Is there a way to reduce pain, affliction, obstacles, and stress while increasing joy, health, wisdom, and vitality? Let’s listen to Grandmaster JinBodhi as he delivers a dharma teaching to increase joy and health in life.
Meditation is More Effective in Improving Health
Please raise your hand if you are here for the first time. Those who have never practiced Bodhi Meditation, please raise your hand. Also, those who are not ill, raise your hand. Don’t be shy. Why are you smiling at me? Are you ill or not? Why are you excited to say you are ill? I asked this question earlier because I would really like to understand. Living a healthy, happy, and long life is not easy. This goal is what I promote and pursue.
When I was young, I had poor health. From the time I was born, I was ill all the time. That is how my childhood was spent. At about 7 or 8 years old, I followed my master and started my cultivation; I learned meditation, esoteric dharma, Energy Bagua, and martial arts. That is what made up my training. I found that the seemingly simple and calm methods produced greater health benefits. As for sports, I have done many, such as running, long-distance biking, and Shaolin fist martial arts. Those methods are not as effective as the methods in which we move less. For example, Energy Bagua requires slow movement; there is not much action. It is quite effective. For standing, sitting, or even kneeling to chant and visualize, those are the most effective, in my opinion. I have studied and tried many methods to come to such an understanding.
In experiencing these practices, my physical changes have become evident; I have become healthier. You take your meds when you are ill, and you stop taking them when you are well. But meditation is different; it is like an ocean that is endless, never reaching the shore. During certain periods, you may realize that some health issues or mental afflictions can be easily resolved through meditation. Or perhaps you haven’t thought of any solution to your problems, but they just disappear. There are many such cases. Thus, the more I learn, the more I realize that practice is like the “sea of wisdom” mentioned in legends: It is boundless, infinite, and immeasurable. So I keep learning and cannot stop. I dive into its depths. I practice daily. I have experienced all sorts of emotional upheavals, time and again.
One day, I felt that my world suddenly brightened, as if a cloudy sky had cleared. Initially, there was a crack through which light shone. Later, the crack got bigger and bigger. Eventually, the sky was completely clear and bright. When I was looking at the sky and the Universe again, it seemed transparent and clear. Since then, I have experienced quite a lot. And since then, I have been repeatedly entering those meditative states in which I can see those who are ill as I once was.
There are still many people who are suffering. There are also many suffering from poverty. I have felt all their suffering. It may come from my understanding of compassion. When compassion became a part of me, I came to feel pity for those who suffer. Later, a vow arose: I hope I teach all the methods I have learned to people who grew up suffering from pain, illnesses, and afflictions. The Buddhist sutras say: Teach those destined to learn.
Once I made this vow, I sought opportunities to prepare myself. Then I began research on what to teach and to whom, and how to divide the teachings into levels. I researched thoroughly and made plans. Then I started spreading dharma, from 1991 till today. Now many people are learning my dharma; it has been spread to many countries. I am experimenting at every step; can people with different religious beliefs learn my dharma? I tried it on them, with good results. Can Caucasians, such as Europeans or Westerners, practice? I tried it with them. Yes, they can. The results are great. Can people from India, the birthplace of Buddhism, learn these practices too? Yes, they can. Check out our website. In the States and Canada, many Indian immigrants have come to learn at our centers, and they have become very happy. Their physical health has improved significantly. People of various races, ethnicities, and religions have come to us, and they have all achieved one thing — health.
That encourages me tremendously to teach and benefit more people. Also, like me, after many people benefited from our dharma, they became volunteers, continuing their practice and serving others. As their cultivation status is gradually elevating, their intelligence and dharma power may become stronger. Many of them go abroad to spread dharma. Here, in a few short years, many have joined us just to help others. I am pleased with this, but I am still anxious. There are so many people in the world, how many can get this dharma?
Of course, many of you just learned it today; you don’t know much about it. Some may wonder: Is it necessary to spread it? Well, maybe it is. Let’s wait ten days to discuss how we feel, and how we have benefited. Whether we have benefited or not, let’s have a discussion in ten days.
Meditation Reduces Afflictions, but Increases Happiness, Life Energy, Wisdom, and Good Friends
Let me give you a rough summary. In this learning process, some things may reduce gradually, while some other things may increase. For instance, illnesses become less and less, as do afflictions. Worries and obstructions diminish. What else? Pressures from work and life reduce. There are countless pressures. What increases? Happiness increases. So does life energy, wisdom, and good friends.
Not knowing how to make friends is caused by intelligence level or personality. When we have no wisdom, we don’t know how to face our family, so we quarrel constantly. Working with our colleagues for seven days, it’d be strange if we didn’t have arguments. You would feel irritated. Right? You get upset and cause others to be upset too. You dislike your job, which you strived to get. After getting the hard-earned job, you cannot get along well with your colleagues, and you want to escape. You would rather not earn money and quit the job because of your afflictions. After you have escaped from ten companies, where else can you flee? No matter what, you need a job. You need to mingle. In other words, afflictions will diminish. During our cultivation, when we are awakened or enlightened, everything will begin to transform. You will make more friends.
Many people have no friends; in such cases, they may encounter more afflictions. If you have more friends, you will have more joy. Just imagine: No matter what job you do, with good interrelationships, say, if you are a salesperson, what will happen to you? You will earn more money. You will sell more products. If you want an intimate relationship, you know how to deal with others, then it is easy to marry. A lot of people are in their 30s or 40s and remain single.
Many have never had a companion. Some look really good, but have never had a partner. Why? They are like bombs when they’re with others, exploding at the slightest touch. People flee from them. They wear poisonous thorns and scare people off. People with such issues are unaware of them, and they always blame others, believing others are the problem. They think of themselves as superior. They are not superior; they don’t know how to behave. Thus, I kindly remind you: You need to learn management in life.
Some say: I am not suitable for doing business. It is not about managing a business. No matter what you do in life, you need to manage yourself well. Do that and your life will be smooth sailing. Your life will be controlled by you. You will have friends all over the world. Then you will realize the benefits of having many friends, just like what is described in Louis Cha’s novels, that you can have free food wherever you go. That is a good deal. I like it. I dislike going to Bodhi disciples’ own restaurants, and they don’t offer me any discount. It makes me most disappointed. So whenever I go out, I get prepared by packing some bread into my bag. Then I eat it in front of the disciples’ restaurant. No need for a discount. I will not do business with them. Anyone here own a restaurant? Raise you hand. Ok, if you are willing, we can exchange phone numbers. Alright. Good.
So in your lifetime, you need to learn to manage yourselves well. Manage your family and intimate relationship well. If you have children, manage your children well. If you don’t manage them well, you will find yourselves raising wolves; that is a lot of trouble. Also, your relationships with your parents, colleagues, and relatives, you need to manage well. I believe more than half of all people are troubled by interpersonal relationships, including with their parents.
Those who have had afflictions, and those presently afflicted, please raise your hand. Alright, I cannot bear to watch. Everyone has afflictions. Some are afflicted by some of our family members for various reasons. Then, communication becomes a problem. The real issue is that we don’t understand others. Those who understand the language of animals can order animals to do things for them. For instance, monkey trainers can teach monkeys to pick fruit, right? Or even let them do massage, scraping, and cupping to you. If you can communicate, animals can do things for you. As a human, communicating with humans is easier. With good communication and interrelationships, many things will be completely different.
Many of our afflictions arise from interrelationships. After some practice, we will develop charisma and improve our communication skills. You will feel happy doing the same job you once hated. When it comes to your family, they are people who you cannot change. Your father can get a new wife, but you cannot get a new mother when you feel like it. You have to face reality. How? Do you want to learn? (Yes.) Practice diligently. Many of you might become healthier and have better relationships. You will know it when you go back to apply it. Due to genetic or environmental reasons, people might distance themselves from others. Like the stay-at-home youngsters or the stay-at-home grandmas. When we mention “stay-at-home,” we are not just talking about young unmarried people. Many seniors are also always indoors feeling depressed. In such cases, there will be some changes through practice. The changes I have mentioned are not medical. In fact, the effect arises from methods.
After being trained in certain methods, even monkeys can work for people. Thus, dharma is so important. How many of you cook at home? Raise your hand, please. Do you need methods to cook? Methods are necessary. Even if I have practiced well, I still need methods to cook. Before stir-frying, I would pick the vegetables, then wash and cut them, then fry in oil. They need time to cook. Seasoning comes last. That is how they become tasty and edible, right? Does anyone just toss the ingredients in the pan without washing or processing? Maybe pigs can accept that, but I think even urban pigs nowadays will not eat that, let alone humans. They want well-prepared food. So methods are very important.
If you are a doctor, and you prescribe for your patient carelessly, can this patient be saved? He would be dead. Taking the wrong medication could kill you. All things need methods. The right medication for the right illness. Take the correct medication, depending on your sickness. Prescribe accordingly, that is how it is done. When our methods, behavior, and attitude are correct, good results occur. If methods are wrong, the results are poor. If you understand this, then apply it to different aspects. Everything will work fine.
Negative Emotions Are Destructive to Health
Buddhadharma and meditation are the methods that are applicable to many aspects of life. Such compatibility is a special feature of Buddhadharma and meditation. People might be here to get healthy. Speaking of interpersonal relationships and health, do you think they are related? What do you think? (Yes.) Because many illnesses are caused by afflictions. When you quarrel with people, you often feel something inside you is blocked. When I was young, I saw a lady in her 50s quarreling with another lady who spoke fast, and her words were sharp and harsh. Right then and there, the 50-year-old lady that was originally standing, fainted from anger. She stayed in the hospital for seven or eight days. If it had happened in ancient times, she could have died from anger. Thus, emotions, anger, afflictions, and sorrow are harmful.
Has anyone heard about or seen movies, old or recent, that showed someone’s hair turning gray overnight from worries and afflictions? Do you believe it is true? (Yes.) When your hair is black, dyeing it white would be difficult. So imagine your hair turning white overnight naturally, how much pain and negative energy there is inside that could have killed you. It is not time for you to die yet. The physical impact brought about by mental afflictions is excruciatingly painful. You cannot die, even if you want to. You must live on, but you have no way out of the extreme pressure. Then your hair turns white overnight because of such torture.
In China, there was a singing contest. One of the competitors sang very well, a male singer who was quite good-looking. He had long hair and wore a ponytail. His hair was completely snow-white. The host asked, “Your face doesn’t look that old. You sing so well, but your hair is all white. Were you born with white hair?” He replied, “No.” He told his story: About 15 years ago, he was cheated by his business partner who ran away with all the money. All the money had been borrowed by the singer from his friends and the banks; he had no money to return. When this happened, his hair turned completely white overnight. His singing captured a world of pain. It was heart-wrenching. Our mental stress and pain is actually no smaller than our physical illness or issues. If we are relaxed, free, and at ease mentally, it directly benefits our physical health. Mental and physical health or illness are interrelated and react to each other. Sad people are prone to lose their appetite. Angry people are prone to liver illnesses, heart attack, and stroke.
What else? What other emotional issues? If you are very happy, can you contract illness? (Yes.) Happiness makes people sick? It is the first time I have heard that. Who has ever got sick because of joking too much? Usually, happiness and laughter will not make people ill. But all negative emotions will cause one to be sick. Much of our physical illness has mental causes. In order to gain health, we will learn methods of personal conduct and how to handle matters. Then we can become healthier.
In the following days, please calm down to practice. Since you are here already, learn to relax and liberate yourself. Some people, no matter how old they are, have never taken a few days off to rest. They always worry, whether they’re at work or not. Relax your mind for a few days. Just relax yourself. Emotions or mental stress make one ill. Your hands may shake when you are in the presence of many strangers. If your hands are always trembling, something is wrong. If one is always nervous, one will be sick. Relax yourself.
I look forward to your transformation. I hope you, physically and mentally, become more transparent, purer and purer. (Got it.) With a transparent, pure body and mind, one is most healthy. Meditation helps us gain energy and health, and reduce affliction and illness.
Do’s and Don’ts During a Meditation Retreat
Again, a few reminders for you. For the next few days, let’s try to eat a vegetarian diet. If you are married, then skip the intimacy part within this period. You know what I mean, right? So, try not to eat meat for the next few days. Any questions about this? (No.) Last time, two Fujianese practitioners asked me: Master, is it OK to eat dried shrimp? I told them no. One said, “In our local temple, the monks will eat dried shrimp. It is our local custom.” Dried shrimp is still shrimp. You cannot deny that it is meat. If you insist on denying it, I will be angry. It is a rough idea of what I mean. You don’t have to be a vegan. But during this period, try to be a vegetarian. Because our stomach has never rested since birth. Every day it has had a heavy workload, right? You have holidays or rest days, but your stomach never rests. So let’s eat something light, less heavy, and less oily. This way our stomach and intestines can have a rest. During practice over these days, some will begin fasting, which means no hunger despite not eating.
Those who haven’t had this experience will find it so miraculous. “No eating? I would starve to death if I don’t eat for three days. I would feel dizzy if I don’t eat for one day. If I skip the three meals for a day, I will not be able to stand up.” Give it a try. You don’t eat, but you will not starve or thirst to death; you will not be hungry at all. How can you get such an effect? Through energy gained during your practice. Don’t ask where the energy comes from. It is inexplicable. Through your practice, you gain energy. You will not be hungry despite not eating. Your entire body and mind will be purified. Let them have a good rest.
Also, those who want to lose weight will quickly slim down during practice. No meat is the first requirement. The second is not eating too much. Eating as usual should be fine, but don’t overeat. For many, they eat till they cannot stuff in another bite. That is not feeling full, but that is reckless eating. They eat without a clear mind. For clear-minded eating and weight loss, I have a simple method which is surely effective in application. Do you want to learn it? (Yes.) If you don’t, I will not talk about it. (Yes.) Who wants to lose weight? Raise your hand, please. Raise your hand if you want to lose weight. At mealtimes, prepare yourself a bowl. How big? About the size of the rice bowl used in restaurants. In Northern China, they were called “big teacups.” So they shouldn’t be too big. For us, with Easterners’ body size, one such bowl of rice is enough. If I eat that amount, plus some veggies, I would be full. Surely, it is enough for you. That is the most you eat. So get an appropriate bowl and carry it in your bag all the time. It is better if it is a metal one, and it is shatterproof. It can hold both rice and soup, right? At certain times, it may even protect you. The bowl is used to fix the amount you eat. After finishing one bowl, no refills. You are allowed to mix your foods, but the amount cannot exceed one bowl. Don’t eat until you are too full.
First, we need to control the amount of food. There is another method for losing weight. Our long-time practitioners all know it. First thing in the morning, drink a glass of water. It can be warm water or at room temperature like the tap water in summer. One glass is about half of a mineral-water bottle. Drink the glass of water upon waking, use the bowl at mealtimes to control your food intake, and commit to practice; then it is normal to lose about seven to eight pounds in twelve days. Of course it depends on how much you weigh too. Heavier people could lose more. How much exactly can you lose? I don’t know. But surely, it is impossible not to lose any. So all those who have lost weight owe me a meal, OK? (OK.) Treat me to something like Taiwanese rice noodles or pungent tofu, OK? I am not picky. Now that you realize this is a good deal, you are all very happy.
The third requirement is to not scold others. No matter how bad your family members are, try not to scold or curse, OK? Stay strong and tell yourself: “I am compassionate.” Though you are very bad, assume you are a compassionate person, OK? Don’t scold others or be emotional. Don’t be angry. Because once negative emotions arise, silly actions or words often follow, making others unhappy and yourself sick; it is bad if you are wishing for good health. If you want to be healthy, scold less and eat less. Don’t stay at home doing nothing. The cause of many people gaining weight is staying still after meals. Then food is accumulating in their body. It is like a mountain of garbage; originally it was a pit, but it becomes a mountain. People always stuff themselves with food that cannot be excreted.
During the last retreat here, when a female practitioner came to the back door, I was worried that she couldn’t fit through it. She was also worried about it. But now she can get through any door. She has become slim. People in this class all know her. She has also become confident. Now she is a beautiful lady, very pretty. These are things you should note. Heed the advice. At the beginning, you are not used to the practice. Be persistent. Keep practicing diligently. Without methods, there will not be a result. With methods and time, there will be a result. Give yourself twelve days. Practice diligently with determination. Make up your mind to do so, alright? (Alright.) So don’t overeat, OK? (OK.)
Don’t eat meat. And don’t scold people or get mad. Also, think of yourself as compassionate. Also, don’t steal. Don’t do this: When you see someone’s water bottle, you drink some water from it when others don’t notice. Be careful of infectious diseases. Don’t behave like that. Roughly, that is it. Many haven’t truly practiced. Whichever religion or dharma school you have been to, if you haven’t truly practiced with a proper method, it doesn’t matter if you are a converted disciple or not, you will not gain health or wisdom. Only with right methods will results ensue. After you have practiced for a while, you will surely become a very healthy, wise, happy, and positive person.
This is what I want. Alright. That is all. Thank you, everybody! Be determined about meditating, and you shall obtain joy and health.
