Dear Friends,

Sometime i try hard not to imagine what our life will be without Buddhism. Buddhism since taking off in thailand, has helped many of us to accomplish better results in our religious cultivation through reciting prayers, chants or respecting and wearing of amulets.

The source of greatest blessing is Dhamma. and taking the effort to change our lives basically brings more wealth and prosperity to secure our material worth.
However many amulets you wear, if u speak unkind words, disrespecting ur parents, killing or disrespecting your familiy members, your siblings, your relatives, being lazy and not working, mixing with the wrong crowds of friends., and cheating people money or dealing with the dark business. disrespecting the source of all amulets - BUDDHA himself you are creating more bad karma in life and the karma of being poor and not popular.

I cannot find anything more suitable than this thread to share with you, How important your life can change and be more prosperous almost instantly with this teaching - sigalovada sutta. Many of us might have read this before and perhaps some understood the meaning, some dont.

In this modern society, because of seeking more wealth and power, we keep seeking powerful and more powerful amulet to make us RICHER and RICHER. however we totally forgot about the basic fundamental of BUDDHISM. If without BUDDHISM, would you have whatever amulets you are wearing today? So wouldnt it be nice, to go back to the fundamentals of BUDDHA's teaching and with the amulet we wear and the principals of Buddha's teaching we can BE SOMEONE ONE DAY.

Sigalovada Sutta , Buddha taught a man the meaning of praying in the six directions. Instead of following blindly by hearsay or traditions passed down by families or relatives, Buddha give a new meaning to him

In summary what does this six directions means ?
Summing up in verse, the sublime teacher said:

"Mother and father as the east,
Teachers as the south,
Spouse and family as the west,
Friends and colleagues as the north,
Servants and workers below,
Brahmans and ascetics above;
These directions a person should honor
In order to be truly good.

( In the above, this is truly what Buddha hope that we can take note. Many of us wear tons of amulets and pray for wealth. however if we do not truly care, protect and respect the people that matters around us. Our wealth is shortlived. However noting that we are deoendant on others and not independent. By honoring our parents, taking care of our siblings, making good friends and speaking kind words, NOT BEING LAZY we are able to harness the power of prosperity and well-being. )

Wise and virtuous,
Gentle and eloquent,
Humble and accommodating;
Such a person attains glory.

Energetic, not lazy,
Not shaken in misfortune,
Flawless in conduct, and intelligent;
Such a person attains glory.

A compassionate maker of friends,
Approachable, free from stinginess,
A leader, a teacher, and diplomat;
Such a person attains glory.

Generosity and kind words,
Conduct for others' welfare,
Impartiality in all things;
These are suitable everywhere.

These kind dispositions hold the world together,
Like the linchpin of a moving chariot.
And should these kind dispositions not exist,
Then the mother would not receive
Respect or honor from her child,
Neither would a father.

Upon these things
The wise reflect;
They obtain greatness
And are sources of praise."


Sigalovada Sutta: The Buddha's Advice to Sigalaka

I hope many of us can quickly tap on the link above and read more on the sutta. and understand the meaning.

And shower more blessings in your own life .. and not just depend on amulets.

Amulets can only help so much, if we dun change our life to a better life. amulets is still amulets...

cheers
navapuja