The Path to Happiness

Lady Finger ~ Treatment For Sugar (Diabetic)

2012-01-02T22:01:00.000-08:00

Something to ponder.....

Please note that another name for Lady Finger (Bhindi) is "OKRA"

Last month in one of TV program I learnt of a treatment of Sugar (Diabetes). Since I am diabetic, I tried it and it was very useful and my Sugar is in control now. In fact I have already reduced my medicine.

Take two pieces of Lady Finger (Bhindi) and remove/cut both ends of each piece. Also put a small cut in the middle and put these two pieces in glass of water. Cover the glass and keep it at room temperature during night. Early morning, before breakfast simply remove two pieces of lady finger (bhindi) from the glass and drink that water.

Keep doing it on daily basis. Within two weeks, you will see remarkable results in REDUCTION OF YOUR SUGAR.

My sister has got rid of her diabetes. She was on Insulin for a few years, but after taking the lady fingers every morning for a few months, she has stopped Insulin but continues to take the lady fingers everyday. But she chops the lady fingers into fine pieces in the night, adds the water and drinks it all up the next morning. Please try it as it will not do you any harm even if it does not do much good to you, but U have to keep taking it for a few months before U see results, as most cases might be chronic.

Watermelon and Furadan (Be Careful) !

2012-01-02T21:58:00.000-08:00

We all love watermelons right? It is a must as dessert at weddings and birthdays, or at the 5-star hotel buffets. But do you realize that,

WATERMELON IS DANGEROUS?

This is because the watermelon planters put Furadan, a powerful insecticide (a poison), into the soil before planting the watermelon to kill and keep away insects, especially ants. Experts confirm that Furadan is active for one whole year (12 months), and is most powerful and effective during the first 90 days. The problem is this: The watermelons mature and are picked after 55 days, when the Furadan is still powerful, and a lot of it is INSIDE THE WATERMELONS! Meaning the watermelon is filled with poison!Furadan especially DAMAGES THE KIDNEYS the organs which have to filter pollution from the blood!

From now on I will stick to the bananas and papayas, for the sake of my poor kidneys, thank you!

In this life we cannot always do great things. We can only do small things with great love. - Mother Teresa

What is the best Religion ?

2012-01-02T21:54:00.000-08:00

"Take care of your Thoughts because they become Words.

Take care of your Words because they will become Actions.

Take care of your Actions because they will become Habits.

Take care of your Habits because they will form your Character.

Take care of your Character because it will form your Destiny,

and your Destiny will be your Life

........and.........

"There is
no religion
higher than
the Truth."

Some Useful Web Sites

2011-12-29T00:30:00.000-08:00

Sociology Guide is a Sociology study guide, very much like an online Sociology Course.

Chomik Planetar81
This is a good site for free book downloading, especially Tibetan, Madhyamika and other religious texts are available.

Holybooks.com: Download holy books, sacred texts and spiritual PDF ebooks in full length for free. Download the Bible, The Holy Quran, ancient Asian texts and thousands of free pdf ebooks on yoga, buddhism, magic, meditation, self-improvement and many other catagories. Remember to bookmark and tell your friends..

Gutenberg.org:

Project Gutenberg offers over 36,000 free ebooks to download to your PC, Kindle, Android, iOS or other portable device. Choose between ePub, Kindle, HTML and simple text formats.

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy:

This is a source of philosophical theories and doctrines.

World Tripitaka

Showing Tipiṭaka Volume Abbreviations, Division Number References & Titles published in 40 volumes according to the B.E. 2500 (1957) Great International Council Resolution.

Fresh fruits on an empty stomach

2011-12-26T19:19:00.000-08:00

RMB COLD DRINKS AFTER MEALS = CANCER. SO STOP IT.

LET'S REMEMBER to take FRESH FRUITS EVERYDAY and on an EMPTY STOMACH!

WHY DIE FROM CANCER

Cancer Treatment:
ALWAYS EAT FRESH FRUIT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

An highly interesting article.

Dr Stephen Mak told that he treats terminal cancer patients in an "un-orthodox" way, and many patients recovered. He explained, that before he uses solar energy to clear the illnesses of his patients, he believes on natural healing in the body against illnesses.

See the article below

-----------------------------------------------

Thanks for the email on fruits and juices. It's one of the strategies to heal cancer. Lately, my success rate in curing cancer is about 80%. Cancer patients shouldn't die. The cure for cancer has already been found, whether you believe it or not.

I am sorry for the hundreds of cancer patients who die under the conventional treatments. Very few live for 5 years under conventional treatments, and most live for only about 2 to 3 years... The conventional treatments don't make any difference, because most cancer patients also live for about 2 to 3 years without any treatment. It is difficult to cure cancer patients who've undergone chemo and radiotherapy, as their cells are toxic and weak. When there is a relapse, the cancer spreads very fast, as the resistance is poor.

Dr Stephen Mak
.

EATING FRESH FRUITS

This is very informative!
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We all think eating fruit means just buying fruit, cutting it up and popping it into our mouths. It's not that easy. It's important to know how and when to eat fruit.

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What's the correct way to eat fruit?

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IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUIT AFTER A MEAL! FRUIT SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTYSTOMACH.
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Eating fruit like that plays a major role in detoxifying your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities..

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FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD.
Let's say you eat two slices of bread, then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it's prevented from doing so.
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In the meantime, the whole meal rots and ferments, and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach, and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

Eat your fruit on an empty stomach, or before your meal! You've heard people complain: Every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc. This will not happen if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. Fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas. Hence, you bloat!

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes -all of these will NOT happen if you eat fruit on an empty stomach.

There's no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruit becomes alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruit, you have the Secret of Beauty, Longevity, Health, Energy, Happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't drink juice that has been heated. Don't eat cooked fruit; you don't get the nutrients at all. You get only the taste... Cooking destroys all of the vitamins.

Eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit-fast to cleanse your body.. Eat fruit and drink fruit juice for just 3 days, and you will be surprised when your friends say how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty, and a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange!

AN APPLE a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C, thereby helping to lower the risk of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

EATING 2 - 4 ORANGES oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. Also a key source of lycopene, the cancer-fighting oxidant. Also found in watermelon: Vitamin C & Potassium..
GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene, good for your eyes..

Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer!

Can u believe this? For those who like to drink cold water, this applies to you. It's nice to have a cold drink after a meal, however, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you've just consumed, which slows digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer.. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks.

HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE
Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they're asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Be careful, and be aware. The more we know, the better our chance to survive.

A cardiologist said if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.
It may even be your own life!

7 things to do for improved health in 2012

2011-12-26T19:09:00.000-08:00

By coach_jon | Fit to Post Sports – Sun, Dec 25, 2011

Here are seven resolutions to make to be healthier and fitter in 2012. (Getty Images)

It's resolution time and here are some good resolution ideas, and tips on how to make these resolutions, well, resolute. These tend to be "process goals" which eventually lead to success.

1. I will manage stress better

Keep a journal of thankful thoughts, written each evening
Manage your stress hormones better by eating nutrients that improve your body's stress handling capability. Two great ones are magnesium taken after dinner and before bed, and glycine at least 3 grams taken before bed. Glycine also has the wonderful benefit of helping your body detoxify petro-chemicals (which we all have alot of, living in a city environment)

2. Every time I eat, half my plate will be veggies

There are high carb, low carb, high protein, low protein and high fat, low fat debates that will never end (because each of us is different and needs different ratios of nutrients). However there is one thing that ALL health experts will agree on.

We need to eat more veggies.

Making half your plate veggies is sure to get the job done. Besides the usual boiled or steamed veggies, one convenient way to get this done is to get that big bag of pre-cut veggies from the supermarket.

By the way, potatoes -- are not veggies, and neither is pizza! Regardless of what the US department of agriculture might say.

When I say veggies I mean non-starchy ones.

3. I will do things to sleep better

I wrote a whole article about sleep on Yahoo! Singapore so go read it!
4. I will watch less TV, and surf less internet
I just gave a talk at a book launch this last week, and one of my points was that successful people have big libraries while unsuccessful people have big TVs.
Problems with TV

Junk food ads (any food that has an ad is likely to be bad for you)
Too much stimulation to the point where we lose some of our own ability to create and imagine because there is no need to (this is especially true for young kids - and bad for their futures)
We sit on our butt, wasting time for hours because TV is very entertaining in the short run, but with hardly any benefits in the long run.

5. I will train 30 mins at least 3x per week

The guidelines for exercise vary and range from somewhere around 30 mins/day to 60 mins/day. But that is for light activity. Simply walking one extra bus stop to work or climbing an extra flight of stairs to your flat is not going do to much. Stop kidding yourself.

I mean 30 mins of training, not light activity. This means a proper strength training program, or interval training. While the topic of exercise is too big to cover here, you can use these two interval methods to get a good workout.

1. Anaerobic intervals.

1 min hard work (8 out of 10 exertion)
3 min light work (3 out of 10 exertion)

2. Aerobic intervals.

2 min hard work (8 out of 10 exertion)
4 mins light work (3 out of 10 exertion)

You can do these running, swimming, cycling, on a stair-master, rowing machine or elliptical. It doesn't matter, but do try to change the machine or activity each week to reduce the risk of overuse injuries.
6. I will take care of my soft tissue
Most of the chronic pain people experience is from their soft tissues. It's usually not a joint out of place, but rather mismanaged tension in the interconnected web of muscles, fascia and connective tissue that make up most of our body.
A good massage once a week will help with these problems. And if its done by skilled hands, it can actually allign your body better.
If that is not practical, at least get yourself a gift of a foam roller to do some self massage.

7. I will eat more home-cooked food

While home cooked food can still be unhealthy if you deep fry it or make it with lots of refined carbohydrates, at least you know excatly what ingredients are in it.

I have a friend who is in the food distribution business and he sometimes watches his buyers prepare the veggies that he distributes. Often they are not washed before cooking.

I have another friend who is a hobbyist chef. He interned in a high class restaurant and even in this classy establishment, the cooking oil was not changed for two weeks.

All this means is that we need to take responsibility for what goes into our bodies. And that means cooking from home.

There we have it! Stay healthy and strong in 2012

Source:

What you should know about back pain

2011-12-26T19:01:00.000-08:00

By Health Xchange | Fit to Post Health – Fri, Dec 23, 2011

Most people will have back pain at some point in their lives (Thinkstock photo)

Our back muscles are some of the most frequently used in our bodies. They hold us upright against gravity, carry our body weight and move us around.

And just like us, they can get tired and overworked. When that happens, our spine compensates and does extra work, causing pain.

Back pain is a very common problem in Singapore, according to Dr Tan Kian Hian, consultant at the Department of Anaesthesiology, and director of the Pain Management Centre at Singapore General Hospital.

"About 90 per cent of the population will have had pain in the back at some point in their lives," says Tan. "Fortunately, most cases can be resolved without treatment within six to 12 weeks."

When to see a doctor

Typically caused by muscle strains, acute back pain usually lasts less than three months. If the pain interferes with daily activities, a medical consultation can be in good order. The doctor will physically examine your back and compile a history of your back problems.

Chronic back pain, on the other hand, is any pain that persists for more than three months. It can be very common, especially among those aged 55 years and above, it can be caused by ailments such as a slipped disc, spinal arthritis or disc disruption — a wear and tear of the "spring" in between the bones of our spine.

Related video: Advice and tips for neck pain relief

You should see a specialist in the following situations:

If the pain in your back is not getting better after some time, or if it's getting worse
If you the pain shoots down one side of your leg to the foot
If you feel numbness or a tingling sensation
If your pain is worsened by bending over, or by coughing and straining

HOT TIP: We often don't remember the exact names of the medicine we're on. That's why Tan advises patients to bring along any medication that they are currently taking. This is especially crucial if you are unsure or have any questions about them.

"I've had patients tell me that the medication they've got doesn't work," he explains. "But when I ask them which, they can only tell me that it's the white tablet, or the yellow tablet, or the green tablet. When you bring along your medication, we can advise you better."

What you can do to prevent or manage back pain

Observe the right posture

Most of us tend to slouch in front of the telly or computer or when reading. But bad postures like these can ultimately result in back pain. So make sure you observe the right postures when doing the following:
- When carrying heavy goods: Make sure the item you are carrying is close to you, so its centre of gravity is closer to your spine.
- When lifting heavy goods: Always bend your knees, and not your back.
- When carrying a backpack: Be sure to sling on both straps instead of leaving one strap dangling.

Related article: Is your mattress hurting your back?

Adopt a healthy diet

Keeping to a healthy diet — and healthy weight — helps, too.

Tan points out that extra body weight may strain your joints during movement or rest, and aggravate your back. Which is why it's important to eat right, and maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) through regular exercise.

This reduces the load and stress on your back, preventing future injuries.

Looking for healthy recipes? Health Xchange has a treasure trove of delicious low-fat dishes.

Stay active

To keep your back flexible, Tan also suggests doing exercises. Some patients derive benefits from practising yoga and Pilates, within reasonable limits. You can also try stationary exercises like a cycling station. If that's a challenge, even a stroll is good enough.

DID YOU KNOW? Contrary to popular belief, lying around in bed is the last thing you should do if you are actually suffering from back pain. Dr Tan explains: "Prolonged bed rest is harmful to your back because your muscles will become lazy. And when they do, you are opening the door to long-term problems."

This article was written by Jaclyn Lim for Health Xchange, with expert input from the Pain Management Centre at Singapore General Hospital.

Source:

Vijnanavada: The origin and development of Vijnanavada !!!

2011-10-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

The development of the Vijnanavada began around 150 C.E. with the Sandhinirmochana Sutra. In the next few centuries this was followed by the very important Lankavatara sutra in the early 4th century, and the Abhisamayalankara (a Prajnaparamita commentary) and Avatamsaka sutras later in the century [Edward Conze, Buddhism, its Essence and Development, p.164].

The Sandhinirmochana and Lankavatara sutras were especially influential in the formulation of the doctrines of the Yogachara school, founded by two brothers, Asanga and Vasubandu (the latter, because of his great learning, was given the singular honour of being called "the second Buddha"), natives of North-West India, in the 4th or 5th century. Another source of Yogachara teachings was Asanga's little-known teacher Maitreyanatha, who has been called the true founder of the school [Chandradhar Sharma, A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy, p.108]. Asanga and Vasubandu were encyclopaedic systematisers, who developed ideas already established in older writings, such as the Abhidharma, the Prajnaparamita, and the Lankavatara, and gave definitive form to earlier Mahayanist concepts like the ten stages (bhumis) of development of the Bodhisattva, the three "bodies" of the Buddha (trikaya), the three states or levels of self-being (swabhava), and the theory that reality is consciousness-only [Edward Conze, Buddhist Thought in India, p.250; and Buddhism, its Essence and Development, p.164]. This last is the most important aspect of Vijnanavada/Yogachara, for this school differs from the Prajnaparamita and the anti-metaphysical Madhyamika approach in that it gives a positive, qualitative description of the Absolute Reality, which is described as being of the nature of pure Consciousness (vijnana); "consciousness-only" (vijnanamatrata, vijnaptimatrata); or "Mind-only" (Chittamatra).

Vijnanavada Buddhism contributed two important emanationist ideas: the metaphysical idea of emanation from an original universal consciousness (the Alaya-vijnana), and the theological idea of the Trikaya, the Three Bodies of the Buddha. As a philosophical school, Yogacara argues that all that exists are minds and their experiences. If there are no mind-independent things, why do people seem to have similar experiences (e.g., why do you and I both see the candle flame, and we both feel pain when we touch it)? The explanation offered is that previous experiences create a storehouse consciousness (alaya-vijnana, sometimes identified with the tathagatagarbha) which encourages people to have similar experiences in the future.

Late Yogacarins (Dignaga and especially, Dharmakirti, Shantarakshita, Kamalashila and Ratnakirti) were not only logicians but experts in epistemology, theory of consciousness and the Tantric yogins as well. The Mahasiddhas (Great Perfect Ones) in some aspects were also adherents of the Yogacara school.

Chinese Vijnanavada

The Yogachara metaphysic, thus formulated in India, was further developed in China, where, due to an artifact of translation and interpretation, the Tathagata-garbha (in Chinese fo-hsing - "Buddha-womb" - the womb of the Buddha or storehouse of the Buddha, the potential for Buddhahood which all beings possess.), was distinguished from the Alaya-vijnana. In Indian texts such as the Lankavatara and the Mahaparinirvana sutras the Tathagata-garbha was specifically identified with the Alayavijnana, and referred to the potential or cause leading or pointing towards enlightenment, rather than an actual state or reality. In Chinese, due to Mencian Confucian and Chuang-tze Taoist preconceptions, it came to mean "Buddha-nature", an ontological reality or essence, like the Vedantic Atman [Whalen Lai, "The Meaning of "mind-only" (wei-hsin): An analysis of a sinitic Mahayana phenomenon", Philosophy East and West 27, no 1; p.73-74]. The Alayavijnana then came to be seen as a lower or impure level of Consciousness, the "tainted consciousness" (shih) relative to the Tathagatagarbha or innately pure Absolute Buddha Mind (hsin) or Buddha-nature. Tathagatagarbha or Mind or hsin thus became a "ninth consciousness" or original principle over and above the other eight. This idea of the superiority of Mind (hsin) over consciousness (shih) was used by the Mind-Only schools of Hua-yen and Ch'an to claim superiority over the consciousness-only school of Wei-shih (Chinese Yogachara) [Ibid, pp.65, 79]. In all this we see the development of an emanationist cosmology more like Neoplatonism or Kashmir Shaivism than original Yogachara Mahayana. But the anti-metaphysical emphasis of even the most elaborate Buddhist schools prevented this modified Yogachara from ever becoming as sophisticated as those other two systems.

Vijnanavada and the West

In the Nineteenth century, elements of Vijnanavada, such as the Alayavijnana and the Manas, were adopted in modified from by H. P. Blavatsky, the founder of Theosophy. As was mentioned earlier, Blavatsky was also influenced by the Vedantic idea of koshas, so Yogachara can be seen to be a second source of inspiriation. More recently, young Buddhist-orientated Westerners have made much of the parallel between the Alaya-vijnana and the Collective Unconscious of the psychologist-mystic Carl Jung. Certainly there are many parallels (e.g. in both there is a universal substratum, a sort of Un- or Super-consciousness, behind the surface consciousness; and the repository of subconscious impulses to manifestation). But there are also important differences too. Jung's archetypes are universal transpersonal religious or mythological motifs, more equivalent to the "gods" of polytheism then to the karmic seeds or vasanas; and Jung's positive assessment of the ego - the ego being a necessary state in the development of self - and higher consciousness, is diametrically opposed to the ego-transcending perception of the various Indian philosophies.

Source: Source of the Article ... . . . . .

“The Significance of Nāgārjuna Śūnyatā Doctrine” (Class Essay)

2011-09-30T05:28:00.000-07:00

Introduction:

Nāgārjuna is a great figure of Madhyamika school of Mahayana Buddhism who was lived between in the 1^st and 2^nd century CE.[1] He was born as a "Hindu," which in his time connoted religious allegiance to the Vedas, probably into an upper caste Brahmin family and probably in the southern Andhra region of India.[2] According to David J.Kalupahana, Nāgārjuna has been considered as the second Buddha and has occupied a second position in the line of patriarchs in almost all schools of Buddhism. Nāgārjuna represented an excellence doctrinal teaching against Śarvāstivādins and Puggalavādins dogmatic dharma-s doctrine which gained popularity among every society people. Nagarjuna wrote Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way (Mulamadhyamakakarika), by which after his passing away a school is emerged named as “Madhyamaka or Madhyamika” (middle-way). Nāgārjuna attempted to make understand about the world beyond neither believing on existence (atthita) nor non-existence (natthita) but everything is dependently co-arising (pratityasamutpāda) and empty of self-nature (svabhāva) of things. His doctrine of emptiness (Śūnyatā) rejects two extremes of existence and non-existence of things and follows middle way (madhyamapratipāda).

In this short writing I will briefly attempt to analyze the Śūnyatā (emptiness) doctrine of Nāgārjuna with comparison to early teaching of the Buddha. I have been attended that almost many of scholars roughly misunderstand the concept of emptiness as nihilistic doctrinal teaching. From my position I will summarize to make understand about the significance of Nāgārjuna Śūnyatā doctrine with historical background, why Nāgārjuna reinterpreted the doctrine of “Anatta” (no-self) and “Paticcasamuppada” (dependent co-arising) of the Buddha, is neither a doctrine of nihilism nor eternalism. The Śūnyatā doctrine of Nāgārjuna is the fundamental doctrine of the Buddha will be examined.

The meaning of the term “Śūnyatā”:

Śūnyatā is a Sanskrit term, which generally translated into English as ‘Emptiness’ or ‘Nothingness’ or ‘Voidness’, is a concept of central importance in the teaching of the Buddha.[3] In Pāli it is called Suññata which stands on the same meaning in English as ‘emptiness’ or ‘voidness’ and sometimes it has translated as un-substantiality, phenomenality, freedom from lust, ill-will and dullness.[4] The word Śūnyatā comes from adjective śūnya (in Sanskrit), suñña (in pāli), śūna (in vedic). These three words are translated as the same meaning of ‘empty’ or ‘void’.[5] Empty of something else or empty of permanent substance (svabhāva śūnya). Actually, this term “Śūnyatā” is the gradual development of Buddhist scholasticism.

In early Buddhist literatures “emptiness” (suññata) was described in the three perspectives, treating it (1) as a meditative dwelling, (2) as an attribute of objects, and (3) as a type of awareness release. For example, the Buddha at Samyutta Nikāya referring to ānāpānasati “mindfulness by in and out breathing” says:

“Monks, in this connection, a monk, going to the forest (araññagato) or going to the root of a tree (rukkha-mūlagato) or going to an empty place (suññagāra-gato), sitting cross-legged, holding the body straight, setting mindfulness in front of him, mindfully breathes out and in”.[6]

Again in the Saṃyutta Nikāya the Buddha explained about the notion of emptiness when Ananda asked to the Buddha in thus;

“Venerable Sir, it is said the world is empty, the world is empty. In what respect the world is empty? The Buddha replied, “Insofar as it is empty of a self or of anything pertaining to a self (suññam idam attena vā attaniyena vā); thus it is said, Ananda, that the world is empty”.[7]

The Buddha clearly explained that the self is so-called world, and it pertain non-self. Nāgārjuna too, explained the meaning of Śūnyatā in this way, as he denies about the existence of intrinsic self-nature. The Heart Sutra of Mahāyāna Buddhism declares that the skandhas, which constitute our mental and physical existence, are empty in their nature or essence, i.e., empty of any such nature or essence.

“Sariputra, the Characteristics of the emptiness of all dharmas are non-arising, non-ceasing, non-defiled, non-pure, non-increasing, non-decreasing."[8]

The word “Śūnyatā” has been interpreted and used for various purposes by the Buddha himself, and mainly in Nāgārjuna Śūnyatā doctrine it used to denote the empty of own self-nature (svalaksana).

The background of Nāgārjuna Śūnyatā doctrine:

The Śūnyatā (emptiness) doctrine of Nāgārjuna evolved during his life time, it is believed that he was a historical human being who lived sometime between 150 and 250 CE.[9] The main purpose of developing the Śūnyatā doctrine is due to Abhidharmikas interruption against the Buddha teaching. Abhidharmikas developed a doctrine among many Buddhist schools that the all dharmas are exists in the three period of time. Therefore, Nāgārjuna invented the restatement of “anatta” doctrine and “paticcasamuppada” of the Buddha to answer the dharma-theory of Abhidharmikas. There are several Abhidharmika schools by which majority of people were influenced, such as Sarvāstivādins, Vaibhāsikas, Sautrantikas and Vātsiputriya. Sarvāstivāda was the most influential abhidharma school at that time which had developed probably by the middle of the 3^rd Century B.C.[10] This school opposed to Vibhajyavādins, and claimed that “all exists (sarvam asti)” in the sense of this manner is: the past dharma-s have existed; the future dharma-s will come into existence; the present dharma-s are existing”.[11] All dharma-s in phenomenal existence are pratītya-samutpanna—dependently originated from an assemblage of conditions. According to Sarvāstivādins a dharma insist within which had in the past, in the present and in the future is real existence. Sarvastivadins forwarded the theory of “self nature” (svabhāva) and Sautrantikas introduced their conception of self or person (ātman, pudgala).On the other hand, the Vaibhāṣika eventually came to connote the orthodox Sarvāstivādins. The Vaibhāṣikas maintain that everything exist for ever (sarvaṃ sarvadā asti) it means that all dharmas exist in the three periods of time, and the emphasis put on the reality (svabhāva) of dharmas is indicative of the conception that not only their present, but their past as well as future transition, too, represent something real.[12] In the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya of Vasubandhu explains about the term “dharma” as follows:

“A dharma is so called because it sustains its own characteristics. This dharma faces (abhi) toward the dharma in the highest sense –Nirvāṇa, or toward the characteristics of dharma-s, thus it is abhidharma”.[13]

In the Abhidharma-mahā-vibhāṣa-śastra it is said that dharmas have own-self character which can not be separated, explained in thus; “The entity itself is [its] characteristic, and the characteristic is the entity itself; for it is the case for all dharma-s that the characteristic cannot be predicated apart from the dharma itself”.[14] Vātsīputrīyas ideas define those who had in believing a pudgala or existing person.[15] Sarvāstivādins and Pudgalavādins were connected. The Pudgalavādins also had connection with Mahāsaṃgikas, i.e. Prajñaptivādins.[16] On contrary of the Abhidharma-schools, Nāgājuna gave the doctrine of “emptiness or empty of self-nature or empty of existing dharmas” by which he recounts the “anatta” doctrine of the Buddha. This is the main reason to maintain the Śūnyatā doctrine of Nāgārjuna against the dharma-theory of Abhidharmikas-schools.

Nāgārjuna “Śūnyatā” and the Buddha “Anatta” doctrine

In this sub-topic I would like to analyze with comparison between the doctrine of Nāgārjuna “Śūnyata” (emptiness) and the Buddha “Anattā” (no-self). The concept of Ātman[17] (universal self) was the foremost central philosophical problematic doctrine among 62 views[18] in India during the time of the Buddha. The concept of Ātman (universal self) is the essence of the human existence developed in the Upaniṣads.[19] They believed that the Ātman, the self which had to be a Self of some creature needed for itself a certain definiteness in this bond with certain substratum. In the same time they developed the idea of ego, of Self to Brahma as Supreme Being with the one name. Hermann Oldenberg described in his book about the concept of Ātman and Brahman in thus, “When they wanted to describe Ātman, they said it was Brahman. If one asked for the Brahman, they explained it as Ātman.”[20] But the Buddha rejected such kind of dogmatic doctrine and formed a new pragmatic doctrine whereas he asserted in detail about “Atta” (self) and “Anattā” (no-self) in his Anattalakkhana sutta of Samyutta Nikayā as follows:

“The body, monks, is not self….'Feeling is not self.... Perception is not self.... Mental processes are not self....Consciousness is not self…..”“Any feeling whatsoever....Any perception whatsoever....Any mental processes whatsoever....Any consciousness whatsoever past, future, or present; internal or external; blatant or subtle, common or sublime, far or near: every consciousness is to be seen as it actually is with right discernment as: "This is not mine. This is not my self. This is not what I am."[21]

Nāgārjuna in his position sees the dharmas from an entirely different angle. He reinterprets the causal law (pratītyasamutpāda) to mean relativity (Śūnyatā) and, on the basis of that interpretation, undertakes a through examination of the dharma-theory[22] of the Abhidharma-schools. He criticizes to Abhidharma-schools while examining the dharma-theory in relation to anātma-doctrine. He rejects both the substance view (ātma-vāda) and the modal view (dharma-vāda). If there is no self, how character of own nature (svabhāva) could be ultimate reality? In Mūlamadhyamakakārikā he examines in thus;

In the absence of a self, how can there be something that belongs to the self? From the appeasement of the modes of self and self-hood, one abstains from creating the notions of “mine” and “I” (ātmany asati cātmīyam kta eva bhavisyati, nirmamo nirahamkārah samād ātmātmani-nayoh). [23]

Thus, Nāgārjuna rejects the dharma-theory of the Abhidharma-schools alike the Buddha rejects the “soul-theory” (ātman) of Upanisadic religious doctrine. According to many Buddhist scholars, the theme of Śūnyatā emerged from the Buddhist doctrines of Anattā. Of course Nāgārjuna did not use “Śūnyatā” doctrine just only for reinterpreting “anattā” doctrine, but meaningfully he tried to make clear vision on Abhidharmikas dogmatic views and recounts the Buddha teaching that “all dharma-s are without a self” (sabbe dharma anattā ti). [24]

Then how something do exist if there is neither-nor, is a common question was asked by Abhidharmikas. Nāgārjuna answered it by analyzing casual-law (pratityasamutpāda).

Nāgārjuna Śūnyatā and Pratityasamutpāda:

The Buddhist doctrine of Interdependent Origination implying as it does from the Madhyamaka standpoint, the continuity of cause (hetu) and effect (phala), the avoidance of alternative views and ultimately Emptiness (śūnyata). Madhyamaka is not nihilism (nāstivāda), but a clarification of dependent co-arising. Nāgārjuna reclaimed the doctrine of dependent co-arising as a doctrine of emptiness. The Buddha's teaching called Paticca-samuppada, usually translated as Dependent Origination, is fundamental to the Dhammā (Truth) awakened to by The Buddha on the night of His Enlightenment. The Buddha said:

“One who sees the dependent origination (pratityasamutpāda) sees the Dhammā; one who sees the Dhammā sees dependent origination”.[25]

Here Dhammā (in the plural) meaning phenomena or things.[26] According to David J.Kalupahana, these are dependently arisen phenomena referred to earlier. They may also be described as elements of experience. Nāgārjuna in Mūlamadhyamakakārikā said:

“One who sees all things as arising in dependence, sees unregenerate existence and its origin, its cessation and the path to its cessation as they truly are.”[27]

The dependent origination describes the dependence of all phenomena upon cause (hetu) and condition (pratyaya), thus:

“When this exists, that comes to be; with the arising of this, that arises. When this doest not exist, that does not come to be; with the cessation of this, that ceases” (Imasmim sati idam hoti, imassa upādā idam uppajjati. Imasmim asati idam na hoti, imassa nirodha idam nirujjhati).[28]

Nāgārjuna wrote in the causality verses of Mūlamadhyamakakārikā in thus:

“Nothing whatever arises. Not from itself, not from another, not from both itself and another, and not without a cause.”[29]

Nāgārjuna significantly justified and examined that the emptiness is only way to be seen as possibility of relational arising, indeed as that without which nothing is possible.

“Nothing fails to happen in this way, nothing is not empty.”[30]

Nāgārjuna represented this dependent origination formula of the Buddha to negate the conditions (pratyaya) interpretation of early Abhidharmikas. He says: “The self-nature of existence is not found in the condition, etc.”[31] Nāgārjuna criticized the theory of causation presented by the Sarvāstivādins and the Sautrāntika. He says: “whatever is subject to conditionality, is by its very nature tranquil and empty” (Pratītya yad yad bhavati, tat tac śūntam svabhāvataḥ).[32] “Dependent co-arising” (pratityasamutpāda) was, to reiterate, the principle in terms of which the Buddha was able to explain the functioning of phenomena (dharma) without resorting to a conception of permanent and eternal entity (nitya ātman). In this sense, emptiness (śūnyatā) of Nāgārjuna is considered as significant reinterpretation of the Buddha’s dependent co-arising (pratityasamutpāda). So it says that he, who will not understand the Buddha’s dependent origination, will not able to understand the Śūnyatā doctrine of Nāgārjuna.

Nāgārjuna Śūnyatā doctrine and Middle-way:

According to Buddhadassa P.Kirthisinghe, “Voidness is not nothing, but rather no-thing; no thing that we know by our limited consciousness. What I realized in a transcendal state can only be described as no-thing or voidness”.[33] The main teaching of Nāgārjuna is the doctrine of “emptiness” (śūnyatā) which is known as “Middle-way” (Mādhyamapratipada). Nāgārjuna, in his Madhyamaka kārikā clearly states that the doctrine of “Śūnyatā” itself depends upon and falls under the middle way position.

“We state that whatever is dependent-arising that is emptiness. That is dependent upon convention. That itself is the middle way” (Yaḥ pratītyasamutpādaḥ śūnyatām tām pracakṣmahe; yā prajñaptir upādāya pratipat saiva madhyamā). [34]

In the Kaccāyana Gotta sutta of Samyutta Nikāya is clearly stated that the Buddha avoided two kinds of extreme views, (i) existence (atthitā) and (ii) non-existence (natthitā) in thus;

"Kaccāyana the view that 'everything exists' is one extreme. ‘Everything doesn't exist': That is a second extreme. Avoiding these two extremes, the Tathagata teaches the Dhamma via the middle: From ignorance as a requisite condition come fabrications…etc.”(Saban atthiti kho kaccāyana ayam eko anto, sabbam natthiti ayam dutiyo anto ete te ubho ante anupagamma majjhena tathāgato dhammam deseti. Avijja paccayā sankhārā……etc). [35]

Nāgārjuna recounts the same view in his Mādhyamikakārikā when he says:

“Exists” implies grasping eternalism “Does not exist” implies the philosophy of annihilation. Therefore a discerning person should not rely on either existence or non-existence (Astiti Sāsvata grāho nāstity uccheda darsanam, Tasmād astitva nastitve nasriyet vicaksanah). [36]

Eternalism (śasvatavāda) implies the existence of a transmigrating soul and Nihilism (ucchedavāda) is a metaphysical materialistic views. The Buddha categorically rejected both the existence of a permanent entity called “soul” that propounded in the early Upanisads and the view of “nihilism” (everything doesn’t exists) that suggested by the Materialists. Even in the Dhammacakkappavattana-sutta the Buddha rejected the two extremes of self-indulgence (kāmasukhallikānuyoga) and self-mortification (attakilomathānyoga) and followed the noble eight fold path (ariya aṭṭhangika maggo) as Middle-way.

"Bhikkhus, these two extremes ought not to be cultivated by one gone forth from the house life. What are the two? There is devotion to indulgence of pleasure in the objects of sensual desire, which is inferior, low, vulgar, ignoble, and leads to no good; and there is devotion to self torment, which is painful, ignoble and leads to no good…"The middle way discovered by a Perfect One avoids both these extremes; it gives vision, it gives knowledge, and it leads to peace, to direct acquaintance, to discovery, to nibbana. And what is that middle way? It is simply the noble eightfold path….,”[37]

Nāgārjuna significantly states the rejection of Sarvāstivādins interpretation of self-nature in thus;

“Those who see the own-nature, other-nature, being, and non-being do not see the reality (tattva) in the Buddha’s teaching.”[38]

Here he tried to make understand that the Buddha’s teaching means the path which leads to middle position. The western scholars have been often misunderstood and misinterpreted the “Śūnyatā” doctrine of Nārārjuna as a nihilistic doctrine. Madhyamika Kārika of Nāgārjuna clearly reveals that his Śūnyatā (emptiness) is not nihilistic either, but is the Middle-way and it is the causal genesis (pratityasamutpada). The Middle-way of Nāgārjuna is Śūnyatā (emptiness), implies on the state of empty from every thing where there is no Acceptance or Negation and even neither Acceptance nor Negation (acceptance—middle way—negation).

Conclusion:

Finally Nāgārjuna comes to conclude his Śūnyatā (emptiness) doctrine in logical way that the things are based on two truths in reality. According to his view the Buddha expounded two truths in thus: “The Buddha’s teaching rests on two truths: conventional truth (saṃvṛti satya), and truth in the highest sense (paramārtha satya). One who does not comprehend the distinction between these two truths, does not comprehend the profound meaning of the Buddha’s teaching.”[39] As it has discussed in above about the concept of abhidharmikas, who claim the entity (svabhāva) is ultimately real. But for Nāgārjuna, an entity could have to depend on other entities. If the entity is found to be dependent, then evidence will prove that it lacks of essence (svabhāva) and is thus not ultimately real. He points out that even emptiness (śūnyatā) lacks of self-nature (svabhāva) and is thus ultimately unreal. This emptiness is empty of really being emptiness, thus, one avoids nihilism. In Mūlamadhyamakakārikā he states that there is no differentiation between nirvāna and saṃsara, because without experiencing the true nature of dukkha (un-satisfactoriness) in this saṃsara, how could one realize the essentiality of nirvāna. Saṃvṛti Satya (conventional truth) conceals the true nature of reality. On the other hand the Paramārtha satya (highest truth), which always transcends conventional truth, is beyond thought and language. This is why the Buddha always keep in “noble silence” when he was questioned on metaphysical matters, which cannot bring to be liberated from Saṃsara. Nāgārjuna in Mūlamadhyamakakārikā states that the Highest Truth cannot be understood without conventional truth, thus said: “The highest truth cannot be taught without recourse to conventional language. Nirvāna cannot be realized, if we do not realize the highest truth.”[40] According to him, Śūnyatā (emptiness) is the ultimate reality as said: “It is empty” is not to be said, “It is non-empty,” nor “It is both (empty or non-empty), nor “It is neither”. They are only for the purpose of “verbal designation” (prajṇāpti).[41] This is the way in which he attempted to establish the non-substantiality of elements (dharma-nairātmya) and the non-substantiality of the human personality (pudgala-nairātmya).

To conclude this essay I can obviously assert that the Śūnyatā doctrine of Nāgārjuna is significant among other doctrines in Buddhism. Nāgārjuna did not accept any kind of dogmatic concepts, but clearly explained in logical way and showed to the people not to attach in attachment as the Buddha advised. The Śūnyatā doctrine of Nāgārjuna is the teaching of the Buddha, which is par excellence.

_______________________________________________________________________________

End Notes:

__________

[1] Nāgārjuna, The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy; http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nagarjun.htm, accessed date;25/10/08

[2] Ibid—

[3] Wikipedia; http://www.answers.com/topic/sunyata; accessed date: 25/10/08

[4] Pali- English Dictionary, T.W. Rhys Davids-William Stede—Motilal Banarsidass Publication Private Limited- P.717

[5] Ibid—

[6] The Notion of Emptiness in Early Buddhism, Choong Mun-keat, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1999, p.8]

[7] Saṃyutta Nikayā, IV 35.85, p.54

[8] The Heart Sutra, Prajna Paramita Hrydaya Sutra, http://www.buddhanet.net/elearning/heartstr.htm; accessed date-25/10/08

[9] The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Nāgārjuna; http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nagarjun.htm; accessed date—25/10/08

[10] Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma, Bhikkhu KL Dhammajoti, Sri Lanka, 2004. p. 33

[11] Ibid—p.35

[12] Encyclopedia of Buddhism, Vol-IV, Published by the Government of Sri Lanka, 1979-1989, p.-460

[13] AKB, 2: svalakṣaṇa-dhāranād dharmaḥ/ tad ayaṃ paramārtha-dharmaṃ vā nirvāṇaṃ dhama-lakṣaṇaṃ vā praty abhimukho dharma ity abhidharmaḥ

[14] Abhidharma-mahā-vibhāṣa-śastra; 777a, Cf Ny, 432b

[15] The Essence of Scholasticism, Abhidharmahṛdaya- T1550, Charles Willemen, Delhi, 2006. p. 15

[16] Ibid—p.19

[17] Ātman is believed by Upanishadic thinkers as everlasting permanent entity of self who wanders throughout Samsara.

[18] Brahmajala sutta, Digha-nikayā; http://web.ukonline.co.uk/theravada/brahma1.htm--accessed date;25/10/08

[19] The doctrine of the Upanisads and the Early Buddhism, Hermann Oldenberg, Reprint: Delhi, 1997. p.34

[20] Ibid—p.35

[21] Anattalakkhana Sutta, Samyutta Nikaya XXII, 59; http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/anatta.txt; accessed date—25/10/08

[22] Abhidharmikas believe that the dharma or svabhāva is as reality and exits for all three period of time.

[23] Mūlamadhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna, David J. Kalupahana, Reprint: Delhi, 1996, 1999. p. 264

[24] Dhammapada (Pali version), verse;-279

[25] Majjima Nikaya, (Pali Text Soceity) Vol.-1, p.283, translated by Ñānamoli & Bhikkhu Bodhi.

[26] Mūlamadhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna, David J.Kalupahana, p.15

[27] Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, chapter XXIV, verse-40

[28] Majjima Nikāya (Pali Text Soceity), p.655

[29] Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, Chapter-I, verse-1

[30] Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, XXIV, verse-19

[31] Mūlamadhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna, David J.Kalupahana, p. 32

[32] Outlines of Mahayana Buddhism, D.T.Suzuki, Munshiram Manoharlal, New Delhi, 2000. p.172

[33] Buddhism and Science, Buddhada Kirthisinghe, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi-1993, 1996. p.89

[34] Madhyamika Kārikā XXIV, verse-18

[35] SN 12.15; Kaccayanagotta Sutta; http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.015.than.html; accessed date: 25/10/08

[36] Madhyamika Kārikā XV, verse 10

[37] Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta; http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.nymo.html; accessed date—25/10/08

[38] Mūlamadhyamikakārika, chapter-15, verse-6

[39] Mūlamadhyamaka Kārikā, chapter-XXIV, verses; 8-9

[40] Mūlamadhyamaka Kārikā, chapter-XXIV, verse: 10

[41] Mūlamadhyamaka Kārikā, chapter-XXII, verses; 22

Bibliography

____________

Davids, T.W. Rhys -William Stede. Pali- English Dictionary, Motilal Banarsidass Publication Private Limited.

Dhammajoti Bhikkhu KL. Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma, Sri Lanka, 2004.

Dr. Fa Qing, Lecture notes on Mahāyāna Buddhism, IBC, 2008

Encyclopedia of Buddhism, Vol-IV, Published by the Government of Sri Lanka, 1979-1989,

JR.C.W. Huntington. The Emptiness of Emptiness, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi—2003. Kalupahana, David J. Mūlamadhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna, Reprint: Delhi, 1996, 1999.

Mun-keat, Choong. The Notion of Emptiness in Early Buddhism, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1999.

Murti, T.R.V., The Central Philosophy of Buddhism, Munshiram Manoharlala (Pvt) Ltd., New Delhi, 1998.

Ñānamoli & Bodhi Bhikkhu. Majjima Nikaya, (Pali Text Soceity) Vol-1.

Oldenberg, Hermann. The doctrine of the Upanisads and the Early Buddhism, Reprint: Delhi, 1997.

Suzuki, D.T. Outlines of Mahayana Buddhism, Munshiram Manoharlal, New Delhi, 2000.

Thera Narada, The Dhammapada, 4rd Edition 1993,

Willemen, Charles. The Essence of Scholasticism, Abhidharmahṛdaya- T1550, Delhi—2006.

Internet Sources:

Anattalakkhana Sutta, Samyutta Nikaya XXII, 59;

http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/anatta.txt

Brahmajala sutta, Digha-nikayā; http://web.ukonline.co.uk/theravada/brahma1.htm

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta;

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.nymo.html

Nāgārjuna, The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy; http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nagarjun.htm

The Heart Sutra, Prajna Paramita Hrydaya Sutra,

http://www.buddhanet.net/elearning/heartstr.htm;

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Nāgārjuna; http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nagarjun.htm

Wikipedia; http://www.answers.com/topic/sunyata

The Yogacara: “Vijnaptimatra” is a Doctrine of Metaphysical Idealism ! (Class Essay)

2011-09-30T04:52:00.000-07:00

Introduction:

The Yogacara as a Mahayana school most probably evolved from a group of ancient Buddhist monks who were meditator in late 2ndcentury A.D,.1 School of meditators became a philosophic school under circumstances still poorly understood, but primarily under the influence of Maitreya-Asanga, as is well known. It presented itself as a Sautrantika accommodated to an idealistic ontology; the existence of only the mind (cittamatra).2 It came to be known as the "consciousness-only" school in 4th century A.D. of Mahayana Buddhism. So that Yogacra is also known as Vijnanavada school of Buddhism, which rendered the “Doctrine of Consciousness”. The origins of the scholarly Indian Yogacra tradition were rooted in the Nalanda University where the doctrine of Cittamatra was first extensively propagated. Doctrines, tenets and derivatives of this school have influenced and become well-established in China, Tibet, Japan and Mongolia and throughout the World. Yogacara discourse views that all phenomena is mind. And most important Yogacara texts are discussed in the philosophical point of view: “Two sutras, the Sandhinirmocana,and the Lankavatara, a work of quite exceptional spiritual profundity. Two short works of Vasubandhu, the ‘Twenty Verses’ with his own and the ‘Thirty Verses’ with Sthiramati commentary. Asanga’s Mahayana-samgrahawith some excellent commentaries, and two works attributed to Maitreyanatha,i.e. the Mahayanasutralankaraand the Madhyantavibhaga. And finally Yuan-tsang’s Vijnaptimatratasiddhi, which reflects chiefly the views of Dhammapala.”3

In this short writing I will try to maintain that the Yogacara is a form of Metaphysical Idealism, which is based on the doctrine of “Consciousness-only”(vijnaptimatra) and denies the external objects by asserting that there is nothing can be known to exist apart from consciousness which is a position of metaphysical idealism.4 I will further discuss about the Three-self Nature (trisvabhava) as empty of objective duality which amount the external objects as conceptualized/imagined productive nature of the world and comprise “Vijnaptimatrata” as the theory of absolute reality. The main Yogacara doctrine of Eight Consciousnesses and, alayavijnana as their causes will be shown.

The notion of Cittamatra (Mind-only) or, Vijnaptimatra (Consciousness-only):

The Yogacara notion of vijnaptimatrata is an attempt to reformulate this basic Buddhist insight through a comprehensive phenomenological analysis of the activities of the mind. In the systematized Yogacara school of Maitreyanatha, Asanga and Vasubandu, the pristine Absolute Consciousness or Vijnaptimatrata is the Absolute Reality. Through individual Ignorance (Avidya), Vijnaptimatrata as the three vijnanas; viz: Alayavijnana,Manas or Klishto manovijnana, and Pravrittivijnana, by which is meant the six consciousnesses - the five sense consciousnesses (seeing, hearing, etc.) and the manovijnana or mind consciousness-that make up mental and sensory reality.5 The term, Cittamatra “Mind-only” is given by Asanga and later on his brother Vasubandhu developed as the doctrine of “Consciousness-only” (vijnaptimatra) in his Vijnaptimatratasiddhi-Trimsika . Asanga's teaching contains in itself the tendency to ontological and metaphysical examination of the problem of Mind. It confirms the existence not only the "store consciousness" of Alaya-vijnana which is the source of all empirical forms of consciousness and its contents as well but also supports the idea of the One and Only absolute Mind which is the same as the Dharma Body (Dharmakaya) of the Buddha itself. This Absolute Consciousness sometimes was even called "Great Self", "Highest Self", or "Pure Self" (mahatman; paramatman; suddhatman).6 Unlike Asanga, Vasubandhu carefully reserves from the arguments of the ontological character having strong intention to keep himself exclusively in the frames of phenomenology. Developing the concept of "alaya - vijnana" and the teaching about three levels of reality (trisvabhava).7

In the section on the Mind (Manobhumi), citta, manas and vijnana-three terms hitherto (in the early sutra-s and in Abhidharma tadition) are considered as to the same entity.8 Mahayana, Vimshatika declares that, all the three worlds do not exist outside of thought. Mind, thought, consciousness, knowledge are synonyms.9 (Consciousness –only) describes in the Lankavatara Sutra as Cittamatra (Mind-only). In the general sense both of are synonym. No one is saved as long as he conceives of an object and a subject. If he should seek refuse in a ‘bare thought devoid of an external object’, he would still apprehend his own consciousness and thereby miss ‘the true nature of thought. Vasubandhu made a valiant attempt at excluding all misunderstanding by saying that; ‘When cognition no longer apprehends an object, then it stands firmly in consciousness-only; because where there is nothing to grasp there is no more grasping’. The accomplished yogin does not take as real any object whatever outside Thought.10 This is most characteristic doctrine of the Yogacarins is their so-called 'idealism", it denies the independent reality of an external object.

Vasubandhu in his commentary of Vijnaptimatratasidhi-Trimsika proves that Pure-Consciousness is the Reality and there is no existence of external objects outside the thought. Reality, says the Trimsika, is pure consciousness. This reality (Vijnaptimatra) on account of its inherent power suffers threefold modification. First of all it manifests itself as Alayavijnana or Vipaka which is a Store-house Consciousness, where the seeds of all phenomena are present. In their doctrines concerning action, the Vijnanavadins rendered the theories of the Sautrantikas, even if with some retouches. Action, which is essentially volitional, justifies the doctrine of ‘mind-only’.11 The mind as cause, the hand, which is a development of the mind, arise and dies in a series which propagates itself in space as if it were moving. This movement appears to “inform” indicating the mind from whence it arises; it can be given name as bodily vijnapti.12 With the mind as cause, a voice or a series of syllables developing from the mind, arises and disappears.

The Vijnanavada that consciousness can exist by itself without the object, as it admittedly does in dream-states and other illusions. Consciousness should be regarded as giving rise to the varied contents of its states from its own inner potentiality.13 Vijnanavada analyses illusion from an opposite angle; for it, the ‘given’ is appearance, and the ideating consciousness alone is real. The appearance of something, the ‘this’, independent of the act of cognition, is negated; and the true nature of the appearance as identical with the projecting consciousness is reinstated.14 Certain masters of the past have been obliged to admit that the mind is ultimately real and thereby originated the school of the Vijnanavada [proponents of consciousness], which one of those is known at the present day as the four philosophical systems. According to Lankavatara Sutra, says that;

There is Mind-only, there is no visible world;

As there is no visible world, [Mind] is not arisen [apart from Mind there is no rising];

This is taught by myself and other [Tathagatas] to be the Middle Path.15

The whole teaching of the Yogacarins or Vijnanavadins contends the doctrine of 'Cittamatra”(Mind-only), or, Vijnanamatra(Consciousness-only) in broadest sense of explanation.

The term "Metaphysics" and "Idealism":

Metaphysic is the branch of philosophy, investigating principles of reality transcending those of any particular science. Cosmology and ontology are traditional branches of metaphysics. It is concerned with explaining the ultimate nature of beings and the world.16 The word derives from the Greek word “meta” meaning “beyond” or “after” and word “physika” which meaning “physical”.

In Aristotelian metaphysics the principle of contradiction governs all that is (to on)17 “physical” referring to those works on matter by Aristotle in antiquity. The prefix meta(beyond) was attached to the chapters in Aristotle’s work that physically followed after the chapters on “physics”. More recently, the term “metaphysics” has also been employed by non-philosophers to refer to “subjects that are beyond the physical world”.

Parmenides is one of the first meta-physicians. He held that the multiplicity of existing things, their changing forms and motion, are but an appearance of a single eternal reality (“Being”), thus giving rise to the Parmenide an principle that “all in one”. From this concept of Being, he wanted to say that all claims of change of non-Being are illogical. Because he introduced the method of basing claims about appearances on a logical concept of Being.

In philosophical way, the term ontology is interpreted as “the study of Being and existence”, includes the definition and classification of entities, physical or mental, the nature of their properties, and the nature of change. It is a branch of metaphysics. The principle of Buddhist ontology is quite different, which is common to all schools and has been formulated on many occasions. 18 states that the truth “lies in the middle” between ‘it is’ and ‘it is not’.

Another proposal discussing the mind-body problem is ‘Idealism’, in which the material is sweepingly eliminated in favor of the mental. The term “Idealism” came to vogue roughly during the time of Kant. It defines that ideas are the only real things, whereas matters do not exist. Idealism, in its broadest sense, came to encompass everything that was not materialism. Idealist, George Berkeley claims that material objects do not exist unless perceived and only as perceptions. On the other hand Materialist argued that only matter was ultimately real, so that thought and consciousness derived from physical entities (chemistry, brain state, etc). Subsequently opposing camps took one or the other substance as their metaphysical foundation. The various forms of metaphysical idealism was posited a mind (or minds) as the ultimate reality. The physical world was either an unreal illusion or not as real as the mind that created it.19

Three Self-nature (Tri-Svabhava), Emptiness (Sunyata) and Consciousness-only (Vijnaptimatra);

The Three Self-nature theory (tri-svabhava), which is explained in many Yogacara texts including an independent treatise by Vasubandhu devoted to the subject (Trisvabhava-nirdesa-sastra), maintains that there are three “nature” or cognitive realms at play. To Nagarjuna separate dharmas seemed illusory because logically impossible, to the Yogacarins because they were merely ideas or representations. For them the external world is really mind itself, and illusion consists in regarding the objectifications of one’s own mind as a world independent of that mind which is really its source. Things do not exist, in the sense that they are unreal as we imagine them to be. They do not, however, not exist in each and every way because their inconceivable basis, called ‘the mere entity” (vastumatram), the ‘things in itself’, is real. The Yogacarins evolved their theory of the ‘three kinds of own-being’, which part of Yogacarin doctrine is well documented,20 relatively easy to understand. These are referred to in Yogacara as the three natures of perception. They are;

10 Parikalpita-svabhava, which literally means “fully conceptualized” or Imaginary Nature, wherein things are incorrectly apprehended based on conceptual construction, through attachment and erroneous discrimination. It is conceptually constructed through imputes unreal conceptions. First of all the world of common sense is considered just as it appears to ordinary people, composed of many things with their own attributes and names. The Yogacarins add that it consists in that ‘something appears as an object when in fact there is none, but only an idea’21. The common sense world is pure imagination, covering up the true reality (dharmata or dharmadhatu), which is that ‘the imagination of something which is actually unreal’ (abhutaparikalpita).

11 Paratantra-svabhava, which literally means “”casual dependency” or Dependent Nature, by which the correct understanding of the dependently originated nature of things is understood. The nature of casual dependency develops, when mixed with the conceptual constructed nature. Secondly, as regards the ‘interdependent’, we consider the various objects as they mutually cause and condition each other, and are causally dependent on one another, according to the formula ‘where this is, that becomes’. The interdependent arising of dharmas ‘is the basis of the manifestation of non-existent and fictitious objects’22. Though it does not appears, the ‘interdependent own-being’ is unlike the ‘imaginary own-being’, not entirely non-existent. The characteristic feature of this knowledge is that it is not altogether a subjective creation produced out of pure nothingness, but it is a construction of some objective reality on which it depends for materials.

12 Parinispanna-svabhava, which literally means “fully accomplished” or Absolute Nature, through which one apprehends things as they are in themselves, uninfluenced by any conceptualization at all. It acts as an antidote (pratipaksa) that that cleans all delusional constructions out of the casual nature. Thirdly we penetrate by means of pure thought to the absolute aspect of the data of experience. Absolute knowledge, or ‘right cognition’, has immutable Suchness’23 for its object, and for it the empirical object does absolutely not exist in the manner in which it is imagined’24.

Sandhinirmocana sutra states that, “things have no existence at all, then they have no origination; if they have no origination, then they have no extinction. If they have no origination and no extinction, they are fundamentally quiescent. If they are fundamentally quiescent, they are inherently nirvanic, and there is nothing at all therein that can further cause their ultimate nirvana. Therefore I say that all things have no origination or extinction, are fundamentally quiescent and inherently nirvanic, in terms of the essencelessness of characteristics.” 25 produce explanations of the dependent and real natures based on the characteristics of the conceptualized nature, saying they are such and such, in accord with how people conceptualize them.

For Nagarjuna, when one reaches the conclusion of the analysis, one’s “seeing things as they truly are” is just seeing emptiness; later Indian Madhyamakas will speak of it as the “seeing that is non-seeing.” For Nagarjuna, emptiness is utter lack of essence; hence, they are all ultimately unreal. For Asanga and Vasubandhu, emptiness is the absence of subject object duality in the mind of the perceiver. There remains nevertheless the undeniable fact of consciousness itself. Asanga and Vasubandhu explain their new notion of emptiness through the theory of the “three natures” (trisvabhava).26 Emptiness [sunyata] means 'absence of duality between perceiving subject and the perceived object."27 Response to the earliest Madhyamaka doctrine of emptiness and the Middle Way, the early Yogacara asserts that the true Middle Way consists in neither superimposing (samaropa) what do not actually exist -i.e. the conceptualized on these ‘thing-in-itself’, nor negating (apavada) what actually exist – i.e. these very things in themselves.28 Exist; devoid of the improper grasping superimposing what is unreal, and devoid of the improper grasping what is real, and is to be understood as the domain of the non-conceptualizing knowledge alone. According to Ven. Prof. KL Dhammajoti that such doctrine of "consciousness-only" (vijnaptimatra) as a metaphysical theory is developed in the Yogacara texts. In the Treatise On the Three Natures (Trisvabhava-nirdesa), Vasubandhu clearly states that all outside things are just imagined, empty of duality and constructed by the mind.

“The imagined (kalpita), the other dependent (paratantra) and

The consummate (parinispanna).

These are the three natures (svabhava)

Which should be deeply understood.”

If anything appears, it is imagined.

The way it appears is as duality (dvaya).

What is the consequence of its non-existence?

The fact of non-duality (advayadharmata)!

What is the imagination of the non-existent?

Since what is imagined absolutely never

Exists in the way it is imagined,

It is mind that constructs that illusion." 29

Again in the Lankavatara-sutra clearly focused the concept of Mind-only (cittamatra) by categorization of being, non-being, and being-and-non-being that all are mind made and outside all objects are the creation of the mind. What is seen, is seen of Mind wherein no existence of subjects and objects duality. The Blessed One said to Mahamati in such way-- "When the world is seen [to be unpredictable with such notions as] being, non-being, or being-and-non-being, a change takes place in the mind, and egolessness is attained. The external world is not, and multiplicity of objects is what is seen of Mind; body, property, and abode-these I call Mind-only (cittamatra). Multiplicity of objects evolves from the conjunction of habit-energy and discrimination; it is born of mind, but is regarded by people as existing outwardly; this I call Mind-only."30

The Doctrine of Eight-Cosciousnesses (Astavijnana) under the Reality of Mind:

In the Yogacara School of Buddhism Vijnanasare to be understood as ultimate reality of the world. The most famous innovation of the Yogacara School was the doctrine of eight consciousnesses. Generally we can find six consciousnesses in the early Buddhist Abhidharma, each consciousness produced by the contact between sense organ and a corresponding sense object. But in the doctrine of the Yogacara school of Buddhism described a concept of the “Eight Consciousnesses”. They enumerated the five senses, supplemented by the mind (manas), the "obscuration" of the mind (klesa), and finally the fundamental "store-house consciousness" (alayavijnana), which is the basis of other seven. The translator Suzuki, in the Lankavatara-Sutra these Eight Consciousnesses described as follows;

-“When an object is presented before the eye, it is perceived and judged as a red apple or a piece of white linen; the faculty of doing this is eye-vijnana. In the same way there are ear-vijnana for sound, nose-vijnana for odour, tongue-vijnana for taste, body-vijnana for touch, and thought-vijnana (mano-vijnana) for ideas. Of these six vijnanas, the Manovijnana is the most important as it is directly related to an inner faculty known as Manas. The Manas first wills, and then it discriminates to judge.”31

Manovijnana became the sixth consciousness, surveying the cognitive content of the five senses as well as mental objects (thought, ideas). Manas became the seventh consciousness, redefined as primarily obsessed with various aspect and notions of "self" and thus called "defiled manas" (klista-manas). The Eight-Consciousness is “Alayavijnana” or "store-house consciousness". Individual self (klista manovijnana) depends on the Alaya and is accompanied by four kinds of suffering -self-notion, self-delusion, self-pride and self-love.32 Cease to function when the false notion of the ego is destroyed and when the categories of intellect are transcended.33

The third modification, the form of the objects, the mental states (manovijnana) and the so-called external objects (visaya-vijnana), which appears as the six Vijnana(sadvidha) is of two kinds- pure (kusala) and impure (akusula) and is accompanied by various suffering (klesha) and sub-suffering (upaklesha).34 Vijnanas stand in the same relation to the Alaya as waves stand to water.35 Thus we see that the subject as well as the object are only modifications of the Alaya which itself is only a modification of Pure Consciousness. Hence it is established that Pure Consciousness is the only Reality.

Vijnana is composed of the prefix “vi” meaning "to divide", and the root jna which means "to perceive", "to know". Thus, Vijnana is the faculty of distinguishing or discerning or judging. The terms citta, manas, vijnana,manovijnana, and alayavijnana are necessarily based on one, these all are synonym of the citta or vijnana.

Three modes are distinguishable in the Vijnanas;(1) the Vijnana as evolving, (2) the Vijnana as producing effects, and (3) the Vijnana in its original nature.36 In the Vijnanas, which are said to be eight, two functions generally are distinguishable, the perceiving and the object-discriminating. Between the two, the perceiving Vijnana the object-discriminating Vijnana, there is no difference; they are mutually conditioning. The perceiving Vijnana because of transformation’s taking place [in the mind] by reason of the mysterious habit-energy, while object-discriminating Vijnana functions because of the mind’s discriminating an objective world and because of the habit-energy accumulated by erroneous reasoning since beginningless time.37 Again the Buddha explained to Mahamati in Lankavatara-sutra, that the wise find the way of cessation and destroy the continuum samsaric existence through the understanding of Vijnanas and there is nothing than Mind itself.

Alayavijnana is the ultimate reality of the Doctrine of “Vijnaptimatra”:

Alayavijnana is one of eight consciousnesses was elaborated in Yogacara school of Buddhism. In Buddhist sutras and agamas we can find the concept of alaya. In Asanga’s Mahayanasangraha-sastra a notable passage is quoted from the Tseng-i-a-han-ching [Ekottaragama Sutra] which discloses the existence of alayain four modes i.e., alayabhiharata(alaya-loved), alayarata(alaya-enjoyed), alayasamudita(alaya-indulge-in), and alayarama(alaya-delight-in). Alayais interpreted here as “that which is loved and attached to by living beings.”38 Some scholars, like Suguro, in fact suggest that originally alaya-vijnana signifies the consciousness that clings to the self.39 Again, some people think that Alayavijnana “Store-consciousness” (Tathagathagarbha) of Mahayana Buddhism is something like a self.40 The second evolving consciousness which is called Manas as it was discussed in previous topic, and it manifest itself, with the alayavijnana as its basis and support, and takes that consciousness as object.41 to the Yogacarins, the mindless absorptions are endowed with mind from the fact of the alayavijnana.42 The Alayavijnana the universal storehouse consciousness, so-called because it is the repository of the vasanas (perfuming),the impressions or tendencies carried over from past lives. D. T. Suzuki explains, "every act, mental or physical, leaves its seeds (bijas) behind, which is planted in the Alaya future germination under favourable conditions".43

Asanga (4thcen. A.C), a great authority of Yogacara school, who, from the standpoints of ‘non-self’, proposed for the first time the existence of alaya-vijnana, which acts as the subject in the cycle of births and deaths. Based upon the teaching of the Mahayana-Abhidharma Sutra, and the Sandhinirmocana sutra, in which the persisting element within each individual is represented as alaya-vijnanaor, a basic consciousness. It is also called adana-vijnana (grasping-consciousness).44 Vijnaptimatrata-trimsika the alaya-vijnanaas follows: “The first (transformation) is alaya-vijnana, and it is also called vipaka-vijnana(retributive consciousness) or sarvabijaka-vijnana(the consciousness carries within it all seeds).”45 In this three characteristic of this consciousness are distinguished, that is, alaya-vijnana as self-characteristic, vipaka as the effect-characteristic, and sarvabijaka as the cause-characteristic. Again, the term alaya described in the earlier sutra-s as “attachment”, “clinging”. 46 was given a new term of the meaning of alayavijnana is the form of mind characterized by sticking in the material organs, in sense of being hidden in them.47

The Alayavijnana the Lankavatara which is identified with Tathagatagarbha or the Pure Citta is identical with the Vijnaptimatra of Vasubandhu. Both are pure Consciousness which is the permanent background of all phenomena, subjective as well as objective, and which ultimately transcends the subject and object duality. The Alayavijnana Vasubandhu is only a phenomena manifestation of this Pure Consciousness. It contains the seeds of all phenomena, subjective as well as objective.48

The reality of Pure consciousness alone, variously called as alayavijnana [of the Lankavatara], Tathagatagarbha, Cittamatra, Vijnaptimatra, is empirically maintained.49 The alayavijnana considered as the cause of all eight consciousnesses, which implies all seeds into the store (alaya). As this consciousness is capable of holding and preserving such seeds, it is described as sarvabijaka in the Vijnaptimatrata-trimsika.Sarvabijaka means ‘all seeds”, and sarvabijaka denotes the possession of all seeds by the eight consciousness which manifests them. The theory, which asserts that this consciousness as it is possessed of all seeds causes all phenomena to appear, is technically called the theory of causation by the alayavijnana; and it is given the name of “Consciousness-only Doctrine” (vijnaptimatratavada) to the assertion that the manifestation of all things rest on consciousness.50

The alayavijnana the association factor of mind as it is described in the AlayaTreatise: Pravrttiand Nivrtti from the Viniscayasamgrahaniof the Yogacarabhumisastra;

(2.b) A. Alayavijnana is associated through association (samprayoga) with the five omnipresent factors associated with mind (cittasamprayuktasarvatraga): attention (manaskara), sense impression (sparsa), feeling (vedana), apperception (samjna), and volitional impulse (cetana).51

In the Manobhumi(the section of Mind) of Yogacara-bhumi-sastra, citta is given as a synonym of alayavijnana, and explained as follows; "What is citta? It is the alaya-vijnana which is, furnished with all seeds, furnished with the basis-nature, and subsumed as a retribution".52 Sandhinirmocana-sutra also says that alayavijnana is called citta.

The alayavijnana is the ultimate reality of producing all kinds of consciousnesses which transforms the “seeds of action” from past to present life and present to future life. It is root-consciousness (mula-vijnana) in the doctrine of “Vijnaptimatra”(Consciousness-only).

Final Declaration:

In the end of this easy I have come to point out that the doctrine of “Consciousness-only” is a metaphysical theory developed in Yogacara texts as Ven. Prof. KL Dhammajoti rightly understood. There is no doubt that “Consciousness-only Doctrine” accepts the existence of consciousness itself as ultimate reality beyond external world as unreal, which similar to the theory of Metaphysics of Aristotle and takes all external things as just conception/imagination which is pure Idealism of Idealist, George Berkeley. Whole three worlds are dominating by the mind and, the alayavijnana all seeds of consciousness in the “store” (alayate) for three life times. is much evidence that, the concept of Mind-only (cittamatra) or Consciousness-only (vijnaptimatra) as evidence of metaphysical idealism in the early Yogacara founded by Asanga and Vasubandhu. Firstly, one should have to understand what Metaphysical Idealism is and later on he will understand about the doctrine of "Consciousness-only" that falls in the category of Metaphysics as well as Idealistic entity, which accept the concept of Mind as real beyond physical world as unreal or, concept.

Notes;

1 [Alaya-vijnana: The Yogacara Doctrine of the Store-consciousness, lectured by Ven. Prof. KL Dhammmajoti in IBC, lecture-1, 3, pp-1,1]

2 [Karmasiddhiprakarana, The Treatise on Action by Vasubandhu, English translated by Leo M. Pruden, p.32]

3 [Buddhist Thought in India, by, Edward Conze, London, 1962, page-257].

4 [Alaya-vijnana: The Yogacara Doctrine of the Store-consciousness, lectured by Ven. Prof. KL Dhammmajoti in IBC, lecture-3, p.-1]

5 [Ashok Kumar Chatterjee, The Yogacara Idealism, Motilal Banaridass Publication, Delhi, 1999; p.87].

6 Article; The Yogacara School of the Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy, by Evgueni A. Tortchinov; http://www.kheper.net/topics/Buddhism/Yogacara.html]

7 Ibid-

8 [Alaya-vijnana: The Yogacara Doctrine of the Store-consciousness, lectured by Ven. Prof. KL Dhammmajoti in IBC, Lecture-5, p.-2].

9 [A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy, by Dr. Candradgar Sharma, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, p.-114].

10 [Buddhist Thought in India, by, Edward Conze, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, p-257]

11 [Karmasiddhiprakarana, by Vasubandhu and translated into English by Leo M. Pruden, page-32].

12 Ibid-

13 [yatha Taranga mahato’mburaseh samiranapreranay obdhavanti; tatha layakhyad api sarvabijad vijnanamatram bhavati svasakteh. Madhyamak-Avatara of Candrakirti; Chap-VI, p.- 46].

14 [The Central Philosophy of Buddhism, by T.R.V. Murti, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, p.-332].

15 [Lankavatara Sutra, translated by D.T. Suzuki, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, p.-254, verse-358]

1 6 Geisler, Norman L. “Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics” p; 446. Baker Books, 1999

1 7 Der Satz vom Widerspurch, E. Conze, 1932, p;92-5

1 8 Samyutta Nikaya II, p:17

19 The Buddhists Encyclopedia of Buddhism by, Subodh Kapoor, Volume-5, Cosmo Publications, New Delhi 2001, p;1503

20 [Sandhinirmocana Sutra, translated by Thomas Cleary, [http://www.empty-universe.com/yogacara/samdhinirmocana.htm, access date; 03/09/08, Lankavatara Sutra, pp-67-8, 130-3]

21 [Mahayanasamgraha, trad. E. Lamotte, La somme du grand vehicule d’Asanga, 2 vols., 1938-9, p.-90]

22 [Mahayanasamgraha, pp-89,107].

23 [Lankavatara Sutra, translated by D.T. Suzuki, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, p.-68]

24 [Mahayanasamgraha p.-110].

25 Sandhinirmocana Sutra, translated by Thomas Cleary, http://www.empty-universe.com/yogacara/samdhinirmocana.htm, access date; 03/09/08]

26 [Mahayana Buddhism, Lecture on The Two Truth, lecture held by Dr. Faqing in IBC on 09/09/08; http://ibc.ac.th/faqing/files/madoc/06_Madhyamaka%20two%20truth.pdf]

27 [Skilton, Andrew. A Concise History of Buddhism. Windhorse Publications, London:1994. p.-124]

28 [Alayavijnana: The Yogacara Doctrine of the Store-consciousness, Lecture-4, p.-2 lecture held by, Ven: Prof. KL Dhammajoti in IBC]

29 [http://www.emptyuniverse.com/yogacara/trisvabhavanirdesa.htm; Trisvabhava-nirdesa by Vasubandhu;Translated by Jay Garfield, access date; 03/09/08]

30 [Lankavatara Sutra, translated by D.T. Suzuki, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, pp.-132-33]

31 [Ibid- p.xxiii]

32 [The Vijnaptimatratasiddhi-Trimsika, By Vasuhandhu: http://www.empty-universe.com/yogacara/trimsika.htm; K.6 accessed date 03/09/08].

33 [Ibid, K.7]

34 [Ibid, K-8-9]

35 [Ibid, K. 15].

36 [Lankavatara Sutra, translated by D.T. Suzuki, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, p.-33]

37 Ibid-----p.34

38 [Encyclopedia of Buddhism, Vol-I, Apa-Bharhut 1966, Published by the government of Ceylon, p-383]

39 [ Alayavijnana: The Yogacara Doctrine of the Store-consciousness, Ven: Prof: KL Dhammajoti, Lecture-4; p.-3]

40 [What the Buddha Taught, by Walpola Rahula, p.-65]

41 [Vijnaptimatrata Trimsika, by Vasubandhu; http://www.empty-universe.com/yogacara/trimsika.htm K-5, access date: 03/09/08].

42 [Abhidhamma Kosa Bhasyam, by, Louis De La Vallee Pousin, En-Leo M. Pruden, p.-42].

43 [D. T. Suzuki Studies in the Lankavatara Sutra, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, p.483].

44 [Alayavijnana: The Yogacara Doctrine of the Store-consciousness, lectured by Ven: Prof: KL Dhammajoti in IBC, Lecture-4; p.-3].

45 [Vijnaptimatratasidhi-Trimsika, by Vasubandhu; http://www.empty-universe.com/yogacara/trimsika.htm;verse-2; accessed date; 03/09/08]

46 [Alayavijnana: The Yogacara Doctrine of the Store-consciousness, lectured by Ven: Prof: KL Dhammajoti in IBC, Lecture-3, p.-5].

47 [Ibid, lecture-3, p. 8].

48 [A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy, by Dr. Candradgar Sharma, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, p-117]

49 [A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy, by Dr. Chandradhar Sharma, Delhi, p. 121]

50 [Encyclopedia of Buddhism, Vol-I, Apa-Bharhut 1966, Published by the government of Ceylon, p.-385].

51 [http://www.emptyuniverse.com/yogacara/pravrittinivrtti.htm;accessed date; 05/09/08]

52 [Alaya-vijnana: The Yogacara Doctrine of the Store-consciousness, lectured by Ven. Prof. KL Dhammmajoti in IBC, Lecture-5, pp-1,2].

Bibliography

Dr. Chandradhar Sharma; A Critical survey of Indian Philosophy, Motilal Banarsidass publishers Private Limited, Delhi

Apa-Bharhut, Encyclopedia of Buddhism, Vol-I, published by the government of Ceylon, 1966.

Ashok Kumar Chatterjee, The Yogacara Idealism, Motilal Banaridass Publishers, Delhi, 1999

Edward Conze; Buddhist Thought in India, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.

Louis De La Vallee Pousin, translated in English by, Leo M. Pruden; Abhidharma Kosa Bhasyam, Vol-1

Louis De La Vallee Pousin, English translated by, Leo M. Pruden, Karmasiddhiprakarana, Asian humanities Press, Berkeley, California, 1988.

Ven: Prof; Dr. KL. Dhammajoti Lecture notes; on Alayavijnana: The Yogacara Doctrine of the Store-consciousness, IBC.

Compiler and Editor, Subodh Kapoor, The Buddhists Encyclopedia of Buddhism; Vol-5, Cosmo Publications, New Delhi 2001.

T.R.V. Murti; The Central Philosophy of Buddhism, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.

Translated by D.T. Suzuki, The Lankavatara Sutra, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Ltd. Delhi

Walpola Rahula; .What the Buddha Taught,

Handout Notes: Mahayana Buddhism, Lecture on The Two Truth, lecture held by Dr. Faqing in IBC on 09/09/08

Internet Source:

http://www.yogacara.net/article/wisdom/philosophy/buddhist+philosophy/yogacara

Internet Source: http://www.kheper.net/topics/Buddhism/Yogacara.html

Internet Source: http://www.empty-universe.com/yogacara

Internet Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysics

Some Mind Blowing Classical and Real Life Songs !

2011-09-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

Classical Song of Bhupen Hazarika

Bistirna Dupare -Bhupen Hazarika

Manush Manusher - Bhupen Hazarika

Pratidhwani Shuni - Bhupen Hazarika

Health - Tips !!!

2011-09-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

Answer the phone by LEFT ear .

Do not drink coffee TWICE a day.

Do not take pills with COOL water .
Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm.
Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume.
Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night.
Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS .
Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time.
Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning.
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping.
When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times.

Life Equations !

2011-09-28T07:03:00.000-07:00

Equation 1

Human = eat + sleep + work + enjoy
Donkey = eat + sleep

Therefore:
Human = Donkey + Work + enjoy

Therefore:
Human-enjoy = Donkey + Work

In other words,
A Human that doesn't know how to enjoy = Donkey that works.

++++++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++ ++ ++
Equation 2

Man = eat + sleep + earn money
Donkey = eat + sleep

Therefore:
Man = Donkey + earn money

Therefore:
Man-earn money = Donkey

In other words
Man who doesn't earn money = Donkey

++++++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++ +
Equation 3

Woman= eat + sleep + spend
Donkey = eat + sleep

Therefore:
Woman = Donkey + spend
Woman - spend = Donkey

In other words,
Woman who doesn't spend = Donkey

++++++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++ +

To Conclude:

From Equation 2 and Equation 3

Man who doesn't earn money = Woman who doesn't spend

So Man earns money not to let woman become a donkey!
And a woman spends not to let the man become a donkey!

So, We have:
Man + Woman = Donkey + earn money + Donkey + Spend money

so, therefore to conclude,

Man + Woman = 2 Donkeys that live happily together!

Keep Walking.....

2011-09-26T23:35:00.000-07:00

Just to check this out......

The Organs of your body have their sensory touches at the bottom of your foot, if you massage these points you will find relief from aches and pains as you can see the heart is on the left foot.

Typically they are shown as points and arrows to show which organ it connects to.

It is indeed correct since the nerves connected to these organs terminate here.

This is covered in great details in Acupressure studies or textbooks.

God created our body so well that he thought of even this. He made us walk so that we will always be pressing these pressure points and thus keeping these organs activated at all times.

So, keep walking...

Your Blood Type Reveal Your Personality?

2011-09-26T23:32:00.000-07:00

Did You Know?


Blood type and Rh	How many people have it?
O +	40 %
O -	7 %
A +	34 %
A -	6 %
B +	8 %
B -	1 %
AB +	3 %
AB -	1 %

Your Blood Type Reveal Your Personality?

According to a Japanese institute that does research on blood types, there are certain personality traits that seem to match up with certain blood types. How do you rate?

TYPE O	You want to be a leader, and when you see something you want, you keep striving until you achieve your goal. You are a trend-setter, loyal, passionate, and self-confident. Your weaknesses include vanity and jealously and a tendency to be too competitive.
TYPE A	You like harmony, peace and organization. You work well with others, and are sensitive, patient and affectionate. Among your weaknesses are stubbornness and an inability to relax.
TYPE B	You're a rugged individualist, who's str aightforwa rd and likes to do things your own way. Creative and flexible, you adapt easily to any situation. But your insistence on being independent can sometimes go too far and become a weakness.
TYPE AB	Cool and controlled, you're generally well liked and always put people at ease. You're a natural entertainer who's tactful and fair. But you're standoffish, blunt, and have difficulty making decisions.

MOST IMPORTANT INFO NOW:

REGARDS, MANIKANDAN,

You Can Receive
If Your Type Is	O-	O+	B-	B+	A-	A+	AB-	AB+
AB+	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
AB-	YES		YES		YES	YES
A+	YES	YES			YES	YES
A-	YES				YES
B+	YES	YES	YES	YES
B-	YES		YES
O+	YES	YES
O-	YES

Prevention is better than CURE ! Healthy Juices !

2011-09-26T23:23:00.000-07:00

HEALTHY JUICES

Carrot + Ginger + Apple - Boost and cleanse our system.

Apple + Cucumber + Celery - Prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, and eliminate stomach upset and headache.

Tomato + Carrot + Apple - Improve skin complexion and eliminate bad breath.

Bitter gourd + Apple + Milk - Avoid bad breath and reduce internal body heat.

Orange + Ginger + Cucumber - Improve Skin texture and moisture and reduce body heat.

Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon - To dispel excess salts, nourishes the bladder and kidney.

Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi - To improve skin complexion.

Pear & Banana - regulates sugar content.

Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango - Clear body heat, counteracts toxicity, decreased blood pressure and fight oxidization .

Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk - Rich in vitamin C + Vitamin B2 that increase cell activity and str engthen body immunity.

Papaya + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin C, E, Iron. Improve skin complexion and metabolism.

Banana + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin with nutritious and prevent constipation

KNOW ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF HAVING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Fruit	Benefit	Benefit	Benefit	Benefit	Benefit
apples	Protects your heart	prevents constipation	Blocks diarrhea	Improves lung capacity	Cushions joints
apricots	Combats cancer	Controls blood pressure	Saves your eyesight	Shields against Alzheimer's	Slows aging process
artichokes	Aids digestion	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Gua rd s against liver disease
avocados	Battles diabetes	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops str okes	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin
bananas	Protects your heart	Quiets a cough	Strengthens bones	Controls blood pressure	Blocks diarrhea
beans	Prevents constipation	Helps hemorrhoids	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Stabilizes blood sugar
beets	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones	Protects your heart	Aids weight loss
blueberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Boosts memory	Prevents constipation
broccoli	Strengthens bones	Saves eyesight	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure
cabbage	Combats cancer	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
cantaloupe	Saves eyesight	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Supports immune system

.. DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH

2011-09-26T23:16:00.000-07:00

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven a its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese med ical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, ga str itis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT

1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth , drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water .....interesting

2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes

3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.

4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours

5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/ reduce main diseases:

1. High Blood Pressure - 30 days

2. Ga str ic - 10 days

3. Diabetes - 30 days

4. Constipation - 10 days

5. Cancer - 180 days

6. TB - 90 days

7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwa rd s - daily.

This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.

It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life.

Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.

This makes sense .. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals ..not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.

It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed . It will slow down the digestion.

Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks : Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting.

Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.

You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.

Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.

60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.

Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to everyone they know, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

**Please send this article to all your friends you care about.

When to Drink Water ?

2011-09-26T23:12:00.000-07:00

GREAT INFO...

From a Cardiac Specialist When to Drink Water.

This is interesting!

You need water to flush the toxins out of your body, but this was news to me.
Correct Time to Drink Water.

Very Important

From A Cardiac Specialist!

Drinking water at certain time maximizes it's effectiveness on the body:

2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs
1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion

1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure

1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack

Please pass this to the people you care about.

Health Benefits of Cucumber Juice !

2011-09-26T22:52:00.000-07:00

Cucumber Juice -General facts

Cucumber is VERY Alkaline.
Cucumber Juice is EXTREMELY good for your Hair, Skin and Nails. It Really is True.
Cucumber Juice is High In Potassium. Cucumber Juice can Lower Your Blood Pressure.
Cucumber is a wonderful source for Silica. Silica is important for healthy connective tissue, ligaments, cartilage, muscles, tendons, and bone.
Cucumber Juice has Molybdenem, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Manganese, Tryotophan, Magnesium, and Chlorophyll.
Cucumbers are a GREAT way to Cool Down Your Body.
Cucumber is Anti-Cancer in that it is VERY high in Alkaline Minerals and Cancer cannot Live in an Alkaline Body.
Cucumber Juices is also used to heal and cure issues with Acne, Water Retention, Arthritis, Kidneys, Eczema, Psoriasis, Weight Loss and Hair Loss.
Cucumber Juice is a useful Anti-Flam agent. Drinking Cucumber Juice can get Your Bodies Inflammation Down.
Cucumber Juice is a Diuretic and Therefore has wonderful Cleansing Powers.

In Conclusion, Juicing Cucumbers is a quick way to lead a pain free live, to Prevent and Reverse Cancer – High Blood Pressure and other Dis-Ease.
Benefits of Cucumber Juice

Although most people are familiar with cucumbers since they typically appear on salads, few are aware that cucumber juice proves to be highly beneficial for a wide variety of health related issues. Eating cucumbers may decrease the appearance of blemishes such as pimples and blackheads making it an effective and an often-referred remedy for acne. However, it is essential to understand the full potential of the cucumber by examining the benefits of drinking cucumber juice to combat everything from high blood pressure and constipation to cancer.

Along with healthier skin, cucumbers contain a lot of water making it ideal for a variety of common issues. For those wishing to decrease their blood pressure, drinking this fruit in the form of juice, may provide a noticeable amount of relief as the blood pressure slowly declines. Furthermore, anyone dealing with the pains of constipation will also benefit from this fruit due to its high levels of alkaline and increased amounts of water. In terms of dieting and diabetes, cucumbers are ideal for an afternoon snack to rebuke hunger for those wishing to lose weight.

Another great factor with this fruit includes its high percentage of sulfur and silicone. For this reason, cucumber juice may aid those wishing to increase the growth of hair. The high amounts of sulfur and silicone also make cucumbers particularly good for growing healthier nails. Furthermore, cucumbers contain Silica, which is ideal for healthier ligaments, tendons, and muscles, making it perfect for people seeking relief of rheumatoid problems such as arthritis. Now for what may be the most important of all, cucumbers are extremely high in alkaline levels making it difficult for cancer to live in a high alkaline environment; therefore, cucumbers may prove beneficial in avoiding cancer of all types.
This fruit’s benefits range from beauty remedies such as removing bags, restoring hair, and promoting healthy development of skin and nails to serious concerns such as potentially decreasing the risk of cancer development. Regardless of if you need a natural laxative, acne remedy.

There are a variety of ways to prepare cucumber juice, including simply running a freshly washed cucumber through a juicer. However, you may also combine this great, refreshing fruit drink with other juices such as carrot juice. Try adding sugar and honey to your cucumber beverage to sweeten it to taste. Many people prefer to add ginger to the drink mix for a spark of flavor. Regardless of which cucumber juice mix you use, drinking and eating these healthy cucumbers will definitely help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, proving to be highly beneficial for all.

Grandmas remedies work wonders!

2011-09-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

COLDS

Mix a gram of dalchini/cinnamon powder with a teaspoon of honey to cure cold. Prepare a cup of tea to which you should add ginger, clove, bay leaf and black pepper. This should be consumed twice a day. Reduce the intake as the cold disappears.

GINGER FOR COLDS

Ginger tea is very good to cure cold. Preparation of tea: cut ginger

into small pieces and boil it with water, boil it a few times and then add sugar to sweeten and milk to taste, and drink it hot.

DRY COUGHS

Add a gram of turmeric (haldi) powder to a teaspoon of honey for curing dry cough. Also chew a cardamom for a long time.

BLOCKED NOSE

For blocked nose or to relieve congestion, take a table spoon of crushed carom seeds (ajwain) and tie it in a cloth and inhale it.

SORE THROAT

Add a tea spoon of cumin seeds (jeera) and a few small pieces of dry ginger to a glass of boiling water. Simmer it for a few minutes, and then let it cool. Drink it twice daily. This will cure cold as well as sour throat.

AJWAIN/AJMO FOR ASTHMA

Boil ajwain in water and inhale the steam.

CURE FOR BACKACHE

Rub ginger paste on the backache to get relief.

GARLIC FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Have 1-2 pod garlic (lasan) first thing in the morning with water.

HONEY & GINGER FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Mix 1 table spoon honey and 1 table spoon ginger (adrak) juice, 1 table spoon of crushed cumin seeds (jeera), and have it twice daily.

MIGRAINE

For the cure of migraine or acute cold in the head: boil a tablespoon of pepper powder, and a pinch of turmeric in a cup of milk, and have it daily for a few couple of days.

BITTER GOURD/KARELA IS GOOD FOR DIABETES

A tablespoon of amla juice mixed with a cup of fresh bitter gourd (karela) juice and taken daily for 2 months reduces blood sugar.

TURMERIC/ ARAD CURE FOR INJURIES

For any cut or wound, apply turmeric powder to the injured portion to stop the bleeding. It also works as an antiseptic. You can tie a bandage after applying haldi/turmeric.

CRAMPS

You must do a self-massage using mustard oil every morning. Just take a little oil between your palms and rub it all over your body. Then take a shower. This is especially beneficial during winter. You could also mix a little mustard powder with water to make a paste and apply this on your palms and soles of your feet.

HEADACHES

If you have a regular migraine problem, include five almonds along with hot milk in your daily diet. You could also have a gram of black pepper along with honey or milk, twice or thrice a day. Make an almond paste by rubbing wet almonds against a stone. This can be applied to forehead.

Eat an apple with a little salt on an empty stomach everyday and see its wonderful effects. OR

When headache is caused by cold winds, cinnamon works best in curing headache. Make a paste of cinnamon by mixing in water and apply it all over your forehead

TURMERIC FOR ARTHRITIS

Turmeric can be used in treating arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory property. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to dishes to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk every day... It is also used as a paste for local action.

GOOD FOR THE HEART

Turmeric lower cholesterol and by preventing the formation of the internal blood clots improves circulation and prevents heart disease and stroke. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to dishes to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local action.

GOOD FOR INDIGESTION

Turmeric can be used to relieve digestive problems like ulcers, dysentery. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to

dishes to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local action.

HONEY IS A GOOD CURE FOR ALL DISEASES

Mix 1 teaspoon honey with quarter teaspoon cinnamon powder and have at night.

HICCUPS

Take a warm slice of lemon and sprinkle salt, sugar and black pepper on it. The lemon should be eaten until the hiccups stop.

HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL

In 1 glass of water, add 2 tbsps of coriander/dhania seeds and bring to a boil. Let the decoction cool for some time and then strain. Drink this mixture two times in a day. OR

Sunflower seeds are extremely beneficial, as they contain linoleic acid that helps in reducing the cholesterol deposits on the walls of arteries.

PILES

Radish juice should be taken twice a day, once in the morning and then later in the night. Initially drink about one-eighth cup of radish juice and then gradually increase it to half a cup. OR

Soak 3-4 figs in a glass of water. Keep it overnight. Consume the figs on an empty stomach, the next day in the morning.

VOMITING

Take 2 cardamoms/elachi and roast them on a dry pan (tava). Powder the cardamoms and thereafter add a tsp of honey in it. Consume it frequently. It serves as a fabulous home remedy for vomiting. OR

In the mixture of 1 tsp of mint juice and 1 tsp limejuice, add quarter tsp of ginger juice and 1 tsp honey. Drink this mixture to prevent vomiting. OR

Limejuice is an effective remedy for vomiting. Take a glass of chilled limejuice and sip slowly. To prevent vomiting, drink ginger tea. OR

In 1 glass water, add some honey and drink sip by sip.

WARTS

Apply castor oil daily over the problematic area. Continue for several months. OR

Apply milky juice of fresh and barely-ripe figs a number of times a day. Continue for two weeks. OR

Rub cut raw potatoes on the affected area several times daily. Continue for at least two weeks. OR

Rub cut onions on the warts to stimulate the circulation of blood.. OR

Apply milk from the cut end of dandelion over the warts 2-3 times a day. OR

Apply oil extracted from the shell of the cashew nut over the warts. OR

Apply Papaya juice OR

Apply Pineapple juice.

URINARY TRACT INFECTION

In 8 oz of water, put half tsp of baking soda and drink it... OR

Drink plenty of water, as it aids in flushing out the waste products from the body. OR

Drink Cranberry juice. You can also add some apple juice for taste.

SINUSITIS

Mango serves as an effective home remedy for preventing the frequent attacks of sinus, as it is packed with loads of vitamin A. OR

Another beneficial remedy consists of consuming pungent foods like onion and garlic, as a part of your daily meals. OR

Fenugreek/methi leaves are considered valuable in curing sinusitis. In 250 ml water, boil 1 tsp of Fenugreek seeds and reduce it to half. This will help you to perspire, dispel toxicity and reduce the fever period. OR

Tie a tsp of black cumin seeds in a thin cotton cloth and inhale.

TONSILLITIS

Take a fresh lemon and squeeze it in a glass of water. Add 4 tsp of honey and one-eighth tsp of salt in it. Drink it slowly sip by sip. OR

Milk has proved beneficial in treating tonsillitis. In 1 glass of pure boiled milk, add a pinch of turmeric powder and pepper powder. Drink it every night for about 3 days.

Miracle Drink : Carrot, Beet Root and Apple !

2011-09-26T22:27:00.001-07:00

This MIRACLE DRINK has been circulating for a long time long ago. It is worth your while to take note. There is a celebrity Mr. Seto who swears by it. He wants to make it public to draw the attention of people who have cancers. This is a drink that can protect bad cells forming in your body or it will restrain its growth! Mr. Seto had lung cancer. He was recommended to take this drink by a famous Herbalist from China . He has taken this drink diligently for 3 months and now his health is restored, and he is ready to take a pleasure trip. Thanks to this drink! It does not hurt for you to try.

It is like a Miracle Drink! It is simple
You need one beet root, one carrot and one apple that combine together to make the JUICE !

Wash the above, cut with the skin on into pieces and put them into the juicer and immediately you drink the juice. You can add some lime or lemon for more refreshing taste.

This Miracle Drink will be effective for the following ailments:

1. Prevent cancer cells to develop. It will restrain cancer cells to grow.
2. Prevent liver, kidney, pancreas disease and it can cure ulcer as well.
3. Strengthen the lung, prevent heart attack and high blood pressure.
4. Strengthen the immune system
5. Good for the eyesight, eliminate red and tired eyes or dry eyes
6. Help to eliminate pain from physical training, muscle ache
7. Detoxify, assist bowel movement, eliminate constipation. Therefore it will make skin healthy & LOOK more radiant. It is God sent for acne problem.
8. Improve bad breath due to indigestion, throat infection,
9. Lessen menstrual pain
10. Assist Hay Fever Sufferer from Hay Fever attack.

There is absolutely no side effect. Highly nutritious and easily absorbs! Very effective if you need to loose weight. You will notice your immune system will be improved after 2 week routine. Please make sure to drink immediately from the juicer for best effect.

WHEN TO DRINK IT:

DRINK IT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WITH THE EMPTY STOMACH! AFTER ONE HOUR YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST. FOR FAST RESULTS DRINK 2 TIMES A DAY, IN THE MORNING AND BEFORE 5 P.M.

YOU WILL NEVER REGRET! IT DOES NOT COST YOU MUCH MONEY! PLEASE CIRCULATE TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Think...before you print. Save paper, save trees, save the planet

Eat Less Rice !

2011-09-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

The human body was never meant to consume rice! You see, our genes have hardly changed in more than 30,000 years. However, our food choices and lifestyle have changed dramatically. The caveman would hardly recognise our food or way of life.

Caveman food was never cooked as fire was not yet tamed. Thus, he ate only those foods that you can eat without treatment with or by fire.. He ate fruits, vegetables, fish (sushi anyone?), eggs, nuts and meat. Yes, even meat! You can even eat meat raw if you were starving in the forest. You have the necessary enzymes to digest meat.

However, rice, like wheat and corn, cannot be eaten raw. It must be cooked. Even if you were starving in the desert, you cannot eat rice in the raw form. This is because we do not have the system of enzymes to break rice down. You were never meant to eat rice. To make matters worse, you not only eat rice, but also make it the bulk of your food.

In some parts of Asia , rice forms up to 85% of the plate. Even if you take rice, keep it to a minimum. Remember, it is only for your tongue - not your body. Actually, rice and other grains like wheat and corn are actually worse than sugar. There are many reasons:

Rice becomes sugar - lots of it!

This is a fact that no nutritionist can deny: rice is chemically no different from sugar. One bowl of cooked rice is the caloric equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar. This does not matter whether it is white, brown or herbal rice. Brown rice is richer in fibre, some B vitamins and minerals but it is still the caloric equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar. To get the same 10 teaspoons of sugar, you need to consume lots of kangkong-10 bowls of it.

Rice is digested to become sugar.

Rice cannot be digested before it is thoroughly cooked. However, when thoroughly cooked, it becomes sugar and spikes circulating blood sugar within half an hour-almost as quickly as it would if you took a sugar candy. Rice is very low in the ' rainbow of anti-oxidants. '

This complete anti-oxidant rainbow is necessary for the effective and safe utilisation of sugar. Fruits come with a sugar called fructose. However, they are not empty calories as the fruit is packed with a whole host of other nutrients that help its proper assimilation and digestion.

Rice has no fibre.

The fibre of the kangkong fills you up long before your blood sugar spikes. This is because the fibre bulks and fills up your stomach. Since white rice has no fibre, you end up eating lots of ' calorie dense ' food before you get filled up. Brown rice has more fibre but still the same amount of sugar.

Rice is tasteless-sugar is sweet.

There is only so much that you can eat at one sitting. How many teaspoons of sugar can you eat before you feel like throwing up? Could you imagine eating 10 teaspoons of sugar in one seating?

Rice is always the main part of the meal.

While sugar may fill your dessert or sweeten your coffee, it will never be the main part of any meal. You could eat maybe two to three teaspoons of sugar at one meal. However, you could easily eat the equal value of two to three bowls (20-30 teaspoons) of sugar in one meal. I am always amused when I see someone eat sometimes five bowls of rice (equals 50 teaspoons of sugar) and then asks for tea tarik kurang manis!

There is no real ' built in ' mechanism for us to prevent overeating of rice:

How much kangkong can you eat?

How much fried chicken can you eat?

How much steamed fish can you eat?

Think about that!

In one seating, you cannot take lots of chicken, fish or cucumber, but you can take lots of rice. Eating rice causes you to eat more salt. As rice is tasteless, you tend to consume more salt-another villain when it comes to high blood pressure. You tend to take more curry that has salt to help flavor rice. We also tend to consume more ketchup and soy sauce which are also rich in salt.

Eating rice causes you to drink less water.

The more rice you eat, the less water you will drink as there is no mechanism to prevent the overeating of rice. Rice, wheat and corn come hidden in our daily food. As rice is tasteless, it tends to end up in other foods that substitute rice like rice flour, noodles and bread. We tend to eat the hidden forms which still get digested into sugar.

Rice, even when cooked, is difficult to digest.

Can ' t eat raw rice? Try eating rice half cooked. Contrary to popular belief, rice is very difficult to digest. It is ' heavy stuff ' . If you have problems with digestion, try skipping

rice for a few days. You will be amazed at how the problem will just go away.

Rice prevents the absorption of several vitamins and minerals.

Rice when taken in bulk will reduce the absorption of vital nutrients like zinc, iron and the B vitamins.

Are you a rice addict? Going rice-less may not be easy but you can go rice-less. Eating less rice could be lot easier than you think. Here are some strategies that you can pursue in your quest to eat less rice:

Eat less rice-cut your rice by half.

Barry Sears, author of the Zone Diet, advises ' eating rice like spice ' . Instead, increase your fruits and vegetables. Take more lean meats and fish. You can even take more eggs and nuts.

Have ' riceless ' meals.

Take no rice or wheat at say, breakfast. Go for eggs instead.

Go on ' riceless ' days.

Go ' western ' once a week.

Take no rice and breads for one day every week.

That can ' t be too difficult. Appreciate the richness of your food. Go for taste, colours and smells. Make eating a culinary delight. Enjoy your food in the original flavours.

Avoid the salt shaker or ketchup.

You will automatically eat less rice.

Eat your fruit dessert before (Yes! No printing error) your meals.

The fibre rich fruits will ' bulk up ' in your stomach. Thus, you will eat less rice and more fruits..

It ' s your life.

Decide what you want to eat!

But eat less rice!

Cancer Killer Fruit- Guyabano,... The SourSop Fruit

2011-09-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

Guyabano,... The SourSop Fruit

The SourSop or the fruit from the Graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo.
Why are we not aware of this?

Its because some big corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale.

So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some soursop juice yourself as prevention from time to time.

The taste is not bad after all. It’s completely natural and definitely has no side effects.

If you have the space, plant one in your garden.
The other parts of the tree are also useful.

The Next Time You Have A Fruit Juice, Ask For A SourSop.

How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar drug maker concealed the secret of the miraculous Graviola tree?

This tree is low and is called Graviola in Brazil , Guanabana in Spanish and has the uninspiring name "Soursop" in English.

The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet white pulp is eaten out of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks, sherbets and such.

The principal interest in this plant is because of its strong anti-cancer effects.

Although it is effective for a number of medical conditions, it is its anti tumor effect that is of most interest.

This plant is a proven cancer remedy for cancers of all types.

Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for both bacterial and fungal infections, is effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders.

If there ever was a single example that makes it dramatically clear why the existence of Health Sciences Institute is so vital to Americans like you, it's the incredible story behind the Graviola tree.

The truth is stunningly simple:

Deep within the Amazon Rainforest grows a tree that could literally revolutionize what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and chances of survival.

The Future Has Never Looked More Promising.

Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to:
* Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss
* Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections

* Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment
* Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life

The source of this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America 's largest drug manufacturers, the fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970's!

What those tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing...

Extracts from the tree were shown to:

* Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including Colon, Breast, Prostate, Lung and Pancreatic cancer..
* The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug!
* What's more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree selectively hunts down and kills only cancer cells.

It Does Not Harm Healthy Cells!

The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively researched-- so why haven't you heard anything about it?

If Graviola extract is as half as promising as it appears to be--

why doesn't every single Oncologist at every major hospital insist on using it on all his or her patients?

The spine-chilling answer illustrates just how easily our health--

and for many, our very lives are controlled by money and power.

Graviola- -the plant that worked too well

One of America 's biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest.

Various parts of the Graviola tree--including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds- -have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indians in South America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis.

Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree's anti-cancerous properties-- and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.

But that's where the Graviola story nearly ended.

The company had one huge problem with the Graviola tree--it's completely natural, and so, under federal law, not patentable. There's no way to make serious profits from it.

It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to
synthesize two of the Graviola tree's most powerful anti-cancer ingredients.

If they could isolate and produce man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they'd be able to patent it and make their money back.

Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated.

There was no way the company could protect its profits--or even make back the millions it poured into research.

As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt.

Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its research!

Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team

whose conscience wouldn't let him see such atrocity committed.

Risking his career, he contacted a company that's dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the Amazon Rainforest and blew the whistle.

Miracle Unleashed
When researchers at the Health Sciences Institute were alerted to the news of Graviola, they began tracking the research done on the cancer-killing tree.

Evidence of the astounding effectiveness of Graviola--and its shocking cover-up--came in fast and furious.....

....The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976.

The results showed that Graviola's "leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells." Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public...

Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, yet no double-blind clinical trials- the typical benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a
treatment's value- -were ever initiated..

A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively kill colon cancer cells at "10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin.. ."

....The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched.

Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.

...A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers...

Seven Years Of Silence Broken--it's Finally Here!

A limited supply of Graviola extract, grown and harvested by indigenous people in Brazil , is finally available in America .

The full Graviola Story--including where you can get it and how to use it--is included in Beyond Chemotherapy:

New Cancer Killers, Safe As Mother's Milk,

a Health Sciences Institute FREE special bonus report on natural substances

that will effectively revolutionize the fight against cancer.

>From breakthrough cancer and heart research and revolutionary Amazon Rainforest herbology to world-leading anti-aging research and nutritional medicine, every monthly Health Sciences Institute Member's Alert puts in your hands today cures the rest of America --including your own doctor-is likely to find out only ten years from now.

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(PLEASE FORWARD IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT)

Star Fruit Can Kill !

2011-09-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

This fruit can end your life!

This is not an April Fool Joke.

But a stern reminder to all my readers. We were advised to have a few servings of fruits a day in order to rep the benefits of fruits right? But obviously this is one big no-no fruit to be excluded from your fruity feast!

In Shenzen, more than 10 people who consumes the star fruit had died.

And now a 66-year-old, Malaysian who has been suffering from kidney ailment fell into coma after eating the start fruits.

Yes, all it takes is one fruit or 100ml of its juice and the ordinarily harmless star fruit transforms poison in a matter of hours for kidney patients.

So does this mean, people without kidney problems should be fine with star fruit! My take: Not at all! Prevention is better right?

Universiti Malaya Medical Centre consultant nephrologist said that star fruits contain a neurotoxin which is not present in other fruits.

It affects the brain and nerves. In healthy persons, the kidneys filter it out.

But for those with kidney problems, this potent toxin cannot be removed and will worsen the consumers' conditions.

The symptoms of start fruit poisoning include:

~Hiccups
~Numbness and weakness
~Feeling confused
~Agitation
~Epileptic fist

The risk of death is high if you are having kidney ailments! But healthy individuals should beware of this fruit's potential toxin too.

It could also cripple your vitality if you are not lucky. So don't take it for granted. It's better to avoid them. Please pass this news to others.

So be warned. If you have kidney impairment, DO NOT consume Starfruit or Starfruit juice.

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins !!

2011-09-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY', BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, but also to environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet to eat more adequately and healthy, 4-5 times/day and by including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7.. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is eithercompromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells too mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

*CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it! white in color Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little other meat, li k! e chicken. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including be an sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 deg! rees F (40 degrees C)..

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Un d! igested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells.. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

1. No plastic containers in micro.

2. No water bottles in freezer.

3. No plastic wrap in microwave...

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in! them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the ! foam containers to paper The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.

Please share this with your friends and sent this to your whole e-mail list..........................

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life.