Do not hate people who harm us

"He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered me, he robbed me." Those who harbor such thoughts do not still their hatred.

• Dhammapada Verse 3 (Yamakavagga)
  

Commentary by Jerome:

If one keeps feeling hurt by others and bears aversion towards his aggressors, hatred does not cease. Only with forgiveness and a broad compassionate mind can we overcome aversion and hatred. In fact, these problems arise so that we can learn to overcome them! We should be grateful for being given such a splendid opportunity!

Author:

Jerome is a Buddhist practitioner that has learnt from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions and is still learning! He first learnt meditation and Dharma from Theravadan monks and practitioners in the lineage of the Arahant Venerable Amatha Gavesi Maha Thero from Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. Then, he completed a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali College in 2016. He also learnt from Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian (85th Zen Patriach) from the LingJi lineage in Taiwan in 2014 - 2015.  Subsequently, he learnt from Garchen Rinpoche from the Drigar Thubten Dargye Ling tradition (Tibetan) and attended annual Om Mani Padme Hum and Om Ami Dewa Hrih retreats from 2015 till date. Currently, he is a disciple of Master Jin Bodhi (Mahayana) from Bodhi Meditation in Singapore and is an active volunteer there. Master Jin Bodhi is his main Dharma teacher. Jerome feels that Buddhism is not a religion but is a practical way to reduce our life's problems. The essence of Buddhism is not in the books or sutras but in the way we apply it into our lives. Having understood some aspects of Buddha's teaching, he wants to give back to the society and hopes to share his insights with everyone who has the affinity with him.

Happiness follows one with a pure mind

“Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts, happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow.”

• Dhammapada Verse 2 (Yamakavagga)

Commentary by Jerome:

• Do not look down on small virtuous acts. All positive speech, actions and thoughts generated by a pure mind accumulates positive karma (volition) that produces favourable conditions in future!
• Do more good deeds (however small) on a daily basis.

Hatred does not cease with hatred

"He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered me, he robbed me." Those who harbor such thoughts do not still their hatred."

- Dhammapada Verse 3 (Yamakavagga)

Commentary by Jerome:

- If one keeps feeling hurt by others and bear aversion towards his aggressors, hatred does not cease. 

- Only with forgiveness and a broad compassionate mind can we overcome aversion and hatred.

Do not look down on small virtuous acts!

"The Venerable Moggallana inquired the devas what meritorous acts had they done which led them to their rebirth in a celestial realm. They mentioned small acts involving virtues such as honesty, patience and generosity."

- The Dhammapada (By Buddha)


Commentary by Ada:

Do good in our thoughts, speech and actions everyday in our daily activities. Consistent acts of goodness will bring us ease of mind, happiness, good health and wisdom (since we are free from negative emotions!). Doing good is also like being a touch of lamp, our kindness will light up the hearts and minds of others - bringing them joy, hope and love. And when they pay it forward and help others, our world will be a much more better place to live in. Conversely, small acts of bad deeds can multiply a million times in the other direction as well.

Cheers to a happier, healthier and better you and a more beautiful world 😊

Photo Credits:
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Mind is chief

“Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts, suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of the ox.”

 -      Dhammapada Verse 1 (Yamakavagga)

Commentary by Jerome:

All emotions are mind-made. All happiness are mind-made. Similarly, all suffering are mind-made. If you choose to be impure, suffering follows. If you choose to have a pure mind, happiness follows. The ball lies in your hands. You have absolute freedom to choose your destiny. 

What does the Buddha teach?

“ Avoid Evil.

Do Good.

Purify the Mind

This is the teaching of all Buddhas.”

The Buddha (Dhammapada 183)

Commentary by Jerome:

Avoid Evil means abstain from greed, hatred and delusion. These 3 evils are omnipresent in our world and difficult to abstain from. These can manifest in our thought, speech and actions. For example, one may be angry at someone. The hateful thought in itself is bad, the hateful speech and acts that result are more obvious.

Do Good means the reverse of the 3 evils. Non-greed, non-hatred and wisdom. Generosity is different from non-greed. One can be generous but the intention may be wrong. For example, one donates because he wants to get fame and tax rebates. This is still greed! Not all generous people are not greedy. Hence, it is the intention while giving is very important.

Purify the mind means to meditate and clean the mind of defilements. We go beyond doing good but to also remove our defilements. The ten defilements are self-illusion, doubts, indulgence in wrongful rites and ceremonies, attachment to 5 senses, hatred, attachment to rupa jhanas, attachment to arupa jhanas, conceit, restlessness and ignorance.