Does meditation really lead to liberation from suffering? I meditate and slowly let go of desire and I actually feel happier. I get the feeling that Buddhism does not look at the world as good vs. evil but rather they see it as non-suffering vs. suffering. I am getting the feeling that this philosophy and / or religion is way to advanced for most people to understand.
2006-09-23 07:32:40 · 10 answers · asked by Ramond 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It sees everything as having it's place in the world, a sense of harmony and equality between all forces. And yes it is to deep for the average person to grasp.
2006-09-23 07:36:12 · answer #1 · answered by Sean 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What a refreshing question!
Buddhism is the belief of doing (the Divine), when people prefer talking (about God), whilst acting according to their lowest of desires.
Buddhism also has no dogma. You learn from within, and you become guided by your own conscience. Most people prefer to follow the crowd, and be told what to do.
You are right, it is all about how far a person is evolved. I subscribed to Buddhism, because it is a non biased, non political, and liberal form of spirituality. Then I discovered "Rational Spirituality" (you may view it on the Dhaxem website), which may be labelled as a belief beyond Buddhism. But I still think of Buddhism as the most important spiritual signpost that brought me to the Truth.
In conclusion, I do not think that it is so much about understaning the Buddhist philosophy, it is about whether it is a comfortable belief to live with.
You will live the conseqences of your own thoughts and deeds, does not compare with religions that offer a saviour to those who subscribe, and regardless of what you, yourself, do.
2006-09-23 17:52:38 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Meditation is a tool, there are many 'tools' such as books, teachers, experiences---they're like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Through mindfulness and keen observation, you take these pieces to fit together to help see a bigger picture and how things relate, are inter-dependent, inter-woven---to see things as they are within the context they are in.
The core of the Buddha's teachings revolve around the Four Noble Truths: 1) in this existence, there is the nature of suffering or unpleasantness, stress, delusion, misery, etc (dukkha); 2) the cause of dukkha is due to clinging/craving/refusal to accept things as they are; 3) there is a way to cease dukkha; 4) the way to cease dukkha is by applying the noble 8th-fold path:" 1) Right/Skillful understanding; 2) Right/Skillful intention; 3) Right/Skillful speech; 4) Right/Skillful action; 5) Right/Skillful livelihood; 6) Right/Skillful Effort; 7) Right/Skillful Mindfulness; 8) Right/Skillful Concentration
Numbers 1-2 develope "Wisdom" (panna)
Numbers 3-5 develope "Ethical Conduct/Morality" (sila)
Numbers 6-8 develope "Mental Discipline" (samadhi)
(By "right/skillful" it means applying these practices without doing any mental/physical harm to oneself/other beings.)
It's not so much the teachings are "advanced", but how far each individual has come along with regards to their dealings and acknowledgement that there is this nature of suffering/misery in the world. Most folks "find" their way to Buddhism by way of their experience with a loss (whether losing a love one or material things), through an illness, a tragedy (maybe through a natural disaster or man-made such as 9-11). Why is this? Because the Buddha's teachings addresses the very issue of these experiences.
I think part of the reason some feel it's too advance is because their expectations are not being met to what they're expecting so they give-up all together. Spirituality needs to be cultivated, these things take time. I think if a person really wants to learn more he/she will find a way to get to that point. There is a lot by just the things listed above to cover. Reading through books/sutras is one thing, practice is another---they're not separate from each other, but vital components playing an important role just like the pieces in a jigsaw puzzle in order to help us see things as they really are.
Keep investigating, studying, practicing, meditating. If these are accompanied with patience (khanti), what the Buddha taught will start unfolding/unraveling. I hope this sort of explains things a bit.
2006-09-24 11:43:59 · answer #3 · answered by mallika1929 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes budhism is a little advance for all the population, It is easier to think that there is a GOd watching us and that he may answer our prayers. Buddhism as you say is beyond good and evil (not the book lol) . It might not be too advanced for everyone though, for some old town and farmers that have always believe in GOd will be difficult, but In cities GOd is not important anymore they may think he exists but do not pay attention to it, so for that part of humanity it would be possible to understand buddhism.
GO BUDDHISM!!!
2006-09-23 14:42:06 · answer #4 · answered by Snow surfer 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Buddhism is for average people. No doubt it deals with deep and complicated issues Lord Buddha had expresssed them in such simple ways that they could be understood by average people.
2006-09-24 10:56:59 · answer #5 · answered by donp 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you 100%. like the movie Whats Love Gotta Do With It,Tina turner practice Buddhism and she over came Ike Turner,I guess it's what you believe in.
2006-09-23 14:41:03 · answer #6 · answered by MS.KNOW IT ALL 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes
2006-09-23 14:43:37 · answer #7 · answered by mystic_sigh 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ah, an elitist religion whose adherents view others through eyes of pride and condescension. Just what I've been looking for...not.
2006-09-23 14:37:48 · answer #8 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, but its philosophy is too stringent for most people to follow.
2006-09-23 14:35:15 · answer #9 · answered by adphllps 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What makes you so advanced? If you study it then no.
2006-09-23 14:35:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋