I am writting this in the hope that I can reach you - An Eternal Now...

Recently i have been pretty puzzled by the relationship between buddhism and medium - those who claim to have god's power, and those who claim to be able to predict the future and know the past.

I personally am not really into religion. But recently I have been having quite a bit of problems with my job search and through a friend of mine I came to know a man who claim to have powers of "Thousand Hands Kuan Yin".

He worship 'Thousand Hands Kuan Yin" and (I think) "Toa Pei Gong" in his house. He stays with his wife, his father, children and one grandson in Singapore.

I have been to his place four times, all asking about my job search. I do not wish to go into details cos it can be pretty lengthy. But in general, for some, he can say it well - like, when he looks at my palm, he says that i have back problem (during hte first visit), which is pretty right, cos i have problem with my back (nerves issues) and feel pains when i turn my body around even in bed. Now the situation is better.

He made prediction on my job search, which didnt come true and this is how the story starts - He came to my house, and the conclusion is that my gate door is not good and so all the goods lucks are blocked away. He asked us to plant a coconut tree in front of our house, and also to shift our ancestor's table........

The main point is that, later on, he said that he could help by passing over a jade to me, which has been 'kai guan'. This I have collected.

On the same day, he looked at both my palms again and said that my job would not come that fast, it most probably will be in August (chinese's calender), I was so sad htat i burst into tears.

At hte same time, he also said that my life would go downhill. My health is not going to be good after my marriage and that even if i get married, there may be divorce later on.

THEN, he mentioned to me about the 'cleansing' thing - that he can perform a ritual on me that my life will be good later on. He said that the first three months i will be feeling sick cos that is hte time all hte bad things will 'leave' my body . He also said that my life will only be average for the beginning three years, but later on it will be good.

I was feeling not comfortable with this idea cos i have heard of bad things like this. I asked him how it would be like and etc which he replies as that it can be a bit 'inconveient' cos I need to be naked but the important parts will be covered. He said that some things are needed, such as preparation of flowers etc but he also said that these he can prepare.

He ever mention that we can do it in my family which I rejected upfront cos with my family staying with me this is quite impossible. Then he mentioend about those hostels on hourly charge....

I think i have said things long enough and now I would like to hear from you - An Ethernal Now - what is your thoughts on this as you seem to know quite a bit about Buddishim.

I chanced upon a line which you wrote about "guan yin" that those could be "ghost-deity"..

I have talked to a friend of mine who said that these so-called mediums have 'kumonthong" (evil baby) that helps them, is this true?

He always ask us to read "Na mo O Ni Tuo Fo" in our heart. He said that this will invite good things into our lives. Is this true?

I look forward to your thoughts!

 

What I meant is that many mediums that claim to be communicating with Guan Yin is actually communicating with spirits but is not really 'Guan Yin'.

As for what the medium advised you to do, I have no comments... I think you should ask my dharma teacher and she will give you better answers.

As for chanting Namo Amituofuo, it is true that this habit of chanting is very beneficial. See http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol7no2e.htm

Tks An Eternal Now for your reply.

I am infact pretty amazed by your answers, I thought at hte very least you would ask me not to be 'cleansed'. But you you said is only 'i have no comments'.

How I can reach your dharma teacher?

I welcome any suggestions/ideas/experiences that others may have on this topic. Tks much in advance!

 

Originally posted by Windflower:

Tks An Eternal Now for your reply.

I am infact pretty amazed by your answers, I thought at hte very least you would ask me not to be 'cleansed'. But you you said is only 'i have no comments'.

How I can reach your dharma teacher?

I welcome any suggestions/ideas/experiences that others may have on this topic. Tks much in advance!

 

I didnt say anything doesnt mean that you should go.... just means that my dharma teacher will be in a better position to answer your questions.

How can i reach your dharma teacher?

Pls don't go.

There are many ways and solutions to life's problems. Just my intuition, don't go for such cleansing... being naked and in hotel and who knows what...

Just don't go.

Most probably becos I 'm not in a dire situations as yours now, so maybe i could see the danger more clearly. Sometimes when we are trapped in a predicament, we tend to be blinded by our own desperations to be able to think clearly and logically. This is normal for many ppl. So pls calm down first.

Yes, pls try to chant " namo ambituofo" slowly, clearly in your heart. Breathe slowly and deeply. yes, can try to get in touch with AEN's teacher.

May you be well and fine. Be patient, don't panic, then you can see a way out...  

Yes cycle is right, we should not go.

And the medium thing is pure nonsense... don't believe in it.

Tks cycle and An Eternal Now for your comments.

Cycle, you are right in saying that you are not me and hence you dont feel how i feel - I have been in the job search for nearly 1 year and so it is not fun. In situation like this human beings resort to other ways which they hope can get them out of hte situation.

One question that i would like to have reply on - how i can reach dharma teacher? I have asked this twice but have yet to receive any reply.

btw, an-eternal-now, is it true that chanting namo ao-ni-to-fo will create 'brightness' around our bodies? Or, in chinese called 'guai'?

don't be another one I read in the news. thank you. nobody needs to be naked to be cleansed SPIRITUALLY.

Originally posted by Windflower:

Tks cycle and An Eternal Now for your comments.

Cycle, you are right in saying that you are not me and hence you dont feel how i feel - I have been in the job search for nearly 1 year and so it is not fun. In situation like this human beings resort to other ways which they hope can get them out of hte situation.

One question that i would like to have reply on - how i can reach dharma teacher? I have asked this twice but have yet to receive any reply.

btw, an-eternal-now, is it true that chanting namo ao-ni-to-fo will create 'brightness' around our bodies? Or, in chinese called 'guai'?

What is guai? Brightness is more like 'guang ming'... and yes its a kind of mental brightness. We may not be able to see it but ghosts will not get close to people with this mental brightness.

Please check your PM.. thanks

Originally posted by An Eternal Now:

What is guai? Brightness is more like 'guang ming'... and yes its a kind of mental brightness. We may not be able to see it but ghosts will not get close to people with this mental brightness.

Please check your PM.. thanks

I think she meant "aura"

Originally posted by cuddles:

I think she meant "aura"

I'm not familiar with 'aura'... it seems different people have different aura.

But 'brightness' is different, not everyone have 'brightness'... if you practice you'll naturally develope that.

Originally posted by An Eternal Now:

I'm not familiar with 'aura'... it seems different people have different aura.

But 'brightness' is different, not everyone have 'brightness'... if you practice you'll naturally develope that.

how to know if you have this brightness? what do you do for practice in order to have that brightness?

Our original nature/buddha-nature is innately luminous, its empty-luminous-awareness. But due to our defilements and ignorance, there is 'darkness'... just like clouds temporarily obscuring the sky or the sun. The sun and the vast sky is always there, but temporarily obscured by the clouds, so the brightness does not 'manifest'.

Awareness and wisdom is like brightness... 

 ---------------------------

http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol7no1e.htm

10. The Buddha says that sentient beings were originally pure. That being the case, why do we dream?

They stem from mental defilement.

Sentient beings are pure by nature; thus, originally they did not have dreams. However, when mental defilements arise, they induce delusions. And, because of the presence of the five aggregates - form, sensation, cognition, formation and consciousness, together with other causes and conditions, dreams result.

11. What is the difference between feeling and awareness?

Feeling comes from the body, awareness comes from wisdom.

'Feeling' refers to what our body feels. For example, we don't feel well when we are ill, or we may feel that something is amiss with a particular person. These are feelings. They are the responses of our body when our six sense organs (six roots), namely, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body or mind come into contact with sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and the occurrence of a phenomenon (six dirt's) respectively.

Awareness does not depend on the six sense organs but on our own wisdom. A person who has awareness is aware of all matters and phenomena. Awareness takes notice of all matters and phenomena but it does not give rise to any mental delusions. When all delusions have been purified, it gives rise to a kind of brightness and this is called brightness-awareness.

---------------------------

The Buddha taught this in the sutras:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an01/an01.049.than.html

 

a bit too chim for me.. thanks anyway!

Hello,

Vesak day is coming and it is a wonderful day to gain merits. It is said that the merits that are done on that day has an effect of 10,000 times more.

What i could suggest is you go temple and give dana ( any amounts as you deemed is suitable ). How about going to Buddha Tooth relics temple and pray for blessing and good luck. Turn the dharma Prayer wheel which is located on the top ot the temple 7 times clockwise. There are plently of dharma activites on Vesak day which included blessing of relics, dharma talk and also a good chance to give dana to highly-esteemed monks.

http://www.fpmtabc.org/newsletter/vesak-08/Relics-English.jpg

http://www.fpmtabc.org/newsletter/vesak-08/Vesak-08-English-Flyer.jpg

I'm a skeptic towards the medium, frankly. There are stories about how medium con victims into sexual intercourse. Please don't go on the safe side.

Chanting Namo Amituofo and Namo Guan shi yin could help, esp when you are in dire trouble or any other time when you feel like it.

May you have peace, be well and happy.

 

Originally posted by cuddles:

a bit too chim for me.. thanks anyway!

hmm

How about imagine this ( take it metaphorically )

A room of peak darkness and you see nothing. A candle is lighted.

The darkness is instally dispersed with the light. Suddenly u can see what are things inside the room.

 The light refers to wisdom that dispell the darkness of ignorance.

 "Vajra is luminous. Its light can break up all darkness. Vajra is able to cut. A sharp knife can sever something with a single slice, while a dull knife saws and saws and still cannot cut through. Vajra severs all the deviant knowledge and views of heavenly demons and those of exernal ways, chops through people's afflictions, and slices through ignorance."

http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/BuddhistDict/BDV.html

 

http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol6no3f.htm

1. If whatever we do, we do them for our own benefit, out of selfish and egoistic reasons, thinking that that is the way to pursue bliss and happiness, then in the end we will receive the exact opposite.

2. It is important that people know how and when to let go of their attachments. When people ceaselessly let go of the thoughts that arise from the mind, then the mind calms down, and their wisdom and brightness will appear.

3. We have to cultivate ourselves first before we can reach out and guide others. If we are able to cultivate ourselves well, then we will be able to guide others.

4. The human mind is constantly busy with redundant and illusory thoughts. This is the inner sentient being and when extinguished, wisdom will unfold. With wisdom people will be able to reach out and help others.

http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol9no2e.htm

1. What does 'unfold wisdom' mean?
   
   Let me ask you, what does it mean to switch on the light? This room is dark. Once the light is switched on, doesn't it brighten up? With brightness, everything in the room can be seen. But our mind is often dark; it lacks brightness. This darkness is called foolishness or ignorance. This darkness is also called distress. If our mind's light is turned on, distress and foolishness will disappear. When our mind's light is illuminated, wisdom has unfolded. Because wisdom is brightness, it is called luminous wisdom.

http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol7no4f.htm

10. Buddhism advocates that there are infinite sentient beings and to guide them to the path of Enlightenment. How do we guide people who are stubborn?

We have to convince and transform ourselves first.

We should advise people who are stubborn to convince themselves.

       

When we speak of “sentient beings”, many people do not fully understand what sentient beings are. Some people spent a whole lifetime learning Buddhism, and to them sentient beings are other people besides themselves. They are oblivious to the fact that they have an inner sentient being in them and therefore they are also sentient beings themselves.

Where do sentient beings reside? They reside in our mind – your mind and my mind. When we speak of guiding sentient beings to the path of Enlightenment, first and foremost, we have to guide ourselves to the path. We have to convince and transform our own inner sentient being first. If we cannot even convince ourselves, then how can we convince the other sentient beings to do so?

From day to night, at every moment, the human mind is engaged in ceaseless thoughts which are infinite. These distracting and illusory thoughts are our inner sentient being. Thus, the sentient beings in this world and in this universe are infinite because in every person’s mind the inner sentient being is infinite. Buddhism therefore advocates guiding these infinite minds, these infinite sentient beings to the path of Enlightenment.

Sentient being is synonymous with darkness; brightness is synonymous with wisdom. When we constantly eliminate our own inner sentient being, and maintain a state where the inner sentient being does not exist, then we attain brightness. From this, everybody can understand the way to guide sentient beings to the path of Enlightenment. When you don’t have even a single distracting thought in your mind, then it means that you have overcome your sentient being. When you maintain in this state forever, it proves that you have eliminated your inner sentient being. If every person knows about guiding his own inner sentient being, then there will be many Bodhisattvas in this world. In future, there will be numerous Bodhisattvas coming to this world to guide the other sentient beings.

What is Bodhisattva? When one has already eliminated his own inner sentient being and can see that his mind is purified, then this is called the Bodhisattva. When we have not reined in the sentient being in our mind and we are fuzzy, then we cannot think of guiding the other sentient beings. That is impossible. That is, “a sentient being guiding another sentient being”. To be a Bodhisattva is a quicker way to guide sentient beings to the path of Enlightenment. If the mind is free of distracting and illusory thoughts and is completely purified, then you will know how to guide all sentient beings.

This is an expedient way to become a Bodhisattva. Let us not engage in distracting and illusory thoughts anymore. Let us guide our own inner sentient beings first, and then the other sentient beings.

http://www.jenchen.org.sg/

In contrast, when we are cultivating the Great Dharma, during meditation we extinguish this transient-invisible-body. By the non-arising (and therefore non-cessation) of the mind the sentient being inside you no longer exists. We thereby awake our own Buddha-nature. At this point the transient-invisible-body is extinguished by the brightness of Buddha-nature. This is because the transient-invisible-body gathers darkness, and when we have awakened our Buddha-nature, brightness will manifest and the transient-invisible-body naturally disappears.

The human being’s seventh mind-consciousness is the “I”. Because of “I”, it gives rise to “my”. Because of “me”, it gives rise to self-attachment, followed by attachment of perception such as “I like it this way …” or “I like it that way …” In the end, people become attached to everything, be it right or wrong. This is the root cause of distress and suffering. “Ignorance” means darkness and without brightness. People lose their temper because of ignorance. If we investigate the reason for being angry, at the beginning most people will blame it on others. On further investigation, we will discover that the anger stems from self-ignorance. When we have understood this principle, we will realize that these are due to this “I” (seventh mind-consciousness, transient-invisible body). Therefore if we allow it (the ignorance) to further develop and lead according to the wishes of this “I”, we will certainly descend to a lower realm of life, because the root of this “I” is ignorance.

.

.

...When we practise the Great Dharma, we spontaneously transform our seventh mind-consciousness or “transient-invisible-body” into light. That light is the same as the quintessence of Buddha. When we stop breathing, our breath actually diffuses into space and becomes an integral part of space. Thus, if we are skilful in practising the Great Dharma, we do not have the “transient-invisible-body”. It is transformed into brightness and returned to the quintessence of Buddha of the Dharma World. This brightness is not the sunlight. It is also not the brightness of a lamp, but the quintessence of Buddha (known as ?? [Ji-Guang] in Mandarin).

When our mind is completely pure, devoid of arising and ceasing of thoughts, it naturally produces brightness. Our brightness is the same as that of all Buddha’s and Bodhisattva’s. At that point in time, we should not ask, “Where am I going?” It is because sentient beings have this habit of self attachment, the moment thoughts pertaining to the self arise, such as “Where am I?”, or “What is happening to my possessions?” arise, it produces the transient-invisible-body again and transmigration will take place

When our brightness merges with the brightness of Buddha, we become a “greater self” in the quintessence of the universe and no longer the “little self” of an ordinary being. The quintessence of Buddha is the real self, whereas the self of an ordinary being is false.

http://www.jenchen.org.sg/beginnin.htm

Are there any advantages in taking refuge?

There is brightness in taking refuge

There are many, many advantages in taking refuge. If you were to ask somebody about the advantages of going to university, he will tell you about the many advantages: you can become an engineer or a doctor after graduating from the university. There is an enormous amount of knowledge, principles and theories which one would be able to understand when one goes to university. It is the same with taking refuge. The many things which we do not understand before, become clear to us when we have unfold our wisdom after taking refuge to learn Buddhism. Being without wisdom is like the night, the room is dark and we do not know how many people are in it. With wisdom is like turning on the light, with one look we know what is in the room and how many people are there. Turning on the light is analogous to the brightness in our mind. With brightness we can understand many things. These are the advantages of taking refuge, learning Buddhism and unfolding our wisdom.

how about we get AEN’s dharma teacher and a lot of other monks etc and go to the medium’s house together

Originally posted by extra one:

how about we get AEN’s dharma teacher and a lot of other monks etc and go to the medium’s house together

I don't see the point in doing that.

Hi An-Eternal-Now,

I received your PM, tks.

The "guai" is now i think spelt a bit wrongly that is why all this confusion. I was told by that medium that he could see if one has "guain1" around their bodies and ppl can 'accumulate' that through chanting 'namo-o-ni-to-fo'.

According to your understanding, is it true -

1. True that through chanting, a person can accumulate this kind of 'brightness' around him/her

2. And, this 'brightness' can help a person in achieving his/her goal?

I have your contact for your teacher, how should i introduce myself? Saying that I am brought to her by you through this forum? And, I can ask her almost everything? Especially how i can help myself out of this situation?

To all,

To my amazement many ppl drop their thoughts towards this topic over a short time span of around 2 hours. I appreciate so much for your time.

There seems to be a lot of infomration that has been given to this topic, I will read through it.

BIG TKS!

Hi Isis,

Tks for your post.

I have a few questions here:

1. Why do you recommend 'Buddha Tooth relics temple'. Is it because this place is very 'lin' and that it can grant wishes?

2. What is hte purpose of turning that dharma Prayer wheel? Does it really grant wishes?

3. What is 'dana'? What does it do it we do give dana to monks? What special things will happen if we manage to give dana to highly respected monks?

Tks in advance for your time.

Originally posted by Windflower:

I am writting this in the hope that I can reach you - An Eternal Now...

Recently i have been pretty puzzled by the relationship between buddhism and medium - those who claim to have god's power, and those who claim to be able to predict the future and know the past.

I personally am not really into religion. But recently I have been having quite a bit of problems with my job search and through a friend of mine I came to know a man who claim to have powers of "Thousand Hands Kuan Yin".

He worship 'Thousand Hands Kuan Yin" and (I think) "Toa Pei Gong" in his house. He stays with his wife, his father, children and one grandson in Singapore.

I have been to his place four times, all asking about my job search. I do not wish to go into details cos it can be pretty lengthy. But in general, for some, he can say it well - like, when he looks at my palm, he says that i have back problem (during hte first visit), which is pretty right, cos i have problem with my back (nerves issues) and feel pains when i turn my body around even in bed. Now the situation is better.

He made prediction on my job search, which didnt come true and this is how the story starts - He came to my house, and the conclusion is that my gate door is not good and so all the goods lucks are blocked away. He asked us to plant a coconut tree in front of our house, and also to shift our ancestor's table........

The main point is that, later on, he said that he could help by passing over a jade to me, which has been 'kai guan'. This I have collected.

On the same day, he looked at both my palms again and said that my job would not come that fast, it most probably will be in August (chinese's calender), I was so sad htat i burst into tears.

At hte same time, he also said that my life would go downhill. My health is not going to be good after my marriage and that even if i get married, there may be divorce later on.

THEN, he mentioned to me about the 'cleansing' thing - that he can perform a ritual on me that my life will be good later on. He said that the first three months i will be feeling sick cos that is hte time all hte bad things will 'leave' my body . He also said that my life will only be average for the beginning three years, but later on it will be good.

I was feeling not comfortable with this idea cos i have heard of bad things like this. I asked him how it would be like and etc which he replies as that it can be a bit 'inconveient' cos I need to be naked but the important parts will be covered. He said that some things are needed, such as preparation of flowers etc but he also said that these he can prepare.

He ever mention that we can do it in my family which I rejected upfront cos with my family staying with me this is quite impossible. Then he mentioend about those hostels on hourly charge....

I think i have said things long enough and now I would like to hear from you - An Ethernal Now - what is your thoughts on this as you seem to know quite a bit about Buddishim.

I chanced upon a line which you wrote about "guan yin" that those could be "ghost-deity"..

I have talked to a friend of mine who said that these so-called mediums have 'kumonthong" (evil baby) that helps them, is this true?

He always ask us to read "Na mo O Ni Tuo Fo" in our heart. He said that this will invite good things into our lives. Is this true?

I look forward to your thoughts!

 

Who u meet is definitely a liar.It's a fortune teller nothing to do with buddhism.

Windflower, pls treat whatever bad things you're experiencing now as bad karma accumulated previously.  But you can take heart that bad karma will be expiated.  You can also be sure that when your mind becomes pure and compassionate, things will also become better for you. 

No need to go to any temple or even turn the prayer wheel.  Only you can change your destiny by becoming a better person.  Of course, I do encourage you to recite some mantras (e.g the great compassion mantra) to cultivate your Bodhi and compasionate heart.  Also pls do not expect any things in return for doing all these.  They will come naturally.

I hope the best for you.

Metta.

brought forward