Introduction to Buddhism:
Topics:
- The Heart Sutra
- 5 Ways Buddhism appears on the Earth
- Causation and Karma
- 5 Ways to wisely help someone
5 Ways Buddhism appears on the Earth
- Religion Style Buddhism – appears through stories of hope, belief and fear. Take Buddha as another kind of God. Not based on logic.
- Cultural Style Buddhism – how Buddhism appears in daily events in some cultures, ‘Day of Elephant’, they take Buddhism and mix with own culture – ceremonies, shows, mixed together.
- Mental Game Style Buddhism – somebody can talk a lot of ideas about philosophy but does not actually understand by heart. Like someone who reads a lot of martial arts but can’t defend themselves.
- Greedy Style Buddhism – selling Buddhism, totally use it to try to become famous, on Youtube, make people believe you are a Guru, make money, intention which results in bigger ego in wrong direction.
- Practical Wisdom Style – to become Dharma, see through the illusion of life and awaken, back to the essence and true kindness
Side note:
Causation and Karma
Every cause has an effect. Every effect has a cause. And every effect is a new cause for a new effect.
When you see a tree, you know must have come from somewhere. Come from a seed. Everything in your life. Cause and effect also result in next lifetime, this is called Karma.
You are supposed to use Buddhism, such a beautiful philosophy, such wise intention, help yourself to be free and pure, help everybody be free from suffering and be wise. This style used just for your own benefit, control others for famous and for money and power. Then of course you plant a poison seed and of course you going to create poisonous plant, then you get poisoned.
How to avoid this?
5 Ways to wise help
1. You have the ability to help
2. They have a willing heart to learn
3. You are free to choose to help
4. You enjoy to help
5. It’s in a spiritual direction
5. Practical Wisdom Style Buddhism
Use Buddhism to develop your observing ability to understand your own heart, your body and your surroundings. Through developing this ability start to become free, wise, pure, kind, caring and joyful. Eventually develop the ability to share this wisdom through compassion. Convenient style wisdom means to find a way to match the philosophy to the life learning.
Class: 2016, April 17th
