PRACTICE GUIDE FOR LAY PRACTITIONERS

Janna Order Monastery

Question 01: DO LAY PRACTITIONERS FACE GREATER CHALLENGES IN FOCUSING ON SPIRITUAL PRACTICE COMPARED TO MONASTICS DUE TO FAMILY LIFE CONSTRAINTS? Answer: Indeed, family life can present more obstacles to spiritual practice than monastic life. This is one of the reasons why all religions incorporate a monastic tradition dedicated to intensive, focused practice and preservation of teachings. However, circumstances are not always fixed. There may be times when monastics face challenges due to external factors, necessitating lay practitioners to intensify their practice to uphold and safeguard...

  1. قبل ٤ أيام

    Question 99: HOW CAN WE CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING A BETTER WORLD...?

    Question 99: HOW CAN WE CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING A BETTER WORLD, MEANING HELPING MANY PEOPLE BECOME MORE VIRTUOUS?Answer: People are unvirtuous for the following reasons:- Innate wickedness; without needing to be taught, their minds already contain seeds of evil, growing up to do things that harm others and benefit themselves.- Because of seeking fame and fortune, they accept doing evil to gain them- To protect fame and fortune, they accept doing evil to keep them- In the name of protecting something noble, they accept doing evil- Not deeply understanding the Law of Karma, they keep misbehaving without considering the consequences- Large ego, easily offended, quick to anger, then do evil- For personal grudges or relationships, they can accept doing evil- Personal ambitions are too great, disregarding sin- Getting involved in criminal organizations and then being trained to become evil...They must see virtuous examples before them to admire; they must be persuaded to believe in the Law of Karma; they must have effective methods to eliminate thoughts of ambition, anger, selfishness, self-centeredness, and craving for fame and fortune; they must be trained in compassion, selflessness, and sacrifice to help others; they must practice meditation to tranquilize their minds to become virtuous,In general, transforming one person to become virtuous is quite exhausting, transforming many people to become virtuous is even more demanding, but if we give up and don't try, what will become of this world? If each person tries to reform themselves throughout their life to influence five people to become virtuous, it would already be a great help for this planet.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

  2. قبل ٥ أيام

    Question 98: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE WORLD IF EVERYONE KNEW HOW TO PRACTICE SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION?

    Question 98: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE WORLD IF EVERYONE KNEW HOW TO PRACTICE SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION?Answer: The physical world is a convergence of many beings, including Those Who are Saints. Beings from lower realms are reborn into higher ones, and beings from higher realms can be reborn into lower ones. It's an incredibly sophisticated one.If a large number of people were to cultivate spiritually and be reborn into higher realms, beings from the animal realm would quickly take their place. As we know, beings from the animal realm carry many negative habits, which would spread negativity into the human realm, making it more inclined toward evil. This realm is, in fact, a challenging testing ground for human morality. Whether we like it or not, we must face the evils that surround us. We can either be corrupted by these evils, escape them by being reborn into another realm, or strive to improve this realm.- If we choose to give in to evil for survival, we will be reborn into realms of suffering after death.- If we choose to cultivate merit and be reborn into higher realms to escape the suffering and injustice of the human realm, that is also a valid choice.- If we wish to transform this human realm into a great school where all beings who are reborn here can learn the Dharma, we must endure great hardships and dedicate ourselves to teaching and spreading the Dharma widely. In this way, we can ensure that most humans become virtuous, and all beings who are reborn here can be transformed. As a result, the Earth will not be overwhelmed by evil and will remain a suitable place for beings to live for a long time.The choice is ultimately ours.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

  3. قبل ٥ أيام

    Question 97: WHAT SHOULD WE DO IF WE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOP PSYCHIC ABILITIES OR STRONG INTUITION AFTER...?

    Question 97: WHAT SHOULD WE DO IF WE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOP PSYCHIC ABILITIES OR STRONG INTUITION AFTER ACHIEVING RESULTS IN MEDITATION?Answer: If we happen to develop psychic abilities, it's important to keep them to ourselves and not make them public. Sharing such information can reduce our spiritual growth and potentially hinder our practice. Highly accomplished meditation masters never brag about their psychic abilities, even if they have them. They only reveal these abilities when absolutely necessary. Many have had to leave their physical bodies behind to avoid the problems that come with displaying such abilities.When we're around someone with psychic abilities, we often feel uncomfortable because we worry they can read our minds. For this reason, meditation masters often pretend not to be aware of their abilities to help others feel more at ease. Their peaceful minds also make them less likely to show off, unlike ordinary people who frequently try to impress others with their accomplishments. We should follow their example and develop the qualities of humility and discretion.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

  4. قبل ٦ أيام

    Question 96: HOW CAN WE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN SOMEONE WHO HAS ATTAINED BOTH MEDITATION ...?

    Question 96: HOW CAN WE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN SOMEONE WHO HAS ATTAINED BOTH MEDITATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT AND SOMEONE WHO HAS ONLY ATTAINED MEDITATION?Answer: Both individuals have achieved results in meditation, but they follow distinct paths:- Those who have only attained meditative states, not Sainthood, tend to focus on supernatural powers and personal freedom, while those who have attained both prioritize morality, especially perfect compassion for all beings.- Those who have only attained meditative states are more likely to be self-satisfied with their achievements and may express themselves through meditative phrases or poetry. In contrast, those who have attained Sainthood are more discreet and less likely to exhibit their attainments.- Those who have attained meditative states have broken free from the Hindrances but may not have eradicated the stubborn Fetters as thoroughly as those who have attained Sainthood. Therefore, the morality of those who have only attained meditative states may not be secured.We can only truly discern the difference by spending time with these individuals. When we are near someone who has attained Enlightenment, we will experience a greater sense of inner peace.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

  5. قبل ٦ أيام

    Question 95: WHAT ARE THE FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF MINDFULNESS?

    Question 95: WHAT ARE THE FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF MINDFULNESS?Answer: The Buddha taught the practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, which are four areas of focus or levels of contemplation: contemplation of the Body, Feelings, the Mind, and Truths.Through the Six Mindfulness Stages, practitioners develop sustained mindfulness. From this state, they become acutely aware of their body, observing and experiencing it as impermanent, impure, and subject to suffering. They can perceive the constant activity and tension within every cell of their body.As the mind deepens in stillness, right with such the body, practitioners perceive an intangible field of sensations within the body, called a mass of Feelings, aka a mass of awareness. Practitioners no longer see the physical body but realize this intangible mass of Feelings, appreciating the fleeting nature of pleasant and unpleasant variations.In deeper states of meditation, practitioners observe the abyss Mind within this mass of awareness. This is the source of all perceptions and actions. Without vigilance and constant reminders of ignorance and defilements, one may mistakenly identify this Mind as the enlightened one of the Buddha.At the ultimate level of meditation, practitioners recognize there is not a self within. They perceive the ultimate truth, or Dharma, which encompasses the universe, the Law of Karma, rebirth, the three realms and the six paths, the Four Noble Truths, etc., all at once, all in one.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

  6. ١٣ سبتمبر

    Question 94: WHAT IS THE ENTRY INTO RIGHT ECSTASY?

    Question 94: WHAT IS THE ENTRY INTO RIGHT ECSTASY?Answer: There are four levels of Right Ecstasy: First Jhana, Second Jhana, Third Jhana, and Fourth Jhana.After a long period of cultivating Right Mindfulness, and with sufficient merit, a practitioner can enter the first level of Right Ecstacy, known as First Jhana. 'Sơ' (Sơ thiền) doesn't mean 'superficial' in this context; this Sino-Vietnamese word simply means 'first' or 'initial.' At this stage, practitioners will realize that during the previous stage of mindfulness, they were still making a conscious effort to maintain their focus, even though the mind seemed relatively calm. However, in First Jhana, there's no longer any effort involved. The mind becomes completely still and effortless, without any intentional actions. Yet, subtle thoughts or vague ideas related to the practice may still arise slightly and harmlessly.A characteristic of First Jhana is the absence of unwholesome states of mind and sensual desires (release of sensual desires, release of unwholesome states). Upon death, practitioners who attain the First Jhana are reborn in the Form Realm (corresponding to the state of release from sensual desires). Nevertheless, practitioners must continue to intentionally contemplate ‘the deep-seated ignorance and defilements within’ to prevent unnecessary pride.Second, Third, and Fourth Jhanas are even higher states that we admire and aspire to attain through our practice.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

  7. ١٢ سبتمبر

    Question 93: WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN WE EXPERIENCE MINDFULNESS IN OUR DAILY LIFE?

    Question 93: WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN WE EXPERIENCE MINDFULNESS IN OUR DAILY LIFE?Answer: When we experience mindfulness, it indicates that we haven't yet reached a state of complete concentration where all thoughts cease. Many subtle thoughts still run in the background, even though our mind appears clear, spacious, and calm. The first thought that often arises when the mind becomes mindful is self-congratulation, a belief that we've achieved a high level of spiritual attainment. Some people might even equate this state of mindfulness with the enlightened mind of a Buddha.However, if we understand the three types of foundations (Noble, ordinary, and inferior), we'll feel fear rather than joy when experiencing mindfulness. Even those with the inferior foundation can experience mindfulness; people of the ordinary foundation can also experience it; and the Noble foundation experience a very high level of mindfulness. There's a risk that the mindfulness we experience belongs to the inferior foundation which is unstable and uncertain. It may come and go, and we might spend our whole life struggling to avoid falling into lower realms without necessarily attaining enlightenment.Therefore, we should use this mindfulness to remind ourselves that we're still an ordinary or inferior being. If we don't firmly remind ourselves of this, the thought of self-congratulation will destroy all the good deeds we've accumulated.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind,

حول

Question 01: DO LAY PRACTITIONERS FACE GREATER CHALLENGES IN FOCUSING ON SPIRITUAL PRACTICE COMPARED TO MONASTICS DUE TO FAMILY LIFE CONSTRAINTS? Answer: Indeed, family life can present more obstacles to spiritual practice than monastic life. This is one of the reasons why all religions incorporate a monastic tradition dedicated to intensive, focused practice and preservation of teachings. However, circumstances are not always fixed. There may be times when monastics face challenges due to external factors, necessitating lay practitioners to intensify their practice to uphold and safeguard...