qns abt buddhism
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Originally posted by Citetok:
What I meant was your saying that Among the five Buddhas, only Shakyamuni is the Teachers of Gods and Kings... I would like to know the source of where you have heard it. Also, does that mean that the previous Buddhas did not teach Gods and Kings?
Translated as:
He who has attained the Truth, the Worthy One, Rightly Self-awakened (characteristics of Buddha), consummate in knowledge & conduct, one who has gone the good-way (has gone, thus ending), knower of the cosmos, [b]un-excelled trainer (or teacher) of those who can be taught (condition of a student, describe in later verse): Teacher of human (actually rulers or Kings) and divine beings (or Gods); awakened; blessed (therefore he blesses); who make known (the method of Buddha) - having realized it through direct knowledge (not taught, directly acquire) - this world with its devas, maras & Brahmas, its generations (the generation and dimension of Shakyamuni) with their contemplatives & priests, their rulers & common people; who explained (Buddha's method of transmission) the Dhamma fine in the beginning, fine in the middle, fine in the end (some explain these as the three bodies of the Buddha who expound the Dharma in three different aspects); who expounded the holy life both in its particulars & in its essence (note what He expounded, not doctrine), entirely complete (complete, wholesome, he left nothing un-taught from the three bodies), surpassingly pure.[/b] -
Does that actually suggest that the Buddha got enlightened before he was born?
But well, this question isn't very important is it? -
A moderator from another forum answered this nicely.Originally posted by mahawarrior:Does that actually suggest that the Buddha got enlightened before he was born?
But well, this question isn't very important is it?There are (generally, and i stress generally) two takes on the Buddha's enlightenment:
1. Theravadin--The Buddha took a vow before a previous Buddha eons ago to follow the path of the bodhisattva (basically "Buddha-in-training) and become a Buddha himself. With this strong vow and aspiration he went through many many lifetimes accumulating merit, performing virtuous deeds, and dedicating the merit so that he may benefit beings by becoming a Buddha. So, when the Buddha took his final birth, he was not an ordinary person, but one who had an enormous store of merit and wisdom, and was inclined to practice that path. The circumstances were right, and he finished the path in his life as Gautama.
2. Mahayana/Vajrayana--The Buddha is basically an emanation of the Buddha Vairocana, who goes through the drama (as all Buddhas do) of being born a prince, renouncing his kingdom, and realizing in order to train sentient beings. -
Buddhism is more that another "religion" or "spiritual path". The Lord Buddha Gotama's greatest contribution was not the introduction of yet another system of thought or practices but rather a way of life with the view of seeing things as they Truly are. Man was now released from the clutches of some unseen forces that he could not understand or harness.
The Greatness of the Lord Buddha Gotama is reflected by His magnanimous contributions to the world that was then beset with social injustices, political turbulences, economic inequalities, spiritual decadences and religious dogmatism. While the very fabric of society was being pulled asunder and lead to confusion by economic, cultural, political and religious forces beyond the control of many, His teachings and methods reveal attempts to heal rather than hurt; determination to freedom rather than shackling; endeavoring to release rather than restrict; consolidation rather than fragmentation; unifying rather than diversifying; the promotion of peace rather than discord; wisdom rather than intellectualization. -
then how is it taugh at Theravada's tradition?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Yes. According to Mahayana teachings, the Arhant still has to practise 20000 great kalpas to reach Buddhahood.
In Theravada, it is not taught this way. -
This topic is never discussed in Theravada, therefore it is generally assumed that an arhant simply remains in nirvana.Originally posted by marcteng:then how is it taugh at Theravada's tradition? -
qn: the lion dance...is it part of buddhism?
qn: is there a superiority btw prayer/worship n studying of scriptures? as in is prayer/worship more impt than studying of scriptures or vice-versa? -
Originally posted by despondent:
Aiyo.. such things where got associated with Buddhism or any religion ones
qn: the lion dance...is it part of buddhism?
It's an art, a Chinese culture, nothing to do with religion.. 
qn: is there a superiority btw prayer/worship n studying of scriptures? as in is prayer/worship more impt than studying of scriptures or vice-versa?
In Buddhism, we don't worship any supreme beings.. we pay respect to Buddha, and as a tradition we do 3 prostrations out of respect (ancient people also prostrate towards the emperor but does not mean they worship the emperor). What the Buddha taught is that we ourselves can get enlightened ourselves, and that is the point... our Buddha Nature is already wholly complete.. just that it is obscured by a layer of illusions.. and Buddhist practise is to see through that illusion, to purify the mind, clear the layer of dust on the bright round mirror (our buddha nature)
Studying of scripture is quite important but not essential, I mean you need to know what Buddhism is teaching about, you need to know the fundamentals, but pretty much most of the sutras are for you to authenticate your experience with it. So the main point is to practise.. and authenticate your experiences with the scriptures. But if you realise the Essence of Buddhism, which is timeless, you will know it all... Buddhism isn't something you can just intellectually understand and 'that's it', and just gaining more academic knowledge without experience and insights may even bring more confusion. So practising is most important... no enlightened persons reach realisation through academic studies alone..
As my experienced friend (Thusness) said... If you can't understand and see all of the teachings taking place right Now, then it is not true knowledge. -
Haha the little one has now recognized the importance of practice & that mere academic/intellectual knowledge on its own is insufficient.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Buddhism isn't something you can just intellectually understand and 'that's it', and just gaining more academic knowledge without experience and insights may even bring more confusion. So practising is most important... no enlightened persons reach realisation through academic studies alone..
Now seeing your posts coming more from you rather than mere regurgitation from books.
Hey though I still think the study of scriptures as being quite essential, as studying the words of Enlightened beings can bring about unfathomable inspiration and yup, as you mentioned, authentication. Also about planting Dharmic seeds and imprints in our subtle levels of consciousness.
The traveller still needs to regularly verify against the map. Just not overdoing it to the extent that one never ever embarks on the actual journey. -
There is a Buddhist saying that describes Buddhism as having 84,000 Dharma Doors. 84,000 is a number symbolic of inifinity. This means that there are infinite means of approaching or entering the door of Dharma.Originally posted by despondent:qn: is there a superiority btw prayer/worship n studying of scriptures? as in is prayer/worship more impt than studying of scriptures or vice-versa?
Some people respond better to scripture study, some are inspired by chanting Buddha's names, some by chanting sutras, some by reading sutras or commentaries, some by observing great practitioner's Bodhisattva acts, some by meditation, some by online forum discussions, some by watching movies, some by other means. And to many people, it's a mixture of many different approaches. There is no best approach, except the ones that you respond best to.
In general, there is something called the Three Prajnas (Wisdoms) in Buddhism. This can be applied no matter which approach you adopt.
(1) Listening - refers to listening to dharma teachings, including reading.
(2) Contemplation - refers to thinking about & recollecting the dharma teachings, and analysing them
(3) Meditation/Practice - having contemplated the teachings, actively apply them into your life and experience the teachings for yourself through practice.
In line with AEN's response about practice - that is important, no matter which approach(es) you adopt. Consistently trying to apply the Dharma in your daily life is the key. As time goes by, the Dharma will definitely sink in and affect you in subtle and obvious ways.
All the best to ya! -
Originally posted by _wanderer_:
Yes.. well said
There is a Buddhist saying that describes Buddhism as having 84,000 Dharma Doors. 84,000 is a number symbolic of inifinity. This means that there are infinite means of approaching or entering the door of Dharma.
Some people respond better to scripture study, some are inspired by chanting Buddha's names, some by chanting sutras, some by reading sutras or commentaries, some by observing great practitioner's Bodhisattva acts, some by meditation, some by online forum discussions, some by watching movies, some by other means. And to many people, it's a mixture of many different approaches. There is no best approach, except the ones that you respond best to.
In general, there is something called the Three Prajnas (Wisdoms) in Buddhism. This can be applied no matter which approach you adopt.
[b](1) Listening - refers to listening to dharma teachings, including reading.
(2) Contemplation - refers to thinking about & recollecting the dharma teachings, and analysing them
(3) Meditation/Practice - having contemplated the teachings, actively apply them into your life and experience the teachings for yourself through practice.
In line with AEN's response about practice - that is important, no matter which approach(es) you adopt. Consistently trying to apply the Dharma in your daily life is the key. As time goes by, the Dharma will definitely sink in and affect you in subtle and obvious ways.
All the best to ya! [/b]
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qn: from wad i noe, monks r suppose to live lives of seclusion, void of emotions n wif no desires in tis world...but y is it tat i see monks nowadays driving cars, using hps etc?
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Monks do not necessarily need to live in seclusion, the forest, etc... most monks are very involved in 'social life' -- facing, helping the masses and lay followers of Buddhism. Having cars does not mean that a monk has desires. Driving cars and using handphone nowadays are a necessity to travel around and get things done. It is also necessary to take airplane if he needs to travel to another country for a dharma talk. Expenses would be donated by the lay followers, similarly things like cars are donated by lay followers.Originally posted by despondent:qn: from wad i noe, monks r suppose to live lives of seclusion, void of emotions n wif no desires in tis world...but y is it tat i see monks nowadays driving cars, using hps etc? -
I dunnoe, I see monks driving cars when they can easily use public transport and do some ecological conservation.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Monks do not necessarily need to live in seclusion, the forest, etc... and having cars does not mean that a monk has desires. Driving cars and using handphone nowadays are a necessity to travel around and get things done. It is also necessary to take airplane if he needs to travel to another country for a dharma talk. Expenses would be donated by the lay followers, similarly things like cars are donated by lay followers. -
Some lay followers are really rich, millionaires or billionaires and don't mind donating a car or two to the monks.Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:I dunnoe, I see monks driving cars when they can easily use public transport and do some ecological conservation. -
AEN, some eco education needed for such monks and their lay followers.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Some lay followers are really rich, millionaires or billionaires and don't mind donating a car or two to the monks. -
Its not true , for many yearsOriginally posted by Herzog_Zwei:AEN, some eco education needed for such monks and their lay followers.
Tzuchi Buddhist Compassion Society have been doing all this can recycling job
Around the world .In taiwan and singapore
Ven Master Chengyen is very encouraging on eco education
http://www.tzuchi.org.tw -
I have a question. Why some people who claims that they are buddhist says that they cannot eat beef? Is it true that as a buddhist we cannot eat beef?
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That is not true. Many people don't even know what is a Buddhist. A Buddhist is one who follows the Buddhadharma and has taken refuge in the triple gems: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. Many of them are merely 'IC-Buddhist' who mistaken what they are practising as Buddhism, even though they are Chinese Folks tradition or Taoist. These people usually have no knowledge at all of Buddhist teachings.Originally posted by ah_kwang:I have a question. Why some people who claims that they are buddhist says that they cannot eat beef? Is it true that as a buddhist we cannot eat beef?
The custom of not eating beef is linked with Hinduism and Chinese folks culture. Because they do not forget the hard work that cows have helped in their agriculture. Also, the Hindus treat cows as holy animals.
Actually Buddha did not particularly single out beef as not to be eaten. However, non-vegetarian Buddhists should eat meat under 5 conditions:http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol5no4a.htm
In this way, the meat is karmically purer.
....Buddha understands the ignorance and habits of sentient beings that have accumulated from aeons of their many past lives. In order to provide sentient beings with an expedient means of embracing Buddhism, those who are not able to convert to a vegetarian diet on a long term basis are permitted to consume meat provided:
(1) That he did not slaughter the animal personally
(2) That he did not instruct others to slaughter
(3) That the slaughter was not committed for his sake
(4) That he did not witness the slaughter
(5) That he did not hear the cries associated with the slaughter ..... -
For your information, public transport is not 100% coverage in Singapore. In fact, there are places whereby it's only served by one feeder bus, which will probably take up to 1 hour or more to come by.Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:I dunnoe, I see monks driving cars when they can easily use public transport and do some ecological conservation.
Driving a car is just a mode of transportl for them to get from point A to point B in the shortest possible time. In fact, if you noticed, most of the time, they were ferried by their followers rather than driving a car. They will drive only when necessary.
Most of the Sanghas practises prudent when it comes to devotee's donations. Of course, I can't deny that there were few who don't, but who are we to judge them when we, practising buddhist, don't even follow the teachings of budda in the first place. -
What about Guan Yin?
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What do you want to know about AvalokiteÂœvara?Originally posted by redstone:What about Guan Yin? -
What do you want to ask about Guan Yin?Originally posted by redstone:What about Guan Yin?
Anyway you can read this thread.. might answer some of your questions: Guan Yin -
Hello. I am a college student studying religion. Would any one be willing to fill out a survey about your Buddhist beliefs? If so please contact me as soon as possible at [email protected] or on MySpace under the same email ID. Thank you.
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yea k.. pls check ur pmOriginally posted by tripper:Hello. I am a college student studying religion. Would any one be willing to fill out a survey about your Buddhist beliefs? If so please contact me as soon as possible at [email protected] or on MySpace under the same email ID. Thank you.