Form, formless in go pagodas praying Buddha.

In In the Diamond Sutra Prajna, Buddha asked Subhuti, “What do you think, Subhuti? Is it possible to grasp the Tathagata by means of bodily signs?” “No, World-Honored One. When the Tathagata speaks of bodily signs, there are no signs being talked about.” The Buddha said to Subhuti, “In a place where there is something that can be distinguished by signs, in that place there is deception. If you can see the signless nature of signs, then you can see the Tathagata.”

This verse teaches us need to look with wisdom. Insight only be achieved when its is no longer based simply on perceptions, and we call this knowledge prajña, wisdom or understanding beyond signs, to see the truth, no birth and no death.

Tet, holidays are often too crowded in Pagoda by Buddhists. They go to temples to pray for peace for family. But the praying of Buddhists are often  in money, property, and the permanent, in the world of impermanence. For example, Buddhists always wish to be healthy, not sick disease. Buddhists do not know that birth, aging, sickness, and death is the inevitable. If people do not have the disease are less valued their health.

Temple, a place of Buddhist practice, is also a sign, is the form. In everyday life you need forms, we need signs. But we do not need to dwell on them. We can practice precepts, chanting, meditating in any temple in which we found convenient. If today this temple is too crowded, or the temple are repaired or for any reason that the public does not practic, so we can to go to a different temple. You should not have stuck to signs. Well this is a sacred temple. Well this temple has good teacher. We have reached the view of Prajna, which is not accepted in signs.

When going to temple to pray for peace in the family, Buddhists must have a insight into members family. Their loved are not only with prayer, but to see that the welfare of members  are related to family education, social, education and genetics of the parents. Happiness and welfare of our members, and not just from faith, from trying by themselves but also by the sweet cool watering of family and society.

Once people have achieved insight in the wisdom they do not sticking to forms. My mother and my friend, when I asked  " have go to temple for praying. burning of paper for grands? "Probably because  they achieved insight in the wisdom, insight of Prajna, they say no. Do not burn paper, No “dâng sao giải hạn”. Even if in early year in temples, there are too overcrowded Buddhists go and praying Buddha, so they  chanting at home praying fo peace.  If you want peace, so there peace in you.

Ngày 15- Giáp Tuất, Tháng Giêng – Canh Dần, Năm Bính Thân – 2016.

甲 戌日, 庚寅 月, 丙申年

Hoàng Phước Đại – Đồng An.

黃  福 大 -同 安