some thoughts.. there all

Isis SG

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 =)

concerned_man SG

Buddhism is not a monolithic faith, but an exceptionally excellent educational system which is capable of wide variation and is adaptable to most, if not all, circumstances.

So I think it is really ok for people to study about Buddhism, regardless of their preferred choice of faith. They can still keep and maintain their faith, no problem.

I should think also that, as I am too learning slowly, Buddhist should also understand more about other faiths and their values.

Diversity is norm, the only way to maintain peace and harmony is to understand each other and be tolerant about the views and belief of others.

If we look at the world today, conflict erupted because we cannot be in harmony and at peace with each other. This undesireable is now a global challenge.

Amitabha.

An Eternal Now SG

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.

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)

People like Lao Tzu (father of taoism) is also enlightened, he can be considered a Pratyekabuddha. A pratyekabuddha can become enlightened during the times when Buddhist teachings are not present. But even a Pratyekabuddha has learned under a Buddha in a previous lifetime before attaining such a state.

For most of us, it is extremely important to find a teacher who is capable to lead you to enlightenment.

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.

But Buddhism is best because Buddhists are Happier, and unlike most religions is the only teaching that emphasizes liberation, enlightenment, attaining the highest bliss in life.

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.

Merits are consequences of the non-orignation and non-cessation of the mind. During the Tang Dynasty in ancient China, Emperor Liang Wu-Ti asked the patriarch Bodhidharma, "Venerable One, I have built many monasteries for the well being of the Sangha and I have also performed many virtuous deeds. What merits have I accumulated? Bodhidharma answered, "You have no merits." Why is that so? It is because when Emperor Liang Wu-Ti performed those acts of giving, he was attached to them. Thus, even though he had performed many virtuous deeds, because he had not cultivated the purity of his mind, he did not attain "non-origination and non-cessation". Therefore, his actions can only be considered as cultivation of blessings, not merits. Without liberation there are no merits. On the other hand, when there is liberation, all virtuous deeds will reap merits.

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.

Kalama Sutra:

"Rely not on the teacher/person, but on the teaching. Rely not on the words of the teaching, but on the
spirit of the words. Rely not on theory, but on experience.Do not believe in anything simply because you
have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do
not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is
written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and
elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is
conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."

- the Buddha

As I said in another topic,

You realise those who are into contemplation, whether christian, sufi mystics (which is why I posted sufi links in the islam forum - The True Meaning of Jihad), etc, buddhists, they never have a history of violence. It is always those religious scholarly types who are binded by dogmas and they are the ones who are intolerant and fought wars, and are highly egotistic.

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?

comment pls =)

A way of life, way of bliss; enlightenment; liberation, and also an education.

zacken99 SG

Originally posted by Isis:
[Since Buddhism isn't a religion, so what it is to you?

comment pls =)[/b]

erm...its a term that is already there for me to use for my faith...

paperflower SG

i think... personally feel.....

whatever religion one chooses, its like his or her own "home" to come back to. but when outside the home..... they work to live in harmony and respect for others practicing and giving love, kindness, compassion, peace and help to them.

religion is like a term to identify different beliefs.... looking into them, we do see the common motivations - to do good.

it is very wrong to condemn any other religion no matter how much faith a person has in his or her own religious belief because, without respecting others and condemning and taking others as insignificant just cos they don't believe in the same belief as you is just like throwing the ball at the wall that will bounce back hard at you.

neutral_onliner SG

The Buddha clearly tells us that we must respect those who are worthy of respect. Although we may not agree with certain religious points of view they hold, if they are sincere in their efforts to serve humanity and uplift it, we must respect them for it. There are noble people in every religion.

Buddhism as a religion is the unique exposition of the absolute truth which will show man how to live in peace and harmony with his fellow beings.
Cool

justdoit77 SG

It is possible to believe in another religion while practising buddhism teaching.
But the effectiveness will be greatly reduced. Ask yourself how do you have faith in a god that claimed to be world creator and saviour that can bypass karma, while at the same time you practise buddhism like karma, precepts or mantra.
Furthermore, being a buddhist will give you an environment that you will have contact with other buddhist friend and teacher that will help you on the path towards enlightenment.
Buddhism at some stage can be very complicated, if you learnt it by just reading books without a teacher, you might go the wrong way.

If you have some difficulty to convert to buddhism, maybe you can share with us.
It is true that religion XXX teach you to be good and loving kindness, that will also bring you to heaven if you really put in the effort. But that doesn't solve the problem, even one in heaven still have to die one day. In heaven, you will have no chance to learn buddhism, your memory, diligence and intelligence may not be as good as human. Last time, buddha saykamuni was invited by di4 shi4 (deva that rule the celestial world) to heaven preaching dharma. But after buddha left, di4 shi4 totally forgot what buddha has taught him. So when their life in heaven ends, some will go down as human, animal or even hungry ghost. Then again, when condition meets, up and down again and again for aeons till they become a buddhist again. Clearly, we should believe in buddha instead of a deva that couldn't even save himself.

Although, strictly speaking, buddhism is not a religion, but to allow it to spread the teaching to some layman people, it has to take the form of religion.

Some people said Jesus might be a bodhisatva. If it is true, I don't know what level of bodhisatva he was at. Perhaps reading the teaching in bible will give you a better understanding on this.

sinweiy SG

Originally posted by justdoit77:
Some people said Jesus might be a bodhisatva. If it is true?

see what the definition of bodhisattva say, so that we can somehow relate:

http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/BuddhistDict/BDB.html

A Bodhisattva is one on whom all living beings rely. He causes them to grow and brings them to realization. He is the savior of all living beings, because he plucks them out of suffering and hardships. He is the refuge of all beings, because he protects and guards the world. He is the rescuer of all beings, because he delivers them from fear. (EDR II 70)

"When the Bodhisattva walks the Bodhisattva Path, he does what is very difficult. From an ordinary point of view, a Bodhisattva practicing the Bodhisattva Path appears quite stupid. If he were not, then why would he choose to undergo suffering himself in order to come and teach and transform living beings? But no matter what kind of suffering there is, he can endure it. He undergoes intense suffering even to the point of enduring the suffering due other living beings.

He wants to forsake himself for the sake of the multitudes. He forsakes his own small self in order to bring living beings' great selves to realization. When you walk the Path of the Bodhisattva you benefit yourself and you benefit others. In doing this you shouldn't fear any kind of suffering. The Bodhisattva undergoes suffering just as if he were eating candy. He undergoes suffering as if there were no suffering to undergo. Furthermore, he wants to undergo suffering for the sake of all living beings.

/\

paperflower SG

there's one thing I believe - there's an inner master in every one of us. that inner master is a combination of all the masters & you yourself to guide you through your cultivation.

not everyone can encounter or fully aware or recognise or acknowledge their inner master which has always been there. not everyone can learn & attain enlightenment on their own. not everyone can safely say they don't need a master to guide them.

it takes a long long time of cultivation & practice thru aeons of past lifes to reach a state where one can stand alone thru the journey.

but nonetheless, even one cultivates alone, one must always remember to reach out to those who need guidance & help. its a good practice....
when u help others today, they'll help you tomorrow when you need help.

paperflower SG

thru long period of earnest learning, cultivation & practices - all complication in understandings of buddhist teachings will be cleared, as clear as crystal water.

not all can travel the path to enlightenment alone, yet it is possible to travel the journey alone thru thick & thin. that's where u progress faster & become tougher in cultivation facing handling all the difficulties & hindrances well.

this cannot be achieved overnight.

one thing I wanna higlight also is...- don't ever pull anyone down their cultivation path by pouring wet blanket over them when u & them know they are seeking & cultivating well.

give good genuine advices & guidances & well wishes to them. this benefit both yourself & others as well.

Isis SG

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

neutral_onliner SG

Buddhists r free-thinker Cool

An Eternal Now SG

Originally posted by Isis:
[b]

Nay i dun have a religion cos im a free-thinker

To me 'Buddhist' is just a 'label'... it does not matter to me..

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.

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 Buddha

Very 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 3

Very good, do share with us too Very Happy

Isis SG

Actually, i have already taken the 5 precepts and refuge in triple Gems...
so does that mean i automatically become a discipline already??

well, i have faith in buddha, dhamma and sangha through some personal experience of mine..... but i don't think we should be strongly attached to the identity of the religion...

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 ready

btw having attachment to buddhist teaching is good?

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???

An Eternal Now SG

Originally posted by Isis:
[b]

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?

Very basically, someone who took refuge, is interested to learn the Buddhadharma and cultivates the buddhadharma.

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 ready

Then 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.

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 Laughing At the very end of it all, you will realise, all dharmas are in fact, empty, and there is in fact, no attainments.

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'" Laughing

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".

Isis SG

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!

[/b]

Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
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".

[b]

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?

zacken99 SG

Cool

An Eternal Now SG

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 Very Happy

'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'?

erm and i thot attachment will cause the arising of delusion? is there such thing as healthy and unhealthy attachment?

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.

Isis SG

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

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.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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?

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.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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'?

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
erm and i thot attachment will cause the arising of delusion? is there such thing as healthy and unhealthy attachment?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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..

neutral_onliner SG

Originally posted by Isis:
[b]quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

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.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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?

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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thnks 4 sharing Cool

may u hav peace & happiness