Best Of
Re: Buddhists & Easter
Easter is just about as on shaky a ground as any festival could be... A brief 'nutshell' diatribe....
The word Easter is derived from the greek OEstros meaning fertile. This is where we get our word Oestrogen from.... so the Christians did hyjack this festival from the pagans. hence Easter EGGS....symbols of fertility, abundance and heavy waistlines... Furthermore, the Christian Easter weekend is calculated according to the phases of the moon (the second full moon after the vernal equinox, I think....!) Very Holy!
The word Pasqua (Italian) and Paques (French) are derived from the Jewish word for 'Passover' when the Angel of Death spared the Jews from the Heavenly wrath and cull of firstborns. They ate mutton to celebrate. that's why traditionally, Easter lunch should be roast lamb.
So if anyone feels entitled to comment on your Buddhist faith, tell them that at least it's less confusing.....!
federica
Re: Buddhists & Easter
Ester's avatar was the rabbit... or bunny... I.E., Ester's Bunny or Easter Bunny.
QCH2002
Re: Buddhist quotes
Whenever problems come to us from beings or inanimate objects, if our mind gets used to perceiving only the suffering or the negative aspects of them, then even from a small negative incident great mental pain will ensue. For it is the nature of indulgence in any concept, whether suffering or happiness, that the experience of this happiness or suffering will thereby be intensified. — Tulku Thondup Rinpoche (1939–2023)
lobster
Re: What music are you listening to?
"Dirty Harry" The clash between innocence and violence, how systems of war, create poverty, and the rich and power strip people of their humanity and force them into survival mode.
Shoshin1
Re: Quotes - discussion
@Jeroen said:
“There is a lack of humility…”
My intuition says you really are already complete as you are.
I think this depends on what we're talking about. The view I understand is that our Buddha Nature is pure and perfect. That our defilements are temporary stains. In Buddhism this isn't considered "you". "You" is part of the conditioned world, which contains all of our defilements and suffering.
If you mean what is left after the path is finished is complete as is, I can agree with that. If you mean at 5 or 50 years old you had/have nothing to learn or improve on, I think that is delusion.
person
Re: Discipline in the Path
@Kotishka said:
Rising early, following the precepts, sitting daily, being quiet when necessary, and speaking with right speech and intention when required—this takes time and development. Once, I believed this brought a much-needed sense of discipline, but in my case, it has been life’s punches that revealed how foolish I was for not following them sooner.Perhaps discipline and awareness can prevent such unnecessary suffering. Once you truly see it, it’s not as easy to fall back. Still, I cannot forget that the flaws in my character can reignite like dry tumbleweeds quite easily. Thus, the precepts and sitting are non-negotiable.
Discipline is the catalyst for the acceptance of change.
It is discipline that brings one to the cushion.
It is discipline that keeps one seated, even when every part wants to rise.
It is discipline that gives awareness the freedom to roam.
And it is disciplined awareness that remains open to change.
Shoshin1
Re: Compassion and the opposite sex
Only she has said so. She had thought about it for months that she had to tell it sometime. I hadn't thought it was so serious. Because neither I nor she can stay together or want it.
Others whether it's boys or girls, tend to stick to me, I'm just fine, don't try to be anything special. Just smile, hear how they are, and be open-minded without judging them.
Compassion is maybe a double edged sword...
Namada
Re: Discipline in the Path
It's related to thinking about the paramitas recently for me. Sila is similar to discipline in that you say/vow you're going to do something and then you do it. And why do you meditate? For your own and others wellbeing? That's generosity maybe or Dhana. And having decided that meditation is virtuous you hit a wall of resistance maybe. So do you wait for the wall to disappear? Or do you meditate working through the wall? That would be Kshanti or perseverance.
Jeffrey