Thoughts from one of my regular posts about Buddhism
Posted 10-07-2023 at 10:49 PM by phetaroi
I want everyone to notice the part I bolded and underlined. This is my actual evidence that Arach stalks others on the forum, rather than trying to promote honest discussion.
Now, as to the actual topic. If you go to the Tipitaka, Buddha's words (if they actually are his) are not very complex. The lessons he teaches are in everyday language that virtually anyone can understand. Most of the lessons are taught in allegories (and not taught as facts). It is later teachers (such as monks) who have made the lessons far more complicated. And that is especially true for later Western teachers.
Buddhism is pretty simple. In life there's a lot of suffering. Does anyone really doubt that? The challenge -- in lessons taught about Buddhism -- is that there are things we can do to reduce suffering. How do you do that? Through the Eightfold Path:
1. Right understanding and viewpoint (based on the Four Noble Truths -- human life has a lot of suffering, and much of that suffering is based on greed. There is a way to end suffering (all? that's questionable), and that is by following a path that is 'in the middle' (life's lived in the extreme are often more painful).
2. Take on the right values and have a positive attitude...generally a recipe for a happier life, although there will still be suffering.
3. Use right speech (don't lie, try not to be harsh with others).
4. Use right action (help others, be honest, try not to harm living things).
5. Do something useful with your life.
6. When you contemplate doing something, think about whether it's the right thing to do.
7. Be mindful of what you are doing. Focus. Multi-tasking may not be your friend.
8. Being calm is better than being frenetic. Meditation can help...if meditation is done correctly and with the right intent.
However, it's not a cookbook. Each person's path will be a little different. A good place to start is by trying to fulfill the 5 basic Precepts:
1. Try not to harm living things.
2. Do not steal.
3. Lead a "decent life".
4. Do not speak unkindly or tell lies.
5. Do not use drugs or drink alcohol.
Those 5 things are difficult to fully achieve. Fulfill them as best you can.
All the things I've listed are challenging enough. One can certainly make them far more complicated, but I would suggest that few of us can be fully successful on just that...let alone try to add more complexity to it.
Now, as to the actual topic. If you go to the Tipitaka, Buddha's words (if they actually are his) are not very complex. The lessons he teaches are in everyday language that virtually anyone can understand. Most of the lessons are taught in allegories (and not taught as facts). It is later teachers (such as monks) who have made the lessons far more complicated. And that is especially true for later Western teachers.
Buddhism is pretty simple. In life there's a lot of suffering. Does anyone really doubt that? The challenge -- in lessons taught about Buddhism -- is that there are things we can do to reduce suffering. How do you do that? Through the Eightfold Path:
1. Right understanding and viewpoint (based on the Four Noble Truths -- human life has a lot of suffering, and much of that suffering is based on greed. There is a way to end suffering (all? that's questionable), and that is by following a path that is 'in the middle' (life's lived in the extreme are often more painful).
2. Take on the right values and have a positive attitude...generally a recipe for a happier life, although there will still be suffering.
3. Use right speech (don't lie, try not to be harsh with others).
4. Use right action (help others, be honest, try not to harm living things).
5. Do something useful with your life.
6. When you contemplate doing something, think about whether it's the right thing to do.
7. Be mindful of what you are doing. Focus. Multi-tasking may not be your friend.
8. Being calm is better than being frenetic. Meditation can help...if meditation is done correctly and with the right intent.
However, it's not a cookbook. Each person's path will be a little different. A good place to start is by trying to fulfill the 5 basic Precepts:
1. Try not to harm living things.
2. Do not steal.
3. Lead a "decent life".
4. Do not speak unkindly or tell lies.
5. Do not use drugs or drink alcohol.
Those 5 things are difficult to fully achieve. Fulfill them as best you can.
All the things I've listed are challenging enough. One can certainly make them far more complicated, but I would suggest that few of us can be fully successful on just that...let alone try to add more complexity to it.
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