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 Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:45 am
What was the hardest thing you've done as a human, also buddhist?
Knowing society today and the teachings of buddah, we are taught to give up the 'cloth' of material posessions lest it cover our eyes from what is really important. what is the hardest thing, or something you thought would be the hardest thing to part with on your path?
I gave up meat and animal products.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:47 am
So far, lying has been the hardest and the easiest thing at the same time.
I used to be a prolific liar - every third thing that left my lips was a falsehood. After being a liar led me to do some really terrible things (which I will only go into detail in via PM - some of them are pretty embarassing), I finally smartened up and told ALL them people I was lying to the truths.
I still have trouble sometimes, because I lied for so long, with lies still coming out. I correct them fast though, and apologise. It's been the hardest to give up because it's so ingraned in my personality in some places that lying is my first reaction to some situations. It's been the easiest because I have never felt better than when telling the truth to someone, even if it's something they might not want to hear, rather than lying.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 8:08 am
Ive given up alot... gluttony, lying, lust (I was a big pervert) fighting (i used to love fighting, i was really into martial arts) but i never gave up meat. I feel that not eating meat wont stop the market for it, and if the animal is already dead, they have no use for thier flesh, so i might as well use it for nourishment. But i wont go out and kill something to eat it, either...
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 1:22 pm
I'm in the process of quitting smoking and coffee. I've successfully broken down from ~1/2 pack a day to one every once in a while, and I've been stocking up ok tea. Hopefully some irratic sleep patterns and some heavy tea drinking should wean me off of coffee.
I didn't really give anything up persay, but I do carry a scrap of paper in my wallet with the first 5 precepts on it. Keeps me mindful of my actions.
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Akanishi Makoto Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 2:03 pm
Actually, now that I think about it, I had a heck of a time breaking the caffeine habit. I used to literally live on Coke - a 24 would go in under two days around me. I realised one day shortly after beginning my in depth look at Buddhism that it wasn't helping me focus on anything at all, so I gave it up.
I had the shakes for a day when I first quit. It was scary. Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't have done the quitting cold turkey like I did, but I think if I tried to ween myself off the stuff I'd still be dependent.
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 6:43 am
hmm... well i have no problem with meat, i never liked the stuff... and i have never been interested in cigarettes or coffee... i was addicted to soda, but i cut that off before i was interested in buddhism (for health reasons). i think the hardest things i have trouble letting go of are material possessions. i have trouble giving up things. be it books or movies or a stuffed animal, or silly knickknacks. i almost lost everything i had in a hurricane last week and it truly made me see that things are of no real importance... but i still have a hard time letting go. i feel freer with less things though, i have noticed this. so i regularly go through things and give things away. 3nodding
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:16 am
I don't believe you need to give up martial arts or video games to become enlightened. My teacher in school is also a martial arts teacher, he has been taking martial arts for 35 years. It depends on what martial arts you take, true martial arts is also a form of meditation and focus. (Tai Chi) Also my other friend who is buddhist, is a master of a couple styles of japanese martial arts. And video games aren't bad as long as you aren't obsessed with them. I also RP alot, but I haven't been doing it as much lately.
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:49 am
The question about martial arts remains in the fact that they are preparing you for violence.
I could see them as beneficial if you practice them diligently and mindfully, then meditate on how they are a violent art and are a cause of suffering.
Also, with any physical or psycological activity, it's best not to be attached. If you feel yourself clinging to the art and the practice, then it's best to let it go completely.
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Akanishi Makoto Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 8:17 am
The hardest thing for me to let go of has definitely been lying and attachments to screans (TV especially!). I carry one of the little moleskin journals with me along with a pen that I keep a collection of buddhist teachings, excerpts from texts, and observations of human activity etc in. Like a couple other people, I've found that this helps me stay mindful of the buddha's teachings.
A freind of mine who is a very devout buddhist and also responsible for introducing me to the faith is also a martial artist studying ninjutsu. He believes that violence is a necessary evil in the world, but should only be used to protect those who are unable to protect themselves, and those who hide behind firearms are fools and cowards.
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:24 pm
The hardest thing that I gave up is TV it was so addicting.
I would sit down to watch one show but end up watching nonstop for 5-6 hours. It made me really lazy. I would go out somewere and I would want to go home quickly so I could watch tv. I haven't watched much tv for about two weeks now. ANd it has helped me focus a lot more on the more important things in life. biggrin
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Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 6:13 pm
TV has never been a problem for me. It's quite simple, just dont get cable! xp
what i need to detach myself from is my computer. I try to see myself without my computer; it is a very hard envision indeed.
Soda and pizza are my food "sins." plus there are some other habits i need to rid myself of. picking up pens off of other peoples' desks is one.
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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:17 pm
I gave up lots of my anger problems. When I converted to buddhism I was a very bad buddhist. I found my way with zen and now I am a happier person. My friends still hate that I am buddhist. With that I think I have also given up my hatred for most things. I also have given up my weed addiction for buddhism.
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 3:12 pm
i think i remember reading somewhere that the martial arts( or one form i dont remember, sorry sweatdrop ) where started by monks. Originally they were not for violence but as a way of focusing, training the body and the mind...or something sweatdrop
im still converting so im going to have a hard time with swearing, lying, and some foods. im not addicting to video games anymore, i just lost interest. which is good.in a way
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 5:49 am
I've given up alcohol and I have dissolved some of my attachments. I have relinquished old perceptions and modes of comprehension. I have begun to give up my selfish egoistic sense in favor of altruism. I have given up many causes of suffering.
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 12:16 pm
I just wanted to add that I've always had a weird addiction to books, not necessarily reading in some cases, just collecting cool books and reading them if I ever get a chance. An aspect of this I've started to notice, is Dharma books, I'll read one after another, but not really try to practice very much in other ways. A couple days ago, I decided I'd start reading one chapter of a book a day, or in some cases a week, and think about it aand meditate on it, make more of an effort to put what I've read into practice I guess.
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