Buddists, please answer some questions

[jroe52]

Originally I had wanted to direct this towards zen practitioners, but I think we should share opinions from all buddists. If the answers are too personal, please feel free to skip over the question, but keep the numbers in proper order. If you find that you practice the same style differently, just explain yourself and try not to belittle others. Please include self criticisms, or previous criticisms that you have found resolutions to for yourself.

1. do you find that practicing Buddism,, has helped with increasing your compassion for sentient beings? (if possible state which style of buddism you consider yourself... chazen, zen, tibetan, american buddist )

2. do you find that this practice, helps your meditation? what kind of meditation do you perform? (empty, focus, asana etc)

3. what are your favorite sutras, stories, oral sermons, books etc. why have you found them important? was their any awakening experiences?

4. do you practice bits and pieces from different traditions or buddhist scholars? (buddhist scholars meaning, Dalai Lama, famous monks etc)

5. Do you incorporate your religious morals into your life, or do you follow laws, nationalism, patriotism before your religious values? (such as... buddhist shouldn't kill, but you may support killing others at war)...I guess I am asking, do you consider yourself practicing what you learn, or do you practice and then act hyprocritically?

6. Do you eat meat? If so, how often and it what manor... such as do you kill it yourself, or do you have somoene else kill it for you?

7. Do you pray? If so, who do you pray to? If not, what alternatives do you perform (or simply state how you practice your religion in more depth).

8. Do you meditate? How so? (kung fu forms, qigong, yoga, sitting meditation, walking, etc)

9. Have you ever practiced/worshiped at a temple? Do you belong to a temple?

10. Are you frustrated with pollution, war and violence?

11. Which martial arts do you practice? Do you meditate while practicing martial arts? (if so, how so?)

12. favorite quote/poem/saying etc

[jroe52]

My response (I seperated this to make it more clear).

1.
I practice Tibetan Buddism, though not traditionally. I have read many of the Dalai Lama's works and try to incorpirate some of his wisdom. I also enjoy reading Saddatissa's writing (Sri Lanka) since he writes to a western educated audience, helping to make pali concepts more clear.

I find that my compassion for others has grown greatly, though my temper is the greatest issue I need to resolve. Patience is something I need to work with at home. I now am more observent of the ants below my feet, the birds above my head and the lovely trees by the smelly Milwaukee river.

2. I practice yoga and qigong, mostly for stretching and relaxing. From here I then usually meditate for a few minutes in a half lotus position. Often I meditate while practicing shil lim tao (wing chun form), which has helped my balance, concentration and wing chun abilities. I find that Wing Chun, yoga and qigong help my meditating and my meditating helps them.

3. I like "before he was buddha" by saddhatissa. This book tells the story of buddha's life which helps to explain the four noble truths, and other great lessons. However, I have learned much from reading "how to practice" by the dalai lama, along with his autobiography "freedom in exile".

I also enjoy the poetic dharmmapada, which has great wisdom for buddhists. Specific suttras I cannot recall, but I have enjoyed what I read.

4. Yes. I like to practice what I've learned from studying Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama. I also am very observent due to meditating in the wilderness, which could be considered zen or daoism, however ever since the first monks were ordained have buddist been going on jungle retreats (though mine are in milwaukee 0.o)

5. I find myself trying to live by my own standards so I sound more credibile and sincere in my beliefs and criticisms (such as on the rescent iraq war). If we cannot follow our own beliefs, we should not try to teach or enforce them upon others. I think it is best not to be a hyprocrite so people respect us as buddhists. The greatest thing I think for me is quiting smoke and drinking... which drinking I have kept to a minimum;) (precepts)

6.
When I hunt, I eat what I kill. I eat meat, but I try to in respectful ammounts, and pray in thanks and bless their spirit. Many buddhists eat meat to stay healthy, though we should do so in a healthy and careful manor. I think as buddhists we need to not criticize the butchers if we are going to eat their work!

7. I pray and focus meditate on the Buddha. I pray often to the buddha. Often I do so to give thanks or ask for guidance or wisdom or in extreme circumstances for help.

8. I meditate while doing yoga, qigong, wing chun gung fu and while meditating. While doing asana (any of them described above, which is position meditating or meditating while moving).... I often do not focus on anything, just try to breathe properly and relax. however when i sit and meditate, i perform focus meditating and image a buddha in my head or stare at my wall buddha. focus meditating has greatly helped my concenration and imaginary skills.

9. No, I hope to someday. Though I have meditated/pray in front of buddha statues and thankas

10. Yep. I tried to convince my father that we can make a difference, but his reply is " i'm only one person, i cant make a difference. Besides those help american progress". I believe no life is worth sacraficing for progress.. we can make a difference. it is proved by the simple fact, that if we choose not to make a difference we help the problem! therefore, like recycling... we can set an example and remain abstaint from such issues and help better our world through this manor. Hopefully, someday soon more people use their religions to help grow happiness and compassion for all sentient beings

11. Wing Chun kung fu, and yes i meditate doing forms.

12. Dalai Lama and an earlier Indian yogi

For as long as space endures,
And for as long as sentient beings remain,
until then may I, too,
abide to dispel the misery
of the world.

[Satori81]

I'll take a crack at this. You can't necessarily consider me "Buddhist", though, as I have a copy of the Holy Bible right next to the Gnostic Texts, the Bhagavad Gita, and "The Miracle of Mindfulness" by Thich Nhat Hahn.

Still, Buddhism has impacted my left tremendously, and I still attempt to maintain a correct practice with my life.

(Answers are in red under the questions)


1. do you find that practicing Buddism,, has helped with increasing your compassion for sentient beings? (if possible state which style of buddism you consider yourself... chazen, zen, tibetan, american buddist )

Yes, I do. I'm a vegetarian, I am fortunate to make enough money to only buy cruelty-free products, and I TRY to treat everyone like an empty boat. I DON'T feel that Buddhism is the only means to become more compassionate, however, and most "Buddhists" will agree. I will say that the methods of Buddhism have created another means to approach life with kindness and non-judgement.

2. do you find that this practice, helps your meditation? what kind of meditation do you perform? (empty, focus, asana etc)

I've found that having group meditation with chanting in the background helps a bit. I've practiced all sorts of meditation...and I struggle CONSTANTLY to maintain a good meditation practice. I prefer walking meditation, mantra meditation, prayer, sexual/tantric meditation (yeah, I practice that), and simply "Being Still". All have their purpose, and all meditation is beneficial.

3. what are your favorite sutras, stories, oral sermons, books etc. why have you found them important? was their any awakening experiences?

I find the tales of Christ to be some of the best Buddhist stories I've ever heard :p

As for "awakening experiences"...please don't romanticize Buddhism. You won't be "awakened" in this lifetime, and any attempts to become "Enlightened" will inevitably fail.

"The man who tries to walk two paths will finish neither."

4. do you practice bits and pieces from different traditions or buddhist scholars? (buddhist scholars meaning, Dalai Lama, famous monks etc)

Thich Nhat Hahn is a favorite of mine, as is Pema Chodron and Shunryu Suzuki.

5. Do you incorporate your religious morals into your life, or do you follow laws, nationalism, patriotism before your religious values? (such as... buddhist shouldn't kill, but you may support killing others at war)...I guess I am asking, do you consider yourself practicing what you learn, or do you practice and then act hyprocritically?

Everyone is a hypocrit, and everyone will at some point act hypocritically. I'm no different, and I'm certainly not special.

As I stated above, I am financially stable enough to be vegetarian and to spend my money on products that "Morally" satisfy my beliefs.

I'm also a staunch exponent of self-defense, and I struggle with concepts of forgiveness...especially with the horrific deeds that humans are capable of committing. I've never had to kill anyone, but I am a Marine Corps veteran and I'm a lawfully armed citizen that will kill to defend myself, my family, my friends, and my country.

I suppose that makes me a hypocrit...but no one is perfect :D

6. Do you eat meat? If so, how often and it what manor... such as do you kill it yourself, or do you have somoene else kill it for you?

Err...covered that already. No meat. Lots of tofu and beans. Night times are very fragrant.

7. Do you pray? If so, who do you pray to? If not, what alternatives do you perform (or simply state how you practice your religion in more depth).

I pray. I give thanks for the blessings I have, I ask guidance in matters I'm anxious about, I ask for patience and forgiveness when I've been foolish, and I request strength to perform when I'm not feeling confident.

8. Do you meditate? How so? (kung fu forms, qigong, yoga, sitting meditation, walking, etc)

Seated, walking, sexual (yes, I said it again), and stillness.

9. Have you ever practiced/worshiped at a temple? Do you belong to a temple?

I frequent the Self Realization Fellowship, and I've stayed at Thich Nhat Hahn's Deerpark Monastery. I've also attended services at a local Lutheran Church and I've sat in during readings at a local Christian Science (NOT SCIENTOLOGY) reading room.

As for belonging to a temple...why focus my time, money, and faith in only one building? ;)

10. Are you frustrated with pollution, war and violence?

Yes, but I'm more frustrated with my own inadequacies, fears, insecurities, and failures as a human being. How can I hope to fix the world if I'm so terribly broken to begin with? ;)

11. Which martial arts do you practice? Do you meditate while practicing martial arts? (if so, how so?)

I practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kara Ho Kempo (I'm more of a poser and wannabe lately, though, as I haven't been able to train) "officially". I train in Lung Ying, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, and Boxing infrequently with friends.

"Meditation" is often the simple act of shutting down Regret for the Past and Fear of the Future, and existing in the bliss that is Now. Anyone that forgets their anger, frustration, fear, and anxiety while working out is essentially "Meditating"...even if they aren't seated on a rock at the top of a mountain. ;)

[jroe52]

I haven't read your full reply yet, i have to leave work... but... many buddhists are dual religion in both the east in west.

my girlfriend is shaman and buddhist:)

many are christian and zen buddhist...

i think you seem to fall in a catagory.... that buddhist philosophy has helped alot (many practice it as a philosophy and follow a different religion)...

update:
I forgot to add tantric meditation! it has helped alot in my meditation and sex lol.... and hella cheaper then viagra

[MadMonk108]

Pain.

[Satori81]

"I bring you peace and love"

"He brings us peace and love...LET'S KILL HIM!"

[kwang gae]

http://www.homersimpson.me.uk/Alien.jpg

Seriously though, I'll try to answer your questions a bit later on today... Kind of a lot going on there.

[Durkhrod Chogori]

I am not an strict Buddhist as am also involved in Taoist philosophy and practice. I meditate daily (twice a day) following Vipassana practice (insight meditation). Love and compassion are a natural by-product of meditation.

I don't go to temples because I don't need them. I rather go to the natural environment for inspiration and relaxation. More benefitial for me.

I also practice charity as a by-product of practice and I have no interest in material wealth or obsession for acquisition. I am almost a celibate and thinking of becoming a in the near future, but I won't join a formal monastic order though.

I follow the Theravada tradition, which is the purest form of Buddhism. But also have a close affinity to Chan/Zen as it's Buddhism with elements of Taoism incorporated.

With Metta (http://dharma.ncf.ca/introduction/sutras/metta-sutra.html),


DC.

[jroe52]

Careful wirth terms like "purest", since... well you might get a lot of criticism! Thats not taking into account 2500 years of war in Asia, Maoism that destroyed many buddist works, the fact that oral tradition was the method until they were written down 600 years after buddha's death etc... or that their are many paths to the bodhi tree;)

Feel free anyone to shorten their response, I was bored at work, which you might not be.

[Pitfighter]

I'll take a crack at this too but it is a bit long.
Originally I had wanted to direct this towards zen practitioners, but I think we should share opinions from all buddists. If the answers are too personal, please feel free to skip over the question, but keep the numbers in proper order. If you find that you practice the same style differently, just explain yourself and try not to belittle others. Please include self criticisms, or previous criticisms that you have found resolutions to for yourself.

1. do you find that practicing Buddism,, has helped with increasing your compassion for sentient beings? (if possible state which style of buddism you consider yourself... chazen, zen, tibetan, american buddist )
Yes. I am a non-denominational Buddhist.
2. do you find that this practice, helps your meditation? what kind of meditation do you perform? (empty, focus, asana etc)
It is more like the other way around. Meditating helps me be a better Buddhist.
3. what are your favorite sutras, stories, oral sermons, books etc. why have you found them important? was their any awakening experiences?
There are too many anecdotes of Buddha or by Buddha (Siddhartha, do be more precise, as there may be many Buddhas) for me to quote but in general many of the anecdotes that to me have a direct application to real life. For example:
I like the story of a Jain pupil coming to Buddha and asking for advice on how to achieve enlightenment. Instead of giving him advice Buddha told him to continue practicing Jainism and if he felt he still needed guidance than he should come back.

IMO the moral was not to be flippant about one's faith. Do some real soul searching before falling for any preaching. Many of the other anecdotes deeply resonated with me and some inspired epiphanies.

Also like the Monkey King stories though they don't have as much to do with Buddhist philosophy, they are amusing.
4. do you practice bits and pieces from different traditions or buddhist scholars? (buddhist scholars meaning, Dalai Lama, famous monks etc)
YES.
5. Do you incorporate your religious morals into your life, or do you follow laws, nationalism, patriotism before your religious values? (such as... buddhist shouldn't kill, but you may support killing others at war)...I guess I am asking, do you consider yourself practicing what you learn, or do you practice and then act hyprocritically?
The laws I vote for or the officials I vote for mirror my values as a Buddhist and I would hope my political, social, economic, and psychological outlooks would also be complementary to my faith. However like all humans I am sure I have some hippocrisies.
6. Do you eat meat? If so, how often and it what manor... such as do you kill it yourself, or do you have somoene else kill it for you?
Here is one of my hypocrissies. I do eat meat. I wasn't born a Buddhist I converted at 14. I simply can't quit eating meat, I find it too delicious. In fact I used to be downright carnivorous. However overtime my tastes have sophisticated and now I have an Epicurion method of moderation. Indulging in a variety of foods in order to moderate in each. I do not kill my meat unless I am cooking live seafood. One day I hope I can stop eating meat.
7. Do you pray? If so, who do you pray to? If not, what alternatives do you perform (or simply state how you practice your religion in more depth).
NO. I prefer meditation for contemplation. If there is a higher power such as God, Amitaba (Ahm Me To Fo in Taiwanese), or Quan Yin (commonly known as Avalokiteshvara but I call him/her Guan Sin Pu Sa) they have little or no relevance on my actions or IMO the world's affairs. Don't have room to flesh out why I believe this.
8. Do you meditate? How so? (kung fu forms, qigong, yoga, sitting meditation, walking, etc)
Usually I use raja yoga techniques but I occasionally do zazen or seiza.
9. Have you ever practiced/worshiped at a temple? Do you belong to a temple?
I occassionally attend my mom's temple which is a mix of Pure Land and Zen. I used to attend this often as a child but being non-denominational I do not really agree with some aspects of the temple's beliefs or ceremony. When I go there it is to give my mother company but I do not consider myself a member of the temple.
10. Are you frustrated with pollution, war and violence?
YESSS.
11. Which martial arts do you practice? Do you meditate while practicing martial arts? (if so, how so?)
I currently don't attend any MA classes or gyms but I used to do TKD. Currently I practice Muay Thai on my own as a supplement to my exercise routines. Yes I meditate doing the martial art. Since I don't go to a gym I don't spar I shadowbox or do bagwork. I meditate by focusing at the task at hand, similar to how Zen monks meditate by cleaning but a different activity obviously.
12. favorite quote/poem/saying etc
"Moderate in all things including moderation" - Kung Fu Tzu (aka Confucius).

[jroe52]

many buddists eat meat... since if they do not often they fall to illness. however, we should minimize the harm we do to animals... therefore instead of eating 4 cheasburgers a day, we should limit ourselves to the essential amount for healthy levels of protien and vitamin b. however, at the same time we have to be grateful for what we have taken, and bless them in their next lives;) i try more now to pray before each meal quietly, though i often forget.

even the dalai lama has to eat meat, and he is one of tibetans greatest buddhists! when he moved to india, he was amazed by vegetarians and thought it was very moving for him. however, when he tried to become a vegetarian he got very ill and turned yellowish/goldish. he was informed to stop eating so many nuts and switch to meat..

however, many are able to live as vegetarians.. often this is due to microorganisms that are left on our foods or due to supplements.

i think its good to have a balance of both.. try not to live a life of glutny and don't worry... if we are saving sentient beings through kindness it is a much greater deed then through ignorance and suffering. though often it is an awakening expreince to kill your own supper and prepare it... it is rather different then having someone do the dirty work for you and telling the butcher they are a bad person for doing it!

shew, when you think of all the sentient beings, i hope we make a difference (i noticed when i drove my truck this weekend i killed hundreds of inscets, it is rather sad, i hope they grow up on another planet nextime lol)

[xen]

1. do you find that practicing Buddism,, has helped with increasing your compassion for sentient beings? (if possible state which style of buddism you consider yourself... chazen, zen, tibetan, american buddist )

i wouldn't say "i'm a buddhist", i believe its a contradiction in terms. The direct simplicity of zen appeals to me, because it balances the natural tendancy i have to complicate things.

yes, my compassion is greater now than it was before, but be careful with the word "compassion"; not all compasionate acts are perceived as 'nice'. True compassion can have a very sharp edge.


2. do you find that this practice, helps your meditation? what kind of meditation do you perform? (empty, focus, asana etc)

breathing, focusing the mind on what is coming in through the senses rather than getting lost in my own internal mental reflections, meditation is just focused living, ritualising it is unneccesary.

3. what are your favorite sutras, stories, oral sermons, books etc. why have you found them important? was their any awakening experiences?

zen koans/stories which point in the general direction, but which leave the detail of the route to the individual; i don't do scripture, again, i believe it is an unneccesary diversion from the things which are important

4. do you practice bits and pieces from different traditions or buddhist scholars? (buddhist scholars meaning, Dalai Lama, famous monks etc)

i practice what is right for me.

5. Do you incorporate your religious morals into your life, or do you follow laws, nationalism, patriotism before your religious values? (such as... buddhist shouldn't kill, but you may support killing others at war)...I guess I am asking, do you consider yourself practicing what you learn, or do you practice and then act hyprocritically?

i follow nothing and no-one besides my own sense of what is just. Fortunately, this isn't that far from 'the law' so i tend to lead an unobtrusive life.

6. Do you eat meat? If so, how often and it what manor... such as do you kill it yourself, or do you have somoene else kill it for you?

yes i eat meat, no i don't kill it, yes i would do if my life was less tied to the consumer society which wraps the carcus in plastic for me and delivers it to the shop on the corner.

i would prefer to hunt and kill my own food, but all i'd get locally would be cat and i don't think the neighbours would like my back yard to become an abbatoir.

7. Do you pray? If so, who do you pray to? If not, what alternatives do you perform (or simply state how you practice your religion in more depth).

no. when you pray you are talking to yourself, but pretending you are talking to someone who cares and who can make things better.

you are the one who can make things better, no-one else.

8. Do you meditate? How so? (kung fu forms, qigong, yoga, sitting meditation, walking, etc)

meditation is just focused living, see above.

9. Have you ever practiced/worshiped at a temple? Do you belong to a temple?

i'd eat my own tongue first.

10. Are you frustrated with pollution, war and violence?

no.

life just is.

so these things we see as negative are just a part of life.

i may voice opinions about things, but deep down i don't 'care'.

i think we have a duty to keep our own impact on the world around us under strict control.

if everyone did that, those perceived problems would lessen.

but not everyone will ever do that, so the conditions which have accompanied our species since we first came along, will continue with us on the path.

how could it ever be any other way?

11. Which martial arts do you practice? Do you meditate while practicing martial arts? (if so, how so?)

ninjutsu.

i bring my full attention to what i am doing if that is what you mean.

12. favorite quote/poem/saying etc

off the top of my head;

Two monks were walking when they came upon a ford in the road.

By the ford was a young woman, unable to cross. One of the monks bowed politely and picked the woman up and carried accross the water. The monks then continued on down the road.

After an hour, the other monk spoke, his mind had not been still since they crossed the water.

"I am shocked. You know our Order forbids us to lay our hands on females. But you just picked that woman up and yet you show no shame."

The first monk replied,

"I put the lady down over an hour ago and left her to continue her journey. However, I see that you are still carrying her, even now."

[Hui Xiu]

1. do you find that practicing Buddism,, has helped with increasing your compassion for sentient beings? (if possible state which style of buddism you consider yourself... chazen, zen, tibetan, american buddist )

Yes, definately. Before I practiced buddhism, I was not aware of the suffering everything goes through. The style of buddhism I practice is formally pure land, but we learn about all kinds.

2. do you find that this practice, helps your meditation? what kind of meditation do you perform? (empty, focus, asana etc)

The practice of compassion gives me focus in my meditation, I know the more clear my mind is, the more compassionate I can be. I usually chant "om mani padme hum" while meditating, but sometimes I just sit in silence.

3. what are your favorite sutras, stories, oral sermons, books etc. why have you found them important? was their any awakening experiences?

The best book I have read is not really a buddhist text. It is called "Beyond the Known" by Tri Thong Dang. It is not literally buddhist, but the values shown in it are. I also like "Liao Fan's four lessons" and the Di Tsang Wang sutra.

4. do you practice bits and pieces from different traditions or buddhist scholars? (buddhist scholars meaning, Dalai Lama, famous monks etc)

Master Shan Kwan, my dharma master; Master Hsuan Hua; Master Chin Kung. Those masters have been most useful to me.

5. Do you incorporate your religious morals into your life, or do you follow laws, nationalism, patriotism before your religious values? (such as... buddhist shouldn't kill, but you may support killing others at war)...I guess I am asking, do you consider yourself practicing what you learn, or do you practice and then act hyprocritically?

I live my practice in daily life, but of course I make mistakes. I just try to be mindful, and when I do make a mistake, reallly make an effort to correct it.

6. Do you eat meat? If so, how often and it what manor... such as do you kill it yourself, or do you have somoene else kill it for you?

I don't eat meat because I don't need to.

7. Do you pray? If so, who do you pray to? If not, what alternatives do you perform (or simply state how you practice your religion in more depth).

My practice consists of meditating and trying to live the five precepts. I try to keep from getting angry, but I am a manager at a video game store, so I am tested everyday. I've gotten a lot better because of it, but still have a long way to go.

8. Do you meditate? How so? (kung fu forms, qigong, yoga, sitting meditation, walking, etc)

I try to sit in meditation 15 minutes a day. I chant "om mani padme hum" whenever possible (in my head) .

9. Have you ever practiced/worshiped at a temple? Do you belong to a temple?

I am a disciple of Master Shan Kwan at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Sarira Stupa in Niagara Falls, Canada.

10. Are you frustrated with pollution, war and violence?

Not frustrated, that won't do any good. I just do my part to try to be a good example.

11. Which martial arts do you practice? Do you meditate while practicing martial arts? (if so, how so?)

Our style is one of traditional kung fu. Meditation is an important part of our style.

12. favorite quote/poem/saying etc

"Always do good, never do bad, and keep your heart pure" - Dharma Master Shan Kwan

[jroe52]

"om mani padme hum"... hmm did i mention to list popular mantras? I forget, but I think if there is anything I say most in buddhism, it is om mani padme hum, ever since then haunted houses are a breeze lol

in 7 years for tibet (the book), harrier talks alot about the locals in tibet saying this mantra throughout the day (it was illegal in china for over 30 years, i'm not sure if it is still illegal to say out loud in public in chinese occupied tibet)... anywho... even when it was like 40 below 0, people would continue to chant rather then close their mouths and not freeze 0.o

[Topher]

off the top of my head;

Two monks were walking when they came upon a ford in the road.

By the ford was a young woman, unable to cross. One of the monks bowed politely and picked the woman up and carried accross the water. The monks then continued on down the road.

After an hour, the other monk spoke, his mind had not been still since they crossed the water.

"I am shocked. You know our Order forbids us to lay our hands on females. But you just picked that woman up and yet you show no shame."

The first monk replied,

"I put the lady down over an hour ago and left her to continue her journey. However, I see that you are still carrying her, even now."
One of my favourites.