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oHai! (Im considering buddhism and have a few questions youve seen 1001 times :D)
Well hello there, im new here, as the title may suggest - and after a few hours of surfing the interwebz and questioning myself, my 15 year old mind has decided that of all the religions ive been or researched, buddhism seems to be most the most fitting for me personally. Now some aspects of what ive read, im unsure of, and I would be grateful if anyone could clear a few basics up for me:
-Rebirth:
Im confused to the meaning of 'realm' when talking about rebirth. Does this refer to a state of mind - or actually being reborn in a different world, as a 'hungry ghost'. Also, how concious would I be of my past life, when I am reborn? Would my intentions carry over - would I still become a buddhist?
-This idea of 'no self' is it 'anatman'?
Could someone generally clear this up for me please, putting it in very simple terms (:
Also, do any of you know of any really good places I can look for some appropriate information on buddhism? To help me get my basic knowledge sorted out properly. Really I guess I need someone who can help explain this stuff to me, as its an entirely new concept really, and I want to understand more about it
-Rebirth:
Im confused to the meaning of 'realm' when talking about rebirth. Does this refer to a state of mind - or actually being reborn in a different world, as a 'hungry ghost'. Also, how concious would I be of my past life, when I am reborn? Would my intentions carry over - would I still become a buddhist?
-This idea of 'no self' is it 'anatman'?
Could someone generally clear this up for me please, putting it in very simple terms (:
Also, do any of you know of any really good places I can look for some appropriate information on buddhism? To help me get my basic knowledge sorted out properly. Really I guess I need someone who can help explain this stuff to me, as its an entirely new concept really, and I want to understand more about it
0
Comments
Buddhanet is one good source for Buddhist literature.
Doctrine of Anatta/Anatman
What we call a 'being' is composed of several 'parts' (Five Aggregates) and when these are analysed, there is nothing behind them which can be taken as a SELF ('I' / atman / ego) or any other unchanging abiding substance. Like all phenomena, the 'parts' that create the illusion of a SELF (viz. Five Aggregates) are impermanent and constantly changing. They are not the same for any two consecutive moments. Clinging to whatever is impermanent is dukkha.
The idea of SELF is just a mental projection. It produces: harmful thoughts of 'I', 'me' and 'mine', selfish desire, craving, attachment, hatred, ill-will, conceit, pride, egoism, and other defilements, impurities and problems. It is the source of all the troubles in the world from personal conflicts to wars between nations. In short, all the evil in the world can be traced back to this false view.
It is wrong to hold the opinion 'I have no SELF', a nilhism theory, and it is also wrong to hold the opinion 'I have a SELF', an eternalism theory, because both are fetters, both arising out of the false idea "I AM'. The correct position is not to take hold of any opinions or views, but try and see things objectively as they are without mental projections; to see what we call "I", or "being", is just composed of parts (Five Aggregates).
[This is my summary from the book "What the Budha taught" by Walpola Rahula.]
Rebirth
There's plenty of threads about this - just use the search facility.
that is because our thoughts are non-self. Also they are impermanent. If they were self we could choose them.
Yet we do have an intuition about what we can choose. We can choose to let go of a peaceful experience and not grasp it. It is like a self that can do that but its mysterious because we don't do it the same way we do other gaining activities. It is a balance and patience that we slowly develope with a lot of effort on the cushion. It pays off even with a little practice.
Non-self from an intellectual practice is another animal but I prefer a direct meditation experience. The path of the yogi as opposed to the scholar. But we all have our own ways of learning.
Help much appreciated!
Well, what would you guys advise - for me taking my first steps into buddhism?Meditation?Reading more into it?
Yes and yes, most emphatically!
Two important questions. Let's see what I can do with them.
First, on rebirth and realms, etc. Some Buddhists believe in a literal rebirth, that all beings are reborn in a future body over and over. Most who do so believe that in some circumstances a person can remember some of their past lives. Also, some Buddhists believe in the existance of a literal set of realms, heavens and hells, where we can go when we die.
For other Buddhists, this whole rebirth and heavenly realm business is taken metaphorically, as a way to illustrate how the mind works. Rebirth exists, but we are in some way being continuously reborn minute by minute and death is just another change. Realms are mental states of mind, and you can be in a blissful realm or hell according to what you're thinking right now. Your exact beliefs depend on what school of Buddhism you follow and the beliefs you are taught in your culture.
As you surf the web, the answers you get and what you read on Buddhist websites depend on the school of Buddhism. It's sort of like the confusion someone who knows nothing about Christianity would have from reading a Catholic website devoted to miracles handed down by praying to the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ, and various Saints, then flipping to a Protestant site and her name never appears and it says praying to anything but Christ is a sin. See how confused someone who doesn't know the rich traditions behind the religion would be?
The best thing you can do right now is study some of the fascinating history of Buddhism, the life of the man we now call the Buddha and the famous monks and figures who helped spread it and transform it into a world religion over the centuries. Then when you surf the web and encounter a site that talks about anatman and another site that goes on and on about the "Don't know" mind, you'll know one is Theravadan and the other is some sort of Zen school.
And if something clicks, then eventually you'll begin to gravitate toward that teaching. Welcome to the Sangha (the world community of Buddhists)
I will most definately be reading into this a *lot* more!
Currently, Im concerned, most probably due to my lack of knowledge about two things:
This idea that I will be reborn, and not be the same 'person'. The idea frustrates me greatly. Because currently Im starting to look into buddhism etc, and the ways to end the whole life-death-rebirth cycle, but if I were to be reborn, wouldnt I forget all my knowledge of buddhism? I currently have an extremely negative view of rebirth - is this wrong?
You forge a link to trusting awareness. And trusting the dharma. Seeing through ignorance to break suffering. 4 noble truths.
That is the buddha nature to be aware and to see this.
Your connection to the dharma. The links you forge are in store consciousness. Sooner or later they will ripen.
Have you had dreams where your remembrance of the dharma has ripened?
Not wrong. The cycle of birth and rebirth is seen as something to escape from. And, your question about forgetting all knowledge learned in a past life can be used to begin your understanding of yourself.
That question is, What am I? If I am reborn into a different body, a different time, different parents, and no memory of anything I experienced in a past life...in other words, no connection to what or who I was in the past, then...what, if anything, has been reborn? Can you say "I" still exist, and if so, then what am I?
One way the question is asked, is this: What was your face before you were born? In other words, you ponder the mystery of where you are going after you die, but where were you before you were born?
This is understanding the mind. Are you the memories? Are you the body? What, exactly, is the "I" in "I am"? Much of Buddhist practice in any school involves discovering what and who we are.
And, these are the questions most of us asked, in one form or another, when we began looking into Buddhism. I only repeat the answers some very helpful Buddhists gave me many years ago.
Whatever we think we are now dies eventually, and if you believe in said rebirth, whatever gets 'transfered' to the next shell if completely empty.
What you like/dislike, your personality, your family and name even are just ideas and things to give you the socially identical defying thing.
Yes, that's a very good way of putting it.
You said you were 15, so you're in what, 9th or 10th grade in school? So far, most people that age have experience with the family home life and the social school life. Just like every 15 year old in your school.
But that doesn't make you identical to the other young people around you. Your experience with family, other people and school is different. So you react different to what happens in your life because you draw upon different experience that is part of this "self" that is you. And, as you experience what life throws at you, it changes the way this self sees the world.
In Buddhism, you'll hear a lot about an important point we call Anatta or "Non-self" and it's probably one of the most misunderstood core concepts in Buddhism to people who begin to look into our practice. The scholars on the board here can do a better job of defining what Anatta is, but about all I am certain of is that it doesn't mean that we're saying you, the self, don't exist. Of course you exist. You're sitting there reading this right now. We're saying that the eternal, unchanging self as something that exists outside of the body, what some people would call the spirit or soul, doesn't exist. It's an important distinction.
Now I am cheerful and happy, and the next minute I'm sure I will be annoyed and angry. In the next 5 minutes I should be asleep. 6AM and I still haven't slept!? Bagh! no energy for victory dance and mark another loss to insomnia. Curses! See I'm annoyed and angry already?
Changing self.
At 15, it's a good idea for you to take your time with your study of Buddhism and not try to overcrowd your mind with too much information all at once.
Begin with Buddha's core teachings on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path which is contained within the Fourth Noble Truth.
Trying to understand other concepts could be left till later.
As Sukhita suggested, Buddhanet is a good place to start for the basics.
This Buddhist Studies section there might be helpful :
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm
There's also a very good section on the Four Noble Truths by Ajahn Sumedho at the same site here: http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm
Hope that helps.
Kind wishes,
Dazzle
You guys are so goddam helpful!!!
So from what all of you have collectively said, and what Ive read on the forums - I should be starting to look further into the 4 noble truths, do a little bit of further reading, attempt to adhere to the 5 precepts and beign to practice some simple breathing meditation to improve mindfulness. Anything else to add?
The three marks of existence. Study those really hard. That'll ultimately be the key to realization.
http://www.buddhaweb.org/
There's a study guide.
Is it meant to be followed in order? Or is that irrelevant?
Read the Tapussa Sutra here. After reading it, get to meditation, and get free. Consider what the Buddha says in it. I also gave you mindfulness meditation, did I not?
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an09/an09.041.than.html
If I didn't give mindfulness meditation to you here it is:
http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness
Don't skip steps. I can't emphasize that more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd7a9Ur2x0o
.
Decide beforehand how long a session will last so you don't keep wondering during meditation "shall I stop now" or "should I continue", etc. Five minutes for the first week or so is Ok, but gradually aim for 10 minutes, thereafter extending the time to 15 minutes, 20 minutes, and so on - depending on your circumstances and other commitments. Soon, you will be able to judge for yourself what feels right. A meditation timer of sorts will be useful.
The duration of the sitting is no mark of progress; it's the quality of each moment that counts. Don't make meditation an endurance test - take it in easy steps. It's better to sit for shorter periods with enthusiasm and energy than drag yourself through an hour "faking" it.
May your meditations be pleasant and insightful.
See what you like.
I found that deeper concentration comes to me around the 20 minute mark. Maybe you should try 10 minutes for a few days and move up to 20 minutes... and see how it goes. Just a suggestion.
?
I'm kind of passive when it comes to those things.
When it usually gets too loud, I just wait until it quiets down. I'm not sure if that's the best idea, though.
Don't try to learn everything, perfectly, in one day.
It doesn't work. Trust me on this one.
Simpsapa Sutta.
Secondly, don't 'try' too hard. Go easy on yourself, and don't get frustrated.
Sona Sutta
Understand that everything compounded is impermanent.
Nothing lasts for ever, but has a beginning, a period of transition, and eventually, a passing.
The lessons on detachment are many, but understand that the biggest detachment will be required of you when you die.
This is also a stunning teaching.
Hi meh,
Without meditation our knowledge of Buddha's teachings just becomes intellectual understanding .
With regular meditation its possible to begin to have a peaceful clear mind and develop a greater understanding of oneself and others.
Kind wishes,
Dazzle
Out of interest, is it wrong to crave knowledge?