Soulmate Twinflames according to Buddhism

[Gem]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

The Dharma is the teachings and practices of Buddhism.

In essence dhamma means how nature is, nature's way, or nature's law. That's the most important aspect of dhamma and it needs to be included in the complete definition, or people will not know what they are taking refuge in.

The do nothing is about being like reaching Natural Shine is about being and not a meditation practice.

Nothing in your quote talks about love and hate being dualistic. He is saying your obstructions are hell, clear them out to realize the light your true nature, Buddha Nature.

Remember Bodhidharma did Shine for 10 years in a cave. He said the only sutra you will ever need is the Lankavatara Sutra.





There are 3 sermons from Bodhidharma that I can link you to for further reading if you are interested.

Also, Tibetan Buddhism is from the Mahāyāna line of Buddhism which is as old as Theravada Buddhism. Zen is Mahāyāna as well.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Rain95

Trying to use a Zen Buddhist's quotes to support Tibetan Buddhist's ideas won't really work imho.

In Zen, the dharma is no teaching, it is a living.


Laymen (non-Buddhists) are Buddhas too. Bodhidharma

In other words, scripture has nothing to do with becoming a Buddha. It is a state of awareness anybody can achieve. That everyone has the potential to have. As the quotes in this thread have said naming it "buddha nature" it could also be called "Christ Consciousness" or anything really or nothing.

One could maybe say it this way...

The dharma is the realization of the way, the living of it moment to moment.

Who is now seeing colors and light, hearing sounds, raising hands, all this is the doing of your own mind, actually you don't know what inner reality is. One moment seeing your own mind is better than reading ten thousand volumes of scriptures and incantations a day for ten thousand years. One can awake on his own. Bassui Tokusho

Bassui Tokusho a Rinzai Zen Master who had trained with Sōtō, Rinzai and Ch'an masters of his time.

I always thought those zen cats were pretty cool.

[jonesboy]

Originally Posted by Gem

In essence dhamma means how nature is, nature's way, or nature's law. That's the most important aspect of dhamma and it needs to be included in the complete definition, or people will not know what they are taking refuge in.

It is important then to understand what nature's way is.

From your link.

Its original meaning is something like "natural law." Its root word, dham, means "to uphold" or "to support." In this broad sense common to many religious traditions, Dharma is that which upholds the natural order of the universe. This meaning is part of the Buddhist understanding, also

Theravadin monk and scholar Walpola Rahula wrote,


There is no term in Buddhist terminology wider than dhamma. It includes not only the conditioned things and states, but also the non-conditioned, the Absolute Nirvana. There is nothing in the universe or outside, good or bad, conditioned or non-conditioned, relative or absolute, which is not included in this term. [What the Buddha Taught (Grove Press, 1974), p. 58]


Dhamma is the nature of what-is; the truth of what the Buddha taught. In Theravada Buddhism, as in the quote above, it is sometimes used to indicate all the factors of existence.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu wrote that "Dhamma, on the external level, refers to the path of practice the Buddha taught to his followers" This Dhamma has three levels of meaning: the words of the Buddha, the practice of his teaching, and the attainment of enlightenment.



So, Dhamma is not just doctrines--it is teaching plus practice plus enlightenment.

[jonesboy]

Originally Posted by Rain95

Trying to use a Zen Buddhist's quotes to support Tibetan Buddhist's ideas won't really work imho.

In Zen, the dharma is no teaching, it is a living.


Laymen (non-Buddhists) are Buddhas too. Bodhidharma

In other words, scripture has nothing to do with becoming a Buddha. It is a state of awareness anybody can achieve. That everyone has the potential to have. As the quotes in this thread have said naming it "buddha nature" it could also be called "Christ Consciousness" or anything really or nothing.

One could maybe say it this way...

The dharma is the realization of the way, the living of it moment to moment.

Who is now seeing colors and light, hearing sounds, raising hands, all this is the doing of your own mind, actually you don't know what inner reality is. One moment seeing your own mind is better than reading ten thousand volumes of scriptures and incantations a day for ten thousand years. One can awake on his own. Bassui Tokusho

Bassui Tokusho a Rinzai Zen Master who had trained with Sōtō, Rinzai and Ch'an masters of his time.

That is your opinion but it is ill informed.

Zen is a Mahayana tradition.

The term Zen is derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the Middle Chinese word 禪 (Chan) which traces its roots to the Indian practice of Dhyāna ("meditation").[note 1] Zen emphasizes rigorous self-control, meditation-practice, insight into Buddha-nature, and the personal expression of this insight in daily life, especially for the benefit of others.[3][4] As such, it de-emphasizes mere knowledge of sutras and doctrine[5][6] and favors direct understanding through zazen and interaction with an accomplished teacher.[7]

The teachings of Zen include various sources of Mahayana thought, especially Yogachara, the Tathāgatagarbha sūtras and the Huayan school, with their emphasis on Buddha-nature, totality, and the Bodhisattva-ideal.[8][9] The Prajñāpāramitā literature[10] and, to a lesser extent, Madhyamaka have also been influential in the shaping of the "paradoxical language" of the Zen-tradition.

Here is some more information.

A practice in many Zen monasteries and centers is a daily liturgy service. Practitioners chant major sutras such as the Heart Sutra, chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra (often called the "Avalokiteśvara Sutra"), Song of the Precious Mirror Samadhi, the Nīlakaṇṭha Dhāraṇī, and other minor mantras.

The butsudan is the altar in a monastery where offerings are made to the images of the Buddha or bodhisattvas.

Chanting usually centers on major bodhisattvas like Avalokiteśvara (see Guanyin) and Manjushri. According to Mahayana Buddhism, bodhisattvas are beings who have taken vows to remain in saṃsāra to help all beings achieve liberation from it. Since the Zen practitioner's aim is to walk the bodhisattva path, chanting can be used as a means to connect with these beings and realize this ideal within oneself.

On Zen teachings:

ough Zen-narrative states that it is a "special transmission outside scriptures" which "did not stand upon words",[16] Zen does have a rich doctrinal background, which is firmly grounded in the Buddhist tradition.[17] It was thoroughly influenced by the Chinese understanding of Yogacara and the Buddha-nature doctrine,[18][19] Zen integrates both Yogacara and Madhyamaka,[20] and the influence of Madhyamaka can be discerned in the stress on non-conceptual insight and the paradoxical language of the koans.[18][web 4][21][note 2] Most essential are "the most fundamental teaching that we are already originally enlightened",[22] and the Bodhisattva ideal, which supplements insight with Karuṇā, compassion with all sentient beings

The Role of Scripture:

Contrary to the popular image, literature does play a role in the Zen-training. Zen is deeply rooted in the teachings and doctrines of Mahāyāna Buddhism.[37] Unsui, Zen-monks, "are expected to become familiar with the classics of the Zen canon".[38] A review of the early historical documents and literature of early Zen masters clearly reveals that they were well versed in numerous Mahāyāna Buddhist sūtras,[5][note 3][note 4][5][note 5] including Madhyamaka.[18] Especially the Lotus Sutra played a large role in the development of East Asian Buddhism, including Zen

The early Buddhist schools in China were each based on a specific sutra. At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, by the time of the Fifth Patriarch Hongren (601–674), the Zen school became established as a separate school of Buddhism.[49] It had to develop a doctrinal tradition of its own to ascertain its position,[41] and to ground its teachings in a specific sutra. Various sutras were used for this, even before the time of Hongren: the Śrīmālādevī Sūtra (Huike),[50] Awakening of Faith (Daoxin),[50] the Lankavatara Sutra (East Mountain School),[50][5] the Diamond Sutra[51] (Shenhui),[50] and the Platform Sutra.[5][51] None of these sutras was decisive though, since the school drew inspiration from a variety of sources.[52] Subsequently, the Zen tradition produced a rich corpus of written literature which has become a part of its practice and teaching. Other influential sutras are the Vimalakirti Sutra,[53][54][55] Avatamsaka Sutra,[56] the Shurangama Sutra,[57] and the Mahaparinirvana Sutra.[58]

So Zen is about getting a teacher, study, do the practices and receive the transmission.

Sounds just like every other Mahayana tradition. Each one a little different in it's practices and emphasis.

All of Buddhism is about the realization. One doesn't realize by study alone but every school of Buddhism teaches one to study the Dharma.

I think that is enough for now.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

It is important then to understand what nature's way is.

From your link.

In the 3 jewel context, refuge in the buddha is refuge in the enlightenment in yourself, and refuge in the dhamma is refuge in nature's way, so the passage you provided is consistent in the way it specifies these - just in a different context. The teachings of Gotama are also called the dhamma because Gotama taught about nature's way which entails the essence of enlightenment in oneself.

[jonesboy]

Originally Posted by Gem

In the 3 jewel context, refuge in the buddha is refuge in the enlightenment in yourself, and refuge in the dhamma is refuge in nature's way, so the passage you provided is consistent in the way it specifies these - just in a different context. The teachings of Gotama are also called the dhamma because Gotama taught about nature's way which entails the essence of enlightenment in oneself.

There is no other enlightenment.

You can help another, can ease the path, help to speed things up but only they can realize enlightenment. You can't do it for another.

I found this very interesting on taking refuge.

The idea behind taking refuge is that when it starts to rain, we like to find a shelter. The Buddhist shelter from the rain of problems and pain of life is threefold: the Buddha, his teachings (the Dharma) and the spiritual community (the Sangha). Taking refuge means that we have some understanding about suffering, and we have confidence that the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (the "Three Jewels") can help us. We should however not be taking refuge in Buddhism to avoid problems in this very life, there are many non-religious organisations for that, but we should take refuge to avoid problems in future lives, or even better, to avoid future uncontrolled rebirths.

The analogy of sickness is often used; Buddha is the doctor; Dharma is the medicine; Sangha is the nurse; we are the patient; the cure is taking the medicine, which means practising the methods. Taking refuge is like unpacking the medicine and deciding to follow the doctor's advice. "To take refuge in the Buddha is to take refuge in someone who has let go of holding back just as you can do. To take refuge in the dharma is to take refuge in all the teachings that encourage you and nurture your inherent ability to let go of holding back. And to take refuge in the sangha is to take refuge in the community of people who share this longing to let go and open rather than shield themselves.The support we give each other as practitioners is not the usual samsaric support in which we all join the same team and complain about someone else. It's more that you're on your own, completely alone, but it's helpful to know that there are forty other people who are also going through this all by themselves. That's very supportive and encouraging. Fundamentally, even though other people can give you support, you do it yourself, and that's how you grow up in this process, rather than becoming more dependent."

From the book 'Start Where You Are' by Pema Chödrön

THE BUDDHA

Buddha means enlightened, awakened or omniscient One. A Buddha is a person who has purified all defilements and developed all good qualities. A Buddha is totally free from obscurations and suffering after travelling the entire spiritual path. A Buddha started as an ordinary person and generated infinite compassion and equanimity to arrive at a state of highest bliss, and omniscience. But, as the Buddha himself said: "I cannot do but point the way" - if we don't take the medicine, the doctor is helpless, but what better doctor could we have than an omniscient one?

THE DHARMA

Dharma (Sanskrit) or Dhamma (Pali) means doctrine, law or truth. The word Dharma has many different connotations, but in the Buddhist sense, it refers to "what holds back the mind from suffering", or the Buddha's teachings. In this sense, the Dharma is the ultimate medicine against all suffering.

THE SANGHA

The Sangha refers to the spiritual community. It is defined in various ways, like:


- Whole community of ordained and lay Buddhists. This is however not the traditional use.
- More restricted: ordained Buddhist practitioners (monks and nuns).
- Most specific: persons who have direct perception of emptiness (ordained or lay).

The Sangha, are like other travellers on the same spiritual path, but we need their help like nurses with the correct medicine of good advice. They are our spiritual friends who can help us stay on the right path and can share their own experience.

http://www.viewonbuddhism.org/refuge.html

[Gem]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

There is no other enlightenment.

You can help another, can ease the path, help to speed things up but only they can realize enlightenment. You can't do it for another.

I found this very interesting on taking refuge.

I can't say I found that interesting, and it seemed more toward the religious view of taking refuge as a conversion ritual, but because dhamma in universally true, the word 'refuge' refers to something in nature, something real-lived. I think the general gist is, if you take refuge in that which is subject to birth and death, that which arises and falls, then you have no 'safe place', but if you take refuge in that which is neither born nor dies...



To apply this to the three jewels, first the Buddha: Not a person and not any person, but the quality of enlightenment which is unimaginable. The Dhamma: Not a lot of words which came into being and will pass away, but the actual living universe and how it works. The sangha is very simple, but it isn't sectarian, so it can apply to a community monks in a buddhist contect as it could apply to a brotherhood in a Christian context, but one would be foolish to blindly trust people on the grounds that they are institutionally ordained. The main issue with the sangha is ourselves being trustworthy.


When it comes to Buddha's teachings, and refuge in that, it basically means giving the teachings the benefit of the doubt - and it does not mean forgoing your discretion because the great holy one said it so it must be true. It's about having more discretion that before so you actually have to look into it in the way it might pertain to yourself, because if you just 'take-it-to-be-true' that not insight, but blind faith.









http://www.viewonbuddhism.org/refuge.html[/quote]

[Rain95]

Here's some good Zen quotes:

Those who seek the Buddha outside their own minds are like children of rich parents who have forgotten their home. -- Zen Master Bassui

Put aside your rational intellect -- give up all techniques and practices.
Look directly! What is this? Look in this manner and you won’t be fooled!
Seeing one's own nature is buddhahood. -- Zen Master Bassui

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life. Eckhart Tolle

Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about Zen while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes. Alan Watts

[Rain95]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

So Zen is about getting a teacher, study, do the practices and receive the transmission.

Zen could also be about washing the dog, vacuuming the floor, then making dinner, then washing the dishes.

In fact, in Zen, there is no difference between washing the dog and getting a teacher, between studying and vacuuming the floor, between doing practices and making dinner, between receiving the transmission and washing the dishes.

Zen is being aware and awake and silent within no matter what you are doing in the moment, the now.