Master of Buddhism Lesson Two
1. Which of these guidelines do you think is the most important? Why?
It is difficult to isolate one guideline from the others. they are all so
interconnected. But to me, the most important
guideline is Right Action. It seems to me that actions that are not thought out
completely have the probability of
hurting other people. Lying, stealing, sexual misconduct and becoming intoxicated
seem to cause more problems in society
than some of the other guidelines such as misdirected speech. Intoxication especially
leads to much trouble and has
destroyed many homes and families. The results of an addiction in the family leaves
lifelong scars for all involved.
2. What is the unifying concept of these guidelines?
Relief from suffering is what brings all of these together. Each one of these has
at its core the intention of alieving
pain.
3. What do you think the Buddha would have to say today about "Right
Livelihood?" Can you think of any
positions in today's workforce that he might use as an activity one should avoid?
This is a very difficult question to answer. There are obvious lines of work that
are harmful - such as those dealing
with criminal behaviour. But many other jobs may also lead to the suffering of
others. A person would have to carefully
consider the full spectrum of actions that result in the particular job that they are
engaged in. The manufacture of
arms is one that comes to mind as we can see tragic results from the use of firearms.
Yet others might argue that if
used responsibly there would be no problems. Still, if there were no guns available,
irresponsible use would be
impossible.
Another example might be the manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs. Although a
great stride forward to the relief of
chronic pain sufferers, irresponsible use causes difficulty. Even the fact that some
pharmaceutical drugs cause
dependency is a problem itself.
Each individual must decide for them self if they are involved in Right
Livelihood. One must think deeply on the
possible aspects and weigh the pros and cons of each.
Monday, July 30, 2012
ULC Buddhism Course Lesson 2
1. Which of these guidelines do you think is the most important? Why?
Right mindfulness would be the first building block to all other actions. One must find a place within thought that is free of hate, self-recrimination, and anger. Anger, hate, and negative ideas, lead to wrong action, wrong words, mistreatment of self and others. With right mindfulness one can lead a peaceful existence with no harm to none, beginning with self. Hate and anger are the worst enemies of any human being, causing illness and one to be shunned. Those who ban together in anger cannot be trusted. Developing a mind of peace is the correct path to all else.
2. What is the unifying concept of these guidelines?
2. What is the unifying concept of these guidelines?
Living in peace. Through peaceful living one will wish to serve others, to carry a message of peace, love and well being. People who are at peace are like magnets, others are drawn to them and walk away feeling good. To live in peace equates to love, doing that which is right, and serving human kind.
3. What do you think the Buddha would have to say today about "Right Livelihood?" Can you think of any positions in today's workforce that he might use as an activity one should avoid?
3. What do you think the Buddha would have to say today about "Right Livelihood?" Can you think of any positions in today's workforce that he might use as an activity one should avoid?
The Eightfold Path is the culmination of Right Livelihood. A wage earned through service, no harm, and providing products that enlighten and further health is Right Livelihood. Though some would feel that this would include butchers and hunters.
Workplace activity that Buddha would wish one would avoid? Several come to mind, but following the Eightfold path, as stated butchers, hunters, and farmers who raise animals for food.
Buddhism Course lesson 1
1. As with any story, fable from long ago, it is natural that certain facts may have been embellished to help get a point across. who will be able to verify accuracy? Who is to judge whether any religions have verifiable proof as to their origins? I believe the story of Siddhartha rings true, and may be the product of fact molded with myth and legend. however, I think it does not matter because the essence is contained in the teachings, which I believe are sound and worthy for someone to follow. rather than spend time on verifying the origins, time could be better spent on deciding whether or not the teachings have relevance to the world of the individual.
2. Enlightenment, to me, is the harmonizing of the inner voice to the outer reality. it will have different meanings to different people, but may have basic similar points, such as happiness, contentment, etc. however, happiness and contentment are variables and will be conditional on personal circumstances. for me, enlightenment would mean freedom from grief, and at its basest, to die happily before my own family members. this may sound natural and even selfish, but is my idea of enlightenment.
3. I believe enlightenment may be possible, and truly hope it is. of course, it will be very personal, as one person`s enlightenment may not satisfy someone else. rather than seek it, i feel it should come naturally, so that you feel that a particularly great moment cannot get better. naturally, this will be followed by bad days and disappointments, but if one can string together many of these little daily enlightenments, no matter how small, it could result in a more permanent condition. i hope i may achieve a perfect state sometime, but do not think i need to go out and aggressively seek the perfect condition. i really believe that with time and experience, i may string together enough rainbow days to find myself on the path to enlightenment.
Wayne Cuthbert, japan.
ULC
2. Enlightenment, to me, is the harmonizing of the inner voice to the outer reality. it will have different meanings to different people, but may have basic similar points, such as happiness, contentment, etc. however, happiness and contentment are variables and will be conditional on personal circumstances. for me, enlightenment would mean freedom from grief, and at its basest, to die happily before my own family members. this may sound natural and even selfish, but is my idea of enlightenment.
3. I believe enlightenment may be possible, and truly hope it is. of course, it will be very personal, as one person`s enlightenment may not satisfy someone else. rather than seek it, i feel it should come naturally, so that you feel that a particularly great moment cannot get better. naturally, this will be followed by bad days and disappointments, but if one can string together many of these little daily enlightenments, no matter how small, it could result in a more permanent condition. i hope i may achieve a perfect state sometime, but do not think i need to go out and aggressively seek the perfect condition. i really believe that with time and experience, i may string together enough rainbow days to find myself on the path to enlightenment.
Wayne Cuthbert, japan.
ULC
Buddhism Course lesson No.2
1. I think No.8, Right Concentration, is the most important. it is a time when one can reflect on any actions that may have caused distress to anyone, and seek resolve to correct them. to use this time to also think about actions that can be improved upon, not only those actions that need correction.
2. I believe love and compassion are the unifying concepts.
3. Maybe Buddha would be surprised at the extent of selfishness in todays world. this also includes the escalating wars around the world, caused through misunderstandings in both politics and religion, and the failure to invoke love and compassion on a greater scale. maybe if more people followed the concept of Right Livelihood, there would be less greed and discontent between people and countries.
I believe Buddha may use the example of a stock broker as one activity that should be avoided. of course this could be extended to banking and other areas, that use peoples money for speculation to make profit, even I when they know they may lose that money.
Wayne Cuthbert
Japan
Universal Life Church
2. I believe love and compassion are the unifying concepts.
3. Maybe Buddha would be surprised at the extent of selfishness in todays world. this also includes the escalating wars around the world, caused through misunderstandings in both politics and religion, and the failure to invoke love and compassion on a greater scale. maybe if more people followed the concept of Right Livelihood, there would be less greed and discontent between people and countries.
I believe Buddha may use the example of a stock broker as one activity that should be avoided. of course this could be extended to banking and other areas, that use peoples money for speculation to make profit, even I when they know they may lose that money.
Wayne Cuthbert
Japan
Universal Life Church
Buddhism Course Lesson 3 by Rev. Cuthbert
1. It may be if the followers wanted to twist the meaning for their own gain, but I believe that the essence of the teaching is quite clear and seems reasonably free from misinterpretation also particularly that many forms of Buddhism, from different areas, all seem to agree on the same foundation of principles.
2. I would need to think before i acted and reflect on my faults as have been pointed out to me by my wife. i I am too stubborn and do not listen carefully enough to other people. I am also guilty of wanting many things, things that I really do not need. this is a fault of desire. basically, I would need to think more before i act.
3. I truly believe they are inside, and that is what I believe Buddha is trying to teach us, not to seek from the outside, but to look within for answers.
Wayne Cuthbert
Universal Life Church Seminary
wayne
2. I would need to think before i acted and reflect on my faults as have been pointed out to me by my wife. i I am too stubborn and do not listen carefully enough to other people. I am also guilty of wanting many things, things that I really do not need. this is a fault of desire. basically, I would need to think more before i act.
3. I truly believe they are inside, and that is what I believe Buddha is trying to teach us, not to seek from the outside, but to look within for answers.
Wayne Cuthbert
Universal Life Church Seminary
wayne
Buddhism lesson 4 Answers by Rev. Cuthbert
1. You believe timing was right in that many countries were undergoing some internal conflicts, and rulers saw Buddhism as a vehicle to bring stability to the people. the concepts of Buddhism are very peaceful, and rulers may have seen a way to make people put the focus for safety and peace back on the individual, rather than having to shoulder total responsibility themselves. Nirvana is a personal event, and an individual must lead a peaceful and sharing life to enter Nirvana. this would cause the people to think and look introspectively.
2. A change of leadership and a growing dissatisfaction with everyday life within a country helped the spread of Buddhism. Missionaries also helped spread the word by giving people hope for salvation by personal means, and not at the whim of a god or ruler.
3. How to look within oneself to judge if a decision is right for the benefit of the majority. mainly, to make judgements after ensuring that all aspects of the Dharma have been met, and trying to decide for the benefit of humanity instead of self.
Wayne Cuthbert
Universal Life Church
2. A change of leadership and a growing dissatisfaction with everyday life within a country helped the spread of Buddhism. Missionaries also helped spread the word by giving people hope for salvation by personal means, and not at the whim of a god or ruler.
3. How to look within oneself to judge if a decision is right for the benefit of the majority. mainly, to make judgements after ensuring that all aspects of the Dharma have been met, and trying to decide for the benefit of humanity instead of self.
Wayne Cuthbert
Universal Life Church
Buddhism Lesson 5 answers
1. I find it a little unsettling, as I do not know how much bad karma I have carried over, and how this will affect my future ,in which class i am re-birthed. can I ever atone enough, or how many lives must be lived to atone before entering Nirvana? of course, we all strive to do good, but we can never be sure if our actions are major or minor misdeeds.
2. Yes, most people I know belong to the hungry ghosts. a few i have known have belonged to each group, but very few, in this life-time, have i known to belong to the Gods.
3. I think that the biggest difference is that with Buddhism, you have a chance at re-birth and the possibility to move up and out of hell. with Christianity, it seems once committed, you are in hell forever and a day.
wayne cuthbert
Universal Life Church
2. Yes, most people I know belong to the hungry ghosts. a few i have known have belonged to each group, but very few, in this life-time, have i known to belong to the Gods.
3. I think that the biggest difference is that with Buddhism, you have a chance at re-birth and the possibility to move up and out of hell. with Christianity, it seems once committed, you are in hell forever and a day.
wayne cuthbert
Universal Life Church
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