Buddhism in daily life - Mindfulness in every day tasks Archiv
364 Episoden
6 Minuten
Enlightenment - The central point
"Enlightenment" and Buddhism
What is the central point in Buddhism?
As in all religions, there are countless rules of conduct in Buddhism. Some go back to the historical Buddha, others were written later by monks or scholars.
In my view, Buddhism is not a religion, but a philosophy.
The central point in the philosophy of Buddha is the striving for "enlightenment", the finding of one's own self under the mostly buried personality.
Unlike other world religions, in Buddhism this important, central element (the "enlightenment") is absolutely in the foreground, the rules (also those written by Buddha personally) are only building blocks on the way to awakening.
Why did the Indian prince Siddhartha Gautama become so famous; what made his teachings so different from the teachings of the other "founders of religions"?
His peacefully meditating statue is in every second household, his paintings sell dazzlingly, but what do people in the West know of him?
Little is known, plain and simple. The image of a meditating Buddha puts people in a peaceful mood, Buddhism has been adopted as a kind of "second religion".
For those people who have an interest in the worldview of the historical Buddha, it is time to look at the central element from his teachings.
- ENLIGHTENMENT -
What is it, how does it work, how to deal with it?
"Enlightenment" is an "aha moment," the tiny instant when you understand the world, the universe, and yourself. It is not a "bang", not a "fireworks", not a "party".
And "enlightenment" just works, it is not an event reserved only for the historical Buddha. Buddha said that in every human being, animal or living being, enlightenment already lies, it only has to be found. And this is one hundred percent true.
"Enlightenment" lies within us, we just have to discover it for ourselves.
"Enlightenment" we can reach by intensively dealing with the subject, by seeing "enlightenment" as a good friend, by looking at it like our first great love, which we always and gladly think of, frequently and intensively.
By freeing ourselves to search for "enlightenment", within us, no person will give it to us, Buddha was a guide, a spiritual tour guide, he said we should not pray to him, but search for "enlightenment".
GIVE ME A FIXED POINT, AND I WILL LIFT THE WORLD FROM ITS HINGES
- ARCHIMEDES - GREEK MATHEMATICIAN - 287 TO 212 B.C. CHR.
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
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"Enlightenment" and Buddhism
What is the central point in Buddhism?
As in all religions, there are countless rules of conduct in Buddhism. Some go back to the historical Buddha, others were written later by monks or scholars.
In my view, Buddhism is not a religion, but a philosophy.
The central point in the philosophy of Buddha is the striving for "enlightenment", the finding of one's own self under the mostly buried personality.
Unlike other world religions, in Buddhism this important, central element (the "enlightenment") is absolutely in the foreground, the rules (also those written by Buddha personally) are only building blocks on the way to awakening.
Why did the Indian prince Siddhartha Gautama become so famous; what made his teachings so different from the teachings of the other "founders of religions"?
His peacefully meditating statue is in every second household, his paintings sell dazzlingly, but what do people in the West know of him?
Little is known, plain and simple. The image of a meditating Buddha puts people in a peaceful mood, Buddhism has been adopted as a kind of "second religion".
For those people who have an interest in the worldview of the historical Buddha, it is time to look at the central element from his teachings.
- ENLIGHTENMENT -
What is it, how does it work, how to deal with it?
"Enlightenment" is an "aha moment," the tiny instant when you understand the world, the universe, and yourself. It is not a "bang", not a "fireworks", not a "party".
And "enlightenment" just works, it is not an event reserved only for the historical Buddha. Buddha said that in every human being, animal or living being, enlightenment already lies, it only has to be found. And this is one hundred percent true.
"Enlightenment" lies within us, we just have to discover it for ourselves.
"Enlightenment" we can reach by intensively dealing with the subject, by seeing "enlightenment" as a good friend, by looking at it like our first great love, which we always and gladly think of, frequently and intensively.
By freeing ourselves to search for "enlightenment", within us, no person will give it to us, Buddha was a guide, a spiritual tour guide, he said we should not pray to him, but search for "enlightenment".
GIVE ME A FIXED POINT, AND I WILL LIFT THE WORLD FROM ITS HINGES
- ARCHIMEDES - GREEK MATHEMATICIAN - 287 TO 212 B.C. CHR.
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
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5 Minuten
Buddhism and the hate
Buddhists can also hate
If you don't hate, you can't love. Hate and love are only two sides of the same coin.
But where do these strong feelings come from, how can we control them, make them useful for us?
Hate is a primal emotion. It arises mainly towards people. But we can also hate things; I hate "Christmas", I hate "red fruit jelly".
Many people feel hatred toward dogs or cats; they even turn their hatred toward words.
Especially topical are hate speech on the Internet, hatred against people who think differently, contempt and disgust are paired with aggressive thoughts.
Usually there is a trigger for hate, such as a situation in the past, but often we are no longer even aware of why we hate.
When we feel such a deep emotion as hatred, it is usually worthwhile to explore this feeling.
Put yourself in such a hate situation and try to find the motives in the depth of your ego. Analyze for yourself the circumstances that lead to this feeling, which accompanying symptoms are important, in which environment does the feeling occur, can you sense a connection to other circumstances?
And what if you were to give in to the hatred? Pursue this thought in a kind of game, try to find out for yourself what this emotion is linked to, what circumstances enhance the feeling.
As a Buddhist, you should be aware that you can hate just like any other person. Only one should be able to deal with hatred, to control it, to direct it and to equalize it.
Whoever has his hatred "under control", has come one step further on the way to "enlightenment".
KNOW THAT THOSE WHO PREACH HATE TO YOU DO NOT SAVE YOU
- MARIE VON EBNER-ESCHENBACH - AUSTRIAN WRITER - 1830 TO 1916
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Buddhists can also hate
If you don't hate, you can't love. Hate and love are only two sides of the same coin.
But where do these strong feelings come from, how can we control them, make them useful for us?
Hate is a primal emotion. It arises mainly towards people. But we can also hate things; I hate "Christmas", I hate "red fruit jelly".
Many people feel hatred toward dogs or cats; they even turn their hatred toward words.
Especially topical are hate speech on the Internet, hatred against people who think differently, contempt and disgust are paired with aggressive thoughts.
Usually there is a trigger for hate, such as a situation in the past, but often we are no longer even aware of why we hate.
When we feel such a deep emotion as hatred, it is usually worthwhile to explore this feeling.
Put yourself in such a hate situation and try to find the motives in the depth of your ego. Analyze for yourself the circumstances that lead to this feeling, which accompanying symptoms are important, in which environment does the feeling occur, can you sense a connection to other circumstances?
And what if you were to give in to the hatred? Pursue this thought in a kind of game, try to find out for yourself what this emotion is linked to, what circumstances enhance the feeling.
As a Buddhist, you should be aware that you can hate just like any other person. Only one should be able to deal with hatred, to control it, to direct it and to equalize it.
Whoever has his hatred "under control", has come one step further on the way to "enlightenment".
KNOW THAT THOSE WHO PREACH HATE TO YOU DO NOT SAVE YOU
- MARIE VON EBNER-ESCHENBACH - AUSTRIAN WRITER - 1830 TO 1916
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
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5 Minuten
Buddhism and the Ego
What stands in the way of our "enlightenment" is our own ego.
It is constantly chattering away, this and that are going through our mind, and the ego paints us in all kinds of situations.
Basically, there are two kinds of thoughts, "good" and "bad" ones.
Good thoughts pop into our heads when we have something to do, we have to make a plan, for how the sequence of our actions should be.
Bad thoughts occur differently. We constantly jump "mentally" from one topic to the next.
Is my girlfriend cheating on me? Is my son doing drugs? Am I doing everything right?
None of these thoughts are or were ever purposeful, how the situation really was later, we could not even begin to imagine. We only thought useless thoughts, we burdened ourselves senselessly, and the ego stood in our way (as always), and harmed us.
If we seek "enlightenment", we should deal with the ego, look at it closely and keep it under control more and more often. Because the ego feeds us with bad thoughts.
Only those who can keep the ego under control will at least come close to "enlightenment". There are certainly more steps, processes and transitions needed here; the right path also starts with just one small step.
Observe your thoughts, follow up on every single train of thought, check it for meaningfulness. And if the thought doesn't make sense, put it in a special (mental) drawer.
If this thought (or a similar one) appears again in your "thought palace", then immediately push it away into said drawer.
In the course of time you will get more and more practice in examining and classifying your thoughts.
Only pursue the thoughts that bring something, "would-have-had" or "if-if-if" brings nothing and can go away.
ONCE YOU HAVE FOUND YOURSELF, THERE IS NOTHING LEFT IN THIS WORLD TO LOSE.
- STEFAN ZWEIG - AUSTRIAN WRITER - 1881 TO 1942
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
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What stands in the way of our "enlightenment" is our own ego.
It is constantly chattering away, this and that are going through our mind, and the ego paints us in all kinds of situations.
Basically, there are two kinds of thoughts, "good" and "bad" ones.
Good thoughts pop into our heads when we have something to do, we have to make a plan, for how the sequence of our actions should be.
Bad thoughts occur differently. We constantly jump "mentally" from one topic to the next.
Is my girlfriend cheating on me? Is my son doing drugs? Am I doing everything right?
None of these thoughts are or were ever purposeful, how the situation really was later, we could not even begin to imagine. We only thought useless thoughts, we burdened ourselves senselessly, and the ego stood in our way (as always), and harmed us.
If we seek "enlightenment", we should deal with the ego, look at it closely and keep it under control more and more often. Because the ego feeds us with bad thoughts.
Only those who can keep the ego under control will at least come close to "enlightenment". There are certainly more steps, processes and transitions needed here; the right path also starts with just one small step.
Observe your thoughts, follow up on every single train of thought, check it for meaningfulness. And if the thought doesn't make sense, put it in a special (mental) drawer.
If this thought (or a similar one) appears again in your "thought palace", then immediately push it away into said drawer.
In the course of time you will get more and more practice in examining and classifying your thoughts.
Only pursue the thoughts that bring something, "would-have-had" or "if-if-if" brings nothing and can go away.
ONCE YOU HAVE FOUND YOURSELF, THERE IS NOTHING LEFT IN THIS WORLD TO LOSE.
- STEFAN ZWEIG - AUSTRIAN WRITER - 1881 TO 1942
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Please rate us on Apple, Google or Spotify podcast to help us promote the show
5 Minuten
Buddhism and the addictions
Buddhism and the addictions
We know how much drugs (cigarettes, alcohol, intoxicants) harm our bodies, hurt them, even often make us look ridiculous.
When we try to limit, or stop these addictions, we often fail because our body (and/or mind) is addicted, kind of like the devil's advocate, we know about the harmfulness of drugs, but still we have to consume them.
So most of the time we can't stop our bad habits, the addiction has a firm grip on us.
To fight an addiction, we need to come to ourselves for some time, calm down and center ourselves.
This can be a form of meditation, another type of exercise, working on ourselves and our bodies (and minds).
So the important thing in fighting an addiction is that the moment of overcoming it comes, in five minutes things can look very different.
With "enlightenment" it is similar, we have to come to ourselves. We don't have to come to us forever, only in this moment, in the "here and now", later may be too late.
A miracle can start with a small idea, a different worldview can come from a short moment, whole continents are changed by thoughts, so also a short thought can help to "defeat" the addiction forever, or to "keep" it forever.
Everything depends on our thinking, if we think that "to stop smoking" is so difficult, then it will not happen, if we think that we have also made the decision to start in five seconds, then, yes then, we can also decide to stop again in five seconds.
Even a huge tree grew from a small seed, so "just do it"!
QUITTING SMOKING IS EASY AS PIE. I HAVE DONE IT A HUNDRED TIMES
- MARK TWAIN - AMERICAN WRITER - 1835 TO 1910
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
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Buddhism and the addictions
We know how much drugs (cigarettes, alcohol, intoxicants) harm our bodies, hurt them, even often make us look ridiculous.
When we try to limit, or stop these addictions, we often fail because our body (and/or mind) is addicted, kind of like the devil's advocate, we know about the harmfulness of drugs, but still we have to consume them.
So most of the time we can't stop our bad habits, the addiction has a firm grip on us.
To fight an addiction, we need to come to ourselves for some time, calm down and center ourselves.
This can be a form of meditation, another type of exercise, working on ourselves and our bodies (and minds).
So the important thing in fighting an addiction is that the moment of overcoming it comes, in five minutes things can look very different.
With "enlightenment" it is similar, we have to come to ourselves. We don't have to come to us forever, only in this moment, in the "here and now", later may be too late.
A miracle can start with a small idea, a different worldview can come from a short moment, whole continents are changed by thoughts, so also a short thought can help to "defeat" the addiction forever, or to "keep" it forever.
Everything depends on our thinking, if we think that "to stop smoking" is so difficult, then it will not happen, if we think that we have also made the decision to start in five seconds, then, yes then, we can also decide to stop again in five seconds.
Even a huge tree grew from a small seed, so "just do it"!
QUITTING SMOKING IS EASY AS PIE. I HAVE DONE IT A HUNDRED TIMES
- MARK TWAIN - AMERICAN WRITER - 1835 TO 1910
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
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5 Minuten
Buddhism and the Pope
Right now the web is full of opinions about the Pope.
A believer called him to her, the pope slapped her on the hand.
Now, however, the question arises as to why there is so much excitement. What must he be like, the Pope? Is he not allowed to show human reactions? Must he conform to the ideas we have of a pope, of a "Vicar of God"?
And why must he not react indignantly? After all, he is an elderly gentleman, and the woman has selfishly "claimed" him.
But whether her or his behavior is or was right or wrong is not the point here. I am writing here about the ideas we have of the Pope, or even of Buddha.
How has or should he be, what is our expectation, and what happens if our expectation is not fulfilled then?
In the imagination of the Western world, Buddha was a peaceful, meditating man who radiated wisdom and goodness, did not do evil things, took upon himself the worries and needs of all mankind.
But Buddha was also a normal man; he was married, had a child. Our ideas about him are probably often wrong. His greatest achievement was reaching "enlightenment," the state of awakening.
His "enlightenment" makes Buddha a role model for us to this day; his actions and speeches explain "awakening," but our conceptions make Buddha a god.
Buddha explicitly said that he did not want to be worshipped.
He was an ordinary man (albeit with enlightenment); our imaginations often lead us astray.
It is exactly the same with the Pope; our expectations of him are perhaps too high. He is not a saint and he does not have to be.
IT PAINS ME WHEN I SEE A PRIEST OR A NUN WITH THE LATEST AUTOMOBILE
- POPE FRANCISCUS - HEAD OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - B. 1936
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
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Right now the web is full of opinions about the Pope.
A believer called him to her, the pope slapped her on the hand.
Now, however, the question arises as to why there is so much excitement. What must he be like, the Pope? Is he not allowed to show human reactions? Must he conform to the ideas we have of a pope, of a "Vicar of God"?
And why must he not react indignantly? After all, he is an elderly gentleman, and the woman has selfishly "claimed" him.
But whether her or his behavior is or was right or wrong is not the point here. I am writing here about the ideas we have of the Pope, or even of Buddha.
How has or should he be, what is our expectation, and what happens if our expectation is not fulfilled then?
In the imagination of the Western world, Buddha was a peaceful, meditating man who radiated wisdom and goodness, did not do evil things, took upon himself the worries and needs of all mankind.
But Buddha was also a normal man; he was married, had a child. Our ideas about him are probably often wrong. His greatest achievement was reaching "enlightenment," the state of awakening.
His "enlightenment" makes Buddha a role model for us to this day; his actions and speeches explain "awakening," but our conceptions make Buddha a god.
Buddha explicitly said that he did not want to be worshipped.
He was an ordinary man (albeit with enlightenment); our imaginations often lead us astray.
It is exactly the same with the Pope; our expectations of him are perhaps too high. He is not a saint and he does not have to be.
IT PAINS ME WHEN I SEE A PRIEST OR A NUN WITH THE LATEST AUTOMOBILE
- POPE FRANCISCUS - HEAD OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - B. 1936
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
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5 Minuten
Woulda, woulda, woulda, please no bike chain
Would have, would have, please no bicycle chain
What if my wife hadn't left me, if I hadn't quit my job, if I hadn't drunk so much beer yesterday!
"Would have, would have, would have!"
From a Buddhist point of view, such thoughts are simply nonsense. It always comes as it must come, fate is predetermined, "what if thoughts" lead to no result.
Should I have taken this turn, or should I have taken a different direction?
If I had not said this and that, would the argument with my son not have escalated?
We have to live in the "here" and "now", the past has already passed, the future is uncertain, no matter how we imagine a coming situation, it won't happen that way anyway.
"WE ARE WHAT WE THINK. EVERYTHING WE ARE IS CREATED FROM OUR THOUGHTS. WITH OUR THOUGHTS WE SHAPE THE WORLD." "DO NOT DWELL ON THE PAST, DO NOT DREAM ABOUT THE FUTURE."
- BUDDHA -
Our thoughts correspond to "would have, would have, would have."
In retrospect, did it ever do any good, the "would have, would have, would have"?
There we should be completely honest with ourselves, not lie to ourselves.
Nothing has come of it. These "would-have-been thoughts" were always useless.
Buddha's goal in life was to experience "enlightenment".
Win big step on the way to "enlightenment" is to banish this "would have, would have, would have" from our thoughts, to really live in the "here and now" and to silence our thoughts chattering away, to experience this "aha moment", if we would at least sometimes switch off the thinking (would have, would have, would have) that our ego produces.
Buddha experienced "enlightenment" and I know people who have also succeeded in doing so.
Buddha said that all people have "enlightenment" within them, but it has been "buried" but can be rediscovered.
I know that this is the truth! The only truth beside which other things simply pale.
THE SHORTEST WORDS, NAMELY "YES" AND "NO" REQUIRE THE MOST REFLECTION
- PYTHAGORAS OF SAMOS - GREEK PHILOSOPHER - 570 TO 510 B. CHR.
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Would have, would have, please no bicycle chain
What if my wife hadn't left me, if I hadn't quit my job, if I hadn't drunk so much beer yesterday!
"Would have, would have, would have!"
From a Buddhist point of view, such thoughts are simply nonsense. It always comes as it must come, fate is predetermined, "what if thoughts" lead to no result.
Should I have taken this turn, or should I have taken a different direction?
If I had not said this and that, would the argument with my son not have escalated?
We have to live in the "here" and "now", the past has already passed, the future is uncertain, no matter how we imagine a coming situation, it won't happen that way anyway.
"WE ARE WHAT WE THINK. EVERYTHING WE ARE IS CREATED FROM OUR THOUGHTS. WITH OUR THOUGHTS WE SHAPE THE WORLD." "DO NOT DWELL ON THE PAST, DO NOT DREAM ABOUT THE FUTURE."
- BUDDHA -
Our thoughts correspond to "would have, would have, would have."
In retrospect, did it ever do any good, the "would have, would have, would have"?
There we should be completely honest with ourselves, not lie to ourselves.
Nothing has come of it. These "would-have-been thoughts" were always useless.
Buddha's goal in life was to experience "enlightenment".
Win big step on the way to "enlightenment" is to banish this "would have, would have, would have" from our thoughts, to really live in the "here and now" and to silence our thoughts chattering away, to experience this "aha moment", if we would at least sometimes switch off the thinking (would have, would have, would have) that our ego produces.
Buddha experienced "enlightenment" and I know people who have also succeeded in doing so.
Buddha said that all people have "enlightenment" within them, but it has been "buried" but can be rediscovered.
I know that this is the truth! The only truth beside which other things simply pale.
THE SHORTEST WORDS, NAMELY "YES" AND "NO" REQUIRE THE MOST REFLECTION
- PYTHAGORAS OF SAMOS - GREEK PHILOSOPHER - 570 TO 510 B. CHR.
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
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5 Minuten
Nirvana is for All
Buddhism with Heaven and Hell - Nirvana is for Everyone
In Western culture, we think in terms of "heaven" and "hell."
Food was heavenly; living with my wife is pure hell, or heaven on earth.
We know exactly what "heaven" and "hell" mean.
But what do "heaven" and "hell" mean to a Buddhist?
From the Buddhist point of view, there is neither "heaven" nor "hell", because this already presupposes a "thinking", a division of things into "good" or "bad", into "evil" or "right".
As a Buddhist, one should look at things, but not judge them.
The ego makes the decisions for us, but the Buddha's way was to silence the ego, to stop having to put up with the ego chattering away all the time.
Not to judge, but to accept things and people as they are, to live in the "now" and in the "here".
Nirvana" is the state of nothingness, thinking and evaluating are over, the chattering ego is silenced, there is no more I, nothing exists.
I am then in Nirvana when I have no more desires, feel no more limits.
Nirvana is "heaven" and "hell" in the same land, in the same mind.
It depends on the way of looking at it, on the point of view.
So if you don't think in categories like "heaven" and "hell", but only "assume", then you are in Nirvana!
We have the Nirvana in us! Do we find it?
FATE TAKES NOTHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN
- LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECA - ROMAN PHILOSOPHER - 1 TO 65
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Buddhism with Heaven and Hell - Nirvana is for Everyone
In Western culture, we think in terms of "heaven" and "hell."
Food was heavenly; living with my wife is pure hell, or heaven on earth.
We know exactly what "heaven" and "hell" mean.
But what do "heaven" and "hell" mean to a Buddhist?
From the Buddhist point of view, there is neither "heaven" nor "hell", because this already presupposes a "thinking", a division of things into "good" or "bad", into "evil" or "right".
As a Buddhist, one should look at things, but not judge them.
The ego makes the decisions for us, but the Buddha's way was to silence the ego, to stop having to put up with the ego chattering away all the time.
Not to judge, but to accept things and people as they are, to live in the "now" and in the "here".
Nirvana" is the state of nothingness, thinking and evaluating are over, the chattering ego is silenced, there is no more I, nothing exists.
I am then in Nirvana when I have no more desires, feel no more limits.
Nirvana is "heaven" and "hell" in the same land, in the same mind.
It depends on the way of looking at it, on the point of view.
So if you don't think in categories like "heaven" and "hell", but only "assume", then you are in Nirvana!
We have the Nirvana in us! Do we find it?
FATE TAKES NOTHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN
- LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECA - ROMAN PHILOSOPHER - 1 TO 65
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
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5 Minuten
The switch is within us!
What does Buddhism bring to people in the West?
In many households in the West there is a Buddha, a statue, a painting.
Even at the well-known furniture discounter from Sweden you can find an image of the Indian prince in almost every ensemble.
When I ask people what they associate with the image of Buddha, the answer usually comes: peace, tranquility, balance.
Deeper knowledge about the life story, the deeds and the work of the enlightened are not present, also many people do not really care. Even the Buddha's birth name is mostly unknown.
So what do so many people in the West associate with the statue in their living room?
Just the sight of the Buddha meditating peacefully brings many people something positive in their daily lives. Buddha shows us another world, not hectic, but at rest, focused within, spared from the mischief of the world.
In this day and age we have lost our connection to the divine, the sight of Buddha can show us a new path.
I would argue that every person who is attracted to the image of Buddha also feels an interest in Buddhism within himself.
But how can we learn more about the Buddha's teaching? Buddha's teaching includes as its core message the attainment of "enlightenment."
The first and central question we have to ask ourselves is whether this goal is also interesting for us, whether we want to concern ourselves with "awakening".
If we answer this question in the affirmative, then the further stages will arise for us as if by themselves.
"Enlightenment" is certainly possible for each of us.
Each of us has a house or an apartment, but where is the switch?
The switch is within us!
I AM SO FAST THAT WHEN I FLIPPED THE LIGHT SWITCH IN THE HOTEL ROOM LAST NIGHT, I WAS IN BED BEFORE THE LIGHT WAS OFF
- MUHAMMAD ALI - BOXER - 1942 TO 2016
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What does Buddhism bring to people in the West?
In many households in the West there is a Buddha, a statue, a painting.
Even at the well-known furniture discounter from Sweden you can find an image of the Indian prince in almost every ensemble.
When I ask people what they associate with the image of Buddha, the answer usually comes: peace, tranquility, balance.
Deeper knowledge about the life story, the deeds and the work of the enlightened are not present, also many people do not really care. Even the Buddha's birth name is mostly unknown.
So what do so many people in the West associate with the statue in their living room?
Just the sight of the Buddha meditating peacefully brings many people something positive in their daily lives. Buddha shows us another world, not hectic, but at rest, focused within, spared from the mischief of the world.
In this day and age we have lost our connection to the divine, the sight of Buddha can show us a new path.
I would argue that every person who is attracted to the image of Buddha also feels an interest in Buddhism within himself.
But how can we learn more about the Buddha's teaching? Buddha's teaching includes as its core message the attainment of "enlightenment."
The first and central question we have to ask ourselves is whether this goal is also interesting for us, whether we want to concern ourselves with "awakening".
If we answer this question in the affirmative, then the further stages will arise for us as if by themselves.
"Enlightenment" is certainly possible for each of us.
Each of us has a house or an apartment, but where is the switch?
The switch is within us!
I AM SO FAST THAT WHEN I FLIPPED THE LIGHT SWITCH IN THE HOTEL ROOM LAST NIGHT, I WAS IN BED BEFORE THE LIGHT WAS OFF
- MUHAMMAD ALI - BOXER - 1942 TO 2016
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5 Minuten
Happiness and Buddhism
AS LONG AS YOU ARE CHASING HAPPINESS,
YOU ARE NOT READY TO BE HAPPY,
AND WOULD EVERYTHING DEAREST TO YOU.
- HERMANN HESSE -
The search for happiness is a natural pursuit of every human being.
But everyone has a different idea of happiness, his own desires.
Those who study Buddhism usually already have a completely different idea of happiness than many other people.
But what is happiness?
A golden watch? A new house or car? A new love affair?
Hermann Hesse, Chan monks from Korea, Bodhidharma and Buddha, all these great masterminds tell us that happiness or unhappiness does not come to us through circumstances, but is made by "our heart", by our inner being. Nobody can make me happy or sad, only I myself make this feeling, it rises from my ego.
For example, if I am unhappy in love and I look at the moon, I become even sadder. So does the moon make me sadder? No, I do it myself; the unhappiness comes from me.
But when I am happily in love and so look at the moon, I become even happier. So does the moon make me happy? No, I do it myself, the happiness comes from me.
BODHIDHARMA (THE FOUNDER OF CHAN (ZEN) BUDDHISM SAID, "一切唯心造" - "EVERYTHING IS IDEALLY MADE".
So depending on my point of view, things, circumstances or people can affect me emotionally.
So what if I change my point of view, much like Buddha did?
The consequences of every action are already in the action itself.
- George Orwell - British writer - 1903 to 1950
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AS LONG AS YOU ARE CHASING HAPPINESS,
YOU ARE NOT READY TO BE HAPPY,
AND WOULD EVERYTHING DEAREST TO YOU.
- HERMANN HESSE -
The search for happiness is a natural pursuit of every human being.
But everyone has a different idea of happiness, his own desires.
Those who study Buddhism usually already have a completely different idea of happiness than many other people.
But what is happiness?
A golden watch? A new house or car? A new love affair?
Hermann Hesse, Chan monks from Korea, Bodhidharma and Buddha, all these great masterminds tell us that happiness or unhappiness does not come to us through circumstances, but is made by "our heart", by our inner being. Nobody can make me happy or sad, only I myself make this feeling, it rises from my ego.
For example, if I am unhappy in love and I look at the moon, I become even sadder. So does the moon make me sadder? No, I do it myself; the unhappiness comes from me.
But when I am happily in love and so look at the moon, I become even happier. So does the moon make me happy? No, I do it myself, the happiness comes from me.
BODHIDHARMA (THE FOUNDER OF CHAN (ZEN) BUDDHISM SAID, "一切唯心造" - "EVERYTHING IS IDEALLY MADE".
So depending on my point of view, things, circumstances or people can affect me emotionally.
So what if I change my point of view, much like Buddha did?
The consequences of every action are already in the action itself.
- George Orwell - British writer - 1903 to 1950
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6 Minuten
108 Prostrations and Buddhism
108 Prostrations - Another Form of Yoga and Meditation
Prostrations" is a sequence of movements that begins with standing in an upright position, then the practitioner slowly goes down on his knees, rests them (on a cushion), stretches his hands forward, the back makes a "cat hump", the palms of the hands turn upward, the head now rests on the floor.
Accompanying this comes from a tape (or "live" from a teacher) a "clap" sound. According to Buddhist tradition, a bamboo stick hollowed out in the middle is used for this purpose, producing a characteristic sound. "Clap" and down, "clap" and up again, 108 times.
Why "108"? The number "108" is considered to have great relevance in Buddhism. It represents the wholeness of existence, for example the distance between the sun and the moon is 108 times the diameter of the sun.
BUDDHIST MALAS (PRAYER CHAINS) HAVE 108 BEADS.
IN SANSKRIT, 108 IS THE "HARSHAD" NUMBER, A "LUCKY CHARM".
IN BUDDHISM, THE NUMBER "108" REPRESENTS THE "108 FEELINGS". THE SIX SENSES (SIGHT, SMELL, TASTE, TOUCH, HEARING AND CONSCIOUSNESS)
TIMES THREE BEAUTIFUL, PAINFUL AND NEUTRAL FEELINGS
TIMES TWO INWARD AND OUTWARD FEELINGS
TIMES THREE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE FEELINGS
SO 36 PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE FEELINGS MAKE THE NUMBER "108", THE "108 FEELINGS".
THE TIBETANS HAVE 108 HOLY BOOKS.
IN ISLAM, THE NUMBER 108 REFERS TO ALLAH.
IN THE BIBLE, MANY IMPORTANT WORDS ARE MENTIONED EXACTLY 108 TIMES.
IN TAOISM, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STYLES HAS 108 POSITIONS.
The "108 prostrations" are a tradition in Buddhist temples in Asia. In some temples in China and Asia, there are even monks who make 1080 or even 3240 prostrations daily.
During the prostrations one "throws oneself down" in front of the Buddha sculptures, one makes oneself small and thus does not take oneself "so important" anymore.
Since it is known that each of us is a Buddha, because we carry the "Buddha-nature" in us, the participants prostrate themselves with it before themselves, and not before the sculptures. These are only a symbol, a metaphor.
The "108 prostrations" also have components beneficial to health, it is also a basic "Qi Gong form".
Blood circulation is stimulated by this exercise, which is very unusual for the human body. Touching" the floor with the head brings more blood to this important part of the human body. When the body is subsequently raised up again, the blood goes back, and when the body is raised down again, the blood goes back to the head, a constant cycle. This stimulates the blood circulation in the upper body more than comparable cardiovascular exercises.
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
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108 Prostrations - Another Form of Yoga and Meditation
Prostrations" is a sequence of movements that begins with standing in an upright position, then the practitioner slowly goes down on his knees, rests them (on a cushion), stretches his hands forward, the back makes a "cat hump", the palms of the hands turn upward, the head now rests on the floor.
Accompanying this comes from a tape (or "live" from a teacher) a "clap" sound. According to Buddhist tradition, a bamboo stick hollowed out in the middle is used for this purpose, producing a characteristic sound. "Clap" and down, "clap" and up again, 108 times.
Why "108"? The number "108" is considered to have great relevance in Buddhism. It represents the wholeness of existence, for example the distance between the sun and the moon is 108 times the diameter of the sun.
BUDDHIST MALAS (PRAYER CHAINS) HAVE 108 BEADS.
IN SANSKRIT, 108 IS THE "HARSHAD" NUMBER, A "LUCKY CHARM".
IN BUDDHISM, THE NUMBER "108" REPRESENTS THE "108 FEELINGS". THE SIX SENSES (SIGHT, SMELL, TASTE, TOUCH, HEARING AND CONSCIOUSNESS)
TIMES THREE BEAUTIFUL, PAINFUL AND NEUTRAL FEELINGS
TIMES TWO INWARD AND OUTWARD FEELINGS
TIMES THREE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE FEELINGS
SO 36 PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE FEELINGS MAKE THE NUMBER "108", THE "108 FEELINGS".
THE TIBETANS HAVE 108 HOLY BOOKS.
IN ISLAM, THE NUMBER 108 REFERS TO ALLAH.
IN THE BIBLE, MANY IMPORTANT WORDS ARE MENTIONED EXACTLY 108 TIMES.
IN TAOISM, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STYLES HAS 108 POSITIONS.
The "108 prostrations" are a tradition in Buddhist temples in Asia. In some temples in China and Asia, there are even monks who make 1080 or even 3240 prostrations daily.
During the prostrations one "throws oneself down" in front of the Buddha sculptures, one makes oneself small and thus does not take oneself "so important" anymore.
Since it is known that each of us is a Buddha, because we carry the "Buddha-nature" in us, the participants prostrate themselves with it before themselves, and not before the sculptures. These are only a symbol, a metaphor.
The "108 prostrations" also have components beneficial to health, it is also a basic "Qi Gong form".
Blood circulation is stimulated by this exercise, which is very unusual for the human body. Touching" the floor with the head brings more blood to this important part of the human body. When the body is subsequently raised up again, the blood goes back, and when the body is raised down again, the blood goes back to the head, a constant cycle. This stimulates the blood circulation in the upper body more than comparable cardiovascular exercises.
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
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5 Minuten
The desire
Who doesn't know it, the desire?
Imagine you really want something. I have an acquaintance who always wants the latest iPhone. As soon as it's presented to him, he's hooked, and as soon as he can, he orders it home.
His desire is satisfied for the time being. By the time the phone arrives at his house, he's no longer asking for it, now he's looking forward to it. After all, he knows he now owns an iPhone, he doesn't have to desire it anymore.
But what about the desire, this feeling? Where does it come from, and what happens when I own the object, where does the desire go?
Desire, after all, has to come about somehow. Why does he want just this phone, and no other?
The simple answer is that the craving was in us before the phone even came on the market (in fact, it always has been), so when it is satisfied, it stays in us, much like a little internal poison dwarf that gnaws at us when the time is right.
This desire remains in us, even if the momentary desire has been satisfied, until the next time when the poison dwarf can make itself felt again.
The poison dwarf is ourselves; our ego wants the new phone and produces the desire.
The ego determines the desire, works in our head, and reports back over and over again.
Our ego turns to the next thought after the desire is satisfied. Until the poison dwarf appears again.
And this poison dwarf can demand something completely different from other persons instead of a telephone, drugs, alcohol or money, power or sex, or whatever.
So we should question where this particular desire is coming from and how far we can tolerate this desire.
THINK ONCE BEFORE YOU GIVE, THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU ACCEPT, AND A THOUSAND TIMES BEFORE YOU DEMAND.
- MARIE VON EBNER-ESCHENBACH - AUSTRIAN WRITER - 1830 TO 1916
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Who doesn't know it, the desire?
Imagine you really want something. I have an acquaintance who always wants the latest iPhone. As soon as it's presented to him, he's hooked, and as soon as he can, he orders it home.
His desire is satisfied for the time being. By the time the phone arrives at his house, he's no longer asking for it, now he's looking forward to it. After all, he knows he now owns an iPhone, he doesn't have to desire it anymore.
But what about the desire, this feeling? Where does it come from, and what happens when I own the object, where does the desire go?
Desire, after all, has to come about somehow. Why does he want just this phone, and no other?
The simple answer is that the craving was in us before the phone even came on the market (in fact, it always has been), so when it is satisfied, it stays in us, much like a little internal poison dwarf that gnaws at us when the time is right.
This desire remains in us, even if the momentary desire has been satisfied, until the next time when the poison dwarf can make itself felt again.
The poison dwarf is ourselves; our ego wants the new phone and produces the desire.
The ego determines the desire, works in our head, and reports back over and over again.
Our ego turns to the next thought after the desire is satisfied. Until the poison dwarf appears again.
And this poison dwarf can demand something completely different from other persons instead of a telephone, drugs, alcohol or money, power or sex, or whatever.
So we should question where this particular desire is coming from and how far we can tolerate this desire.
THINK ONCE BEFORE YOU GIVE, THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU ACCEPT, AND A THOUSAND TIMES BEFORE YOU DEMAND.
- MARIE VON EBNER-ESCHENBACH - AUSTRIAN WRITER - 1830 TO 1916
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
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5 Minuten
Buddhism and Problems
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, TRY TO SOLVE IT. IF YOU CAN'T SOLVE IT, DON'T MAKE IT A PROBLEM.
- BUDDHA -
We all have problems, we think about the problems, our lives are full of problems. What we are looking for are answers and solutions to our problems.
But most of the time we don't find answers because the next "problem" is already occupying our brain.
So what we have to learn is to solve one problem after another. Or as Buddha said, to stop thinking of this problem as a problem when we can't solve it.
But how do you solve a problem, what is the answer to the question that is bothering me so much.
Honestly, the solution to any problem is quite simple, after all, the answer to a question already lies in the question itself.
How we ask ourselves a question, alone in it lies the answer!
For example, the question: "does she love me?" shows that she does not love me as I wish, otherwise this question would not arise.
So - quite simply - the question already contains the answer.
And always one problem at a time. Force yourself to solve one problem and only then take care of the next question. One thing after the other!
The answer is always already in the question.
The solution does not come from outside, but from within.
The answer does not come from Buddha, the answer is already within us.
NO PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED IF WE WAIT IDLY FOR GOD TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
- MARTIN LUTHER KING - AMERICAN BAPTIST PASTOR - 1929 TO 1968
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IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, TRY TO SOLVE IT. IF YOU CAN'T SOLVE IT, DON'T MAKE IT A PROBLEM.
- BUDDHA -
We all have problems, we think about the problems, our lives are full of problems. What we are looking for are answers and solutions to our problems.
But most of the time we don't find answers because the next "problem" is already occupying our brain.
So what we have to learn is to solve one problem after another. Or as Buddha said, to stop thinking of this problem as a problem when we can't solve it.
But how do you solve a problem, what is the answer to the question that is bothering me so much.
Honestly, the solution to any problem is quite simple, after all, the answer to a question already lies in the question itself.
How we ask ourselves a question, alone in it lies the answer!
For example, the question: "does she love me?" shows that she does not love me as I wish, otherwise this question would not arise.
So - quite simply - the question already contains the answer.
And always one problem at a time. Force yourself to solve one problem and only then take care of the next question. One thing after the other!
The answer is always already in the question.
The solution does not come from outside, but from within.
The answer does not come from Buddha, the answer is already within us.
NO PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED IF WE WAIT IDLY FOR GOD TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
- MARTIN LUTHER KING - AMERICAN BAPTIST PASTOR - 1929 TO 1968
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5 Minuten
Is it okay to do yoga if you are a Buddhist?
THE CARPENTER WORKS THE WOOD
THE ARCHER BENDS THE BOW
THE WISE MAN SHAPES HIMSELF
- BUDDHA -
Again and again I hear questions such as, "as a Buddhist, is it allowed to do this or that?"
My answer is always: as a Buddhist you are allowed to do everything!
If you believe in karma, everything is already written anyway.
It is written whether I cause an accident tomorrow, whether a person gets hurt in the process. Everything is written, no matter how we try, our destiny will come to us exactly as it should.
The teachings of Buddha tell us how we should behave in principle, that is undisputed. Am I a bad Buddhist just because I sometimes don't follow them? Or because I try, sincerely try, to be a good person, but sometimes fail at it?
The answer is NO!
Buddha taught not to judge, not to judge. Not even about myself.
In other faiths there are priests who tell followers what to do. My mother always says:
"I THINK THE CONCEPT OF GOD IS GREAT, IT'S JUST HIS PERSONALITY THAT BOTHERS ME".
Buddhism is about striving for "enlightenment", for the very individual form of the highest knowledge. We have to reach this state on our own, a teacher can show us the way, we have to walk it ourselves.
As a Buddhist you have a good inner feeling what you should do, what you are allowed to do, small setbacks in life are part of it, on the journey to enlightenment not everything always goes smoothly.
You should not feel guilty then, just do it better on the next occasion, that's already a lot achieved.
Buddhism is not guilt-ridden, the path to the goal is the journey, and this journey is about appreciating the beauty of the path, not immediately demanding success and perfection. And not hating yourself for making mistakes.
When my body wants to do yoga, that sensation belongs to me, I have to pursue it to feel it, to experience it.
I do yoga almost an hour every day, and I feel infinite happiness doing it.
As I have understood the words of Buddha, there is no "good" and no "bad", no "form" and no "emptiness".
So there is no yoga either!
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Please rate us on Apple, Google or Spotify podcast to help us promote the show
THE CARPENTER WORKS THE WOOD
THE ARCHER BENDS THE BOW
THE WISE MAN SHAPES HIMSELF
- BUDDHA -
Again and again I hear questions such as, "as a Buddhist, is it allowed to do this or that?"
My answer is always: as a Buddhist you are allowed to do everything!
If you believe in karma, everything is already written anyway.
It is written whether I cause an accident tomorrow, whether a person gets hurt in the process. Everything is written, no matter how we try, our destiny will come to us exactly as it should.
The teachings of Buddha tell us how we should behave in principle, that is undisputed. Am I a bad Buddhist just because I sometimes don't follow them? Or because I try, sincerely try, to be a good person, but sometimes fail at it?
The answer is NO!
Buddha taught not to judge, not to judge. Not even about myself.
In other faiths there are priests who tell followers what to do. My mother always says:
"I THINK THE CONCEPT OF GOD IS GREAT, IT'S JUST HIS PERSONALITY THAT BOTHERS ME".
Buddhism is about striving for "enlightenment", for the very individual form of the highest knowledge. We have to reach this state on our own, a teacher can show us the way, we have to walk it ourselves.
As a Buddhist you have a good inner feeling what you should do, what you are allowed to do, small setbacks in life are part of it, on the journey to enlightenment not everything always goes smoothly.
You should not feel guilty then, just do it better on the next occasion, that's already a lot achieved.
Buddhism is not guilt-ridden, the path to the goal is the journey, and this journey is about appreciating the beauty of the path, not immediately demanding success and perfection. And not hating yourself for making mistakes.
When my body wants to do yoga, that sensation belongs to me, I have to pursue it to feel it, to experience it.
I do yoga almost an hour every day, and I feel infinite happiness doing it.
As I have understood the words of Buddha, there is no "good" and no "bad", no "form" and no "emptiness".
So there is no yoga either!
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Please rate us on Apple, Google or Spotify podcast to help us promote the show
7 Minuten
Buddhism and the climate wave
Do what you want, but not because you have to - Buddha -
A new wave is sweeping over the world, the climate wave.
Driven by missionary zeal, new thought prohibitions are coming into fashion. Masterminds of this movement are the so-called "green" parties, with the infallible Gretel as a bandwagon.
More and more extremist views of persons, who are unrestrictedly convinced of their position, want to force their opinion on other people, to control the climate topic via deadly arguments in all areas of life.
The "climate consensus" in science is named a sacred cow. The last consensus in science that I know of was that the earth was a disc. Since then, I don't think science has agreed on anything.
Often I am asked what I think about this whole thing.
Generally, this earth and our environment are to be protected without reservation.
But it can neither be that there are "prohibitions of thinking", nor that one side proclaims here for itself that its opinion is the only correct one, and therefore the other side must be silent.
The noble eightfold path of the Buddha has its guiding principles:
Right knowledge,
Right mind, or right resolve,
Right speech,
Right action and conduct.
But what is right cognition, what is right resolve, what is right speech and right conduct?
The problem of environmental pollution is well known, rivers pollute, animals die, and people suffer. To recognize this is not difficult.
But is climate change, man-made? That is nevertheless probably a little highly seized. Do we humans have the power to change this earth in such a sustainable way that even the climate changes?
I don't think so.
I am soon 60 years on this world, and there have always been hot summers and cold winters. About 40 years ago (on 8. 8. 1975), the Bild newspaper ran the following front-page story: "40 degrees heat - Now the weather is becoming life-threatening".
METEOROLOGISTS ARE PEOPLE WHO KNOW A LOT ABOUT GEOPHYSICS, THERMODYNAMICS, AND CLIMATOLOGY AND ALMOST NOTHING ABOUT TOMORROW'S WEATHER.
- RON KRITZFELD - GERMAN APHORIST - B. 1921
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Please rate us on Apple, Google or Spotify podcast to help us promote the show
Do what you want, but not because you have to - Buddha -
A new wave is sweeping over the world, the climate wave.
Driven by missionary zeal, new thought prohibitions are coming into fashion. Masterminds of this movement are the so-called "green" parties, with the infallible Gretel as a bandwagon.
More and more extremist views of persons, who are unrestrictedly convinced of their position, want to force their opinion on other people, to control the climate topic via deadly arguments in all areas of life.
The "climate consensus" in science is named a sacred cow. The last consensus in science that I know of was that the earth was a disc. Since then, I don't think science has agreed on anything.
Often I am asked what I think about this whole thing.
Generally, this earth and our environment are to be protected without reservation.
But it can neither be that there are "prohibitions of thinking", nor that one side proclaims here for itself that its opinion is the only correct one, and therefore the other side must be silent.
The noble eightfold path of the Buddha has its guiding principles:
Right knowledge,
Right mind, or right resolve,
Right speech,
Right action and conduct.
But what is right cognition, what is right resolve, what is right speech and right conduct?
The problem of environmental pollution is well known, rivers pollute, animals die, and people suffer. To recognize this is not difficult.
But is climate change, man-made? That is nevertheless probably a little highly seized. Do we humans have the power to change this earth in such a sustainable way that even the climate changes?
I don't think so.
I am soon 60 years on this world, and there have always been hot summers and cold winters. About 40 years ago (on 8. 8. 1975), the Bild newspaper ran the following front-page story: "40 degrees heat - Now the weather is becoming life-threatening".
METEOROLOGISTS ARE PEOPLE WHO KNOW A LOT ABOUT GEOPHYSICS, THERMODYNAMICS, AND CLIMATOLOGY AND ALMOST NOTHING ABOUT TOMORROW'S WEATHER.
- RON KRITZFELD - GERMAN APHORIST - B. 1921
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Please rate us on Apple, Google or Spotify podcast to help us promote the show
8 Minuten
What makes Chan Buddhism?
Chan was founded by the Indian monk Bodhidharma (short: Damo) about 500 AD in the Song Shan Shaolin Temple. Chan became known in the West under the Japanese term Zen.
The meditating Buddha as a statue or effigy is today often equated with Chan. Damo's philosophy was based on the teachings of Buddha. Damo also rejected the worship of statues and images established after the Buddha's passing.
According to Damo, the central element of the teaching of the historical Buddha is the enlightenment to be sought, which is to be achieved through meditation and reflection. Damo rejected the study of scriptures of any kind.
According to him, the transmission of Buddhism should take place exclusively "personally" (today called "Dharma talk"). In this process, a master does not instruct his disciples on the content of scriptures, but directly guides the followers in conversations by repeating the core statements (mainly "enlightenment").
According to Damo, an important element in this process is meditation, in which the students immerse themselves in a form of "spiritual emptiness" in order to make room for the "true teachings" of Buddha.
However, meditation (even more so in the lotus position) is more than difficult for the average European, since in the West the tradition of eating, drinking or conversing cross-legged on the floor does not exist. Just to hold the cross-legged position calmly and relaxed, "Westerners" usually need years of practice, while Asians are used to this sitting position from early youth. So to find enlightenment, Europeans would first have to learn "sitting" over a long time, and then practice meditation for more years.
According to Damo, the goal should be the unity of the mind with the "Buddha nature", which can only be achieved in existence. According to this view, every human being is a Buddha, only that the realization has been "buried" and must first be rediscovered.
From the Chan culture of Damo two different schools developed, the northern and the southern view. The southern doctrine prevailed, which understands enlightenment as an "event coming towards one", while the northern one was mainly based on meditation.
Probably the most important representative of the "Chan doctrine" was Hui Neng, a successor of Damo.
If you look at the life story of Buddha, you start to wonder.
The Indian prince left his palace to find the "meaning of life". In the process, he met several important masters who shaped his views and gave him a certain direction.
For many years, however, Buddha meditated without experiencing enlightenment. Half-starved and in a kind of trance state for months, he had actually already given up on his goal when a woman handed him a bowl of rice soup.
YOU AND I - WE ARE ONE. I CAN'T HURT YOU WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF
- MAHATMA GANDHI - INDIAN LAWYER - 1869 TO 1948
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Chan was founded by the Indian monk Bodhidharma (short: Damo) about 500 AD in the Song Shan Shaolin Temple. Chan became known in the West under the Japanese term Zen.
The meditating Buddha as a statue or effigy is today often equated with Chan. Damo's philosophy was based on the teachings of Buddha. Damo also rejected the worship of statues and images established after the Buddha's passing.
According to Damo, the central element of the teaching of the historical Buddha is the enlightenment to be sought, which is to be achieved through meditation and reflection. Damo rejected the study of scriptures of any kind.
According to him, the transmission of Buddhism should take place exclusively "personally" (today called "Dharma talk"). In this process, a master does not instruct his disciples on the content of scriptures, but directly guides the followers in conversations by repeating the core statements (mainly "enlightenment").
According to Damo, an important element in this process is meditation, in which the students immerse themselves in a form of "spiritual emptiness" in order to make room for the "true teachings" of Buddha.
However, meditation (even more so in the lotus position) is more than difficult for the average European, since in the West the tradition of eating, drinking or conversing cross-legged on the floor does not exist. Just to hold the cross-legged position calmly and relaxed, "Westerners" usually need years of practice, while Asians are used to this sitting position from early youth. So to find enlightenment, Europeans would first have to learn "sitting" over a long time, and then practice meditation for more years.
According to Damo, the goal should be the unity of the mind with the "Buddha nature", which can only be achieved in existence. According to this view, every human being is a Buddha, only that the realization has been "buried" and must first be rediscovered.
From the Chan culture of Damo two different schools developed, the northern and the southern view. The southern doctrine prevailed, which understands enlightenment as an "event coming towards one", while the northern one was mainly based on meditation.
Probably the most important representative of the "Chan doctrine" was Hui Neng, a successor of Damo.
If you look at the life story of Buddha, you start to wonder.
The Indian prince left his palace to find the "meaning of life". In the process, he met several important masters who shaped his views and gave him a certain direction.
For many years, however, Buddha meditated without experiencing enlightenment. Half-starved and in a kind of trance state for months, he had actually already given up on his goal when a woman handed him a bowl of rice soup.
YOU AND I - WE ARE ONE. I CAN'T HURT YOU WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF
- MAHATMA GANDHI - INDIAN LAWYER - 1869 TO 1948
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