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Post by Pattie on Feb 12, 2013 5:11:59 GMT 1
What I read on the Dharma page of this site was very helpful. What the Buddha says regarding accepting teachings with your own reason and experience isn't on all Dharma sites. Specifically, under a certain group the teaching taught that one should accept a teaching from a guru nomatter if you do not like him or red flags stand out in your mind. I have read under another group that one simply accepts the teaching because it is a teaching of the Buddha. But that's not what you show on this site. This site shows Buddha's words saying we accept teaching based on our own reason and experience. These words of Buddha released something in me that I think felt like "wisdom mind." Thanks.
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jeff
Senior Member
Posts: 128
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Post by jeff on Feb 12, 2013 14:53:24 GMT 1
Hi Pattie, thanks for posting...
Actually, I was taught from the very beginning that it is of utmost importance not to accept any of Buddha's teachings that you cannot verify through your own reasoning and experience. Even the Dalai Lama repeats this quite often.
So, if anyone ever tells to you accept a Dharma teaching blindly then they are not true Dharma teachers or practictioners.
In fact, this is one of the biggest differences between Buddhism and other religions. Buddhism requires that you prove to your own satisfaction that the specific points are true and compels you to reject specific points that you can prove are not true.
It's very refreshing and for this reason I don't consider Buddhism a religion as much as a philosophy (but it doesn't really matter since that's a little controversial).
However, I would say that if you run into any teachings which you can not immediately prove to yourself through reasoning and experiences simply place them on the "back-burner" since it's quite possible as your understanding develops it might make more sense.
Jeff
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Post by Pattie on Feb 12, 2013 18:20:20 GMT 1
Thank you, Jeff. Yes. This point is the most refreshing.
This idea that I must reason for myself and experience and realize for myself is the rock that I can stand on.
I am so grateful for Buddha's teachings. I have never reasoned well. So I go slow. At first I was so confused with all the different kinds of Buddhism I didn't know who to listen to.
But the Dahli Llama always sounded true. So I kept up with his books. Since I do not have a "Guru", I think of Dali Llama as my Guru. In the past I have never been good at judging for myself who is true and who is deceiving. But with Buddha's teachings themselves I have a good guide. I discard all teachings involving strange ideas, strange deities, strange practices because I can't find Buddha's word in them.
Once again I am so grateful to Buddha for his kindness at taking so much effort to teach us at every level. I am so grateful for the level ground he has given me.
Thanks again for your response. I appreciate it.
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Post by dharmaspud on Feb 28, 2013 1:15:07 GMT 1
Hi Pattie, May I suggest to you to try the following two sites as sources of good balanced information on Buddhism and good open hearted and Metta-ful teachings. www.dharmaseed.org/talks/And www.buddhanet.net/index.htmlI find these very helpful and enlightening. I am not sure if you are going to a sangha or centre where you can practice but if not I would highly recommend going to one if there are centres near where you live. There is no substitute for practicing with like minded people and there is a certain feeling one gets in group meditation that you cannot get on your own. While in principle meditation is a simple idea there are so many subtle nuances that it is very important to have the help and guidance of a qualified teacher. Many questions arise as you develope your practice that only a skilled practitioner will be able to help you with. Hoping this is helpful. With Metta Dharmaspud |
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Post by Rudy on Feb 28, 2013 17:19:42 GMT 1
By the way Pattie, if you consider His Holiness the Dalai Lama your guru, you probably want to spell his name properly.... A llama is a South Amercian animal...
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