In reference to the #3 question from Nov. 21 weeks ago:
3. Is happiness just at the physical level?
~> There are different levels of happiness, but for ordinary people, they only consider the abundance of external materials, thinking that having these basic materials is equivalent to obtaining happiness.
~> They are not yet considering higher-level happiness, such as the happiness of achieving meditation, the happiness of saving sentient beings, or the happiness of liberating troubles.
1a. Does this sentence structure alline with stages of the path:
• Meditation • Bodhisattva• Enlightenment
~> I will present it as below diagram:
1b. A member of the group was hoping we could read articles on Happiness. We talked about happiness a lot and we wondered how to achieve it ....
~>The fundamental idea of Buddhism be situated in
to escape suffering and attain happiness
Therefore, each of the big and small topics in the book not only provide us with the correct concept of happiness, but also hope that we will practice and apply them in order to gain the happiness from our hearts gradually.
~> Since the fundamental topic of Buddhism is not separated from happiness, I hope that everyone in the book club will not forget to link their “reading gains” to the exploration of happiness in each meeting. Here are also some famous quotes about happiness to share with you:
To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him. (Buddha)
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. (Buddha)
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. (Buddha)
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. (Dalai Lama)
Happiness is when “what you think, what you say, and what you do” are in harmony. (Mahatma Gandhi)
Verse 46 in The Way to Buddhahood:
One should give willingly and in ways that are beneficial to others,
Having compassion or respect in different circumstances.
There are differences in attitudes, in the fields of good fortune, and in the substances given,
And accordingly there are differences in the levels of merits.
2. In reading about the two fields Compassion and Respect (in modern day) Are there more fields now? Did the Buddha mention these fields in a specific teaching?
~> Farmer plowing is one of the common themes in both the Āgamas Sūtras and the Pāli Canon. Good farmland is the basic condition to guarantee the harvest. Therefore, the Buddha often used it as a metaphor for spiritual practice, even in the practice of Giving.
~> The field of Respect and the field of Compassion, are the most basic definitions, which are divided from one's own capabilities. Some people are better than us in abilities and other aspects, and we treat them with Respect; while there are others whose living conditions or physical conditions are inferior to ours, and we should empathize them with Compassion. Therefore, initiating from our own condition, people who are better than us become our field of Respect, and those who encounter more difficulties than us become our field of Compassion.
~> In later commentaries, we did see different classification, as follows (sources: Digital Dictionary of Buddhism):
The three kinds of fields producing happiness, with lists varying according to the source: (1) respect 敬田, (2) gratitude 恩田, and (3) compassion 悲田.
The eight fields for cultivating blessedness 福田: buddhas 佛田; saints 聖人田; monks/nuns 僧田; preaching monks (upâdhyāya) 和尙田; teachers (ācārya) 闍黎田; father 父田; mother 母田; the sick 病田.
Buddhas, saints, and monks/nuns are termed reverence-fields 敬田; the sick are compassion-fields 悲田; the rest are grace- or gratitude- fields 恩田. 〔梵網經 T 1484.24.1007a15〕
Another group is : to make roads and wells 曠路作井 (曠野美井); canals and bridges 建造橋樑 (水路橋梁); repair dangerous roads 平治嶮路; be dutiful to parents 孝養父母; support monks 供養沙門; tend the sick 給事病人(供養病人); save from disaster or distress 救濟貧窮 (救濟死難); provide for a dharma-equality assembly 設無遮會. 〔梵網經古迹記 HBJ 3.462a1; T 1815.40.710c1〕
Another group is : making offerings to the serving the Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and Saṃgha; parents; the monks as teachers; the poor; the sick; and animals.
3. In relation to other religions ....Is there a special property of giving in Buddhism?
~> Poverty can easily cause a person to lose his moral bottom line and act in violation of law and discipline, which not only affects others but also hurts oneself.
~> To eradicate poverty, most people think of earning more money in order to accumulate wealth. However, the Buddha instructs us to cultivate charity, and the act of Giving & Sharing is the best way to cultivate a charitable mind.
~> At the same time, being charitable can also subdue people's greed and stinginess, and make mental health more healthy.
~> If you have noticed the layout of this book, we will study the topic of generosity twice, once in the third chapter (verse 45-47), and then in the fifth chapter (verse 124-129). Why do we have to talk about generosity twice and separately?
~> In the third chapter, the main target learners come from people who have just started to learn about Buddhism. Their general concern is still the world's materials, wealth and enjoyment of life. At this stage, if they can establish the right view of generosity, and reduce their greed and stinginess through giving & sharing, it is already a very good achievement.
~> As for the discussion of generosity again in Chapter 5, it is different. The learner is no longer a beginner in Buddhism, but a person who knows how to practice. Greed and stingy are relatively weak, or it can be said that greed will no longer arise so easily. When this type of people re-examine the issue of generosity, they are no longer trying to subdue the troubles of greed, nor to increase more wealth (external material enjoyment), but hope to enhance their wisdom through Giving & Sharing. Therefore, the generosity discussed in Chapter 5 will be related to the truth of emptiness. They hope that through generosity, they can have a better and deeper experience in their spiritual practice.
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