Karma is a Sanskrit word and simply means "action." It operates in the universe as the continuous chain reaction of cause and effect. It is not only looked upon in a physical sense but many people look at karma in a moral way. "A good cause, a good effect; a bad cause a bad effect" is a common saying. Who we are also reflects more of what we think. Our character is dependent on ones "good" thoughts, actions, and words. At the same time, if one thinks degrading things, those thoughts influence him into negative words and actions. When analyzing the religion of Buddhism it is preached that one must act while thinking about karma because his actions will return to him no matter if they are good or bad actions.
information is from http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/karma.html
Monday, October 22, 2007
Prayer Wheel
A prayer wheel is a wheel which that Buddhism use/spin as a form of prayer. Prayer wheels can come in many different sizes, on a rod or made of metal, wood, leather, or even cotton. On the wheel there are encrypted prayers printed on paper or animal skin. Spinning this prayer wheel is just as effective as reciting any sacred texts out loud. The practitioner should also repeat the mantra as many times as possible during the turning of the wheel, and keep a calm meditative mind.
The wheel itself is a metaphor for the rapid spiritual change that takes place through the teachings of Buddha. The Buddha was the one who “turned the wheel of the dharma.”
The most common prayer found on the wheel is "Om Jewel in the Lotus Hum" or "Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus."
The wheel itself is a metaphor for the rapid spiritual change that takes place through the teachings of Buddha. The Buddha was the one who “turned the wheel of the dharma.”
The most common prayer found on the wheel is "Om Jewel in the Lotus Hum" or "Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus."
Om purifies bliss and pride (realm of the gods)
Ma purifies jealousy and need for entertainment (realm of the jealous gods)
Ni purifies passion and desire (human realm)
Pad purifies ignorance and prejudice (animal realm)
Me purifies poverty and possessiveness (realm of the hungry ghosts)
Hum purifies aggression and hatred (hell realm)
Ma purifies jealousy and need for entertainment (realm of the jealous gods)
Ni purifies passion and desire (human realm)
Pad purifies ignorance and prejudice (animal realm)
Me purifies poverty and possessiveness (realm of the hungry ghosts)
Hum purifies aggression and hatred (hell realm)
Zen Buddhism
Zen is the most well known modern school of Buddhism. Zen first originated in China and then branched off into Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. Zen is following the thoughts and philosophy of Siddhartha Guatama and the belief that enlightenment is achieved through meditation. Through meditation people are about to clear there mind and become on with Buddha. Zen followers believe that everyone has a “Buddha nature” in them. This form of meditation is called Zazen. The Eightfold Path and the 4 Noble Truths are the most important elements to Zen practices.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_buddhism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_buddhism
The Eightfold path
The Noble Eightfold Path:
1.) Right view
2.) Right intention
3.) Right speech
4.) Right action
5.) Right livelihood
6.) Right effort
7.) Right mindfulness
8.) Right concentration
Siddartha came up with this and it is his idea of ending suffering completely. The word "right" in front of all the words is like "perfect" or "ideal". Siddartha also seperates these ideas up into different sections: Wisdom, Elthical conduct, and mental development.
Information from:
--> http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/eightfoldpath.html
--> http://hometown.aol.com/fburggraf/images/8foldpath.gif
Future
Does Buddhism have a future?
Buddhism is a religion today that have a small community of believers found in North America. The reason to be in the belief in living a simple lifestyle. People find it difficult to shy away from there individual competitive spirit and acknowledge the simple beautiful things in life.
Buddha himself never had that many followers to begin with. The buddha always saw the dharma as something that would only appeal to a small community. According to Richard Hayes, In numbers lies confusion, and in confusion the dharma dies.
It seems to be that the future of Buddhism will be a lot like the present. Even though the Buddhism religion isn't all the popularity practiced among us Americans, world wide its is very well-known. With less than on half a percent of the North American population being Buddhists they don't become much of a threat to other religions. However, this small collective, efficient community of people put forth a lot of effort to be known and respected - with being low profile citizens to begin with.
http://home.comcast.net/~dayamati/future.html
Buddhism is a religion today that have a small community of believers found in North America. The reason to be in the belief in living a simple lifestyle. People find it difficult to shy away from there individual competitive spirit and acknowledge the simple beautiful things in life.
Buddha himself never had that many followers to begin with. The buddha always saw the dharma as something that would only appeal to a small community. According to Richard Hayes, In numbers lies confusion, and in confusion the dharma dies.
It seems to be that the future of Buddhism will be a lot like the present. Even though the Buddhism religion isn't all the popularity practiced among us Americans, world wide its is very well-known. With less than on half a percent of the North American population being Buddhists they don't become much of a threat to other religions. However, this small collective, efficient community of people put forth a lot of effort to be known and respected - with being low profile citizens to begin with.
http://home.comcast.net/~dayamati/future.html
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Practices
The five precepts that monks, nuns, trainees and clergy must follow… 1. To refrain from killing living beings, the crime is to know that something is a living being, intend to kill it, attempt to do so, and succeed.
2. Refrain from taking what has not been given to you (stealing) 3. Refrain from sexual misconduct, this concerns intercourse with an improper partner (cheating) this also includes time and place of intercouse 4. Refrain from untrue speech, one should neither intentionally say what is untrue nor claim to know something that one doesn’t know.d places of having intercourse. 5. Abstinence from drinking alcohol, the main purpose of this is because alcohol alters ones alertness and is more prone to committing other sins. -Members of the clergy have five more concepts that are more strict that they must follow. These rules are as follows, Clergy men must NOT… 1. watch dancing, singing or shows 2. recieve gold and silver 3. adore oneself with garlands, perfumes, or ointments 4. eat after noon 5. use a high bed
information from http://www.gardendigest.com/zen/ten.htm
2. Refrain from taking what has not been given to you (stealing) 3. Refrain from sexual misconduct, this concerns intercourse with an improper partner (cheating) this also includes time and place of intercouse 4. Refrain from untrue speech, one should neither intentionally say what is untrue nor claim to know something that one doesn’t know.d places of having intercourse. 5. Abstinence from drinking alcohol, the main purpose of this is because alcohol alters ones alertness and is more prone to committing other sins. -Members of the clergy have five more concepts that are more strict that they must follow. These rules are as follows, Clergy men must NOT… 1. watch dancing, singing or shows 2. recieve gold and silver 3. adore oneself with garlands, perfumes, or ointments 4. eat after noon 5. use a high bed
information from http://www.gardendigest.com/zen/ten.htm
Practices
Meditation
Buddhism began by engaging people in mediation by encouraging mindfulness. Mindfulness is developing a consciousness of yourself and your inner feelings. A common misconception is that to meditate you must be in an upright position but all you need is a peaceful place where you can clear you head and know the steps to complete concentration. The seventh step in the eight-fold path is meditation and Buddha meditates under the bodhi trees. Samantha and vipashyana help explain the origins and basics of meditation. Samantha translates to peacefulness, the development of peacefulness. Vipashyana is clear seeing, and involves intuitive cognition of suffering. There are many different types of meditation such as Theravada ,there are over fifty methods for developing mindfulness and forty for developing concentration, while in Tibetan there are thousands of visualization meditations. Breathing is the main component that controls how one becomes mindfulness through mediation.
The Five Hindrances (Nivarana) are the obstacles to concentration which breaks meditation.
1. Sensual desire
2. Ill will, hatred, or anger
3. Laziness and sluggishness
4. Restlessness and worry
5. Doubt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_meditation
Buddhism began by engaging people in mediation by encouraging mindfulness. Mindfulness is developing a consciousness of yourself and your inner feelings. A common misconception is that to meditate you must be in an upright position but all you need is a peaceful place where you can clear you head and know the steps to complete concentration. The seventh step in the eight-fold path is meditation and Buddha meditates under the bodhi trees. Samantha and vipashyana help explain the origins and basics of meditation. Samantha translates to peacefulness, the development of peacefulness. Vipashyana is clear seeing, and involves intuitive cognition of suffering. There are many different types of meditation such as Theravada ,there are over fifty methods for developing mindfulness and forty for developing concentration, while in Tibetan there are thousands of visualization meditations. Breathing is the main component that controls how one becomes mindfulness through mediation.
The Five Hindrances (Nivarana) are the obstacles to concentration which breaks meditation.
1. Sensual desire
2. Ill will, hatred, or anger
3. Laziness and sluggishness
4. Restlessness and worry
5. Doubt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_meditation
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Symbols
The posture of a statue can symbolize anything from death to grace. There are several different Buddha statues; the most common is the meditating Buddha. The meditating Buddha is always found in a lonely place, it symbolizes concentration, because the Buddha's eyes are always focused of the tip of its nose or between the eyebrows. Other Buddha’s are the seated Buddha, walking Buddha and the crowned Buddha, just to name a few more. The seated Buddha Means peace, worship and is always present during meditation, it represents a vow to seek Enlightenment. The walking Buddha Means grace and final harmony reached in life. The crowned Buddha Means a higher mental power and symbolizes spiritual powers and world leaders. Aside from the different Buddha statues hands and light all have their separate symbols. Hands
Shaped into the form of a cup symbolizes dharma, meaning law or teaching. Light
Symbolizes light rising to the supreme Enlightenment. By lighting an orange candle it symbolizes consciousness, sense and positive aspects of life and death connecting the two worlds. Common things are symbols so that Buddhists are constantly reminded to live out the Buddhist way. Something that is highly respected within a Buddhist community is artwork.
- Black symbolizes killing and anger
- White denotes rest and thinking
- Yellow stands for restraining and nourishing
- Red for summoning
- Green means exorcism
Monday, October 15, 2007
Beliefs
Buddhists dont believe in a "creator" but instead they believe in condtions and that things just happen for certain reasons.
Heaven and Hell have different levels to them. Heaven and Hell for them are like our world today because they include: ignorance, anger, and greed (The Three Poisons). Nirvana is what the Buddhists believe in the most and it is like our heaven especially because the three poisons dont happen there.
The law of cause and effect to the buddhists is karma because they believe that rebirth isn't like reincarnation but instead it is the mind being passed on throughtout differnt lives and some how actions you make in previous lives will have some type of consequence sometime later.
Buddhists don't have a bible but instead scriptures are divived up into three sections: The Sutras, The Vinaya, and The Abhidharma. Prayer is done morning and evening on their own time and before meals. The signifigance of their prayers is to prevent bad things that have hapened in the past to reoccur.
Information from:
--> http://www.ibps-sweden.com/eng/buddhism/belifes.htm
Heaven and Hell have different levels to them. Heaven and Hell for them are like our world today because they include: ignorance, anger, and greed (The Three Poisons). Nirvana is what the Buddhists believe in the most and it is like our heaven especially because the three poisons dont happen there.
The law of cause and effect to the buddhists is karma because they believe that rebirth isn't like reincarnation but instead it is the mind being passed on throughtout differnt lives and some how actions you make in previous lives will have some type of consequence sometime later.
Buddhists don't have a bible but instead scriptures are divived up into three sections: The Sutras, The Vinaya, and The Abhidharma. Prayer is done morning and evening on their own time and before meals. The signifigance of their prayers is to prevent bad things that have hapened in the past to reoccur.
Information from:
--> http://www.ibps-sweden.com/eng/buddhism/belifes.htm
The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths that the Buddists follow:
1.) Noble truth of unsatisfaction:
-We need to endure pain and sufferings. When we are born into this world, we need to learn to except pain, sicknesses, depression, etc.
2.) Noble truth of arising:
-People are born with large egos and buy lots of material things because they "crave" for them but in the end when they are old it is all worthless.
3.)Noble truth of cessation of suffering:
-People need to not be sucked into the idea of material things (cravings) and need to eliminate them from their lives.
4.)Noble truth of the way
-The eightfold path is the way to go to not allow cravings to happen in your life.
Information from:
--> http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm
--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths
1.) Noble truth of unsatisfaction:
-We need to endure pain and sufferings. When we are born into this world, we need to learn to except pain, sicknesses, depression, etc.
2.) Noble truth of arising:
-People are born with large egos and buy lots of material things because they "crave" for them but in the end when they are old it is all worthless.
3.)Noble truth of cessation of suffering:
-People need to not be sucked into the idea of material things (cravings) and need to eliminate them from their lives.
4.)Noble truth of the way
-The eightfold path is the way to go to not allow cravings to happen in your life.
Information from:
--> http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm
--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths
Some History of Buddhism...
Happy Monday fellow bloggers!
Hope everyone had a FANTASTIC time at homecoming! :)
Anyways here's some information for you on the history of Buddhism!
Buddhism is one of the oldest religions practiced today. It all started when Buddha Siddhartha Gautama (make sure you remember that name), was born. Siddhartha was expected to become a great king one day, and was forced to live at home as a child. However, when he left the house he became a great sage and savior of humanity.
Siddhartha came from a wealthy family, who didn't want him to have anything to do with religion. He got everything he wanted, and didn't know what it was like to feel miserable. His father didn't let him venture into the real world because he didn't want Siddhartha to start realizing religion, and didn't want him to notice the suffering of other people. However, his father allowed him to venture out of the house once, but tried to make sure he wouldn't see any unhappy people. However, Siddhartha saw a lot more then his father expected.
On his trip to the outside world he saw four people who changed his view on everything. This is called the Four Passing Sights: He saw old men in pain, which made him hurt because he had never lived like that in his luxury, a group of sick people which made him feel more miserable, and a funeral which pulled all the emotions together. The last thing he saw was a monk who helped him along the way. Seeing all of these terrible sights made Siddhartha realize that he wasn't living life the real way, and that everything in his life wasn't how anyone else had it. Through this realization, he decided to follow the lifestyle of the monk who led him and try and help the people around him.
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
*information from http://www.ahistoryofbuddhism.com/History-of-Siddhartha-Gautama.html
and wikipedia
Hope everyone had a FANTASTIC time at homecoming! :)
Anyways here's some information for you on the history of Buddhism!
Buddhism is one of the oldest religions practiced today. It all started when Buddha Siddhartha Gautama (make sure you remember that name), was born. Siddhartha was expected to become a great king one day, and was forced to live at home as a child. However, when he left the house he became a great sage and savior of humanity.
Siddhartha came from a wealthy family, who didn't want him to have anything to do with religion. He got everything he wanted, and didn't know what it was like to feel miserable. His father didn't let him venture into the real world because he didn't want Siddhartha to start realizing religion, and didn't want him to notice the suffering of other people. However, his father allowed him to venture out of the house once, but tried to make sure he wouldn't see any unhappy people. However, Siddhartha saw a lot more then his father expected.
On his trip to the outside world he saw four people who changed his view on everything. This is called the Four Passing Sights: He saw old men in pain, which made him hurt because he had never lived like that in his luxury, a group of sick people which made him feel more miserable, and a funeral which pulled all the emotions together. The last thing he saw was a monk who helped him along the way. Seeing all of these terrible sights made Siddhartha realize that he wasn't living life the real way, and that everything in his life wasn't how anyone else had it. Through this realization, he decided to follow the lifestyle of the monk who led him and try and help the people around him.
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
*information from http://www.ahistoryofbuddhism.com/History-of-Siddhartha-Gautama.html
and wikipedia
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Welcome!
Hey everyone! Thanks so much for checking out our blog! We'll be sure to update you with all you need to know about the religion of Buddhism. That's all for now!
Check back later. :)
Check back later. :)
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