Buddhism Discussion

[Steve5380]

1 hour ago, Guest Awakened? said:

 

Verily. Even when I began to grasp Buddhism in my mid-20s—a time when life was really challenging—my enlightenment did not come from a religious standpoint.  Enlightenment does not apply to human, otherwise there will be billion of Gods walking on earth and changed the entire dynamic of lifesytle.   Simply, Religion didn't make me feel better into my late 30s, and I entered a low period right away by embracing the false belief that  "enlightenment" exists.

 

 

The Buddhist enlightenment is one kind of it.  There are various types of enlightenment, and they can be different within their types.  I have had different enlightenments at certain times in my life. 

 

Take it from an octogenarian.  An enlightenment can be superseded by a different one, the product of more esperience and rationality.  With time we can change our mind about things.  In my case, the older I get the more I recognize my ignorance, and so my "ultimate enlightenment" is the realization that I am extremely ignorant, and progressively more so.  And... I don't mind it!  Doesn't PRIDE come with knowledge?   And... what can one do with PRIDE when life is over?

[Guest hehehe]

1 hour ago, Steve5380 said:

 

At last you write something I like!   If I had written this, the Moderator may have deleted my post.

 

 

U are finally enlightened? No Buddhism teaching needed.

[Swimfun]

2 hours ago, D.0284 said:

coming from a buddhist and taoist family, i would say that our version of both religions today are very distorted from the original teachings of these religions. i was once told by a buddhist on a sutra description of heaven being filled with gem stones and luxury. so i asked, luxury is only for human. there isn't the need of luxury in heaven.

after encounter with many fellow buddhist, i conclude that the real buddhism is not about how one follows the teachings religiously, but instead how one cultivate good character and personality. I have had conversation with high thai monk on this. we have good conversation. there is another aspect with regard to spirit and the concept behind. thats another story for another time.

when buddha was at his deathbed, he did mention that everything goes to nothingness. so what is nothingness? is that because whatever he taught was nothing more than how things are suppose to work. or that everything originated from nothingness.

then we examine another great religion of india, which has the concept of going back to emptiness. because if everything eventually goes back to emptiness then isn't it the same balance we are looking for in taoism?

look, there are places of worship all over the world which require a dress code as respect. but when we appear in the face of buddha or god, does he mind? would heaven reject a begger or the less privilleged. there are even temple which require a entrance ticket.

I see temple as a place of culture and art, but not as a religious place. every space is a holy place. every good thought is a good sutra. perhaps one day when i die, i could reach nirvana like the great one too.

 

First, it is important to differentiate Buddhism from other religions. Second, it’s crucial to distinguish between religion, culture, and traditional practices. Third, simply hearing others' opinions may not lead you down the right path, as their views may be influenced by cultural beliefs, personal opinions, or even unverified sources, and sometimes, by practices rooted in personal or ethical traditions.

It is advisable to study Buddhism or, at the very least, read the sutras to directly understand and interpret the teachings of the Buddha.

 

无上甚深微妙法，百千万劫难遭遇，我今见闻得受持，愿解如来真实义。

[Swimfun]

1 hour ago, Steve5380 said:

 

I agree with you. It would be TREMENDOUSLY UNJUST if the benefits of religious practices would come ONLY to those practicing them.  There is surely a majority of Humanity that has had no chances to know about Buddism.  Why should they miss out on opportunities to get enlightened, to make positive karma?   When Buddha himself grew up, there was NO Buddhism. He came to his philosophy by himself.  Why cannot others do the same?

佛有三不度，即无缘者不度，无信者不度，无愿者不度。今世不度来世度。

[Swimfun]

I seriously don’t understand some people. If they don’t believe in Buddhism, why join a discussion about it just to talk about other religions? They can always start their own conversation to discuss their own beliefs and theories.

 

Please be respectful of other religions, and remember, this is Singapore. Be mindful of your comments here. Don’t put yourself in unnecessary trouble, as your actions can be tracked and held accountable.

[Steve5380]

On 9/21/2024 at 12:30 AM, Swimfun said:

I seriously don’t understand some people. If they don’t believe in Buddhism, why join a discussion about it just to talk about other religions? They can always start their own conversation to discuss their own beliefs and theories.

 

 

Maybe you are too inexperienced to understand people.  One should not need to have YOUR belief of the topic to join the discussion about it.   Why are you so insecure?  One can accept  Buddhism as a philosophy rather than a religion.

 

On 9/21/2024 at 12:20 AM, Swimfun said:

佛有三不度，即无缘者不度，无信者不度，无愿者不度。今世不度来世度。

 

Here you assume that the Buddha "saves" people.  This means that he is a God, and his philosophy is a religion.  You also hide your writing by doing it in a language not everyone here can read.  (  but translators can read... )  By doing this you are not respectful of these readers. 

 

Please notice that the person who has written the most (possibly intelligent) posts here is not a "practicing" Buddhist but one who likes the Buddhist philosophy: Me.  He also not only is not disrespectful, but compares this philosophy to other ones, which means that it gives it the importance it deserves.

.

Edited September 23, 2024 by Steve5380

[Steve5380]

7 hours ago, Guest hehehe said:

U are finally enlightened? No Buddhism teaching needed.

 

The Moderator would not try to silence moderate, respectful comments if it were not for susceptable individuals who cannot tolerate other points of view than their own, and claim "disrespect" to silence these points of view.   Instead of having an open mind, or simply oppose these other points of view with their own good arguments. 

[D.0284]

On 9/21/2024 at 1:30 PM, Swimfun said:

I seriously don’t understand some people. If they don’t believe in Buddhism, why join a discussion about it just to talk about other religions? They can always start their own conversation to discuss their own beliefs and theories.

 

Please be respectful of other religions, and remember, this is Singapore. Be mindful of your comments here. Don’t put yourself in unnecessary trouble, as your actions can be tracked and held accountable.

buddha was a hindu monk. when he started buddhism, he had face challenges from other hindu monks and temples too. he did not go around speaking of disrespect, instead he earn their respect from providing different and better answers he found thru his enlightenment. believing and understanding are related but not entirely the same. words could have many meaning especially when written in ancient text and misinterpreted during translation. how is it disrespectful when one understands the same text differently as what was commonly believe?

[wanton_mee]

2 hours ago, D.0284 said:

buddha was a hindu monk. when he started buddhism, he had face challenges from other hindu monks and temples too. he did not go around speaking of disrespect, instead he earn their respect from providing different and better answers he found thru his enlightenment. believing and understanding are related but not entirely the same. words could have many meaning especially when written in ancient text and misinterpreted during translation. how is it disrespectful when one understands the same text differently as what was commonly believe?

did he really started Buddhism?  This part I abit confused..agree and disagree leh. 😁

[D.0284]

13 hours ago, wanton_mee said:

did he really started Buddhism?  This part I abit confused..agree and disagree leh. 😁

well, he started buddhism after he gain the enlightenment. hence a new religion based on his knowledge on enlightenment.

 

of course, hinduism is the world oldest religion

[Steve5380]

6 hours ago, D.0284 said:

well, he started buddhism after he gain the enlightenment. hence a new religion based on his knowledge on enlightenment.

 

of course, hinduism is the world oldest religion

 

Yes, Hinduism is the oldest religion practiced today.

[Guest Wrong.]

5 hours ago, Steve5380 said:

 

Yes, Hinduism is the oldest religion practiced today.

Don't be fooled by google.  Humanism began first.

[wanton_mee]

12 hours ago, D.0284 said:

well, he started buddhism after he gain the enlightenment. hence a new religion based on his knowledge on enlightenment.

 

of course, hinduism is the world oldest religion

Hmm yes agree on this .during his era as the 1st person to get enlightenment

[Steve5380]

Today I experience the convenience of knowing about different religions, philosophies, and resort to them as necessary. In light to the strong disappointment many Americans we have experienced with the result of yesterday's elections,  where it seems that the forces of evil have prevailed over the offers of goodness,  I turn to the Buddhist philosophy to find peace.  Aceptance and detachment.  This is how I aim to preserve my happiness and not fall into depression.  There is NOTHING I can do to change the results.  

 

If instead I would apply my Catholic upbringing,  I would be preaching to God Father, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and who knows what saint, asking them to change or mitigate the outcome.  But I already know that this is not a matter for the supernatural, but is the consequence of our human nature.  I accept this, and I will detach myself from politics for a while.   Fortunately, neither myself nor my family will suffer in short therm the consequences of an evil government,  and there is hope that it won't last more than four years, except that some evil may linger afterwards.  Will see...

[Sweetie Pie]

4 hours ago, Steve5380 said:

it seems that the forces of evil have prevailed over the offers of goodness,

 

You didn't trust Buddhism to determine what was good or bad; instead, it was determined by your human nature. 

 

Although goodness had already occurred, it was frequently unappreicated and disregarded by human ignorance before taking the form of malevolent ideas.

 

 

Buddhism has already completed half of its task for your sake, human still have to work on the other half to find peace with self.

 

 

Let's hope the above teachings give you a lift into something positive to think about and not turn ugly.

[Cruiser123]

Interesting. So there’s a chat group besides this?

[Steve5380]

On 11/6/2024 at 9:28 PM, Cruiser123 said:

Interesting. So there’s a chat group besides this?

 

The best for this topic should be a chat.  A "Buddhism discussion" here is too serious and it seems to  touch many sensibilities.

[LeanMature]

On 9/21/2024 at 1:12 PM, Swimfun said:

 

First, it is important to differentiate Buddhism from other religions. Second, it’s crucial to distinguish between religion, culture, and traditional practices. Third, simply hearing others' opinions may not lead you down the right path, as their views may be influenced by cultural beliefs, personal opinions, or even unverified sources, and sometimes, by practices rooted in personal or ethical traditions.

It is advisable to study Buddhism or, at the very least, read the sutras to directly understand and interpret the teachings of the Buddha.

 

无上甚深微妙法，百千万劫难遭遇，我今见闻得受持，愿解如来真实义。

 

To a lay person, it is near impossible to study Buddhism by reading the sutras.  I find it hard to interpret even for a short one like the Heart Sutra.  But as the Buddha himself said, he had shown the way (the Middle Path) and we have to seek it out by ourselves.

[wanton_mee]

1 hour ago, LeanMature said:

 

To a lay person, it is near impossible to study Buddhism by reading the sutras.  I find it hard to interpret even for a short one like the Heart Sutra.  But as the Buddha himself said, he had shown the way (the Middle Path) and we have to seek it out by ourselves.

I have watched a video on YouTube explaining it,  very easy to understand the interpretation 

[Steve5380]

10 hours ago, wanton_mee said:

I have watched a video on YouTube explaining it,  very easy to understand the interpretation 

 

There are jprobably millions of videos on YouTube,  hundreds about Buddhism.

 

If you found one that you find extraordinary,  why not post it here?

[Derren]

Hi 

Newbie here. Grew up in a Christian background but has ceased believing I guess. Not sure what I believe now. 

Seeking for spiritual guidance. So far no doors have opened up yet. Only watching youtube clips. 

[wanton_mee]

12 hours ago, Steve5380 said:

 

There are jprobably millions of videos on YouTube,  hundreds about Buddhism.

 

If you found one that you find extraordinary,  why not post it here?

Ok you can easily search on YouTube. Anyway your replies responses always give negative energy. Ya like that lo. We shall avoid exchange any conversations here.

[Steve5380]

10 hours ago, Derren said:

Hi 

Newbie here. Grew up in a Christian background but has ceased believing I guess. Not sure what I believe now. 

Seeking for spiritual guidance. So far no doors have opened up yet. Only watching youtube clips. 

 

Oldie here.  Grew up Catholic, and was told that lack of belief is sinful.  But I never found enough justification to believe in a supernatural.  ( I prefer the natural, ha ha ). A long life has taught me that there is no need to have religious beliefs, it is enough to pay attention to philosophies, some of them from religions, to build up our moral values, instead of believing in doctrines. However, we can speculate about the supernatural, the afterlife, since being ignorant of the Universe, all our speculations have a non-zero probability, and the supernatural may be nothing more than nature we don't have access to. 

 

I have embraced the philosophy of Jesus Christ,  not as the "son of God" but as the son of a humble carpenter, who in his teachings and preaching revealed extraordinary moral values.  I also accept the philosophy of the Buddha, equally inspired.  With these guidelines I am satisfied and in peace with the world, sometimes preaching to an abstract entity.

[LeanMature]

On 11/12/2024 at 3:28 PM, wanton_mee said:

I have watched a video on YouTube explaining it,  very easy to understand the interpretation 

 

Watch it too.  It mentioned everything is emptiness but yet not nothingless.  It is a concept that is hard to put in practice.

[wanton_mee]

28 minutes ago, LeanMature said:

 

Watch it too.  It mentioned everything is emptiness but yet not nothingless.  It is a concept that is hard to put in practice.

we simply can't let go... That's why

 

不是不可以，是我们不要，不甘心。 😁

Edited November 14, 2024 by wanton_mee

[Steve5380]

On 11/14/2024 at 12:59 AM, wanton_mee said:

we simply can't let go... That's why

 

不是不可以，是我们不要，不甘心。 😁

 

The "let go" in Buddha's philosophy is very wise.  And it is wise to follow it in the occassions when it is the best course of action.  But I think that it makes little sense to let go of everything in life.   If so... what is the purpose of being alive?

 

You may think that PURPOSE is part of the problem.  But we like it or not,  we living creatures have purpose.  And this attraction to purpose may have a very natural basis:  the purpose of staying alive!!!   If the whole humanity would "let go", it would have already been eaten by other animals, and we would not exist.

 

You wrote correctly about "letting go":  "it is not that we can't, it's that we don't want to, and we are unwilling to do so." I agree, and this is my attitude too. 

 

I personally support the approach of "letting go" of the pains brought by human injustices and acts of nature, while seriously pursuing ways to reduce such pains.  The fact that we live in progressive societies and have advanced technologies is proof that we should not "let go", and sufficient creative people have not done it.

 

Let's be fair and respect and accept those who believe in the full let go.  The Buddhist philosophy is one among several good ones.  But it is not the ultimate, perfect one.  This would be unfair to a majority of humanity who did not grew up with it like you did.  That what is uniquely the best would have been shared by all humanity.   If the majority of us seek purpose, this may be the consequence of how nature has made us. And so, we are fine. 

 

All this is just my five cents...

.

 

 

Edited November 18, 2024 by Steve5380

[thepresentfitness]

Hi all. Just like to share a blog that i had posted:

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 '開光' 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

Recently, a friend was quite surprised when I told her that I hadn’t performed the '開光' (or “opening of the light”) ritual for the Buddha painting I have at home. This ritual is commonly practiced to “invite” the Buddha’s presence (or any Deity) into the image or object, often as a way to show respect and devotion. But after thinking about it, I realized I needed to explain my perspective on why I don’t feel the need to do this, and why I believe the true essence of the Buddha’s teachings doesn’t require such rituals.

𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗮'𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

To understand why I don’t think performing this ritual is necessary, we need to first understand the life of the Buddha and what he taught.

Buddha, whose real name was Siddhartha Gautama, was born over 2,500 years ago in India. He was a prince who had everything—wealth, luxury, and comfort. However, despite having wealth, luxury, and comfort, he did not feel truly content or fulfilled.

One day, he decided to take a trip outside the palace with his servant. During this journey, he encountered 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨 that changed the course of his life:

1. 𝐀𝐧 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧 – The first scene was of an elderly person, showing Siddhartha that everyone grows old and suffers the effects of aging.

2. 𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐧 – Next, he saw a person suffering from illness, making him realize that sickness is part of the human condition.

3. 𝐀 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 – The third scene showed him a funeral procession with a dead body, teaching him that death is inevitable for all living beings.

4. 𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐧 (𝐀𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜) – Finally, he encountered a wandering monk who had chosen a simple life of meditation and discipline. This was the moment Siddhartha realized there was a path beyond suffering—a way to find peace and liberation.

These encounters deeply impacted Siddhartha and led him to leave his life as a prince. He set out to find the answer to the suffering he saw in the world. After years of intense meditation and searching, he attained 𝒆𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 under the Bodhi tree.

During his enlightenment, the Buddha understood 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: how everything in the world is interconnected, how suffering arises from our attachments and ignorance, and how we can free ourselves from suffering through wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. He saw that 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 and that the way to end suffering is to break free from craving and delusion. This deep understanding allowed him to achieve 𝗻𝗶𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗮, the ultimate state of liberation.

Buddha’s teachings, such as 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀 and 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, explain the nature of suffering and how to escape it:

- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀 teach us that suffering is real, but it’s also temporary. The cause of suffering is desire and attachment, but by understanding and letting go of these attachments, we can end suffering and find peace.

- 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 explains that everything is interconnected, and nothing exists independently. This means that our actions, thoughts, and the world around us are all part of a vast web of causes and effects. Understanding this helps us break free from the cycle of suffering (samsara).

𝟮. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗮 𝗡𝗼𝘄?

The Buddha passed away (or "entered Nirvana") over 2,500 years ago, and he is no longer physically present in the world. He left behind his teachings and the example of his life as the true path for followers to walk.

Since the Buddha has already 𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵, 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 (known as 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗮), why would he need to be "invited" into a painting or statue through a ritual like '開光'?

As ordinary sentient beings, like you and me, we are still bound by the cycle of samsara, experiencing birth, aging, sickness, death, and rebirth. We are constantly caught in this cycle due to our ignorance and attachments. But the Buddha, having reached enlightenment, 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲. He no longer experiences birth and death the way we do. His state is beyond the limitations of the physical world and the suffering that comes with it.

If we understand the Buddha’s teachings, we know that he transcended the physical world. Buddha is no longer confined to a single image, statue, or even a place. His essence is found in his teachings and in the way we practice them. For me, performing the '開光' ritual feels unnecessary because the Buddha’s true presence is not about a physical object, but about living in harmony with his teachings.

𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Devotion to the Buddha does not depend on rituals that bring a physical presence into an object. The Buddha himself encouraged his followers to focus on his teachings rather than worshipping his image. To me, the most important way to show devotion is by practicing the 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮—by understanding the nature of suffering and working to reduce our attachments and selfish desires. This is what brings us closer to the Buddha’s wisdom, not a ritual that tries to make him appear in a painting or statue.

Instead of believing that performing a ritual will “invite” Buddha into an object, I believe that practicing mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom brings us closer to understanding the Buddha's true nature. By doing this, we carry his teachings in our hearts, and that is the real "invitation" to the Buddha.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

So, in short, my reason for not performing the '開光' ritual is that I believe the Buddha is not bound to any physical object. His teachings—The Four Noble Truths, Dependent Origination, and his path of wisdom—are the true guide for us. The Buddha’s wisdom is within us, and it is in our practice, not in rituals, that we find his true presence.

I hope this explanation clears up why I don’t feel the need for a ritual like '開光'. For me, the essence of the Buddha's message is about living in a way that reduces suffering, brings compassion, and seeks wisdom, not about relying on external practices to bring the Buddha “into” an object. 

[wanton_mee]

【开光】安座佛像后，法师为我们开释安佛像的意义。明白了，看什么都是光明，破暗破迷。

 

Please translate 😆

Edited November 18, 2024 by wanton_mee

[Derren]

On 11/13/2024 at 8:50 PM, Steve5380 said:

 

Oldie here.  Grew up Catholic, and was told that lack of belief is sinful.  But I never found enough justification to believe in a supernatural.  ( I prefer the natural, ha ha ). A long life has taught me that there is no need to have religious beliefs, it is enough to pay attention to philosophies, some of them from religions, to build up our moral values, instead of believing in doctrines. However, we can speculate about the supernatural, the afterlife, since being ignorant of the Universe, all our speculations have a non-zero probability, and the supernatural may be nothing more than nature we don't have access to. 

 

I have embraced the philosophy of Jesus Christ,  not as the "son of God" but as the son of a humble carpenter, who in his teachings and preaching revealed extraordinary moral values.  I also accept the philosophy of the Buddha, equally inspired.  With these guidelines I am satisfied and in peace with the world, sometimes preaching to an abstract entity.

 

I am not young either. 

I think I do believe in the supernatural, though I don't have any hard evidence. Good for you that you feel no need for the supernatural. For me, maybe I long for something to rely on when I feel helpless.  
 

[Steve5380]

14 hours ago, Derren said:

 

I am not young either. 

I think I do believe in the supernatural, though I don't have any hard evidence. Good for you that you feel no need for the supernatural. For me, maybe I long for something to rely on when I feel helpless.  
 

 

I assume that by helpless you mean the inability to change something wrong, evil that should change,  and not that you are in need of physical help.  I also find myself helpless many times when I think of improvements that could happen but do not.  And in this case, it is Buddhism with its detachment that helps.  And so I force myself to discard these thoughts and be at peace.  With time one can learn to BE happy ( happiness is simply a feeling) regardless of circumstances.

 

I am able to avoid the necessity of the supernatural by speculating that everything that exists is natural, but we living creatures may be unable to perceive some parts of nature.  For example, we won't perceive more than three dimensions if there are more, or be aware of what is extrasensory for us.  So of these possible parts of nature we are ignorant about, of their existence or not, we can at most speculate instead of believing.

 

And since we are healthy rational humans like the majority, we have to conclude that our ignorance is shared by everyone who is human, no exception.  NO ONE on this earth knows exactly what the "supernatural" is,  and those who claim to have the answer, like a "divine revelation", are mistakenly speculating or are not sincere. 

.

 

 

Edited November 19, 2024 by Steve5380

[Steve5380]

17 hours ago, wanton_mee said:

【开光】安座佛像后，法师为我们开释安佛像的意义。明白了，看什么都是光明，破暗破迷。

 

Please translate 😆

 

OK. Here it goes:

 

[Consecration] After the Buddha statue was installed, the master explained to us the significance of installing the Buddha statue. After understanding, everything we see is bright, breaking through the darkness and confusion.

 

And what is this "significance"?  I ask, because I have no plans to install a statue of the Buddha.

[Steve5380]

On 11/18/2024 at 12:27 PM, thepresentfitness said:

𝟮. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗮 𝗡𝗼𝘄?

The Buddha passed away (or "entered Nirvana") over 2,500 years ago, and he is no longer physically present in the world. He left behind his teachings and the example of his life as the true path for followers to walk.

Since the Buddha has already 𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵, 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 (known as 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗮), why would he need to be "invited" into a painting or statue through a ritual like '開光'?

As ordinary sentient beings, like you and me, we are still bound by the cycle of samsara, experiencing birth, aging, sickness, death, and rebirth. We are constantly caught in this cycle due to our ignorance and attachments. But the Buddha, having reached enlightenment, 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲. He no longer experiences birth and death the way we do. His state is beyond the limitations of the physical world and the suffering that comes with it.
 

 

I like the idea of rebirth, and also escaping this circle by entering Nirvana.  It is a neat theory that would be very desirable. But my reservation comes from the feeling that a theory being desirable does not increase much the probability that it is true.  Like the theory of my Christianity that souls after death end up eternally in either a paradise or a hell, what is the purpose of souls in a Nirvana?  Does "eternity" really exist?  But there is nothing wrong with speculating about these theories.  However, we can also use the Buddhist detachment to avoid the stress in dealing with them.  Like living in the present and planning for the near future until our possible death,  but avoid paying attention to what will happen afterwards.  This detachment can be our own version of "enlightenment". 

[LeanMature]

On 11/19/2024 at 2:27 AM, thepresentfitness said:

Hi all. Just like to share a blog that i had posted:

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 '開光' 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

Recently, a friend was quite surprised when I told her that I hadn’t performed the '開光' (or “opening of the light”) ritual for the Buddha painting I have at home. This ritual is commonly practiced to “invite” the Buddha’s presence (or any Deity) into the image or object, often as a way to show respect and devotion. But after thinking about it, I realized I needed to explain my perspective on why I don’t feel the need to do this, and why I believe the true essence of the Buddha’s teachings doesn’t require such rituals.

𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗮'𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

To understand why I don’t think performing this ritual is necessary, we need to first understand the life of the Buddha and what he taught.

Buddha, whose real name was Siddhartha Gautama, was born over 2,500 years ago in India. He was a prince who had everything—wealth, luxury, and comfort. However, despite having wealth, luxury, and comfort, he did not feel truly content or fulfilled.

One day, he decided to take a trip outside the palace with his servant. During this journey, he encountered 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨 that changed the course of his life:

1. 𝐀𝐧 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧 – The first scene was of an elderly person, showing Siddhartha that everyone grows old and suffers the effects of aging.

2. 𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐧 – Next, he saw a person suffering from illness, making him realize that sickness is part of the human condition.

3. 𝐀 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 – The third scene showed him a funeral procession with a dead body, teaching him that death is inevitable for all living beings.

4. 𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐧 (𝐀𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜) – Finally, he encountered a wandering monk who had chosen a simple life of meditation and discipline. This was the moment Siddhartha realized there was a path beyond suffering—a way to find peace and liberation.

These encounters deeply impacted Siddhartha and led him to leave his life as a prince. He set out to find the answer to the suffering he saw in the world. After years of intense meditation and searching, he attained 𝒆𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 under the Bodhi tree.

During his enlightenment, the Buddha understood 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: how everything in the world is interconnected, how suffering arises from our attachments and ignorance, and how we can free ourselves from suffering through wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. He saw that 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 and that the way to end suffering is to break free from craving and delusion. This deep understanding allowed him to achieve 𝗻𝗶𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗮, the ultimate state of liberation.

Buddha’s teachings, such as 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀 and 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, explain the nature of suffering and how to escape it:

- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀 teach us that suffering is real, but it’s also temporary. The cause of suffering is desire and attachment, but by understanding and letting go of these attachments, we can end suffering and find peace.

- 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 explains that everything is interconnected, and nothing exists independently. This means that our actions, thoughts, and the world around us are all part of a vast web of causes and effects. Understanding this helps us break free from the cycle of suffering (samsara).

𝟮. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗮 𝗡𝗼𝘄?

The Buddha passed away (or "entered Nirvana") over 2,500 years ago, and he is no longer physically present in the world. He left behind his teachings and the example of his life as the true path for followers to walk.

Since the Buddha has already 𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵, 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 (known as 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗮), why would he need to be "invited" into a painting or statue through a ritual like '開光'?

As ordinary sentient beings, like you and me, we are still bound by the cycle of samsara, experiencing birth, aging, sickness, death, and rebirth. We are constantly caught in this cycle due to our ignorance and attachments. But the Buddha, having reached enlightenment, 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲. He no longer experiences birth and death the way we do. His state is beyond the limitations of the physical world and the suffering that comes with it.

If we understand the Buddha’s teachings, we know that he transcended the physical world. Buddha is no longer confined to a single image, statue, or even a place. His essence is found in his teachings and in the way we practice them. For me, performing the '開光' ritual feels unnecessary because the Buddha’s true presence is not about a physical object, but about living in harmony with his teachings.

𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Devotion to the Buddha does not depend on rituals that bring a physical presence into an object. The Buddha himself encouraged his followers to focus on his teachings rather than worshipping his image. To me, the most important way to show devotion is by practicing the 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮—by understanding the nature of suffering and working to reduce our attachments and selfish desires. This is what brings us closer to the Buddha’s wisdom, not a ritual that tries to make him appear in a painting or statue.

Instead of believing that performing a ritual will “invite” Buddha into an object, I believe that practicing mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom brings us closer to understanding the Buddha's true nature. By doing this, we carry his teachings in our hearts, and that is the real "invitation" to the Buddha.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

So, in short, my reason for not performing the '開光' ritual is that I believe the Buddha is not bound to any physical object. His teachings—The Four Noble Truths, Dependent Origination, and his path of wisdom—are the true guide for us. The Buddha’s wisdom is within us, and it is in our practice, not in rituals, that we find his true presence.

I hope this explanation clears up why I don’t feel the need for a ritual like '開光'. For me, the essence of the Buddha's message is about living in a way that reduces suffering, brings compassion, and seeks wisdom, not about relying on external practices to bring the Buddha “into” an object. 

 

Is there any teaching about this '開光' ritual in Buddhism ?  To me, it sounds more like Taoism.  

[Derren]

On 11/19/2024 at 12:32 PM, Steve5380 said:

 

I assume that by helpless you mean the inability to change something wrong, evil that should change,  and not that you are in need of physical help.  I also find myself helpless many times when I think of improvements that could happen but do not.  And in this case, it is Buddhism with its detachment that helps.  And so I force myself to discard these thoughts and be at peace.  With time one can learn to BE happy ( happiness is simply a feeling) regardless of circumstances.

 

I am able to avoid the necessity of the supernatural by speculating that everything that exists is natural, but we living creatures may be unable to perceive some parts of nature.  For example, we won't perceive more than three dimensions if there are more, or be aware of what is extrasensory for us.  So of these possible parts of nature we are ignorant about, of their existence or not, we can at most speculate instead of believing.

 

And since we are healthy rational humans like the majority, we have to conclude that our ignorance is shared by everyone who is human, no exception.  NO ONE on this earth knows exactly what the "supernatural" is,  and those who claim to have the answer, like a "divine revelation", are mistakenly speculating or are not sincere. 

.

 

 

Yeah, feel helpless to improve change some circumstances.  Yes, need to learn to be less attached to people and things. And to cultivate the quality of equanimity. That in itself makes Buddhism a worthy practice (spiritual or otherwise).

Indeed I do not assume the supernatural whenever something needs an explanation. It's only when most naturalistic explanations have been exhausted and found unsatisfactory that I start to speculate. I don't know if I believe anything yet; they are just beginning explorations. For a long time, I was too scared to even explore. 

While I have no supernatural insights (as yet), I will not assume others do not. Many people can do things that I am unable to fathom. I am willing to listen and perhaps to learn, but I will need to experience things for myself to truly believe.

Edited November 28, 2024 by Derren

[Steve5380]

Today I have reasons to add many points to Buddhism.  

 

I just watched the inauguration of the restored cathedral Notre Dame in Paris.   This restored church is now great again.  One point for Catholicism... or is it?  I think the Protestants are right criticizing the hint of idolatry in the worship of grandiose material objects, even if there is a hint of "spirituality" behind this worship.  A sublime building leads again to the worship of a material object.  Could Jesus Christ be turning around in his grave?  Ah no, he doesn't have a grave, he resuscitated into heaven...  I posted a video of this inauguration in the thread about "gays who will be seniors one day".

 

The ceremonial event was a procession and live display of IMPORTANT people.  Not the least the bishops and some cardinals, the Princes of the Church.  The one redeeming presence I saw were the young children of the choir, dressed in blue, who sung to some rather unappealing music.  Overall,  why could Catholicism not remain as spiritual as Buddhism, and had to fall into this regrettable inferior materialism?  Well...  I still don't criticize the good Catholic believers.