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Buddhists/Unwholesome thoughts

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Expert: - 5/3/2009


Question
Hi,
Recently,I nearly got into trouble because of some unwholesome thoughts that existed for about 2 weeks. Though the whole episode ended bitterly but I was glad that it ended as it will spell worse touble if it had dragged on. I have 3 questions here:

1) How do I get rid of unwholesome thoughts? What are the things I can do?
2)Could Mara be at work for these bad thoughts?
3) The whole episode ended abruptly for the better. Could this be my good karma at work to make it end this way so that there will not be greater trouble?

Thanks


Answer
Hi Amanda,

1) How do I get rid of unwholesome thoughts? What are the things I can do?
Acknowledge those thoughts and make a mental effort not to entertain them.  Replace them with wholesome thoughts.

2)Could Mara be at work for these bad thoughts?
"Mara" should be regarded as a metaphor for "evil".  It's all in your mind.

3) The whole episode ended abruptly for the better. Could this be my good karma at work to make it end this way so that there will not be greater trouble?
It may be so.  Nobody knows.

Take care.

Justin Choo

[I like to invite you to visit my blog:]
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/

[And these sites by Rev. Dhammika:]
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/
http://www.buddhismatoz.com/

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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