21 Feb 2015
It never ceases to amaze me, the kinds of looks I get from folks who ask me what religion I practice. When I tell them my personal choice is Buddhism they either say one of two things: 1) Me too! What lineage do you follow? or 2) Oh, so you are an atheist. (Number 2 is not a question but usually more of a statement because they have already made up their mind that I simply cannot based upon the requirements of Buddhism of which they have little if any knowledge.
I have yet to find anything in Buddhist doctrine indicating Buddhists cannot believe in a deity, supreme being or simply put, God. Whether I do or do not is not a matter of discussion or debate. I respect everyone else's religion and demand they do the same with mine.
Our first Buddha never denied the existence of God but when asked merely refused to answer the question. The idea being he was not in the God business but rather the enlightenment business and thought it best to leave questions regarding God to those who were more qualified, who studied the subject intensely.
When I was a Protestant (first 18 years of my life) I was happy with my faith. When I became a Roman Catholic (next 31 years of my life) I found I was believing in the very same God as when I was a Protestant. When I grew weary of all the unnecessary rules the Catholic Church forced upon me I checked back in with the Protestants only to find that they were as bigoted as the Catholics. Hmmm.
How can there be only one God who cherishes only one denomination when both worship the same? Sounds like a matter of different interpretations to me. Was there an answer? A faith that could satisfy my curiosity and help me to become a better person at the same time without feeling a need to condemn a mainstream Western Religion? Yes....Buddhism.
Some days Buddhists spend a great deal of this philosophizing while others we just live. We are content to just be. After all we are "human beings" not "human doings" Give that one some thought.
Today is one of those "just being" days. Simply enjoying my morning coffee, my family and my own little world here in AZ. Isn't life grand?
If you have questions about Buddhism here is a place you can go to help you find some answers regardless of whether or not you want to practice Buddhism: www.awaminstitute.org
Emaho!
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015
8 Feb 15
I was reading a little book called Sit Like A Buddha by Lodro Rinser. It is a small pocket sized, softcover book of less than 100 pages....but it is powerful! It's essential purpose is to introduce ordinary people (folks who are looking for their Buddha within) how to meditate.
I have several books on this and "sitting meditation" is one of the most difficult practices I have ever been able to master. I sometimes laugh because I often find myself "sitting" while ending up thinking about whether or not I am sitting "correctly." Kinda misses the whole point right?
I am merely a sojourner on this path and have nothing to offer anyone about sitting other than I want to develop my practice because there is far too much stress in my life.....in everyone's life. I want to truly find the inner Buddha within myself.
Rinser says:"Another way to consider this innate state of awakeness is that we are basically good. Basic goodness is a term that is often used in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. It denotes that the more familiar we are with our wakefulness the more we realize that we are basically kind, strong and wise. In some religious traditions there is a belief that you are originally bad, or basically sinful. This is a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn away from that. At our core we are awake and good. That is our birthright."
What a refreshing thought! We are all innately good, kind and wise....and this inspires me to say that one of the few things we must add to this recipe is humility and and outward and ongoing demonstration of kindness toward others.
One of the finest authors I have ever read is Lama Surya Das. Quite simply put he speaks Buddanese in English. (yeah, I know that's not a word but it seemed like a good idea at the time.) Lama Das provides very good spiritual guidance that transcends all religions so that anyone of any faith can gain additional insight into themselves....and that is the true core of Buddhism.
There are other Buddhist Masters we can learn from too. Those wishing a deeper yet Western -Friendly book should try Innate Happiness by Khenpo Drimed Dawa, a householder within the Awam Tibetan Buddhist Institute located in Tucson, Arizona. (Weekly Sangha services are held on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. MST and their website is located at http://www.awaminstitute.org and Khenpo has an excellent introduction to the Awam Tibetan Institute online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRhbQtfc2QA .
Remember, we are all merely sojourners in this life. We all have a Buddha inside of us just waiting to get out. If you wish to learn more look up one of the two Masters I have listed above. Both are truly geniuses at bringing the Eastern practice of Buddhist into the West where it is so badly needed.
Om Mani Padme Hung Hri
Em Ma Ho!
John
I was reading a little book called Sit Like A Buddha by Lodro Rinser. It is a small pocket sized, softcover book of less than 100 pages....but it is powerful! It's essential purpose is to introduce ordinary people (folks who are looking for their Buddha within) how to meditate.
I have several books on this and "sitting meditation" is one of the most difficult practices I have ever been able to master. I sometimes laugh because I often find myself "sitting" while ending up thinking about whether or not I am sitting "correctly." Kinda misses the whole point right?
I am merely a sojourner on this path and have nothing to offer anyone about sitting other than I want to develop my practice because there is far too much stress in my life.....in everyone's life. I want to truly find the inner Buddha within myself.
Rinser says:"Another way to consider this innate state of awakeness is that we are basically good. Basic goodness is a term that is often used in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. It denotes that the more familiar we are with our wakefulness the more we realize that we are basically kind, strong and wise. In some religious traditions there is a belief that you are originally bad, or basically sinful. This is a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn away from that. At our core we are awake and good. That is our birthright."
What a refreshing thought! We are all innately good, kind and wise....and this inspires me to say that one of the few things we must add to this recipe is humility and and outward and ongoing demonstration of kindness toward others.
One of the finest authors I have ever read is Lama Surya Das. Quite simply put he speaks Buddanese in English. (yeah, I know that's not a word but it seemed like a good idea at the time.) Lama Das provides very good spiritual guidance that transcends all religions so that anyone of any faith can gain additional insight into themselves....and that is the true core of Buddhism.
There are other Buddhist Masters we can learn from too. Those wishing a deeper yet Western -Friendly book should try Innate Happiness by Khenpo Drimed Dawa, a householder within the Awam Tibetan Buddhist Institute located in Tucson, Arizona. (Weekly Sangha services are held on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. MST and their website is located at http://www.awaminstitute.org and Khenpo has an excellent introduction to the Awam Tibetan Institute online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRhbQtfc2QA .
Remember, we are all merely sojourners in this life. We all have a Buddha inside of us just waiting to get out. If you wish to learn more look up one of the two Masters I have listed above. Both are truly geniuses at bringing the Eastern practice of Buddhist into the West where it is so badly needed.
Om Mani Padme Hung Hri
Em Ma Ho!
John
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