The And Lay Followers And The Buddhist World

4b) According to the Diamond Sutra teaching on the practice of mindfulness, explain the reasoning behind the necessary tie made between non- attachment and

The social organization in Buddhist culture is twofold. First, there is a great focus on the individual letting go of their ego and coming to terms with the impermanence of life. Life is ever-changing and fleeting. Buddhists in general spend a great deal of time alone, meditating and learning about oneself, the better to let go of ego. On the other hand, Buddhism takes into account the small role that individuals play in the world, with rules such as not eating animal products because it would harm a living being and practicing kindness toward others so as not to inflict any pain on them (Das,1997). On an individual level, Buddhists can have varying levels of social organization when it comes to family, friends, and support systems. This is dependent on where they grew up. For example, a Buddhist from Seattle, Washington is probably going to have a very different social structure than a Buddhist from Nepal. Social organization needs to be

The Sangha, the Buddhist monastic order, comprises Bhikku (monks), Bhikkuni (nuns), laymen, and laywomen. While the Bhikku and Bhikkuni depend upon the laywomen and men for economic support, the lay community depends on them for spiritual guidance and ritualistic practices. This well-rounded mutual relationship is clearly a division not only amongst religious status, but determined by gender as well. This is quite a contradiction with the Buddhist belief that your physical self is impermanent and ultimately attachment to your illusory self will cause you suffering. The second Noble Truth states that suffering originates from our ongoing desire, a clinging to possessions, attachments, and self. Why would a religion founded in the idea of shedding attachment focus so much on gender, which is an attachment? I feel that the Buddha’s hesitation in allowing women to be initially recognized in the Sangha originates from his early childhood convictions of women, fear of the Dharma becoming further compromised, and ultimately leading to the deterioration of Buddhism altogether. The Buddha’s hesitations regarding women becoming monastics seem to be questionable because of the way women have responded to this discrimination even during the Buddha’s lifetime. These women are evidently devoted to the ideals and teachings of Buddhism because of their ability to shed attachments and embody a fully monastic lifestyle. As they are shedding their attachments they give up their gender.

for others. Since Buddhism is based on the welfare of other beings, people are attracted to follow

Whenever I thought of Buddhist I saw bald men or women with orange robes, white socks, and brown sandals. Obviously, not the older woman with gray hair that was now facing me and the other twenty congregants in the meditation room. She was obviously the leader.

Many people don’t consider Buddhism a true religion. They believe it is a dharma or a way of teaching. Siddhartha Gautama is buddha, he was born in Nepal to a noble Hindu family. His mother has a dream that his birth is going to be the coming of a great one, of an Enlighted human being. She knew he would either be a substantial ruler if he stays home or a spiritual leader if he leaves home. Siddhartha’s dad really wants him to stay at home because he wants

Buddhism has been around for over two thousand years, and continues to do so in many countries around the world. This religion originates in Asia and has a very unique adversity, much of its structure arose from the end of World War II, predominantly Asian nations needed to restructure society (RoAT 167). The word ‘Buddha’ means one who has awakened and will no longer be reborn. Thereafter, one who will enter nirvana, the state of being free from suffering.

After conducting my research on the daily practices of Buddhism, my mind kept going back to one of the first articles discussed in the class. In the article it briefly discusses how Buddhism, even though commonly viewed as a lifestyle, can be viewed as a religion by his criteria. Jane considers the core principles of Buddhism such as being kind to your neighbor, loving one another, genuineness, and inner peace that she deems more important than all other actions that could be done in her life; This idea gives her reason to act the way she does each and every single day.

Buddhism is a religion that focuses more on the individual and the actions of that individual, which was prevalent to me when I made my way into Portland and set foot in a Buddhist temple. The man I met within the walls of this temple was far from my stereotypical thoughts of Buddhist monks. The man I met looked like your plain old, average Joe, American man. Before I delve into the depths of my visit to this inspiring place, I need to sum up the Buddhist religion and why I chose to study this particular group of people.

Albert Einstein once said, “the religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal god, avoid dogmas and theology. Covering both the natural and spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all natural and spiritual and a meaningful unity. Buddhism answers this description. If there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism.”# Many great minds like Albert Einstein have converted or become Buddhists. Many people from the west are turning their attention towards Buddhism because of the Buddha’s simple way to life and the lack of worship or prayer to a divine being.

Buddhism has been around for thousands of years and has millions of followers who search to seek enlightenment through the teachings of Buddha (http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/bud_statwrld.htm). Buddhism is a religion based off the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became The Buddha, or enlightened one. The ultimate goal of human life in Buddhism is self-realization and self-enlightenment. The Buddha taught if we follow his teachings we can achieve enlightenment and can reach Nirvana, which means no cravings (http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/buddha/Teachings/presentlife.htm).

Buddhism stands as a philosophy and a religion founding itself on the theory of a possible eternal soul. Until awakening is achieved, this eternal soul is locked in the vicious cycle of rebirth (Samsara). According to the Four Noble Truths preached by the Buddha, life is a perpetual suffering caused by desire and attachment, and freedom from suffering is only possible by practicing the Eightfold Path. The World is suffering in a succession of temptations and negative experiences from birth to death. Therefore Buddhism advises on searching to go beyond suffering, and only aspire to rest, nothingness, and liberation, into a final state called Nirvana. Happiness or Nirvana can eventually be achieved in a hereafter, another life, if man abandons any desire or perspective of action within his present life, in order to go past suffering.

From my personal perspective, the criteria of a Buddhist Scholar are not only taught at any university, or anyone has the title of professor within any education organizations or communities. It does not matter if she/he is a monastery or lay disciple. Because, anything of judgment is not the only standard, and there are many conditions related to be a qualified Buddhist Scholar.

Moreover, they are viewed as an integral part of Buddhist society. Without them, the original teachings and practices of the Buddha would slowly and almost surely disappear from the world as a practicing lay Buddhist’s day to day life differs greatly from those who subject their entire existence to the religion. To become a Buddhist monk is to cast away all earthly possessions and devote one’s entire life to the way of the Buddha. This means that the very existence of the monk relies on the support of those who give to his monastic community. The support from the lay community that surrounds the monastic community is essential as the entire monkhood relies on them for the four things they provide: food, shelter, medicine, and

Buddhism is a religion that is all about finding enlightenment and nirvana. People want to find nirvana, a state of mind in which one is released from fear and desire, so they no longer have to go through reincarnations (Monroe 110). Buddhism is a peaceful religion that doesn't believe in violence. They believe that all live are sacred and deserve to enjoy life whether it be a human or an animal. Buddhists live by a moral code of conduct with a proper control of emotions and thinking. There is a list of the Five Precepts for Right Living. The first one is do not kill, second do not steal, third do not lie, fourth do not consume alcohol, and fifth do not indulge in sexual excesses outside of marriage (Monroe 111). All buddhist search for enlightenment, however deny the existence of an afterlife. They do not believe there is a heaven nor a hell to punish their sins or reward their good deeds (Monroe 108). This means there is no salvation in an afterlife but