Fellow students of Buddhism, {only plz.): "What are the best ways of totally letting go of all my attachments

Question

to the former religion I use to practice ?

These attachments are causing major hindrances in moving upward mindfully in the steps {The Eightfold Path) toward Happiness. Disatisfaction happens.
Had been in my former religion for 28 yrs., and have been a student of Buddhism for just a little over one year. Learned/understood the texts {of that former religion), which I had practiced in, in their original languages in order to accurately comprehend their orginal meanings.
I took the way of life I chose very seriously !
Just as I take the way/path of life {Buddhism)
which I choose a year ago, very seriously as well.

As much advise, and excellent books to read on Detachments {in Buddhism) would be greatly appreciated, "from experienced Buddhists who have been seriously practicing Buddhism for a while."

Thank You Very Much.

Answer 1

Dear Brother in the Dhamma,
This is a very profound question.If you asked 1000 monks,you will get 1000 answers.
How to let go?
From my personal experience,a very helpful way is meditation.I dare not say that I am very advance in my meditation,but at least during meditation,I could see and feel 'anicca','dukkha' and 'anatta'.After see and feeling these three characteristics of existence,it helps me in letting go.But unfortunately,after coming out from the meditation it is very difficult to maintain this mindfulness.
My master advice is:work hard.So,this is my advice to you as well.

May you be enlighten in this lifetime.
SADHU!SADHU!SADHU!
Metta to all.

Answer 2

Meditate on the logic of what you're studying in Buddhism, cultivate patience and compassion for yourself. You might find these "attachments" aren't really hindrances at all but learning tools. Many religions have a lot more in common than they realize, from this side of the Buddhist view and therefore there's much more to be gained from them than you might think. I'm not saying you combine them in your practice, but view them as they are, with their similarities if any and glean what you can from what they taught you before. It's always good to look for the lesson in everything.

If you still want to whittle, let the whittling come by default, and focus on your meditation and studies. Two books I'd recommend to anyone: "Buddhist Psychology" by Geshe Tashi Tsering and "The Wisdom of Imperfection" by Rob Preece... also, Pema Chodron's "No Time To Lose" is an amazing helper about the "Bodhicharyavatara" or "Way of the Bodhisattva" just because...

Hope these help some.

_()_

Answer 3

I would wholeheartedly recommend that you read the "Lam Rim Chen Mo: The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment," by the eminent scholar and founder of the Gelug tradition Lama Je Tsong Khapa. I think I saw Yogini recommend "Transforming Adversity into Joy and Courage: (A Commentary on) The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas," which is also a terrific book by the retired abbot of Sera-Je monastery in India - Geshe Jampa Tegchok - and edited by the Venerable Thubten Chodron. You will quickly gain a more profound understanding of the philosophical aspect of the buddhadharma - however, no book can challenge your concepts of ego, attachment and delusion faster than a qualified lineage holder - a monk or nun - who is not at all interested in your "story" but rather serves as a tour guide. The Most Benevolent Lord Atisha said in his definitive Lam Rim text, "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment," that all authentic dharma teachings fit together like pieces of the puzzle. I wish you much success in your endeavor to understand these topics. I am delighted to see so much interest in authentic buddhadharma and think that this is an excellent forum for finding out some useful information. I would caution anyone who approached these subjects to take their time. It is not something that should be pursued - after all, you will not be the person you are now who "gets" enlightened. The spiritual guide should not be pursued like one who goes after a deer solely to get the musk and then discard the carcass, either. For further study, why not check out the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive or Berzin Archives. These are two sites packed full of authentic dharma teaching by qualified individuals. Mind me when I say that while there is some benefit to be gained from research on your own, nothing compares to a Lama. I would not sleep til I found one if I were you.

Answer 4

You need to take the word 'practice' to heart and mind. It's not the same as the the religion you followed before. You have to 'practice non attachment' to attain it. It's not going to be perfect the first time around and remember that you've been practicing attachment your whole life so it takes a while to undo pathways that have been there for so long. Practice compassion with yourself. Practice kindheartedness with yourself. Observe your attachment rather than get involved with it. Read '37 Practices of Bodhisattvas' there are several great interpretations that really help with an overall breakdown. Be gentle with yourself. Practice, practice practice and all is coming.

Answer 5

Respectfully, your approach is not the right effort.

It's not important to know certain things about attachment. Gaining knowledge, or tips on how to break your attachments will only give publicity (mentally) to your attachments. You don't need to conquer your attachments. You need to cultivate a disciplined mind.

What is important is to do zazen (sitting meditation). If you practice zazen, you can loosen your habits/karma. You can read volumes of books, but it means nothing if your mind is not disciplined from it's folly. Do zazen every day, and expect nothing.

Many people are unconsciously attached to the romantic idea of just "being" a Buddhist. Buddhism itself can be an attachment. But really, Buddhism is not about what you know.

If you practice zazen, then you can have an ordinary mind, less troubled by attachments.

Answer 6

Do Vipassana bavana, which is to concentrate on about your eye, mind, nose, ear, tongue, body. And think they are the routes of suffering because you cannot keep them as yours forever. When you die, you have to let them go sadly. Therefore, think that they are not yours or anything that would stay the way you want. But to do Vipassana, you must have a good Samadhi in your mind. For that you must do Samatha Bavana. To reach stage of Arahath, you must have both of them in balance to complete the Saptha Bojjanga Darma and Nobel Eight Fold Path.

Answer 7

What helps me is remembering how many other religions there are that developed the same way as my previous one. Pascal's wager is a beast. You just have to keep reminding yourself how silly it is.

Answer 8

So you are implying you can't let it go. Accept you can't let it go first...then understand fully what you want to let go and why you still are holding onto it. When you really let go (emptry your cup by turning it over) - it takes energy to keep it from leaving you by holding onto it. Once you let go of a bag, it drops away - unless you are still holding onto it.

Understanding is all. Once you understand, it we already be resolved.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 9

Can Buddhism save your soul?

Will it for sure get you in to heaven?

How can you be sure?

Take this test.

Are you a good person? What a question, most of us believe that we are good people because we can look around and find someone that is far worse than we are. We can always point to the things that we think make us a good person.

But how good are we really? Dare we take this test and look at ourselves and see if we really are good? Hmmm.

If you are willing try this and see just how good a person you are.

The Good Person Test.

How will you do? Pass or fail?


Have you ever told a lie?
Doesn't matter how big or small, just a lie.
What does that make you? Before answering think about this, if I told you a lie what would you call me? A liar?

Have you ever stolen anything? Cost doesn't matter, a piece of gum, failed to give back an ink pen that you borrowed, anything.
What does that make you?

Jesus said, "You know the saying of old, you shall not commit adultery but I say that if look at someone to lust after them you have committed adultery in your heart.
Have you ever lusted?

Jesus said that hate is equal to murder.
Have you ever hated anyone?

See one day we all are going to stand before a Holy God on Judgment Day and he is going to judge us based on His Holy Law, the Ten Commandments. These are just 4 of them and how did you do? Guilty? I have broken all of these and more, what about you? How well will you do on Judgment Day?

If we break just one point of God's Law we are guilty of breaking all the law and Gods Wrath abides upon us all. Based on God's Law we are all guilty and all are deserving of punishment. But there is an out for us.

Jesus paid the price for each one of us, took on himself God's Wrath so we wouldn't have to face it on our own. Jesus was beaten, battered, bleed and died so we wouldn't have to face God's Wrath. He rose again so that we would life in his presence. Our crimes, His payment.

The real question is where will you stand on Judgment Day. Pay yourself or have it paid for you. Think about it.

Answer 10

try this

http://www.11meditation.co.nr

it will give you a big picture of Theravada Buddhist religion and also tell you what to do.