Better understand Buddhism
Understanding Buddhism from a Western perspective seems very
difficult.
The great teacher has been dead for a very long time, and
subsequent generations have changed his philosophy, sometimes
significantly.
For many people in the West, Buddhism today is a religion, others
see it as a spiritual practice, a worldview. Both views have in
common that in essence a healthy life is propagated, the body
should be particularly cared for.
Those who have traveled in Asia know that Buddhism has grown
together with local customs over the centuries, and that
superstition, mythology and pre-Buddhist views have in part been
interwoven with the teachings of the teacher of all teachers.
Also, the "honoring of ancestors" and the "cultivation of
traditions" are repeatedly cited, but without clarifying to what
extent such thoughts would correspond to the views of Buddha.
Chan (Zen) Buddhism, founded by Bodhidharma in the Shaolin Temple
of China, differs fundamentally from all other Asian styles.
According to Bodhidharma, Chan (Zen) is about the "transmission
of the teaching beyond words and sacred scriptures", as Buddha
repeatedly instructed his followers to seek the solution to their
questions "within themselves", and thus not to follow any
"leader", but to rely on themselves.
According to Buddha, his followers should strive for personal
"enlightenment" based on personal practice and experiential
self-knowledge, and by no means fall into rituals or beliefs. The
great teacher "knew" even during his lifetime that his worldview
would also be elevated to a religion, and he spoke out against
such a practice. It was clear to him that the human tendency to
worship a higher authority would be a serious obstacle to his
teaching.
Those who strive to find and walk the "middle way" are subject to
all kinds of influences and doctrines, each lineage has its
conventions, its forms, its particular practice of paying homage
to Buddha. But Buddha did not want us to pay homage to him, he
wanted us to embark on the middle path to finally begin the
journey to "enlightenment".
All the cults that are cultivated in different countries and
teachings, they are just a more or less useful prop to help not
to let the teaching fall into oblivion.
But this does not put the ego to rest, but rather incites it that
with the word "Buddhism" only a cover for new cults should be
created.
As a beginner with Buddhism, one has a hard time. For my part, I
follow the pure teachings of Buddha, as well as the expressions
that his worldview has experienced through Bodhidharma in Shaolin
Temple China.
Be where you are, otherwise you will miss your life
- Buddha - honorary name of the Indian philosopher Siddhartha
Gautama - 560 to 480 before the year zero
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
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