A few questions
 

Hello everyone, I hope you are all doing well.

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.

Firstly, I would like to know about the Buddhist worldview. Buddhism is a very different religion to the Abrahamic religion that I grew up with. In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, one has a clear ultimate goal in mind while they live their life (which would be going to heaven) but because Buddhism doesn't have a God, I would like to know about what a person's goals should be when they practice Buddhism. I know that one goal is Enlightenment, but I do not know much about it. Also, would there be any other goals?

Secondly, other than general resources, I would like to know if there is a "Holy Book" in Buddhism as there is with many other religions. Are there any texts that people use? Also, are these texts unanimously accepted by everyone, or do some sects of Buddhism have their own scriptures?

Thank you very much for your time.

Peace,
seeker

Hi seeker,

I think it would be a good idea for you to read the short transcript we have in the Beginners forum: 'What is Buddhism' and click on the MP3 at the top of the page so that you can listen as well.

http://www.dhammasukha.org/Study/Tal...R03-TS.htm#top


There isn't a 'holy book' in Buddhism but most Buddhists accept that the Pali Canon is the earliest text which contains the authentic teachings of the historical Buddha.

You can find more information at the link:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/help.html#map

with kind wishes

Aloka

hello Seeker

I suppose some useful questions are: "What is heaven?" "What is hell?" "How do they differ?"

Answering these questions may possibly clarify a similar goal in buddhism

Original buddhism has its scriptures (five sets, at this link), which are a report of what buddha taught, however, they are voluminous.

If you wish to browse, start with the Dhammapada and then Anguttara Nikaya or the other smalls books of the Khuddaka Nikaya, which have well known teachings such as the Maha-mangala Sutta and the Karaniya Metta Sutta.

The Maha-mangala Sutta offers an excellent summary of what Buddhism teaches, useful for the ordinary lay person or non-Buddhist.

The Dhammapada is a serious little book, probably originally compiled for monks.

The Sigalovada Sutta is the classic discourse for lay people, covering topics such as bodily & mental conduct, friendship & social relationships.

The linked texts are those of the Theravada school but are also accepted by most Mahayana schools. However, most Mahayana schools have additional texts, which they attribute to the Buddha, and which are equally voluminous .

Kind regards

Element http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

Hello

First - I would recommend that you contact a Buddhist centre and talk with the teacher. There is nothing like a face to face meeting and a bit of true advice.

Second - You might like to think about what drew you to consider Buddhism. There are any number of 'goals' you could follow - what is so great about Buddhism?

Third - If you are going to consider differences between schools/sects/traditions then you are looking through the wrong end of the telescope.

That isn't always possible for everyone. Sometimes it depends on family and work circumstances and how far away the nearest centres are in the area or country in which people live.

I'd also recommend from my own offline experience, that its a good idea to first have some basic knowledge of the core teachings of the Buddha and also to do some research into what the different traditions have to offer.

As for resources, I found "In the Buddha's Words" to be very useful. It is an anthology of the pali cannon complete with some very helpful commentary. http://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-.../dp/0861714911

I'm also currently reading "Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" by Thich Nhat Hahn which is really good. http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Buddhas-...d_bxgy_b_img_b

As for different goals besides personal enlightenment Mahayana Buddhism teaches that you should strive to "liberate all sentient beings." Meaning you should help others reach enlightenment.

One can't actually help others reach enlightenment until one has the knowledge and understanding to be able to know how to do that, however. If one wishes to save others from drowning, first one has to learn to swim oneself !

As this Beginners forum is for learning about the core teachings of the Buddha which are the basis of all traditions, any additional questions about Mahayana/Vajrayana Buddhism can be asked and answered in our tradition specific forum for that purpose.

Thanks http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

Seeker,

I happened to come across an essay last night (by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, a well-known monk and scholar) which might provide some answers to your questions.

'Samvega' was what the young Prince Siddhartha felt on his first exposure to aging, illness and death. It's a hard word to translate because it covers such a complex range — at least three clusters of feelings at once: the oppressive sense of shock, dismay and alienation that come with realizing the futility and meaninglessness of life as it's normally lived; a chastening sense of our own complacency and foolishness in having let ourselves live so blindly; and an anxious sense of urgency in trying to find a way out of the meaningless cycle. This is a cluster of feelings we've all experienced at one time or another in the process of growing up but I don't know of a single English term that adequately covers all three. It would be useful to have such a term, and maybe that's reason enough for simply adopting the word samvega into our language.

[Siddartha] gained a clear sense of his predicament and of the way out of it, leading to something beyond aging, illness and death, at the same time feeling confident that the way would work.

For people whose sense of 'samvega' is so strong that they want to abandon any social ties that prevent them from following the path to the end of suffering, Buddhism offers both a long-proven body of wisdom for them to draw from, as well as a safety net: the monastic sangha, an institution that enables them to leave lay society without having to waste time worrying about basic survival.

For those who can't leave their social ties, Buddhist teaching offers a way to live in the world without being overcome by the world, following a life of generosity, virtue and meditation to strengthen the noble qualities of the mind that will lead to the end of suffering.

Wow, thank you all very much for your responses. I will read the resources that you linked me to.

Unfortunately I definitely cannot go to a Buddhist centre because of family and my current situation, so I have to rely on the internet and one of my friends right now.

Thanks again :)

hello again Seeker,

to give an answer to your question, directly:

in general, the person goal in practising Buddhism is to live a happy & peaceful life, i.e., free from sufferings & problems

in life, there are many situations & events that can lead to people developing suffering. Buddhism teaches ways of viewing life, realistically, so there can be freedom from suffering

or there can be the personal goal of wishing to conduct one's relationships and personal life more successfully. Buddhism offers skilful methods, here

or some people do not find happiness in the ordinary life of relationships, family, sensual & material pleasures, etc, so their personal goal is to develop inner happiness & peace through meditation

or many Buddhists believe in reincarnation and their personal goal is to live a good life (of non-harming) so they have a good rebirth

these are some of the goals of people when they practice Buddhism

kind regards

element http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

Hi Element. I appreciate your answer

I am able to connect to this, when I think about it. I am thankful that I have good family relationships, and comfortable living conditions, but I often wonder if life has a greater purpose. I have been so used to having the goal of heaven and pleasing God as my purpose in life to the point where, without my old religion, I feel empty, and almost without meaning. It is because of this that I wonder if Buddhism has something similar to offer... I will read more about Enlightenment and what it means as this seems to be similar to some of my previous goals that I had.

peace :)

thank you Seeker

if your mind gains enlightenment, it will feel completely satisfied & fulfilled, because all negative emotions (such as discontent, feeling meaningless, etc) will be dissolved. the mind will be pure radiance, peace, understanding & light. an "inner purpose" will be fulfilled

as for an "outer purpose", buddhism also recommends helping others with suffering (because the world is full of human suffering). please consider the fulfilment & happiness you feel, when you genuinely help another in need

many Christian people devote their lives to helping others, which is similar to the Buddhist focus of cultivating compassion

kind regards

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

My guess is that most if not all of us here are not enlightened. But I think this forum is helping some people walk or starting on their path to enlightenment. Isn't that what it means to help others reach enlightenment?

Is your teacher enlightened? If not, why is she/he teaching you, helping you to reach your enlightenment?

Why do we have to wait until we are enlightened before we help others?

Hi Yuan,

Can I just point out that I was refering to the Mahayana phrase ''liberating /saving all sentient beings" which in my opinion is an unrealistic and entirely different aim for anyone to uphold .

Helping another person in some way, or running/posting in a Buddhist internet forum, or someone being a Dhamma teacher, is a natural outcome of exposure to the Dharma, but is hardly part of an expectation of 'saving all sentient beings.' This isn't something the Buddha told people to do, its a later add-on.

I also pointed out that the Beginners forum isn't really the place for discussions about specific Mahayana teachings.

Thanks http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif
.