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The precepts and eightfold path... instant or gradual?

ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
edited January 2011 in Buddhism Basics
Did you one day decide, "hey, I am a Buddhist and I will keep all the precepts and follow the path to the best of my ability" or do you gradually cut down on breaking precepts and work on bettering yourself?

I am finding it hard to just 'dive into it' fully, but I am noticing small improvements here and there. I am just wondering how it works for others.

Comments

  • nanadhajananadhaja Veteran
    Both.I started with "hey,I am a buddhist.....failed miserably,and moved onto gradually cutting down.
    Keep up the good work work,practice and you will get there.
    With metta,
    Phra Greg
  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    Thank you.
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    I started out taking what I wanted...then dove in fully...and now take what I want again. lol.
  • 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 hate that word. "Dove". the correct written past participle of Dive, is 'dived'.)
    From the Guide to Grammar and Style by Jack Lynch.

    "Dive, Dived, Dove.

    The traditional past-tense form of dive is dived.

    Although 'dove' is common in speech, it's probably safer to stick with 'dived' in writing."

    Yuk.
  • 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 mention that, because naturally, the 8Fold Path contains the helpful directive of 'Right Speech'.
    I think that covers it.... :p:D

    For my part, I began to study Buddhism, and took refuge about 2 years later. As I recall. I could be wrong on the time lapse.... But on taking Refuge, I began earnest study of the Eightfold path and the Five precepts and they've stood me in good stead ever since.

    (With thanks for the typo alert!)
  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    I was about to fix my post, but as it turns out I wasn't the one who wrote 'dove'. Though I probably would've, so thanks for the correction.
    Speaking of which... 'precdpts'? (Ha!)

    Thanks for the replies, TJ and federica.
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    *refuses to say dived*
  • 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
    I was about to fix my post, but as it turns out I wasn't the one who wrote 'dove'. Though I probably would've, so thanks for the correction.
    Speaking of which... 'precdpts'? (Ha!)

    Thanks for the replies, TJ and federica.
    Thank you for pointing that out. It's nice to see some take correction so pleasantly. I stand corrected - and have done so...!

    ;)
  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    I know my spelling isn't perfect and my grammar is even worse, so I actually like being corrected. Of course, I wasn't being serious about the 'precepts' typo, though.
  • 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
    I know, it's fine! To be honest, it was more of a typo than an "unforced error" but I hate my posts to have mistakes.

    BTT...


    I have had the tendency, since deciding that Buddhism was a calling I wanted to respond to, that the simple path was more than enough to adhere to, in following the teachings and practising.
    I have several favourite suttas, and of course, the Dhammapada is a condensed and highly summarised version of the Buddha's teachings, but more often than not, I merely look to the Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts. As 'all roads lead to Rome', so everything comes back to these. The primary and perhaps most significant teaching the Buddha ever gave.
    When all things are considered, we really don't need any more than this.....
  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    I am still trying to figure out what fits where. I often find myself rationalising wrongdoings and holding onto silly ideas. So, I am not quite at the stage where I feel I can decide between right and wrong without personal bias.
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