fake dharma

• 2009novice

  13 Jul 12, 23:28

  Hi all,

  I have heard that there are fake dharma books circulating now.

  I got no sources yet and I have not read any of these books currently. The content usually mix with some dharma words which sound very buddhist-like but it mislead people.

  I thought about it and I generally list some of the common characteristics:

  • excessive self-praise- the writer can just praise and praise himself / herself excessively, almost to the state of divine being

   

  • self-proclaim encounters with Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas- like any other writers, he/she will claim that they are "enlightened" and have seen or even talked to Buddhas etc.

   

  • supernatural powers- they claim to have "healing" powers, or the ability to change your luck etc

   

  • monetary rewards- they just want your money. Enough said.

   

  • total devotion- they like devotees who don't question them but to believe them wholeheartedly. Usually likes to mix with fears e.g. bad karma if you do not do what he / she says

   

  That's what I can summarize. Most phoneys like to deploy such "tactics".

• bycai

  14 Jul 12, 11:33

  wiser for those encountering improper buddha dharma to consult qualified dharma seniors and buddhism monastic orders,  to clarify the basis that does not seemed to offer true buddhism perspective. May not as easy to those whose penchant are stronger towards supernatural powers kind of stuff rather than simplicity.

• Dawnfirstlight

  14 Jul 12, 14:23

  It is easy to check whether the books, temples or the teachers are teaching the true Dharma because every authentic teaching of the Buddha  must bear the 3 Dharma Seals : impermanence, no self and nirvana. Lack of 3 Dharma Seals, it is likely not the true teachings.

• bycai

  14 Jul 12, 17:54

  Originally posted by Dawnfirstlight:

  It is easy to check whether the books, temples or the teachers are teaching the true Dharma because every authentic teaching of the Buddha  must bear the 3 Dharma Seals : impermanence, no self and nirvana. Lack of 3 Dharma Seals, it is likely not the true teachings.

  Precisely awesome! knowing 3 dharma seals does not mean that all materialism is forgo or not forgo.  However, there may be instance that is alot complex to check its authenticity. For instance, the common characteristics other than money rewards which is easier to depreciate, but the rest seemed to resonate with the 3 dharma seals of buddhism practice on tradition of esoteric study that require total devotion.

• 2009novice

  14 Jul 12, 19:11

  the characteristics i listed out are usually used by these so-called fake dharma writers. They prey on devoted buddhists but lack of knowledge.

  These people may also help donate funds for publishing and introducing to friends, thinking that they will create merits for better rebirth or fortune.

  I hope the general guidelines will help people think twice... not to follow blindly

• bycai

  16 Jul 12, 16:28

  Originally posted by 2009novice:

  the characteristics i listed out are usually used by these so-called fake dharma writers. They prey on devoted buddhists but lack of knowledge.

  These people may also help donate funds for publishing and introducing to friends, thinking that they will create merits for better rebirth or fortune.

  I hope the general guidelines will help people think twice... not to follow blindly

  In fact, there are alot of qualified lessons conducted in very low costs of 20-30dollars or so or free in temple/monastery.

  The old lady was a good example, if not because of her daughter-in-law...

  在一�六八年，��将军乡有一个�太太，站�往生的。

  这个�太太念佛�念三年。她这个因缘是她的媳妇，她娶个儿媳 妇，媳妇念阿弥陀佛。这个�太太很慈悲，在以�是拜神的，什么神她都拜，是�好人，她娶了这个媳妇，这媳妇念佛，就�她��去乱拜，家里设个佛堂，专门拜 阿弥陀佛，专念阿弥陀佛，告诉她西方��世界的好处。这个�太太很有善根，她就真�，从此以�在家里，专念阿弥陀佛求生净土。

  她念了三年，往生的那一天，她是晚上�晚饭的时候，她的儿 ��媳妇很�顺，她就嘱�他们，她说：「你们先�晚饭��等我，我去洗个澡。�她没有说别的，她真的洗了澡。�是他们还是等，等了很久，等她等�出�，结 果到里�去看，真的是洗了澡。她家里一个�佛堂，看她洗完澡，穿了海�，站在佛���，怎么喊她都�答应，仔细一看，她往生了，她站�走的。所以我们晓 得，她没有告诉家人，怕她家人干扰，你看走得这么自在。

  这个事情�湾�部很多人，还记得很清楚。我是五�八年在佛光 山，星云法师刚刚开山的时候他请我�教务主任，我在佛光山，是佛光山的一个工人告诉我的。他�将军乡，是他的邻居。他告诉我这个事情，�我们念佛，他说： 「念佛往生是真的。�他亲眼看�的，�太太，他们是邻居很熟，亲眼看她往生的，没有生病站�走的。

• Dawnfirstlight

  16 Jul 12, 22:55

  Originally posted by bycai:

  In fact, there are alot of qualified lessons conducted in very low costs of 20-30dollars or so or free in temple/monastery.

  The old lady was a good example, if not because of her daughter-in-law...

  在一�六八年，��将军乡有一个�太太，站�往生的。

  这个�太太念佛�念三年。她这个因缘是她的媳妇，她娶个儿媳妇，媳妇念阿弥陀佛。这个�太太很慈悲，在以�是拜神的，什么神她都拜，是�好人，她娶了这个媳妇，这媳妇念佛，就�她��去乱拜，家里设个佛堂，专门拜阿弥陀佛，专念阿弥陀佛，告诉她西方��世界的好处。这个�太太很有善根，她就真�，从此以�在家里，专念阿弥陀佛求生净土。

  她念了三年，往生的那一天，她是晚上�晚饭的时候，她的儿��媳妇很�顺，她就嘱�他们，她说：「你们先�晚饭��等我，我去洗个澡。�她没有说别的，她真的洗了澡。�是他们还是等，等了很久，等她等�出�，结果到里�去看，真的是洗了澡。她家里一个�佛堂，看她洗完澡，穿了海�，站在佛���，怎么喊她都�答应，仔细一看，她往生了，她站�走的。所以我们晓得，她没有告诉家人，怕她家人干扰，你看走得这么自在。

  这个事情�湾�部很多人，还记得很清楚。我是五�八年在佛光山，星云法师刚刚开山的时候他请我�教务主任，我在佛光山，是佛光山的一个工人告诉我的。他�将军乡，是他的邻居。他告诉我这个事情，�我们念佛，他说：「念佛往生是真的。�他亲眼看�的，�太太，他们是邻居很熟，亲眼看她往生的，没有生病站�走的。

  Thanks for sharing. There are many amazing stories. The most common ones are Pureland practitioners were  able to foretell their departure dates and time. Most of them claimed that Amituofo appeared to them in their dreams or in person to inform them of the date and time to fetch them to Pureland.

• bycai

  17 Jul 12, 12:25

  3 dharma seals!

  http://www.divineopenings.com/

• Earthling in Universe

  2 Sep 12, 19:41

  There are fake monks and it's hard for people to identify which one is real and which one is fake. There are kind-hearted people being used in Singapore and Malaysia. 

   

  I thinks there are still many people do not know about this. Don't ever think that if you take those fake Treasure Bottle å®�瓶 it will give you wealth and fortune or peace. Mostly are fake and can bring harm to you and your family. Some even spend so much money to buy this and put it at home. 

   

  At first it will give you good fortune and later on it will bring harm to you and your family. If you happen to get one in your home, recite namo guanshiyin pusa or namo amituofo. If possible ask the whole family to recite and pray. After that, find some ways to get rid of this Treasure Bottle å®�瓶 in sea or river. Don't burn it or casually discarded. The shapes of these bottles looks like Maotai. Never try to ask a monk to help you discard as we do not know whether this this particular monk who help you to get rid of these bottles are one of those fake monks.

   

  But better don't discard in blocked rivers. I suggest to cover it properly and discard into the sea. Somemore, it's not good to discard it in rivers as not good for environment.

   

  密宗and禅宗and净土宗got real and fake monks. But 净土宗are easily distinguished whether these monks are real or fake if you do read and fully understand sutra included in Tripitaka of Qian Long 乾隆大è—�ç»�. 

  There are fake monks using both of these sects which are 密宗and禅宗as a way to cheat and trick those Singaporean and Malaysian since we do not know their ti*** language and Incantation咒语. I'm not sure but I think there are monks from these countries such as I**** and N**** used local Singaporean and Malaysian, they do possess some "powers" which I believe they let those evil spirit to occupy their body and thus they know what you're thinking（他心通）. 

   

  These fake monks from these countries have only one intention. To continuously get money from those kind-hearted foreigners for their own purpose ---> selfish Political Greedines

   

  Only a small number of real monks in 密宗and禅宗. Very few. 

  In the end there are some people get mental illness and still do not know why.

  Religions are sensitive issues in Singapore and Malaysia. I do not want to say more as i‘m afraid to offend those fake monks who possess evil powers but I need to mention it here.

   

  Hopefully moderators will keep this thread to help those kind-hearted oldies and buddists never tricked by those fake monks.

  It's been several years I kept this in my heart. 

   

  Amituofo. 

   

  Note: I use these symbols *** as to pay respect. I know there are fake and real monks too.

  I believe all religions are one big family.

  I believe all religions should return to education.

  If you want peace in your heart, if you want wealth and good fortune, then don't do bad things. Be filial to your parents, be responsible in your work and your mind and thought.

  If you happen to met those fake monks, we still need to pay respect to them but do not learn buddism from them.

   

  If you happen to met those fake monks with own selfish political greedines, be aware~! Recite Namo Amitabha Buddha or Namo Guanshiyin Pusa to help yourself as soon as possible.

   

  Amituofo.

   

• An Eternal Now

  2 Sep 12, 20:50

  Interesting sharing.. indeed we should always be wary whoever we meet and don't be too gullible just because of their robes. Pay respect, sure, but also don't be too gullible. Best is check their backgrounds.

  What is Treasure Bottle å®�瓶 and why is it harmful? Last time when I was younger, in China I got some religious amulet and got very sick for a while... though I think its not right to make a link. Probably my own bad karma and ate the wrong things.