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.
Compassion
I now compassion is the desire for all beings to be free from suffering. I understand this. But what methods does one go about doing this?
Does this mean that we try to "convert" or teach others the buddhist way? If so, that has always been one of, among many other aspects of most religions like christianity that I have always despised. I've read many things, in this forum and other places, that many buddhists don't promote or advertise themselves as buddhists, so I would think that this in fact isn't what is meant by this.
From what I undestand, to end suffering is to end cyclic existence and become enlightened. What can be done for others to help them without being the same as one of those (insert religion here) that are always telling you what you should believe and that the only way to "salvation" is through worshipping their god?
Does this mean that we try to "convert" or teach others the buddhist way? If so, that has always been one of, among many other aspects of most religions like christianity that I have always despised. I've read many things, in this forum and other places, that many buddhists don't promote or advertise themselves as buddhists, so I would think that this in fact isn't what is meant by this.
From what I undestand, to end suffering is to end cyclic existence and become enlightened. What can be done for others to help them without being the same as one of those (insert religion here) that are always telling you what you should believe and that the only way to "salvation" is through worshipping their god?
0
Comments
The best and most effective way you could demonstrate how you yourself are Living the Life you see as your Path, is to demonstrate - through your Thoughts, Words and deeds - just how serene and content you are.
The Dalai Lama has always said that his Religion is Kindness. He has written a book, titled 'A Policy of Kindness'....
The Life of a Buddhist is not based on restrictive draconian Rules, Regulations and strict governing Laws, with Retribution for those who do not toe the line.
Buddhism is about self evaluation, and understanding the in-depth message of the Four Noble truths, the Guidance and Teachings of the Eightfold path, and the observance as far as possible of the Five Precepts... But everything is evaluated and decided by You.
The Dalai Lama also said (bless him!) That the purpose of Life is to BE Happy and to make others Happy.
In that order.
Unless we have first come to terms with ourselves, dealt with ourselves in a Loving, Compassionate and Accepting way, we cannot hope to do that for others.
Buddhism is the great self improvement plan. But it's not complicated, and begins with simply putting one foot down and walking the path. There is no Goal, no Destination, no Aim. It is, simply put, to Be.
Welcome!!
I study and practice Tibetan Buddhism primarily so that's where my my response comes from.
What I think you may be describing is bodhicitta, or the aspiration to perfect our ability to serve all beings. One who has achieved it is a bodhisattva. In other words, bodhicitta is the desire to reach enlightenment in order to be able to help all beings. A good analogy would be to picture all sentient beings struggling to stay afloat in a vast ocean. It's very difficult for someone who is struggling to help another who is struggling. Bodhicitta is the desire to learn how to swim strongly not just to be able to get to shore yourself but to help all the other sentient beings get to shore as well. But you're jumping ahead here. Let's start at the beginning; compassion.
Your original question was: I'm going to use one of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's books, "An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life" to help shed some light.
In chapter 7 he writes:
"What is compassion? Compassion is the wish that others be free of suffering. It is by means of compassion that we aspire to attain enlightenment. It is compassion that inspires us to engage in the virtuous practices that lead to Buddhahood. We must therefore devote ourselves to developing compassion."
In this chapter HH the Dalai Lama describes a number of practices we can use to develop a compassionate heart. Keep in mind that at this stage you are working on yourself, developing yourself. You are not leading others to enlightenment because you haven't reached enlightenment yourself. When you do you will be like the strong swimmer but at this point you are still struggling to stay afloat except now you have access to swimming lessons, which are the practices you can use to develop a compassionate heart.
The first practice HH the Dalai Lama describes is empathy.
"In the first step toward a compassionate heart, we must develop our empathy or closeness to others. We must also recognize the gravity of their misery. The closer we are to a person, the more unbearable we find that person's suffering. The closeness I speak of is not a physical proximity, nor need it be an emotional one. It is a feeling of responsibility, of concern for a person...
It is also important that we reflect upon the kindness of others. ...We must recognize how our fortune is really dependent upon the cooperation and contributions of others. Every aspect of our present well-being is due to hard work on the part of others. As we look around us at the buildings we live and work in, the roads we travel, the clothes we wear, or the food we eat, we must acknowledge that all are provided by others. None of these would exist for us to enjoy and make use of were it not for the kindness of so many people unknown to us. As we contemplate in this manner, our appreciation for others grows, as does our empathy and closeness to them."
He goes on to describe other practical ways in which we can develop compassion like recognizing the suffering of others, developing loving-kindness and meditating on compassion.
The Dalai Lama has said that it is best for people stay and practice within their own tradition, whether it be Christianity, Islam, Judaism or any other religion. He says this to underscore Buddhism's respect for other religious traditions as well as to illustrate that Buddhism is not an evangelical religion. Buddhists don't convert for the very simple reason that people must come to Buddhism in their own time and for their own reasons. It's a very personal journey and not to be taken up lightly.
So you don't have to be concerned with "saving" others. You have to be concerned with developing your own heart and your own mind and that is what the Dharma is for. Start there and follow The Noble Eightfold Path which will bring you to where you want to go. Bodhicitta will arise by itself as you learn about and practice Buddhism.
I hope this helps.
Brigid
Here are two excerpts from The Four Sublime States:
Jason
thanks for those posts. I appreciate having those readings Elohim, in a more formal statement. And Brigid, you explain it so well....The swimming analogy is great!
Is there any particular version of the Dharma that could be recommended? I haven't attempted to read this yet, just mostly introductions to buddhism.
WHen I first started, I found this to be helpful 'Treasury of Truth Illustrated Dharma' at www.buddhanet.new/dhammapada.
Marybeth
Thanks, but for whatever reason I can't open that link.
http://www.buddhanet.net/dhammapada/index.htm
Sorry if it doesn't work...
That worked. Thank you.
I had that feeling when I read your question. Isn't that weird? You're most welcome and I'm glad I didn't botch it too badly because I'm still new too.
Regarding your question about the Dharma; the Dharma is the term used to describe the teachings of Buddhism in their entirety (pretty much, I think). It's not a book or any writing in particular but the whole kit and caboodle. You've probably already figured that out by now and you also probably have a better definition than I'm giving you at the moment. But I thought I'd give you an answer just in case you were still wondering.
That was a great question, by the way. It takes a while before things start to become more understandable. Sometimes you'll be reading something and it hardly makes any sense at all. Then, a few weeks later, you come across the same topic and all of a sudden you actually understand it. Be patient and confident in yourself and you'll be riding the Dharma wave in no time! LOL! (Will the water analogies ever stop?
Sharpiegirl,
Thanks for the compliment! Made my day. I'm sure I borrowed the analogy but don't tell anyone, K? :buck:
Love,
Brigid
(sorry)
LOL!
Brigid