CULTURAL QA 02202404 Q1 What are your words of wisdom for dealing with people?
G Whatever you are, wherever you are, you must know how to defend yourself because it is the matter of survival. KR This is the true write up from Maha Gnana sangha: “King Ajatashatru Sees the Buddha Eventually, the physician Jivaka was able to persuade King Ajatashatru to visit the Buddha. According to the account in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra: At that time, there was a great physician named Jivaka. This man also visited the king’s sickbed and said, “Great king, are you able to sleep soundly?” The king said, “Jivaka, I have been suffering from a grave illness. I inflicted vicious and grievous injury on my father the king, who followed the true Dharma. The grave illness that resulted from that act cannot be healed, no matter how great the physician, the incantation, or the care. The reason is that the former king ruled the country well, in accordance with the Dharma. Although he was not guilty of any offense, I inflicted on him vicious and grievous injury. It was as if I had pulled a fish out of the water and thrown it onto land. I once heard from a sage that those whose three actions of body, mouth, and mind are not pure will without fail plunge into hell. I am an example of that; how can I sleep in peace? There are no physicians who, expounding the medicine of the Dharma, can heal me of this illness and its suffering.” Jivaka said in response to this, “Now, now. Although you have committed offences, now you are experiencing profound remorse and contrition. Great king, the Buddha always teaches that there are two minds that save one. The first is the mind that strives not to commit offences. The second is the mind that strives not to cause others to commit offences. Or, the first is the mind that looks within and repents, and the second is the mind that is contrite toward others. Or, the first is to feel remorse before other people, and the second is to feel remorse before the gods. These are the meanings of contrition. He who lacks this mind of contrition is not a human being but rather an animal. Because we possess this mind of contrition, the mind that venerates parents and teachers also comes into being, and harmony between brothers and sisters is established. I am truly joyful that you have experienced this contrition. Great king, you just said that there is no physician who is able to heal you of your grave illness; that is exactly so. However, great king, please consider this well. The great Arhat, the World Honored One, is the person most worthy of the world’s veneration. He possesses a diamond-like wisdom that destroys all obstructions with ease; he destroys all offences. The Buddha, the World Honored One, will heal you of your grave illness.” (Buddha-Dharma, pp. 564-565) The same sutra states that Bimbisara even spoke from the heavens at this point so that he could advise his son to forget the false teachings of the six unorthodox teachers and to hurry and see the Buddha. The Buddha, through his supernatural powers, observes all of this and tells his disciples that it is for Ajatashatru’s sake that he remains in the world, because Ajatashatru represents all the ignorant and defiled beings that have not yet been able to perceive their buddha-nature. The Buddha then enters the Moon Loving Meditation and emits a pure and soothing light that reaches Ajatashatru and cures him of the boils. King Ajatashatru is amazed by this and asks Jivaka why the Buddha did this. Jivaka explains that the Buddha loves all people as though they were his own children, but is especially concerned for those who have committed grave offences and who do not follow the path to enlightenment. Now that King Ajatashatru’s bodily sickness has been healed, the Buddha will wish to see him personally in order to cure his mental distress. Still observing, the Buddha explains to his disciples that the most important factor that will lead people to enlightenment is a good friend, such as Jivaka is to King Ajatashatru. None of this appears in an earlier version of the first meeting of King Ajatashatru and the Buddha told in The Fruits of the Homeless Life Discourse (Samannaphala Sutta). That discourse does not mention any illness, though it does mention that while observing the full moon one night King Ajatashatru made the following pronouncement: “Delightful, friends, is this moonlight night! Auspicious is this moonlight night! Can we not today visit some ascetic or brahmin, to visit whom would bring peace to our heart?” (Long Discourses, p. 91) His ministers suggest that they visit one or the other of the six unorthodox teachers but King Ajatashatru was not interested in seeing any of them. At that point Jivaka suggests a visit to the Buddha. King Ajatashatru was agreeable to this and so Jivaka took him to the in the Mango Grove Monastery that Jivaka had earlier donated to the Sangha. When they arrived the Buddha and his disciples were sitting silently in meditation. At first, King Ajatashatru even feared that he was being led into a trap. On the night of the full moon, several hundred elephant carriages with torches at their heads quietly made their way toward the forest. When at last they entered the forest, King Ajatashatru was suddenly beset with fear; trembling, he said to Jivaka, “Jivaka, you are not planning to betray and hand me over to the enemy are you? What an eerie silence! They say there are over one thousand disciples, and yet not one sneeze or cough can be heard. I cannot help but think that there is some kind of plot afoot.” Jivaka said, “Great king, advance without fear. There is a light burning in that forest retreat. The World Honored One resides there.” The king was bolstered by Jivaka’s words, and lowering himself from the elephant he went into the forest. Approaching the World Honored One, he bowed and begged to be taught by the Buddha. (Buddha-Dharma, p. 567) In the discourse that follows, King Ajatashatru tells the Buddha about the teachings of the six unorthodox teachers and then asks the Buddha what is to be gained from leaving home to follow the Buddha’s teaching. In the end, King Ajatashatru is impressed by the Buddha’s moral vision and his explanation of the way to achieve liberation from birth and death. He takes refuge in the Three Treasures, repents of the murder of his father, and then goes his way. But in this version of their meeting the Buddha’s prognosis is not so positive. At this King Ajatashatru exclaimed: “Excellent, Lord, excellent! It is as if someone were to set up what had been knocked down, or to point out the way to one who had got lost, or to bring an oil-lamp into a dark place, so that those with eyes could see what was there. Just so the Blessed Lord has expounded the Dharma in various ways. And I, Lord, go for refuge to the Blessed Lord, to the Dharma, and to the Sangha. May the Blessed Lord accept me from this day forth as a lay-follower as long as life shall last! Transgression overcame me, Lord, foolish, erring and wicked as I was, in that I for the sake of the throne deprived my father, that good man and just king, of his life. May the Blessed Lord accept my confession of my evil deed that I may restrain myself in future.” “Indeed, Sire, transgression overcame you when you deprived your father, that good man and just king, of his life. But since you have acknowledged that transgression and confessed it as is right, we will accept it. For he who acknowledges his transgression as such and confesses it for betterment in future, will grow in the noble discipline.” At this, King Ajatashatru said, “Lord, permit me to part now. I am busy and have much to do.” “Do now, Your Majesty, as you think fit.” Then King Ajatashatru, rejoicing and delighting at these words, rose from his seat, saluted the Lord, and departed with his right side towards him. As soon as the King had gone, the Lord said: “The King is done for, his fate is sealed monks! But if the King had not deprived his father, that good man and just king, of his life, then as he sat here the pure and spotless Dharma-eye would have arisen in him.” (Long Discourses, pp. 108-109) What the Buddha meant by this is that if King Ajatashatru had not committed the grave offence of killing his father, then he would have deeply understood the Dharma and become a stream-enterer. But since he had committed such an offence, he was doomed to fall into the Avichi Hell. However, he did affirm that acknowledging his transgression and repenting of it would be to his benefit in the future. So from the Buddhist perspective, once the detrimental karma that would lead to rebirth in the Avichi Hell had been exhausted, then other more wholesome karma of would have a chance to ripen. The Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra is more positive. In it’s version, the Buddha’s assessment of the power of repentance is much more optimistic. In addition, King Ajatashatru not only repents but also arouses bodhicitta, the aspiration for enlightenment so that he may help other beings be rid of defilement. The World Honored One bestowed a diversity of teachings on Ajatashatru. He said, “Great king, for those with a mind of contrition, offences are no longer offences. Those without a mind of contrition will be chastised forever by their offences. You are a man of contrition; your offences will be purified; there is no need to be afraid.” Having received this teaching, Ajatashatru said to the World Honored One, “As I survey the world, I observe that from the seed of the toxic tree called the castor oil tree, a castor oil tree grows. I have yet to see a sandalwood tree grow from the seed of a castor oil tree. However, now for the first time, I have witnessed a sandalwood tree grow from the fruit of a castor oil tree. I am talking about myself. The sandalwood tree refers to the rootless faith that has sprouted forth in my mind. So far I have yet to serve the Buddha with reverence or seek refuge in the Dharma or the Sangha. Nevertheless, faith has suddenly sprouted in me; therefore I call this faith rootless faith. World Honored One, if I had been unable to meet the Buddha, I should have fallen into hell for an infinite number of kalpas and addicted with endless suffering. Now I bow to the Buddha; with all of the merits that I can accumulate, my fervent wish for the future is to destroy other people’s defilement.” The World Honored One said, “Very good, very good, great king! I have foreseen that you will destroy people’s defilements with your merits, expunging the defilements in their minds.” Ajatashatru said, “World Honored One, if I am able to destroy people’s evil intentions, even though I should experience enormous suffering for an infinite number of kalpas in the Avichi hell, I shall not think of this as suffering. Hearing these words of Ajatashatru, a large number of Magadhans spontaneously aroused the aspiration for enlightenment. Because of this, Ajatashatru was able to mitigate his grave offences. (Buddha-Dharma, pp. 567-568) The Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra account is full of fantastic elements, supernatural events, and teachings that developed long after the Buddha’s passing. It uses the original story from The Fruits of the Homeless Life Discourse to dramatize several important themes of Mahayana teaching and practice, namely the Buddha’s compassion for those who have created their own suffering and are lost and confused, the importance of a good friend, the importance of recognizing and repenting of one’s misdeeds, the way in which spiritual practice and the concern and care of others can alleviate mental and physical illness, the universality of buddha-nature, and most importantly the transformation of an icchantika into a bodhisattva. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q5 What strange archaeological finds could suggest an ancient technological civilization? 1 Bosnia is a fact very recent. Is there anything in India? K RAJARAM IRS 4224//3224 On Sun, 4 Feb 2024 at 00:51, 'gopala krishnan' via KeralaIyers < [email protected]> wrote: > CULTURAL QA 02-2024-04 > > All the below QA are from Quora DIGEST to me on 04-02-2024. > > Selected quora answers generally interesting are included .Still they need > not be 100% correct answers. > > Compiled and posted by R. Gopala Krishnan, 80, on 04-02-2024. > > Q1 What are your words of wisdom for dealing with people? > > A1 Ritesh Kumar Mishra, Lives in New Delhi (1999–present)Updated > 1y > > A beautiful story. > > King Ajatsatru came to Buddha and put his dither. He said, “Oh Lord, when > I didn't follow you then everyone used to feel fear with me, no one dared > to look at my kingdom and my kingdom was safe. Since, I have started > following you, dropped the violence, became compassionate, no one cares > about me, even people are weaving conspiracy against me and my kingdom is > in danger.” > > Buddha said, “Before I tell you anything, I want to tell you a story.” > > A venomous snake used to live under a tree, whoever used to pass, the > snake bitten the person. Everyone had fear of snake, no one dared to pass > by the tree. > > A monk came in that village, and he was going towards the tree, everyone > stopped him but he was adamant to meditate under the tree. The monk sat > under the tree, seeing the monk the snake came out of the hole. > > Monk saw the snake and told, “Why do you fear so much that you bite > innocent people. Perhaps, you feel if you don't attack other people will > kill you.” > > The snake said, “Oh Monk, you are right, I fear with people that's why I > attack.” > > Monk showed him the path of compassion and love and initiated the snake to > transform the life. Monk left. > > The snake now didn't Hiss over people, nor he bitten, now his bad days > came. People used to tease the snake, sometimes people threw the stone > because now no one had fear of that snake. > > Monk came after months, seeing the condition of snake the monk felt pity > and he was surprised with the snake's condition. Monk asked for his > situation. > > The snake said, “Since you told me to be compassionate towards others, no > one felt fear now and people made my condition worst.“ > > Monk said, “You took my teachings in the wrong way, I told to be > compassionate but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't hiss in your > defence. People should have fear of your hiss.” > > The Buddha asked, “Did you get my point? I told you to be compassionate > but it doesn't mean you should forsake the duty of a king.” > > Whatever you are, wherever you are, you must know how to defend yourself > because > it is the matter of survival. > > Q2 What can I do to produce dopamine in my brain? > > A2 HealthyMen, Men’s Health specialist 6mo > > Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which is a chemical messenger in the > brain that plays a crucial role in various brain functions and behaviors. > > It is produced in several areas of the brain, including the substantia > nigra and the ventral tegmental area. > > Dopamine is associated with the brain’s reward and pleasure pathways, as > well as motivation and reinforcement of behaviors. It helps regulate > mood, attention, learning, and movement. When you engage in activities that > you find enjoyable or rewarding, such as eating delicious food or achieving > a goal, your brain releases dopamine, leading to a sense of pleasure and > satisfaction. > > To naturally promote dopamine production in your brain, you can > incorporate the following activities into your lifestyle: > > 1. Exercise regularly: Regular aerobic exercises, such as running, > swimming, or dancing, increase blood flow to the brain, leading to higher > dopamine synthesis and release. Exercise also triggers the release of > endorphins, which can create a sense of pleasure and euphoria. > > 2. Eat a balanced diet: Certain nutrients play a role in dopamine > production. Tyrosine and phenylalanine are amino acids that serve as > building blocks for dopamine. Foods rich in these amino acids include lean > meats (chicken, turkey, lean beef), fish (salmon, tuna), eggs, dairy > products, almonds, and avocados. Additionally, consuming foods high in > antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can protect dopamine-producing > neurons from oxidative stress. > > 3. Get enough sleep: Adequate and restful sleep is essential for proper > neurotransmitter function, including dopamine regulation. During sleep, the > brain undergoes processes that help restore and replenish > neurotransmitters, which can impact mood and cognitive function. > > 4. Practice meditation and mindfulness: Meditation and mindfulness > techniques help reduce stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous > system, leading to decreased cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Lower stress > levels can positively affect dopamine production and signaling in the brain. > > 5. Spend time in natural sunlight: Exposure to natural sunlight > stimulates the production of serotonin, another neurotransmitter closely > related to dopamine. Serotonin can be converted into dopamine, leading to > an increase in its levels. > > 6. Engage in social activities: Positive social interactions and > meaningful relationships can activate brain areas associated with pleasure > and reward, leading to the release of dopamine. Spending time with friends, > family, or participating in group activities can boost your mood and sense > of well-being. > > 7. Enjoy activities that bring joy: Engaging in activities that you find > enjoyable, such as hobbies, art, music, or watching comedies, can trigger > dopamine release and create a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. > > 8. Set and achieve goals: Setting realistic goals and accomplishing them > can activate the brain’s reward system and lead to increased dopamine > release. The sense of achievement and accomplishment can contribute to > positive emotions. > > 9. Manage stress: Chronic stress can lead to a reduction in dopamine > receptor sensitivity, which may negatively affect mood and motivation. > Employing stress management techniques like deep breathing exercises, yoga, > or relaxation techniques can help maintain balanced dopamine levels. > > Remember that everyone’s brain chemistry is unique, and the effectiveness > of these activities in increasing dopamine levels can vary from person to > person. > > Additionally, excessive dopamine stimulation (e.g., from drugs or > unhealthy behaviors) can have adverse effects, so it’s crucial to pursue a > balanced approach to promoting dopamine production in the brain. > > Q3 What are the benefits of being poor? > > A3 Srinath Nalluri, Most Viewed Writer in Behavioral, Social & > Human Psychology10mo > > A dhobi who does ironing in an apartment suddenly bought a house. > > ‘Lottery?’ one resident asked. ‘No.’ > > ‘Robbery?’‘Never.’ > > ‘Forgery?’‘Not at all.’ > > ‘Then how?’ > > ‘I have been saving for this for the last ten years.’ > > ‘But your earnings are low, no?’ > > ‘But my spendings are also low, you know.’ > > ‘Again, how?’ > > He and his whole family travel by bus. They don’t feel small. There is > no compulsion to buy a car or bike. So no EMI, fuel or parking expenses. > He can get away by wearing the same clothes every day. > > His family stays in a small house inside the residential complex. He has > no space to put a fridge, big wardrobe, or variety of utensils. > > His son asks for a bicycle to go to school. He gets him a used one from a > resident. His son never complains as he is not insutled for not being able > to afford new one. > > No one expects him to give gifts or wear expensive clothes at weddings. > > No one expects him to serve 25-item meal or give 250 bucks wedding card > for his daughter’s wedding. One advantage the poor have is Their > lifestyle is known to everyone. They are not under any spotlight. > > So they don’t have any pressure or compulsion to do things beyond their > level. Part of their expenses go to fulfil their needs and the rest goes to > their savings. Furthermore, their small house in a small area brings down > the desire for many clothes and more items. > > For the middle class, however, > > They are under constant pressure to look rich as they fear they might be > assumed poor by others. > > This beautiful line from” Njan Prakashan” Malayalam film shows the > difference in lifestyle between the poor and middle class. > > It is not very expensive to live- Akash. Our expenses increases when we > try to live like others. > > Q4 What are some of the greatest examples of presence of mind? > > A4 Gurdev, Updated 3y > > Story time!! > > Once upon a time, a businessman went to a shoe store to purchase a new one.He > decided to buy a 7 number pair for him. > > When he went to the counter for billing, he finds that he forgot his > wallet in the house. > > So he asked the shopkeeper, “Can you lend me these pair? I promise you > that i will come next day and will pay your money “. > > The shopkeeper was feeling quite uncomfortable. But in the end, he gave > him the shoes and said ' please check the shoe box when you reached home'. > > Next day, the man returned to the shop. And said ' you gave me number 6 > instead of 7′. > > He apologized and gave him right one. The man had brought his wallet now. > He gave him money and left. > > The shopkeeper handled the situation with his mind. He didn't lose his > shoes neither did he lose his customer.Hence presence of mind is > important. > > Q5 What strange archaeological finds could suggest an ancient > technological civilization? > > A5 Hansel Sapkota, Lived in Nepal (2005–2020)Dec 21 > > This huge sphere was found by an archaeologist in 2016 in a forest in > Bosnia. > > The name of the discoverer is Semir Osmanagich, who describes the stone > sphere as the largest in Europe. > > It measures three meters wide, weighs 35 tons and is very ferruginous. > > And if this sphere was created by human hands - and if not, how? - > indicates that in Europe there were advanced civilizations about which we > know absolutely nothing. > > These ancestors of ours had different technologies from those we know. > > Mounds and pyramids are also found in Bosnia, connecting this place with > many other mysterious places where similar structures are found again and > again. > > Stone spheres have also been found almost everywhere, but this one is > truly a colossus. > > And here is the second part.It looks like Stonehenge. > > And it is located 12 meters underwater in Lake Michigan.Why are structures > repeated in so many distant places? > > So far there are no plausible and understandable answers to this question > > -- > On Facebook, please join https://www.facebook.com/groups/keralaiyerstrust > > We are now on Telegram Mobile App also, please join > > Pattars/Kerala Iyers Discussions: https://t.me/PattarsGroup > > Kerala Iyers Trust Decisions only posts : https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrust > > Kerala Iyers Trust Group for Discussions: > https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrustGroup > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "KeralaIyers" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/keralaiyers/273327407.2994912.1707029478647%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/keralaiyers/273327407.2994912.1707029478647%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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