Milarepa’s captivating life story depicts a man willing to commit sins on behalf of his mother’s command to one that decides to leave his family, in order to achieve enlightenment. This autobiography allows him to remain to be a beloved yogin because of his drastic and fulfilling spiritual transformation, thus encouraging Tibetans to seek a similar path to nirvana in their lifetime. However, Milarepa proves that one’s journey to liberation and enlightenment has to be earned and fought for spiritually and psychologically. The hatred he received after using black magic to create hailstorms and destroy a house led him to change. Receiving payback from his horrible aunt and uncle did not seem to be the right choice for him after he committed the acts. However, leading a peaceful life that …show more content…
He also encouraged others in his life to follow his way of living. However, according to the Buddhist text, called Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion, the Buddha decided to pursue the middle way since the two extremes were not beneficial to him. Therefore, it was interesting to read that drastic measures of starving and becoming sickly helped him to meditate and move towards the path of enlightenment. Furthermore, he did not only undergo a religious transformation, but a psychological one as well. He attained higher consciousness, human excellence and supreme illumination (xv). The teachings and mediations allowed Milarepa to develop psychologically. At the end of the book, he viewed the world differently compared to when he was younger. Buddhism itself completely transformed his life, he mentions that, “The Dharma is so effective that even a great sinner like myself has reached a stage not far from Enlightenment due to my belief in karma, my subsequent renunciation of the aims of world life, and due especially to my single minded devotion to meditation”
The impacts of Buddhist teachings and the worshipping of individuals in the buddhist community, enabled those in society to reflect upon their ethics. This notion is evident through the buddhist ethical teachings that governs our morals, decisions and actions established as a result of the Dalai Lama’s philosophical teachings of peace, which is further supported by the notion of “Puja”, the act of devotional attention and offerings.
Milagros Canjura was around seven months pregnant when found shot to death outside her Bay Shore home in Long Island, NY. The 31-year old rented an apartment with her husband (whom friends say was in jail) in the Stein Drive community (LINK 4). Family members say that Canjura was heading to work when the suspect parked right next to the home walked up to the car and opened fire. The victim’s body was found dumped on the beach. Officials say this is a retaliation hit from the gang MS-13 who had a reputed member murdered. Officials also state that this gang has a history of revenge killings involving family members.
Even when we are presented with answers or guides to the many questions we have about life and to how we should live, as inquisitive animals, we strive to enhance our understanding and so begin to learn that perhaps, ultimately, the answers don’t simply come from outside but also from within us. This is then perhaps the greatest implication of this paper, finding new ways in understanding what the true way of life is for human beings and what the true way of life is for ourselves. In the discussion of Zen Buddhism, William A. Young’s framework’s itself must first be explained and understood.
However, setting this as an overall goal as a Buddhist does seem to help those that follow this religious ethos. It allows them to take the focus off of the pursuit of material things and seek a higher purpose within the spiritual walk. This is what this legend means; while it is not applicable – per se – to how many Buddhists navigate things today, the legend is relevant as a source of inspiration with regards to what it possible.
His father wanted nothing for his son except richness and to be looked to as a ruler. He became worried that maybe his son might not become what he wanted, so he asked eight wise men about his son's future. "The men explained to the father that the boy would become a great rich ruler. "(Page 9 Buddhism Discovery). But to his father dismay, if his son felt any kind of suffering or serious emotion he would become a religious leader.
Buddhist theories of the self and personal identity must be studied in relation to their background in early Indian thought. (Kapstein, 2010)
“Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it. Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.” (Siddhartha Guatamma) This is one of the many wise words spoken from the kindhearted Buddha. After my brief study of Buddhism I feel that these words, as well as my experience, have opened up my heart to a better understanding of the power within me. I think it is fascinating to really comprehend that it is us alone through our mindset and habit that essentially can control how we chose to live out our days on Earth. This teaching and the story of Buddha begins with the son of a king named Siddhartha Gautama which lays the basic foundation of Buddhism. While growing up and being raised to be the next king, Siddhartha, was never exposed to religion nor human suffering. He lived this sheltered life until he was 29 years old when he finally ventured passed his palace walls only to become exposed to the poverty and disease of the people living beyond the walls that shielded him for so long. After his experience he became fixated on escaping the world of suffering. Through the study of different religions, teachings, and passages he discovered meditation which he practiced for six
There is a time in all religious experiences that people look for spiritual growth by reflecting on the basics of life. An estimated 376 million people are considered to believe and follow Buddhist practices, the question of the four elements (sight’s), aging people, the sick, funerals processions and religion. These elements that Siddhartha Gautama saw, that led to him to seek religious enlightenment, and to give up his privileged life. These four elements come up in every religious walk at some point. Reflection on these elements can have astonishing effects in someone’s life. By looking at these elements, and by showing the effect they had on Siddhartha Gautama’s life, will show that anyone could grow in their spiritual belief by reflecting
In The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, Thich Nhat Hanh provides a citation from the Buddha, which gives insight into the cure of our distress. “I teach only suffering and the transformation of suffering” (Thich Nhat
How accurate is this statement in relation to ONE significant person or school of thought, other than the Buddha.
When reading a Record of Buddhist Kingdoms, by Fa-hsien I recognized a recurring theme. Fa-hsiens travels, through different kingdoms provides the reader with insight on the life and teachings of Buddha, and the tenets of the religion he founded. Although I recognized many themes, I will reflect on three that I found insightful, and inspiring. They are self-denial, Kindness to strangers, and sacrifice.
It is said that history is shaped by the lives of great men. Great men are leaders. They bring about change; they improve the lives of others; they introduce new ideas, models, and theories to society. Most of the world's religions were founded, developed, or discovered by great men. Two particular religions - Christianity and Buddhism - developed in different parts of the world, under different circumstances, and in different social atmospheres. But each religion is based upon the teachings of a great man. When one compares the life of Buddha with the life of Jesus, one finds that the two share many things in common. This essay aims to compare and contrast the lives of Buddha1 and Jesus in two key areas: conception and birth.
The journey “home” that Buddhists refer to as the privilege of enlightenment, the ultimate truth, is called the paramattha. The Paramattha is not the same journey as other faiths profess, because other faiths, like the science known as psychology, emphasize outside influence, in one way or another, in the ancient long search for understanding. Understanding life, afterlife, existence, thought, personality, behavior, and the unknown. These latter truth-seekers have overlapping roads of distinction on their charted course that is not an essential part of the
E. Preview Main Points: Today we will take an in-depth look at the beliefs of the Four Noble Truths and Karma and the customs of meditation and the Sacred Mandela. We will also explore its history in India and of Buddha, and how the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh have truly shaped this life changing religion.
This essay will reflect the meaning, as well as the mythological interpretation of a movie titled “Little Buddha.” In the movie, “Little Buddha,” there were Tibetan Buddhist monks from a monastery in Bhutan, led by Lama Norbu, searching for a child, who they believed had been reincarnated, as the Buddhist leader, Lama Dorje. This individual was thought to be in an American child named Jesse. Jesse was believed to be the son of an architect father, named Dean, and a school teacher mother, named Lisa. The family lived in Seattle, Washington. The monks traveled to Seattle to meet the boy, observe his daily routine and habits, learn his personality to determine if he could undergo further testing to prove whether or not he was the reincarnated being of Lama Dorje.