There are two ways to purify one’s negative karma. The first is to confess before the karma matures, thus purifying the negative karma without suffering the consequences. The second is to suffer the consequences of the negative karma thus eliminating the karma.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Some people believe that Buddhism is a religion, which entails faith. Faith is necessary in Buddhism, however, the view of Buddhism as a religion is rather simplistic, because faith is just one element of Buddhism. The foundation and focal point are not faith, rather they are wisdom and compassion.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
The more vain one is, the more hollow one feels in one’s mind. This vicious circle results in filling the hollowness of mind with vainness. In fact, feeling hollow in one’s mind is tremendous suffering. Although being wealthy, many people are tormented by the hollowness of their mind and their wealth cannot bring any happiness to them.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
“If some people are endowed with the wisdom of the Buddha, some are not, then am I endowed with buddha nature or not? It’s difficult to answer. Will I succeed in my diligent practice?” Everyone possesses buddha nature, this is definitely so. Everyone has great potential, because we possess the wisdom of the Buddha innately, it’s up to us to find it’s existence. Once we succeed, all defilements will be gone, it’s that simple.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
In our everyday life, when getting irritated and anxious, we need to stop to investigate what exactly make us upset? Our body is void of thinking, being free from the concept of happiness and unhappiness. It’s the consciousness which give rise to defilements. Then what exactly is consciousness? By reflecting as such, we might reach a state of realisation.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Countless buddhas in the past, including Shakyamuni Buddha, vowed to liberate all sentient beings when giving rise to bodhicitta, vowing to attain buddhahood after all sentient beings attain buddhahood. We haven’t attained buddhahood yet, but they have. Why? Buddhas make such aspirations out of vast compassion. Due to the greatest and sublimity of their aspirations, they attained buddhahood swiftly. Whereas we are preoccupied with our own interest, thus we are still struggling in the samsara.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Although refraining from killing and engaging in life release is the basic criteria of being a Buddhist, to act aligned with it is not easy. If one can apply it in action in spite of difficulties, then it’s far more meritorious than observing the precepts of abstaining from stealing, sexual misconduct and lying. Of the ten negative acts, killing and holding the wrong views are the most severe.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
We need to come to a clear understanding of what do we need? Is it money or happiness? Desiring both is difficult to achieve. Even endowed with some merit, one can make some profit through exertion, yet one might not be able to live an easeful life. Other than attaining a high level of spiritual achievement, how can one maintain a calm mind while being preoccupied with various engagements? Thus as an ordinary being, we have to choose one between these two.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Countless buddhas in the past, including Shakyamuni Buddha, vowed to liberate all sentient beings when giving rise to bodhicitta, vowing to attain buddhahood after all sentient beings attain buddhahood. We haven’t attained buddhahood yet, but they have. Why? Buddhas make such aspirations out of vast compassion. Due to the greatest and sublimity of their aspirations, they attained buddhahood swiftly. Whereas we are preoccupied with our own interest, thus we are still struggling in the samsara.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
