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~ SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA ~ "And whatsoever people do, whether in the world or as a recluse, let them put their whole heart into it. Let them be committed and energetic, and if they have to struggle, let them do it without envy or hatred. Let them live not a life of self but a life of truth, and in that way bliss will enter their hearts." ~ o Majjhima Nikaya o ~

Thank you, and welcome to TDB Glad to assist where possible. Is there any school or tradition that you particularly resonate with? Perhaps, when you have a bit of time, you could list out the names of a handful of teachers whose quotes are found on this thread - that will give me an idea what to recommend. Will help to know also what's your current practice, and what brought you here. Be well @SongShuhang

emptiness dancing dainty ballerinas twirl life's a pirouette

~ MAITREYA BUDDHA ~ The suffering created by the powerful does not disappear at death. The guilt follows them in life after life, even to the point of madness. But the good shed pain like a snake's skin, as layer after layer falls away with spiritual realization. I look through the darkness of matter, and see the shining spirit within. I am the sun that draws the flower from its seed.

Maybe Russia & a handful of other countries are the only ones reporting factual cases. Its possible. Was thinking about this last night, and it dawned on me that US & the UK must have had significant cases showing around January or even earlier but deflected their responsibility to act with urgency, not because of ignorance as some claimed, but rather on purpose. Its the only away they can scapegoat China the way they are doing now, with UK reportedly announcing they are seeking damages to the tune of something like £360 billion for China's failure to promptly notify the international community of the severity of the outbreak. This is nonsense of course.

There's quite a difference between people becoming fearful/resentful of visiting Chinatown and this.... https://beingasianaustralian.net/2020/04/08/covid-19-racism-in-australia-making-asian-australians-stunned-confused-and-fearful/?fbclid=IwAR35ikmthE7K4FaeIVQdwDuTnf0vUZ6rtncZUC0OP82EpQrzGub_8HfkoKg

This is exactly the narrative coming out of the White House, but as of this period, despite the massive movement of mainlanders in and out of Russia throughout all the time before border restrictions were enforced, it just seems odd that the Russian figures are suggesting some sort of anomaly. Im disinclined to believe that all of sudden, in the run up to the lunar new year, the hordes of Chinese travellers suddenly decided to avoid Russia in favour of all these other countries you cited above. Its more like patchwork than anything else when looking at the overall spread on a map with Russia very much a standalone in terms of (low) infection activity. Could be they cooked the books, but a quick glance at Moscow Times confirms the low numbers, although this does not mean Russia is not doing what China is being accused of. As an aside, no thanks to Trump's xenophobic rhetoric, Australia, the UK and Im sure the US as well are reporting spikes in race-hate crimes fuelled by echoes from the man himself. Another major Trump bungle: (multiple sources reported the above)

It could well be earlier than November even. There's reports citing the engineering of this superbug began way back in 2003/04. And why have Russia been seeing such low numbers despite it being a top attraction to Chinese visitors/tourists? 2019 saw 1.5 million mainlanders passing thru Russian borders. This is enough to debunk Trump's claim that it was the Chinese who spread the bug globally during the run-up to the lunar new year.

As late as December 2019?

Ya, stubborn stains need stronger detergents.

For stubborn obstacles, the invocation of the wrathful aspect of Vajrayana deity Singdoma the lion-faced dakini is recommended. Her mantra is supreme in the face of evil oppression (both as protection, and also as a form of exorcism prayer), and can also be adapted for assuaging difficult situations in general. Opening the practice: Glorious adamantine Goddess, Wrathful female with lion’s face, Whose fire of Gnosis emanates light-rays, Lion-faced Goddess – to You I bow. Mantra: AH KHA SAMA-RANZA SHANDA-RASA MARAYA PHAT Prayer: Wrathful Singdoma! Because of the force and power of the recitation of your Mantra, Let enemies who torment us teachers, pupils and attendants, hindering spirits who harm us, obstructive conditions, and in short, every enduring inauspiciousness, be turned back! Host of blazing wrathful females! Smash into dust-motes the body and speech Of all the nature of hindering foes, And release their consciousness in Dharma-Dhatu! Through recitation of your mantra, Let me quell all injury, Achieve my aims just as I wish, And spread the Doctrine in teaching and practice! *PHAT pronounced 'Putt'

~ HEART ESSENCE OF THE DAKINI ~ Presence and Clarity When you look towards a thought, the thought itself disappears. Who is watching disappears at the same time. After everything has disappeared, your experience and presence are quite clear, and this means that this state is not like unconsciousness. It says here that this clarity is like a shining sun - there is no need to add anything else, it is self-clear to the practitioner. What is this presence ? It is prior to intellect, and nondescript. so when we say it is 'clear' that doesn't allude to seeing things clearly. Neither can you compare it to the sun shining or to electric light; don't think it is clear in that sense. The presence is very clear to the practitioner who has the experience. It says here: 'Don't expect to add anything or find any other place which is clear. ' For example, if you light up a lamp you don't need to add any other light to see it - the lamp itself is clear. So that means that this clarity is not comparable to any other clarity; it is self-clear, or clear to a practitioner who understands this presence. You have to understand this. This is not like ordinary clarity as there are no judgements whatsoever because it is not influenced by perception or consciousness. It is like a crystal ball; all kinds of visions and reflections appear when you look into a crystal ball, but the ball itself doesn't change. That is similar. It is clear and shining but it cannot be explained. That is the example for how reflections come from the Nature without changing the Nature itself. This presence is called Nature, and Nature is like the crystal ball - many reflections can come from there, they appear there, yet there is no change to the Nature itself.

Good question, and one that has persisted as a matter worthy of contemplation because there seems to be many layers to the concept, and the premise you posed is certainly valid and applicable to some, although im not entirely sure of the precise dynamics involved where this projection happens in such a way so that one's inner connection is temporarily diverted/deflected to what I assume to be an external entity, for eg, a living guru. Nonetheless, it happens. Noticeably too. Some teachers have said this is a misunderstanding, and if one begins to sense something is off, remedial action is needed to check it back to its proper course. According to the same teachers, the correct approach to grasping the essence of the true meaning of refuge-taking is to first understand that the ultimate source of refuge is none other than one's own intrinsic perfection, or perfected potential (Tathagatagarbha - the embryo of the Tatagatha). Maintaining this clarity is vital. Otherwise one can be misled or deceived by some spurious 'teachers' who prey on the naivete of students. One must always be free and confident to surrender the false ego without feeling vulnerable. Some aspects to consider with regards to refuge-taking - - In the main, I'd say that it engenders devotion, nurtures trust, strengthens commitment and conviction -- done correctly, this dissolves aggression and allows humility to gradually take root. The conscious effort of taking refuge checks the ego at the door each time its undertaken as an entry into formal practice sessions, and in the tradition that I'm familiar with, this is considered a worthy & virtuous undertaking as Aversion (giving rise to anger, hatred and pride) is recognised as one of the 3 poisons that can potentially create harmful obstacles for a practitioner. The other two being Delusion and Attachment, as you'd likely already know.

you would know retarded. Even your shadow's handicapped. lol

coochy coo you're so cute when whining Oh look! You dropped your rubber nipple.. No wonder you're such a cockwombler (thats actually a word. look it up lol)

And you, noob, are already in nice company. Enjoy it while it lasts.

More cockwombling from a total noob lol

Haha stop fooling yourself with your penchant for cockwombling.

Haha you're the biggest cockwomble in the history of TDB! A magnificent embarrassment to yourself and those you keep following around and 'liking' like a lost puppy with a drool problem. *on second thoughts, make that the 2nd biggest COCKWOMBLE on TDB.

Perhaps its because we live in different countries.

Why would you want to show such anger and bitterness openly? This seems to be something you've been carrying with you for a long time. Quite silly, imo to be lugging around such a heavy baggage, but hey, its your life... not trying to tell you how to live it. It just seems quite pointless, but that too depends on your personal journey. Again, this is entirely your path. Your choice how you want to walk it. Tell me to bugger off and I will.

Have you studied or taken refuge under this guru then? Im still unsure how you formed the opinion that he's fake, unless by virtue of your deference to Ultimate Truth being the only true guru implies that all human gurus are therefore fake? Anatta is neither entirely correct nor incorrect, imo. Its simply an aspect of existence where individual investigation is necessary so as to unravel its meaning and nature. Even then, no two persons will share identical anatta realizations, although they may both recognize the same path leading to it.

But then you used the term 'fake' to describe this guru. Do you know many of his followers/close disciples to make that assessment count as valid? So correct me if im wrong about the last statement: Are you separating Ultimate Truth as an independent entity? Whats your definition of Ultimate Truth?

Even if he's 50% fake, that would mean he's authentic half the time. How does this influence the content of the video?

Is being a mainstream spiritual brand a criteria for determining a guru's authenticity? I have my own ideas, but would like to hear what others think in this regard - what qualifies a guru as authentic? Or mainstream, for that matter. Is Mother Meera considered mainstream? Is she regarded as authentic? What about Amma? These are sincere questions.