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Why we do what we do as it relates to Buddhism

ittybittybatittybittybat
edited January 2012 in Buddhism Basics
Why do we do the things we do?

And I don't mean in a broad, every action sort of way, but as it relates to "good" actions or "bad" actions. Do we only do "good" things (like following the 8-fold path) because it is what the Buddha taught, and avoid "bad" things because the Buddha advised against them? Or do we do these good things out of genuine compassion?

Are we all trying too hard to be "good Buddhists"?

I know it varies from person to person, but I am just curious as to what y'all think.

Comments

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    Hopefully, we are born into a situation where people around us bring us up to learn good moral behaviour.
    For the most part, that IS Buddhism. We just don't call it that....

    Sometimes, we draw a short straw, and our young formative years are not so good, but somewhere, along the way, others tell us, "What, are you nuts??"...or maybe we start to ask ourselves that question.
    That's Buddhism too, we just don't call it that....

    Then, maybe, if we're lucky, something catches our eye....it could be a quotation, something someone does, something we see on the net, or something someone shows us.... and something flicks a switch, and we get a minor 'ahaaah!' moment, and we begin to research, study and investigate Buddhism.....That is Buddhism. We now call it that.....
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    We do things to be happy. Sometimes like Fed says we have insight into how we are trying to be happy but effectively we are making ourselves suffer. Then we see ways to overcome that. Some people find ways in another religion. Sometimes in therapy. etc.. But for me buddhism is the most effective way and it is my home.
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    You're right, doing things because it was the proper thing to do to be a 'good buddhist' was how I practiced for a long time. The dharma generally gives reasons for engaging in certain behavior.

    If we look at the 4NT the Buddha doesn't start with the 4th (the 8FP), he starts with an analysis of the problem (1st truth), diagnosis of the cause (2nd truth), the exsistence of the end of the problem (3rd truth), then he lays out how to be a good Buddhist (4th truth).
  • ittybittybatittybittybat
    I'll be honest, I think the Buddha wasn't trying to teach us how to be good Buddhists, but just how to be happy. When you have compassion for others, and care about someone else's success, you're a lot happier then when you only care about yourself.
  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    We want to be happy, we don't want to suffer.

    How do we be happy? Help others. How do we help others?

    Get spiritual OCD and use everything so that you can achieve full buddhahood as fast as you possibly can. So that you can help others.

    Why help others? so that you can be happy. how do you be happy? help others. how can you help others? reach full buddhahood.

    whether suffering or bliss or joy. do it for everyone else. why? to be happy. how? focus on other people and quick reach full buddhahood.

    why? to be happy.
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