*平常心*

5 Oct 2024

平常心，就是清净心。

有了清净心，就有了正念。

有了正念， 就有了正定。

有了正定， 就有了智慧。

有了智慧， 就有了慈悲。

有了慈悲， 就有了功德。

修平常心，就是修一辈子的功德。

功德圆满，涅槃生。

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This is the best antidote to mental stress, mental anxiety and depression.

In fact way of life that can gain Enlightenment.

Living in the present moment.

Devoid of anger, greed, ignorance and all negative thoughts.

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1. Yesterday, after having lunch in a foodcourt, a family with parents, an aunt and 2 toddlers sit beside me.

2. I was reading news artticle and quietly seeping coffee.

3. The elder daughter is still manageable.

4. But the youngest boy is really unmanageable. He insist on the way how he eat and insist his aunt pour plain water into the bowl with fried noodle.

And when his mother tell him not to do it, he quarrel with his mother (imagine a toddler less than 6 years old doing this). And when his father turn to educate the son, the son scold back.

And many small small things crop up, making the lunch for 1 hour - quite unbearable -- imagine sitting just beside them.

His father finally walk out when he quickly finish his lunch, letting his mother and aunt to educate him.

5. I was initially quite disturb by them, and frustration and anger do arise - then I realise parenting not easy. Toddler also not easy to handle, easily emotional and need alot of effort to handle.

6. Then I turn into "平常心" - Living at the present moment.

a. I just be mindful, concentrate on reading my news in my handphone and seeping my coffee (Living at the present moment) - and mentally cut off from the noise and disturbance

b. When the noise is too unbearable, I just turn to look at them with Compassion, and when they sense they are disturbing me, they tone down their noise.

c. And then I just mindful of any stray thoughts that arise - noting my mental states - frustration, anger, impatient --- and not react to them and see all these negative states dissipate --- ie. Living at the Present Moment "平常心" - and then concentrate on reading my news in my handphone and seeping my coffee.

d. When I repeat that a few time --- I notice my mind and 心 - quite peaceful, serene 清静 despite the extreme turbulence just beside me。

And I realise and accomplish the following :-

*平常心*

平常心，就是清净心。

当有了清净心，就有了定力。

有了定力， 就有了智慧。

有了智慧， 就有了慈悲。

有了慈悲， 就有了功德。

修平常心，就是修一辈子的功德。

功德圆满，涅槃生。

e. So 修心， 修行 - is what this is all about - Living at Present Moment in every day life - Calming our Mind - whatever the external environment outside.

(Not just sitting to meditate or 念佛 - is 修心， 修行 ). One day suddenly, there will be a 顿悟 - Enlightenment suddenly is attained from this accumulated 渐悟 - cumulative 功德.

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Mindfulness Meditation - & 3 extraordinary events

Event 1

1. Do Mindfulness Meditation in the Medicine Buddha Temple at Clementi.

2. Thunderstorm and heavy rain - cause an extended zinc roof that cover the kitchen to collapse and fly into the Meditation Hall.

3. I was meditating at the back (last 1/4 mark) of the Meditation Hall facing the Medicine Buddha and 2 Bodhisattvas (Sun and Moon Bodhisattvas).

4. The long zinc roof fall right in front of me and cover 3/4 of my right side of the Meditation Hall - just 2 feet in front of me with a loud bang.

5. I open my eyes, saw the collapse zinc roof in front of me.

6. But at that time my Mind and Heart in complete Serenity and Calmness 清净 - 平常心 - 活在当下, 如如不动。

7. A thought went through my mind - if my karma is bad - then it will fall on my head.

But since it did not fall on my head, that means my karma is good - and it helps me to realise 因果。

8. As my mind is at 清净 state, there are no fear, no worry in complete calmness, I close my eyes again and continue my Mindfulness Meditation on the present moment 平常心 - 活在当下, 如如不动。

9. Then at the background, I seems to hear someone walk down from the office upstair (could be Temple Administrator) to check what happen.

10. Then the person stop and I believe visually inspect what is going on.

11. After a while, I roughly hear the person tiptoe and walk back upstair to the office - and probably check what is going on in the CCTV.

12. I continue my meditation until my alarm clock sounds - to indicate I have completed my meditation routine and I bow, pray and pay respect to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas - before I drive back to my office after lunch.

13. I guess the Temple Administrator could have use the CCTV footage to demonstrate to the mediation class what is Mindfulness 清净 - 平常心 - 活在当下, 如如不动 - oblivious to the extreme turbulence outside.

_Event 2_

1. Do Mindfulness Meditation at IMM at a garden just outside the mall.

2. Thunderstorm and heavy rain - and a thunder and lightning suddenly strike near my resting hut.

3. A man resting at another resting hut 10 metres away get startled and jump up - and bolted at high speed back into the mall.

4. Again I open my eyes to see what is going on.

5. But at that time my Mind and Heart in complete Serenity and Calmness 清净 - 平常心 - 活在当下, 如如不动。

6. The same thought went through my mind - if my karma is bad - then I will be strike by the lightning.

But since it did not, that means my karma is good - and it helps me to realise 因果。

7. As my mind is at 清净 state, there are no fear, no worry in complete calmness, I close my eyes again and continue my Mindfulness Meditation on the present moment 平常心 - 活在当下, 如如不动。

8. I continue my meditation until my alarm clock sounds - to indicate I have completed my meditation routine and I walk back to my office after lunch.

9. This is what Mindfulness 清净 - 平常心 - 活在当下 , 如如不动 - oblivious to the extreme turbulence outside.

_Event 3_

1. Do Mindfulness Meditation in the Ta Bei Temple at Lavender - the place that I learn basic Buddhism and the place my Master taught me Meditation.

2. I was in the middle of meditation when suddenly I realise someone walk to the Meditation Hall that can accomodate 500 to 1000 people - to switch on the aircon.

3. I open my eyes, the whole hall is empty and the main aircon will only be switched on when there are big events.

4. But this time, I saw the Master Nun (主持) switch on the aircon just for me.

5. I feel grateful, honour and paiseh - & I quickly close my eyes and continue my meditation.

6. I continue my meditation until my alarm clock sounds - to indicate I have completed my meditation routine and then I do walking meditation before I drive off.

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Note :- 99% of the people will run away when zinc roof collapse or lightning strike - because cannot be foolish to let disaster struck.

But there are 2 groups of people that will not run away:

1. 0.5% of the people who have suicidal thoughts.

2. 0.5% of the people who have attained Emptiness - no self 无我。Understand 因果 karma, and know 一却有唯法，如梦幻泡影 all external events are illusion.

So do run away if disaster struck.

I just want to illustrate what is 清净 - 平常心 - 活在当下, 如如不动。

But don't emulate.

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