Tendai Kaihogyo Practice

The significance of the Buddhist teachings has impacted the everyday lives of Buddhist adherents as it provides a set of guidance, in which the goal of individuals is to improve themselves through effort and ultimately reach Nirvana, enlightenment. Through the Four Noble truths; The existence of Dukkha (Suffering),

While this dimension is not as important as in some other faiths of a strongly sacramental kind, it is still highly regarded. This can be attributed to the fact that it is through certain rituals that the core experience of enlightenment is obtained. (Hope, 1995) The ritual central to the Buddhist faith is the practice of meditation. The importance of meditation is paramount because it was through meditation that Buddha was able to gain enlightenment. Consequently, Buddhists attempt to emulate Buddha when meditating by endeavouring to cultivate wisdom and compassion, whilst also trying to gain control of the mind and expel suffering. (Mudge et al, 1993) If a Buddhist is successful in accomplishing this then they are said to have gained enlightenment. In terms of mass rituals, Buddhism maintains a plethora of ceremonies dealing with both the 'Sangha' (Order of monks and nuns) and laity. The primary rituals concerning the 'Sangha' includes; the initiation ritual in which the shaving of the head is a common practice and the annual Kathina Festival, in which the laity of the faith offers fabric to the monks for their new robes. For the laity, worship is more personal than congregation. A common practice is the taking of the three refuges (See appendix 3), in which adherents chant the same three sayings in repetition. This type of chanting, along with meditation, are common acts of devotion in Buddhism. Recently

The Buddhist path requires courage, patience, flexibility and intelligence. Compassion includes qualities of sharing, readiness to give comport, sympathy, concern, caring. In Buddhism, we can really understand others, when we can really understand ourselves, through wisdom. Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by anyone. Buddhism teaches that they solutions to our problems are within us not outside. The Buddha asked all his followers not to take his word as true, but rather to test the teachings for themselves. (Brian White)

There have been many teachers in one’s lifetime, some more important than others. These teachers and instructors affect different people in different ways, and lessons are learned that are important to prepare for real life situations. In the book Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, a young Brahmin named Siddhartha is not content with his current spiritual self. Siddhartha is directed to spiritual enlightenment and Nirvana because of his guidance and teaching from Kamala, Kamaswami, and Vasudeva.

This paper is a book report on “Living Buddha, Living Christ,” written by, Thich Nhat Hanh. In this paper I will discuss the four themes; Mindfulness, Understanding, Interbeing, and Wisdom. I will define the themes, and explain how each theme listed is a part of my life and whether this theme, can be co-related along with my faith.

Teaching mindfulness might be thought to be simple, but in real sense it’s actually not easy to do effectively because one must first

The aspiration of all sentient beings is to reach enlightenment; to realize their Buddha-nature and ascend to Buddhahood. The path and method to reach enlightenment, however, differs depending on the perspective from which one views Buddhism. Dogen, in his teachings on Zen Buddhism, promotes the practice of zazen to reach enlightenment. Shinran and the Pure Land sect are devoted to Amida Buddha, who they believe will bring them to the Pure Land, and enlightenment. The ways espoused by Dogen and Shinran are similar in some aspects, but differing enough in others to warrant the separate sects of Buddhism in Japan. For the purposes of this examination, the two sects can be summarized by how they look at reaching enlightenment: Zen Buddhism focuses inwardly, while Pure Land focuses outwardly. By examining their own words on how one is to reach enlightenment, the similarities and differences in their methods can be seen, allowing a better understanding of the teachings of their respective sects.

In return, all living beings too, teach as well as promote inner happiness in Buddhism for the sake of nature and objects. The range of space around one’s enlightenment can enlighten others, filling them with realization. Once an individual realizes, he will not stop realizing. Therefore, everything is connected as one. Once the enlighten starts by one individual, it spreads endlessly toward everything around with

Thesis: By being more familiarize with the Buddha, you will have a greater appreciation of the Buddhist culture.

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

Since 2006, I’ve been a proud member of VanHanh Buddhist Youth Organization. My youth group’s teaching of Buddhism philosophy, changed my viewpoint on life. As I grew up feeling miserable over my family’s misfortunes, I applied Buddhism in my life to become optimistic.

In the stories of Thich Nhat Hanh “Easing Suffering through Compassion for All”, it showed how religion tends to help human beings develop a compassion and love for others. When an individual like Thay (Nhat Hanh), is able to connect with oneself, then they have a unique opportunity to connect to one another. It is wonderful when human beings can perceive not only their own suffering but also the suffering of others. In my view, meditation is just one of the processes that can help an individual to reach or find the condition that a person needs to be able to receive the gifts reserved for oneself. “Thay founded the Tiep Hien Order, also known as the Order of Interbeing” (Parachin, p.65). Tiep means, “to be in touch”

The comparison of Hisamatsu’s “The record of Linji” and Suzuki’s “Zen Mind, Beginner Mind” illuminates a variety of similarities and differences concerning the path of enlightenment. We will exam some of these points, to further illustrate the process in which each individual may pursue this path to enlightenment. Each chosen passage will also help identify themes of awakening, which may be relevant in today’s society.

Bodhicitta is a way of gaining enlightenment by developing trust in our heart, or in other words, compassion. The three abilities of Bodhicitta are: soft and gentle, clear and sharp (prajna), and emptiness (shunyata) (Chödrön pg. 11). The idea of Bodhicitta relates to the slogan of “Always abide by the three basic principles” (Chödrön pg. 104). The slogan contains themes of discipline with prajna, compassion, and patience with its soft and gentleness of Bodhicitta, within interactions with others in the world. In Bodhicitta, when we are to be motivated by our love to help others and to grow away from the attachment that we are the only thing in the world that we need to care about, we can understand our

In contemporary Tendai Kaihogyo tradition, one can reach enlightenment by helping others. Before doing so, however, one must improve himself or herself.