Is Buddhism escapism ????
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so surprised this morning when i open my default homepage msn
and saw this
http://www.angelfire.com/pe/collinwong/b_stat01.jpg
is Buddhism escapism ??
haha
what a word for attracting ppl to Buddhism
give ur comment
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Buddhism is neither escapism nor optimism.
It is Realistic.
It tells you the science of your mind, what is your true nature, where does all your suffering comes from, and once you realise all the truths... not by concepts only but by direct experience, that is Enlightenment.
Buddha teaches the dharma of liberation and bliss. It is not by escaping daily lives - but by applying these dharmas In Life.
"I believe that every human being has an innate desire for happiness and does not want to suffer." - Dalai Lama
And truthfully, I believe those who practise Buddhism are certainly happier people. -
This article is about the common 'pessimistic'/'escapist' perception of Buddhism and what Buddhism actually is.
http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol5no3f.htm
7. Buddhism speaks of no ego, suffering, emptiness, and impermanence; isn't it pessimistic?
These are not pessimistic values but the basis of happiness in life.
The non-ego and impermanence that Buddhism speaks of, is something that practitioners of Buddhism need to understand.
Impermanence is, for example, the darkness of the night and the brightness of the day. There is the impermanence of good karma and evil karma. An adorable newborn baby is not spared from impermanence too. In twenty years, he becomes a youth. Twenty years later he enters into middle age, and in another twenty years his life is nearly over. This is impermanence. A building cannot avoid impermanence either. When newly completed, it receives commendations for its architectural beauty. In a few short years, its condition will begin to deteriorate. Worse still, a natural disaster such as an earthquake may reduce it to a pile of rubble. In general, all things experience formation, existence, deterioration or destruction and eventually emptiness. For human beings, we experience birth, ageing, sickness and eventually death. Thus, no one likes impermanence. Instead, everybody yearns for things to be permanent.
The founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni Buddha, even at a young age realised the impermanence of life as we progress through birth, ageing, sickness and death. He felt that there was no significant meaning to the mundane life, and therefore sought to find the 'permanent' meaning of life. He denounced the worldly life and became a monk. He subsequently attained Buddha-hood and realised the true permanence of the universe.
Emptiness is a manifestation of impermanence. The flower is very beautiful when it blossoms. However, soon after, it begins to wither. This process of blossoming and withering is a demonstration of impermanence. We see this everywhere; even the world that we live in is a demonstration of impermanence.
Is it pessimistic to be without our ego? The meaning of 'non-ego' refers to a Buddhism practitioner's attainment of non-attachment to his own ego. With that, he is naturally able to see through and let go of the many issues that he encounters in life. This is definitely not being pessimistic, neither is it gloomy. If the ruler of a country knows of seeing through and letting go and declares an end to war, then he saves many lives and resources. Isn't this a good thing?
From the foregoing, we can see that Buddhism is not pessimistic. We need to be very clear about what we ought or ought not to do. It is not pessimistic and gloomy if we do not do those things that we ought not to do. -
hihi, finally i can find a place where i can talk abt buddhism le.... at least u all are more modern that i can discuss with or else... dunno how to say and express or even discuss around ah...
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Hello verocity, welcome to this Buddhist forum, I look forward to seeing your postsOriginally posted by verocity:hihi, finally i can find a place where i can talk abt buddhism le.... at least u all are more modern that i can discuss with or else... dunno how to say and express or even discuss around ah...
BTW are you a Buddhist? Who have you taken refuge under? -
Hi i am a buddhist, i took my 5 precepts and 3 refuge under venerable Master Xing yun, founder of taiwan's fo guang shan, he came to singapore a few months ago and i had taken both under him that time. Before that i took it in PKS under venerable guang sheng and i learnt buddhism for the past 3 yrs of course taken refuge since 3 yrs ago and done it again this year.
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I see.
I have taken refuge under Taiwanese Ven.Shen Kai when I was v young. It's good that you have attended 3 years of course... hopefully you can can also apply them in your life .. so as to close the distinction between "Xue2 Fo2" (learning from Buddha) and "Fo2 Xue2" (buddhist academic studies). I wish for your liberation and be a Bodhisattva -
Yo man. I am a Buddhist too and I have taken refuge in Perth, Australia under Venerable Jue Ru. It's great to find a place where we can discuss and exchange our viewpoints online.
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Hi, That's very nice! I often met Ven. Jue Ru when I was younger when she was still in Singapore. She is my dharma teacher's sister, and I last saw her last time when Teacher. Chen Ming An came to Singapore to give the dharma transmission.
So is everything at the monastery good? Are there many people? Maybe you could tell me more about the situation in Perth.
BTW, did u come from Singapore? -
Oh. The monastery in Perth is huge and spacious. There are alot of youngsters especially those from the uni. In perth, we have many activities other than the standard Buddhist's events, for instance, we have outings, hiking, Vegetarian fair, Video education and BBQ. During mother's day, the youngsters will stage performance to thank their mother.
My uni also have a dedicated website
http://www.guild.uwa.edu.au/clubs/bbcs/
In Perth, the service is held on sunday. We have meditation, Chanting of Sutras, Dharma talk as well as watching video from Teacher. Chen Ming An.
Now I am back to Singapore already. According to my friend who is in Australia, the people there are getting more.
I will miss the time I spent in Perth's Fotang. -
Wow, that sounds very interesting! I'm glad that things are going very well in Perth, and also very glad that the youths are interested in Buddhism there. We used to have a trip there but I didn't go, so maybe next time.Originally posted by sengyee:Oh. The monastery in Perth is huge and spacious. There are alot of youngsters especially those from the uni. In perth, we have many activities other than the standard Buddhist's events, for instance, we have outings, hiking, Vegetarian fair, Video education and BBQ. During mother's day, the youngsters will stage performance to thank their mother.
My uni also have a dedicated website
http://www.guild.uwa.edu.au/clubs/bbcs/
In Perth, the service is held on sunday. We have meditation, Chanting of Sutras, Dharma talk as well as watching video from Teacher. Chen Ming An.
Now I am back to Singapore already. According to my friend who is in Australia, the people there are getting more.
I will miss the time I spent in Perth's Fotang.
I believe the youth sector is much larger in Australia - as you know most of them in Singapore are middle age or older adults, with a smaller number of youth. So not as exciting lah. But we also have events other than the standard Buddhist events, pretty much the same. Therefore as we can see there's a difference in the situation of Buddhism in Singapore and "Western" countries.
Anyway I think this shows that Perth is a very good place to have set up a Dao Chang. Teacher Chen made good comments about Perth as having certain brightness in it, and being like a pure land (if memory serves). So I believe there are many people there receptive to the Dharma. As for Teacher Chen, I heard he is coming to Singapore this year (maybe you already know). By the way which side of Ren Cheng are you from now? Jiang Tang/Vihara/etc? Or the English side?
Also, Buddhism in General is rising very fast in Australia, it is currently the Fastest Rising Religion in Australia (you can do a search in Google). I am optimistic about the development of Buddhism in Australia.
BTW, you just came back?
And, thanks for the URL -
Haha... I remember once when I was at the petrol kiosk cashier counter, a caucasian cashier gave me a smile and asked me if I had went to the temple as she has went the day before.
Oh. I attend the one at Bukit Batok one. -
Haha... I remember once when I was at the petrol kiosk cashier counter, a caucasian cashier gave me a smile and asked me if I had went to the temple as she has went the day before.
Wow, that's nice!Oh. I attend the one at Bukit Batok one.
English side? -
Nah. Chinese one.
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I see ...
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BTW, just curious to know, Ji Gong belongs to Buddhism or Taoism ?
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Ji Gong is a Buddhist Luo Han, but the usual portrayal of this saint in Chinese shows are quite misleading.Originally posted by sengyee:BTW, just curious to know, Ji Gong belongs to Buddhism or Taoism ?
As for Taoism, as far as I know, they worship Buddhist saints and even Buddhas. They even worship Bodhidharma! (Da Mo, the starter of Zen in China) -
Luo Han = Arhant, (liberated) saint
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Hi, I chanced upon this forum. Don't mind my asking: must one "take refuge" (which I guess is about doing Buddhism studies) as you've mentioned to be considered a Buddhist? Thanks.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:BTW are you a Buddhist? Who have you taken refuge under? -
You yuan, you yuanOriginally posted by Wanda:Hi, I chanced upon this forum. Don't mind my asking: must one "take refuge" (which I guess is about doing Buddhism studies) as you've mentioned to be considered a Buddhist? Thanks.
Take refuge is to Take Refuge in the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. Why so? Because we want to be Buddha's disciples, be a Buddhist, therefore we need to return to the Buddha's domain and to rely on the Buddha, the Dharma (the truths, the teachings) and the Sangha (monastic community) as our teacher, in the same way that we are recognised as students only after we are enrolled with a particular institution and begin to take lessons. Taking refuge means to return to the Buddha's domain and to rely on the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha as our teacher.. One is a True Buddhist only after taking refuge in the Three Treasures.
It does not mean one needs to do alot of Buddhist studies, but it is important to have a Buddhist teacher to guide you in your path and dharma practise. After taking refuge, you have also found a "Master" in the Sangha (community).
Sometimes some people at the verge of dying, take refuge in Three Treasures, the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. And it will definitely help in the after life because it plants a Karmic Seed of the Triple Gems. Next life maybe he might become a Buddhist and attain enlightenment eventually. So does not mean taking refuge means having to study a lot. It is also creating the cause for enlightenment. But if you have the opportunity to take refuge now, that is the best! Don't have to wait till old age or on the verge of death, or else by then without practise, your mind will be confused, afraid, and then everything, including next life, becomes very unpredictable.
In fact Buddhism focuses more on cultivation and practise than on studying/research.
Venerable Master Shen-KaiÂ’s teacher once asked him, "Which Buddha attained Buddhahood through reference and research? Which patriarch of Buddhism became a patriarch through reference and research?" None, of course, for they all attained enlightenment through cultivation.That experience awakened the Venerable to realise that being a Buddhist means learning, cultivating and putting into practice what the Buddha taught. This is the only way for us to benefit from the teachings of the Buddha.
http://www.jenchen.org.sg/voiceofbliss.htm -
Thanks for your prompt reply. In relation to what you've said, maybe I can be considered a "layperson Buddhist" (for want of a better term) in that I believe in Buddhist teachings, learn about the teachings from books (although can't claim to have a deep understanding) and use them as a philosophy in life, but I don't chant nor really have Buddhist symbols/representations at home (other than books and a Buddha sculpture).
While I can understand the necessity to be guided by a Buddhist teacher or someone well-versed with Buddhism because sometimes we are faced with questions and dilemmas, yet, I feel a bit wary of joining groups (Sangha) for various reasons, e.g. not ready to follow their practices like chanting, or performing certain rituals. I feel that I should practice in such rituals only with the right understanding and if I believe in them, and not bec. everyone in the group is practising or that these are expected of a true Buddhist.
However, from what you've said, maybe I should not call myself a Buddhist then, since I have not take refuge in the Sangha.
Any comments? -
You dont have to have alot of buddhist symbols, but best to have a altar dedicated to the Buddha statue, and also have flower offerings/lamps, etc.Originally posted by Wanda:Thanks for your prompt reply. In relation to what you've said, maybe I can be considered a "layperson Buddhist" (for want of a better term) in that I believe in Buddhist teachings, learn about the teachings from books (although can't claim to have a deep understanding) and use them as a philosophy in life, but I don't chant nor really have Buddhist symbols/representations at home (other than books and a Buddha sculpture).
While I can understand the necessity to be guided by a Buddhist teacher or someone well-versed with Buddhism because sometimes we are faced with questions and dilemmas, yet, I feel a bit wary of joining groups (Sangha) for various reasons, e.g. not ready to follow their practices like chanting, or performing certain rituals. I feel that I should practice in such rituals only with the right understanding and if I believe in them, and not bec. everyone in the group is practising or that these are expected of a true Buddhist.
However, from what you've said, maybe I should not call myself a Buddhist then, since I have not take refuge in the Sangha.
Any comments?
Not only should we have a Buddhist teacher well versed in Buddhism, most importantly my Master says, that person must be one who has attained realisation (ming xing jian xing). It is only through this way that you can quickly attain enlightenment under his guidance.
Usually for my dharma centre for example, the first part of the session is chanting sutras and meditation. Second session is dharma talk/sharing. There aren't much rituals, and Buddhism doesnt ask people to follow rituals blindly. Most important, like I said, is cultivation
If you feel that you might want to visit my dharma centre, don't hesitate to private message. -
thus i heard from MCK that Jigong, the living Buddha (huo fo) is base on a real person. Though the tv series is a bit exaggerating. but there is really a person of almost the same ability. but i forgot the real name. He say that when people give food to Him, He just eat. There's a time when people keep offering HIm food, and He just kept eating and eating. The idea of More and less does not come to His mind. He is really in non-dualism. At least a Bu Dong di pu sa(8th Bhumi).
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Well said.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Buddhism is neither escapism nor optimism.
It is Realistic.
It tells you the science of your mind, what is your true nature, where does all your suffering comes from, and once you realise all the truths... not by concepts only but by direct experience, that is Enlightenment.
Buddha teaches the dharma of liberation and bliss. It is not by escaping daily lives - but by applying these dharmas In Life.
"I believe that every human being has an innate desire for happiness and does not want to suffer." - Dalai Lama
And truthfully, I believe those who practise Buddhism are certainly happier people.
For me, Buddha Dharma is simply a state of mind that I can apply in daily lives.
For instance, occasionally when I got home after a busy day of work, I felt nothing had happened that day. It is not that I didn't remember what had happened. I could recall every detail if I wanted to. I just did everything so naturally that I didn't feel like I was doing it even if it's totally new to me. Yet I could do everything right without mistakes. I had to talk to a lot of people and dealt with complicated works that needed total concentration. Although I knew clearly everything that was happening around me including my thoughts and responses to situations, the only thing I was aware of was the deep peace in mind and nothing else. They just couldnÂ’t draw any of my attention. And I felt great about everything.
Even though it only happens once in a while, itÂ’s enough for me to know that I have found what I wanted through practicing Buddha Dharma and ChÂ’an. To me, Buddha Dharma is only a way of living based on a peaceful state of mind. Just that. -
AgreedOriginally posted by namelessness:Well said.
For me, Buddha Dharma is simply a state of mind that I can apply in daily lives.
For instance, occasionally when I got home after a busy day of work, I felt nothing had happened that day. It is not that I didn't remember what had happened. I could recall every detail if I wanted to. I just did everything so naturally that I didn't feel like I was doing it even if it's totally new to me. Yet I could do everything right without mistakes. I had to talk to a lot of people and dealt with complicated works that needed total concentration. Although I knew clearly everything that was happening around me including my thoughts and responses to situations, the only thing I was aware of was the deep peace in mind and nothing else. They just couldnÂ’t draw any of my attention. And I felt great about everything.
Even though it only happens once in a while, itÂ’s enough for me to know that I have found what I wanted through practicing Buddha Dharma and ChÂ’an. To me, Buddha Dharma is only a way of living based on a peaceful state of mind. Just that.