Without Practice, there is no Buddhism

"It's not intellectual; it's not even an understanding, it's practice"

Monks, I do not say that the attainment of gnosis is all at once. Rather, the attainment of gnosis is after gradual training, gradual action, gradual practice. And how is there the attainment of gnosis after gradual training, gradual action, gradual practice? There is the case where, when conviction has arisen, one visits [a teacher]. Having visited, one grows close. Having grown close, one lends ear. Having lent ear, one hears the Dhamma. Having heard the Dhamma, one remembers it. Remembering, one penetrates the meaning of the teachings. Penetrating the meaning, one comes to an agreement through pondering the teachings. There being an agreement through pondering the teachings, desire arises. When desire has arisen, one is willing. When one is willing, one contemplates. Having contemplated, one makes an exertion. Having made an exertion, one realizes with the body the ultimate truth and, having penetrated it with discernment, sees it.

— MN 70
Buddha

[Phaelyn]

When Buddha said that, there was no Buddhism. No electricity, no cars, no light bulbs, no phones, no internet, no planes, no paved roads, no bicycles, no books, just a few rare scrolls here and there, not many could read or write, no radio, no plumbing, people dropped dead all the time from things easily treated today, there were no antibiotics then, no good medicines or treatments. People were extremely lucky to make it to age 30. The world's population was around 300 million. Over 8 billion today. I'd guess the total number of persons who knew of Buddha was around 200. If you didn't physically live near him, there was no way to learn of him. Books say he had around 60 followers during his life. Some of these included his ex wives and his mother and other relatives. Religion is pretty amazing for making people from the past known for centuries. But then many, many religions have come and gone and are not known anymore. Like Manichaeism that was a major world religion the died off last century. The founder of that religion, a Persian Gnostic named Mani in the late 3rd Century will soon be forgotten if not already by most.

But yes Buddhism needs followers, people practicing it's rituals and methods for it to survive. Otherwise, it could disappear like Manichaeism.

A couple more...

Mithraism. This cult of Mithras, a Sun deity of Indo-Iranian origin, was popular all across the Roman Empire. It died off due to the rapid ascent of Christianity and the weakening of the Western Roman Empire.

Ājīvika. There were three major Indian philosophical schools that emerged as Śramana, i.e. ascetic, alternatives to the Vedic Hinduism. Buddhism and Jainism have survived up to now. Ājīvika school disappeared in the 14th century AD.

[HITESH SHAH]

Originally Posted by Phaelyn

When Buddha said that, there was no Buddhism. No electricity, no cars, no light bulbs, no phones, no internet, no planes, no paved roads, no bicycles, no books, just a few rare scrolls here and there, not many could read or write, no radio, no plumbing, people dropped dead all the time from things easily treated today, there were no antibiotics then, no good medicines or treatments. People were extremely lucky to make it to age 30. The world's population was around 300 million. Over 8 billion today. I'd guess the total number of persons who knew of Buddha was around 200. If you didn't physically live near him, there was no way to learn of him. Books say he had around 60 followers during his life. Some of these included his ex wives and his mother and other relatives. Religion is pretty amazing for making people from the past known for centuries. But then many, many religions have come and gone and are not known anymore. Like Manichaeism that was a major world religion the died off last century. The founder of that religion, a Persian Gnostic named Mani in the late 3rd Century will soon be forgotten if not already by most.

But yes Buddhism needs followers, people practicing it's rituals and methods for it to survive. Otherwise, it could disappear like Manichaeism.

A couple more...

Mithraism. This cult of Mithras, a Sun deity of Indo-Iranian origin, was popular all across the Roman Empire. It died off due to the rapid ascent of Christianity and the weakening of the Western Roman Empire.

Ājīvika. There were three major Indian philosophical schools that emerged as Śramana, i.e. ascetic, alternatives to the Vedic Hinduism. Buddhism and Jainism have survived up to now. Ājīvika school disappeared in the 14th century AD.

Interesting study of history and interesting questions . Very few can have it .

Aajivika was Nastik school of thought meaning 'no god' negative school of thought .It's death is natural . manichaeism was a duality school of thought which too perished .

Do u think widespread buddhist followers in ASEAN countries / south Asia / Far east, there is any threat to Buddhism

I think janielee
might be saying
without a disciplined practice
it is more a false/shallow Buddhism.
The Buddhas teaching quoted stands the test of time
from inception until now.
I would even say that the teaching holds true
to many practices even outside Buddhism.

But he can speak for himself. I don't practice Buddhism.

[sky]

" Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation. Do your best.”

[HITESH SHAH]

Originally Posted by ImthatIm

I think janielee
might be saying
without a disciplined practice
it is more a false/shallow Buddhism.
The Buddhas teaching quoted stands the test of time
from inception until now.
I would even say that the teaching holds true
to many practices even outside Buddhism.

But he can speak for himself. I don't practice Buddhism.

Certainly I agree with JL's post without a doubt and that is clear to me from the beginning. However with talk of now extinct religions , came a doubt is there any danger for Buddhism and hence the curious question .

I know there have been conversions across countries and numbers have dwindled for many religions including hinduism . However for that blame is to be first taken by the practitioners of the religion itself than anybody else.

[Miss Hepburn]

I'm learning a LOT here. Thank you - all of you!

[sky]

Originally Posted by Phaelyn

When Buddha said that, there was no Buddhism. No electricity, no cars, no light bulbs, no phones, no internet, no planes, no paved roads, no bicycles, no books, just a few rare scrolls here and there, not many could read or write, no radio, no plumbing, people dropped dead all the time from things easily treated today, there were no antibiotics then, no good medicines or treatments..

' Some of these included his ex wives and his mother '

From what is known and accepted in Buddhism, the Buddha had One Wife and His Mother died days after He was born....

[sky]

Originally Posted by Miss Hepburn

I'm learning a LOT here. Thank you - all of you!

And Thank You

[Phaelyn]

Originally Posted by ImthatIm

I think janielee
might be saying
without a disciplined practice
it is more a false/shallow Buddhism.
The Buddhas teaching quoted stands the test of time
from inception until now.
I would even say that the teaching holds true
to many practices even outside Buddhism.

But he can speak for himself. I don't practice Buddhism.

There is no such thing as no practice is there? Even doing nothing is "doing" or practicing something. "Doing nothing" is emphasized in a lot of places in Taoism, Zen Buddhism.... in mystics like Rumi.

"Being selfless" without goals or desires, without "ego" takes a great deal of disciplined practice. Try being present in this moment, unattached to any ideas..... very difficult..... takes intense high awareness and concentration.

The practice of doing nothing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ6cdIaUZCA

I'd add having no ego is also a practice.