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14. Questioned By - Eh Dah(edksaw@gmail.com) |
Date: 01 Mar 2012 |
Dear Sayadaws,
I am studying in a Seventh Adventist (Christian) University. In my philosophy class,I also have to learn about different philosophies from different religions. Though I am a Buddhist, I do not know much about Buddhist teaching. According to my instructor (a Christian), Buddha taught that nothing is permanent and the belief of Buddhism is that there is no self, no soul and no body. She has a question for that. The question is why Buddhism believes in reincarnation or reborn if there is no self, no soul and no body? How do the death people reborn? She does not find the answer for that question and she said the idea is not logical and it does not make sense. I would like to know whether her lectures are correct or not and I also would like to request Sayadaws to give me some explanations regarding to my instructor's question.
With much respects,
Eh Dah |
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| Answered By - |
Sayadaw U Kelasa
Dhammacariya, B.A. (Philo), M.A. (Buddhism) |
Date: 01 Mar 2012 |
REBIRTH WITHOUT A SOUL
Soul-idea
There are two kinds of soul - individual and universal or divine. The individual soul is called Jiva-atta. It is an unchanging, eternal and immortal entity and controls the whole mind and body activities. When the body is destroyed by death it is separated and looks for new one. As soon as it finds out one it is transformed into a being and a new life begins again. It is supposed to be the essence of man. The Universal soul is called Parama-atta. It is a God or Creator or Governor or a Divine essence. Jiva-atta is created by Parama-atta, another words, the former is a tiny part of the latter. Immortal soul and God are absolutely necessary to prove the existence of eternal heaven and hell.
Just process
Buddhism denies all eternal things mentioned above. It teaches that every thing is changeable and not eternal and there is no immortality inside or outside this world.
What we call a being is mind and body or five aggregates - namely; materiality, feeling, perception, and mental formations. All kinds of consciousness and mental states are called mind. One mind-moment consists of three sub-moments: arising, presence and dissolution. What we called body is a compound of twenty-eight types of matter. The duration of matter consists of seventeen such mind-moments. Immediately after one moment of mind or matter there occurs another arising of the subsequent one. So, mind and body or aggregates are constantly changing.
It is like the flame of a lamp or the stream of a river that is a succession of sparks that follow upon one another with such rapidity that we cannot perceive them separately. The arising of one moment means the passing away of another moment and vice versa. No eternal entity between these rapid moments of mind and material phenomena.
Think about how you were last seven years ago. We cannot say that I am the same person as I was the last moment. Every moment there is birth, every moment there is death. In the course of one life-time there is momentary death and rebirth without a soul. Life is just process.
Rebirth
As the process of one life-span is possible without a permanent entity passing from one moment to another, so a series of life-processes is possible without anything to transmigrate form one existence to another. To produce a new being it is the force of tanhᾱ - the attachment to live - under the guidance of Kamma energy.
Re-birth is the arising of new aggregates (khandhᾱnam pᾱtubhᾱvo) caused by the last generative thought of a dying person. The last thought-moment of this life perishes conditioning another thought-moment in a subsequent life. With this mind and body one does a deed and by reason of this deed another mind and body is reborn into next existence. In one sense it is a new being, in another it is not (na ca so na ca añño), like reflection in a mirror.
No reincarnation
This doctrine of rebirth is different from the idea of reincarnation which implies the transmigration of a soul and its invariable material rebirth.
A simile
We may illustrate this process by a series of billiard balls. "If another ball is rolled against the last stationary ball, the moving ball will stop dead, and the foremost stationary ball will move on. The first moving ball does not pass over, it remains behind, it dies; but it is un-deniably the movement of that ball, its momentum, its Kamma, and not any newly created movement, which is reborn in the foremost ball." (Dr. Ᾱnanda K. Kumᾱraswᾱmi, Buddha and the Gospel of Buddhism, p.106.)
See also: H. S. Olcott, The Buddhist Catechism, Q. No. 231-240.
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13. Questioned By - Si Thu(zawyepye@gmail.com) |
Date: 21 Jul 2011 |
With respectfully, I just want to clarify something. I heard that sasana of a Buddha must be cleared (including artefacts, Buddha's and ariya's beads) before another Buddha's Sasana starts. After all, Buddha means enlightened one (without teacher and guide). Of course, Sasana is often tied to Sangha but Dhamma and Buddha are always imprinted in mind of Ariyas, especially celestial ones, given that their life-span is so long! Won't our Sasana Brahma Ariya be still alive when Maetriya Buddha comes?
I am puzzled by the fact that Ariyas of previous Sasanas coming into Gautama Buddha's Sasana. Isn't it saying that there is guide to what is good and bad path? For instance, there are some stories that devas and bhrama are currently still discussing Dhamma after our Buddha's pari-nibbana in their realms. This is conflicting to me. If there are previous sasana ariyas are in the world and cheering Siddhartha on, it is possible that these ariyas do discuss Dhamma and possibly with Siddhartha. Then, how can we say that there is no guide and teacher? To say that Ariyas forget the path to Nibbana is not very strong because mindfullness and awareness are foundation of enlightenment. Moreover, in Buddhist texts, these Ariya Bhramas are said to declare and urge people on morality when world end is near or birth of a Buddha is near. It seems, that sometimes, these are conflicting scenario.
In answer to the Question 190, idea of novice arhants being stream-winners or pre-stream-winners is being floated. Isn't this also conflicting to the fact that different Sasanas do not influence each other? Of course, there is possibility that these novice monks achieved their earlier ariya status under Gautama Buddha Sasana.
Thanks a lot. I hope you don't find it offensive. I am asking this respectfully. I always believe that Buddha and Dharma withstand the test of logic and have coherence. But I am finding this difficult to understand. Since I am not well versed, Phone Phone's advice will be more accurate and I am greatful that there is this portal to ask this question.
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| Answered By - |
Sayadaw U Kelasa
Dhammacariya, B.A. (Philo), M.A. (Buddhism) |
Date: 21 Jul 2011 |
The Path Finder
Can be alive
I hope you know that the Brahma Ghatikāra who offered lotus robe to Prince Siddhattha at the beach of Anoma was a Non-returner (Anāgāmi). That means when the Prince destined to be a Buddha was born here, a disciple of another Buddha existed outside this world. So the answer is yes, that is, a Brahma who is an Ariya, can be alive when Buddha Metteyya appeared on this earth.
Lokadhātu
Buddha says it is impossible that two Buddhas should be born in "same one Lokadhātu (Anguttara, Vol. I, p. 22)". The Commentary on Anguttaranikāya describes that there can not appear another Buddha in this world as long as there are previous Buddha's relics (Vol. I, p. 358). Here we should understand the word Lokadhātu clearly. According to Visuddhimagga (Vol. I, p. 199), Tāvatimsā celestial realm above, Avici hell underneath and four great planets around are all included in a Cakkavāla. A Cakkavāla itself is called a Lokadhātu (ekam cakkavālam ekā lokadhātu).
Middle Land
Majjhimanikāya Commentary states that, though all ten thousand Cakkavāla (which also is to be called Buddhakhetta or Jātikhetta or boundary forthe reign where a Buddha can be born) should be included in the word "same one Lokadhātu", here it should be limited only to this Cakkav±la (Vol. IV, p. 85) and Dighanik±ya commentary comments that it should also be confined only to the Middle Land (Vol. II, p. 252). Therefore, we can conclude that "Ekissā lokadhātuyā = same one Lokadhātu" means "the Middle Land" in this issue.
It seems to me
Depending on above mentioned comments it seems to me that no Buddha's relics would be seen on this earth while Buddha Metteyya came into existence. But, in some Brahma worlds there can be long life Ariya Brahmās like Ghatikāra and so. A Bodhisatta may have some discussions about Dhamma when he was in same abode with them too. We can say that an Ariya Brahma may help Prince Siddhattha physically donating food or robe or medicine or place to live in, but not philosophically teaching him a Dhamma.
Answering Q 190, I quoted some ideas that Sotāpanna and Sakdāgāmi can be reborn in Deva worlds as a deva and human world as a human being many times (but not up and down from human to dava, again from deva to human) until they reached Arahatship. However, it should be understood that their end will be before a future Buddha's becoming. So we can say there would be no Ariyas on this earth when Metteyya arrived.
No teacher
Do you know prince Siddhattha learnt some practices from the sages, such as Ālāra and Udaka, before he attained Enlightenment? Still he was no teacher for the Middle Way which he discovered and is his own method. He might have had some discussions about it as a Brahma or a higher deva while he was going in Sansāra as a Boddhisatta. Would you like to be insistent in saying it is impossible that Buddha Gotama has no teacher? |
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12. Questioned By - Maw(MayLiKha@aol.com) |
Date: 13 Dec 2010 |
Dear Sayadaws,
I am going to marry someone who is not Buddhist. I really want to know one thing that can I pray for Buddha without his statute at home? When I am praying with rosary, can I just pray with Buddha prayers in the quiet room without Buddha statue? Is it ok? or please give me a suggestion that how should I pray for Buddha? What I meant was " I can just concentrate Buddha image and pray" and put a cup of water and fruits ( thit thee swan) or tha-min swan ? Thank you.
If I write any mistakes and inappropriate in my above question, please forgive me.
With Metta,
Maw
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| Answered By - |
Ashin Manijoti
Ratana Vimam Yeiktha Monastery |
Date: 06 Jan 2011 |
No matter, if you are going to marry someone who is Buddhist or non-Buddhist.
Yes, you can pray for The Buddha without Buddha statute in your house.
Yes, of course when you are praying with rosary, you just pray with Buddha prayers at the quite room without Buddha statue.
According to Vimana vatthu Pali page 66
Titthamte nibbute capi, same citte samam phalam
Ceto panidhi hetu hi , satta gacchanti sugatin.
What I would like to give a suggestion, is that
If you are going to concentrate Buddha image in your mind or heart, is alright. Not only that but you should concentrate like real Buddha in your mind as well as in your heart then you can pray, offer a cup of water, and fruits or (THA MIN SWAN) as well. If you do so, you will attain better THUGATI life or heavenly life as a heaven and also you will get meritorious deeds, just like you are offering a living Buddha.
Note
The Buddha said that YO DHAMMAM PASSATI, THO MAM PASSATI.
It means that if you practice the teaching of the Buddha, you are seeing the living Buddha.
( You will see The Buddha in your mind as well as in your heart.)
Without practice the teachings of the Buddha, you cannot see The Buddha in your mind as well as in your heart.
As we all knew, before 9, 11 in USA. In Afghanistan there was a large Buddha statute but the terrorists do not see or believe the teachings of the Buddha. They, that is why, destroyed that a large Buddha statute. Even though they do destroyed it, they cannot destroyed what the Buddha taught in one way or another.
IMAYA DHAMMANU DHAMMAPATIPATTIYA BUDDHAM PUJEME.
It means that by practicing Vipassana meditation or inside meditation I pay homage to the Buddha.
Buddhism, actually, is not merely a religion, but a noble method to gain peace and eternal emancipation through living a respectable way of life. (A respectable way of life means to develop morality, concentration and wisdom according to Buddha). The cultured and the intellectual minds are born of Buddhism.
The final goal in life all Buddhists expect is Nibbana. The essence of Buddhism is Vipassana meditation of which the result is Nibbana.
Meditation means to train mind for purification and culture. No one can obtain Nibbana without developing the mind through meditation. Dana-generosity alone cannot lead a person to attain Nibbana, the final goal of Buddhists. Without meditation practice, the realization of Nibbana is blind to everyone. The untrained mind is very elusive. It is easy for a man with untrained mind to commit evil.
Intensive practice of Vipassana meditation is essential to cleanse the mind polluted with defilements. In other words, strenuous effort is essential for our own deliverance from the circle of life and (SAMSARA). If a mediator has already eradicated all defilements, then the mediator has attained Nibbana.
Nibbana is timeless, placeless. The time of the eradication of all defilements is the time of the attainment of Nibbana.
But Buddhists should not believe that the attainment of Nibbana will take place in one life time. The practice can take a long time. In other words, it may take the period of many births. Practicing meditation is like swimming in a river against the current. Therefore, one must not lose practice for not being able to obtain rapid results. In case of practicing meditation, practice is most important. Immediate results cannot be expected.
Some people say that meditation is only a waste of time. It is foolish to say so. We must remember that every spiritual teacher in this world attained the highest point of his life through the practice of meditation. They are honored today by millions of people because they have given noble services to mankind with their knowledge and practice. On earth, nothing is mature overnight. Peerless things are hard to attain. So attainment of Nibbana which is most difficult on earth.
Some people practice meditation in order to satisfy their material desires. This is if they want their greater material gains, better jobs, more money and the like.
The aim of meditation is not to increase desires (Loba) but to decrease these desires. Furthermore, meditation is the way of conquering the defilements which pollute the mind. Defilements make our (Saòsåra) long. This kind of concept (idea) is blind to some people.
It is good to work under an experienced teacher who can show you the right path. If you do so, you progress any kind of results in this very life or future life until you attain to Nibbana.
May all of you be on the right path leading to Nibbana!
(Base on the Buddha's teaching.)
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11. Questioned By - Zin Tun(bluebarryster@gmail.com) |
Date: 27 Apr 2009 |
Dear Sayardaw,
I would like to clarify one thing.
Why Burma Buddhism not marry during (War So) 3 months?
What is the history behind?
What will happen if marry during War so??
Did Buddha rule out that Buddhism can't marry during War So??
If I am not wrong only Burma Buddhism follow that and not other Buddhism countries.
Thanks you.
Best Regards,
Barry
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| Answered By - |
Sayadaw U Kelasa
Dhammacariya, B.A. (Philo), M.A. (Buddhism) |
Date: 06 May 2009 |
Marriage during Buddhist Lent
Just Tradition
Burma is a country that Theravada Buddhist tradition is flourishing. According to Vinaya, the Theravada monks stay home during rainy season when people also try to come to the temple for their spiritual practices more frequently than normal, observing eight precepts and listening to the Dhamma talks given by the monks. They also pay stress to themselves to do so during the season, leaving their household duties temporarily. Finally, this becomes a special religious season.
Buddha said nothing
I think, this is why devout Buddhists don't want to marry during this time, indenting to do more religious things. There is no a remarkable history behind this. Nothing will happen even if you get married during the season. Maybe the traditionalists blame you, saying why you broke it. Buddha said nothing about this though. I asked a Srilankan monk who answered me that they don't have this tradition and a Thai monk who also said same. |
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10. Questioned By - yi nandar(yinandar@gmail.com) |
Date: 23 Apr 2009 |
Sayardaw,
I strongly believe that you can solve my problem. Please let me raise a question. Is this a wrongdoing if I sing Christian song as Buddhism? I live with some of the Christian for about three years. They always listen to their Christian song and I also become used to with all these songs. I remember all these in my mind. I control myself not to sing these songs. More and more, this becomes a problem for me. My friends said forget it, it is not a sin. That's why I want to know exactly whether it is a wrongdoing or not. How should I control myself to forget all these songs? I hope you understand my English although my English is worst. I tried to write in Myanmar font but don't know how to write. Please explain me in Myanmar Language. I can have a better understanding about this issue. Thanks.
Best Regards
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| Answered By - |
Sayadaw U Kelasa
Dhammacariya, B.A. (Philo), M.A. (Buddhism) |
Date: 06 May 2009 |
Buddhist Attitude
No Akusala
You keep yourself as a Buddhist as long as you take refuge in Three Gems in your heart, accepting and trusting the four qualities of them that they can destroy 1) danger (bhaya) 2) fear (santasa) 3) rebirth in bad life (duggati) and 4) mental impurities (parikilesa). Just singing or listening to Christian songs is not unwholesome (akusala). It is a good Buddhist attitude that you can stay with Christian friends peacefully. It also means that, as a Buddhist, you are broad minded when you picked up their religious songs, not feeling negative on them also on the people. As you love Buddha's teachings, you should respect other's belief too.
Guarded mind
But it is your right to clarify the Dhamma when criticized. You should have enough Buddhist knowledge to protect yourself also when persuaded. Please try to read a lot of Buddhist books or listen to the Dhamma talks. I don't think you should erase the songs by force. It is better if you guard your mind doing regular or Addhitthana chanting or meditation on Buddha-guna at least three days a week. For guna meditation, you may count beads or your own fingers, mentally saying araham .. araham etc. while understanding each guna's meaning. Your mind will be with Three Gems then. The mind such guarded brings you happiness. |
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