Originally posted by Isis:It is many's belief that people like Jesus Christ himself is a Bodhisattva. Although his teachings differ, it was taught expediently according to the needs of the people. He hardly emphasizes on liberation, but ascending to heavens, considered as the celestial realms in Buddhism. (In fact he did, in Gospel of Thomas, he did teach about attaining Deathlessness)
A person who has a religion other than buddhism- which isnt a religion in the first place, can still be enlightened? pls note that some people whom claim that they are enlightened but they are really not... Enlightenment can be such an exploitive term.
No matter which religion u r in it now, does it matter as long it make u a happy person i.e is to reduce ur suffering..?Any religions that makes one happy is good, that teaches morality, being virtuous and avoiding evil, is good.
u can believe in XXX and cultivating kindness and compassion... does it matter which religion u r from? Practising compassion and giving can be considered a form of cultivation and gaining 'merits' for future birth... hopefully a chance to learn dhamma - to understand our reality more...What other religions practise can be considered 'virtues', 'wholesome deeds', but not merits. Such a person can attain rebirth as human or celestial beings. Merits is different can only come by liberation, from dharmakaya.
we shld aso sieze our opportunity here to cultivate as being born as a human and be able to come into contact with dhamma is very fortunate...Indeed..
i think mst problem with some religion are that people tend to get OVERly-attached to their religion so much that it can cause delusion or hatred to arise which can cause future suffering.. even if you are overly attached to ur religion but do keep in mind to be tolerance to other beliefs. =) The world has many diversities and things unknown to us with our limited experiences and knowledge.I think the reason for this is due to their DOGMATISM and BLIND FAITH. These narrow minded people tend to be egotistic and stubborn, clinging to their own views.
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:----
No fanaticism
Of Buddhism alone can it be affirmed it is free from all fanaticism. Its aim being to produce in every man a thorough internal transforming by self-conquest, how can it have recourse to might or money or even persuasion for effecting conversion? The Buddha has only shown the way to salvation, and it is left to each individual to decide for himself if he would follow it.
- Prof. Lakshmi Narasu, "The Essence of Buddhism"
Since Buddhism isn't a religion, so what it is to you?A way of life, way of bliss; enlightenment; liberation, and also an education.
comment pls =)
Originally posted by Isis:erm...its a term that is already there for me to use for my faith...
[Since Buddhism isn't a religion, so what it is to you?
comment pls =)[/b]
Originally posted by Isis:A person who has a religion other than buddhism- which isnt a religion in the first place, can still be enlightened? pls note that some people whom claim that they are enlightened but they are really not... Enlightenment can be such an exploitive term.
No matter which religion u r in it now, does it matter as long it make u a happy person i.e is to reduce ur suffering..?
u can believe in XXX and cultivating kindness and compassion... does it matter which religion u r from? Practising compassion and giving can be considered a form of cultivation and gaining 'merits' for future birth... hopefully a chance to learn dhamma - to understand our reality more...
we shld aso sieze our opportunity here to cultivate as being born as a human and be able to come into contact with dhamma is very fortunate...
i think mst problem with some religion are that people tend to get OVERly-attached to their religion so much that it can cause delusion or hatred to arise which can cause future suffering.. even if you are overly attached to ur religion but do keep in mind to be tolerance to other beliefs. =) The world has many diversities and things unknown to us with our limited experiences and knowledge.
Since Buddhism isn't a religion, so what it is to you?
comment pls =)
Originally posted by justdoit77:see what the definition of bodhisattva say, so that we can somehow relate:
Some people said Jesus might be a bodhisatva. If it is true?
Nay i dun have a religion cos im a free-thinkerOriginally posted by justdoit77:If you have some difficulty to convert to buddhism, maybe you can share with us.
Buddhists r free-thinkerOriginally posted by Isis:Nay i dun have a religion cos im a free-thinker
To me 'Buddhist' is just a 'label'... it does not matter to me..
Some people say that they are buddhist but don't know anythings about the dhamma. There are some scholars in buddhism but they are not awakened to the essence of the Buddhism. For me, i believe in 'yuan fen' to learn buddhism.. when the condition is ripe, sudden awakening is possible... an opportunity to learn and finally understanding the teachings of the Buddha
From this forum i have learnt alot abt buddhism... esp from the sutra posted by the forumers..and their experiences... Sadhu x 3
Originally posted by Isis:Actually it may be a label, however, to be a disciple of Buddha, thus said by Buddha himself, one needs to take refuge in Three Treasures - Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. So it is not just an 'empty'/mental term.
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Nay i dun have a religion cos im a free-thinker
To me 'Buddhist' is just a 'label'... it does not matter to me..
Some people say that they are buddhist but don't know anythings about the dhamma.I agree. Not only have they not understood Buddhist teachings - at least the basics, they have not even taken refuge in Three Treasures thus they CANNOT be known as Buddhists.
There are some scholars in buddhism but they are not awakened to the essence of the Buddhism. For me, i believe in 'yuan fen' to learn buddhism.. when the condition is ripe, sudden awakening is possible... an opportunity to learn and finally understanding the teachings of the BuddhaVery true. It is a real pity that some people take Buddhist teachings as an academic thing, thus cannot appreciate the true essence of its teachings, to transform ourselves, conquer ourselves, and achieve wisdom that we can call our OWN - but just blindly knowing Buddha's words, and what others said.
From this forum i have learnt alot abt buddhism... esp from the sutra posted by the forumers..and their experiences... Sadhu x 3Very good, do share with us too
Actually, i have already taken the 5 precepts and refuge in triple Gems...Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Actually it may be a label, however, to be a disciple of Buddha, thus said by Buddha himself, one needs to take refuge in Three Treasures - Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. So it is not just an 'empty'/mental term.
But nobody should ever force you to convert to Buddhism, you decide yourself after having some understandings on the basic Buddhist teachings. But don't have to wait until you read finish all the sutras, because by the time, you probably died.. life is short. We must use all our time we have to cultivate the dharma because if we pass this opportunity, next life we may never know whether we will encounter Dharma again.
Originally posted by Isis:Very basically, someone who took refuge, is interested to learn the Buddhadharma and cultivates the buddhadharma.
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Actually, i already take the 5 precepts and refuge in triple Gems...
i have faith in buddha, dhamma and sangha but i don't consider myself a buddhist.. what is ur definitation of a disciple?
i also want to renounce @ this particular time also due to the reason you say above ( the part abt opportunity ) but i drop the idea cos female can only renounce once and i don't know whether i can keep the 100+ precepts. im still learning as much as i can now. maybe i will renounce once im readyThen perhaps you should find a teacher and start learning and practising as a lay disciple first.
btw having attachment to buddhist teaching is good?The 84000 dharmas taught are meant for the sentient mind. They are like medicine that cures us of our afflictive mental disease. They are seen as a raft that brings you across the river to the other shore [of liberation], and when you reached the other shore, you must let go of the raft. Just like when your disease is cured, you don't go on taking the medicine, otherwise its harmful.
cos i have a fren who told me it is good to have attachment to buddha teaching. Buddha also has attachment to dhamma but let go of attachment before reaching his final stage to enlightenment???What do you mean by attachment to dharma teachings? Do you mean he is those type whose mouth keep uttering about dharma but himself does not practise? In Chinese we have this phrase, "Kou Tou Chan". "Verbal 'Zen'"
i do meditation ( though not regularly )and do research on buddhism in own free time. Buddhism is not a religion bah, more like a way of life. i never consider myself a true discipline of buddhism cos i didn't treat it like a "commitment to life serious kind of thing" I feel more comfortable to explore other religion and decide for myself what is there for me.. i guess.. what amazing about buddhism that it can cater to individual needs. Hey btw what are the 84000 doors? 84000 is quite alot!Originally posted by An Eternal Now:The 84000 dharmas taught are meant for the sentient mind. They are like medicine that cures us of our afflictive mental disease. They are seen as a raft that brings you across the river to the other shore [of liberation], and when you reached the other shore, you must let go of the raft. Just like when your disease is cured, you don't go on taking the medicine, otherwise its harmful.
But before that, you cannot throw away the raft, you must rely on the raft first. If you throw away the raft thinking that is 'non-attachment', then you will find yourself sinking in the middle of the ocean At the very end of it all, you will realise, all dharmas are in fact, empty, and there is in fact, no attainments.
".
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:i don't do there "kou tou chan".. cos i m not a buddhist mah hehe
What do you mean by attachment to dharma teachings? Do you mean he is those type whose mouth keep uttering about dharma but himself does not practise? In Chinese we have this phrase, "Kou Tou Chan". "Verbal 'Zen'"
But if we practise the dharma, then we will not make this kind of mistake. When we practise dharma, we also wont keep talking about it, we wont keep telling others 'I am practising dharma, i am pratising dharma'. When practising, we still have this kind of mental chattering, then it's wrong. It's just natural. Just practise dharma in the living. Buddhist teaching is in the midst of living.
Although I post a lot in this forum, in real life, I dont talk about dharma like as if I am a Buddhist preacher. This is not the way. At most, if you find a friend who is troubled or something, the best thing might be "let's go to the monastery, you will be more peaceful in mind".
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i do meditation ( though not regularly )and do research on buddhism in own free time. Buddhism is not a religion bah, more like a way of life.Yes, Buddhism is definitely not a religion in the context of worship and belief in a Supreme Being. As we know the teachings by Buddha are all practical, and leads to enlightenment. As for meditation, it is also quite important to learn from a teacher. You learnt meditation from somewhere or some meditation course? Which meditation do you practise? I practise Anapanasati for sitting meditation.
i never consider myself a true discipline of buddhism cos i didn't treat it like a "commitment to life serious kind of thing" I feel more comfortable to explore other religion and decide for myself what is there for me.. i guess.. what amazing about buddhism that it can cater to individual needs. Hey btw what are the 84000 doors? 84000 is quite alot!A Buddhist must definitely have the 'commitment' to his practise. Eight fold path - Right Effort is also important. Right Effort in overcoming ignorance, defilements, etc. If we dont have commitment, how can we expect to progress in our path?
i don't do there "kou tou chan".. cos i m not a buddhist mah heheTrue Buddhists dont do kou tou chan. If what I speak does not resonate with my understanding, experience, cultivation progress, then we should not anyhow go around talking about it just because it's "deep". Those Buddhists who never practise but mouth always uttering kou tou chan will give very bad impression to others, and may cause himself bad karma. It depends on what situation also.
i have known afew people in my school's buddhist society club who have there " kou tou chan" being displayed in their msn nick.. if im someone whom know nothing about buddhism and i see the nick, i will tend to think that they are obessed with buddhism...
'attaching to the teaching' and fail to see the whole picture and see things as it is... is what i mean by attaching to the teachings.
erm and i thot attachment will cause the arising of delusion? is there such thing as healthy and unhealthy attachment?
erm and i thot attachment will cause the arising of delusion? is there such thing as healthy and unhealthy attachment?You mean Buddhadharma?
Originally posted by Isis:thnks 4 sharing
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i do meditation ( though not regularly )and do research on buddhism in own free time. Buddhism is not a religion bah, more like a way of life.
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Yes, Buddhism is definitely not a religion in the context of worship and belief in a Supreme Being. As we know the teachings by Buddha are all practical, and leads to enlightenment. As for meditation, it is also quite important to learn from a teacher. You learnt meditation from somewhere or some meditation course? Which meditation do you practise? I practise Anapanasati for sitting meditation.
Also, we must have the discipline to practise meditation for at least 30 minutes a day, only like that we will have progress. Because for a beginner's mind, it is very difficult to achieve any samadhi if the sitting meditation session is too short. I can sit for more than an hour if I'm free.
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i never consider myself a true discipline of buddhism cos i didn't treat it like a "commitment to life serious kind of thing" I feel more comfortable to explore other religion and decide for myself what is there for me.. i guess.. what amazing about buddhism that it can cater to individual needs. Hey btw what are the 84000 doors? 84000 is quite alot!
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A Buddhist must definitely have the 'commitment' to his practise. Eight fold path - Right Effort is also important. Right Effort in overcoming ignorance, defilements, etc. If we dont have commitment, how can we expect to progress in our path?
But it does not mean when we're free, we cannot explore other religions. I myself do explore other religions teachings out of interest sometimes. It is good to know more. It is not contradictory. There is nothing wrong with Buddhists in example, attending Church services either - as long as his mind is clear about dharma and dharma practise.
But understand that while most other religions teaches practising virtues and wholesome deeds, the path of purification is through buddhist cultivation.
84000 is a number meaning 'uncountable'. It is used in several context by Buddha to explain a very huge, uncountable amount/number. Although Buddha said there are 84000 dharma doors, there are in fact more than 84000, millions, billions, etc. Whenever Buddha sees the need - he will teach the right dharma door to liberate the sentient being.
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i don't do there "kou tou chan".. cos i m not a buddhist mah hehe
i have known afew people in my school's buddhist society club who have there " kou tou chan" being displayed in their msn nick.. if im someone whom know nothing about buddhism and i see the nick, i will tend to think that they are obessed with buddhism...
'attaching to the teaching' and fail to see the whole picture and see things as it is... is what i mean by attaching to the teachings.
erm and i thot attachment will cause the arising of delusion? is there such thing as healthy and unhealthy attachment?
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True Buddhists dont do kou tou chan. If what I speak does not resonate with my understanding, experience, cultivation progress, then we should not anyhow go around talking about it just because it's "deep". Those Buddhists who never practise but mouth always uttering kou tou chan will give very bad impression to others, and may cause himself bad karma. It depends on what situation also.
What kind of things do you see as 'kou tou chan'? Maybe you can share some with us
'attaching to the teaching' and fail to see the whole picture and see things as it is... is what i mean by attaching to the teachings.
Oh I think I know what you mean. In Buddhism we have this saying, Fa3 Wu2 Ding4 Fa3, Ding4 Fa3 Fei1 Fa3. No dharmas are fixed. Therefore we cannot be attached to dharma. But maybe you can also share with us some of your experiences of 'attachment to teaching and failing to see the picture'?
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erm and i thot attachment will cause the arising of delusion? is there such thing as healthy and unhealthy attachment?
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You mean Buddhadharma?
Well, all of us, being unenlightened sentient beings still have sentient minds. Therefore we need to practise buddhadharma to counter sentient mind. But at a higher level, there is no mind, no dharma. When Heart Sutra says, go to the other shore, when your sentient mind is delivered, immediately you reach the other shore. But before that, we have to sustain a dharma for practise. For example, we are still unenlightened, therefore we must continue our practise of chanting, meditation, etc.
Hi An external now,
i can see from your replies that you have great faith in buddhism
i still prefer to cultivate myself along the way i feel mst comfortable with my level of cultivation. A few months ago, I had decided to take a break from buddhism.. cos think i need some space to reflect on myself and buddhism...so as to continue my path.. and not abandon it..
i aso dun see it as a serious- life commitment there... erm... i could rather see it as a way of life... this depends on each individual's perception i guess.. well, perception can change along the time...
In buddhism you can choose the path that you feel comfortable with..
i don't do meditation regulary.. but i have been integrating some buddhism teachings into my own way of life for quite some time... through reading on buddhism and gain inspiration teachings of sangha...also from my own experience, reflect.. and learn... unlearn, relearn
Buddha once said without old age, death, he will not be preaching on enlightenment. Even for someone who don't have contact with dhamma can have a certain level of realization ( level mst likely not high though ) cos' i believe unspoken dhamma existed every now and then..infact all the time in our life..
i once attended a 4 days metta meditation retreat but cannot sit long.. @ mst ard 30 mins cos i was not a regular meditator... if im not wrong, can meditate anywhere, anyplace, anytime depending on yourself.. first of all must know yourself well first...
there are also many kinds of meditation.. i heard abt the s h it ing meditation! heheheh
Regarding to answing your questions, i learnt from tapes in sec, did my own experiment and learining from venerables in dhamma camps.... breahting meditation help tame my monkey mind.... i aso like walking meditation... i also heard abt the insight-meditation.. want to try but don't have the time yet..
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