Time : Saturday 2pm-4.15pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : “Cleverness is not Wisdom” – The Third Poison in Buddhism: Ignorance
On 10 April 2021, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore held another online English Group Study. The session focused on Ignorance – the Third Poison and one of the Ten Evil Deeds in Buddhism.
At the start of the session, a short and yet powerful story by Master Lu was played. It served as a stern reminder to all Buddhist practitioners that they must not resort to trickery to their advantage as they will only end up harming themselves.
In the first part of the two-hour session, the facilitator highlighted certain key signs of Ignorance, allowing the participants to do some self-reflection.
Typically, the ignorant are unable to comprehend things or discern right from wrong, clueless to happenings around them, rush into something blindly, and do not believe in the law of causation. Because of their nature to cling onto their personal views and past experiences, they make effort to find every reason to explain their own mistakes instead of correcting themselves.
The absence of wisdom will perpetuate the Ignorant to lead an animal-like life, which in turn entrap them in the endless cycle of rebirth. This reinforces the importance of learning Buddhism so that we can liberate ourselves from the shackles of Ignorance-led delusion.
The participants were recommended to practise self-reflection especially refle incting on mistakes made in order to stem out Ignorance. Keeping tabs of one’s sleep and food intake will also help as overindulgence in food and sleep will increase lust and Ignorance.
The facilitator also forewarned about the danger of acting like a know-it-all when sharing the Buddhist teachings, as it will breed Ignorance and increase karmic obstacles. Such an outflow of Ignorance through the mouth can diminish one’s merits and virtues*.
In the 2nd part of this session, scheduled on 17 April – the facilitator will share with us about *Ways to overcome Ignorance* and the True meaning of Bodhisattva’s wisdom.
? Let us now look at some comments from participants:
This session made me discover new signs of ignorance in myself that I often neglect, such as dwelling on the past, and to rush into something blindly. Often times I would also feign understanding, today I learnt that I should learn to ask others for advice when I do not know. When one hears criticism, we should seek to understand ourselves first.
?Join us in our next session
Please contact Loh SX (96978356) / Woan Yi SX (82182248) for more information
⏰ Date and time:
Saturday 17 Apr 2021 (2.oopm – 4.00pm)
Please click here to download the Summary Slides shared during the Group Study:
Summary Slides_The Third Poison Ignorance
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?
< A Top Student Who Evaded Buying Tickets >
What is the moral of the story?
Wenda20180817 17:36| Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
MORALITY IS OFTEN ABLE TO MAKE UP FOR ONE’S INSUFFICIENCY OF ‘WISDOM’; ‘WISDOM’, HOWEVER, WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO MAKE UP FOR ONE’S LACK OF MORALITY
Caller: Master, “Morality can make up for one’s insufficiency of ‘wisdom’, but ‘wisdom’ can never make up for one’s lack of morality.” How should this phrase be understood?
Master Jun Hong Lu: If you are a very slow-witted person, but you possess morality, people will nevertheless like you, and people will be willing to help you; is this not equivalent to having wisdom? Is it not the case that morality can make up for one’s insufficiency of wisdom?
Caller: Yes, yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: If you are a very shrewd and smart person, but your quality of character is poor, and you try to profit from others, does it mean that you are morally good? Is this able to make up for your lack of morality? All of these are my ‘Words of Wisdom’.
Caller: Yes, that’s right.
< What is Ignorance in Buddhism? >
Buddhism in Plain Terms | Episode 14 (An Excerpt) Control our worries with Prajnawisdom
WAYS TO ASSESS WISDOM
Master Jun Hong Lu: Assess whether you possess wisdom and you will know how well you are cultivating. In the face of a problem, if you agonise or feel troubled, and unable to straighten things out, it means you are still a beginner. If you are able to deal with matters as they arise, you may feel a little upset but, you get over it quickly, you have already crossed the threshold (那你已经入门了).
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Radio Program) Episode 15 (An Excerpt)
DEFINITION OF IGNORANCE
Avoid being ignorant. The Ten Evil Deeds (十恶业) are the opposite of the Ten Wholesome Deeds (十善业). Nothing is more dreadful than ignorance.
Ignorance is:
When you refrain someone from doing something bad, because they will be faced with retribution, etc., you are speaking the wisdom of the Dharma. However, it takes a person with wisdom to stay away from deviant views (远离邪见), and to rise above one’s ignorance.
Buddhism in Plain Terms Episode 38 (An Excerpt)
RUSHING INTO SOMETHING BLINDLY IS A TYPE OF IGNORANCE
Those who rush into action without proper understanding (无明妄动) will say, “I’m going to do it, it’s no problem,” and then go forward haphazardly, and hence trouble will arise. Have you understood the gravity of the issue in hand, and the restrictions faced, you would not have rushed into it blindly.
Just take a look around, the people who run into problems are always those who ignorantly rush into action. So Buddhism tells us that rushing into something blindly is a type of ignorance (无明妄动本身就是一种愚痴). If you do not understand something and rush into doing it, assuming that it is the right thing to do, you are just fuelling your ignorance, and will end up falling into the cycle of rebirth (轮回的根本).
So, ignorance breeds delusion (无明产生愚痴), and finally leads one into the cycle of rebirth. This is the exact reason that cause us to get trapped in the endless cycle of rebirth.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Vol. 2) Chapter 13 (An Excerpt)
ONE WHO DOES NOT CULTIVATE SPIRITUALLY NOR BELIEVE IN BUDDHIST TEACHINGS IS IGNORANT
If you remain ignorant, and still harbour greed and hatred, this means that you are not truly cultivating. Let me paraphrase my question and ask yourselves, “How do you define a person who does not cultivate his mind?” They are the ones who have yet to eradicate their greed, hatred, and ignorance.
What is ignorance? One who does not even believe in Buddhist teachings, is an ignorant person. It is very hard for us to save ignorant people and help them be spiritually awakened. They are commonly known as the ones who ‘lack affinity’ (无缘) with Buddhism.An ignorant person is one who does not cultivate his mind. Ignorance belies the lack of wisdom, and those who lack wisdom are akin to leading an animal-like life.
Buddhism in Plain Terms Episode 112 (An Excerpt)
IGNORANCE IS THE ROOT OF SUFFERING
From the day we were born, ignorance has been a major part of our lives, causing us to make numerous mistakes in life. It is because of our ignorance and the lack of understanding that we bring suffering upon ourselves. Despite not understanding many things in life, yet we are reluctant to seek advice from others. Take a look at the number of people, who feignunderstanding (不懂的还要装懂), and end upharming themselves and others.
In fact, the moment your inner attachment to self is set in motion (启动内心的执著),ignorance arises in you (无明就生起了). Whenever you say, “I should…” or “I think…”and you are attached to this notion, this is when deep-rooted bad habits (无明习气) come into play. Here you are, lacking the understanding and yet insisting that you are right. Why don’t you consult others for advice?
Each time you are attached to something, ignorance arises, which in turn leads to vexations. This is what is known as ignorance-led vexations (无明烦恼). When this arises, attachments are sure to be in the mix, resulting in a cyclical repetition of ignorance, attachments, anger and vexations. As a result, the cycle of rebirth becomes unavoidable.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Radio Program) Episode 8 (An Excerpt)
CLINGING TO ONE’S VIEWS IS IGNORANCE
What is ignorance? It is clinging to one’s views (固执己见). When someone thinks, “I am right, I must be right,” this person is attached to his own views, which will see him gradually deviate from the right faith (偏离正信), and eventually lose his wisdom.
The Buddha tells us that we must understand the law of cause and effect, differentiate between right and wrong, increase our wisdom, and distance ourselves from deviant views (远离邪见) so that we will not be ignorant. One cannot afford to be ignorant. A person, who acts with extreme foolishness are considered ignorant.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Vol. 7) Chapter 1 (An Excerpt)
IGNORANT PEOPLE WILL BE PREJUDICED AGAINST VIRTUOUS PEOPLE (善知识)
You should understand that when our minds are not righteous, our thoughts become evil. On the contrary, when our minds are righteous, our thoughts become wholesome. We must not hold any bit of evil thought inside (不能有一点点邪思邪念).
Today, if you hold any bit of evil thought directed at me, your Master, and that the way I deal with some matter is less than perfect or less than satisfactory, then your view of mewould be undoubtedly biased.
For example, when we were children, we hadan absolute trust in our parents. Even when they made mistakes, we would still believethem to be the world’s best people, who would never cause us harm, correct? This is so that you could receive your parents’ love and protection.
If as a child you believe that your parents are biased, and that they are not good people, your heart will grow further and further away from them, and as time goes on, you will no longer have a mother and father. Similarly, today you are all following me to learn Buddhism, and if you doubt my words, you will drift further and further apart from me.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (An Excerpt) Sydney Guan Yin Hall | 24 February 2021
GIVING EXPLANATIONS FOR OUR OWN MISTAKES IS ALSO IGNORANCE
If a person does something wrong, and is always trying to make up for his mistakes, and trying to explain it, this is ignorance. Many people are simply foolish. They like to give all sorts of explanations, and they do so incessantly.
In fact, giving explanations is just like taking an object that is already foul-smelling and prying it open further, taking a whiff with your nose, and finally telling others that the object does not smell foul at all.
Since it is a fact that you have already done something wrong, why do you still need to explain yourself? When you have done something wrong, you should overcome the karmic obstacles and avoid the hindrances as soon as possible, and that is true repentance.
Buddhism in Plain Terms Episode 33 (An Excerpt)
DWELLING ON THE PAST IS ALSO A FORM OF IGNORANCE
That’s just the way it goes. Those who are always sentimental, reminiscing the long-gone beautiful times they have had, the people and things that they once knew or had, they are a fool. This is a source of ignorance.
These people will keep telling others about their wonderful past, how great it has been, and the people that they are unable to let go of. They even shed tears as they speak, unable to bring upon themselves to part with their past.
Such people can’t bear to give it up. This will only make them fall deeper, causing them lose increasingly more of their precious time in the present.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Vol. 7) Chapter 47
IGNORANCE IS FINDING FAULTS WITH OTHERS INSTEAD OF CORRECTING OWN MISTAKES
Let me tell you this: What triggers fights and quarrels among many people? When a person is criticising you, you must first listen to what he has say although he could be at fault.
If he is right, you should try to mend your ways. On the flip side, if he is wrong, you should be mindful to avoid such mistake or habit.
The typical flaw of man is that when one hears criticism, instead of immediately thinking of improving himself, he will find fault with others, blaming others of similar bad habits. This is a clear sign of ignorance. Therefore, we should seek to improve ourselves first.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Vol. 1) Chapter 16 (An Excerpt)
INHERENT ENLIGHTENMENT AND IGNORANCE ARE NEITHER THE SAME, NOR DIFFERENT
Inherent enlightenment and ignorance are neither the same, nor different (本觉与无明，非一也非二) . “The ultimate reality and the ignorance are the Buddha-nature. (实相无明，即是佛性) ” The mind that we own is the Buddha-mind. This mind, combined with your lack of understanding of anything, are actually neither the same, nor different. They are not separate from each other, but they come from the same principle.
Our physical body is known as a sign or appearance. “The ultimate reality (true appearance) and the ignorance” (实相无明) means that, even if our physical body is ignorant, it lacks understanding, it is also the Buddha-nature. As an analogy, your inherent nature is polluted in the same way as a mirror is tainted with dust and dirt. Likewise, the waves arise from the water.
“Ignorance and the true nature” refers to your ignorance coupled with your true nature. True nature is your authentic, inherent nature. Despite the fact that your ignorance impedes your inherent nature, the true nature and inherent nature combine to form an integral whole. For example, take the sun as your metaphorical inherent nature, which is bright and dazzling.
If a dark cloud drifts over the sun to shroud it, does that mean the sun ceases to be bright? Isn’t the sun still considered to be pure? The dark clouds represent temporary defilements, like the bad habits and mannerisms you acquired in the Human Realm. Once the dark clouds drift away, just as the sky clears after the rain, the sunlight is splendid again. Then, your inherent and kind-hearted nature emerges.
< What are the Cause & Effect of Ignorance? >
Master Jun Hong Lu, Words of Wisdom Volume 3
Words of Wisdom
Turning a deaf ear to advice is the beginning of delusion.
Turning a blind eye to one’s mistakes is the beginning of failure.
Always thinking that you should have a fair share of everything is the beginning of affliction.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Vol. 1) Chapter 5 (An Excerpt)
IGNORANCE STEMS FROM ONE’S FAILURE TO PRACTISE SELF-REFLECTION
How does one become ignorant? Ignorance stems from one’s failure to reflect upon themselves. Everyone should practise self-reflection. When you return home each day, ask yourself: “What have I done wrong today? And how much others have sacrificed for me?” These days, everybody brags about how many good deeds they have done and how many people they have helped, but too few reflect upon the mistakes they have made.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse
Sydney Guan Yin Hall | 19 February 2020
UNDERSTANDING OURSELVES AND OTHERS (An Excerpt)
It is hard for those who do not cultivate their minds to eliminate karmic obstacles, and strengthen their spiritual lives (不修心的人业障难消、慧命难增). What is spiritual life (慧命)? It is a life of wisdom; you understand yourselves as well as others. People today are very selfish. They only understand themselves but not others. This gives rise to a lot of interpersonal conflicts.
Are you able to understand your wife? Are you able to understand your child? Are you able to understand your boss and co-workers at your office?
To survive in this world, we need to have an understanding of our mind (心智). As Buddhist practitioners, if we do not even understand our own mind, there is no way that we can possibly gain wisdom (慧).
In relation, a person without wisdom is one whose karmic obstacles are hefty.
Wenda20171215 01:25:32 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
OVERINDULGENCE IN FOOD AND SLEEP WILL LEAD TO INCREASED IGNORANCE AND LUST
Caller: Master Lu, I did not cultivate well recently, and I am ashamed of it. It is tough for me to overcome my shortcomings; my heart is filled with anger and hatred and I was not able to get through to you on the phone. Finally, with the compassion of Bodhisattva, I am able to get through to you today. I would like to repent to you, Master Lu.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Eat less spicy food, understand?
Caller: Yes. Indeed, I tend to overindulge myself in food and sleep.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Overindulgence in food and sleep will lead to increased ignorance and lust.
Caller: Yes, I understand.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Sometimes you have togrit your teeth and force yourself to get rid of these bad habits. You are a Bodhisattva hence, you should emulate Bodhisattva; at the least, you are a human, not an animal, don’t you understand?
Caller: I understand, Master, I am sorry. I did not cultivate well. Please forgive me.
Master Jun Hong Lu: OK, perform your recitation diligently. Bodhisattva has two children – one who has never made any mistakes, and the other who will correct his mistakes promptly. Do you understand what I mean?
Caller: Yes, Master. I know you are working so hard, yet I am making a nuisance of myself. By the way, I dreamed of you this morning. In the dream, you taught us Buddhism explained in Plain Terms.
Master Jun Hong Lu: There you go. You should learn from your Master.
Caller: Thank you, Master Lu.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Vol. 3) Chapter 15
NEGATIVE PREDESTINED AFFINITY GIVES RISE TO IGNORANCE (An Excerpt)
A person with negative predestined affinities would easily become foolish (因缘不好的人得愚痴).
Here’s an example: There’s a woman who always failed in her love relationships. As she gets older, she becomes so foolish that whenever she meets people, she would say, “Please matchmake for me. I wouldn’t mind even if the person is less than ideal”. Don’t you think that’s foolishness? Because of her past negative predestined affinities, she decides that anybody is acceptable to her.
Predestined affinities don’t just refer to the relationship between spouses, but could also refer to one’s relationship with their children, their teachers, their classmates, etc. Now that we have started practising Buddhism, why is it that we still can’t stand the sight of certain people and bear grudges towards others? It all comes down to predestined affinities. When negative predestined affinities come along, ignorance starts to arise.
Wenda20170409A 27:55 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
WHY WILL PEOPLE ACT WITH ‘STUPIDITY’? (An Excerpt)
Caller: Master, you mentioned that “Wisdom comes from the Giving of Dharma,”. May I know what causes a person to be intelligent or stupid?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Both stupidity and intelligence are due to one’s lack of wisdom. Why are animals so stupid? Those ended up in the animal realm are stupid, as they do not have sufficient wisdom to be reborn into the human realm. What about the stupidity in human? It is because they often do animal-like things (经常做畜生的事情). That is why they become stupid. Let me ask you a question: Someone, who often engages in sexual misconduct, is just like an animal and is eventually sent to prison, in consequence. Won’t you call that stupidity?
Caller: Yes, indeed.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Some people are easily swindled out of their money; why are they so stupid? It is because they cheated others in their past lives, and that’s it. Why do you get cheated by others? It is simply because of your greed. What is greed? Greed is the nature of animals, as “animals will die for their pursuit of food” (鸟为食亡); it is the same with human: “People will die for their pursuit of wealth” (人为财死).
Shuohua20180330 06:08 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
BEING A KNOW-IT-ALL WHEN SHARING THE BUDDHIST TEACHINGS WILL BREED IGNORANCE AND INCREASE KARMIC OBSTACLES (An Excerpt)
Caller: During one of the previous radio programs, Master performed Totem reading for a fellow Buddhist practitioner and said that the percentage of his karmic obstacles (业障比例) had been twenty-something, and later, because he seemed to have been sharing Buddhism in Plain Terms or the Buddhist teachings inappropriately, the percentage grew rapidly to over forty. How can this type of situation be avoided? How can it have grown so rapidly?
Master Jun Hong Lu: One should not speak inappropriately. There are two points here: If you share the Buddhist teachings as a know-it-all, you are breeding your ignorance.
Suppose you are speaking to a group of people, sharing some personal insights. However, at that time, your intention is not to seek understanding of the Buddhist teachings, but rather to flaunt your popularity to the young girls and boys in the audience.
This is when pride and arrogance have arisen in your mind. Consequently, you are washed over by ignorance. This is how the percentage of your karmic obstacle increases.
< What is the effect of ignorance? >
Master Jun Hong Lu, Words of Wisdom Volume 1.17
“A fool’s mind is kept in their mouth, while a wise person’s mind is kept within.”
To explain: A foolish person likes to talk recklessly about what they think, whereas a wise person keeps what’s in their mind to themselves without speaking carelessly about it.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Vol. 1) Chapter 42
The outflow of ignorance goes through the mouth (无明，从口漏). Ignorance is all about not being clear about something, causing misconceptions to arise. Improper mental behaviour leads to incidents such as scolding people, telling lies, and things like that. Ignorance causes an outflow from the mouth.
You need to realise that outflows from one’s mouth is a serious matter (嘴巴里漏气很厉害). It is because such outflows are the outflows of your merits and virtues as you create karma of speech. Because you don’t understand, and you hold the incorrect views, that’s why you act irresponsibly and inappropriately articulate your words. It’s verbal karma.
Our mouths are the root causes of disaster. There’s an old Chinese saying: “Trouble comes out of the mouth; illness enters through the mouth.” (祸从口出，病从口入) That’s why you need to pay close attention to your mouth, as it can attract fatal disasters. There’s another proverb that says: “A country can either become prosperous or ruined by just one single sentence.” (一言丧邦，一言兴邦)
Remember: the outflow through the mouth is essentially an outflow of the mind (嘴巴漏，实际是心漏).
Wenda20170917A 46:19 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program) (An Excerpt)
IGNORANCE IN PAST LIFETIMES WILL LEAD TO SPEECH OBSTACLES IN PRESENT LIFE
Master Jun Hong Lu:
If you did many ignorant things in your past lifetimes, you will see many speech obstacles in your life, and you will be unable to speak clearly when trying to articulate a matter, and this will cause you much suffering. Just imagine being unable to eat when you wanted to, if you had to see so many delicious things without having an appetite, would this not be hard to bear?
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Vol. 9) Chapter 9 (An Excerpt)
SLANDERING THE BUDDHIST TEACHINGS OUT OF DEVIANT VIEWS WILL LEAD TO ONE’S DESCENT INTO HELL
Many people try to defame me and I find this ridiculous; yet at the same time, I feel sorry for them. First of all, it’s their ignorance that is ridiculous. If you defame others, you are simply shooting yourself in the foot, as many people will look down on you. One’s evil acts will ultimately cause them to descend into the hell realm.
I think of how pitiful these people are. After their descend into hell, I have no way of saving them. These thoughts, once again, bring forth waves of compassion in me. If you attack others, you will certainly end up inflicting harm upon yourself. To use a modern phrase, this is to say that every force you apply will have an opposite reactive force (反作用力), and this is the force that comes back to harm you.
Buddhism in Plain Terms (Vol. 1) Chapter 1
UNDERGOING REBIRTH IN THE ANIMAL REALM
A foolish and ignorant person knows only how to amass wealth or cause harm, with no intention to help others. In the future, such a person will be reborn as an animal. And as animals are attached to their own forms, they will then continue to undergo rebirth in the animal realm. To be foolish and ignorant is to be devoid of wisdom.
< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享