How to be a Buddhist

Originally Posted by Imzadi

Sometimes when one's mind begins to fixate on what it imagines being a Buddhist to be, it temporarily forgets that it is already Buddha. :)

Not until you've realized that.
Buddha definitely said that we suffer because of certain causes.
Maintaining those causes. I.E wrong view keeps us suffering. thinking you are already a buddha is not what he taught, but recollecting the traits of being a buddha may assist you..

With Love
Eelco

[Imzadi]

I see your point of view, however I like to emphasize that there is a distinction between the conceptual mind perceiving itself to be Buddha and the Buddha nature remembering its own true nature. Much love to you too, Eelco! <3

[Shaunc]

The basics of buddhism are, and these words are supposedly said by the buddha and can be found in the pali cannon. Sorry that I can't be more specific but I'm sure that one of the Buddhist scholars on here can help me out.
Do good, refrain from evil and purify the mind (meditate).

[sky]

Originally Posted by Shaunc

The basics of buddhism are, and these words are supposedly said by the buddha and can be found in the pali cannon. Sorry that I can't be more specific but I'm sure that one of the Buddhist scholars on here can help me out.
Do good, refrain from evil and purify the mind (meditate).

Sutta Nipata is one that I can remember that has this teaching.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Imzadi

Sometimes when one's mind begins to fixate on what it imagines being a Buddhist to be, it temporarily forgets that it is already Buddha. :)

We do complicate things ( I do ) I'm begining to realize that it's not about adding to but taking away, to find what's already there. Easier said than done though....

[Imzadi]

Originally Posted by sky123

I'm begining to realize that it's not about adding to but taking away, to find what's already there. Easier said than done though....

Excellent point, Sky. Often times I can get lost in doctrines, philosophies, concepts, and ideas. However, when the awareness inside begins to emerge beyond the philosophical thinking mind, I begin to experience a profound realization of perhaps what all the teachings are in fact pointing to. It's important for me to remember that the journey, teachings, and the practice serves as pointers. When I am able to let go of the mental iron grip to the various philosophies, knowledge, and practices that I have collected like Pokemon cards, I can experience where and what they are pointing to. Perhaps when we are in our primordial state of Beingness (meditation), we get to actualize what the philosophical pointers are reminding us of instead of simply ruminating in concepts however wonderful and fascinating they may be. :)

[sky]

Originally Posted by Imzadi

Excellent point, Sky. Often times I can get lost in doctrines, philosophies, concepts, and ideas. However, when the awareness inside begins to emerge beyond the philosophical thinking mind, I begin to experience a profound realization of perhaps what all the teachings are in fact pointing to. It's important for me to remember that the journey, teachings, and the practice serves as pointers. When I am able to let go of the mental iron grip to the various philosophies, knowledge, and practices that I have collected like Pokemon cards, I can experience where and what they are pointing to. Perhaps when we are in our primordial state of Beingness (meditation), we get to actualize what the philosophical pointers are reminding us of instead of simply ruminating in concepts however wonderful and fascinating they may be. :)

Yes the teachings are wonderful but they are pointers to insight and like Buddha said in ' The raft parable ' we shouldn't carry it around once we reach the other side.
I would imagine it to become very heavy after a while of constant carrying it

Originally Posted by sky123

Yes the teachings are wonderful but they are pointers to insight and like Buddha said in ' The raft parable ' we shouldn't carry it around once we reach the other side.
I would imagine it to become very heavy after a while of constant carrying it

We shouldn't let go of it before we reach the other shore though.

With Love

[Imzadi]

Originally Posted by sky123

Yes the teachings are wonderful but they are pointers to insight and like Buddha said in ' The raft parable ' we shouldn't carry it around once we reach the other side.
I would imagine it to become very heavy after a while of constant carrying it

Thank you for referencing the parable of the raft. I just read it and appreciated it much! :)

Originally Posted by catsquotl

We shouldn't let go of it before we reach the other shore though.

With Love

That is also an excellent point! I think the Buddha did not intend to mean that the pointers and sign posts in the making of the raft are meant to be simply forgotten or unlearned. However, gripping them tightly in a rigid manner may not be advisable otherwise instead of making across the river, one might sink to the bottom with the heavy load. The pointers and sign posts are always available to us whenever we need them to use as a flotation device in the cosmic river, but it may be best not to obsessively cling to them with a vice grip.

I think what ruffles my feathers a bit in this whole discussion is that In many places including this forum. Buddhism is regarded as just another spiritual path. One that resembles others, christianity, because Jezus was a nice guy, Islam, because Mohammed knew stuff also, Taoism, because well they are both some sort of spiritual path. Even new-age ascension based beliefs where we rise through the purification of our 7, 13, 144 chakra's into the 4th, 5th or higher dimensions.

Having bee around the block in several of these spiritual path's including Bio-energetics, bio-release, Devotee to Shantimayi, Transformational Breathing, and several flavours of reich's breath work and hypno therapy over a period of 28 years.

I've come to see the teachings of the Buddha on a whole new level of spiritual practise all together. Seeing them referred to in a similar fashion as other guide posts/sign posts is not conductive to the path. Instead it will confuse and muddle your perception of truth, with your wish for what truth should be.

Now I'm not degrading any of the other modalities. They are in their own right valuable. Have great teachings to give and great experiences to experience. They do not however lead one to Nibanna. The cessation of suffering.

Buddhism does it continues to do so in a verifiable way. Almost anyone here can go to some mahasi style retreat and experience what Vipassana can show them. With a little effort I think some are even able to go do a 3 month samahdi retreat and experience the Jhana's for themselves.

The clarity, the panoramic inner view of equanimity in these are, in my experience different than what can be found in other spiritual practices.

But there you go.

Last year, a foolish monk;
This year, no change!