how do you make buddhism relevant to your life?
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Hmm....new here. I'm young adult from buddhism family, but I consider myself to be inclined towards free-thinking because of science. Nonetheless I believe in certain buddhist principles more than others and I live by them; try not to harm others with my words, not have evil thoughts, detachment from wants, among others.
Somethings I believe are not very relevant in buddhism in this age are whether buddha really existed or the attainment of nirvana (cos I think its just a theoretical stage, no one is omnipotent). I think its more important to live as good human beings, cherish your life, live positively, help others and make contribute to society...rather than meditate all day and try to reach nirvana.
What areas of buddhism are relatively irrelevant to others in today's context?
Your views?
I think helping others actively is more important than passive meditation. Ultimately I would prefer to be known as a good human being than a good buddhist. Sorry if I have any misconceptions because I never had any serious formal lessons on buddhism. Just trying to learn more about buddhism -
Welcome, Amituofo.
here's a good link:
http://www.buddhistinformation.com/be_a_lamp_upon_yourself.htm
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yes i welcome this idea of understanding Buddhism applicable in modern ,but for me Buddhism have gone beyond area of science and something which appeal to me is the systematic approach in the human mindOriginally posted by crimson soldier:Hmm....new here. I'm young adult from buddhism family, but I consider myself to be inclined towards free-thinking because of science. Nonetheless I believe in certain buddhist principles more than others and I live by them; try not to harm others with my words, not have evil thoughts, detachment from wants, among others.
Somethings I believe are not very relevant in buddhism in this age are whether buddha really existed or the attainment of nirvana (cos I think its just a theoretical stage, no one is omnipotent). I think its more important to live as good human beings, cherish your life, live positively, help others and make contribute to society...rather than meditate all day and try to reach nirvana.
What areas of buddhism are relatively irrelevant to others in today's context?
Your views?
I think helping others actively is more important than passive meditation. Ultimately I would prefer to be known as a good human being than a good buddhist. Sorry if I have any misconceptions because I never had any serious formal lessons on buddhism. Just trying to learn more about buddhism
the 3 root cause is what causes us to be unhappy
understanding nature of society, we dun seek cravings in position and designation ,just try our very best in whatever work we do
of course there is more than that i wish to share ,but i just leave it to other who have more wisdom to share ..... -
Totally relevant!Originally posted by crimson soldier:Hmm....new here. I'm young adult from buddhism family, but I consider myself to be inclined towards free-thinking because of science. Nonetheless I believe in certain buddhist principles more than others and I live by them; try not to harm others with my words, not have evil thoughts, detachment from wants, among others.
Somethings I believe are not very relevant in buddhism in this age are whether buddha really existed or the attainment of nirvana (cos I think its just a theoretical stage, no one is omnipotent). I think its more important to live as good human beings, cherish your life, live positively, help others and make contribute to society...rather than meditate all day and try to reach nirvana.
What areas of buddhism are relatively irrelevant to others in today's context?
Your views?
I think helping others actively is more important than passive meditation. Ultimately I would prefer to be known as a good human being than a good buddhist. Sorry if I have any misconceptions because I never had any serious formal lessons on buddhism. Just trying to learn more about buddhism
Pls listen: Buddhism and Science
Enjoy listening to Ajahn Brahmavamso's speech
Btw, there is no reason not to believe that Buddha did not existed. There are plenty of historical records of him. He is not a God, not a god, he is a teacher. An enlightened human.
What is Nirvana? Nirvana is not a heaven far away from here. It can be experienced right now (if you are ready). Pls read: Returning to the Quintessence of Buddha
Can science prove Nirvana? It is very limited. Because is dealing with physical things. Nirvana is not a physical thing. But if you listen to Ajahn Brahmavamso's talk (he was a monk who was a Quantum Physicist scientist in the past), you would know that, there is no contradiction. Buddhism is the only true science, even science itself has dogmas. I'm not talking cock or bullshitting, but you have to listen to the talk to understand what I meant. -
Just to comment on some points I missed out just now...
how do you make buddhism relevant to your life?
Buddhist practise is meant to be practised in life. Or else... practise when you are dead?
rather than meditate all day and try to reach nirvana
This is one of the misconceptions of Buddhism. A Buddhist who wishes to attain Nirvana does not necessarily have to practise meditation all day. There are 84000 dharma doors, sitting meditation is only one of them. In fact I think it is good if you can do sitting meditation. My dharma teacher recommends that we sit 30 minutes meditation everyday. But even if you can't, it does not mean you cannot practise. It depends on what dharma you are practising. The dharma that my taiwanese teacher transmitted to us can be practised wherever we go - even during sleep!
Actually cultivation is a simple thing. You have to understand what Buddhist cultivation is about. Buddha himself was not a person who spend all his life meditating! He walked throughout India helping people and teaching the dharma.
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http://www.jenchen.org.sg/cultivat.htm
The correct concept of cultivation
First of all we need to understand what is cultivation. Some people think that cultivation means not having an occupation but to be engaged in the daily activities of prayers to the Buddha, meditation or chanting the sutras. The actual purpose of cultivation is to eradicate our undesirable conduct and to maintain our good conduct. In other words, to follow the Bodhisattva path in emulating the practices of the Bodhisattvas. When we know the meaning of cultivation, then we understand its purpose, which is to eradicate our self serving and evil habits and thus reduce our negative karma. However, many people do not understand this principle and they misinterpret its meaning. Actually, not only those who have renounced to be Buddhist monks or nuns need to cultivate, lay-Buddhists also need to cultivate, if not more diligently. Even those who do not subscribe to any religion need to cultivate. Cultivation is not only a matter for monks or nuns alone.
What is cultivation? Where do we practise cultivation? Let me tell you a story: More than twenty years ago, I took four years to cultivate as I travelled across the country. Step by step, I covered Taiwan by walking. Once when I was in Hua-Lian, an elderly Buddhist asked me, "Master! A monk should reside in the temple to meditate, pray and chant sutras, but when you travel about what are you cultivating? I replied, "ThatÂ’s right! I am cultivating. Sakyamuni Buddha teaches us to cultivate our conduct. He does not encourage us to cultivate sitting down! In the past few years I had been practising sitting meditation, now I wish to travel about. While walking and also amidst all my other activities, I do not commit evil deeds, I chant the names of the Buddhas, I praise and commend others, I tell people about the Dharma, I avoid the places of vice, this is the way I cultivate."
Thus, to cultivate means cultivating in the midst of our activities. This is a point that many people do not understand. They think that cultivation will result in a society that is pessimistic and low-spirited. This is a mistake. Jen Chen Buddhism advocates cultivating in the midst of our daily activities. Many retired old folks have no need to attend to household chores anymore, thus they can afford to spend their time to chant the names of the Buddhas and to cultivate in the midst of their leisure. However, there are many housewives who need to tend to their children, household chores and many other matters. How do you expect them to cultivate in their leisure? Thus, the need to cultivate in the midst of their activities; while cooking they could chant the names of the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas. No matter what activities they are engaged in, it is always possible to cultivate. Instead of gossipping about our neighbours and friends or engaging in other frivolous talks, why not refrain from all these. This is cultivation. Therefore, only when we cultivate in the midst of our activities do we understand the meaning of cultivation. To cultivate in our leisure may cause others a lot of frustrations. For example, a husband may be upset because his wife neglects the household by spending too much time chanting or running from temple to temple. For her to introduce Buddhism to her husband, thus, would not be an easy task. If she understands the principle of cultivating in the midst of her activities, it would be acceptable to the husband. Should he be invited to places of vice, he would know how to turn them down because his wife is a diligent cultivator. Both husband and wife are then cultivating at the same time.
There will be progress in our society when we understand the principle of cultivation. Otherwise, society will backslide. Over the last few decades, I have come to realize that we need to cultivate wherever we are. When we possess the correct concept of cultivation, any time is an appropriate time for cultivation, any place can be the place for us to seek enlightenment. If each and everyone of us conduct ourselves in this way, then the world will become a pure land. If we think that we can only cultivate in the temples, or that we cannot cultivate when we are working, then it is very possible that we commit evils deeds without even knowing. When we are with Buddha every moment, and cultivate constantly, then we are truly practitioners of Buddhism.
As to when in the cultivation process does one awaken and what it is like to be awakened, only when you follow the guidance of the Dharma and put it into practice, will you know you have awakened: when you drink the water, only you know how warm or cold it is.
continued in the webpage...
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There is another saying by my Master:
To cultivate our actions is not as good as to cultivate the body,
To cultivate the body is not as good as to cultivate the mind,
To cultivate the mind is not as good as not having arising of the mind.
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My daily activities are not unusual,
I'm just naturally in harmony with them.
Grasping nothing, discarding nothing...
Supernatural power and marvelous activity -
Drawing water and carrying firewood.
Layman Pang-yun -
Hmm thanks for the replies.
I cant really express what my mind wants to say at the moment @_@
so I'll just think about it first! -
Yea, take your timeOriginally posted by crimson soldier:Hmm thanks for the replies.
I cant really express what my mind wants to say at the moment @_@
so I'll just think about it first! -
I believe are not very relevant in buddhism in this age are whether buddha really existed
pls refer: The Miraculous Relic/Sharira of Buddha and Practitioners (Discussing about Shariras) -
if one is money-minded does it mean he cannot be a good buddhist?
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Many Buddhists, and great Buddhist practitioners, are quite rich or very rich. That is also because they have accumulated many good karmas in the past.Originally posted by dokono:if one is money-minded does it mean he cannot be a good buddhist?
A good Buddhist does not necessarily have to stop earning more money. But a practitioner should not becoming attached to materialism, sensual enjoyment, etc. -
something to share with ur on another buddhist forum on blame by others by
patrul rinpoche
quote]Verse 14
"All talk is like an echo", said the Buddhas,
But these days it's more like the re-echo of an echo.
What the echoes say and what they mean are not the same,
So don't take any notice of these insidious echo words.
Verse 16
If your actions conform with dharma, you'll antagonise everyone;
If your words are truthful, most people will get angry;
If your mind is truly good and pure, they will judge it a defect,
Now is the time to keep your own way hidden.
food for thought , ya
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But money earned is meant to be spent anyway..so materialism and such cannot really be avoided right?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Many Buddhists, and great Buddhist practitioners, are quite rich or very rich. That is also because they have accumulated many good karmas in the past.
A good Buddhist does not necessarily have to stop earning more money. But a practitioner should not becoming attached to materialism, sensual enjoyment, etc. -
if it can't be avoided outside, then avoid it from the insight. in other word contentment.Originally posted by dokono:But money earned is meant to be spent anyway..so materialism and such cannot really be avoided right?
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My first Buddhist verse posted in the 'Daily Buddhist Verses' section:
Good health is the highest gain.
Contentment is the greatest wealth.
Trustworthy ones are the best kinsmen.
Nibbana is the highest Bliss. - Buddha
Dhammapada Verse 204
Anyway, when dealing with money, we should use wisdom and not waste our money on enjoying. We should not indulge in things like Gambling (see the article on money) which would take away our blessings. Further more, we should be generous and donate our money to those in need to donation (e.g charities, dharma, etc). This is a 'field of blessings' and will ensure that we continue to have such virtuous karmic blessings in the future.
This advice with regard to acquiring material wealth is followed up with four conditions for one's spiritual welfare which would ensure one a happy birth in the next life also. They are: Having the qualities of faith, (saddha) virtue, (sila) charity (dana) and wisdom (panna)
Buddha's advise on Money: Earnings should be divided into four portions. While the first portion is to be set apart for daily expenditure, the second and third to be invested in business enterprises, the fourth is to be deposited and to be taken in times of needs.
We may not strictly follow this by exact ratio, but we should be mindful of our financial management, and see in the long term.
A good article on money: Prosperity and Happiness The Buddhist View