May someone tell me who this is?

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WindSong
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Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:38 pm

May someone tell me who this is?

Post by WindSong »

This was a gift from a monk at a temple recently. He said it will bring good luck and help with addiction.
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Bhikkhu Pesala
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Re: May someone tell me who this is?

Post by Bhikkhu Pesala »

Amulets are a scam. It is not the Buddha's teaching that such trinkets can bring good luck. If you treat the image of the Buddha or other saints with reverence that is the wholesome kamma of reverence, which brings good results, but no magic is involved.

If you want to get good results, make good efforts.

Iṭṭha Sutta
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WindSong
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Re: May someone tell me who this is?

Post by WindSong »

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote: Fri Apr 06, 2018 5:21 am If you want to get good results, make good efforts.
Good advice
WindSong
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Re: May someone tell me who this is?

Post by WindSong »

Now the question is; What do I do with the amulet if I don't believe in it? Pass it on to someone else even though I do not believe in it? This goes against my current understanding of morals. Then I have the conflicting thought of disposing of a gift.
chownah
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Re: May someone tell me who this is?

Post by chownah »

WindSong wrote: Sat Apr 07, 2018 6:02 am Now the question is; What do I do with the amulet if I don't believe in it? Pass it on to someone else even though I do not believe in it? This goes against my current understanding of morals. Then I have the conflicting thought of disposing of a gift.
Just keep it. It was a gift. If I gave you something would you only keep it if you thought it had magical powers? Use it as a reminder of the monk who was earnestly working to help you and as a reminder that it is through one's own efforts that one makes progress.
chownah
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cjmacie
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Re: May someone tell me who this is?

Post by cjmacie »

chownah wrote: Sat Apr 07, 2018 6:47 am
WindSong wrote: Sat Apr 07, 2018 6:02 am Now the question is; What do I do with the amulet if I don't believe in it? Pass it on to someone else even though I do not believe in it? This goes against my current understanding of morals. Then I have the conflicting thought of disposing of a gift.
Just keep it. It was a gift. If I gave you something would you only keep it if you thought it had magical powers? Use it as a reminder of the monk who was earnestly working to help you and as a reminder that it is through one's own efforts that one makes progress.
chownah
And as a reminder to practice recollection on the Buddha (& Dhamma, Sangha, etc.).
WindSong
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Re: May someone tell me who this is?

Post by WindSong »

Thank you Chownah, and cjmacie.
Ontheway
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Re: May someone tell me who this is?

Post by Ontheway »

The little statue symbolises Venerable Sivali Thera, an Arahant.
Hiriottappasampannā,
sukkadhammasamāhitā;
Santo sappurisā loke,
devadhammāti vuccare.

https://suttacentral.net/ja6/en/chalmer ... ight=false
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JamesTheGiant
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Re: May someone tell me who this is?

Post by JamesTheGiant »

Ontheway wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 6:53 am The little statue symbolises Venerable Sivali Thera, an Arahant.
Five years later, but that's a good answer. How did you know that?
SarathW
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Re: May someone tell me who this is?

Post by SarathW »

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C4%ABvali

In Sri Lanka, Sivali is depicted in a different way.
He shows putting his hand inside the begging bowl.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Ontheway
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Re: May someone tell me who this is?

Post by Ontheway »

JamesTheGiant wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:41 pm
Ontheway wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 6:53 am The little statue symbolises Venerable Sivali Thera, an Arahant.
Five years later, but that's a good answer. How did you know that?
It's a common statue in Thailand, depicting a walking monk carrying umbrella, walking staff and other items.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C4%ABvali
IMG_20230701_134252.jpg
Statue of Venerable Sivali Thera at my house altar
Hiriottappasampannā,
sukkadhammasamāhitā;
Santo sappurisā loke,
devadhammāti vuccare.

https://suttacentral.net/ja6/en/chalmer ... ight=false
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