Hi all, this has became a dilemma for me.

My initial plan is to quit the present job in January to attend a four month retreat (one in Feb and another one from March to June). However, I’m afraid that I couldn’t get a job due to the recent economy crisis after the 4 months retreat.  I have to repay school my school loan as such and I do not want to cause worries for my parents.

The three month retreat is probably the last of his retreat as the teacher might be retiring. I find it a rare opportunity to be able to attend two retreats by two good meditation teachers in a time period of four months.

However, life is uncertain. Economy is uncertain. Death is uncertain. I don’t know if I would let go of such opportunity or should I wait for another chances to come.

hmmmmmm

i have just fully paid my school loan, it have burden me for long long time, i feel so relieved now, just saw the loan number accumulating, the loan interest is too high 4.75% annually

First I would like to say that I admire you for your willingness to quit your job for a retreat.  As a buddhist, I would think that it is very important to go for a good retreat, esp. one which is probably going to be the last.  Moreover, everything in life is actually pre-destined.  Whether you can get a job in the future is already pre-determined.  How much you're going to earn, who you are going to meet etc have already been decided.

However, as a working adult, I can understand your dilemma.  Also, we should try to make all sentient beings happy, esp. your parents, so don't make them worry too much also.  Follow your heart!

Whatever your decision, after you've made it, leave any regrets behind.  We should always abide by the true Buddhist's way of non-abiding.

This is the greatest financial crisis we have faced in many generations and perhaps many generations to come.

If you quit your job now it sure ain't easy to get another one.

I heard that Singapore companies are going to start to retrench soon.

If you want to go retreat perhaps you can go for a shorter one.

This is just a suggestion, of course ultimately its your descision.

Originally posted by Rick555:

First I would like to say that I admire you for your willingness to quit your job for a retreat.  As a buddhist, I would think that it is very important to go for a good retreat, esp. one which is probably going to be the last.  Moreover, everything in life is actually pre-destined.  Whether you can get a job in the future is already pre-determined.  How much you're going to earn, who you are going to meet etc have already been decided.

However, as a working adult, I can understand your dilemma.  Also, we should try to make all sentient beings happy, esp. your parents, so don't make them worry too much also.  Follow your heart!

Whatever your decision, after you've made it, leave any regrets behind.  We should always abide by the true Buddhist's way of non-abiding.

I agree with you about whatever your decision, if you made it don't leave any regrets behind.

However, it's not true that everything is pre-destined.

 I am sorry if it sound blunt .

there is a friend of mine who encounter a staunch christian HR interviewer wasnt so pleased with the word "retreat"

She feel that retreat = do nothing ,mean no marketable value in resume ,so my friend didnt clinch the dream job

The world is cruel not like what many merry-go-lucky ppl make it out to be

My dream job for interview at Xilinx ,,AMD,Epson , Infineon , St Engineering and UOB ,OCBC,MOE never come true .

Thats y i so fed up and give up pursuing a dream ..

dun be a worker ,be a boss and a leader of your own destiny !!!!

 

It boils back to how u see Buddhism .Many of our Parent keep scolding Buddha for misleading their children to go for 1 year or 2 year retreat .If u know what I mean

This is singapore ,before you made decision ,understand if u go retreat , your parents is paying on your behalf .

Many of my fren still havent get a proper job after 1 year since graduation ,then what is your grades to them when they also honours student ?

retreat is best to go for 2 weeks and start the job hunt ...
if your heart is with Buddha , you dont need to go that far for a meditation retreat .

Everyday spent 20 mins at home is enough .

 

 

Originally posted by Isis:

Hi all, this has became a dilemma for me.

My initial plan is to quit the present job in January to attend a four month retreat (one in Feb and another one from March to June). However, I’m afraid that I couldn’t get a job due to the recent economy crisis after the 4 months retreat.  I have to repay school my school loan as such and I do not want to cause worries for my parents.

The three month retreat is probably the last of his retreat as the teacher might be retiring. I find it a rare opportunity to be able to attend two retreats by two good meditation teachers in a time period of four months.

However, life is uncertain. Economy is uncertain. Death is uncertain. I don’t know if I would let go of such opportunity or should I wait for another chances to come.

hmmmmmm

Hi Isis,

 

My advice is to stay on with your present job now.  I have never seen such terrible fear in the market before, not even during the 1997 financial crisis.  The coming crisis will create a lot of instability therefore not only your current job is uncertain, your parent's jobs are equally in doubt.  Your parents will have a lot to cope so you are right that you should not add to their worries.

 

With regards to practice, my opinion is practice should start with right view of our pristine nature.  Try to spend quality hours penetrating deeply into the truth of the 5 aggregates, 18 Dhatus and Dependent Origination till you have non-conceptual experience of these teachings.  It is important to re-orientate our 'self' view with the Buddha's teachings.  It will not be obvious how and why these teachings lead to liberation until we are able to stop imputing the sense of onto our momentary experiences.  Do take it seriously and practice with utmost sincerity.   

 

With firmly established right view as the cause and conditions perpectually arising, all will fall in place so not to worry too much about missing opporutnities. 

 

Laslty I am truly glad that Dharma has created such impact in you, continue the zeal and heart for dharma and you will not regret. 

 

May you be enlightened of your empty pristine nature this life. :)

 

 

Originally posted by Isis:

Hi all, this has became a dilemma for me.

My initial plan is to quit the present job in January to attend a four month retreat (one in Feb and another one from March to June). However, I’m afraid that I couldn’t get a job due to the recent economy crisis after the 4 months retreat.  I have to repay school my school loan as such and I do not want to cause worries for my parents.

The three month retreat is probably the last of his retreat as the teacher might be retiring. I find it a rare opportunity to be able to attend two retreats by two good meditation teachers in a time period of four months.

However, life is uncertain. Economy is uncertain. Death is uncertain. I don’t know if I would let go of such opportunity or should I wait for another chances to come.

hmmmmmm

 

 

 

The current situation is quite uncertain in the market, due many unforeseen circumstances of natural disaster, the milk issue, the oil, the financial collaps and more maybe popping up soon to come. I believe as a buddhist we should be more clear minded in making decision, each decision made will has different result. Indeed it is a rare opportunity to go for retreat, but prority is, you have to settle your own problems so that you will have a clearer mind to attend any retreat.

 

So, I strongly encourage you to stay onto your job, need not necessary go for a long retreat at this moment,as our daily life is already a good practising ground. If possible find some short retreat, where you only has to take a couple days of leave as it will not affect your job. You made your own destiny, as destiny is not predetermind. 

 

 

Originally posted by Isis:

Hi all, this has became a dilemma for me.

My initial plan is to quit the present job in January to attend a four month retreat (one in Feb and another one from March to June). However, I’m afraid that I couldn’t get a job due to the recent economy crisis after the 4 months retreat.  I have to repay school my school loan as such and I do not want to cause worries for my parents.

The three month retreat is probably the last of his retreat as the teacher might be retiring. I find it a rare opportunity to be able to attend two retreats by two good meditation teachers in a time period of four months.

However, life is uncertain. Economy is uncertain. Death is uncertain. I don’t know if I would let go of such opportunity or should I wait for another chances to come.

 

You are really diligent in buddhism practice, though you said before that your life is good. May I know who is this teacher that conduct the retreat?

Originally posted by justdoit77:

You are really diligent in buddhism practice, though you said before that your life is good. May I know who is this teacher that conduct the retreat?

No lah, i have my lazy moments

 

Feb retreat is conducted by Venerable Sujiva

March to July's retreat is conducted by Sayadaw Pau-auk

 

Originally posted by Isis:

No lah, i have my lazy moments

 

Feb retreat is conducted by Venerable Sujiva

March to July's retreat is conducted by Sayadaw Pau-auk

 

Sujiva sounds like japanese, they are from india?

Originally posted by rokkie:

Sujiva sounds like japanese, they are from india?

He is in Wiki

ok i will check

Originally posted by rokkie:

ok i will check

:)

Originally posted by justdoit77:

You are really diligent in buddhism practice, though you said before that your life is good. May I know who is this teacher that conduct the retreat?

Life is good but it has its up and down.

 

in case someone don't know him

Sujiva is a Malaysian Buddhist monk (samanera) and well known teacher of Vipassana in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. Ven. Sujivo is one the Buddhist teachers, who are responsible for developing a keen interest in vipassana meditation in the Western countries. He has written many books on vipassana and metta meditation. He has also published several collections of poems.He was born in a big family in Kuala Lumpur, the biggest city of Malaysia.

He ordained as a samanera shortly after his graduation from the prestigious University of Malaya in 1975. During his monastic training he practised under several masters in Malaysia,

 Thailand and Burma (Myanmar), including the Venerable Sayadaw U Pandita in the famed meditation center Sasana Yeiktha in Yangon. In 1984 he set up Santisukharama, a meditation center in a rubber tree plantation in Kota Tinggi on the southern tip of peninsular Malaysia. He has held countless retreats at the center and throughout the country. He also has inspired numerous meditation centers to be set up by various groups in Malaysia. Since 1995 he has started conducting vipassana retreats in the West - Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, several countries of Europe, USA and Brazil.

Hi isis,

This financial crisis we'r experiencing tdy is not a normal one, worst scenario may not be just a recession or depression but who knows, it may triggers a third world war. 

But no matter what comes ( even if the earth explodes), we still have to live life normaly and meaningfully. For Buddha , He can leave his palace, family and wealth to pursue the ultimate enlightenment for the betterment of all sentient beings, but for many of us, I think we have to take one step at a time at our pace. We hv to keep reality in check.

Yes, the ground may give way, death may come tomorrow; but till that day, we have obligations to fulfill now, not just to ourselves but to the ones around us. This is not sacrifice, but duties. Untill we can perform a greater duty, we should deliver the minor ones first.

So if our short term objective hinders our long term objective, then maybe it should be postphone for the time being. Nothing regretable. Just 暂时因缘不具足。

But of cos only you yourself can decide which is of higher importance to you without compromising your other options in life.  

Be happy and well.

Perhaps, a 精进佛七 instead?? Just need to take 5 days leave. There is one btn 9-15 December at AMTB.

Originally posted by Isis:

Hi all, this has became a dilemma for me.

My initial plan is to quit the present job in January to attend a four month retreat (one in Feb and another one from March to June). However, I’m afraid that I couldn’t get a job due to the recent economy crisis after the 4 months retreat.  I have to repay school my school loan as such and I do not want to cause worries for my parents.

The three month retreat is probably the last of his retreat as the teacher might be retiring. I find it a rare opportunity to be able to attend two retreats by two good meditation teachers in a time period of four months.

However, life is uncertain. Economy is uncertain. Death is uncertain. I don’t know if I would let go of such opportunity or should I wait for another chances to come.

hmmmmmm

 

Death is certain, ultimately everybody has to die.

 

 

Originally posted by Rick555:

First I would like to say that I admire you for your willingness to quit your job for a retreat.  As a buddhist, I would think that it is very important to go for a good retreat, esp. one which is probably going to be the last.  Moreover, everything in life is actually pre-destined.  Whether you can get a job in the future is already pre-determined.  How much you're going to earn, who you are going to meet etc have already been decided.

However, as a working adult, I can understand your dilemma.  Also, we should try to make all sentient beings happy, esp. your parents, so don't make them worry too much also.  Follow your heart!

Whatever your decision, after you've made it, leave any regrets behind.  We should always abide by the true Buddhist's way of non-abiding.

That's a pathetic way of thinking.

Destiny are not written in our hands but written by our hands.

 

Originally posted by VL:

That's a pathetic way of thinking.

Destiny are not written in our hands but written by our hands.

 

agreed =)

Karma does not necessarily mean past actions. It embraces both past and present deeds. Hence in one sense, we are the result of what we were; we will be the result of what we are. In another sense, it should be added, we are not totally the result of what we were; we will not absolutely be the result of what we are. The present is no doubt the offspring of the past and is the present of the future, but the present is not always a true index of either the past or the future; so complex is the working of Karma.

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/karma.htm

Nothing is predetermined nor fixed. Every moment is subjected to changes and is uncertain in nature.

Originally posted by JitKiat:

Perhaps, a 精进佛七 instead?? Just need to take 5 days leave. There is one btn 9-15 December at AMTB.

Hi Jikiat,

Thanks for the information.

 

Originally posted by Isis:

Karma does not necessarily mean past actions. It embraces both past and present deeds. Hence in one sense, we are the result of what we were; we will be the result of what we are. In another sense, it should be added, we are not totally the result of what we were; we will not absolutely be the result of what we are. The present is no doubt the offspring of the past and is the present of the future, but the present is not always a true index of either the past or the future; so complex is the working of Karma.

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/karma.htm

Nothing is predetermined nor fixed. Every moment is subjected to changes and is uncertain in nature.

This is better .

 

According to 悟道法师， practice in the Saha world is characterized by extreme volatility (大起大落）。This is bcos practice requires great motivation and will power to overcome a lot of obstacles. For example, to join 佛七, you must take leave, have a good wife to be willing to let you go (perhaps take turn :-), good health etc. So naturally, you might have great advance during the retreat / 佛七. However, when you are back to reality, you are constantly bombarded by unfavorable conditions (恶缘) and soon fall back to the Saha world's of greed, anger and ignorance again. In Sukavathi, there is no 恶缘, so you will not fall back but it is also slower to make advance.

Quote from Large Immeasurable Life Sutra (one day one night of pure practise in Saha world makes more advance than doing similar deed in Sukavathi for hundred years):

正心正意，斋戒清净，一日一夜，胜在无量寿国为善百岁。所以者何？彼佛国土，无为自 然，皆积众善，无毛发之恶。于此修善，十日十夜，胜于他方诸佛国中为善千岁。所以者何？他方佛国，为善者多，为恶者少，福德自然，无造恶之地。唯此间多 恶，无有自然，勤苦求欲，转相欺殆，心劳形困，饮苦食毒，如是恶务，未尝宁息。

For most of us, frequent retreat is important. If that is not possible, perhaps we can switch focus to the following two strategies first:

- avoiding unfavorable conditions and get rid of all bad habits (e.g. going to disco, trading in stock market, shouting at kids) that can set you back greatly

- make it a habit to praticse something good everyday e.g. donate to TWC2, Tzu Chi Foundation, distribute Buddhist VCDs, become vegetarian

Remember, 正心正意，斋戒清净，一日一夜，胜在无量寿国为善百岁!!!

May the Buddha Nature be with you