Why I say I'm Buddhist

Buddhism is more than a religion – it’s a lifestyle.

 

You can pretty much sum the religion up like this:

 

1. Live a moral life.

2. Be mindful and aware of your thoughts and actions.

3. Develop wisdom and understanding.

 

It’s the only religion that focuses on a deep understanding of the human mind, as most Buddhist teachings are there to help “liberate” you from the perils and suffering caused by the mind…

 

 

Lesson #1:

 

The mind is everything.  What we think, we become.

 

This is self explanatory. Your beliefs control your thoughts which control your actions which control your life.

 

Lesson #2

 

You deserve your love and affection.

 

Positive self talk, and self love.

 

It’s about muting that inner critic, and becoming your number one supporter and fan.

 

It’s about killing those confidence issues and feelings of “I’m not ____ enough”

 

If you don’t love yourself, don’t expect anyone else to love you either…

Lesson #3

 

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate on the present moment. There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth --- not going all the way, and not starting.

 

Mindfulness, and being present is extremely important for your happiness, and the quality of the work you do, and the life you live.

Lesson #4

 

However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good is it if you do not act upon them?

 

Ideas, without execution, are useless.

 

Whatever it is you’re focused on, just start.

Lesson #5

 

To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control ones own mind

 

Everything you do and everything you are stems from the belief systems deep in your mind.

 

Control these, rewrite the narrative, and you change your life foreve

Before speaking.......

Someone who is about to admonish another must realize within himself five qualities before doing so [that he may be able to say], thus: "In due season will I speak, not out of season. In truth I will speak, not in falsehood. Gently will I speak, not harshly. To his profit will I speak, not to his loss. With kindly intent will I speak, not in anger."

- Vinaya Pitaka

Your dose of Buddhist Wisdom

Don't be afraid of doing good.
It's another name for happiness, for all that is dear and delightful--this phrase "doing good."
Whoever would live well, long lasting, bringing bliss

Let him be generous, be calm, And cultivate the doing of good.

By practicing these three, these three bliss-bringing things,
The wise one lives without regret
His world infused with happiness.

 - Itivuttaka Sutta

Peace of Mind

Once Buddha was walking from one town to another town with a few of his followers.
This was in the initial days.
While they were travelling, they happened to pass a lake. They stopped there and Buddha told one of his disciples, I am thirsty.
Do get me some water from that lake there.
The disciple walked up to the lake.
When he reached it, he noticed that some people were washing clothes in the water and, right at that moment,a bullock cart started crossing through the lake.
As a result, the water became very muddy, very turbid. The disciple thought, How can I give this muddy water to Buddha to drink!
So he came back and told Buddha, The water in there is very muddy. I don't think it is fit to drink.
After about half an hour, again Buddha asked the same disciple to go backto the lake and get him some water to drink.
The disciple obediently went back to the lake.
This time he found that the lake had absolutely clear water in it.
The mud had settled down and the water above it looked fit to be had.
So he collected some water in a pot and brought it to Buddha.
Buddha looked at the water, and then he looked up at the disciple and said, See what you did to make the water clean.
You let it be ... and the mud settled down on its own “ and you got clear water...
Your mind is also like that.
When it is disturbed, just let it be.
Give it a little time.
It will settle down on its own.
You don't have to put in any effort to calm it down.
It WILL happen.
It IS effortless.

Crave

From craving is born grief,
from craving is born fear.
For one freed from craving
there will be no grief so how to fear?

From tranquility to wisdom

When tranquility is developed, what purpose does it serve? The mind is developed. And when the mind is developed, what purpose does it serve? Passion is abandoned.When insight is developed, what purpose does it serve? Discernment is developed. And when discernment is developed, what purpose does it serve? Ignorance is abandoned.

 - Anguttara Nikaya