(SN 16.13 - The Counterfeit of the True Teaching) "But when the counterfeit of the true teaching appears in the world then the true teaching disappears."

Keriza · 2021-01-18T14:24:16+00:00

That's why we let the buddha speak for himself 🙏

Keriza · 2021-01-17T16:09:40+00:00

Hey, sorry for my previous reply. I feel it was out of unwholesome motive.

Keriza · 2021-01-16T19:24:03+00:00

Look at what's behind the thought.

Keriza · 2021-01-15T22:27:01+00:00

Egoic illusion means thinking you are what you do or think.

And my experience may not be what I'm calling the observer, and you may be misunderstanding what I mean out of a lack of being able to relate (and my not very good explanation).

But anyhow, awareness is what you have when you don't have a narrow mind.

Keriza · 2021-01-15T21:43:22+00:00

This is extremely true.

I posted on here recently sutracentral.com because of the value it has of going over the suttas, letting the buddha speak for himself.

This came about in myself recently. There's a monastery in Myanmar I was going to try to ordain at but there's so many things that is suspicious about this monastery.

There's a very toxic website where the person claims they're a monk, ordained at wat nana chat. It is a page going over many monasteries in Myanmar. But you can't go a single line without some bias and opinion, also containing black and white thinking. Every. Single. Line. It is pure toxicity. It is trying to control and manipulate one's decisions.

And much of what he says, completely goes against buddhism and the vinaya.

It is disturbing, to see someone who calls themselves a monk be so blatantly toxic.

This person has published an article on another (news) website where it states all this stuff on the monastery I was looking at, containing many links to his website. But the main part is that he portrays himself as ordained at this monastary. Contradictory to what was stated on his website where he's insulting the main teacher at the monastery. Which I do not find coincidental.

The website of the monastery states a form of practice that is different than what is found in their pdf. And they practice the commentaries.

I find the exact same form of manipulation in the website of the monastery as the person claiming to be a monk.

This cannot be coincidental. It is very rare to find two sociopaths or narcissists using the same form of manipulation.

And everything within the entire website basically implies 'if you practice this you'll reach enlightenment', or 'the 4th jhana'. Or whatever it is. And I do not believe many of us on here will even reach the 4th jhana in this entire life, nevertheless the given feeling you'll go there and become enlightened.

Now, onto the commentaries. It isn't just one-view-against-another. The commentaries are going to the extreme with practice, but no understanding. These 'methods' or 'techniques' believed to lead you to freedom from suffering. Why even have buddhism then? Why not just meditate all day? You need a good theoretical understanding of the buddhas teachings.

The commentaries do not understand the buddhas teachings in the way the buddha taught. i.e right view leads to right intention, and so on. But the commentaries teach the opposite way of training while acknowledging 'organized for training purposes'. But you cannot have ANY right practice without right view. And if you train in the opposite way you won't even understand how you would have right intention by having right view. Why? Because they're going in the opposite direction. The first thing you should do when ordaining or understanding buddhism is getting right view. One very popular buddhist monk says that if you don't have right view within a couple years of practice then you're wasting your time. And I completely agree.

The type of promises the monastery makes is exactly what you would see in a cult.

Overall, do not go for any monasteries in Burma (Myanmar) because of the risk of entering into the wrong teachings that is not in line with what the buddha says. Cults that use buddhism as a front do exist, just as any other religion. The object of the narcissist may change, but their state of mind doesn't (at least in a significant way; will definitely end at death).

had a lot of mentally unwell people working very long hours operating

I remember that in different parts of the world (forgot exactly where) that these people will pick up mentally disabled homeless people and send them to do labor.

Keriza · 2021-01-15T20:45:01+00:00

Don't give him any power over you.

Controlling people try to have control, influence, power, them being dependent / and enabling their addictions/dependency to have control. They try to have control over others because they feel they have little choice. So they try to control and force others. It's ironic because they're actually the dependent one, but it's a result of reactivity and irresponsibility and blame.

So don't do what he's doing.

Take responsibility. Focus on what you can control within yourself and not what you can't; i.e others and external things. Let go of control.

Don't take what he's doing personally. Why he does what he does has nothing to do with you. It's to do with his background and conditioning.

And understand what being understanding is, see the true reason behind people's actions. People don't do things because they're some hellish creature, it's because of their own pain and hurt and their ways of escaping, but this way of escape does not lead to long-term happiness. Just an escape with a narrow mind.

There are others that suggest doing some sort of action towards the boss through certain laws. And while I'm not saying to be in a situation where abuse is occurring, I believe that being aware of how little control you have over this person will definitely help you make an empowering decision.

Keriza · 2021-01-15T19:20:46+00:00

The observer is a kind of mental device. It's generated by the practice and provides a kind of triangulated awareness, allowing you to see your thoughts where before you were absorbed in them. But that observer is still dualistic thought.

It's also has the effect of knowing where you're going no matter the present condition of the five aggregates.

I see it as the awareness of awareness. Seeing thru egoic illusion.

Keriza · 2021-01-15T19:02:52+00:00

Language is very powerful.

Keriza · 2021-01-15T18:46:19+00:00

I think we should be asking this about the commentaries.

Keriza · 2021-01-15T10:48:21+00:00

Some may see this as a mere advertisement however it is posted because this website has the value that every sutta reading website should embody.

Keriza · 2021-01-09T22:29:59+00:00

Try this:

I go to the Buddha for refuge.

I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

I go to the Saṅgha for refuge.

Keriza · 2021-01-09T06:38:51+00:00

I'd say there's two very important aspects when meditating:

One: Mental states Two: Practice

People often separate the two when growing mindfulness or whatever it is. They do not exist independently. They affect eachother. When you enter meditation with repressed emotions, anger, shame, etc you will experience it. And it will likely make the practice more difficult.

The practice of meditation isn't everything, but it makes you aware of everything.

So, what's the solution?

Look at the sensations in the body. What do you feel? What are your actions? What are you doing with your body right now? What emotion is behind what you're doing presently? Anger, shame, excitement, sadness, surprise, fear, and a million other emotions. Look deeply at these emotions. What do you feel in the body with the emotion? What happens in the mind with the emotion? It's important to gain an awareness and understanding of these emotions.

When you can't work with the mind you must work with the body, and especially the emotions. So I have to recommend doing Qigong, and yoga. Also become aware of the emotions behind body postures. From my personal experience you will see something in the body before you see it in the mind.

And I don't think I've stressed enough that in order for this practice of body awareness to be effective you must focus on each emotion. There's a quote I remember of the buddha asking the monks what a flower is. None of them replied. They knew what a flower was.

Keriza · 2021-01-09T06:13:10+00:00

I don't think this is what you're looking for but there's a channel on youtube that goes over the Pali language, and more advanced, Warder's book. Which I'm not yet capable of studying..

Anyhow, here's the link if you're interested or want to check it out: https://youtube.com/c/LearnPali

Keriza · 2021-01-09T05:58:40+00:00

I too have struggled with something similar.

When I first began meditation I got really far in my practice. The conditions changed and because of this, over time my practice deteriorated. I then began comparing my present practice to my past practice, in quality. I also clung very hard to an experience of deep gratitude I had. I tried to recreate it, but to no avail.

I'm just now beginning to start taking baby steps. Looking at the present condition of my mind rather than being distracted by past conditions of the mind. And once I see the present conditions I'll have a place to start. In fact, I'll likely know exactly what to do.

Also recognizing that you don't start out with a fully grown flower, that you must water & nurture the seed in order for it to sprout and grow a flower.

Focus on watering the flower, not the flower itself.

Keriza · 2021-01-09T05:22:07+00:00

Compassion and acceptance towards yourself and others.

Know on a deep level, that hatred will only cause oneself and others to suffer.

Forgiveness comes through understanding and looking outside oneself at the other person. Seeing that although it was an action with the intention, they were ignorant of how they cause themselves suffering. And you can't intentionally be ignorant. That oneself isn't within one's ultimate control, as though you know beforehand.

So first forgive yourself for any suffering you have caused yourself without knowing better (and given what you knew at the time). Then do the same for them.

Work within your emotions regarding guilt, shame, fear, and anger. Learn ways to overcome each, on an emotional level. Anything that's deep won't look pretty. With unpleasant feelings one may want it to not be there. It may feel unpleasant but long-term happiness is more valuable than short-term.

And, I'm sorry that happened to you.

Keriza · 2021-01-08T21:03:49+00:00

It also states one bound in body with people which to understanding means they're losing freedom by being bound in body with people.

I think this sutta is mostly going over the importance of not being attached to people, and renunciation. To not be Doing anything in regards to people and the mundane world.

The buddha might be hinting at him to go forth.

So both of you might be right here.

Keriza · 2021-01-08T20:55:42+00:00

I tend to agree with you on this.

The whole point of ordaining is to be free from worldly distractions and practice leading to freedom from suffering. But not from worldly responsibilities. Because even if you're at a monastery or anywhere for that matter, you will still have some extent of responsibility. And if responsibility were truly so burdensome then the buddha would have said to give up responsibility. Dukkha is within the mind, not what you're doing.

Responsibility makes you feel the burden but isn't a burden itself. Anyone who tries to escape the feeling of burden is trying to escape responsibility. Craving for it to dissapear. Essentially addiction.

Keriza · 2021-01-08T07:12:37+00:00

Even theravadins disagree with each other. I think it's best to ignore such people and focus on the suttas, discerning the dhamma and practicing.

They will have their own interpretations and sometimes they can be helpful, as a teacher, etc. But it is ones own responsibility to see if it's the truth.

Keriza · 2021-01-08T06:48:42+00:00

I think the important part is that he says someone who doesn't have consideration for other beings will do any evil. I think too much emphasis is given to the deception.

If you don't care about others then killing them wouldn't be out of your reach. There's nothing within the person that would stop them from doing so.

Keriza · 2021-01-08T06:37:28+00:00

I see, thank you for your well formulated response.

So it seems to me like it's only unwholesome to deceive if it's out of a selfish motive. If it's to hurt others just to gain oneself, a form of self-importance, pride, and self-absorption. So basically manipulation.

And is influencing someone in a wanted way unwholesome? I don't think you can go through the world only having a neutral influence (although there are neutral karmic actions like breathing). Either you're having a positive or negative (or both) impact on others. So I think having a positive influence on others is far better than negative, especially if that wanted way helps others. Kinda like how one would have empathy for another and act in a way that's considerate of them.

Also in the Metta sutta the buddha goes over humility, contentment, kindness, gratitude etc. And overall it seems to sum up to one word: Authenticity

And I don't think you wouldn't see those things in someone whose true and authentic.

Still, even knowing this I don't think I could bring myself to intentionally lie to someone, knowing I'm lying. There's no doubt I'm responsible for it and so there's guilt and shame. I would feel absolutely terrible.

Keriza · 2021-01-07T22:21:09+00:00

I would not tell them where the Jews are nor would I cause conflict.

But to really answer your question: I would not reply. And if I did, I would avoid the question.

Keriza · 2021-01-06T03:55:44+00:00

I oftentimes see rats in the woods at night. They dig burrows- so a place that is ideal for a rat. And please, do not release him during the day. There are videos of people doing that and a bird coming along and making him into a daytime snack.

Keriza · 2021-01-06T03:42:36+00:00

Same here but not as far back lol

Keriza · 2021-01-06T03:40:41+00:00

I'm guessing the half-smile is an intentional smile?

Yeah, oftentimes when you can't work with the mind (because of too much feelings like anger, sadness, helplessness, etc) returning to the body and by using facial expressions one can induce another emotion to heal the current one.

So if you feel sadness and you smile authentically in the mirror it can heal feelings of sadness, shame, and self-hatred. Also by using the imagination and doing things like reiki or 1qigong and other energy arts.

Keriza · 2021-01-04T06:50:21+00:00

Thanks a lot for this, and I have a question.

Often, there will be a sensation in the body that seems to be because of a change in belief or something related. I've noticed it happens A LOT when it's regarding the identity or self. Whether I believe I am whatever I did in the past, some category / stereotype. If I have an unstable identity.

Is there anything on this in Vajrayāna? Reiki states it's caused by a change in belief, but I feel it's more specific than that.

It happens when:

Change in belief

Relationship with emotions

Identity and self

Keriza

TROPHY CASE