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 Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:12 am
I know that i've only been studying about buddhism for only two days strait, but this has gotten confusing fast. I mean with jesus it's easy, he was good, he taught peace, then the romans killed him and apprently saved us.
I thought i was reading about the same guy, but there are apprently several buddhas?
sweatdrop
I figured i'd learn about the history and context as a whole, then fit in what suits me.
So far Zen has looked pleasent to me from what i know of it.
Truthfully, i'm in serious doubt that i can get a "master", and it maybe possible to obtain books at the library. I can give up everything but chicken and i don't consider anything of mine to be a worldly possetion anyways. I don't know how to meditate or anything else much for that matter.
So i need to know:
What are the names of each Buddha?
How do you meditate?
Is there a simple way or order i should go about it?
Help all you can. confused
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:20 am
Jinjur What are the names of each Buddha? It is said that there countless buddhas, so knowing them all would quite a daunting task. The belief in multiple buddhas is prevalent in the Mahayana Traditions of buddhism. I wouldn't worry about that too much, at least not yet. I would just concentrate on the basic teachings of the dharma. You find these audio files helpful: http://www.dharmapunx.com/htm/mp3.htm (look for "Soft Belly Meditation") http://www.audiodharma.org/talks-intromed.html (audio files are below for downloading or playing - highly recommended!) I'll be able to respond with greater detail later today when I return home. biggrin Metta, Jizo
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:43 am
There was the one historical Buddha, Siddartha Gautama who became enlightened.
As I enterpreted it, when he died many other Buddhas were recognized- mainly the Bodhisattvas. There are a lot of Bodhisattvas especially in Tibetan Buddhism (Mostly because there Buddhism mixed with Bon influences. Bon is an ancient Tibetan religeon). Some examples are the 21 different Tara's, Avalokatishwara the Buddha of Compassion, Manjusri who cuts ignorance with his sword, and the Buddha Shakimuni (of course).
Also, in China, Tara is related to Kwan Yin and in Japan, Manjusri is known as Monju.
It can also be noted that HH The Dalai Lama is the human incarnation of Avalokatishwara.
With Meditation the simplist form would be mindfulness meditation.
Just sit and focus on your breathing. If a thought arises, dismiss it as soon as it came. That is also known as Vipassana meditation.
There are also more complex forms of meditation which involve deity visulizations and a general knowledge Tibetan characters. Stick with mindfulness. wink
I hope that helps.
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:12 am
Jinjur I know that i've only been studying about buddhism for only two days strait, but this has gotten confusing fast. I mean with jesus it's easy, he was good, he taught peace, then the romans killed him and apprently saved us. I thought i was reading about the same guy, but there are apprently several buddhas? sweatdrop Yes, as in infinite. Everyone has the potential to be Buddha, everything has Buddha nature, and essentially, this entire universe is Buddha. I think you're getting a little confused, don't try and relate Shakyamuni (the historical Buddha) to Christ. Jesus was a divinity, he was the Son, and in all actuality, God, to the Christians. The Buddha was nothing more than a Man, and although he is regarded as the Perfect One, that's only because he was the Buddha. Quote: I figured i'd learn about the history and context as a whole, then fit in what suits me. So far Zen has looked pleasent to me from what i know of it. Zen looks very pleasant. Looks can also be very decieving. I hope you like sitting in the quiet with very numb legs. Quote: truthfully, i'm in serious doubt that i can get a "master", and it maybe possible to obtain books at the library. I can give up everything but chicken and i don't consider anything of mine to be a worldly possetion anyways. I don't know how to meditate or anything else much for that matter. You'd be surprised. I thought the same thing. My first suggestion would be E-Sangha. Ask around there. And about giving up - you have to give up on everything. The things you own, the things you want, your friends, family, and even yourself. You have to know, not fear, that someday you will die. This whole existence is going to cease, and that's a grim realization, and a very dangerous one. It's also the first step to emptiness and impermanence. Sometimes, though, the first step is off a cliff. Be careful. Remember, you are the key to your own salvation. Quote: So i need to know: What are the names of each Buddha? How do you meditate? Is there a simple way or order i should go about it? Help all you can. confused Every living creature, and every non-living thing is Buddha. Meditation is the simplest thing you could do, so simple your mind hates it. Find a quiet, uncluttered place that you have some space in. I would suggest that, if you intend to meditate a great deal (which, if Zen is your path, then you will) you purchase or look into a Zafu and Zabuton. Several pillows will also work. Position yourself in a burmese or half lotus position (one foot on a knee, the other is out in front of the other knee, there are several ways you can sit, and a good treatise on Zazen here). Now, just breathe, and watch your mind. Pay attention to everything it does, and watch the thoughts come and go. Don't get caught up in them, just watch them come and go. Counting your breaths is a great way (props Soujiro), start out at one, and count to ten. If you lose yourself or your mindfulness, start back at one. I would suggest only sitting for perhaps 10 or 15 minutes to start - don't be fooled, and think that it's only a short time and you can sit for longer, I wouldn't be surprised that you're dying to get up after 5 minutes. I was when I started. Just focus on quality, not quantity, and you'll find yourself sitting for hours as if they were only 10 minutes.
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Akanishi Makoto Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:32 am
Quote: Yes, as in infinite. Everyone has the potential to be Buddha, everything has Buddha nature, and essentially, this entire universe is Buddha. I think you're getting a little confused, don't try and relate Shakyamuni (the historical Buddha) to Christ. Jesus was a divinity, he was the Son, and in all actuality, God, to the Christians. The Buddha was nothing more than a Man, and although he is regarded as the Perfect One, that's only because he was the Buddha. I meant that the history of christ is a little bit easier to learn, to me Jesus was just a man also. Quote: Zen looks very pleasant. Looks can also be very decieving. I hope you like sitting in the quiet with very numb legs. Ah, but i already do that. lol Quote: And about giving up - you have to give up on everything. The things you own, the things you want, your friends, family, and even yourself. You have to know, not fear, that someday you will die. This whole existence is going to cease, and that's a grim realization, and a very dangerous one. It's also the first step to emptiness and impermanence. Sometimes, though, the first step is off a cliff. Be careful. If i think about it, i've already given up friends and family and things i want and have. Not sure about myself though, how does that work?
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:09 pm
Jinjur If i think about it, i've already given up friends and family and things i want and have. Not sure about myself though, how does that work? and I don't exist. If you hold onto this "you" that is impermanent and an illusion, you'll never get anywhere. What did your face look like before your parents were born?
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Akanishi Makoto Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:45 am
Jinjur If i think about it, i've already given up friends and family and things i want and have. Not sure about myself though, how does that work? Quote: According to Buddhism, the notion of an ego, that is, awareness of oneself as a discrete individuality, is an illusion. It arises because, misled by our bifuricating intellect (the sense of "knowing") into postulating the dualism of "myself" and "not-myself," we are led to think and act as though we were a separated entity confronted by a world external to us. Thus in the unconscious the idea of "I," or selfhood, becomes fixed, and from this arises such thought patterns as "I hate this, I love that; this is mine, that is yours." Nourished by this fodder, the ego-I comes to dominate the personality, attacking whatever threatens its position and grasping at anything which will enlarge its power. Antagonism, greed, and alienation, culminating in suffering, are the innevitable consequences of this circular process.
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