Non-religious

I'm attracted to Buddhism because it's not a faith based religion (or philosophy), but a moralistic means of achieving a better way to live through practical means.  These means are demonstrably able to show success in one's own life; not a metaphysical promise of something better in another existence (heaven, rebirth or whatever).  Of course there are religious elements within Buddhism as those writing down Gotama's teachings would have put whatever slant on those teachings that fitted their purpose and have been embellished much further since by those again with an agenda that would have related to their "circle of influence" (Hindu or whatever influence was paramount).  I'm not religious, and have no delusions (as they are to me) that my life, soul, consciousness or anything else continues after my death; that doesn't mean that I want to live a life lacking in morality though and Buddhist teachings show me the right "plan" to achieve enlightenment, though what I mean as "enlightenment" may well be challenged!  I tend to use Kant's view along the lines that enlightenment comes from the freedom to use reason; the Buddha taught us to challenge everything, not simply accept what is said or to simply have faith;  question and challenge all matters and accept only those teachings that have a beneficial result.

The Community

I have just joined up to http://secularbuddhism.co.uk/, not sure yet how new this on-line community is, but my joining was to some extent initiated by a visit to a Buddhist centre in a large city here in the UK. I didn't feel that it was for me, at least not yet; the costs seemed quite high, but I suspect this is down to the location of the centre as it must be expensive to keep up. I am hopeful of the secular Buddhist community, let's see how it all goes!

A Challenge To Act

"The four ennobling truths are not propositions to believe, they are challenges to act." So says, Stephen Batchelor in his short essay titled Buddhism Without Beliefs, A Contemporary Guide To Awakening.  Sums it up nicely for me (and probably a relief after reading the Surangama Sutra!).

Delusion

Well after about two weeks I managed to complete my reading of the Surangama Sutra; I found it very difficult going and quite difficult to comprehend, but I think the Sutra explains how our minds in a non-enlightened state lead us to be deluded about everything about and within us and the craving for these delusions and the "laws" of causality result in us being "caught in the trap of samsara".  This is a Mahayana Buddhist and probably a Pure Mind sutra, and so has much that goes way beyond my reasoning and deals with much that I'd call metaphysical (or maybe religious style doctrine) especially in the descriptions of the realms of hell, hungry ghosts etc. But do I think the effort in reading over 300 pages of quite dense and repetitive text was worth it...well I'm reserving my judgement on that one, especially as this was first sutra...I'm sure there will be many short summaries of the sutra available on the internet that are more easily digested and maybe I should have started there first.

Jain

Been reading this lunchtime about Jainism and its closeness to Buddhism.  It's interesting to note the differences in the Middle Way (rejecting ascetism) and lack of any great differentiation between male and female within Buddhism.  What is even more striking to me is less about comparisons between Jainism and Buddhism (and other religions and philosophies) but more about how advanced society was that existed then (i.e. 2500-3000 years ago) in the East.

No Substitute

Although I am struggling with the Surangama Sutra, a sentence within the translation I find quite pertinent in my own path is where Ananda (young cousin of the Buddha) says…"After I left home to follow the Buddha, I merely relied on his transcendental powers and always thought that I could dispense with practice since he would bestow samahi upon me.  I did not know that he could not be my substitute…I only realize now that, in spite of much listening to the Dharma, if I do not practise it I shall come to nothing as if I had not heard it, like a man who cannot satisfy his hunger by merely speaking of food".   I'm not sure if the Surangama Sutra, being a Mahayana Buddhist Sutra, will resonate with me.  But I will persevere through reading it all (I'm about 1/4 of the way through a first read).  I am reading a translation of the Digha Nikaya from Theravada Buddhism at the same time, which may mean more to me at this stage on my journey; it'll be interesting to compare my response to each.

The Surangama Sutra

Just downloaded The Surangama Sutra to study; it's 352 pages though!

Say No To Escalation

I have seen several calls for further more direct action to support Tibet. These calls seem to be attempting to escalate protest in a way which would not be peaceful; I think this would be wrong, and against the precepts of Buddhism and would alienate many Buddhists from the Tibettan cause. Protest must remain centred on our Buddhist principles of compasssion, renunciation and skilfulness. "This anger that you entertain/Is gnawing at the very roots/Of all the virtues that you guard..." "Hatred does not cease by hatred, hatred ceases only by love. This is the eternal law"

Improved Meditation

My meditation seems to be improving! I seem to be able to establish a more peaceful and quiet state overall, though my mind still wanders around all sorts of thoughts.  At the end I feel a kind of floating feeling and need to sit quietly for a few minutes.  I still use guided meditations, using mp3 downloads from various sites - I'm not confident enough yet to do without a guide.

Social Action

In researching my concern expressed below - that my desire for relieving oppression in Tibet had more to do with self-righteousness - I came across this. Take a look, it's an interesting read.

Casting Stones

In previous posts I have mentioned the oppression being experienced in Tibet; this morning I have been wondering why I have been focussed on Tibet when there are so many people across the world who are having their human rights denied?  I suppose having an affiliation to part of the world so familiarly Buddhist when practicing Buddhism oneself isn't surprising, but is this for my benefit more that Tibet's?  Are my actions really right, do I understand my motivation?  There is much I can influence close to me, especially myself of course; can I actually influence anyone else about Tibet? Why am I casting stones at China when there is so much I can address within myself? I wonder what the Buddha teaches...?

Development

In the teach yourself book below, I have just read the following words that reassured me somewhat..."I must recognise what I am getting right and getting wrong, and acknowledge what is improving as well as investigate what is not quite right...something I once could not do at all is now possible". A skill has to be learned, you can't learn to juggle just by reading about it, you need to stand there and practice; at first you will drop the balls more than you will catch them, but practice enough and you will improve...reading may tell you how, but practice really teaches you the right way and enables your skill to grow.

Reading list

Im reading two books at present (though I'm dipping in and out of several others). These two are, "Buddhism", a Teach Yourself book by Clive Erricker and "You Have Been Here Before: Reincarnation" by Seiyu Kiriyama.   I suppose reading the first one mentioned shows that I am still really naive about Buddhism as I suspect a teach yourself book is likely to be one picked by us raw beginners; I still feel though I need some form of guide as to what to actually do...I can practice and follow the Dharma but is what I think is following the Dharma anywhere near right?