Time : Saturday 2pm-4.00pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : “AN IMPEDIMENT TO SPIRITUAL PRACTICE”: The Fifth Poison in Buddhism: Suspicion
On 1 May 2021, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore held another online English Group Study. the session delved into Suspicion – the fifth poison in Buddhism teachings.
Master Lu once said, “Doubting others means you are biased and are holiding on to deviant views. On the contrary, when your mind is righteous and wholesome, you leave no room for suspicion”.
At the outset, the facilitator laid bare the misconception that all of us are susceptible to, by highlighting that our eyes and minds are all outlets of delusion. The problem lies in our tendency to view things as real, and our attachment to the notion of right and wrong.
The participants learned about various consequences of having a suspicious mind, namely, poor interpersonal relationships and higher karmic obstacles that impede one’s spiritual cultivation.
In a short and incredible true story, the participants learned that suspicion can wreak havoc on one’s family life.
While maintaining the right thought is critical in our Buddhism practice, the participants were taught of the importance to avoid people with ill intent at all costs. This message is encapsulated in the Chinese saying, “One should harbour no ill intent towards anyone, yet should guard against that of others”.
To quell our suspicion, Master Lu has the following advice for us:
❑ Pure Faith & The Power of Faith– Having absolute faith in the Buddha-dharma will help dispel doubts so that you do not waver;
❑ Control your thoughts, let go and cultivate the mind.
❑ Do not be overly self-centred and view others with suspicion. Being Suspicious of others means you lack self-confidence.
❑ Do not be arrogant, as it will lead to suspicion.
In the upcoming session – scheduled on 8 May – the Buddhist’s perspective of TIME will be presented. If you are one of those who believe that you still have a lot of time, join us next Saturday to gain some insights about why wasting TIME is tantamount to squandering your LIFE.
? Let us now look at some comments from participants:
Biggest takeaway from today’s session would be being able to distinguish between precaution and suspicion. “One should harbour no ill intent towards anyone, and yet should guard against that of others.”
Another important thing I’ve learn is that “power is derived from pure faith, so you must fully believe in Guan Yin Bodhisattva with a sincere heart- without a single shred of doubt. When you do, powerful energy emanates from within.”
?Join us in our next session
Please contact Loh SX (96978356) / Woan Yi SX (82182248) for more information
⏰ Date and time:
Saturday 8 May 2021 (2.oopm – 4.00pm)
Please click here to download the Summary Slides shared during the Group Study:
Summary Slides_The Fifth Poison in Buddhism_Suspicion
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?
< Overconfidence leads to the afflictions of the Five Poisons >
Towering self-esteem will lead a person to greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance and doubt. Doubting others means you are biased and are holding on to deviant views. On the contrary, when your mind is righteous and wholesome, you will leave no room for suspicion.
Suspicion will lead to vexation. You must let go of your ego, do not be overconfident in your own set of self-beliefs. As Buddhist practitioners, we need to apply the right faith and mindfulness to guard our thoughts.
< What causes suspicion? >
Buddhism in Plain Terms – Vol. 1, Chapter 15 :
Explaining to Disciples about Delusions of Views and Thought
EXTREME VIEW IS A STATE OF BEING SUSPICIOUS TOWARDS THE PEOPLE OR THINGS YOU SEE AROUND YOU (An Excerpt)
Fallacious views (邪见) refer to taking what you see and what you think as correct, when in fact they are wrong. This is either called fallacious views or subjective views (自我见解).
The attachment to wrong views (见取见) is about what you see and what you have. What you see is not necessarily correct, and neither is what you have.
Clinging to faulty disciplinary codes or modes of conduct (戒取见) refers to holding onto something you believe to be the cause of a phenomenon. In fact, it is never the real cause (明明非因即因).
For example, it was clear that somebody didn’t do something, but you insisted that that person did it. That is also a fallacious view. You are deluded by what you see and what you think, because you take whatever you see as real. But nothing in this world is real. If you believe that your body is real, then when you die, does it still exist? You might say parents are real, but when they pass away, do they still exist?
Delusions of thought are misapprehensions associated with mental activity, which is also a major obstruction for human beings (思想上的迷惑，也是人的一大障碍).
Now I will talk about how delusions of views and thought (见思惑) are related to our everyday lives. If you’re suspicious of other people in your everyday life, then you have delusions of views and thought. These are also the delusions that we are most susceptible to. What you see and what you think are all sources of delusion.
Wenda 20181116 13:30 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program) (An Excerpt)
BEING OVERLY ATTACHED TO NOTIONS OF RIGHT AND WRONG WILL LEAD TO A SUSPICIOUS ATTITUDE
Caller: Master Lu, is it right to say that being overly attached to the notions of right and wrong will lead to a suspicious attitude?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right. As you have been constantly making judgements within your mind, “This is right, that is wrong”, you will gradually develop a suspicious mindset(疑心病).
Caller: In that case, we should also not pay too much attention to good or bad outcomes, is that right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Precisely. All things good or bad are derived from karmic affinities (善恶本是因缘). In this mortal world, all your good and bad karmas are due to the fruition of seeds sowed in past lives. Do you understand?
Caller: Yes, I understand.
Buddhism in Plain Terms – Vol. 9, Chapter 18 (An Excerpt)
OVERCOMING THE NOTIONS OF RIGHT AND WRONG WITH OUR INNATE NATURE
When you suspect another person, you will develop a sense of right and wrong in your mind. If you trust a person, such notions will not arise, am I right? Speaking from the perspective of your innate nature, when a person does something which arouses your suspicion, how do you overcome such a feeling? It is simple.
Just regard it as a natural phenomenon regardless of whether a person has any shortcoming; it is natural for him to have shortcomings, it is also natural for him not to have any shortcoming simply because he is just a human being.
When he is in the wrong, I will forgive him; when he is doing it right, I should not doubt him too. In other words, I do not judge the person – and that is precisely how it is like to be natural.
If you do not suspect others, you will not easily arouse others’ suspicion towards you. Conversely, if you often harbour suspicious thoughts about others, you will invite a corresponding response from others as well.
< Understanding Conflicts in Relationships >
Key Messages
Making baseless conclusions without proof or evidence on matters will only bring afflictions to your life. We must not be too sensitive and judge others with deviant thoughts because if our views are biased, we will misjudge people. Tolerance is key to maintaining a harmonious relationship in a family.
Wenda 20180608 37:01 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
THE COHERENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GREED, HATRED, IGNORANCE, ARROGANCE AND SUSPICION (An Excerpt)
Caller: Master, with regards to the Five Poisons in Buddhism teachings: greed, hatred, ignorance, arrogance and suspicion, if greed is not satisfied, it will lead to hatred, and hatred will in turn breed ignorance. The first three poisons are related coherently (连贯性), what about the last two poisons, arrogance and suspicion?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Indeed, arrogance will lead to suspicion. For example, if you are arrogant, you will look down on others. When someone informs you that someone else has completed the task, you go, “Is that right? He really did it? Is he even capable of such a task?” This is suspicion, isn’t it?
Just like you now, suddenly you raised such profound Buddhism lines today, and I go, “I can’t believe a person like you has this kind of Buddhism knowledge?” This is how I doubt you, don’t you think?
Caller: Yesterday, I was discussing this topic with another Buddhist friend and we couldn’t think of an appropriate example. With your explanation, we gain immediate understanding now.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Who do you think you are? (In a humorous manner.) Do you understand now? I am having doubts about you, isnt’ it? So, do not be arrogant, once you are arrogant, you become suspicious of others.
Wenda 20200719 57:49 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF BEING NARROW-MINDED 气量小 AND SENSITIVE 敏感
Caller: What is the cause and effect for someone to be narrow-minded and sensitive?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Being narrow-minded and sensitive is a result of badmouthing and suspecting others in one’s previous life. Even in your current life, if you suspect that others are trying to inflict harm on you or mistreating you, aren’t you being narrow-minded?
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Won’t that result in your poor interpersonal relationships?
Caller: Yes, I get it now.
Shuohua 20170915 07:05 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
OVERCOMING DOUBTS IN UNFAMILIAR PEOPLE OR NON-BUDDHISTS
Caller: Some Buddhist practitioners fully trust our fellow practitioners without any doubt and feel at ease to be with them. However, they will always have a suspicious mind when dealing with people whom they are not familiar with or with non-Buddhists. May I ask, what is the reason behind this?
Master Jun Hong Lu: This stems from a discriminatory mind (分别心) ─ a lack of Bodhisattva’s magnanimity and without tolerance for differences. As humans, we have to be magnanimous and tolerant (大度大量).
Caller: Yes. How should we overcome this problem?
Master Jun Hong Lu: How to overcome it? You will be able to overcome it with an elevated state of mind, otherwise you will never succeed because it is human nature to be jealous, sceptical and to distrust others.
< The consequences of being suspicious >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s discourse at Sydney Guan Yin Hall – 23 March 2020 (An Excerpt)
A BRIEF DEFINITION OF THE FIVE HINDRANCES (五盖)
The fifth Hindrance is called the Hindrance of Doubt (疑盖), which is a feeling of suspicion. When doubt arises, it will give rise to countless afflictions. If you have doubts about the genuineness and efficacy of the Dharma, you will not be able to persevere along the path of Dharma practice. If you doubt the existence of kind-hearted people in this world, you are bound to live a dispirited life. Many of those who are suicidal would argue, “What’s the point of me living in this world?
Throughout my entire life, I’ve only chanced upon wicked people, who are out there just to harm me.” A lot of girls also share the same sentiment that, “Why is it that men are so nasty and evil?” Is it true that kind-hearted people do not exist at all?
No, they do exist. I am one of them. I have been going flat out to save and help people. And I am not alone ─ you are also kind-hearted people who are practisingBuddhism diligently and devoting yourselves selflessly to helping sentient beings.
Suspicion begets idle fear (疑心生暗鬼). Only those who harbour an ulterior motive will doubt others. How is it possible for someone who is always suspicious of others to have friends? If a businessman, for example, always doubts others, will others do business with him?
If you have married a wife and every time you suspect that she is unfaithful to you, do you even think that she would want to spend the rest of her life with you? Would you gain the liking of your manager if you always doubt him?
How would you expect your superior to entrust you with more responsibilities if you always feel that he is trying to make life difficult for you? Do you think you would even be emotionally and physically well if you believe that you would be stricken with cancer one fine day? These are all examples of the Hindrance of Doubt. Having a doubtful mind will lead to an increased level of karmic obstacles and hinder one’s cultivation of the mind.
]
守戒则不傲慢，相信众生则不疑惑。
Those who observe the precepts will not be arrogant;
those who believe in sentient beings will have no doubt.
Shuohua 20170602 26:59 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS ON MATTERS WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING ARE CONSIDERED AS CREATING SOMETHING OUT OF THIN AIR AND HAVE HEAVY KARMIC RAMIFICATIONS
Caller: As a Buddhist practitioner, how do we avoid drawing conclusions or stereotyping someone or some matters which we do not have a thorough understanding? Is discussion involving others’ privacy and their pasts considered as an act of creating something out of thin air and creating bad karma of speech?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Exactly! Karmic ramifications are equally heavy for creating something out of thin air, committing negative karma of speech and when one slanders others.
Caller: When we are uncertain of others’ family matters and their pasts, and simply pass judgement that such people are good or bad, will this become…
Master Jun Hong Lu: This is a form of attachment.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Hong Kong – 22 June 2014
SUSPICION CAUSES A FAMILY BREAKUP
Master Jun Hong Lu:
“This is a real-life story. There was once a wealthy lady, who reared a pet parrot at home. For a period of time, whenever she got home, the parrot would, without fail, regurgitate this phrase, “Be patient…hang on right there, be more patient…”
This evoked her suspicion towards her husband; she suspected that the parrot might have picked up this phrase after overhearing her husband’s phone conversation with his new flame.
Latching on this, this wealthy lady engaged in constant arguments with her husband and demanded for a divorce. When the court requested for more concrete evidence, unbelievably, she took the parrot to the court.
Think about it, this is how we let our personal issues take control of our lives. Do you know the outcome of this story?
Not wanting to let go, this lady continued to quarrel with her husband, only to see both of them eventually go their separate ways.
For that, I’d like to advise all of you not to push yourself to the point of no return and never view others with suspicion. Being suspicious of others merely means that you lack self confidence!”
Wenda 20161016B 47:59 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
EXPLAIN WHEN NECESSARY BUT DO NOT OVERDO IT
Caller: Master Lu, how do Buddhist practitioners put into practice “Not explaining is the best explanation”? Is it possible to achieve this through actions in order to remove all vexations?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You still have to explain when necessary. However, do not overly explain. It suffices once you have made your point clear. It’s now the Age of Dharma Decline, not the Age of the Right Dharma, during which explanation was not needed as self-realisation prevailed in everyone: when you stop talking, the other party will follow suit as he will be immediately enlightened. Nowadays people get confused easily, therefore you have to explain when the need arises.
Caller: What if we would like to resolve everything in a non-confrontational manner…
Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s impossible. For example, your husband suspects that you are having an affair, what happens if you do not explain and remain silent? He will be very angry at you. It’s that simple. Can you afford not explaining under such circumstances?
Caller: We still have to explain when necessary, otherwise it will deepen the misunderstanding.
Master Jun Hong Lu: People today are different from people in the past. Their morality and standards have deteriorated.
Wenda 20170407 19:11 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program) (An Excerpt)
STAGES OF DEPRESSION
Master Jun Hong Lu:
The initial stage of depressive disorder is having a suspicious mind. You should forbid yourself from having a suspicious mind as it will make you panic-stricken and develop phobia.
The second stage is “fear” – a symptom often experienced by people with depression. Firstly, they fear interaction with other people and secondly, they fear that others would mess with them.
The third stage of depression is the most severe, this is when they feel that they are being beaten, provoked or attacked, which will lead them to commit suicide.
Wenda 20160826 40:30 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
INAPPROPRIATE PRACTICE OF THE DHARMA CAUSES INCURABLE DISEASE, REPENTING IS A MUST; TO CAUSE SOMEONE TO WITHDRAW FROM HIS CULTIVATION WILL RESULT IN HEAVIER NEGATIVE KARMA (An Excerpt)
Caller: Master Lu, a Buddhist practitioner who appears to be very diligent in his cultivation has been diagnosed with an incurable disease. The actual causes are his improper relationships and mishandling of money. If this practitioner does not repent and disclose his inappropriate deeds, he may inadvertently plant some doubts among some Buddhist practitioners, causing their faith to waver. In this regard, would this practitioner create a greater negative karma for himself? Please enlighten us, Master Lu.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, the negative karma will be more significant unless he personally divulges his past misdeeds. He must personally disclose it now that he has cancer.
He can say, “I have committed many wrongdoings.” He does not have to disclose the fine details, it suffices to say: “I know I have committed many misdeeds in the past.
Everyone, please remember that Bodhisattva will never be unfair to us, we bear the burden of our own karma. I may be very diligent today but my karmic debt is too heavy.
Therefore, I am undergoing my karmic retributions. I hope everyone practises Buddhism more diligently.”
By doing so, he will not create further karmic debts but will gain merits. On the other hand, if he does not repent and still thinks “I’m behaving well, why do I even deserve cancer?”, he will have to bear the consequences if his misdeeds cause anyone to stop practising Buddhism. If he bluffs and tells lies, he won’t be able to go up to the heaven realm.
In fact, he should have repented soon after he was diagnosed with cancer. He should have said, “I have let Bodhisattva down. I will share my experience and be a living testimony after I recover, and help others to develop faith in Buddhism.” Saying so will generate merits.
Caller: I understand now. We really need to set the record straight so that people don’t lose faith in their practice. He must share his story and learn his lessons.
Wenda 20160129 01:04:06 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program) (An Excerpt)
ONE SHOULD HARBOUR NO ILL INTENT TOWARDS ANYONE, YET SHOULD GUARD AGAINST THAT OF OTHERS
Caller: Master has advised us that ‘Right thought is when we can look at everyone in a positive light’ (把世界上每个人都往好处想，就是正念). What about when we encounter someone with an ill intent, is it right for us to still deliberately think positively of the person? Kindly enlighten us, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu: The moment you are aware of a person’s ill intent, you should avoid him at all costs. You can still think positively of this person, but this should only dwell on your mind.
First and foremost, you should make an attemptto ward off the potential disaster before casting the person in a positive light. Not doing so, you risk being deceived by him and end up being taken advantage of.
Let me quote a simple example: You chance upon a snake flicking its tongue and yet, you only think positively of it, “It’s unlikely to bite me”. For all you know, in that spur of the moment, it bites you. Do you get it now?
First, you keep your distance from the snake, and take a look at it from afar and think, “It may not bite me. I am very happy, so it doesn’t matter even if I encounter a snake”. That’s it.
You should only think positively of the person after securing your own safety, which echoes the Chinese saying, “One should guard against the ill intent of others”. This has long been taught in ancient Chinese culture. As the full saying goes, “One should harbour no ill intent towards anyone, yet should guard against that of others” (害人之心不可有，防人之心不可无), right?
Caller: Yes, thank you, Master.
< How to overcome suspicion >
Master Jun Hong Lu’s discourse at Guan Yin Hall – 10th March 2020
OVERCOMING SUSPICION WITH PURE FAITH (净信)
If a person frequently maintains an everlasting heart; because you believe that he is a good person, because you believe that he will not hurt you, your mind will naturally be steadfast.
Why are there many people who are suspicious of others?
It is due to their unsettled mind. When one’s mind is unsettled, he will roll his eyes furtively(眼睛会贼溜溜地转) for an extended period before his heart start to throb, only to sink into sadness eventually.
In today’s world, people are extremely imaginative. Many people are faced with the problem of having jumble of thoughts racing through their mind constantly. The more you brood over a matter, the worse it gets. The more you look at someone, the more suspicious you get, “I think he is the one who did it”. The more you think about it, the more you will feel that the person is responsible for the act.
Everything that the person does will lead you to believe that he must be the culprit and arouse your suspicion. These are attributable to an unsettled state of mind. How can a person gain wisdom if he does not have a steadfast mind?
Buddhism in Plain Terms – Vol. 1,
Chapter 21: The Five Powers to Seek One’s Inherent Nature (An Excerpt)
Now, I will talk about the “Five Powers 五力”. The purpose of learning Buddhism, and practising and cultivating the mind, is to discover our inherent nature. To do this, it requires us to verify by ourselves. What this means is that if you want to find your inherent nature, you must use the “Five Powers”, namely:
1. The Power of Faith 信力: This is the power of a firm and genuine belief. The Power of Faith is particularly important, because, as the saying goes, “Faith is the source of the Way, and the mother of merit and virtue” (信为道源功德母).
Believing in the Way means to have the Power of Faith.
In other words, you believe that you will succeed at something, and you believe that Guan Yin Bodhisattva will save us. The mother of merit and virtue is the source and the root of the Way. Only when you believe, can you grasp at the root and attain merit and virtue. If someone lacks confidence in what they do, and therefore does not have the Power of Faith, they will not succeed in anything they do at all. The Power of Faith can dispel doubt, so that you will not waver.
Buddhism in Plain Terms – Vol. 1, Chapter 34
One must also hold a pure faith 净信 – that is, you must have complete faith in the Buddha-dharma with a pure and sincere heart. What are the benefits of pure faith?
Firstly, it increases your energy and your power. Power is derived from pure faith, so you must fully believe in Guan Yin Bodhisattva with a sincere heart – without a single shred of doubt. When you do, powerful energy emanates from within.
Journey to Heaven Vol. 1, Chapter D2
勿迷恋尘世，方得往生净土
Bodhisattva: Having No Attachment to This Mortal Life Paves the Way for the Pure Land (23 October 2018)
I received a message from the Bodhisattva:
“Humans are managed by Heaven and by the Underworld. If someone performs no wholesome deeds but instead accumulates unwholesomeness, they are destined to fall into the Lower Realms. One must follow Guan Yin Bodhisattva diligently and cultivate their mind and their behaviour carefully.”
“Guan Yin Bodhisattva delivers benefits to all sentient beings in the Six Realms of Existence, this is due to the power of her great vow that had reached its fruition countless kalpas ago. She shines light upon sentient beings, helping them to be liberated from suffering and to attain happiness. One must never be deluded by, or obsessed with, the things of the Human Realm.”
“It will only make the world even more saturated with greed, hatred and ignorance, pushing people’s minds into depravity.
In fact, everything in this world is empty by nature. Your Master, Jun Hong Lu, has already attained Buddhahood in Heaven. In the future, he will be able to bring you all to the Buddha’s Pure Land.
As disciples, you should have no doubts about Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door. If you are able to be reborn in the Pure Land and attain great bliss in the future, that truly is a blessing. You have no idea what will become of the world in the future. Stop being obsessed with fame and wealth, as there is nothing you can gain from this world.”
Buddhism in Plain Terms, Episode 2 :
Control your thoughts, let go and cultivate the mind
As Buddhists, we should learn to forgive. We must not judge others with our evil knowledge and thoughts (邪知邪念) because if our view is biased, we will misjudge people.
If you can’t take control of your heart and fail to see others with a balanced point of view, you will be looked down on by others in the end.
When you misjudge people they will surely have their share of comments to make about you. “He is always rude, uncultured”.
The hatred and jealousy in you drives your desires and selfishness. Do you understand? With the grudges you hold against others, you hurt them gradually and you will lose your own peace of mind.
< Guard Our Minds At All Times >
The Moral of the story
The tortoise’s head and legs are like the five senses of a Buddhist practitioner while the fox is like the Five Desires and Six Dusts that pose a threat to us. You feel sad and troubled when someone scolds or slanders you. Therefore, if you fail to apply your wisdom, you will get yourself hurt.
As Buddhist practitioners, we must guard our minds at all times, observe the precepts and be strict with body, speech and mind. Last but not least, be persistent in the pursuit of your spiritual cultivation.
< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享