Gautama Siddhartha

[sky]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

As you duly noted, it is not clear how much of the Buddha's teachings were preserved.

However, it is my feeling that there is a sufficient amount of translated teachings of the Buddha available at this time to serve as a very good guide to the process of "awakening".

It's not the Quantity but the Quality...

[BigJohn]

What metric are using to gauge quality?

the sutta's were not written by buddha. it's kinda sad in a way that the authors did not write down their names. from the little i know of the history of buddhism, buddha himself seemed to be a strict monk type later in life. in fact, the history of the schools of buddhism support this. the whole movement of early tantric buddhism was an open rejection of "buddha's rule based buddhism." the strict rules of conduct. no sex or drinking, no possessions etc. that's why those early tantric buddhist's built sex into their beliefs and practices and openly used intoxicants and openly rejected buddha's view of strict monasticism. just google early tantra buddhism and read the history. they were against those who followed buddha's monastic rules and basically thought, we know a better way to enlightenment. this was very early after buddha passed, so even here is evidence people were turning buddha's "teachings" into whatever they wanted.

i don't think many would actually be into buddha's "teachings" now days as he was very strict about what one did all day if one looks up the rules he laid down for his followers or monastics. i think he even told them what they could think and talk about during the day. but then like those early tantric buddhist's, people make buddhism and "buddha's teachings" into whatever suits them. western zen for example. people may be in a romantic relationships, drink wine with dinner, not practice having no possessions as buddha's early monastics did under his rules, do mindfulness and try to be non-attached to thoughts, and think, "oh i follow buddha's teachings." this is not actually a lifestyle buddha endorsed.

[BigJohn]

What has caused my attention is that Eastern Buddhist hope that some day, in their life, they can become a monk or nun even if it is for a little while whereas such aspirations are a rarity in the West.

[sky]

Originally Posted by AbodhiSky

the sutta's were not written by buddha. it's kinda sad in a way that the authors did not write down their names. from the little i know of the history of buddhism, buddha himself seemed to be a strict monk type later in life. in fact, the history of the schools of buddhism support this. the whole movement of early tantric buddhism was an open rejection of "buddha's rule based buddhism." the strict rules of conduct. no sex or drinking, no possessions etc. that's why those early tantric buddhist's built sex into their beliefs and practices and openly used intoxicants and openly rejected buddha's view of strict monasticism. just google early tantra buddhism and read the history. they were against those who followed buddha's monastic rules and basically thought, we know a better way to enlightenment. this was very early after buddha passed, so even here is evidence people were turning buddha's "teachings" into whatever they wanted.

i don't think many would actually be into buddha's "teachings" now days as he was very strict about what one did all day if one looks up the rules he laid down for his followers or monastics. i think he even told them what they could think and talk about during the day. but then like those early tantric buddhist's, people make buddhism and "buddha's teachings" into whatever suits them. western zen for example. people may be in a romantic relationships, drink wine with dinner, not practice having no possessions as buddha's early monastics did under his rules, do mindfulness and try to be non-attached to thoughts, and think, "oh i follow buddha's teachings." this is not actually a lifestyle buddha endorsed.

When you were a Benedictine Monk did you have Monastic Laws ?


Benedictines make Three Vows: Stability, Fidelity to the monastic way of life, and total Obedience. Promises of Poverty and Chastity are also implied....
They live by the RULE of St Benedict in a modern way, so the RULE has been loosened to suit different times....

All Monastic Orders have Rules and Regulations.....

[sentient]

Originally Posted by Still Waters

I personally don't get into the 6 realms or the 10 realms or any other metaphysical speculation in accordance with the Buddha's Noble Silence on such matters. To the best of my understanding, the various "realms" (states of consciousness) were not part of Buddha's teachings.

I focus more on the methodology to directly experience those "states" myself. I think that the next "Buddhism for Sufis" group discussion will start to shift into the HOW in keeping with the Buddha's teachings.

Originally Posted by sky123

Then,

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/...agga/loka.html

Fancy that.

It seems to me, meditation practice naturally leads to the experience of the Jhanas, and I found it interesting to listen to the descriptions of them and compare notes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCLT64SLYZk&t=5s

*

[sky]

Originally Posted by sentient

Fancy that.

It seems to me, meditation practice naturally leads to the experience of the Jhanas, and I found it interesting to listen to the descriptions of them and compare notes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCLT64SLYZk&t=5s

*

You might enjoy this Article Sentient,

https://www.lionsroar.com/entering-the-jhanas/

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by sky123

Benedictines make Three Vows: Stability, Fidelity to the monastic way of life, and total Obedience. Promises of Poverty and Chastity are also implied....
They live by the RULE of St Benedict in a modern way, so the RULE has been loosened to suit different times....

How does this justify or rationalize Tantric Buddhism as the poster mentioned?

[sentient]

Originally Posted by sky123

You might enjoy this Article Sentient,

https://www.lionsroar.com/entering-the-jhanas/

Thanks - yeah, the same bloke Leigh Brasington.

You just enjoy the texts more, whereas I go for the videos first.

I totally agree with him, although my experiences have been somewhat different.

*

[sky]

Originally Posted by sentient

Thanks - yeah, the same bloke Leigh Brasington.

You just enjoy the texts more, whereas I go for the videos first.

I totally agree with him, although my experiences have been somewhat different.

*

Experiences are personal

Yes I very very seldom watch Videos, I'm a ' BookWorm '