This will be a short blog with 2 brief questions. (But don't let that stop you from long-winded replies...)
I've been wondering:
What does being a "Buddhist" mean to you?
And/or: How do you practice your specific brand of Buddhism?
There are a lot of different Buddhist traditions, and differences within the differences. (As evidenced by the Nichiren debates here and beyond.) I thought it would be interesting to find out where everyone is coming from these days. A good intro for our newer visitors, a re-intro for those of us who have fallen a bit outside the loop, and a little education for those curious about who we all are, what we all do, and why we all do it.
You go first.
Blessings,
Queen Lolo
QL -
"What does being a "Buddhist" mean to you?"
Hmmmm. Different things in different contexts, I guess. It means that I practice Buddhism as I understand it. It means that I strive to follow certain guidelines and uphold certain standards in my daily behavior and choices, whether at work, home, temple, or out and about.
"And/or: How do you practice your specific brand of Buddhism?"
I strive to "walk the walk". I do my best to offer service in some fashion every day. I support my sangha and temple, financially and with my time. I do my best to help anyone who is interested learn about Buddhism, and to begin practicing if they wish to. I study and learn, to better understand what I am practicing, and to help grow this into a functional American institution. Ultimately, I participate.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at November 6, 2007 08:11 PMBeing buddhist used to mean being a hip dharma bum listening to Alan Watts and thinking subversive was samadhi. Then I thought these monks had the answer to ending suffering. In the end I found out that buddhism was ordinary everyday life.
I don't practice anything, my practice is not practicing. I'm just a human being dealing with each moment as it comes, whaty else is there to do?
Hi, Lolo,and thanks for the question. Lately, I have been engaged in the adventure that is "observing the mind". Whether while driving or while sitting or while chanting, I am trying to gain some shred of insight into how this thing I call a mind works,and how it interacts with the world "out there".
I also chant Namu-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, sometimes with myself and sometimes with other people.
I I tink of more, I will let you know.
Best, Byrd in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at November 7, 2007 09:13 PMBuddhism is: Cultivating virtue and wisdom, primarily through meditative techniques.
gassho
robin
Posted by: robek at November 8, 2007 12:53 PMHmm...I cannot add to or subtract from Robin's definition, and my practice is a lot like what Byrd described. So, not very original, eh?
I regularly meet for practice with Zen groups and Nichiren groups, value both approaches and both types of practice, and am neither smart enough to figure out whether they are contradictory nor much inclined to care.
Cheers everybody
Posted by: Harry at November 10, 2007 10:47 PM