安琪

我与安琪三年级同学

Meditation

"Differentiate between the body and the mind”

“…When the Buddha taught the Dhamma to his followers, monks or laymen, he would take care to choose the type of Dhamma that was appropriate to each particular listener. Dhamma is like medication that is used to cure the mind of afflictions such as sorrow, restlessness, dissatisfaction, worry or grief that differ from physical ailments like headache, fever or colds.

The Buddha would choose the appropriate prescription for each particular listener. For the laity it would be one kind of Dhamma, for monks, it would be another. The topics would be chosen to suit the sex, age, and mentality of each person like a physician who prescribes the medication suitable for our illness.

If we have a stomachache and were given pills for a headache, the upset stomach would not go away. Taking that medicine would be useless. It may be even harmful because it is the wrong kind of remedy. We could be adversely affected by it and even die from it.

When the Buddha gave his first discourse it was to the five recluses who had given up worldly pleasures for spiritual bliss. They were looking for peace of mind rather than the sensual gratification of sound, taste, scent, or touch that is sought by laymen.

Whether their minds can become calm and peaceful or not would depend on their ability to quell the agitation that is caused by the three kinds of craving namely, craving for sensual pleasure (kāma taṇhā), craving for becoming (bhava taṇhā) and craving for not-becoming (vibhava taṇhā).

Craving for sensual pleasure is craving for sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Craving for becoming is the desire to be something or someone, like being a prime minister or member of parliament. Craving for not-becoming is wanting not to be old, sick or dead.

In other words, it is the fear of old age, sickness, and death. These three cravings as the Buddha has shown are the causes of stress, restlessness, and agitation. If a monk wants to achieve inner peace and the supreme bliss he must relinquish these three cravings.

As for old age, sickness, and death, the Buddha instructed us not to be afraid of them. If we do, we would definitely suffer because old age, sickness, and death are matters of the body, not the mind. The mind does not get old, does not get sick, and does not die with the body. But because the mind mistakenly attached itself to the body, it thought that it would get old, sick, and die with the body.

If we can stop this fear, we will live in this world with joy and contentment. This is because we know what gets old, gets sick, and dies, and what does not. We can differentiate between the body and the mind. The body naturally gets old, gets sick, and dies. But the mind will not get old, will not get sick, and will not die. When the body dies, the mind will take up a new body…”

By Ajaan Suchart Abhijāto
www.facebook.com/AjahnSuchartAbhijato

Chingay

Chingay 2020 brings to you “Colours in Harmony”, a dynamic showcase of our multiculturalism and diversity. About 6,000 volunteer performers will be involved in co-presenting this People’s Parade that also marks PA’s 60 years of community building with our people. Highlights include:

- Electrifying Opening with release of 200-m long firecrackers
- The World’s Biggest and Longest Flying Dragon
- Highly skilled Stilt walkers vs Sky Runners - Traditional Art vs Contemporary Displays
- Multi-ethnic cultural performances by local talents and international acts
- Stunning display of lights, lasers, pyrotechnic and fireworks!