Continuing from where we stopped.

In this post, let us continue by exploring how

How to invoke and practice the association with the heavenly kings

The Heavenly Kings are celestial Dharma Protectors in Buddhism. They protect practitioners from harm. However, Buddhists do not take refuge in these heavenly beings (aka Gods). According to this sutta, the good spirits are in favor of protecting Buddha’s Dharma and the Buddhist congregation. Since the heavenly kings pointed out that the Buddhist precepts are Noble. Many Buddhist teachers taught that observing the Buddhist moral code of conduct invites these good spirits to protect us.

We do not have to be perfect. We just need to try our best to observe the precepts. Personally, I would like to believe that these celestial beings will try their best to ensure that our daily situations are kind and conducive for us to observe our precepts. In that manner, these protectors remove any obstacles and hardship in life that make it impossible for us to observe the precepts.

For example, being free from danger so that we do not have to fight or kill for our life?

In our daily practice, perhaps it will be good to recall the promises made by the 4 heavenly kings when we recite our 5 precepts every morning. This simple act of recitation helps us recall our commitment to observe the precepts and also gives us that confidence that we are spiritually protected.

Psychologically, it is a very positive mental positioning. I am happy to learn about the commitment made by the 4 heavenly Kings in this sutta and the next time I visit a temple, I will try to recall the Buddhist precepts in front of their images.

We can gain the support of the heavenly kings

I was taught that the best way to gain their support is to observe the 5 precepts. I mean it makes sense to me and I like the rationale in this teachings. Surely the Gods have all the luxuries and songs and dances that surpass our best in the human world. Why would they want our offerings? Why would our praises in off-key songs please them? If good spirits are aligned with universal goodness and virtues, shouldn’t kindness and morality be of topmost importance in gaining their likes?

So instead of creating division and hatred and intolerance, shouldn’t religion embrace love and kindness?

And this is not just talk. Buddhism does embrace various divinities into our practices as long as it is in line with the virtues taught by Buddha.

How to coexist with spirits without initiating animosity with spirits and causing them to turn malevolent

I think the most obvious is not to encroach upon their territory or disturb them unnecessarily. In that manner, knowing Buddhists will not explore haunted places or remote locations for fun and entertainment. This does not arise out of fear but out of respect for their privacy?

The concept is simple to understand. If your neighbour does not subscribe to your religious views, isn’t it confrontational to start singing your religious hymns loudly at their doorsteps? That is being a nuisance right?

In many Buddhist communities, you’ll notice people setting up an outdoor shrine for the local tutelary deities. It is like a win-win situation whereby we try to share a piece of land and try to co-existence with the spirits. To the unknowing world, we might be viewed as superstitious.

But if you look deeper into this practice, you’ll realize the effort taken to respect and coexist with “invisible” beings. Actually, invisible beings are not limited to just spirits but can include marginalised human beings, animals, nature, etc. Through such a practice, we strive to be mindful of our actions and our impact on invisible beings. Otherwise, we will become self-righteous and self-justifying in our daily life. We often offend or hurt people or beings unknowingly.

Such a practice is actually a lifelong commitment because it involves performing meritorious deeds in the name of those beings whom we have unknowingly offended or harmed. This is done by dedicating the merits of our virtuous deeds to all beings, visible or invisible.

Let us continue our exploration again in the next post.

May all be well and happy.