Category: Q&A

Ashin, how can we do to live happily and peacefully in the present

Ashin, how can we do to live happily and peacefully in the present and in the future ahead without worries, fears, anxieties, insecurities, all kinds of wars, bloodshed around the world? Could you please kindly give us some advice from your Buddhist perspective?

Well, I’m my opinion, the way to be happy and peaceful is not complicated but we, human being, are really complicated creatures. If you ask anyone “Do you want to live happily and peacefully?”, everybody will answer “Oh, yes, definitely” in no hesitation. It means that we all want to live happily and peacefully; there is no doubt at all. Then, why are we so hard to live that way? It is because of human ego and selfishness beset by a number of defilements such as greed, attachment, hatred, and so on.

To live happily and peacefully in the present, we have to learn the lessons from the past, have to ceasefire all the combats, have to stop all the conflicts, arguments, disputes, have to let go of everything that has made us all the parties suffer, painful, and hurt for a long time and have to start talking for a real peace by truly loving each other and shaking each other’s hands not just in physical behaviors but in their deep hearts. This is the only way to live happily and peacefully in the present and in the future ahead too.

As you know, life is too short. We should not waste our precious time by arguing and fighting for no possible solution on the particular issues around the world. We must learn how to be wise by thinking to cooperate for peaceful living instead of being stupid by thinking to defeat others.

Now, in 2017, we have a new lesson to learn; it is given by the issues between the United States and North Korea. If we learn from the issues, we will find that both parties are conceited, egoistic and very much childish in thoughts and behaviors. If they go by war, the world will Deeply be suffered. They really need a wise talk on the issue instead of threatening each other. I hope you get it.

Note: it is a question by email from an American journalist, who has visited me for interview.

How can you share your knowledge with us?

Q: We, Israelis, love knowledge and we know you share your knowledge too. How can you share your knowledge with us?

A: Well, first of all, I want to be serious with a great difference between knowledge and wisdom. I have learnt a lot of knowledge so far since I was young. Such a big knowledge made me crazy for a long time. I realized how the knowledge made me crazy after I have practiced Mindfulness-based Vipassanā meditation as taught by the Buddha.

Actually, wisdom has already been with us as soon as we were born but we need to be aware of it and develop it by being aware of everything we are doing and by observing them as they are. Wisdom is closely connected with internal quality but knowledge is closely connected with external materials such as learning things.

To be clear between knowledge and wisdom, here is a good example: we are now just talking about other people, things, affairs happening outside us by emotionally creating ideas, and putting questions forward. We are not observing inside ourselves. Talking about the issues outside us is created by our knowledge that does not help us live practically, peacefully and happily. Silently observing thoughts, emotions, sensations, ideas and opinions inside ourselves is just the task of wisdom that can greatly help us live practically, positively, peacefully and happily.

Therefore, we must understand that it is the task of knowledge when we are talking about other people, things and the issues outside us around the world but it will be the task of wisdom when we are silently observing things inside ourselves. Therefore, I do not like too much talking and talkative people but I love quiet living by softly talking just about the needs of each other just to try to help us.

I’m now 50 and gradually become senior-aged. I want to live my life more quietly just by talking the needs of each other. Talking too much doesn’t help us find a solution. Of course, we must just try to talk about what we really need. I love more quietly living and softly speaking and talking about what we just need.

This is also the way we should live wisely. Believe me this way of living will develop our wisdom stronger. Do not worry about the knowledge because we have learnt much knowledge more than necessary since we were young. Does it make sense for your question.

Q: Well, you are already wise. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

If there is no God, how could this universe be made?

This is a very religious question that makes me, many scientists and quite many well-educated people feel useless and unnecessary. Such a question can be asked by those who have not been spiritually developed yet and by those who are not quite serious with their life here and now. However, the Buddha is not really interested in whether there is a God or not because it is useless as to how to live happily. Continue reading “If there is no God, how could this universe be made?”

What is your opinion on president Donald Trump’s ban on Muslim countries?

When you ask such a religious name as Muslim or any other names of such religions, I will be very hard to answer. Of course, I may have the same feeling as you do on Trump’s ban on Muslim countries. However, I believe that Trump, himself, thinks that he is a Christian. Now, here, I want to highlight how religions have divided humanity throughout human history by creating quite many problems. Continue reading “What is your opinion on president Donald Trump’s ban on Muslim countries?”

How can we start this meditation in such a busy life of modern sophisticated world?

Well, it is quite challenging question on this meditation. Of course, we are always busy as if we have no time to die (all laughing). However, if we can manage our time wisely, we can spare some times for us to meditate. Then, how can we do so to spare such a precious time for meditation? Do not worry about it. I can do to spare your time. I’m really an expert to manage the time wisely. I’m also used to doing it. Continue reading “How can we start this meditation in such a busy life of modern sophisticated world?”

Is Buddhism a religion?

I’m sure that Buddhism is not like a religion that trains people to believe in God, its creation and the messenger of such a God without question. There is nothing to do with these three things in Buddhism.

In my understanding, the Buddha cleverly and wisely came out of religious mess in India without disturbing any religion and being disturbed by any religious idea too. He bravely and courageously taught people his scientific method that can be tested by anyone inviting their close inspection very openly (Ehipassiko- come and see). Continue reading “Is Buddhism a religion?”

Could you, please, kindly tell us what is the principles of Buddhism?

The principles of Buddhism are quite simple and quite a direct contact to our day-to-day life. There are three trainings in the principles of Buddhism: they are: (1). Moral quality, (2). the quality of concentration and (3). wisdom. Under (1). Moral quality, it refers to the five precepts that are (1). Not to kill, (2). Not to take what is not given (3). Not to commit sexual misconduct, (4). Not to lie, and (5). Not to take any sort of intoxicating drinks and drugs. Continue reading “Could you, please, kindly tell us what is the principles of Buddhism?”

Why do you allow tourist to visit your peaceful monastery?

Well, at the beginning, there were not many tourists visiting the monastery. Those who visited were also those who could appreciate the monastery and its campus. Nowadays, we can see there are some crazy 😜 and stupid tourists who disturb and annoy the other nice 👍 friend tourists around them. I’m feeling sorry 😐 for that. Continue reading “Why do you allow tourist to visit your peaceful monastery?”

Can you explain us, Sir, how it could be possible for a human to be reborn in animal world?

You are a mathematician. I love mathematics too because a mathematics brain is quite critical and precious. It does not feel nice going around from here to there. Of course, the Buddha teaches people ‘The Law of Cause and Effect’ or ‘The Law of Action and Reaction’ as Isaac Newton said ‘There is an action; there is always the same reaction to it’. It is a very simple example quite similar to the Buddha’s Teaching , ‘The Law of Cause and Effect’. Continue reading “Can you explain us, Sir, how it could be possible for a human to be reborn in animal world?”

Could you please tell us a bit more of how we should start with this mindfulness?

Q: Buddhism becomes quite popular in the west in these days. Mindfulness meditation is a commonly suggested technique of meditation. However, we have no idea of how to start. Could you please tell us a bit more of how we should start with this mindfulness?

A: Well, the best way you should start is taking a retreat course for a certain time, such as maybe 7 days’ course under my instruction of mindfulness meditation. You should manage your time of holiday or vacation. Of course, traveling around the world can you broader-minded by learning different cultures and traditions; it is nice in one hand. Continue reading “Could you please tell us a bit more of how we should start with this mindfulness?”