Buddhism

[apache_blanca]

this is the idea about reincarnations in the poetic form:

once you get to No.5, you overcame the cycle. No more incarnations.

[iron_jones]

Regardless of your tibetan poetry (tibet isn't even close to practicing traditional buddhism, they practice tantric or vajrayana buddhism), the entire purpose of reaching enlightenment is to escape samsara.

[moonbeam]

Well, I'm a Chinese Zen Buddhist with a little bit of Pure Land. In Pure Land, we chant a name of a Buddha that lives in a land that teaches people about Dharma. He name is Amituofo and if you chat His name, you can be re-born there to learn from Him and you can have the chance to become a Bodhisattva or Buddha.

[iron_jones]

Technically, we are all Bodhisattvas. And I'm aware of Pure Land. All the dimensions and worlds and what not

[allroock123]

One needs to be careful with internet articles on Buddhist practice there is a lot of misconseption and half-truths, for example the statement
"All Buddhists Beleave in Reincarnation" is not true
There are difffent Viewpoints as Buddhist practice adapted to each cultures unique "life way"
Its also importent to note most Buddhist practice that does beleve we come back ( And Tibeten Buddhisum is a "unique" exception The Dalhi Lama does renicarnate in there eyes) consider it to be "Rebirth" not reincarnation.
Here are some examples of misconseptions
Common Misconceptions About Buddhism
Its my hope people will take a non topical look at our core human heartfelt understanding
I think this has deep roots in peoples experences with Avatar as well.
I think Buddhisum for one realy addreses the core roots of the human Tribalism issue driving so many conflicts
in our world going back generations into our past.

[Moco Loco]

Originally Posted by iron_jones

It's greedy, violent, and over the top in it's stories.

Oh okay, so the same as all major religions.

[iron_jones]

Originally Posted by Moco Loco

Oh okay, so the same as all major religions.

not iron_jonesism. heathen.

[Moco Loco]

How could I have forgotten such a major religion, such an integral part of modern society?

[allroock123]

I won't play the conflict game, If one only looks for the faults and flaws in a practice , one will find "faults and flaws" My main intrest in Buddhisum came about from a deep intrest in comon ground roots into the games the mind plays that cause many people needless suffering Buddha took a very deep look at how our core thoughts drive our day to day reality and the core role compassion and heartfelt understanding play in finding
and seeing our world from a Quiet calm viewpoint with strong core "self compassion for ones self and all living beings.
Contemplative meditation is a very powerful tool in reflecting upon ones core
"sense of self" and deep inner moral values.
Many of the development issues our childern face today revolving around Dyslexia and Autisum, come from issues of the development of ones mind and heart (core compassion) these issues are often
created by a lack of Sense of Self. We live in a sociaty of Fear and Mistrust
Children feel this inside and often deal with a core sense of "Wrongness", Its "seeing" whats happeng down at the "Roots" under all the surface "noise" that leads to ones intrest
in Buddhist core wisdom , Because it takes a calm quiet mind and strong heart (deep core compassion) to
get below the surface noise and touch upon the roots of ones core humanity we all hold.
inside, As our collective people come under huge global stress the importance of
a quiet mind and a Strong Heart (Coming from ones core compassion of ones self and
others) becomes very important.
I was hoping people would dive below the topical finger pointing and politics so rooted in human tribalism and share a core intrest in addresing the roots of suffering on a non topical level.
How Sociaty "Thinks" about itself
"Realy does Matter"
The "Dedication of merit song was Written by Pure Land Teacher Heng,Sure and touches on these roots
This is also an example of how Buddhisum evolves as it comes to the west, with the use of singing and
music. that was is not a part of buddhist practice in asia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qATQoylmYjE

[apache_blanca]

Originally Posted by allroock123

... Quiet calm viewpoint with strong core "self compassion for ones self and all living beings.Contemplative meditation is a very powerful tool in reflecting upon ones core
"sense of self" and deep inner moral values,

a very good point! We often hear that compassion is about 'forget yourself & help the others' but if one is not happy, fulfilled, strong & kind enough to oneself - little can one give to the others! Who can get water out of an empty well?

Good one about the meditation, too, thank you for reminding allroock.
I saw a curious piece of news a short while ago: the University of Barcelona together with one of the main hospitals made an investigation on the healing effects of... meditation.
Two groups of depressed patients (clinically depressed, with diagnosis, treatments etc). One was practicing a guided meditation for a month, the other didn't. The rest of the treatment was the same. After the test time, the results (stress levels, concentration, self-esteem etc.) of the meditating group were much better.

Now we have a Doctor of Medicine telling millions of TV viewers about the advantages of meditation practice!
This is a good news, in my opinion, especially for the people who Only believe in doctors - but I am glad that I started practicing ten years ago without waiting for the 'samples'! If something works - it works, whatever the theory & possible explanation.

Allroock, Moonbeam, can you explain me about Bodhisattva, Bodhidharma, & if there is any difference between the two? i don't have it quite clear...

[moonbeam]

Here is the Lotus Sutra.


The Lotus Sutra (

[allroock123]

Understanding the core meaing of the word "Sutra" which is a Sanskrit language word
Can be helpful
.Sūtra (Sanskrit: सूत्र, Pāli: sutta, Ardhamagadhi: sūya) is an aphorism (or line, rule, formula) or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual or, more broadly, a text in Hinduism or Buddhism. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew[1] (these words, including Latin suere and English to sew, all ultimately deriving from PIE *siH-/syuH- 'to sew'), as does the medical term "suture." The word "sutra" was very likely meant to apply quite literally to these texts, as they were written down in books of palm leaves sewn together with thread. This distinguishes them from the older sacred Vedas, which until recently were only memorised, never committed to paper.

I have thought of a sutra as "A stiching togeter of Thoughts" but I am far from a
scholar on Buddhist understanding .

In Buddhisum "Sutra"are spoken sermans taught by the Buddha "like a spoken serman"
that have been written down in text ,
The Buddha gave a serman and it was later writen down
"The words of the Buddha" or sacred scriptures, of Buddhism.

[apache_blanca]

@Moonbeam: thank you for the Lotus Sutra, I listened a little bit but I would hear it out when I have a bit more peace & quiet it sounds special, & deserves time & attention.
What language is it in, & what is the meaning? (if you can explain it in a few words - keeping in mind that I am a Westerner... sort of... )


@allroock thanks you for the explanation of Sutra (I could never get it, where you're actually from?? if you wish to answer...) I like sanskrit - the Mother of Indo-European languages. i don't speak it, but I like the sound of it. I know some mantras though - general, like lokah samastah sukhinom bhavanthu (may all the beings in all the worlds be happy, and in peace), and some others. But I often simply listen to some CDs I have.

It would be fun to be able to Speak sanskrit

[moonbeam]

It's Chinese, apache_blanca.

[iron_jones]

Originally Posted by moonbeam

It's Chinese, apache_blanca.

No, it's Sanskrit.

And "Chinese" isn't a language.