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Escapism and Other Such Psychological Phonenoma Through the Lens of Buddhism

JoshuaJoshua Veteran
edited January 2011 in Buddhism Basics
Can anybody indicate, through the medium of Buddhism, why a person might attempt to elude his or her problems in any shape or form? For instance, seeking refuge in a popular, local Sky Daddy to circumvent the overwhelming truth that he or she has no clue what life, and by extension death, will bring. I believe sometimes this can operate as a 'crutch' and not always with spirituality, in fact, it can happen in many cases only my imagination is lending me no good service at the moment.

Thank you

Comments

  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    Could you elaborate?
  • JoshuaJoshua Veteran
    Let's say I don't feel comfortable telling my mother that her little 'Buddha' knickknacks are really 'Budai' knickknacks because that would require her to assess and intellectualize the situation and the fallacies of her beliefs for around twenty years. Furthermore, to convince her of the sheer truth that rubbing Budai's belly is superstition would be impossible. She'd furrow, shake her head once 'no' and pretend I didn't say it. This is, of course, all in favor of what she'd prefer to know.

    Despite that I act completely secular, have been spotted and questioned about reading many suspicious books from the library on topics as diverse and taboo as Buddhism and Islam and daily with my roommate, while at my girlfriend's house, will partake in much existentialistic conversation yet my girlfriend's parents would have me be Christian in their minds.

    Crutches.
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    @Joshua, I'm not sure what the question is. Is it about other people's beliefs, or about you not being able to express your beliefs/knowledge to them? It's an exercise in interpretation at this point... :)
  • johnathanjohnathan Canada Veteran
    edited January 2011
    Let's say I don't feel comfortable telling my mother that her little 'Buddha' knickknacks are really 'Budai' knickknacks because that would require her to assess and intellectualize the situation and the fallacies of her beliefs for around twenty years. Furthermore, to convince her of the sheer truth that rubbing Budai's belly is superstition would be impossible. She'd furrow, shake her head once 'no' and pretend I didn't say it. This is, of course, all in favor of what she'd prefer to know.
    What does it matter to you if your mother believes Hotei is the "Laughing Buddha" or not... I did up until recently... It served the same purpose to me as if I had an "actual" Buddha statue in front of me... My perception, based on western ignorance, was comfortable with Hotei representing Buddha to me.

    The look of the statue is just "rūpa-khandha" and is one of the five aggregates that need to be let go of... or perhaps on a deeper level for you at least it is also "saṅkhāra-khandha", that to must also be let go of.

    I have also learned that rubbing the belly of the Hotei (or Buddha depending on your current perception) isn't that big a deal anyways...
    The rubbing the belly of Hotei(sometimes called laughing buddha)probably originated in China and as fast as the chinese people spread across the world so did this practice.

    Is this Buddhism? Not really.
    Is it harmfull? Probably not.

    Lord Buddha certainly did not advocate this sort of thing,however,some people,depending on their understanding do take part in all sorts of rights and rituals.As someone above pointed out,if doing these things keep Buddha and his teachings at the fore front of your mind then it can't be all bad.It may not lead to enlightenment but then it is also not a one way ticket to the hell realms.
    @Joshua : In response to the OP post... The probable answer is ignorance... Ignorance of reality... Ignorance of Suffering... Impermanence... No Self...
  • Ada_BAda_B
    My Chinese friend says that Hotei (or whatever you call him) is a symbol of wellbeing - he represents all that we should be, not just earthly wealth, but spiritual.

    Remember of course that for the Chinese, who have suffered many famines in their history, a big belly is a sign of health. So Hotei symbolises a generous, jovial spirit who cares for the whole world. His big belly is full, so my friend tells me, of all the suffering of the world that he has gobbled up to save those around him. Hence, he is often equated with the Buddhist concept of a Bodhisattva. Yet despite being full of suffering, he still smiles and welcomes others, full of gratitude for the good things of this world.

    All of these virtues: generosity, gratitude, acceptance of others, equanimity in the face of suffering... are Buddhist virtues. His big belly reminds me of the Tibetan tonglen practice I have been learning about, in which we learn to take on others suffering.

    Any statue, picture or mandala is only a symbol, a reminder of the Ultimate Reality. It is how we perceive it that makes it relevant or useful to our spiritual journey.

    Although my friend practices many Buddhist practices, she still has her Hotei shrine near the door, and lights incense in front of it and her Goddess statue in the upstairs hall. They represent virtues, values and comfort to her, and I cannot see anything in her practice to condemn.
  • 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
    Hotei's big belly is also down to the fact that his Tan Dien is replete with Chi..... Also, his ears are big, because ears reflect the state of the kidneys, and Kidneys are responsible (According to TCM) for Housing Original Chi {a heady mix of the Chi we inherited from Mum & Dad and that which was activated at the moment we manifested as an independent human being....)The bigger the ears, the better the Chi. The lobes are also big because in the overall concept of Acupuncture, the ear could be said to look like a little upside-down foetus, the lobe being the head. So the bigger the 'head', the greater the Intellect and the Illuminated Mind.... Oh it's all very interesting stuff!
  • johnathanjohnathan Canada Veteran
    Is Chi a Buddhist understanding? I've mostly only encountered it in Taoism.
  • 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
    edited January 2011
    I'm not saying it is, or isn't. Frankly, it may be but perhaps not for all schools....
    All I know is that I studied Shiatsu, and Chi/Ki was the intrinsic energy we worked with on a daily basis. I deal with it, and I consider it to be a real thing.

    But it's not my job, place or wish to convince anyone else.
  • johnathanjohnathan Canada Veteran
    Being a Taoist as well as a Buddhist, I accept the idea of Chi energy. My best friend is a Reiki Master and she has performed Reiki on me numerous times. Although I cannot see this energy as she can I can feel it as it is being interacted with by her (at least that is the perception my mind experiences).

    Like anything else. One must experience Chi for themselves and determine if it is true or not for them.
  • 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
    True dat....:hair:

    I also teach and practise Qi Gong.... man that stuff can shift!
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