline short notes audio link: https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/Short-Notes-Teoh-Tues-180925.pdf
Website: broteoh.com
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com></teohkiankoon@hotmail.com>
Sent: 28 September 2018 07:13
Subject: Re: 25 September 2018 Tuesday Class outline Short Notes
Sent: 28 September 2018 07:13
Subject: Re: 25 September 2018 Tuesday Class outline Short Notes
Dearest Soo Yee and all,
Below and attached are the edited outline short notes for sharing by all:
Brother Teoh’s 25 September 2018 Tuesday Class outline Short Notes
Book Reference: The Buddha and His Teachings – The Working of Kamma (Chapter 20, Page 376)
1. 10 meritorious deeds in everyday life (kusala kamma):
- Generosity / Giving (dāna),
- Morality / Keeping precepts/virtue (sīla),
- Meditation / training the mind to be in full awareness (bhāvanā)
- Reverential Salutation / Paying due respect to those who are worthy of it (apacāyana),
- Service / Helping others perform good deeds (veyyāvacca).
- Transference of merit (pattidāna),
- Rejoicing in others’ good actions (anumodanā),
- Hearing the doctrine (dhamma savana),
- Expounding the doctrine/truth (dhammadesanā) and
- Straightening one’s own views (ditthijjukamma).
2. 3 important factors wholesome to have while performing meritorious deeds:
- Done with joy throughout or at all time – before, during and after (Somanassa-sahagatam)
- done with wisdom (Naya-sampayuttam)
- unprompted/spontaneous (Asankharikam)
3. Briefly run through of 5 jhanic factors, 5 RūpaJhānas and 4 Arūpa Jhānas from the text.
4. [— Recording time 1:36:16 —]
Question: Sister Han asked about how can one navigate between wholesome and unwholesome karma (when one is still not skilful) in the context of counselling andhelping others?
Answer: When one is not skilful (without clear understanding/wisdom), do not be too eager to help or share:
- Beware of the over-eagerness to help
– usually this desire/craving to help others comes from your ego
– it is self-delusion that can condition this type of karma - Beware of giving due to pity: – usually end up being a good-hearted-fool. The wise one only helps when there is condition to help. Done with understanding following conditions, not forced or motivated by one’s emotion.
- Be honest, sincere, and upright (to avoid unnecessary karma):
- If you are not sure then just be sincere and say you do not know. But if you still want to advice then you can say, ‘basing on my understanding now, I belief the meaning of the teaching is ……’ or “This advice may not be suitable for all, but from my experience and current understanding, I feel for you what may help is……”
- Don’t carelessly quote what others say; especially when you are unsure/without clear comprehension of the subject matter.
5. In this condition world/existential world, one must accord and flow with wisdomthose conditions that arise :
- When the supporting conditions are not present (e.g. timing is not right or there is no condition) then do not
forcefully impose your views, advice, or help (especially when the party you want to help is not willing to listen). - The below rather important Diamond sutra’s 4 lines stanza should be clearly comprehended:
|
一切有為法， 如夢幻泡影， 如露亦如電， 應作如是觀。 |
YI QIE YOU WEI FA, RU MENG HUAN PAO YING, RU LU YI RU DIAN, YING ZUO RU SHI GUAN.’ |
All are conditioned dharma (within the conditioned world) They are like dreams, illusions, bubbles and shadows; Like dew-drops and a lightning flash; You should contemplate it thus. |
(Above outline short notes draft was prepared by Sis. Soo Yee)
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh