Monk

"1. will a man (a Westerner) leave everything he worked for the past decade simply to find answers like what monks in the East been doing for the past few hundred years?

2. can a man (a Westerner) in pursuit his goal in Buddhism beg for alms in the street? "

Westerners are as human as asians and are capable of everything they are,though I would imagine it would be more difficult without buddhist cultural traditions in the general community to support alms.Begging for alms or complete sacrifice of lifestyle isnt vital to practicing buddhism,its about freeing one-self and developing compassion and wisdom.If begging and leaving everything helps them then thats fine too.

Buddhist teachings where not restricted to asians only,their teachings are applicable to all people and any person no matter where they come from with enough will and conviction can do whatever they need to in their spiritual path.

So i would answer yes to both,someone from the west can,It doesnt mean he has to though.

Seraphim

By Monk

Westerners are as human as asians and are capable of everything they are,though 1. I would imagine it would be more difficult without buddhist cultural traditions in the general community to support alms .Begging for alms or complete sacrifice of lifestyle isnt vital to practicing buddhism, 2. its about freeing one-self and developing compassion and wisdom .If begging and leaving everything helps them then thats fine too.

1. Yes ... it is easy for a monk to leave his former life in pursuit for his goal easier in the East than I could imagine in the West. While in the East, his family could understand that he has a higher purpose in life now, in the West however, it could simply be viewed as neglience toward one's family and duty.

2. True that is it not important. Question now is What will the Westerners sacrifice now to free oneself and developed the needed compassion? Or it that something which can be overlooked as well?
If so, that why do bother about Buddhism since it will be no better than Christianity where one prays and preach but do nothing to improve oneself?

Buddhist teachings where not restricted to asians only,their teachings are applicable to all people and any person no matter where they come from with enough will and conviction can do whatever they need to in their spiritual path.

And how strong is their will and conviction to pursuit this road? How will they approach Buddhism? How will they develop themselves to pursuit this path?

So i would answer yes to both,someone from the west can,It doesnt mean he has to though.

Then the question will be What is your purpose in accepting Buddhism? This is the basic question which ALL westerners should ask FIRST before they accepting Buddhism. IF they accept it simply because they are running from Christianity (or any other religions/teaching/cult) then what they are looking for is not answers but excuse.

Monk

Seraphim "Then the question will be What is your purpose in accepting Buddhism?"

I think every buddhist should ask themselves if they are being true to themselves and the path they follow.

Delusion and ignorance isnt restricted to the west,every sentient being on the planet suffers from it in varying ways.

I'm not sure why you are singling out westerners,it shouldnt be about where you come from.We all suffer from the same human condition.

Im not sure people in western countries are generaly looking for a replacement for christianity when they approach buddhism.From my own experience once leaving christianity I searched for the things I couldnt find there,Wisdom,Truth,Critical examination,Realistic practice and respect for the teachings.Not just a house of worship you visit on sundays or hypocritical religious practice.

Of course I cant say why other people start learning buddhist teachings,because im not them,but im pretty sure you can't say why they are either.

How sincerly a population practices spiritual beliefs is a personal thing,you cant judge how pure their motivations to practice are.

Seraphim

By Monk

I think every buddhist should ask themselves if they are being true to themselves and the path they follow.

True ... they should. Question is would they? This no one could answer.

Delusion and ignorance isnt restricted to the west,every sentient being on the planet suffers from it in varying ways.

I'm not sure why you are singling out westerners,it shouldnt be about where you come from.We all suffer from the same human condition.

Sentient being is like a seed fallen from a tree ... same as every other seeds which fall from the same tree, only different here is the ground on which seed had fallen. Those which fallen on to the soil will grow into another tree while others which fallen onto rocks and hard ground will not.
Western societies (US and Europe, even as far as middle east) in my opinion are hard ground.

Im not sure people in western countries are generaly looking for a replacement for christianity when they approach buddhism.From my own experience once leaving christianity I searched for the things I couldnt find there,Wisdom,Truth,Critical examination,Realistic practice and respect for the teachings.Not just a house of worship you visit on sundays or hypocritical religious practice.

Of course I cant say why other people start learning buddhist teachings,because im not them,but im pretty sure you can't say why they are either.

Why don't you walk around and read what/how others talk to each other here? Maybe you will find out whether they are looking for Wisdom or an excuse.

How sincerly a population practices spiritual beliefs is a personal thing,you cant judge how pure their motivations to practice are.

I can however make sure the purity of the practice (in this case Buddhism) stays as same as it was before. I could try my best to make sure that the new generation who approach this practise everything that there is to learn and make their own assumption.

Monk

Seraphim "Sentient being is like a seed fallen from a tree ... same as every other seeds which fall from the same tree, only different here is the ground on which seed had fallen. Those which fallen on to the soil will grow into another tree while others which fallen onto rocks and hard ground will not.
Western societies (US and Europe, even as far as middle east) in my opinion are hard ground."

The conditions of your place of birth and how conducive they are to dharma practice is based on karma or mental direction when in the bardo realm.

I would not consider "the west" to be hard ground because dharma teachers are visiting and helping create centres of learning.Close to where i live we have an FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) Centre where tibetan lamas and geshes teach.

While we may not have a strong buddhist tradition here yet,I dont think any place remains in a static state.It could make you look negativly on western buddhists purely because they are western,regardless of their learning or practice if you judge all practitioners by where they are born.

"Why don't you walk around and read what/how others talk to each other here? Maybe you will find out whether they are looking for Wisdom or an excuse. "

I dont want to judge a whole people by what I read on a message board,ill look at each person individualy.Its also not my place to critisize anothers practice,I need to look at my own first.

"I can however make sure the purity of the practice (in this case Buddhism) stays as same as it was before. I could try my best to make sure that the new generation who approach this practise everything that there is to learn and make their own assumption."

Isnt that what preserving lineage is about?

Seraphim

by Monk

The conditions of your place of birth and how conducive they are to dharma practice is based on karma or mental direction when in the bardo realm.

I would not consider "the west" to be hard ground because dharma teachers are visiting and helping create centres of learning.Close to where i live we have an FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) Centre where tibetan lamas and geshes teach.

My reply : Then we just have to wait and see what the Westerners will sacrifice to follow this path, won't we?
BTW - What is geshes?

While we may not have a strong buddhist tradition here yet,I dont think any place remains in a static state.It could make you look negativly on western buddhists purely because they are western,regardless of their learning or practice if you judge all practitioners by where they are born.

My reply : I just them from how they live, work and play. So far, West is an hard ground because they been under Christian influence for hundreds of years.
Their educational systems (of accepting views of people who studied them rather than those who lived through a practice), willingness of self-sacrifice, willingness to pursuit a path etc is less if compared to the East.

I dont want to judge a whole people by what I read on a message board,ill look at each person individualy.Its also not my place to critisize anothers practice,I need to look at my own first.

My question : Will your view above stands when you see another person having incorrect views about something? How will you react to a person who don't show enough willingness to pursuit a path BUT willing to voice his or her opinions that the path which he or she follows didn't bring any fruits? How will react then?

Isnt that what preserving lineage is about?

My reply : No, I believe it is perserving ones' knowledge so it will not be corrupted by passage of time.

paul30

Dear GSX1138,

Re: the Dalai Lama accepting things "just because."

There are lots of kinds of Buddhism, but I think most Buddhists would agree--and the Buddha himself certainly recommended--that you not accept anything just because.

And do not accept it because the Buddha said it, either.

The thing to do is to test it out for yourself.

This is the meaning of Buddha's famous overstatement: "If you see me on the road, you will have to kill me."

Harumi

This is one reason why I respect Buddhism as much as I do. My family is Buddhist, and even I was at one point, and I have seen how much they are willing to look at new ideas and not just accept them blindly...

Well most of the time anyways. Confucianism really negates the idea, which is depressing.

But I heard a story once of a new convert to Buddhism, and Buddha repeatly asking the man if he was sure. In fact, he acted as if he was more discouraging rather than encouraging. He wanted to make sure that the man was truly ready, not just leaping in out of a whim.

Which shows that at least Buddhism isn't out to force conversions like Abrahamic religions.

Seraphim

But I heard a story once of a new convert to Buddhism, and Buddha repeatly asking the man if he was sure. In fact, he acted as if he was more discouraging rather than encouraging. He wanted to make sure that the man was truly ready, not just leaping in out of a whim.

Which shows that at least Buddhism isn't out to force conversions like Abrahamic religions.

You can lead the cow to the water hole but you cannot make it drink

For conversion is useless because it will not bring faith, but blind followers.

Harumi

And fear.