This text emphasizes the importance of giving alms to monks to replenish their energy for Dhamma study and meditation. It advises that both givers and receivers gain merit. It discusses the impact of negative news about monks on children's understanding of Buddhism and stresses the need for thorough analysis of such information. The principles of the Law of Kamma are highlighted, illustrating that good and bad deeds have consequences independent of personal belief. This understanding fosters a right path in life and culminates in the pursuit of Nibbana. By recognizing the importance of the Triple Gem, one opens the path to heavenly realms and a deep understanding of life's laws, central to Buddhist teachings.
หัวข้อประเด็น
-Merit-making in Buddhism -The role of monks in Dhamma practice -Negative media effects on faith -Understanding the Law of Kamma -Importance of family teaching in Buddhism
ข้อความต้นฉบับในหน้า
should think in this way. As long as the monks do not seriously
break the monastic discipline, you should think that you are
giving alms to them to replenish their energy for Dhamma
study and meditation practice. In the future, when you meet a
monk whom you know to be a teacher, you should intentionally
make donations as best as you can. Both the giver and receiver
will receive the full fruits of merit.
"When you hear of monks who have morality and good
conduct, although they may live far away, you should make
the effort to see them. Your wish will be fulfilled because
they are your best field of merit. If this is not the case, you
should be patient and diligently continue in your Dhamma
study and meditation practice."
"You should open your mind limitlessly, and someday
you will find a monk who understands you or that you have
wished to be your field of merit. Do not hurry to pay homage
only to the Lord Buddha and the Dhamma. You must complete
the triangle and pay homage to the entire Triple Gem. If you
do, you will be capable of reaching the heavenly realms rather
than the unfortunate realms, in this life and hereafter, until
you reach Nibbana."
This example as given by the respected senior monk
speaks to the third issue. I highly respect this senior monk for
his intellect and ability, and in particular, his ability to reverse
the crisis in Buddhist faith.
Negative circumstances resulting from
carelessly reading negative news
If parents do not teach their children to thoroughly analyze
the truth in articles about monks, the children may thoughtlessly
believe these articles. This could cause them (and us) to miss
out on merit opportunities. When they over-generalize that all
monks have fallen off the path of morality, they will make
judgments without thorough analysis; all they are seeing is
the one-sided news. They may then lose interest in Dhamma
study, resulting in a lack of understanding about life. They
will not know that we must abide by certain laws that govern
the world as well as our lives. This knowledge is taught in
Buddhism and enables the student to follow the right path in
life.
The rule that governs this world is the Law of Kamma.
This means that 'a good deed yields a good result, and a bad
deed yields a bad result. The consequences of a good deed
are called 'fruits of merit' and the consequences of a bad deed
are called 'kammic retribution. Basically, one is solely
responsible for one's own actions. Fruits of merit and kammic
retribution do not answer to any person's belief, but they
answer to the rules that govern this world.
The rule that governs life is the Law of the Three
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