Welcome to the Buddhist Thread.

Here I am interested in learning more about Buddhism. May you share you knowledge so many can see and learn from them.


The way of Inquiry

The Buddha warned strongly against blind faith and encouraged the way of truthful inquiry. In one of His best known sermons, the Kalama Sutta, the Buddha pointed out the danger in fashioning one's beliefs merely on the following grounds: on hearsay, on tradition, because many others say it is so, on the authority of ancient scriptures, on the word of a supernatural being, or out of trust in one's teachers, elders, or priests.

((Instead one maintains an open mind and thoroughly investigates one's own experience of life.))

When one sees for oneself that a particular view agrees with both experience and reason, and leads to the happiness of one and all, then one should accept that view and live up to it!

This principle, of course, applies to the ((Buddha's own Teachings)).

They should be considered and inquired into using the clarity of mind born of meditation. Only when one sees these Teachings for oneself in the experience of insight, do these Teachings become one's Truth and give blissful liberation.

The traveller on the way of inquiry needs the practice of tolerance. Tolerance does not mean that one embraces every idea or view but means one doesn't get ((angry)) at what one can't accept. One doesn't insult another for a different idealogy of what attains to them.

Further along the journey, what one once disagreed with might later be seen to be true.

This is one way to inquire religious faiths by first showing tolerance and understand that everyone has a different perspective of how to reach enlightenment.

Would you agree? If so show me your perspective of reaching your enlightenment.

I agree. My journey of enlightenment came after I finally "set down" the ball and chain of christianity. I was also going through a physical and mental hardship from a bout with MS at the time. I searched inside myself for the answers. I found out alot about myself and my interactions with my world.

The basics of what I found through this "soul journey" is

First and foremost, I am connected to all living energy on this planet or in the universe simply because I live.

Second, Because of this first realization, all life has value, purpose, dignity, etc....

Thirdly, following the crowd or following because people say it is of great importance, should always be questioned and analyzed and resolved by my own logic and understanding. The shackles others will place on you can stifle the life and freedom right out of you. Question everything.

Lastly but not leastly, I found my center, my core, my spiritual life that lives in me. So now I can feed her and cherish her and share the beauty that is all around me everyday with her so that she grows and learns. I am happier, even with the physical limitations of my body, than I have ever been in my whole life. And it is only going to get better. I wish everyone could feel the light I feel. It is amazing.

Thank you for sharing this. It is very enlightening to read.

shall we continue..


The main Teaching of the Buddha focuses not on philosophical speculations about a Creator God or the origin of the universe, or on a heaven world ever after. The Teaching, instead, is centred on the down-to-earth reality of human suffering and the urgent need to find lasting relief from all forms of discontent. The Buddha gave the simile of a man shot by a poison-tipped arrow who, before he would call a doctor to treat him, demanded to know first who shot the arrow and where the arrow was made and of what and by whom and when and where ... this foolish man would surely die before his questions could be well answered. In the same way, the Buddha said, the urgent need of our existence is to find lasting relief from recurrent suffering, which robs us of happiness and leaves us in strife.

Philosophical speculations are of secondary importance and, anyway, they are best left until after one has well trained the mind in meditation to the stage where one has the ability to examine the matter clearly and find the Truth for oneself.

Thus, the central Teaching of the Buddha, around which all other teachings revolve, is the Four Noble Truths:

That all forms of being, human and otherwise, are afflicted with suffering.

That the cause of this suffering is Craving, born of the illusion of a soul.

That this suffering has a lasting end in the Experience of Enlightenment (Nibbana) which is the complete letting go of the illusion of soul and all consequent desire and aversion.

That this peaceful and blissful Enlightenment is achieved through a gradual training, a Path that is called the Middle Way or the Eightfold Path.

It would be mistaken to label this Teaching as 'pessimistic' on the grounds that it begins by centring on suffering. Rather, Buddhism is 'realistic' in that it unflinchingly faces up to the truth of life's many sufferings and it is 'optimistic' in that it shows a final end of the problem of suffering - Nibbana, Enlightenment in this very life!

Those who have achieved this ultimate peace are the inspiring examples who demonstrate once and for all that Buddhism is far from pessimistic, but it is a Path to true Happiness.

I agree but I am not sure that my conclusion is still the same. All "suffering" for all of us, by my conclusion, is a lesson of some kind for each of us. The lesson can be as simple as realizing that all suffer at some point in life, which creates empathy inside of the person. Or the lesson can be as complex as the realization of ones personal power to heal and overcome. And all lessons inbetween of course. The lessons really depend on the path that a person is on or the point in their life they are at.

Perhaps it is to know how to deal with suffering and how to free oneselfs from it in the course of the life that we live.

For example: There are many who suffer from the past and don't seem to get out of it. They are stuck suffering with no solution to go ahead. (Could have had a scholarship, could have had the promotion at the job, could have saved that persons life, could have not gone in debt, and so forth) So it helps to find a way to free oneself from this type of suffering to move ahead in life.

There are many types of sufferings that everyone will experience one way or another.

Violence
the loss of a love one
Poverty
Sickness
racial tendencies

and the list can go on and on

Since everyone is confronted with it one way or another these teachings could find a way for you (personally) on how to overcome these sufferings and let yourself free from them to move forward.

It's my belief that every painful lesson leads to a greater understanding of one's whole purpose or core. Some are blind to it until the day they pass on. Others get to know it in small increments. Some seem completely disconnected.

Ultimately, we all suffer more when we attach extra meaning to our suffering. Much self-judgment is a part of a meaning-making machine that operates in all of us to some degree.

I believe that Buddhism is absent of much judgment. Which would lead to decreased suffering.

Here is a list of stars that have entertained me many times when I had the opportunity to watch them on television. Little did I know they practiced Buddhism until recently.

Kate Bosworth – actress
Richard Gere – actor and activist
Orlando Bloom – actor
Nathaniel Dorsky – Filmmaker
Goldie Hawn – actress
Frank Herbert – Sci Fi Writer famous for “Dune”
Phil Jackson – Basketball Coach
George Lukas – creator of Star Wars
Jennifer Lopez – actress (I met her once here in Miami!)
Joanna Lumley – actress
Keanu Reeves – actor – Matrix amongst other movies
Steven Seagal – actor/ martial arts expert
Tina Turner – actress and singer
Uma Thurman – actress
David Bowie – actor and singer
Bruce Lee – actor / martial arts expert
Jet Li – actor/ martial arts expert
Penelope Cruz – actress
Philip Glass – composer
Ricky Martin – singer
Steve Jobs – founder of Apple and Pixar
Tiger Woods – sports
Harrison Ford – actor
Oliver Stone – film producer
William Ford Jr. – Ford company
Naomi Watts – model and actress
Angelina Jolie – actress
Jackie Chan – actor/martial arts expert
Brad Pitt – actor
Leonardo DiCaprio – actor
Sting – singer

and so we continue...


The Middle Way or Eightfold Path

The Way to end all suffering is called the Middle Way because it avoids the two extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification. Only when the body is in reasonable comfort but not over-indulged has the mind the clarity and strength to meditate deeply and discover the Truth. This Middle Way consists of the diligent cultivation of Virtue, Meditation and Wisdom, which is explained in more detail as the Noble Eightfold Path.

Right Understanding
Right Thought
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

Right Speech, Action and Livelihood constitute the training in Virtue or Morality. For a practising Buddhist it consists of maintaining the five Buddhist Precepts, which are to refrain from:

Deliberately causing the death of any living being;

Intentionally taking for one's own the property of another;

Sexual misconduct, in particular adultery;

Lying and breaking promises;

Drinking alcohol or taking stupefying drugs which lead to lack of mindfulness.

Right Effort, Mindfulness and Concentration refer to the practice of Meditation, which purifies the mind through the experience of blissful states of inner stillness and empowers the mind to penetrate the meaning of life through profound moments of insight.

Right Understanding and Thought are the manifestation of Buddha-Wisdom which ends all suffering, transforms the personality and produces unshakeable serenity and tireless compassion.

According to the Buddha, without perfecting the practice of Virtue it is impossible to perfect Meditation, and without perfecting Meditation it is impossible to arrive at Enlightenment Wisdom. Thus the Buddhist Path is a Gradual Path, a Middle Way consisting of Virtue, Meditation and Wisdom as explained in the Noble Eightfold Path leading to happiness and liberation.

After Buddha was dead, his shadow was still shown for centuries in a cave -- a tremendous, gruesome shadow. God is dead; but given the way of men, there may still be caves for thousands of years in which his shadow will be shown. -- And we -- we still have to vanquish his shadow, too.
-- Friedrich Nietzsche,

D'oh!

and let us continue...

Kamma
Kamma means 'action'. The Law of Kamma means that there are inescapable results of our actions. There are deeds of body, speech or mind that lead to others' harm, one's own harm, or to the harm of both. Such deeds are called bad (or 'unwholesome') kamma. They are usually motivated by greed, hatred or delusion. Because they bring painful results, they should not be done.
There are also deeds of body, speech or mind that lead to others' well being, one's own well being, or to the well being of both. Such deeds are called good (or 'wholesome') kamma. They are usually motivated by generosity, compassion or wisdom. Because they bring happy results, they should be done as often as possible.

Thus much of what one experiences is the result of one's own previous kamma. When misfortune occurs, instead of blaming someone else, one can look for any fault in one's own past conduct. If a fault is found, the experience of its consequences will make one more careful in the future. When happiness occurs, instead of taking it for granted, one can look to see if it is the result of good kamma. If so, the experience of its pleasant results will encourage more good kamma in the future.

The Buddha pointed out that no being whatsoever, divine or otherwise, has any power to stop the consequences of good and bad kamma. The fact that one reaps just what one sows gives to the Buddhist a greater incentive to avoid all forms of bad kamma while doing as much good kamma as possible.

Though one cannot escape the results of bad kamma, one can lessen their effect. A spoon of salt mixed in a glass of pure water makes the whole very salty, whereas the same spoon of salt mixed in a freshwater lake hardly changes the taste of the water. Similarly, the result of a bad kamma in a person habitually doing only a small amount of good kamma is painful indeed, whereas the result of the same bad kamma in a person habitually doing a great deal of good kamma is only mildly felt.

This natural Law of Kamma becomes the force behind, and reason for, the practice of morality and compassion in our society.

Rebirth

The Buddha remembered clearly many of His past lives. Even today, many Buddhist monks, nuns and others also remember their past lives. Such a strong memory is a result of deep meditation. For those who remember their past life, Rebirth is an established fact which puts this life in a meaningful perspective.

The Law of Kamma can only be understood in the framework of many lifetimes, because it sometimes takes this long for Kamma to bear its fruit. Thus Kamma and Rebirth offer a plausible explanation to the obvious inequalities of birth; why some are born into great wealth whereas others are born into pathetic poverty; why some children enter this world healthy and full-limbed whereas others enter deformed and diseased... The fruits of bad Kamma are not regarded as a punishment for evil deeds but as lessons from which to learn, for example, how much better to learn about the need for generosity than to be reborn among the poor!

Rebirth takes place not only within this human realm. The Buddha pointed out that the realm of human beings is but one among many. There are many separate heavenly realms and grim lower realms, too, realms of the animals and realms of the ghosts. Not only can human beings go to any of these realms in the next life, but we can come from any of these realms into our present life. This explains a common objection against Rebirth that argues "How can there be Rebirth when there are ten times as many people alive today than there were 50 years ago?" The answer is that people alive today have come from many different realms.

Understanding that we can come and go between these different realms, gives us more respect and compassion for the beings in these realms. It is unlikely, for example, that one would exploit animals when one has seen the link of Rebirth that connects them with us.

Here's an interesting thought,...

Why bring "sexual misconduct" into the picture when the bottom line of what actually wrong is not the act of sex itself, but rather the breaking of promises and lying.

In other words, the real question is whether consensual polygamy is considered 'adultery'?

Does Buddhism state specifically that only a monogamous couple is considered to be 'unadulterated'.

Not that I personally care, I'm monogamous all the way just by pure innate desire.

But I'm just asking. Is consensual polygamy considere to be 'adultery' or is it just the breaking of a conventent of monogamy?

If it's the latter, then why even bring up the notion of 'sexual misconduct' when the real dragon is deciet and dishonesty against a convenent of monogamy.

In other words, it really has nothing to do with the act of sex itself, it's simply that a convenent of trust and promises was broken.

Not saying that this is in any way a 'lesser crime'. I'm just pointing out the redunancy of pointing to 'sex' as being the actual wrongful act. The wrongful act was in the deceit and the breaking of a convenant, not necessary the act of that deceit.

Interesting!! I hope that this thread stays peaceful.

peace

mg

Sexual misconduct is more than just adultery. It can include unwilling or coersive acts, selfishness, being with one who cannot consent (e.g. a child or mentally diminished person). All the categories are open to debate and interpretation but another version states that the following are to be avoided:

"sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct."

In general sexual misconduct is set apart as especially harmful because of the presumed intimacy and closeness between ones sexual partners and the increased harm a lie would cause versus a lie from a casual acquaintance.

Sexual misconduct was also to be avoided because it can lead to the break up of families or lead to unwanted or uncared for children, etc.

Because the potential harm is seen as so great it is singled out for special avoidance.

It's that moment when your life hangs in the balance between life and death, when that inner voice says, with crystal clarity:

"No one is coming for you and even though it seems like everything is not going to be alright, it will be."

"But you came for me."

"No, I just came to tell your that 'No one is coming for you and it's alright.'"

You're never the same afterwards....


-Kerry O.

The Five Mindfulness Trainings

-First Training-

Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.

-Second Training-

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am committed to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.

- Third Training-

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.

-Fourth Training-

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticise or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

-Fifth Training-

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practising mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I am committed to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films, and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger, and confusion in myself and in society by practising a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.

Okay we press on as I figure everyone who visited the thread digested the words.

Kamma

Kamma means 'action'. The Law of Kamma means that there are inescapable results of our actions. There are deeds of body, speech or mind that lead to others' harm, one's own harm, or to the harm of both. Such deeds are called bad (or 'unwholesome') kamma. They are usually motivated by greed, hatred or delusion. Because they bring painful results, they should not be done.

There are also deeds of body, speech or mind that lead to others' well being, one's own well being, or to the well being of both. Such deeds are called good (or 'wholesome') kamma. They are usually motivated by generosity, compassion or wisdom. Because they bring happy results, they should be done as often as possible.

Thus much of what one experiences is the result of one's own previous kamma. When misfortune occurs, instead of blaming someone else, one can look for any fault in one's own past conduct. If a fault is found, the experience of its consequences will make one more careful in the future. When happiness occurs, instead of taking it for granted, one can look to see if it is the result of good kamma. If so, the experience of its pleasant results will encourage more good kamma in the future.

The Buddha pointed out that no being whatsoever, divine or otherwise, has any power to stop the consequences of good and bad kamma. The fact that one reaps just what one sows gives to the Buddhist a greater incentive to avoid all forms of bad kamma while doing as much good kamma as possible.

Though one cannot escape the results of bad kamma, one can lessen their effect. A spoon of salt mixed in a glass of pure water makes the whole very salty, whereas the same spoon of salt mixed in a freshwater lake hardly changes the taste of the water. Similarly, the result of a bad kamma in a person habitually doing only a small amount of good kamma is painful indeed, whereas the result of the same bad kamma in a person habitually doing a great deal of good kamma is only mildly felt.

This natural Law of Kamma becomes the force behind, and reason for, the practice of morality and compassion in our society.

Rebirth

The Buddha remembered clearly many of His past lives. Even today, many Buddhist monks, nuns and others also remember their past lives. Such a strong memory is a result of deep meditation. For those who remember their past life, Rebirth is an established fact which puts this life in a meaningful perspective.
The Law of Kamma can only be understood in the framework of many lifetimes, because it sometimes takes this long for Kamma to bear its fruit. Thus Kamma and Rebirth offer a plausible explanation to the obvious inequalities of birth; why some are born into great wealth whereas others are born into pathetic poverty; why some children enter this world healthy and full-limbed whereas others enter deformed and diseased... The fruits of bad Kamma are not regarded as a punishment for evil deeds but as lessons from which to learn, for example, how much better to learn about the need for generosity than to be reborn among the poor!

Rebirth takes place not only within this human realm. The Buddha pointed out that the realm of human beings is but one among many. There are many separate heavenly realms and grim lower realms, too, realms of the animals and realms of the ghosts. Not only can human beings go to any of these realms in the next life, but we can come from any of these realms into our present life. This explains a common objection against Rebirth that argues "How can there be Rebirth when there are ten times as many people alive today than there were 50 years ago?" The answer is that people alive today have come from many different realms.

Understanding that we can come and go between these different realms, gives us more respect and compassion for the beings in these realms. It is unlikely, for example, that one would exploit animals when one has seen the link of Rebirth that connects them with us.

Could you relate to this?

just tell me the title of the book and i'll read IT.


thanks