Into Buddhism
As a Way of Life
by Tom Shepherd
Buddhism is a philosphy of inward direction and non-attachment to ideas that create division or social stratification. There is no self or separateness, in that each individual is merely a spiritual extension of all sentient beings. I am a part of you and you are a part of me. Thus, self restraint and selflessness is the basis of the buddhist way of life -- the experiencing of NIRVANA.
1. Life is suffering.
2. The cause of suffering is ruthless competition for the world's goods, exploitation of the poor and powerless, and indifference to their suffering by those in possession of the world's wealth.
3. Suffering can be minimized/ended.
4. The way to minimize suffering is through the Noble Eightfold Path.
1. Right viewpoint: Understanding that the world is a series of constantly changing and interacting processes and that the craving for possessions and prestige is a major source of unhappiness.
2. Right intention: Acting in a non-harmful, benevolent manner in all relationships.
3. Right speech: Refraining from saying anything that would grieve or harm another individual.
4. Right action: Exercising generosity, compassion, respect and courtesy towards others. Avoiding intoxicants. Not taking economic advantage of others.
5. Right livelihood: Not engaging in an occupation that is harmful to others: the selling of intoxicants, the selling of weapons, or in prostitution, slavery and other forms of human exploitation.
6. Right effort: Making an ongoing positive effort at creating good will.
7. Right mindfulness: extinguishing any desire to possess or to harm others. Igniting a desire to share and cooperate rather than to compete with one another.
8. Right concentration: a budda seeks to calm the mind through daily meditation, thus mentally reinforcing all of the above principles.
Meditation Suggestions, Instructions:
The Thai Theravada Tradition
There is only one race
The human race.
One who practices Buddhism
is known as a buddha or a dharma
Understanding + Compassion
+ Cooperation + Generosity
=
Happiness ~ Nirvana ~ Bliss
How can one love one's neighbor,
when one is competing against
one's neighbor for the world's resources -- for the most pesos?
.
The Buddhist Monks/Nuns from Spain present mantras for achieving inner peace and happiness My Spirit Flies to You produced for the Dali Lama by Sergio Madrano, Miguel Gonzales and others. The CD can be purchased from Amazon.com. You can listen to the sampler before making a decision to purchase your own CD. However, some individuals, myself included, find meditating in silence to be more effective. For relaxation, I prefer an assortment of classical musical arrangements to include Pachelbel's Canon, Bach, Bartok, Vivaldi, Mozart, and Liszt . . . I also enjoy the music of Ryan Kelly, Keith Harkin (Celtic Thunder) Sting, Chris Botti, Michael Hashim and others.
Karma is the law of cause and effect: for every action there is a reaction that sets in motion another action, and so on. We can, however, to a degree minimize one another's pain and suffering by avoiding those human actions or words that upset or harm others or ourselves: avoid intoxicants and those who use them, avoid using harsh words & avoid idle chat.
Nirvana, a state of bliss, is the ultimate achievement of inner peace through self-discipline & meditation.
~ I am a part of you and you are a part of me ~
- hell is clinging to existence - the belief that such a state exists in an afterlife is delusion -
a major source of all unhappiness - once we expire we are truly free - we no longer suffer
- be of one mind - have compassion for one another - be courteous, even when others are not -
not returning evil for evil - live modestly - exercise restraint - that you may find peace - nirvana
nirvana is the end result of subduing the passions through daily meditation and practice
avoid harsh words ~ avoid idle chat ~ speak only when necessary ~ avoid intoxicants
Meditation Suggestions
Tom Shepherd is buddha - is your brother
AMERICAN-BUDDHIST MEDITATION & EDUCATION
The Pocket Guide to Buddhism:
A Review By Tom Shepherd