Practice Dharma to Lead a Moral Life

On September 25, the class of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island English Basic Buddhism and Basic Meditation started with 21 students participated. Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) members Feifei Lei and Ding Lihson shared teachings for everyone into gaining more wisdom.

The class started with walking warm-up and simple walking meditation which then continued with Feifei sharing on awareness in movements of the shoulders, chest and the abdominal muscles while practicing sitting meditation. After the meditation session, students asked about walking meditation and breath counting. Feifei has deliberately answered that we shall keep awareness on our heels, sole and toes while doing walking meditation and the reason of counting the breath while doing meditation.

Continuing the class, Ding shared on the practice in the 5 Precepts of Buddhism and the Right Action of the Noble Eightfold Paths. The 5 Precepts of Buddhism is for us to practise being kind, honest, truthful, trustworthy and clear-minded. This not only fits the ‘Right Speech’ of the Noble Eightfold Path but also the ‘Right Action’ and ‘Right Livelihood’. Students have questions about how to manage people that always have the ‘Wrong Speech’ and bad habits towards them. Ding gave the solution in firstly, learn the way of the Noble Eightfold Path our selves first; do not jump into conclusion and make the case worst. Then try taking a step back and look into a clearer picture. Later on, make the right decision and talk about the problem with the person calmly.

The class gained on morality from the Dharma and left the class eagerly to come back for more.