Ask a Buddhist
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aneeshm
Deity
taillesskangaru:
One thing I must appreciate about Buddhism is its effect on martial arts. The Indian martial art, Kalaripayattu, originating in Kerala, is the first martial art in the world. Being the first, it is quite utilitarian, and allows all sorts of nasty weapons, swords, and shields. When Buddhism spread to China, the villagers asked the monks what they should do if robbers came to their village, as killing was forbidden. The monks who knew the art taught these villagers a modified form of the art, which was meant to be non-fatal. It underwent a series of metamorphoses and adaptations, and morphed into all the Chinese and Japanese martial arts we know today.
The reason they're so "cool-looking" is because they started out as a fatal form, transformed into a non-fatal one, and then finally again became near-fatal, and the whole thing got mixed up with Buddhist meditation, because it was monks who initiated it in China.
Modern action movies simply wouldn't be the same without Buddhism.
One thing I must appreciate about Buddhism is its effect on martial arts. The Indian martial art, Kalaripayattu, originating in Kerala, is the first martial art in the world. Being the first, it is quite utilitarian, and allows all sorts of nasty weapons, swords, and shields. When Buddhism spread to China, the villagers asked the monks what they should do if robbers came to their village, as killing was forbidden. The monks who knew the art taught these villagers a modified form of the art, which was meant to be non-fatal. It underwent a series of metamorphoses and adaptations, and morphed into all the Chinese and Japanese martial arts we know today.
The reason they're so "cool-looking" is because they started out as a fatal form, transformed into a non-fatal one, and then finally again became near-fatal, and the whole thing got mixed up with Buddhist meditation, because it was monks who initiated it in China.
Modern action movies simply wouldn't be the same without Buddhism.
Ogedei_the_Mad
Caffeinated Khagan
"Meat eating kills the seeds of great compassion."
Although Buddha possibly died from eating bad pork.
Extereme sports were not popular in ancient India but Tantric Buddhism was.
http://members.aol.com/Heraklit1/tantra.htm
Erm, Wikipedia claims that "kalaripayattu dates back to at least the 12th century CE", which is rather...late for being first. Buddhism martial arts spreaded to China before that. Care to elaborate?
Ogedei_the_Mad
Caffeinated Khagan
If I recall correctly, the oldest known martial arts manuals in China date back to the Zhou Dynasty period, long before Buddhism entered China. Buddhism didn't introduce martial arts, but rather was a key influence in transforming East Asian martial arts into what it is today. According to Chan / Zen tradition, Shaolin was introduced into China from an Indian monk named Bodhidharma, the first Chan / Zen patriarch.
aneeshm
Deity
Although Buddha possibly died from eating bad pork.
That's because he said that when meat is not specifically killed for you, and is only given to you as an offering, it is all right to eat it. Out of compassion and understanding towards a Chandala devotee of his, who could only give him meat, he ate the meat he was offered.
Fifty’s thread got me to know of the existence of this thread. It seems that taillesskangaru, who started this thread is of the Therevada tradition, I thought I could also add my input since I’m from the Mahayana tradition where there are some principle differences.
Q: What exactly are your core beliefs?
Basically, it is that every human being has the capacity to become a Buddha. A Buddha is basically an enlightened person who developed an understanding of the eternity of life and manifested the virtues of compassion, courage and wisdom.
Q: Do you have to wear special clothing?
I am thinking I’m wearing whatever you’re wearing.
Q: Are you white? If so, why have you chosen Buddhism?
My ancestors are Chinese. Buddhism made sense to me and does not contradict my observation of the world and human nature.
Q: Anyways, where do you live?
Singapore
Q: Is there a Buddhist temple nearby?
Plentiful here.
Q: Are you a vegan/vegetarian Buddhist?
I eat lots of meat. LOL. I hate veggies.. Actually, there is no restriction on diet. Some Buddhists are vegan only to cultivate a sense of discipline for themselves. It is more important to “Kill the Will to Kill”.
Q: What school of Buddhism are you?
Nichiren Buddhism as practiced by the Soka Gakkai International.
Q: What are the differences?
Essays could be written here. But my school focused on the teachings of Nichiren who based his understanding on the Lotus Sutra which was preached in the final 8 years of Shakyamuni’s life.
Q: Are all Buddhists pacifists?
My school of Buddhism are absolute pacifists. Violence of any kind are rejected.
Q: I remember reading about how some Samurai groups were Buddhists...
Samurai took to Zen Buddhism. They are focused on discipline which suited the warrior class well. But they do lack the parts of Buddhism which encouraged active contribution to society among others. (Zen practitioners may disagree with me…
Q. Is it required that you attend a temple (or the Buddhist equivalent of a church)?
I attend meetings and gathering regularly. Basically to meet up with friends and encourage one another on how to apply our teachings in our daily lives to improve our lives and overcome our problems.
Q. What are Buddhist attitudes towards alcohol/drugs?
I drink. But not so much till it damage the health. Same as drugs.
Q. Buddhist attitudes towards sex?
My girlfriend loves me very much. *wink*
Q. Buddhist attitudes towards modern society in general?
Modern society is a beautiful place to live in. We like it. Societies have to be constantly progressive. It is all good.
Q: Are there any rituals that go with it?
I chant twice a day. It includes the chanting of parts of the Lotus Sutra and the phrase “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo”. An youtube video on Tina Turner on Letterman show demonstrated the correct pronunciation.
Q. Did you get mod approval for this thread?
Taillesskangaru started this thread.. not me. I just felt confident in my understanding of Buddhist to help give a clearer perspective of Buddhist here.
Q. She also talked about a karmic burden. Could you explain?
Karma is like a “moral bank”. You plant good causes, good effects happens. You plant bad causes, bad effect happens. We are constantly creating bad karma in our daily dealings in life. It is human nature. Hence, Buddhist practice becomes important as we try to create good karma to balance and overwrite them.
Q: What exactly is "Enlightenment", or "Nirvana"? If I understand it correctly, it means "to be extinguished" or something along those lines? Why is such a thing desirable? Simply to escape from the cycle of reincarnation? What if I prefer the idea of reincarnation to Nirvana?
Since life is full of suffering, a life of endless reincarnation, it is endless suffering. To escape from the cycle of birth and death is not to get out of the cycle of reincarnation. You cannot! It is merely a metaphor to say that we develop a high life-state where we are able to view sufferings not as just sufferings, but also as a source to happiness.
You see… To a Buddhist, happiness is not just joy. Happiness is actually a strong mental strength where we can overcome all problems. Since we cannot avoid problems, having no fear of problems is better than seeking temporary ecstasy.
Q. Are you Buddhist by birth?
I was schooled in Catholic tradition in my younger days.
Q. How do you deal with the Advaitic criticism of Buddhism found in Shankaracharya's Brahma Sutra Bhashya?
Never read that.
Q. I have always personally viewed Buddhism, and many of the eastern practices, as more of philosophies or creeds of life rather than a religion. There seems to be no diety that is worshipped, which is why I feel that way. I am also told that's a rather controversial and potentially offensive way to feel about it. Could you explain why I would be wrong not to view Buddhism as a religion?
Philosophy, religion.. just a name. I can understand that people educated in the Western hemisphere have trouble recognizing religions if there is no deity. No issue here.
Q. btw, buddhists...is it possible to lose nirvana?
Yeah.. see explanation of the truth of enlightenment and nirvana. If you cease creating good karma and create plenty of bad karma, your life-state drops and you cease to manifest wisdom, compassion and courage.. Nirvana is a process… not a destination.
Q. When do you get to be reincarnated as a Buddha?
We do not get reincarnated as a Buddha. We are all potential Buddha. It is just whether we “switch on” our Buddha nature or not. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t. People who do it more often are happier people.
Q. Can anyone become a Buddhist?
As long as you are a human.
Q. How do you feel about violence? Are you allowed to defend yourself?
It is more important to kill the will to kill.
Q. What do you think about pacifists? Shouldn't they be responsible for their own security?
If everyone rejects violence, there will be security. We are actively using soft-power and dialogues to convince all that that is the best route to peace.
Q. Is your family vegetarian?
No.
Q. What's your favorite aspect of the religion?
It is atheists. *wink*
Q. Are there any Buddhist scriptures?
Lots.
Q. That is the relationship between Buddhism and Taoism?
Taoism borrowed many concepts of Buddhism when Buddhism spread to China. Generally, Taoism stresses on duality of all phenomenon. Buddhism teaches the oneness of all phenomenons. They are very difference.
There are many many who practice a hybrid of Taoism and Buddhism and claim to be Buddhists. I think they are deluded and confused.
Q. What does Buddhism have to say on abortion?
In Buddhism, the entire cosmos is considered a single living entity. There is no beginning of life with a fetus and an end with death. There is no beginning or ending of life and death. Ponder on that! =p
Q. So, is it impossible for someone like a soldier to be considered a Buddhist?
It is more important to kill the will to kill. You have to feed the family with some income ya..
Q. Where do buddhists thing this great cycle started? Did we start at our goal and leave, like christianity is basically built around?
Life is in a continuous cycle of birth, aging, decline, death. From the macros levels of planets and stars to the micro levels of organs and cells in our bodies. There is no beginning of ending. Like a pendulum in a vacuum. We move from potential energy to kinetic energy to potential energy to kinetic energy…
Q: What exactly are your core beliefs?
Basically, it is that every human being has the capacity to become a Buddha. A Buddha is basically an enlightened person who developed an understanding of the eternity of life and manifested the virtues of compassion, courage and wisdom.
Q: Do you have to wear special clothing?
I am thinking I’m wearing whatever you’re wearing.
Q: Are you white? If so, why have you chosen Buddhism?
My ancestors are Chinese. Buddhism made sense to me and does not contradict my observation of the world and human nature.
Q: Anyways, where do you live?
Singapore
Q: Is there a Buddhist temple nearby?
Plentiful here.
Q: Are you a vegan/vegetarian Buddhist?
I eat lots of meat. LOL. I hate veggies.. Actually, there is no restriction on diet. Some Buddhists are vegan only to cultivate a sense of discipline for themselves. It is more important to “Kill the Will to Kill”.
Q: What school of Buddhism are you?
Nichiren Buddhism as practiced by the Soka Gakkai International.
Q: What are the differences?
Essays could be written here. But my school focused on the teachings of Nichiren who based his understanding on the Lotus Sutra which was preached in the final 8 years of Shakyamuni’s life.
Q: Are all Buddhists pacifists?
My school of Buddhism are absolute pacifists. Violence of any kind are rejected.
Q: I remember reading about how some Samurai groups were Buddhists...
Samurai took to Zen Buddhism. They are focused on discipline which suited the warrior class well. But they do lack the parts of Buddhism which encouraged active contribution to society among others. (Zen practitioners may disagree with me…
Q. Is it required that you attend a temple (or the Buddhist equivalent of a church)?
I attend meetings and gathering regularly. Basically to meet up with friends and encourage one another on how to apply our teachings in our daily lives to improve our lives and overcome our problems.
Q. What are Buddhist attitudes towards alcohol/drugs?
I drink. But not so much till it damage the health. Same as drugs.
Q. Buddhist attitudes towards sex?
My girlfriend loves me very much. *wink*
Q. Buddhist attitudes towards modern society in general?
Modern society is a beautiful place to live in. We like it. Societies have to be constantly progressive. It is all good.
Q: Are there any rituals that go with it?
I chant twice a day. It includes the chanting of parts of the Lotus Sutra and the phrase “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo”. An youtube video on Tina Turner on Letterman show demonstrated the correct pronunciation.
Q. Did you get mod approval for this thread?
Taillesskangaru started this thread.. not me. I just felt confident in my understanding of Buddhist to help give a clearer perspective of Buddhist here.
Q. She also talked about a karmic burden. Could you explain?
Karma is like a “moral bank”. You plant good causes, good effects happens. You plant bad causes, bad effect happens. We are constantly creating bad karma in our daily dealings in life. It is human nature. Hence, Buddhist practice becomes important as we try to create good karma to balance and overwrite them.
Q: What exactly is "Enlightenment", or "Nirvana"? If I understand it correctly, it means "to be extinguished" or something along those lines? Why is such a thing desirable? Simply to escape from the cycle of reincarnation? What if I prefer the idea of reincarnation to Nirvana?
Since life is full of suffering, a life of endless reincarnation, it is endless suffering. To escape from the cycle of birth and death is not to get out of the cycle of reincarnation. You cannot! It is merely a metaphor to say that we develop a high life-state where we are able to view sufferings not as just sufferings, but also as a source to happiness.
You see… To a Buddhist, happiness is not just joy. Happiness is actually a strong mental strength where we can overcome all problems. Since we cannot avoid problems, having no fear of problems is better than seeking temporary ecstasy.
Q. Are you Buddhist by birth?
I was schooled in Catholic tradition in my younger days.
Q. How do you deal with the Advaitic criticism of Buddhism found in Shankaracharya's Brahma Sutra Bhashya?
Never read that.
Q. I have always personally viewed Buddhism, and many of the eastern practices, as more of philosophies or creeds of life rather than a religion. There seems to be no diety that is worshipped, which is why I feel that way. I am also told that's a rather controversial and potentially offensive way to feel about it. Could you explain why I would be wrong not to view Buddhism as a religion?
Philosophy, religion.. just a name. I can understand that people educated in the Western hemisphere have trouble recognizing religions if there is no deity. No issue here.
Q. btw, buddhists...is it possible to lose nirvana?
Yeah.. see explanation of the truth of enlightenment and nirvana. If you cease creating good karma and create plenty of bad karma, your life-state drops and you cease to manifest wisdom, compassion and courage.. Nirvana is a process… not a destination.
Q. When do you get to be reincarnated as a Buddha?
We do not get reincarnated as a Buddha. We are all potential Buddha. It is just whether we “switch on” our Buddha nature or not. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t. People who do it more often are happier people.
Q. Can anyone become a Buddhist?
As long as you are a human.
Q. How do you feel about violence? Are you allowed to defend yourself?
It is more important to kill the will to kill.
Q. What do you think about pacifists? Shouldn't they be responsible for their own security?
If everyone rejects violence, there will be security. We are actively using soft-power and dialogues to convince all that that is the best route to peace.
Q. Is your family vegetarian?
No.
Q. What's your favorite aspect of the religion?
It is atheists. *wink*
Q. Are there any Buddhist scriptures?
Lots.
Q. That is the relationship between Buddhism and Taoism?
Taoism borrowed many concepts of Buddhism when Buddhism spread to China. Generally, Taoism stresses on duality of all phenomenon. Buddhism teaches the oneness of all phenomenons. They are very difference.
There are many many who practice a hybrid of Taoism and Buddhism and claim to be Buddhists. I think they are deluded and confused.
Q. What does Buddhism have to say on abortion?
In Buddhism, the entire cosmos is considered a single living entity. There is no beginning of life with a fetus and an end with death. There is no beginning or ending of life and death. Ponder on that! =p
Q. So, is it impossible for someone like a soldier to be considered a Buddhist?
It is more important to kill the will to kill. You have to feed the family with some income ya..
Q. Where do buddhists thing this great cycle started? Did we start at our goal and leave, like christianity is basically built around?
Life is in a continuous cycle of birth, aging, decline, death. From the macros levels of planets and stars to the micro levels of organs and cells in our bodies. There is no beginning of ending. Like a pendulum in a vacuum. We move from potential energy to kinetic energy to potential energy to kinetic energy…
I first learn of it when someone introduced the practice to my mother when she was going through some difficult times. When a good friend passed away, I was driven by a desire to understand the mysteries of life and death. I studied all the available philosophies I could lay my hands on including Catholism, Protestant Christianity, Taoism, Islam, and Buddhism. I chose Buddhism eventually because it matches my sense of the functioning of the world and answers my doubts on the true nature of Life and Death.
cybrxkhan
Asian Xwedodah
just believe that you are. of course, being a "real" Buddhist is another matter altogether, and rather debatable.
How does eating steak help you "kill the will to kill"?
So, wait, Nirvana doesn't let you "escape" from the cycle of death and rebirth? It just lets you enjoy it?
Sounds even less attractive than I thought. (No offense - I just don't find the Buddhist concept of Nirvana terribly appealing)
What are the basic differences between Mahayana, Zen, and Theravada Buddhism? I know it's complicated, but even just the first thing that pops into your head would be appreciated.
What's the difference between fundamentalists, lutherans, orthodox and catholics?
--About.com
It is a state in which the separateness of our physical universe is transcended. With that transcendence, suffering, which is rooted in the notion of "self", goes away.
Christians often have a hard time with eastern religions like Buddhims for this very reason. In Christianity, an individual soul is unique and important. A soul can be saved and when saved its individuality is not lost. For christians, heaven is a gathering of individual who bask in the glory of god. In Buddhism the goal is to lose one's individuality and experience the unity of existence. It is no wonder that Buddhism is quite alien and unappealing to you.
Fundamentalism is a very broad term that can cover a wide variety of theological positions and denominations. Generally, fundamentalists tend to be more conservative than non-fundamentalist, and are much more likely to embrace sola scriptura. Fringe movements like KJV onlyism thrive, or primarily exist within Christian fundamentalism - although most fundamentalists aren't part of any one specific movement like that.
Lutherans are a denomination that has historical origins in Germany, and in the teachings of the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther. Lutheranism is typically very Calvinistic (Predestination, instead of free will). Lutherans embrace the concept of sola scriptura. Lutheranism practices infant baptism.
The Orthodoxies (Greek, Ethiopian, Assyrian, etc) vary in their theological positions. They are neither Protestant or Catholic, but distinct. (Although they do have more in common, far as I can tell, with Roman Catholicism) Somewhat similar, theologically, to the Roman Catholic Church, but they do not recognize the authority of the Pope as the head of the Christian church on Earth. (They are similar to Protestants in this way) I believe at least the Greek Orthodox Church is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.
The Roman Catholic Church is headed by the Pope, who lives in the Vatican City, Rome. The Pope claims that his authority comes from previous popes all the way back to the Apostle Peter, who received his authority from Christ. The Roman Catholic church sees tradition (Which includes authoritative teachings from church fathers, the pope, and others) and scripture as mutually supporting and necessary - very different from the Protestant doctrine of sola scriptura.
Those are just a few of the differences, off the top of my head.
But why would you even want to loser your individuality and "become one with the Absolute"? Honestly, that idea sounds just a few steps above the Christian idea of hell.
My question was, in fact, rhetorical, but thanks.Those are just a few of the differences, off the top of my head.
But why would you even want to loser your individuality and "become one with the Absolute"? Honestly, that idea sounds just a few steps above the Christian idea of hell.
It is all about how one sees the nature of creation. The end for both Christians and the eastern religions is essentialy the same even if the details are different: to be in the 'presence' of god. In the eastern religions the way to achieve that is through lessening of desires and the force of one's ego. In the west it is to assert one's individualality and stand and be counted as a believer. The christian tradition is all about the 'self'. It both glorifies and condemns the self, but none-the-less it is all about the self. The Sufis in Islam and some Christian mystics take the eastern path, but not many.
Christians want to achieve a personal relationship with god and that relationship is seen as between two separate entities. That separateness is built into they way chrisitians see the universe: god created it apart from himself and put separate souls there. To choose poorly condemns one to eternal separation from god (hell).
In the east creation is not separate from 'god', but we are shielded from experiencing it by our limited, self-centered, consciousness. When the ego and sense of self are diminished, then the experience of god is unveiled. To indulge one's ego and base desires condemns one to endless reincarnations in creation and never ending suffering and pain.
Q. How does eating steak help you "kill the will to kill"?
In Buddhism, there is no fundamental difference between the life of a cow and the life of a plant. If butchering a cow is killing, so is the harvesting of corps.
We recognised that to eat is to accept the sacrifice of other life-forms in order to sustain our own. Hence, we are very aware of the added responsibility and strive to live a worthy life. We are also committed to protecting the eco-balance.
Q. So, wait, Nirvana doesn't let you "escape" from the cycle of death and rebirth? It just lets you enjoy it? Sounds even less attractive than I thought. (No offense - I just don't find the Buddhist concept of Nirvana terribly appealing)
Unfortunately, Buddhists are realists. There is no fairy tale.
Q. What are the basic differences between Mahayana, Zen, and Theravada Buddhism? I know it's complicated, but even just the first thing that pops into your head would be appreciated.
My understanding is such:
In ancient India, there are 2 extremes schools of thoughts. There are the so-called six non-buddhist teachings which advocated that life is physical and starts from birth and ends at death. Buddhists rejects this as it tends to promote hedonism.
Then there are those practising the predominate Brahmanism. It teaches that our physical body is the source of all our vices and is impure. Hence ascetics are practiced.
Shakyamuni first teaches that life is suffering. And suffering is due to unfulfiled desires. And hence the control of desires lead to the eradication of sufferings. This constitutes the core of Theravada Buddhism. This is also closely linked to Brahmanism main teachings. I believed his intention is to ease his disciples to his school of thoughts by employing such teachings.
However, as Theravada Buddhism gained popularity, many of his disciples ceased to be concerned about the welfare of society and become hermits with the intention of only their own enlightenment by meditating to control their desires.
This was never his intention. Buddhism was intended to cultivate responsibilities towards the entire society as a collective whole. (See explanation on eating steak.)
Hence Mahayana traditions formed to redirect his disciples towards social responsibilities. The main teachings is that in order to achieve enlightenment, we have to seek out and help other gain enlightenment rather than to focus on self-enlightenment.
And Zen... er... I don't rate Zen very much. It is a Buddhist-sounding hybird of Taoism, Confucius, Shintoism, etc... It is no Buddhism at all by my reckoning. (Again, Zen practitioners are not going to be happy with my answer. But this is CFC. We are open-minded people rite?)
In Buddhism, there is no fundamental difference between the life of a cow and the life of a plant. If butchering a cow is killing, so is the harvesting of corps.
We recognised that to eat is to accept the sacrifice of other life-forms in order to sustain our own. Hence, we are very aware of the added responsibility and strive to live a worthy life. We are also committed to protecting the eco-balance.
Q. So, wait, Nirvana doesn't let you "escape" from the cycle of death and rebirth? It just lets you enjoy it? Sounds even less attractive than I thought. (No offense - I just don't find the Buddhist concept of Nirvana terribly appealing)
Unfortunately, Buddhists are realists. There is no fairy tale.
Q. What are the basic differences between Mahayana, Zen, and Theravada Buddhism? I know it's complicated, but even just the first thing that pops into your head would be appreciated.
My understanding is such:
In ancient India, there are 2 extremes schools of thoughts. There are the so-called six non-buddhist teachings which advocated that life is physical and starts from birth and ends at death. Buddhists rejects this as it tends to promote hedonism.
Then there are those practising the predominate Brahmanism. It teaches that our physical body is the source of all our vices and is impure. Hence ascetics are practiced.
Shakyamuni first teaches that life is suffering. And suffering is due to unfulfiled desires. And hence the control of desires lead to the eradication of sufferings. This constitutes the core of Theravada Buddhism. This is also closely linked to Brahmanism main teachings. I believed his intention is to ease his disciples to his school of thoughts by employing such teachings.
However, as Theravada Buddhism gained popularity, many of his disciples ceased to be concerned about the welfare of society and become hermits with the intention of only their own enlightenment by meditating to control their desires.
This was never his intention. Buddhism was intended to cultivate responsibilities towards the entire society as a collective whole. (See explanation on eating steak.)
Hence Mahayana traditions formed to redirect his disciples towards social responsibilities. The main teachings is that in order to achieve enlightenment, we have to seek out and help other gain enlightenment rather than to focus on self-enlightenment.
And Zen... er... I don't rate Zen very much. It is a Buddhist-sounding hybird of Taoism, Confucius, Shintoism, etc... It is no Buddhism at all by my reckoning. (Again, Zen practitioners are not going to be happy with my answer. But this is CFC. We are open-minded people rite?)
GenMarshall
High Elven ISB Capt & Ghost Agent
Can a chant be of any language and not restricted to one language?
I'd thought it was a concept that if you do something to offend or wrong another individual that it will come back and bite you in the rear.
Q. Can a chant be of any language and not restricted to one language?
"Nam" is actually a sanscript word meaning devotion.
"Myoho" is the Japanese pronunication of the Chinese Characters for Mystic Law. The Mystic law actually represents the true nature of all phenomenon.
For example, the tunes of our favourite song is humming in our mind. Is the music there? It is not really there as no music is actually played. Yet it is real to us and therefore exist. As Nichiren shared, The mind cannot be considered either to exist or not to exist. Life is indeed an elusive reality that transcends both the words and concepts of existence and nonexistence. It s neither existence nor nonexistence, yet exhibits the qualities of both. It is the mystic entity of the Middle Way that is the ultimate reality. Myo (mystic) is the name given to the mystic nature of life, and ho (law), to its manifestations of the mind.
Therefore, the true nature of life is not just the body or the soul. It is BOTH the soul or myo and the physical body or ho. This holistic view of life is the Middle Way expounded in Buddhism. The Middle way is not just the path of least resistance often misunderstood. The middle actually translates to accurate path.
The Middle Way takes us away from just focusing on the body which is predominant among the thoughts of atheists, and also away from the flaws of just focusing on the soul which is predominant among the thoughts of theism.
The Middle Way recognized that everything that is existent at this point in time are in the state of constant flux transforming from the state of existent to non-existent, and from non-existent into existent. This change will continue on eternally.
That said, Myo represents Life and Ho represents its manifestation.
"Renge" is also the Japanese pronunication of the Chinese Characters for the Lotus plant. The lotus is a unique plant where the flowers and fruits appear at the same time. Hence it represents the simultaneousity of cause and effect. It is also plant that grew from the mud and yet not tainted by the mud.
Hence, the main point here is that enlightenment is not found in some faraway dimension when we pass away or something. Enlightenment is achieved in this lifetime in our currect real world. And it is achieved instantaneously when we put in the "cause" by helping others achieved a correct view of life.
"Kyo" is simply the Japanese pronunication of the sanscript "Sutra". It represents transmission of the teaching.
So the chant is actually derived from Sanscript, Chinese and Japanese. It is not a single language. It represents universality of the chant. Translating the chant to any single language loses that universality. Hence we don't do it.
Q. I'd thought it was a concept that if you do something to offend or wrong another individual that it will come back and bite you in the rear.
Brahmanism, Hinduism, most oriental philosophies and even modern language uses the word Karma. But the in-depth understanding of Karma might various from philosophies to philosophies or even general usage.
A more detailed explanation of Karma from the Buddhist viewpoint is such:
source: http://www.sgilibrary.org/
"Nam" is actually a sanscript word meaning devotion.
"Myoho" is the Japanese pronunication of the Chinese Characters for Mystic Law. The Mystic law actually represents the true nature of all phenomenon.
For example, the tunes of our favourite song is humming in our mind. Is the music there? It is not really there as no music is actually played. Yet it is real to us and therefore exist. As Nichiren shared, The mind cannot be considered either to exist or not to exist. Life is indeed an elusive reality that transcends both the words and concepts of existence and nonexistence. It s neither existence nor nonexistence, yet exhibits the qualities of both. It is the mystic entity of the Middle Way that is the ultimate reality. Myo (mystic) is the name given to the mystic nature of life, and ho (law), to its manifestations of the mind.
Therefore, the true nature of life is not just the body or the soul. It is BOTH the soul or myo and the physical body or ho. This holistic view of life is the Middle Way expounded in Buddhism. The Middle way is not just the path of least resistance often misunderstood. The middle actually translates to accurate path.
The Middle Way takes us away from just focusing on the body which is predominant among the thoughts of atheists, and also away from the flaws of just focusing on the soul which is predominant among the thoughts of theism.
The Middle Way recognized that everything that is existent at this point in time are in the state of constant flux transforming from the state of existent to non-existent, and from non-existent into existent. This change will continue on eternally.
That said, Myo represents Life and Ho represents its manifestation.
"Renge" is also the Japanese pronunication of the Chinese Characters for the Lotus plant. The lotus is a unique plant where the flowers and fruits appear at the same time. Hence it represents the simultaneousity of cause and effect. It is also plant that grew from the mud and yet not tainted by the mud.
Hence, the main point here is that enlightenment is not found in some faraway dimension when we pass away or something. Enlightenment is achieved in this lifetime in our currect real world. And it is achieved instantaneously when we put in the "cause" by helping others achieved a correct view of life.
"Kyo" is simply the Japanese pronunication of the sanscript "Sutra". It represents transmission of the teaching.
So the chant is actually derived from Sanscript, Chinese and Japanese. It is not a single language. It represents universality of the chant. Translating the chant to any single language loses that universality. Hence we don't do it.
Q. I'd thought it was a concept that if you do something to offend or wrong another individual that it will come back and bite you in the rear.
Brahmanism, Hinduism, most oriental philosophies and even modern language uses the word Karma. But the in-depth understanding of Karma might various from philosophies to philosophies or even general usage.
A more detailed explanation of Karma from the Buddhist viewpoint is such:
Potentials in the inner, uncon-scious realm of life created through one's actions in the past or present that manifest themselves as various results in the present or future. Karma is a variation of the Sanskrit karman, which means act, action, a former act leading to a future result, or result.
Buddhism interprets karma in two ways: as indicating three categories of action, i.e., mental, verbal, and physical, and as indicating a dormant force thereby produced. That is, one's thought, speech, and behavior, both good and bad, imprint themselves as a latent force or potential in one's life.This latent force, or karma, when activated by an external stimulus, produces a corresponding good or bad effect, i.e., happiness or suffering. There are also neutral acts that produce neither good nor bad results. According to this concept of karma, one's actions in the past have shaped one's present reality, and one's actions in the present will in turn influ-ence one's future.
This law of karmic causality operates in perpetuity, car-rying over from one lifetime to the next and remaining with one in the latent state between death and rebirth.It is karma, therefore, that accounts for the circumstances of one's birth, one's individual nature, and in general the differences among all living beings and their environments. It was traditionally viewed as a natural process in which no god or deity could intervene.
The Hindu gods, in fact, were subject to the same law of karma as people, having become gods supposedly through the creation of good karma. The idea of karma predates Buddhism and was already prevalent in Indian society well before the time of Shakyamuni. This pre-Buddhist view of karma, however, had an element of determinism, serving more to explain one's lot in life and compel one to accept it than inspiring hope for change or transforma-tion.
The Brahmans, who were at the top of the Indian class structure by birth, may well have emphasized this view to secure their own role. The idea of karma was further developed, however, in the Buddhist teachings.
Shakyamuni maintained that what makes a person noble or humble is not birth but one's actions. Therefore the Buddhist doctrine of karma is not fatalistic. Rather, karma is viewed not only as a means to explain the present, but also as the potential force through which to influence one's future.
Mahayana Buddhism holds that the sum of actions and experiences of the present and previous lifetimes are accumulated and stored as karma in the depths of life and will form the framework of in-dividual existence in the next lifetime. Buddhism therefore encourages people to create the best possible karma in the present in order to ensure the best possible outcome in the future.
In terms of time, some types of karma produce effects in the present lifetime, others in the next lifetime, and still others in subsequent lifetimes. This depends on the nature, intensity, and repetitiveness of the acts that caused them. Only those types of karma that are extremely good or bad will last into future existences. The other, more minor, types will produce results in this lifetime. Those that are neither good nor bad will bring about no results.
Karma is broadly divided into two types: fixed and unfixed. Fixed karma is said to produce a fixed resultthat is, for any given fixed karma there is a specific effect that will become manifest at a specific time. In the case of unfixed karma, any of various results or general outcomes might arise at an indeterminate time.
Irrespective of these differences, the Buddhist philosophy of karma, particularly that of Mahayana Buddhism, is not fatalistic. No ill effect is so fixed or predetermined that good karma from Buddhist practice in the present cannot transform it for the better. Moreover, any type of karma needs interaction with the corresponding conditions to become manifest.
Buddhism interprets karma in two ways: as indicating three categories of action, i.e., mental, verbal, and physical, and as indicating a dormant force thereby produced. That is, one's thought, speech, and behavior, both good and bad, imprint themselves as a latent force or potential in one's life.This latent force, or karma, when activated by an external stimulus, produces a corresponding good or bad effect, i.e., happiness or suffering. There are also neutral acts that produce neither good nor bad results. According to this concept of karma, one's actions in the past have shaped one's present reality, and one's actions in the present will in turn influ-ence one's future.
This law of karmic causality operates in perpetuity, car-rying over from one lifetime to the next and remaining with one in the latent state between death and rebirth.It is karma, therefore, that accounts for the circumstances of one's birth, one's individual nature, and in general the differences among all living beings and their environments. It was traditionally viewed as a natural process in which no god or deity could intervene.
The Hindu gods, in fact, were subject to the same law of karma as people, having become gods supposedly through the creation of good karma. The idea of karma predates Buddhism and was already prevalent in Indian society well before the time of Shakyamuni. This pre-Buddhist view of karma, however, had an element of determinism, serving more to explain one's lot in life and compel one to accept it than inspiring hope for change or transforma-tion.
The Brahmans, who were at the top of the Indian class structure by birth, may well have emphasized this view to secure their own role. The idea of karma was further developed, however, in the Buddhist teachings.
Shakyamuni maintained that what makes a person noble or humble is not birth but one's actions. Therefore the Buddhist doctrine of karma is not fatalistic. Rather, karma is viewed not only as a means to explain the present, but also as the potential force through which to influence one's future.
Mahayana Buddhism holds that the sum of actions and experiences of the present and previous lifetimes are accumulated and stored as karma in the depths of life and will form the framework of in-dividual existence in the next lifetime. Buddhism therefore encourages people to create the best possible karma in the present in order to ensure the best possible outcome in the future.
In terms of time, some types of karma produce effects in the present lifetime, others in the next lifetime, and still others in subsequent lifetimes. This depends on the nature, intensity, and repetitiveness of the acts that caused them. Only those types of karma that are extremely good or bad will last into future existences. The other, more minor, types will produce results in this lifetime. Those that are neither good nor bad will bring about no results.
Karma is broadly divided into two types: fixed and unfixed. Fixed karma is said to produce a fixed resultthat is, for any given fixed karma there is a specific effect that will become manifest at a specific time. In the case of unfixed karma, any of various results or general outcomes might arise at an indeterminate time.
Irrespective of these differences, the Buddhist philosophy of karma, particularly that of Mahayana Buddhism, is not fatalistic. No ill effect is so fixed or predetermined that good karma from Buddhist practice in the present cannot transform it for the better. Moreover, any type of karma needs interaction with the corresponding conditions to become manifest.
source: http://www.sgilibrary.org/
GenMarshall
High Elven ISB Capt & Ghost Agent
I only know English and Learning Japanese at the moment. Sanscript and Chinese Languages (Mandarin, Cantonese, etc) I do not know nor know how to pronounce them (especially with Chinese Languages since it's a tonal language and I am kind of tone deaf)
.I am in deep trouble, I am up to my neck in bad Karma. And I thought being a Christian was hard enough with Heven if you repent one's sins and hell if one does not repent one's sins.The source Xyan posted said:
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