If buddhism is all about letting go of desire etc etc..Why do buddhist still long for
ALSO, If Buddhism is about compassion and being friendly helping others then What about the Buddhists in who live in the temples meditating all day long. What are they really doing for us as a society???????? How are they helping us. Apparently Buddhist in Thailand dint even say hello back if you speak to them. They will just bow a little...But if you ask me then that not good enough.
Surely if someone says hello or good morning you should acknowledge them even if you rant a Buddhist.
You don't actively seek enlightenment. You live a good life and you get that as a reward.
You don't do what you do because you should do it that way for enlightenment.
You do what you do because you should.
Look up 'ontologicalALthics'; it explains that you act in terms of 'duty' and your duty is to live a good life; not because you want a reward but because you just SHOULD.
The Enlightenment is Nirvana. You no longer participate in the cradle-to-grave cycle.
The problem with the 8-fold way is the message was embellished the further east it traveled from India. By the time we see Buddhism taking root into Burma, we have added Saints.
I would never be affronted at the antics of the monks. Their's is not a recognition of the sensual realm.
when you practice loving kindness , the hatred goes away automatically. same here when Buddhist letting go off desire , the opposite which is enlightenment arise automatically. there is no question of seeking or longing for that.
the monks practice in monastery all day long so they can reduce their negative emotions. through that way they can better serve not only for you but for all beings. you cannot cure patient without becoming doctor.
saying hi,hello is not that necessary but if you really have some problem and ask them for help they ll be the first person to help you. that's the difference. Thai people know these monks are honest that's why lay people pay respect. otherwise Thai lay people are not stupid to offer foods every day if these monks are selfish, not honest and not helping.
the reason behind not saying hi, hello especially with girls is to keep distance. when we are too mixed up many things pops up.
and also its Thai society which they like that way.
Buddhism is about freedom from desire and that includes the desire to obtain enlightenment.
Enlightenment is just an idea, and ideas never reflect the thing in itself. The word Nirvana means extinction, and that includes ideas of attaining something from practice.
There are two types of religion in the world:
Firstly, there are "get something" religions; these seek after "salvation" "enlightenment" etc.
Secondly, there are "give something" religions. In these types of religions, practitioners act only to help others by giving of themselves.
For example: we practice meditation, letting go of wrong views, wrong actions, wrong speech, wrong livelihood and so on - to ultimately relinquish our self or ego.
Practice is a "just do it" action, which the world itself has cultivated through us. When we live this sort of life, all that remains is to live only for all beings.
Through practice, without all this "I, me, my, mine" thinking, we come to a point where our ideas about ourselves and others no longer interfere with our actions in a detrimental way.
So, how do monks in temples help the world? They preserve the practice and teach lay people who will then go out into the world with more wisdom and compassion - and with the strong desire to help save all beings from suffering.
Most Buddhists that I know are motivated in their Practice by the goal of enlightenment. Our teacher tells us that this desire is the final one that will have to be relinquished before one can be enlightened.
As far as sitting in temples meditating all day long, most Buddhist teachers that I have heard say that the best way to help others is to become enlightened. Then, we will be able to help others become enlightened too. The reasoning behind this is that all beings suffer from one thing or another, and that the only release from suffering is enlightenment.
Being friendly does not mean agreeing on anything that anyone suggest. As an example, some friend may ask to take alcohol, but if you are a good Buddhist you have to reject that invitation, in a gentle manner, without harming his feelings.
Here, does not say hello may be a personal matter. (may be their culture of paying respect is bowing) What Buddhists are really doing for us as a society? it is a good point Basically, they do not kill, steel, not engage in sexual misconducts, no lying and not taking alcohol. It is very clear that above Miss-conducts is the root cause of worldly problems. Refraining from them too, means keeping the society peaceful.
Buddhists normally help the people in need. There are monks, (I personally know) who has donated their kidneys, who has donated blood more than 100 times and so on..
Buddhist don?t long for anything and any who still have desire know better and work hard upon dropping the self that is causing it.
As far as saying hello back many would rather avoid entanglement of useless conversation with the ignorant and they display their respect with a slight bow.
You may realize the effect sound vibrations has upon the physical environment and people such as it breaking glass or deafening the ear drums but do you have knowledge of the effects upon the metaphysical (beneath or beyond the physical aspect of Being) as well? Do you understand the potency of the mantra meaning sounds and thought forms? It has been said that one hundred monks meditating together in one day is equivalent to a hundred days of the survival of this planet. They do much more then what meats the eye for society and do it selflessly.
If buddhism is all about letting go of desire etc etc..Why do buddhist still long for
