Buddhism in daily life - Mindfulness in every day tasks Archiv
364 Episoden
5 Minuten
Buddhism and the right tempo
Every person has his or her own pace, his or her typical energy level. In the modern world, people are rushing through their lives, stressed and under pressure.
I, for example, always have a fast pace, often have a lot to do, rush from appointment to appointment, and am always on the go in my private life.
Lately, however, I've been noticing a slight pain in my left hip (when walking fast), which got me thinking about my pace and energy level. After all, in a previous blog post I had written about the "walking meditation" that keeps me busy. In short, I looked at my energy level and decided to slow down for once, to process things more carefully, more accurately, and pay particular attention to walking more slowly.
From a Buddhist point of view, my life is locked into my "karma" anyway, the things that are supposed to happen to me will come exactly as they must, so why rush.
And anyway, the hurry serves in principle only the fulfillment of my desires and needs, according to the teaching of the Buddha only a "desire and needless man" is also happy.
What has the haste and the sense of duty of the last years actually brought me? Can I still remember it?
Now I do the exact opposite. And I have a lot of joy doing it.
Often I find myself wanting to "storm off", then the slight pain reminds me of my energy level and I switch back.
I would like to recommend every reader to take a closer look at their own energy level and to question their own motives. And above all, does the pace serve to satisfy your ego?
Do I walk slowly or quickly? Do I eat hastily or at my leisure? Do I leave enough time for my loved ones? What energy level suits me. Can I play with the energy?
In any case, you should then put this energy level in relation to your wants and needs.
The right pace is an important building block for the journey to "awakening", to "enlightenment".
A great journey always begins with a small step, the question now is at what pace!
MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT KIND OF PACE THEY COULD HAVE, IF ONLY THEY WOULD RUB THE SLEEP OUT OF THEIR EYES FOR ONCE
- CHRISTIAN MORGENSTERN - GERMAN POET - 1871 TO 1914
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
Every person has his or her own pace, his or her typical energy level. In the modern world, people are rushing through their lives, stressed and under pressure.
I, for example, always have a fast pace, often have a lot to do, rush from appointment to appointment, and am always on the go in my private life.
Lately, however, I've been noticing a slight pain in my left hip (when walking fast), which got me thinking about my pace and energy level. After all, in a previous blog post I had written about the "walking meditation" that keeps me busy. In short, I looked at my energy level and decided to slow down for once, to process things more carefully, more accurately, and pay particular attention to walking more slowly.
From a Buddhist point of view, my life is locked into my "karma" anyway, the things that are supposed to happen to me will come exactly as they must, so why rush.
And anyway, the hurry serves in principle only the fulfillment of my desires and needs, according to the teaching of the Buddha only a "desire and needless man" is also happy.
What has the haste and the sense of duty of the last years actually brought me? Can I still remember it?
Now I do the exact opposite. And I have a lot of joy doing it.
Often I find myself wanting to "storm off", then the slight pain reminds me of my energy level and I switch back.
I would like to recommend every reader to take a closer look at their own energy level and to question their own motives. And above all, does the pace serve to satisfy your ego?
Do I walk slowly or quickly? Do I eat hastily or at my leisure? Do I leave enough time for my loved ones? What energy level suits me. Can I play with the energy?
In any case, you should then put this energy level in relation to your wants and needs.
The right pace is an important building block for the journey to "awakening", to "enlightenment".
A great journey always begins with a small step, the question now is at what pace!
MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT KIND OF PACE THEY COULD HAVE, IF ONLY THEY WOULD RUB THE SLEEP OUT OF THEIR EYES FOR ONCE
- CHRISTIAN MORGENSTERN - GERMAN POET - 1871 TO 1914
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
6 Minuten
Excuses and Buddhist Answers
Every human being has "talked himself out of it" at one time or another. The boundary between an excuse and a lie is fluid, the more often one uses "white lies" the more fluently they roll off the tongue.
If something is important to us, we will find a way to realize it, to stay on it, we become creative, develop strength and think about how it could be done. If something is not important to us, our ego creates excuses, evasions and lies.
Do we want to be lied to ourselves? NO, nobody wants to be deceived.
But when it suits ourselves, the "talking ourselves out of it" always works very well.
Christianity says: "Do not do to others what you do not want done to you".
With the excuses and the lies it is so that everything is good, as long as the thing does not attract attention, however, if then the number is "blown", the big misery begins.
Personally, I try not to lie, and have often spoiled a lot for myself by doing so. Could it be that some people would rather be lied to than know the truth?
YES
Confronting the truth yourself can be incredibly problematic, painful and unfamiliar for many, preferring to keep up appearances, pretending everything is fine, living in a dream.
The world is as it is, who accepts it, comes (from my point of view) simply better through the time, has less ballast, can be more liberated and act more carefree.
But that requires HONESTY, being honest with others, but mainly with yourself.
Excuses are lies, little lies, but lied is lied, there is no such thing as a little pregnant!
Start being honest, answer better, not when you are angry, do not promise anything when you are happy. And don't decide anything when you are sad! Usually nothing good comes out of it.
The noble Buddha shows us his way, we have to walk it ourselves!
Prudence requires time and effort, but above all honesty.
- Plato - Greek philosopher - 427 to 347 before the year zero
I have not noticed that the honesty of people increases with their wealth
- Thomas Jefferson - Third American president - 1743 to 1826
Honesty and openness make you vulnerable, be honest and open anyway
- Mother Teresa - Catholic Blessed, Religious Sister and Missionary - 1910 to 1997
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
Every human being has "talked himself out of it" at one time or another. The boundary between an excuse and a lie is fluid, the more often one uses "white lies" the more fluently they roll off the tongue.
If something is important to us, we will find a way to realize it, to stay on it, we become creative, develop strength and think about how it could be done. If something is not important to us, our ego creates excuses, evasions and lies.
Do we want to be lied to ourselves? NO, nobody wants to be deceived.
But when it suits ourselves, the "talking ourselves out of it" always works very well.
Christianity says: "Do not do to others what you do not want done to you".
With the excuses and the lies it is so that everything is good, as long as the thing does not attract attention, however, if then the number is "blown", the big misery begins.
Personally, I try not to lie, and have often spoiled a lot for myself by doing so. Could it be that some people would rather be lied to than know the truth?
YES
Confronting the truth yourself can be incredibly problematic, painful and unfamiliar for many, preferring to keep up appearances, pretending everything is fine, living in a dream.
The world is as it is, who accepts it, comes (from my point of view) simply better through the time, has less ballast, can be more liberated and act more carefree.
But that requires HONESTY, being honest with others, but mainly with yourself.
Excuses are lies, little lies, but lied is lied, there is no such thing as a little pregnant!
Start being honest, answer better, not when you are angry, do not promise anything when you are happy. And don't decide anything when you are sad! Usually nothing good comes out of it.
The noble Buddha shows us his way, we have to walk it ourselves!
Prudence requires time and effort, but above all honesty.
- Plato - Greek philosopher - 427 to 347 before the year zero
I have not noticed that the honesty of people increases with their wealth
- Thomas Jefferson - Third American president - 1743 to 1826
Honesty and openness make you vulnerable, be honest and open anyway
- Mother Teresa - Catholic Blessed, Religious Sister and Missionary - 1910 to 1997
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
What does a master give me?
The question arises: "What advantage does a Chan master bring me, what can he give me"?
The central theme of Buddhism is "enlightenment", the teaching of the teacher of all teachers is about "awakening". Certainly Buddha said and did many wise things, but what made him really special and unique was the (re)discovery of "enlightenment".
Nowadays, when we strive for "enlightenment", the very approach turns out to be very difficult. Buddha did not leave his teachings in writing, all Buddhist texts were written down long after his death. Over the centuries, various interpretations were added, the views and customs of the respective countries were taken into account, and the views changed over the centuries. Important teachers shaped Buddhism by their personal views, over the centuries the philosophy of Buddha was changed more and more, thereby the core of Buddha's teaching (awakening) receded further and further into the background.
If we look at his main statement isolated, we could summarize: "Life is suffering, the way out is "enlightenment", every person can awaken, the "enlightenment" is already within us"!
In modern life many people find it very difficult to follow the path of Buddha, much has changed in the world since the days of the holy man. Hectic, fast pace, technology, constraints, many things have developed since then, only the problems and worries have remained for people, but just in completely new packaging. The struggle for life has changed, life itself has remained almost unchanged over time. The questions: does he love me, is she cheating on me, will we get through the time, will I stay healthy? These issues have remained the same, only the environment has totally changed.
Those who begin the journey to "awakening" today do not have it easy. Just to struggle through the various Buddhist teachings takes a lot of time and patience. But a Chan master can help other people in their "awakening" by talking again and again about the core of the teachings, by leading people back to their self, by revealing their inner self, by taking away what is alien to them, what is useless and empty covering their being, and also by making it difficult for them to see their own "I".
A teacher leads gently through the Buddhist philosophy, he makes people think, shows solutions, develops the personality of the students, helps them to wisdom, to see through. He conveys love, kindness and values, he shows the way, but you have to walk it yourself.
Through a teacher one has no real advantages, he brings us nothing that we could not do and make ourselves. He can not make the journey for others, but he can help, comparable to a tour guide on a package tour, nothing that you could not do without him, he is not really important, his contribution is small.
And that is exactly why he is so important!
Three things make a good master: Knowledge, skill and will.
If we meet Buddha for a short, tiny moment at the end of the journey, then we don't need him as a guide anymore either!
Learning and not thinking is useless.
Thinking and not learning is useless.
- Confucius - Kong Fuzi (Chinese 孔夫子) - Chinese philosopher - 551 BC to 479 BC.
To think in one's own way is not selfish. He who does not think in his own way does not think at all
- Oscar Wilde - Irish writer - 1854 to 1900
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
The question arises: "What advantage does a Chan master bring me, what can he give me"?
The central theme of Buddhism is "enlightenment", the teaching of the teacher of all teachers is about "awakening". Certainly Buddha said and did many wise things, but what made him really special and unique was the (re)discovery of "enlightenment".
Nowadays, when we strive for "enlightenment", the very approach turns out to be very difficult. Buddha did not leave his teachings in writing, all Buddhist texts were written down long after his death. Over the centuries, various interpretations were added, the views and customs of the respective countries were taken into account, and the views changed over the centuries. Important teachers shaped Buddhism by their personal views, over the centuries the philosophy of Buddha was changed more and more, thereby the core of Buddha's teaching (awakening) receded further and further into the background.
If we look at his main statement isolated, we could summarize: "Life is suffering, the way out is "enlightenment", every person can awaken, the "enlightenment" is already within us"!
In modern life many people find it very difficult to follow the path of Buddha, much has changed in the world since the days of the holy man. Hectic, fast pace, technology, constraints, many things have developed since then, only the problems and worries have remained for people, but just in completely new packaging. The struggle for life has changed, life itself has remained almost unchanged over time. The questions: does he love me, is she cheating on me, will we get through the time, will I stay healthy? These issues have remained the same, only the environment has totally changed.
Those who begin the journey to "awakening" today do not have it easy. Just to struggle through the various Buddhist teachings takes a lot of time and patience. But a Chan master can help other people in their "awakening" by talking again and again about the core of the teachings, by leading people back to their self, by revealing their inner self, by taking away what is alien to them, what is useless and empty covering their being, and also by making it difficult for them to see their own "I".
A teacher leads gently through the Buddhist philosophy, he makes people think, shows solutions, develops the personality of the students, helps them to wisdom, to see through. He conveys love, kindness and values, he shows the way, but you have to walk it yourself.
Through a teacher one has no real advantages, he brings us nothing that we could not do and make ourselves. He can not make the journey for others, but he can help, comparable to a tour guide on a package tour, nothing that you could not do without him, he is not really important, his contribution is small.
And that is exactly why he is so important!
Three things make a good master: Knowledge, skill and will.
If we meet Buddha for a short, tiny moment at the end of the journey, then we don't need him as a guide anymore either!
Learning and not thinking is useless.
Thinking and not learning is useless.
- Confucius - Kong Fuzi (Chinese 孔夫子) - Chinese philosopher - 551 BC to 479 BC.
To think in one's own way is not selfish. He who does not think in his own way does not think at all
- Oscar Wilde - Irish writer - 1854 to 1900
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
6 Minuten
Nothing is mine
WITH WORRIES THE GATE SPEAKS: "MY MONEY AND MY CHILDREN!"
"HIS" IS NOT EVEN HIMSELF, BUT CHILD AND MONEY EVEN LESS.
- BUDDHA-
Nothing belongs to us, even the dirt under our nails is not ours. We will perish, crumble into shreds, our bones will turn to dust, coming from nothingness, the journey for our body will go back to the lack of content, to emptiness.
And then we say: "My son, my daughter, my money, my house, my car, mine, mine, mine"!
Nothing is mine!
And nothing is yours either! We can use things, share our time with people, walk part of the way together, make friends, have a partner, father children, keep animals, but they are not ours.
The sooner we understand this, the quicker we can turn to the deeper understanding of our own self, take care of our badly neglected self.
Does the idea frighten you, do you fear the end of your existence, the all-encompassing aloneness, the infinity of the universe?
If your answer is a "yes", a spiritual approach to your own self can be an important step towards the awakening described by the historical Buddha as the salvation of all suffering. Enlightenment as a way out of the cycle of all being.
Are you interested in the Buddha's teachings?
The concept of awakening seems unusual to us at first, but can the answer to our questions be so simple? Yes, it is even much simpler. The journey towards "enlightenment" starts with a decision, with the decision to get involved in this thing, to try it.
And honestly, what do you have to lose? If you don't like the journey, you can always turn back, decide anew each day. Buddhism is not a faith, it is a philosophy, Buddha was not a god and did not want to be worshipped. You don't have to make a profession of faith to become a Buddhist, you have to deal with a worldview, contemplate the teachings of Buddha.
Think about it, nothing belongs to us, everything is transient.
Just the journey to "enlightenment" can be incredibly satisfying, provide deep peace, make life significantly easier.
It would be worth a try, don't you think?
Property is theft
- Pierre Joseph Proudhon - French Economist and Sociologist - 1809 to 1865
Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana
- Bill Gates - US entrepreneur, programmer and patron of the arts - born 1955
The appearance of property is an effect of the institution of the state
- Thomas Hobbes - English mathematician, state theorist and philosopher – 1588
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
WITH WORRIES THE GATE SPEAKS: "MY MONEY AND MY CHILDREN!"
"HIS" IS NOT EVEN HIMSELF, BUT CHILD AND MONEY EVEN LESS.
- BUDDHA-
Nothing belongs to us, even the dirt under our nails is not ours. We will perish, crumble into shreds, our bones will turn to dust, coming from nothingness, the journey for our body will go back to the lack of content, to emptiness.
And then we say: "My son, my daughter, my money, my house, my car, mine, mine, mine"!
Nothing is mine!
And nothing is yours either! We can use things, share our time with people, walk part of the way together, make friends, have a partner, father children, keep animals, but they are not ours.
The sooner we understand this, the quicker we can turn to the deeper understanding of our own self, take care of our badly neglected self.
Does the idea frighten you, do you fear the end of your existence, the all-encompassing aloneness, the infinity of the universe?
If your answer is a "yes", a spiritual approach to your own self can be an important step towards the awakening described by the historical Buddha as the salvation of all suffering. Enlightenment as a way out of the cycle of all being.
Are you interested in the Buddha's teachings?
The concept of awakening seems unusual to us at first, but can the answer to our questions be so simple? Yes, it is even much simpler. The journey towards "enlightenment" starts with a decision, with the decision to get involved in this thing, to try it.
And honestly, what do you have to lose? If you don't like the journey, you can always turn back, decide anew each day. Buddhism is not a faith, it is a philosophy, Buddha was not a god and did not want to be worshipped. You don't have to make a profession of faith to become a Buddhist, you have to deal with a worldview, contemplate the teachings of Buddha.
Think about it, nothing belongs to us, everything is transient.
Just the journey to "enlightenment" can be incredibly satisfying, provide deep peace, make life significantly easier.
It would be worth a try, don't you think?
Property is theft
- Pierre Joseph Proudhon - French Economist and Sociologist - 1809 to 1865
Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana
- Bill Gates - US entrepreneur, programmer and patron of the arts - born 1955
The appearance of property is an effect of the institution of the state
- Thomas Hobbes - English mathematician, state theorist and philosopher – 1588
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
6 Minuten
The wise ruler
In a beautiful land once ruled a king, but on his territory the people were poor, the harvests were changeable, the soil difficult to cultivate. The subjects feared the king and because of the many famines they were dissatisfied and disappointed, they blamed their ruler for their predicament.
Now the ruler truly could not change anything about the circumstances, he tried his best, but his possibilities were limited.
On a particularly beautiful day, the ruler called his subjects together in the main square; he had news to announce. With grumbling the inhabitants of his capital gathered, full of fear and curiosity they waited closely for the appearance of their regent.
What will come, what is so important to call a meeting?
The worries of the waiting people increased, the clamor of voices reached its peak when finally the monarch appeared in front of his palace. The king greeted the waiting crowd politely and with great kindness, the people's worries quickly diminished, the people hung spellbound on his lips.
My son shall not grow up as a prince, the king said, he shall get to know the life of the people normally, like any other child of my people in my country, without privileges, without status. Only then will he become a good king, only then will he truly understand his subjects. So I gave my son to a family some time ago, his new parents do not know who he is, I exchanged the child of a simple family with my son, the other child is now growing up here in the palace.
But I instruct you to take good care of my son, no harm shall come to him, if something happens to him I will call you all to account!
Then the ruler said goodbye and went back to his palace. The crowd remained perplexed, and after a while they all went their separate ways.
But in the minds of the subjects what they had heard remained ever present, no one forgot the words of the monarch. And they began to treat all the children in the city and in the country very well, after all, every child could be the king's child.
Time passed, year after year passed, the children grew up, had children of their own, still no one knew who the prince was.
Through the love and new cohesion of the community among themselves, the city and the country developed splendidly, the territory of the ruler developed rapidly, there were many
Schools, libraries and hospitals were built, and children's voices were also heard more than in other countries; a child's opinion now carried great weight in this country.
People were content and happy, achieved a certain prosperity, the country was unrecognizable.
And why?
Because everybody treated everybody like a king.
WHAT YOU TELL ME, I FORGET. WHAT YOU SHOW ME, I REMEMBER. WHAT YOU MAKE ME DO, I UNDERSTAND.
- CONFUCIUS - KONG FUZI (CHINESE 孔夫子) - CHINESE PHILOSOPHER - 551 B.C. CHR. UNTIL 479V. CHR.
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
In a beautiful land once ruled a king, but on his territory the people were poor, the harvests were changeable, the soil difficult to cultivate. The subjects feared the king and because of the many famines they were dissatisfied and disappointed, they blamed their ruler for their predicament.
Now the ruler truly could not change anything about the circumstances, he tried his best, but his possibilities were limited.
On a particularly beautiful day, the ruler called his subjects together in the main square; he had news to announce. With grumbling the inhabitants of his capital gathered, full of fear and curiosity they waited closely for the appearance of their regent.
What will come, what is so important to call a meeting?
The worries of the waiting people increased, the clamor of voices reached its peak when finally the monarch appeared in front of his palace. The king greeted the waiting crowd politely and with great kindness, the people's worries quickly diminished, the people hung spellbound on his lips.
My son shall not grow up as a prince, the king said, he shall get to know the life of the people normally, like any other child of my people in my country, without privileges, without status. Only then will he become a good king, only then will he truly understand his subjects. So I gave my son to a family some time ago, his new parents do not know who he is, I exchanged the child of a simple family with my son, the other child is now growing up here in the palace.
But I instruct you to take good care of my son, no harm shall come to him, if something happens to him I will call you all to account!
Then the ruler said goodbye and went back to his palace. The crowd remained perplexed, and after a while they all went their separate ways.
But in the minds of the subjects what they had heard remained ever present, no one forgot the words of the monarch. And they began to treat all the children in the city and in the country very well, after all, every child could be the king's child.
Time passed, year after year passed, the children grew up, had children of their own, still no one knew who the prince was.
Through the love and new cohesion of the community among themselves, the city and the country developed splendidly, the territory of the ruler developed rapidly, there were many
Schools, libraries and hospitals were built, and children's voices were also heard more than in other countries; a child's opinion now carried great weight in this country.
People were content and happy, achieved a certain prosperity, the country was unrecognizable.
And why?
Because everybody treated everybody like a king.
WHAT YOU TELL ME, I FORGET. WHAT YOU SHOW ME, I REMEMBER. WHAT YOU MAKE ME DO, I UNDERSTAND.
- CONFUCIUS - KONG FUZI (CHINESE 孔夫子) - CHINESE PHILOSOPHER - 551 B.C. CHR. UNTIL 479V. CHR.
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
6 Minuten
The next king
In a distant land lived a king who had several sons. He was getting on in years, it was time to settle his affairs.
However, it was not yet clear to him which of his sons should succeed him, which would be the right, future king.
So he decided to test his sons and give them a task; the one who would solve the problem in the best way would become his successor.
In the morning, the king gave each of his sons 10 coins, with the task of filling the great hall of the palace with them in the evening.
The eldest son ran and saw the discarded remains of the stalls lying in the market, a large pile of waste, withered vegetables, garbage, all together usually taken in the evening by the farmers as fertilizer for their fields. He talked to the market women and bought the waste from them, he generously spent all 10 coins for it. He had the "garbage" taken to the palace, the "dirt" completely filled the great king's hall. Proudly he went to his father and he presented himself in the best light. The king had the hall cleared again and waited for the evening.
The second son passed an inn, he went in and ordered himself a drink. He overlooked the time, became intoxicated with alcohol, thought to himself that he would take care of everything later, after all, he was the most worthy prince, surely circumstances would arise appropriately. In the evening he was completely drunk, he fell asleep on the floor of the inn.
The third son came to the hall in the evening, placed a large, handmade and beautiful candle in it, lit it, the large room shone as if enchanted by the wonderful source of light. The candle had cost only one coin, the other 9 coins he put next to it.
The king came into the hall, immediately it was clear to him what his third son wanted to prove with it. He said: "you will be my successor, you will be a great king, you have filled the hall with wisdom, an achievement worthy of the future king"!
A few months later the old king abdicated, the successor became a very wise and popular ruler!
Most problems arise when they are solved
- Leonardo da Vinci - Italian painter - 1452 to 1519
Curiosity is always in the first place of a problem that wants to be solved
- Galileo Galilei - Italian polymath - 1564 to 1641
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
In a distant land lived a king who had several sons. He was getting on in years, it was time to settle his affairs.
However, it was not yet clear to him which of his sons should succeed him, which would be the right, future king.
So he decided to test his sons and give them a task; the one who would solve the problem in the best way would become his successor.
In the morning, the king gave each of his sons 10 coins, with the task of filling the great hall of the palace with them in the evening.
The eldest son ran and saw the discarded remains of the stalls lying in the market, a large pile of waste, withered vegetables, garbage, all together usually taken in the evening by the farmers as fertilizer for their fields. He talked to the market women and bought the waste from them, he generously spent all 10 coins for it. He had the "garbage" taken to the palace, the "dirt" completely filled the great king's hall. Proudly he went to his father and he presented himself in the best light. The king had the hall cleared again and waited for the evening.
The second son passed an inn, he went in and ordered himself a drink. He overlooked the time, became intoxicated with alcohol, thought to himself that he would take care of everything later, after all, he was the most worthy prince, surely circumstances would arise appropriately. In the evening he was completely drunk, he fell asleep on the floor of the inn.
The third son came to the hall in the evening, placed a large, handmade and beautiful candle in it, lit it, the large room shone as if enchanted by the wonderful source of light. The candle had cost only one coin, the other 9 coins he put next to it.
The king came into the hall, immediately it was clear to him what his third son wanted to prove with it. He said: "you will be my successor, you will be a great king, you have filled the hall with wisdom, an achievement worthy of the future king"!
A few months later the old king abdicated, the successor became a very wise and popular ruler!
Most problems arise when they are solved
- Leonardo da Vinci - Italian painter - 1452 to 1519
Curiosity is always in the first place of a problem that wants to be solved
- Galileo Galilei - Italian polymath - 1564 to 1641
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
6 Minuten
Diseases
Throughout history, so many diseases have afflicted mankind, from the plague to cancer, we have always been at the mercy of various afflictions.
So it is now, a virus has captivated the world, we worry about our future.
We know well about the deadly consequences of pathogens (such as the plague), the impact of disease on the economy of the time, and on the cultural aspects of that time, are largely unknown to us. Now we are confronted with such consequences and effects of a disease itself, on a broad front the economy collapses, people lose their jobs, companies go bankrupt, the damages are not even foreseeable today; how many people will suffer from the now coming problems is absolutely unclear. I have read that the suicide rate has increased dramatically due to the consequences of the current crisis.
How do we get out of this mess, what helps each one of us in this difficult situation?
According to the historical Buddha, we should try to solve every problem. If we cannot solve it, then we should not consider it a problem.
We can do little or nothing about the present situation; it will come as it must.
What we can change is how we deal with our situation!
I maintain:
According to Buddha the destiny is already written, therefore no GUILT meets the individual human being.
In the calmness lies the strength. We can change NOTHING, so we do not need to worry and think, it will come anyway as it must come!
A Buddha statue stands today almost in every house, we all (or at least many of us) are attracted by the peaceful appearance of the historical teacher. But little do most of us know about his teachings. TODAY is a good day to incorporate the Buddha's statements into our lives. The core message of Buddha was that in every human being lies the potential to experience "enlightenment".
At the beginning of the Buddhist journey to "enlightenment" there is always one question: "who am I"?
This leads to other issues, such as "where do I come from", and "where will I go"?
This (admittedly difficult) time offers itself formally to "think" about the really essential questions of the own "I".
Through the words and example of Buddha we can experience "comfort and confidence".
There will also be a time after the crisis. Here the question is: how will you develop, will you face the difficult questions about your own "I"?
Buddhism is not a religion, it is a philosophy of life!
Do not compare your life with that of others. There is no comparison between the sun and the moon. Both shine, but when it is their time.
- Buddha - Worldly Name: Siddhartha Gautama
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
Throughout history, so many diseases have afflicted mankind, from the plague to cancer, we have always been at the mercy of various afflictions.
So it is now, a virus has captivated the world, we worry about our future.
We know well about the deadly consequences of pathogens (such as the plague), the impact of disease on the economy of the time, and on the cultural aspects of that time, are largely unknown to us. Now we are confronted with such consequences and effects of a disease itself, on a broad front the economy collapses, people lose their jobs, companies go bankrupt, the damages are not even foreseeable today; how many people will suffer from the now coming problems is absolutely unclear. I have read that the suicide rate has increased dramatically due to the consequences of the current crisis.
How do we get out of this mess, what helps each one of us in this difficult situation?
According to the historical Buddha, we should try to solve every problem. If we cannot solve it, then we should not consider it a problem.
We can do little or nothing about the present situation; it will come as it must.
What we can change is how we deal with our situation!
I maintain:
According to Buddha the destiny is already written, therefore no GUILT meets the individual human being.
In the calmness lies the strength. We can change NOTHING, so we do not need to worry and think, it will come anyway as it must come!
A Buddha statue stands today almost in every house, we all (or at least many of us) are attracted by the peaceful appearance of the historical teacher. But little do most of us know about his teachings. TODAY is a good day to incorporate the Buddha's statements into our lives. The core message of Buddha was that in every human being lies the potential to experience "enlightenment".
At the beginning of the Buddhist journey to "enlightenment" there is always one question: "who am I"?
This leads to other issues, such as "where do I come from", and "where will I go"?
This (admittedly difficult) time offers itself formally to "think" about the really essential questions of the own "I".
Through the words and example of Buddha we can experience "comfort and confidence".
There will also be a time after the crisis. Here the question is: how will you develop, will you face the difficult questions about your own "I"?
Buddhism is not a religion, it is a philosophy of life!
Do not compare your life with that of others. There is no comparison between the sun and the moon. Both shine, but when it is their time.
- Buddha - Worldly Name: Siddhartha Gautama
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
Justice
The smoke that was seen in the dream is now rising!
Everywhere the dream of justice just appears again. But this dream is blurred, full of smoke, the wet breath of death is coming close to us now.
What exactly is "justice", please?
There I saw black, acrid smoke rising to the sky, the smell of revolution is in the air!
"Left" against "right", "up" against "down", everyone against everyone, without realizing that life is at best only a dream, actually a dream within a dream, according to Buddha therefore less than NOTHING.
"Justice" for what, for whom?
Two soldiers go to war, only one comes back, is that justice?
Two women have a child, one child dies, is that fair?
Two people play the lottery, only one wins, is that fair?
Two men have an accident together, one loses his leg, is that fair?
Life is not fair at all!
The most unjust peace is still better than the most just war.
- Marcus Tullius Cicero - Roman politician - 106 to 43 B.C.
But right now the signs are pointing to war, a mass of the dead will be at the end of the war, once again, as so often before.
Do you see the smoke rising?
The great Carthage fought three wars. After the first, it was still powerful. After the second, it was still habitable. After the third, it was no longer to be found
- Bertolt Brecht - German playwright - 1989 to 1956
He who does not know the truth is merely a fool. But he who knows it and calls it a lie is a criminal
- also Bertolt Brecht
So, "justice" for what, for whom?
I, for one, do NOT need anyone to speak for me!
Smoke is in the air, disguised as "justice"!
I am not sure with which weapons the third world war will be fought, but in the fourth world war they will fight with sticks and stones
- Albert Einstein - German physicist - 1879 to 1955
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
The smoke that was seen in the dream is now rising!
Everywhere the dream of justice just appears again. But this dream is blurred, full of smoke, the wet breath of death is coming close to us now.
What exactly is "justice", please?
There I saw black, acrid smoke rising to the sky, the smell of revolution is in the air!
"Left" against "right", "up" against "down", everyone against everyone, without realizing that life is at best only a dream, actually a dream within a dream, according to Buddha therefore less than NOTHING.
"Justice" for what, for whom?
Two soldiers go to war, only one comes back, is that justice?
Two women have a child, one child dies, is that fair?
Two people play the lottery, only one wins, is that fair?
Two men have an accident together, one loses his leg, is that fair?
Life is not fair at all!
The most unjust peace is still better than the most just war.
- Marcus Tullius Cicero - Roman politician - 106 to 43 B.C.
But right now the signs are pointing to war, a mass of the dead will be at the end of the war, once again, as so often before.
Do you see the smoke rising?
The great Carthage fought three wars. After the first, it was still powerful. After the second, it was still habitable. After the third, it was no longer to be found
- Bertolt Brecht - German playwright - 1989 to 1956
He who does not know the truth is merely a fool. But he who knows it and calls it a lie is a criminal
- also Bertolt Brecht
So, "justice" for what, for whom?
I, for one, do NOT need anyone to speak for me!
Smoke is in the air, disguised as "justice"!
I am not sure with which weapons the third world war will be fought, but in the fourth world war they will fight with sticks and stones
- Albert Einstein - German physicist - 1879 to 1955
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
Compassion and Concentration
A long time ago, a very young man came to a Buddhist temple. He had been sorely disappointed by life and had already suffered bitter blows of fate in his young years.
When he stood before the abbot, he said: "My life has been terrible for me up to now, providence has played badly with me, suffering, sorrow and toil characterize my path, great calamity breaks over me again and again, tragedy and desolation accompany me. Now I have come to you to improve my fate, I have heard of the teachings of the Buddha, now I would like to try my salvation with the search for "enlightenment", is there a chance also for me"?
The abbot examined him long and thoroughly, then he said, "Yes, awakening is also possible for you, tell me about yourself, what can you do, what have you learned, where are your strengths?"
The young man considered, then he spoke quietly, "I am not very talented, my family is rich, I don't have to work, I can't concentrate well either, in truth I am weak and timid, have little discipline, but one thing I can do well, I play a lot of chess, that is where my talent lies."
The white abbot thought about it, then he called for a certain monk and instructed him to bring a chess set. He said to the monk, "As a monk of this temple, you owe me obedience in all matters, at all times. I now instruct you to play a game of chess with this man, and you must win. If you do not, I will kill you. If you win, I will kill the young man, it is a game of life and death."
Both "chess partners" looked at the abbot doubtfully, was he serious, in a Buddhist monastery he was going to kill a man? There was no emotion in the abbot's face, yes, he meant what he said, it was clear now.
They started to play, the young man was completely upset, he started to sweat, he was playing for his life. His opponent the monk however was calm, he accepted the things that were coming, he also trusted his guide and in the teachings of Buddha, he was in tune with his being.
At first the youth played badly, hastily, unfocused, made some mistakes, but with time he calmed down, his moves became better, the monk did not have so much practice in the game and fell behind.
The young man had become a little more confident and looked up from the board, he looked into the peaceful face of the monk, a face of peaceful serenity, insight and sincerity, no fear played in the facial expression of the Buddhist brother. Now thoughts arose in him, his life passed before his inner eyes, all at once feelings for the monk stirred in him, he compared his life with that of his counterpart, how useless his way to this point had been. And if he would win the game today, then this special man would lose his life, because of him, a good-for-nothing. He started to play badly on purpose, he wanted to lose, a wave of compassion ran through him, he wanted to give his life for that of the monk.
Then the abbot suddenly reached into the board and knocked over the pieces.
Both players looked up irritated, the game had captivated them.
The abbot said: "Today no one will win or lose, no one will die! You, young man, have learned something today, namely compassion and concentration, you were absorbed in the game and still thought about the fate of your opponent, you even wanted to die for him. You may stay with us, you shall receive training, awakening will come to you, you are ready for it"!
That's how it happened!
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
A long time ago, a very young man came to a Buddhist temple. He had been sorely disappointed by life and had already suffered bitter blows of fate in his young years.
When he stood before the abbot, he said: "My life has been terrible for me up to now, providence has played badly with me, suffering, sorrow and toil characterize my path, great calamity breaks over me again and again, tragedy and desolation accompany me. Now I have come to you to improve my fate, I have heard of the teachings of the Buddha, now I would like to try my salvation with the search for "enlightenment", is there a chance also for me"?
The abbot examined him long and thoroughly, then he said, "Yes, awakening is also possible for you, tell me about yourself, what can you do, what have you learned, where are your strengths?"
The young man considered, then he spoke quietly, "I am not very talented, my family is rich, I don't have to work, I can't concentrate well either, in truth I am weak and timid, have little discipline, but one thing I can do well, I play a lot of chess, that is where my talent lies."
The white abbot thought about it, then he called for a certain monk and instructed him to bring a chess set. He said to the monk, "As a monk of this temple, you owe me obedience in all matters, at all times. I now instruct you to play a game of chess with this man, and you must win. If you do not, I will kill you. If you win, I will kill the young man, it is a game of life and death."
Both "chess partners" looked at the abbot doubtfully, was he serious, in a Buddhist monastery he was going to kill a man? There was no emotion in the abbot's face, yes, he meant what he said, it was clear now.
They started to play, the young man was completely upset, he started to sweat, he was playing for his life. His opponent the monk however was calm, he accepted the things that were coming, he also trusted his guide and in the teachings of Buddha, he was in tune with his being.
At first the youth played badly, hastily, unfocused, made some mistakes, but with time he calmed down, his moves became better, the monk did not have so much practice in the game and fell behind.
The young man had become a little more confident and looked up from the board, he looked into the peaceful face of the monk, a face of peaceful serenity, insight and sincerity, no fear played in the facial expression of the Buddhist brother. Now thoughts arose in him, his life passed before his inner eyes, all at once feelings for the monk stirred in him, he compared his life with that of his counterpart, how useless his way to this point had been. And if he would win the game today, then this special man would lose his life, because of him, a good-for-nothing. He started to play badly on purpose, he wanted to lose, a wave of compassion ran through him, he wanted to give his life for that of the monk.
Then the abbot suddenly reached into the board and knocked over the pieces.
Both players looked up irritated, the game had captivated them.
The abbot said: "Today no one will win or lose, no one will die! You, young man, have learned something today, namely compassion and concentration, you were absorbed in the game and still thought about the fate of your opponent, you even wanted to die for him. You may stay with us, you shall receive training, awakening will come to you, you are ready for it"!
That's how it happened!
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
6 Minuten
Children
A child behaves like those who brought him up!
How do we raise our children, how do we think our actions are received by children?
We all, the society, educate children, not "only" the parents or the school, education is a really big task for the general public.
However, the "social" climate in Germany (and probably everywhere) is deteriorating, interactions are becoming hostile, characterized by coldness and callousness.
What will children think when they see war, murder and manslaughter, violence and sex, as a permanent condition on television? And what does this development say about us, the so-called "adults"?
We "adults" have lost our inner "compass", the world is on a very precarious path. More and more often I read about conflicts, chaos, uprisings, and now there are again more wars on planet "Earth"; the number of war dead is increasing extremely.
What image does this overall situation convey to children?
I claim:
The next generation will become even more heartless, even more selfish than the present one already is. Decency and honor will disappear further and further from the vocabulary, just as we are currently setting an example for the children.
Children look to us as role models. And what bad examples we are.
The idols of the new generation are trigger-happy "gangsters," the "ghetto" is idealized, delivered as ordered, so to speak!
IF WE WANT TO ACHIEVE TRUE PEACE IN THE WORLD, WE HAVE TO START WITH THE CHILDREN
- MAHATMA GANDHI - INDIAN LAWYER - 1869 TO 1948
But it seems to me that "peace" is not really desired at the moment, an alarming form of fatality is spreading among people, across all classes and strata, everyone in my environment has a long face, is seriously dissatisfied, and is very worried.
This mood can turn into violence at any time, out of the feeling that everything is "bad" anyway, the desire grows to beat everything short and small.
Today's children grow up in hard times!
No matter how the life around me changes, my goal is the way! The teaching of Buddha gives me the incontrovertible certainty to be a "decent" father to my child.
ONE COULD GIVE BIRTH TO EDUCATED CHILDREN IF THE PARENTS WERE EDUCATED
- JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE - GERMAN POET - 1749 TO 1832
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
A child behaves like those who brought him up!
How do we raise our children, how do we think our actions are received by children?
We all, the society, educate children, not "only" the parents or the school, education is a really big task for the general public.
However, the "social" climate in Germany (and probably everywhere) is deteriorating, interactions are becoming hostile, characterized by coldness and callousness.
What will children think when they see war, murder and manslaughter, violence and sex, as a permanent condition on television? And what does this development say about us, the so-called "adults"?
We "adults" have lost our inner "compass", the world is on a very precarious path. More and more often I read about conflicts, chaos, uprisings, and now there are again more wars on planet "Earth"; the number of war dead is increasing extremely.
What image does this overall situation convey to children?
I claim:
The next generation will become even more heartless, even more selfish than the present one already is. Decency and honor will disappear further and further from the vocabulary, just as we are currently setting an example for the children.
Children look to us as role models. And what bad examples we are.
The idols of the new generation are trigger-happy "gangsters," the "ghetto" is idealized, delivered as ordered, so to speak!
IF WE WANT TO ACHIEVE TRUE PEACE IN THE WORLD, WE HAVE TO START WITH THE CHILDREN
- MAHATMA GANDHI - INDIAN LAWYER - 1869 TO 1948
But it seems to me that "peace" is not really desired at the moment, an alarming form of fatality is spreading among people, across all classes and strata, everyone in my environment has a long face, is seriously dissatisfied, and is very worried.
This mood can turn into violence at any time, out of the feeling that everything is "bad" anyway, the desire grows to beat everything short and small.
Today's children grow up in hard times!
No matter how the life around me changes, my goal is the way! The teaching of Buddha gives me the incontrovertible certainty to be a "decent" father to my child.
ONE COULD GIVE BIRTH TO EDUCATED CHILDREN IF THE PARENTS WERE EDUCATED
- JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE - GERMAN POET - 1749 TO 1832
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
6 Minuten
The Goalless Gate
The word "gateless gate" is a Buddhist paradoxical riddle.
It corresponds to the Buddha's teaching that "only he can find who no longer seeks".
In order to know what we are looking for, we need a clue at the beginning. This is "enlightenment", which is the basic theme of the Buddha. The Buddha did not write down any instructions for awakening, probably because "enlightenment" cannot be explained.
For many years, the teacher of all teachers spent meditating in search of detached absoluteness without knowing it beforehand. He failed in this, had already given up.
When he gave up the search, no longer believed he could find anything, became purposeless, had completely let go, was exhausted and haggard at the end, then awakening hit him, it came to him when he was empty, without wanting, without needing, without concept, without ideas, because at that moment he was able to release himself, turned away from ideas or constructs.
When the answers to all questions come to us on their own, we pass through a gate that cannot be grasped with our hands, that was never a gate, but has opened before us, like a portal from a time travel movie.
The so often mentioned enlightenment is nothing else than the disappearance of our illusions, the tiny moment that lets us see the truth of all things not a roaring party, just the entrance into the stream of ego-lessness, the beginning of security, without any doubt, without usual worries, the realization that there never was a gate.
To know how things really are, the leaving of the fog, the moment of realization, that simply cannot be put into words, my explanations can only prepare for this gateless gate, one cannot find what cannot be found, because there is this gateless gate, and there is just no gateless gate, the moment it opens, it already disappears again.
The gateless gate as a figurative representation of enlightenment can, in principle, explain our conception as seeking individuals.
The opinions we have of enlightenment are in the fog, without contour and outline, the gateless gate can help us.
Too heavy fare?
The "goalless gate" comes from a collection of 48 classical koans by 13th century master Wumen Huikai, was first printed in 1229, according to Wikipedia. Other translations read '"The barrier of Master Wumen".
Hannibal is at the gates!
- Cicero - Roman politician, lawyer, writer and philosopher - 106 to 43 before the year zero.
The light microscope opened the first gate to the microcosm. The electron microscope opened the second gate to the microcosm. What will we find when we open the third gate?
- Ernst Ruska - German electrical engineer and inventor of the electron microscope - 1906 to 1988
The golden gates of happiness open to you.
- Friedrich Schiller - German poet, philosopher and historian - 1759 to 1805
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
The word "gateless gate" is a Buddhist paradoxical riddle.
It corresponds to the Buddha's teaching that "only he can find who no longer seeks".
In order to know what we are looking for, we need a clue at the beginning. This is "enlightenment", which is the basic theme of the Buddha. The Buddha did not write down any instructions for awakening, probably because "enlightenment" cannot be explained.
For many years, the teacher of all teachers spent meditating in search of detached absoluteness without knowing it beforehand. He failed in this, had already given up.
When he gave up the search, no longer believed he could find anything, became purposeless, had completely let go, was exhausted and haggard at the end, then awakening hit him, it came to him when he was empty, without wanting, without needing, without concept, without ideas, because at that moment he was able to release himself, turned away from ideas or constructs.
When the answers to all questions come to us on their own, we pass through a gate that cannot be grasped with our hands, that was never a gate, but has opened before us, like a portal from a time travel movie.
The so often mentioned enlightenment is nothing else than the disappearance of our illusions, the tiny moment that lets us see the truth of all things not a roaring party, just the entrance into the stream of ego-lessness, the beginning of security, without any doubt, without usual worries, the realization that there never was a gate.
To know how things really are, the leaving of the fog, the moment of realization, that simply cannot be put into words, my explanations can only prepare for this gateless gate, one cannot find what cannot be found, because there is this gateless gate, and there is just no gateless gate, the moment it opens, it already disappears again.
The gateless gate as a figurative representation of enlightenment can, in principle, explain our conception as seeking individuals.
The opinions we have of enlightenment are in the fog, without contour and outline, the gateless gate can help us.
Too heavy fare?
The "goalless gate" comes from a collection of 48 classical koans by 13th century master Wumen Huikai, was first printed in 1229, according to Wikipedia. Other translations read '"The barrier of Master Wumen".
Hannibal is at the gates!
- Cicero - Roman politician, lawyer, writer and philosopher - 106 to 43 before the year zero.
The light microscope opened the first gate to the microcosm. The electron microscope opened the second gate to the microcosm. What will we find when we open the third gate?
- Ernst Ruska - German electrical engineer and inventor of the electron microscope - 1906 to 1988
The golden gates of happiness open to you.
- Friedrich Schiller - German poet, philosopher and historian - 1759 to 1805
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
6 Minuten
Dreams
TO BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAMS IS TO SPEND YOUR LIFE SLEEPING
- CHINESE PROVERB -
We should not live in the future, nor in the past, but in the here and now! This is what the historical Buddha taught us.
Dreams in sleep are something very natural, sometimes beautiful, occasionally frightening, the experience in sleep varies from person to person. I never dream, my body finds so full rest in the resting phase.
But there are people who live the whole day in a dream world, have made the world as they like it in their thought palace, hardly perceive reality, actually they lie to themselves constantly. Because life takes place in the present, as we imagine the coming, so it does not come anyway.
Fantasy imaginations of all kinds find their expression, the escape from the daily absurdity is thereby consciously brought about, one "paints oneself the life", in all possible colors, becomes unfocused, goes with full consciousness into illusory worlds.
Plans differ from such dreams. By plans I understand concrete intentions, which I then intend to implement. For example: I plan an excursion with the family, have already prepared dinner, then the weather throws a spanner in the works.
There is something frightening about slipping into the world of fantasy, one's own dream world usually originates from inner monologues, pictures and films run in our thoughts, the false world takes possession of us.
The border to illness is fluid here, schizophrenia, borderline, personality disorders in many forms come from drifting into wishful thinking.
Especially in hard times people tend to such behavior, the teacher of all teachers sees as the cause of all evil our ego, which in certain situations exaggerates and shifts the perceptual limit, from monolgies corrupts itself.
Here it helps if we monitor our thoughts, if we don't just let them ripple away, but consciously and purposefully observe our thought processes, investigate them. Where does this thought come from, why just now, how can I stop this thinking in the future?
We have to face the realities of life, nothing will be as we wish, acceptance and humility are important concepts to lead a better life.
It is better if we plan, and then invest our energy in the implementation of the plans.
PLANS ARE THE DREAMS OF THE WISE
ERNST MARIA JOHANN KARL FREIHERR VON FEUCHTERSLEBEN - LYRICIST - 1806 TO 1849
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
TO BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAMS IS TO SPEND YOUR LIFE SLEEPING
- CHINESE PROVERB -
We should not live in the future, nor in the past, but in the here and now! This is what the historical Buddha taught us.
Dreams in sleep are something very natural, sometimes beautiful, occasionally frightening, the experience in sleep varies from person to person. I never dream, my body finds so full rest in the resting phase.
But there are people who live the whole day in a dream world, have made the world as they like it in their thought palace, hardly perceive reality, actually they lie to themselves constantly. Because life takes place in the present, as we imagine the coming, so it does not come anyway.
Fantasy imaginations of all kinds find their expression, the escape from the daily absurdity is thereby consciously brought about, one "paints oneself the life", in all possible colors, becomes unfocused, goes with full consciousness into illusory worlds.
Plans differ from such dreams. By plans I understand concrete intentions, which I then intend to implement. For example: I plan an excursion with the family, have already prepared dinner, then the weather throws a spanner in the works.
There is something frightening about slipping into the world of fantasy, one's own dream world usually originates from inner monologues, pictures and films run in our thoughts, the false world takes possession of us.
The border to illness is fluid here, schizophrenia, borderline, personality disorders in many forms come from drifting into wishful thinking.
Especially in hard times people tend to such behavior, the teacher of all teachers sees as the cause of all evil our ego, which in certain situations exaggerates and shifts the perceptual limit, from monolgies corrupts itself.
Here it helps if we monitor our thoughts, if we don't just let them ripple away, but consciously and purposefully observe our thought processes, investigate them. Where does this thought come from, why just now, how can I stop this thinking in the future?
We have to face the realities of life, nothing will be as we wish, acceptance and humility are important concepts to lead a better life.
It is better if we plan, and then invest our energy in the implementation of the plans.
PLANS ARE THE DREAMS OF THE WISE
ERNST MARIA JOHANN KARL FREIHERR VON FEUCHTERSLEBEN - LYRICIST - 1806 TO 1849
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
6 Minuten
The Gift
In a distant Chinese village lived a well-known Buddhist Chan master, he had a small school, people revered him very much. His students liked to be near him, the master was educated, white, and his teachings were entertaining.
The master's reputation went far into the surrounding area, his teaching speeches were known throughout the country. Also, despite his old age, he was still a master of Kung Fu, all the inhabitants came to him to practice Buddhism and martial arts.
While walking through the village square, surrounded by followers, he met a young fighter from the nearby city. He had come to challenge the old master. As soon as he saw the teacher, he approached him and began to insult him savagely, spitting at him, but not raising his hand against the much older man. He tried to provoke him so that he would strike the first blow.
The master, however, did not do him the favor, stood motionless and let everything bounce off him. The young good-for-nothing became more and more furious, his voice rolled over, insult followed insult, provocation followed provocation, defamation followed defamation, defamation followed defamation. Still the old man did not move a muscle, stood almost impassively in front of him, one could feel pity for the culprit, he spent himself completely and achieved nothing.
When he finally realized that he could achieve nothing at all, he slunk away from the square like a beaten dog, not even looking around.
The students came to their master and asked him why he had put up with the insults, if he had not felt bad, if he had not suffered from the abuse.
The old man smiled to himself, the startled admirers amused him.
He replied, "If someone wants to give you a gift, but you don't accept it, whose gift is it?
THE WORLD IS NOT THREATENED BY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EVIL, BUT BY THOSE WHO ALLOW EVIL TO EXIST
- ALBERT EINSTEIN - PHYSICIST - 1879 TO 1955
THE WISE MAN LOOKS AT THE INTENTION OF ALL THINGS, NOT AT SUCCESS
- LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECA - PHILOSOPHER - 1 TO 65
If we don't accept something, no matter what it is, it goes back to the sender.
You should try this, I promise it works!
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
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In a distant Chinese village lived a well-known Buddhist Chan master, he had a small school, people revered him very much. His students liked to be near him, the master was educated, white, and his teachings were entertaining.
The master's reputation went far into the surrounding area, his teaching speeches were known throughout the country. Also, despite his old age, he was still a master of Kung Fu, all the inhabitants came to him to practice Buddhism and martial arts.
While walking through the village square, surrounded by followers, he met a young fighter from the nearby city. He had come to challenge the old master. As soon as he saw the teacher, he approached him and began to insult him savagely, spitting at him, but not raising his hand against the much older man. He tried to provoke him so that he would strike the first blow.
The master, however, did not do him the favor, stood motionless and let everything bounce off him. The young good-for-nothing became more and more furious, his voice rolled over, insult followed insult, provocation followed provocation, defamation followed defamation, defamation followed defamation. Still the old man did not move a muscle, stood almost impassively in front of him, one could feel pity for the culprit, he spent himself completely and achieved nothing.
When he finally realized that he could achieve nothing at all, he slunk away from the square like a beaten dog, not even looking around.
The students came to their master and asked him why he had put up with the insults, if he had not felt bad, if he had not suffered from the abuse.
The old man smiled to himself, the startled admirers amused him.
He replied, "If someone wants to give you a gift, but you don't accept it, whose gift is it?
THE WORLD IS NOT THREATENED BY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EVIL, BUT BY THOSE WHO ALLOW EVIL TO EXIST
- ALBERT EINSTEIN - PHYSICIST - 1879 TO 1955
THE WISE MAN LOOKS AT THE INTENTION OF ALL THINGS, NOT AT SUCCESS
- LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECA - PHILOSOPHER - 1 TO 65
If we don't accept something, no matter what it is, it goes back to the sender.
You should try this, I promise it works!
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
6 Minuten
Computer game
Imagine life in 200 years, a new computer game has been launched. A simulation of the past, the game is set in our present time.
The people of the future have merged with the computer, the machine has become a neural network that becomes one with the player. Put yourself completely in the future, the human being is now part of a make-believe world, the player acts in history, but part of the game is also that the player does not even realize that everything is not real, nothing corresponds to reality, he thinks the game is real, he thinks he lives in this game.
Would it be possible, could this case have already happened, has it perhaps already happened?
How do we know that our life is real, is really happening, is not a computer game?
A game designed by some weirdo from the future who wanted to see what could happen?
We know how already realities can be simulated, how deceptively real some modern media make us believe today. If we imagine how well reality can be tricked in our times, how much better such unreality must be feasible in 200 years?
"One look at the world proves that horror is nothing other than reality"
- Alfred Hitchcock -
Now, of course, you may say, "It's all nonsense"!
Yes, but no one can deny that there is a possibility that it is so, it is at least conceivable. All of a sudden things become complicated, thoughts now become heavy, life suddenly seems senseless, threatening under such possibilities.
Are we only something like chess pieces on the board of "madmen" from the future?
But as long as everything is as it is, do we have to let ourselves go crazy?
According to the teachings of Buddha, life is only a dream from which we have to awaken, so it is roughly comparable to the situation in the computer game described above.
Again one could say: "All nonsense"!
But what if the statement of the great teacher is correct, we all live in a dream, and only the realization can free us from this dream?
One day we will have to officially admit that what we have christened reality is an even greater illusion than the world of the dream.
- Salvador Dali -
Think about it, it would be possible!
Causes have effect!
Reality feels only real.
What we perceive is only a small part of the truth!
Nothing saves us so thoroughly from illusions like a look in the mirror
- Aldous Huxley - British writer - 1894 to 1963
Never before have so many been at the mercy of so very few
- Aldous Huxley - British writer - 1894 to 1963
You don't get rid of facts by ignoring them
- Aldous Huxley - British writer - 1894 to 1963
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
Imagine life in 200 years, a new computer game has been launched. A simulation of the past, the game is set in our present time.
The people of the future have merged with the computer, the machine has become a neural network that becomes one with the player. Put yourself completely in the future, the human being is now part of a make-believe world, the player acts in history, but part of the game is also that the player does not even realize that everything is not real, nothing corresponds to reality, he thinks the game is real, he thinks he lives in this game.
Would it be possible, could this case have already happened, has it perhaps already happened?
How do we know that our life is real, is really happening, is not a computer game?
A game designed by some weirdo from the future who wanted to see what could happen?
We know how already realities can be simulated, how deceptively real some modern media make us believe today. If we imagine how well reality can be tricked in our times, how much better such unreality must be feasible in 200 years?
"One look at the world proves that horror is nothing other than reality"
- Alfred Hitchcock -
Now, of course, you may say, "It's all nonsense"!
Yes, but no one can deny that there is a possibility that it is so, it is at least conceivable. All of a sudden things become complicated, thoughts now become heavy, life suddenly seems senseless, threatening under such possibilities.
Are we only something like chess pieces on the board of "madmen" from the future?
But as long as everything is as it is, do we have to let ourselves go crazy?
According to the teachings of Buddha, life is only a dream from which we have to awaken, so it is roughly comparable to the situation in the computer game described above.
Again one could say: "All nonsense"!
But what if the statement of the great teacher is correct, we all live in a dream, and only the realization can free us from this dream?
One day we will have to officially admit that what we have christened reality is an even greater illusion than the world of the dream.
- Salvador Dali -
Think about it, it would be possible!
Causes have effect!
Reality feels only real.
What we perceive is only a small part of the truth!
Nothing saves us so thoroughly from illusions like a look in the mirror
- Aldous Huxley - British writer - 1894 to 1963
Never before have so many been at the mercy of so very few
- Aldous Huxley - British writer - 1894 to 1963
You don't get rid of facts by ignoring them
- Aldous Huxley - British writer - 1894 to 1963
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
4 Minuten
Buddhism and the flag
The following story has been handed down from the patriarch Hui Neng:
As a young man, he passed by a monastery, and two monks were standing in front of a flagpole, arguing.
One monk said to the other, "The flag is moving."
The other monk replied: "No, the wind is moving".
Here we see how we think, our style, "yes or no", "black or white".
One monk sees the flag moving.
The other monk sees what many people don't see, the wind moving, and therefore the flag moving.
And then came the white Hui Neng, who shouted to the two monks, "No, your spirit is moving"!
Flag, wind or spirit, which is right now?
This is now the right topic to question the ego: "Flag, wind or spirit"?
Beyond "yes" or "no", beyond "black" or "white", beyond the ego!
WHEN THE FLAG FLIES, THE MIND IS IN THE TRUMPET
- RUSSIAN PROVERB –
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
The following story has been handed down from the patriarch Hui Neng:
As a young man, he passed by a monastery, and two monks were standing in front of a flagpole, arguing.
One monk said to the other, "The flag is moving."
The other monk replied: "No, the wind is moving".
Here we see how we think, our style, "yes or no", "black or white".
One monk sees the flag moving.
The other monk sees what many people don't see, the wind moving, and therefore the flag moving.
And then came the white Hui Neng, who shouted to the two monks, "No, your spirit is moving"!
Flag, wind or spirit, which is right now?
This is now the right topic to question the ego: "Flag, wind or spirit"?
Beyond "yes" or "no", beyond "black" or "white", beyond the ego!
WHEN THE FLAG FLIES, THE MIND IS IN THE TRUMPET
- RUSSIAN PROVERB –
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
