Among the founders of religions, the Buddha (if we are permitted to call him the founder of a 'religion' in the popular sense of the term) was only a teacher who did not claim to be other than a human being, pure and simple. The Buddha attributed all his realization, attainments and achievements to human endeavor. If the Buddha is to be called a ‘savior’ at all, it is only in the sense that he discovered and showed the Path to Liberation and the end of suffering. But we must tread The Path ourselves. The Buddha said he never wanted to control his students, nor did he want his students to depend on him.
This freedom of thought allowed by the Buddha is
unheard of elsewhere in the history of religions. There are no articles of
faith in Buddhism either. To force oneself to believe and to accept a thing
without understanding is ‘political’, and not spiritual or intellectual or
experiential. Not only the freedom of thought, but also the tolerance allowed
by the Buddha is astonishing to the student of the history of religions. This
spirit of tolerance and understanding has been from the beginning one of the
most cherished ideals of Buddhist culture and civilization. That is why there
is not one single example of persecution or the shedding of a drop of blood in
converting people to Buddhism for 2,500 years.
Is Buddhism a Religion or a Philosophy?
It doesn’t matter what you call it. Buddhism remains what
it is, whatever label you put on it. The label is immaterial. Even the label
‘Buddhism’ which we give to the teaching of the Buddha, is of little
importance. The truth needs no label. -- Excerpts from Dr. Rahula
Is there a God?
Buddhism takes a very straightforward look at our human
condition; nothing is based on wishful thinking, at all. Everything that the
Buddha taught was based on his own observation of the way things are.
Everything that he taught can be verified by our own observation of the way
things are. Buddhism is not agnosticism or atheism. Buddha did not deny God. He
only said: "Do not bother about questions like: 'Is there a God?'’ 'Do I
exist?' ‘Is life eternal?’‘ “Is there a Soul?” Was there a place called
Atlantis?’ ‘When will the world end?’ Do not waste your time and energy in
useless discussions. Purify your heart; Control the mind; Lead a virtuous life;
you will attain Nirvana or complete freedom from suffering."
Buddha insisted upon the inexorable Law of Cause and
Effect. He said to the people that they lived in a world in which causes always
produce their natural and necessary effects and that the consequences of their
conduct would, therefore, follow them wherever they went. He said that virtue
has its own reward and vice its own punishment and that whatever is done
inevitably reacts on the character and through the character affects the
destiny of the Soul. Buddhism is a way, and not a creed. It is a strategy of
spiritual development, and not a set of doctrines. The immediate great problem
for Buddha was suffering and the annihilation of suffering. - anonymous
What is ‘The Dharma’?
“The ‘Buddha-dharma’, is a path that frees one from
disturbing emotions and fundamental ignorance. This dharma leads us towards the
fruition of independence, the fruition of the state of complete freedom, the
state of fearlessness, even going beyond our subtle fears. We can say that
Buddha dharma is not a religion. It's a science, a pure and genuine philosophy
of humanity and science that works with the two sides of our mind, the negative
aspect and the positive aspect. This path of Buddha dharma is totally free from
any theistic view and is totally free from any shape or color. It's like pure
water; it has no shape, it has no color. Depending on the container that we
pour the water into, the water adopts that shape”. --Excerpts from Ponlop Rinpoche
Why study/practice Dharma?
“No one is ill intentioned to himself. People never think
to themselves how nice it would be to get sick, nor do they long to be crippled
and poor. What they think is how much they want to be happy, and what a
pleasure it would be to be rich and comfortable. But where do these ideas come
from? They come from the belief in an “I”. It is because of this deeply rooted
belief that we are preoccupied with our own happiness. In this frame of mind,
we will never be satisfied. Even if we were crowned emperor of the whole
universe, or won the so-called ‘lotto’; we would still want more power, wealth
and pleasure.
Although we love ourselves so dearly we have no idea at all
where to find real happiness. We search for happiness in pleasure, fame, wealth
and at the most, all our strenuous exertions may produce a few moments of
enjoyment – a small result from such a huge amount of effort. For the most
part, what our family and friends see as worthwhile – though with the best of
intentions – is only to accumulate more wealth, how to out-compete others and
to protect their own interests; they pursue these values perpetually, their
thoughts a continual stream of attachment, hopes, frustrations, anxieties and
disappointments.
If you carefully examine the state of affairs in the world
today where greed, violence, thirst for fame and pervasive suffering of all
kinds abound, it will become clear to you just how empty and meaningless all
the frenetic activity is. You will feel more and more certain that spiritual
practice, such as Buddha-Dharma is a worthwhile pursuit.”
- Excerpts from Dilgo Khyentse
Is Desire Bad?
"Desire can be compared to fire. If we grasp fire,
what happens? Does it lead to happiness? If we say: 'Oh, look at that beautiful
fire! Look at the beautiful colors! I love red and orange; they're my favorite
colors,' and then grasp it, we would find a certain amount of suffering
entering the body. And then if we were to contemplate the cause of that
suffering we would discover it was the result of having grasped that fire. On
that information, we would hopefully, then let the fire go. Once we let fire go
then we know that it is something not to be attached to. This does not mean we
have to hate it, or extinguish it or walk away from it. We can enjoy fire,
can't we? It's nice having a fire, it keeps the room warm, nice to look at, but
we do not have to burn ourselves in it." Similarly, unbeknownst to us,
many of our wants, desires, wishes and grasping at (car, job, relationship,
vacation, etc) eventually ‘burn’ us in a way, either mentally or emotionally --
“In my mind, freedom from desire would take the fun out of
life.
Years later I would realize that the Buddha never intended to make desire the problem. When Buddha said craving causes suffering, he was referring not to our natural inclinations to have wants and needs, but to our habit of clinging to experience that must, by nature, be impermanent and change come to an end. On my way to understanding that, I've stumbled around, fallen down and repeatedly found myself deluded and entangled. Desire has sometimes taken over me like autopilot; and at other times I have battled firmly, hardening myself against its strength. Eventually I would find that relating wisely to the powerful and pervasive energy of desire is a pathway into unconditional compassion. -- Tara Brach, Ph.D
Years later I would realize that the Buddha never intended to make desire the problem. When Buddha said craving causes suffering, he was referring not to our natural inclinations to have wants and needs, but to our habit of clinging to experience that must, by nature, be impermanent and change come to an end. On my way to understanding that, I've stumbled around, fallen down and repeatedly found myself deluded and entangled. Desire has sometimes taken over me like autopilot; and at other times I have battled firmly, hardening myself against its strength. Eventually I would find that relating wisely to the powerful and pervasive energy of desire is a pathway into unconditional compassion. -- Tara Brach, Ph.D
Do Buddhists worship statues?
Many people think Buddhists worship statues and pictures.
This is a misconception, they do not worship them at all. Statues and pictures
are utilized as symbols of the truth just as Christians use the cross as their
symbol of faith. We live on the planet Earth, but we are not able to see the
whole planet at once. To understand where we live, we use a globe, a map,
pictures, photographs, etc. These items are not the real planet Earth, but by
using them to expand our awareness, we are able to understand the truth more
effectively. In the same light, statues, pictures, symbols, are used to
understand the truth or law of cause and effect.
Buddhism teaches us how to be awakened to the truth by observing it. It is not possible to fully explain the planet Earth with words, it is easier and faster to understand the planet by looking at a globe rather than listening to a verbal explanation. Observation is a very important practice and key to realizing the truth in science and technology study. You should use your five senses to observe the truth and you should contemplate it until you understand it. Symbols are very useful factors for this process.
Often it is asked why we bow or make prostrations in front
of symbols. Prostrations are not a form of worship, rather it is a common
practice in Asian countries to show appreciation or respect to others. We show
our appreciation or humbleness by prostrating ourselves before observing a
practice. Imagine that your friend thanks you with an arrogant attitude, do you
really feel a sense of gratitude from him? We should be humble before we
practice the teachings of Buddha. Showing appreciation is the beginning of the
practice in Buddhism.
Why doesn't Buddhism believe in Creation ?
Buddhism does not believe in creation because the Buddhist
teachings are based on the law of cause and effect. Everything in this world is
changing. If you leave a cup of water on the table for a while, the water will
evaporate. This happens due to the law of cause and effect. Water evaporates or
turns into ice depending upon certain conditions. When there is a cetain amount
of water in the cup, the same amount will be in the air after it evaporates.
Water changes its form, but its basic element remains the same. There is a law
in nature that allows water to change its form, and there are many conditions
that affect the form, such as temperature, pressure, amount, passage of time,
etc. Without meeting nature's law and conditions, a cup of water cannot
evaporate.
Is there an answer to this question, "When was this
water born and when will it die?" It’s more complex than that. We cannot
create something from nothing. If there is no hydrogen and oxygen in this
world, we cannot see, use or drink water let alone exist as this life form.
There is always a cause of existence and effect of changing forms. It is hard
to believe that this world was created from nothing. Some scientists say that
the Big Bang was the beginning of the universe. If there was a Big Bang, there
was a cause and effect for the Big Bang to occur. The Big Bang could not take
place from nothing.
What is Karma?
After something happens to you, someone might in an offhanded
way say, "It is your Karma." You may think that Karma is a misfortune
or something bad. Actually, it is energy created by your actions of body,
speech and mind. This world has a law of cause and effect and there is always a
cause for something to occur. Karma is an energy or cause to produce an effect
in the future. Karma is not something good or bad, but depending upon how you
process the situation physically and spiritually, the result can be different.
Remember, that if something wonderful happens to you, it also is a result of
karma.
For example, when two persons commit the same action, the
Karma created by that action is different for each one if their mind or
intention behind the action is different. For example, two people catch a fish:
one catches fish for fun only while the other catches fish for survival. Do you
think the intentions of the two are the same? Karma is created by actions of
body, speech and mind, therefore, if the mind behind the action is different,
you create different energies or causes. This energy or cause will affect you
in some way in the future. All of our volitions, intentions, dreams, actions
are producing karma whether we know it or not. When you throw a ball to a wall,
it comes back as hard as you throw it. Every branch of science understands that
for every action (biological, chemical, physical, psychological, etc) there is
an equal or opposite reaction. In the same light, the Karma or energy we create
is invisible yet it comes back to us sooner or later in some way when the
proper conditions are present. Facing difficulties of all kinds is a good
opportunity for us to cleanse our Karma. Things occur because of past actions,
hence, there is a reason we face difficult situations. When we learn some good
lessons through our experiences, we will not suffer the same difficulties
again. Because we learned a lesson we know how to better deal with the same
problem. If we run away from a difficult situation, or do not learn the lesson,
the situation will either continue or come back with greater force later on.
This is a law of nature.
Buddhists talk a lot about Compassion,
how is this
different from Love?
Love is a strong energy we create inside. Love is a giving
energy, we give materials, comfort, heart, etc. to someone we love. Without
this energy, maintaining a good relationship is difficult. When we love a
particular person so much, we want that person to love us back with the same
intensity, this can create problems. When this imbalance gets bigger, we face
many problems. Incidents like arguments, fights, abuse, crimes and murders
often occur from this starving or selfish energy. Jesus Christ taught his
followers to practice Love. "Love your neighbors" and "Love your
enemies" are well known. He did not tell his followers to love particular
persons, rather he taught them to love everyone equally, not to discriminate
neighbors or enemies. This Love is different from a personal Love. This is
God's Love or unconditional Love.
Buddhist teaching emphasizes not to love (in the
traditional sense) because love is an attachment and becomes a cause of
suffering. Buddhism tells us to be compassionate to all beings. Most parents
love their children and they are ready to sacrifice themselves when a danger
threatens their children. Even if your child hates you, you try to protect him
or her from a danger. Understanding the situation well, loving without
attachment and not expecting any return is called compassion in Buddhism. It is
different from personal love but very similar to unconditional Love. Ps: If
your spouse whispers to you, "I love you the same as I love all other
people," how would you react? probably in a selfish way.
Are Buddhists supposed to be vegetarians?
The First Precept admonishes Buddhists to refrain from
killing, but meat eating is not regarded as an instance of killing, and it is
not forbidden in the scriptures. As recorded in the Pali scriptures, the Buddha
did not prohibit consumption of meat, even by monks. In modern Theravada
societies, someone who adheres to vegetarianism to impress others with his
superior notions of spirituality may be committing an infringement of the
monastic rules. The issue of meat eating raises difficult ethical questions.
Isn't the meat in a supermarket or restaurant killed "for" us? Doesn't
meat eating entail killing by proxy? Few of us are in a position to judge meat
eaters or anyone else for "killing by proxy." Being part of the world
economy entails "killing by proxy" in every act of consumption. The
electricity that runs our computers comes from facilities that harm the
environment. Books of Buddhist scriptures are printed on paper produced by an
industry that destroys wildlife habitat. Worms, insects, rodents and other
animals are routinely killed en masse in the course of producing a vegetarian
diet. It is impossible for most of us to free ourselves from this web; we can
only strive to be mindful of entanglement in it. One way to do so is to reflect
on how the suffering and death of sentient beings contributes to our comfort.
This may help us to be less inclined to consume out of mere greed.
All of that
having been said, it cannot be denied that the economic machine that produces
meat also creates fear and suffering for a large number of animals. It is
useful to bear this in mind even if one consumes meat, to resist developing a
habit of callousness. Many Buddhists do practice vegetarianism as a means of
cultivating compassion
Good qualities like understanding, patience, generosity and
honesty and bad qualities like ignorance, pride, hypocrisy, jealousy and
indifference do not depend on what one eats and therefore diet is not a
significant factor in spiritual development. Some will accept one point of view
and some another. Each person has to make up his or her own mind. But for your
own sake, do not become attached to the view that there is something
spiritually wholesome about being a vegetarian. Also, it would certainly not be
wise to think oneself superior due to one's choice of food. Furthermore, it
would be improper to impose such spiritually superior view on others.
-- Excerpts From John Kahila; Ven. S. Dhammika; Samanera
Kumara Liew
Buddhists talk about how important Compassion is, yet they sit and meditate, shouldn’t they go out and help people instead ?
If you don’t sit, you won’t develop mindfulness or awareness. If you lack mindfulness and awareness, how can you be of true benefit to others? Meditation begins the process of expressing our loving kindness, compassion and gentleness for oneself and then for others. This is considered ‘passive compassion’. It may not be active physically, but being peaceful and calm is the beginning for extending our compassion outwardly towards others.
-- Experts from Ponlop RInpoche
What meditation uncovers or reveals is the inherent lucidity
that is what your mind is, fundamentally, and this lucidity is your basic
intelligence. As it is revealed, and as it intensifies, your innate wisdom, in
a practical sense, increases. – Thrangu Rinpoche
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Quotes to consider
‘Those who really examine their mind and consider what it
is are extremely rare and for those who try, the search proves difficult”.
“Mind has two faces, two facets, which are aspects of one reality. These are
enlightenment and illusion” -- Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
The religion of the future should be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal god and avoid dogmas and theology. Covering both the natural and the spiritual, It should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity. Buddhism answers this description”.
– Albert Einstein
"Have confidence in your own spiritual potentiality, your ability to find your own unique way. Learn from others certainly, and use what you find useful, but also learn to trust your own inner wisdom. Have Courage. Be awake and aware. Remember too that Buddhism is not about being a Buddhist; that is, obtaining another identity tag. Nor is it about collecting head-knowledge, practices, and techniques. It is ultimately about letting go of all forms and concepts, and becoming free." -- John Snelling, "Elements of Buddhism"
"In the tradition of Buddhism, the ideal man, the Bodhisattva, takes a vow to heal or rescue all sentient beings. It takes a bit of madness and a lot of compassion to aspire to such as goal. But as long as we're talking about ideals, shouldn't our reach exceed our grasp?"
--- Sam Keen
1430 Olympic Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
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