[sleepergun]

Hi NR

In traditional Buddhism, there is quite a strong distinction made between monks and laypeople.

This distinction became blurred or even unknown in the West for at least three reasons:

(1) Originally, the Western scholars focused on the core teachings, which in the Buddha's time, were, for the most part, only taught to monks

(2) Originally, Western students focused on meditation and therefore the core teachings

(3) The original Asian teachers (eg. Suzuki, Lama Yeshe, Ajahn Chah, Buddhadasa, Tich Nhat Han, etc), in both servicing the curiosity about meditation and following their assumptions the educated scientific West was ready, for the most part, only taught the core teachings

Today, as Buddhism grows more popular in the West, the reincarnation & karma doctrine is heavily taught as gurus realise people want to hear these kinds of teachings rather than just the core teachings. However, the shortcoming of this is the reincarnation & karma teachings become somewhat serious & heavy.

If we study the original scriptures, we find:

(1) The Buddha provided many teachings specifically for laypeople; (example: Anana Sutta, Samajivina Sutta, Sigalovada Sutta, Veludvareyya Sutta, Lokavipatti Sutta, Upajjhatthana Sutta)

(2) The Buddha did not give a heavy karma teaching to laypeople. The Buddha did not admonish pleasure and the Buddha did not urge meditation.

The Buddha simply strongly exhorted living according to the five precepts and developing skillful means in relationships & life in general.

A summary of the Buddha's teachings for laypeople is here: http://www.mahidol.ac.th/budsir/Contents.html

Kind regards