Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Register
Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04
Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.

The Buddhist Lifestyle

2bEnlightened2bEnlightened
edited March 2011 in Buddhism Basics
Hi Everybody

i would just like to know the day-to-day life of a Buddhist. since childhood, i have been tossed around because of different circumstances, and this meant me being exposed to all types of religions- catholics, seventh-day-adventists, jehovah's witness, new apostolic, islam, etc. i have been restless, to say the least- i could not wrap my head around a thing. while sitting at work the other day- i went onto google, and typed in buddhism- i dont know where the idea came from, but i am so glad it did. i have never felt more sure and at home before.

my problem is that i am located far from any place of worship, and i do not know of any buddhists. at the moment- all i am doing is meditating. please, any long-time buddhist- please will you assit me in telling me what is expected of me, what i can do to feel more at peace,etc. dress, the way i act, etc.

thanks

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
    edited March 2011
    To feel at peace?
    breathe.
    Watch your breath, and be glad you are.

    Dress?
    Any way you feel comfortable and warm.
    there is no prohibited/lectured mode of dress, apart from that imposed on ordained monks/nuns, in some traditions (and even then allowances are made for climactic conditions!)

    the way you act is clearly defined for you by studying the 4 Noble truths, the 8Fold path, and the first 5 precepts.

    I wrote a thesis on this some time ago....

    see the attachment.
  • 2bEnlightened2bEnlightened
    thanks so much, but could you please break all this down for me as i am facing some confusion. i take my refuge vows (to refrain from harming living creatures,taking that which is not given,sexual misconduct, false speech and from taking intoxicants which leads to loss of mindfulness); i also study the 4 noble truths, but what about the 8fold path? what does this entail?
    and is vegetarianism encouraged?
  • DairyLamaDairyLama Veteran Veteran
    ...i also study the 4 noble truths, but what about the 8fold path? what does this entail?
    Could I suggest that you spend some time reading around? There's loads of stuff on the internet, for example here:
    http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/8foldpath.htm
    Also, following the discussions on forums like this one can be useful.

    And is there a local Buddhist group or centre that you could visit?

    P
  • RogerRoger
    edited March 2011
    while sitting at work the other day- i went onto google, and typed in buddhism- i dont know where the idea came from, but i am so glad it did.
    How propitious! Relax and enjoy. There's no big hurry.

    "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." BTW, It's just something I heard. I don't know if it's true (kidding).

    image





  • 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
    ....what about the 8fold path? what does this entail?
    and is vegetarianism encouraged?
    One: the eightfold path is explained in the text I gave you.

    Two: vegetarianism is mandatory in some traditions, and voluntary in others.
    Whether you eat meat or not, is up to you, but you have to consider whether this is mindful and skilful for you or not.

  • RogerRoger
    edited March 2011
    IM_H_O? Forget the total vegetarianism, but maybe eat less meat, or give a thought to the animals when eating it. Why? It's tough to be totally vegetarian, there can be health issues. I know I had them for a while. Plus? My native Tibetan Lama enjoyed the chicken we made available during his stay with us (he had a number of choices). When the issue came up Khenpo told us of his discovery and enjoyment of McDonald's hamburgers (both for the taste and convenience) when he first started traveling abroad.

    image
  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    The day-to-day life of a Buddhist is no different than anyone else's day-to-day life, except in how Buddhists react to life's vicissitudes, and perhaps in how they treat other people. Though one doesn't have to be a Buddhist to practice loving-kindness. Lots of Buddhists eat meat. The only noticeable difference between Buddhists and non-Buddhists is that Buddhists have a meditation practice.
  • zenffzenff Veteran
    The Buddhist lifestyle:

    Try to be friendly and honest – a decent human being.
    Try to be tolerant and patient.

    Don’t start telling people how they should live their lives.
    (Says who!).

    ;)
  • StaticToyboxStaticToybox Veteran
    thanks so much, but could you please break all this down for me as i am facing some confusion. i take my refuge vows (to refrain from harming living creatures,taking that which is not given,sexual misconduct, false speech and from taking intoxicants which leads to loss of mindfulness); i also study the 4 noble truths, but what about the 8fold path? what does this entail?
    and is vegetarianism encouraged?
    To be frank I think taking vows may be a slightly higher level than what you ought to be dealing with right now. Get to know Buddhism for awhile first. Then down the road you can decide if taking any vow is the right course of action for you. If it isn't then it's no big deal. Vows are neither required nor expected out of a lay person. In fact I'd even say that laying vows upon yourself right out of the gate is unconductive to the development of your practice. Laying too much expectation upon yourself at first will likely only lead to discouragement. You wouldn't attempt to run a marathon the day after buying your first pair of running shoes would you?

    Many Buddhists are vegetarian. Many are not. There is no rule ether way. I am not a vegetarian. Neither is His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Others are.

    Something to bear in mind: Buddhism is not a religion of dogma. It is not a religion of rules. There are no "thou shalts" or "thou shalt nots". There is only skillful or unskillful. Example: I might have a beer with a friend while pool with them. This can be done skillfully, so long as I keep my wits about me and keep aware of the present moment. If I were, however, to drink to the point of intoxication, to the point of senselessness this would be unskillful.
  • RogerRoger
    edited March 2011
    The other thing? I'm guarded in public. I _DO_ keep a slight smile on my face at all times, but I'm not immediately outgoing to strangers. Given a little back-and-forth I (you too?) can tell if it's fine to open up. Usually people are very warm right back; we both go away feeling a little better.

    How do you like that? Two perfect strangers now two people with lighter hearts. You know whom I credit with that achievement?

    Dahhhhhh Buddhhhhhhhhha. image

    (like the superfans on Saturday Night Live)

  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    The other thing? I'm guarded in public. I _DO_ keep a slight smile on my face at all times, but I'm not immediately outgoing to strangers.
    Roger, you're the LAST person on this forum I'd expect to be guarded in public. WHY do people do that?? That's what makes me feel like a fish out of water in this culture. Being guarded sucks. Please explain this to me. Thank you.

  • genkakugenkaku Northampton, Mass. U.S.A. Veteran
    all i am doing is meditating
    _______________________________

    If you can do that, the rest of what is called Buddhism will be a snap. :)

    All best wishes.
  • hermitwinhermitwin Veteran
    To be interested and able to learn Buddhism is your good karma.
    Yes, vegan is encouraged.
    To meditate. To wish people around you good health and happiness.
    To be kind to people and animals.
    Read Buddhist books. And keep asking questions on this forum and elsewhere.
  • hermitwinhermitwin Veteran
    Some people like to chant Buddhist mantra.

    Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammàsambuddhassa.
    Honour to the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the fully Enlightened One (Buddha).
  • RogerRoger
    edited March 2011
    The other thing? I'm guarded in public. I _DO_ keep a slight smile on my face at all times, but I'm not immediately outgoing to strangers.
    Roger, you're the LAST person on this forum I'd expect to be guarded in public. WHY do people do that?? That's what makes me feel like a fish out of water in this culture. Being guarded sucks. Please explain this to me. Thank you.

    Hey D. It's simple I guess. Everybody does it, right? I think its because I don't want to get slapped with rejection or rock someone's already-swamped boat. Like if someone is having a bad day I'd like to know that because I don't want to get in their face. Otherwise a little negative energy will fly.

    Honestly? I'm not that good at getting over negative incidents, say at the coffee shop; they can bother me all the way home. I have to develop more skill.

    If there were such an incident I know it's not "my fault" the other person is just having a tough time. Also? if I trigger someone who's already stressed, and they lash out because I annoyed them by being "too friendly" that person MIGHT feel really really bad.

    Yup: AFAIK, there are hazards in being too friendly in public. image
  • DhammaDhatuDhammaDhatu Veteran
    edited March 2011
    i take my refuge vows (to refrain from harming living creatures,taking that which is not given,sexual misconduct, false speech and from taking intoxicants which leads to loss of mindfulness); i also study the 4 noble truths, but what about the 8fold path? what does this entail?
    hello 2bEnlightened

    in terms of theory, so we are not overwelmed, the 8fold path is the 4th of the four noble truths and the five precepts are included in the 8fold path. so, in essence, we simply study the four noble truths.

    although it may possibly be too much for now, a formal teaching on the four noble truths is found here: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.141.than.html

    :)






  • DhammaDhatuDhammaDhatu Veteran
    edited March 2011
    i take my refuge vows (to refrain from harming living creatures,taking that which is not given,sexual misconduct, false speech and from taking intoxicants which leads to loss of mindfulness); i also study the 4 noble truths, but what about the 8fold path? what does this entail?
    hello again

    a simple way to understand the four noble truths is they outline two modes of thinking, speaking & acting:

    (1) the first mode is the types of thinking, speaking & acting that lead to harm & suffering

    (2) the second mode is the types of thinking, speaking & acting that do not lead to harm & suffering. the second mode of thinking, speaking & acting leads to well-being, contentment & peace

    in brief, the mode of thinking, speaking & acting that leads to harm & suffering is motivated by greed/lust, hatred/anger & confusion/ignorance

    the mode of thinking, speaking & acting that leads to well-being & peace is motivated by compassion/generosity, non-hatred/good-will & wisdom/understanding

    :)

    so the 1st factor of 8fold path is to simply understand these two modes of thinking, speaking & acting and their results

    the 2nd factor of 8fold path is to make the resolution to give up or forsake the first mode of living that sides with suffering and to cultivate the second mode that sides with clarity & well-being

    the 3rd, 4th & 5th factors of the 8fold path are to speak, act & earning a living following the principles of the first mode of living

    the 6th factor of the 8fold path is the engaging the actual effort that is required to forsake the first mode of living that sides with suffering and to cultive the second mode that sides with clarity & well-being

    the 7th factor of the 8fold path is very important. this is the ability to observe our mind in a non-judging way and then apply any appropriate remedies to ensure our mind stays on the path of Dhamma. for example, if the mind is angry, mindfulness acknowledges - "the mind is angry". then mindfulness brings forth the right understanding that "anger leads to harm & suffering" and then mindfulness gently guides the mind back to the path of well-being & peace

    when the mind can always uphold the first 7 factors of the 8fold path, the result will be the 8th factor - right concentration - which can abide in a meditation object, such as our in breathing & out-breathing, so the mind develops deep calm

    so the above is my summary of what the 8fold path entails. i hope it was not too complicated

    kind regards

    DD :)



  • DhammaDhatuDhammaDhatu Veteran
    edited March 2011
    a simple way to understand the four noble truths is they outline two modes of thinking, speaking & acting:
    So formally, the Four Noble Truths are:

    (1) The state of suffering. The state of suffering is attachment or self-obsession, clinging to things possessively.

    (2) The cause of suffering. The cause of suffering is craving/unwise expectation, namely, craving for pleasures, craving-to-be and craving-not-to-be. In other words, the cause of suffering is greed, hatred & confusion, pushing, pulling & controlling the mind.

    (3) The state of the absence of suffering. The absence of suffering is simply the letting go, forsaking, giving up & ending of the craving, greed, hatred, confusion, attachment and self-obession that are the components of suffering.

    (4) The path (or cause) to ending suffering. The path to end suffering is simply the Noble Eightfold Path, namely, right understanding, right resolution, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness & right concentration.

    OK. Best wishes

    DD :)



  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited March 2011
    To be at peace notice that wish for peace. Where does it come from? Why do you want peace? And then when you find why you wish for peace then ask yourself why you want THAT?

    It can be surprising and touching to find the 'motion' of awareness. There is a motion, but thinking mind contrives all these things to satisfy us. Sure you can learn some buddhism, but what it comes down to at root is this longing. Not even a longing. When you stop grasping and contriving this 'motion' is none other than the motion of awareness and a quality to that awareness is peace and sensitivity. It is creative and alive. The contrivances are made by this motion, but we try to freeze these things.

    Never turn away. And, also, welcome your thoughts. Sure you can read about the 4 noble truths. And the 8 fold path, but in my eyes there is something before studying that motion and aliveness is more important. The studying is wisdom, but you already have wisdom. If you didn't the studying would just be dead words and would not be liberating.

    So study but also practice daily awareness. Investigate underneath why you want things and then sit with those insights. Let them go. Welcome your thoughts.

    I also recommend finding instructions for a calm abiding/insight meditation. When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron lists instructions for this meditation in chapter 4. The rest of her book is how we never get it together! It is always breaking up and constant projections about how it would only be better if we had something else. This is the contriving I mentioned.
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    edited March 2011
    Hey D. It's simple I guess. Everybody does it, right?
    NO, everbody doesn't do it! It's mainly only uptight or repressed Westerners, or more specifically, Anglo and Germanic types (and their descendents), who do that! In my observation.
    Like if someone is having a bad day I'd like to know that because I don't want to get in their face. Otherwise a little negative energy will fly.
    If there were such an incident I know it's not "my fault" the other person is just having a tough time. Also? if I trigger someone who's already stressed, and they lash out because I annoyed them by being "too friendly" that person MIGHT feel really really bad.

    Yup: AFAIK, there are hazards in being too friendly in public.
    This is really sad. Is this how everyone thinks, or do people have other reasons for being guarded in public? I find it odd that your focus is on the rare person having a bad day who might get annoyed by a smile or friendly comment, rather than the multitudes who might need and appreciate a smile or friendly comment. The latter are by far in the majority. Besides, in most cultures worldwide, it's NORMAL to be friendly.

    :poke:
  • RogerRoger
    Good points D. It's more an individual thing, maybe? I tend to get noticed based on my physical appearance. If I smile TOO much people might think I'm NUTS! Woman think I'm putting the moves on if I'm too friendly. Guys wonder WTF!?Gotta balance things out. Now, if someone ELSE starts the friendliness in the check out lane, you know..., jovial comment about forgetting their glasses or something..., I'm THE FIRST to support that friendliness. image
  • pineblossompineblossom Veteran
    Hi Everybody

    i would just like to know the day-to-day life of a Buddhist. since childhood, i have been tossed around because of different circumstances, and this meant me being exposed to all types of religions- catholics, seventh-day-adventists, jehovah's witness, new apostolic, islam, etc. i have been restless, to say the least- i could not wrap my head around a thing. while sitting at work the other day- i went onto google, and typed in buddhism- i dont know where the idea came from, but i am so glad it did. i have never felt more sure and at home before.

    my problem is that i am located far from any place of worship, and i do not know of any buddhists. at the moment- all i am doing is meditating. please, any long-time buddhist- please will you assit me in telling me what is expected of me, what i can do to feel more at peace,etc. dress, the way i act, etc.

    thanks
    Well, for me being a Buddhist is, on the outside, very much like everyone else. I get up, have breakfast do my work for the day, have tea and a shower and hit the sack.

    What I am saying is that you don't have to compare yourself to others. Do what you think you should be doing.

    If you are spending all day meditating then stop. Get up and go for a walk. You obviously have computer access - buy some Buddhist books.

    Oh, Buddhism is not about 'feeling' peace or anything else. In fact, if you are new to Buddhism it is more than likely that you are feeling anything other than peace. You are probably feeling somewhat confused and frustrated.

    This is because you are now aware of whole lot of stuff that you have not been aware of before. As a result, there is lots of junk coming out in your mind which you have hitherto put off dealing with. Now all them chickens are coming home to roost. And you need to deal with them.

    This is neither pleasant nor easy. It is very challenging. This is the process. This means Buddhism is working. So congratulate yourself on your achievements so far. Do not feel discouraged. Work with one thing at a time and do, please do, cut yourself some slack. Not even the Buddha achievement enlightenment in one day.

    In the meantime you could look at you own lifestyle. Perhaps becoming a vegetarian has merit. Ditching all those leather goods. Getting a job that reflects more authentically the way of life is virtuous. Small things. Do you smoke., Good change to quite. Do you drink - likewise. And if you are living in the US I am sure you are closer to a Buddhism center than I am - and there are no other Buddhist around where I live.

    I know, for me, I have been around the religions. I was reading a book one night when the word Buddhist came up. I never finished that book. My life changed that day. And I did not have a computer. You do, with access to the web. There is a ton of stuff out there you can access. You can even do courses in Buddhism over the web.

    May your journey always meet with spiritual friends
Sign In or Register to comment.