Buddhism Course

• #1.  I think Buddhism resonated so deeply with so many kings and rules, as well as individuals in different times and places worldwide, because there was a degree of readiness to realize there is a "better way."  Brutality and wars were a way of life.  Emperor Ashoka was one example of a king who saw the devastation caused by his ruthlessness and war against a neighboring state, and became transformed.  He practiced compassion and kindness, and helped spread Buddhism by sending missionaries to other countries.  He is an example of a ruler who "woke up" to a better way.  As Buddhism spread, other rulers saw the "sense of it."  Japan, for example, adopted Buddhism as the state religion.

Karen Armstrong wrote an interesting book called The Great Transformation in which she describes an Axial Age where Axial Sages (Buddha was one of them) ushered a new way of living, ruling and thinking.  To these Axial Sages, what mattered most was the welfare of the people, kindness and compassion, here and now.  The time was "right" as it may have been for all who change their way of life, thinking and behavior and start on the Buddha trail.

Another factor may have been fear of negative karma.  Rulers who led armies to war, who treated their people harshly, and who were motivated by nothing more than greed, may have begun to realize they were probably in for a bad rebirth if they did not change.

#2.  Primary factors in the spread of Buddhism were the missionaries who went to foreign countries to teach.  Emperor Ashoka, for example, was a strong proponent of sending missionaries to other countries.  In addition, the trade routes, such as the Silk Road, were used to carry Buddhism to other lands.  Written scriptures were easy to carry, as well, replacing oral transmission.  Another factor is no doubt "readiness," as in #1.  The students in other lands were "ready," and the teachers appeared.

#3.  Our world as we know it would be totally different if rulers were guided by the dharma.  There would be cooperation, not war; compassion, not exploitation; there would be truth, not falsehood.  If all rulers followed the Eightfold Path and the Ten Precepts we would live in a world we would hardly recognize by today's standards.  It would be fun, however, to live in such a world.  Perhaps that is our job -- bit by bit, piece by piece, truth by truth -- to anchor the dharma on planet Earth.

Nancy Anderson

aka "Lotus"

 Lesson 4

********************************************

To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Buddhism Course

1. A Zen Buddhist will try to break the language barrier so that he/she can experience or show forth Zen without words. Zen is said to be a way of life, of humility, of service and in that much, can not be described with words. To use words to describe Zen would fall short since words are only labels. We reflect on the lesson of the Flower that the Buddha used, which is one reason some call Zen "the secret of the flower". I would venture to say that anyone who tells us that they know true Zen and can describe it to us, does not know Zen at all.

2. The title Gateless Gate is in and  of itself a koan. A puzzle. I think the title is something to be meditated on and pondered just as the text inside it.

3. I think Zen has become popular in the West because it offers a calming way and approach into ones own mind. Modern life can be very hectic and the quiet of Zazen, without the restrictions of alot of ceremony and fanfare that other religions require, is appealing to a westerner who desires quieting. It also offers a less rigid way to view life and the universe, where no one just gives an answer, but a practictioner must seek the answer themselves.

4. LOL

Rev. Mark J. Larose

"We are all streams of water

.....flowing into the same river." 

********************************************

To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Buddhism

Lesson 11 Thank you Amy!!!!!! 1. The first unique trait of Mahayana Buddhism is a belief that all people, not just monks or nuns, can become enlightened. It is sometimes called Buddhism for the People and it focuses much attention on actions, not words. They follow the Pali canon which they believe is closer to what the Buddha lived and taught and they base much of their teachings on the many sutras that have been compiled, most importantly being the Heart Sutra, since compassion, rather than wisdom is their focal point. 2. Sanskrit for "mind of awakening", Mahayana Buddhism teaches that to attain bodhicitta, the first important step is to take a series of vows. These are the vows of the Bodhisattva, who in general, puts the best of others before his/her own well being. An altruistic attitude is a staple for them. To attain bodhicitta, the Bodhisattva must accumulate merit by deeds and thoughts and meditations aimed at helping others in their attainment of enlightenment also. 3. I think Mahayana is attractive to so many people because of a.) it's focus on compassion b.) it's ability to show people a clear path and c.) that it involves real actions and changes in attitude, not just a belief.  Compassion is something that every human being wants, and has the ability to show forth. I think also, because Mahayan teaches much on the interconnectedness of all things, that we begin to see how each of us affects the other and that we are all a part of a large mechanism and we each play a part in it's workings. Rev. Mark J. Larose ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Buddhist Studies

Lesson 2 1. I don't think that just one guideline in particular is most important. I believe that all must be not only examined and learned but practiced and given conscious thought. Just like anything in life one must first learn from a teacher and then put what is taught into one's own practice. It is my opinion that all things end, including the universe we live in. We see it every day, yet the best thing about something's end is another things beginning or cycle. These practices of understanding the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths are like fragments of enlightenment. Apart they are good and virtuous, but when practiced together its like looking at the big picture compared to smaller aspects. 2. The unifying concept is that if all were to follow these guidelines for living simple lives, being mindful of others, and one's own thoughts and actions through the Dharma the Sangha and The Buddha then the plane of existence we exist in would have a united humanity living in harmony with only concern, care, and compassion for one another. If we are in constant meditation of mindfulness this can be achieved. 3. I think the Buddha would see much sorrow, discontent, and dishonesty in the world we live in today. Not much has changed in the general public even since the time when Buddha would have walked the Earth even before his enlightenment. The stories of things he saw after he left the palace and truly saw how much suffering was in the world are very similar to today's situations. For the most part, I believe the Buddha would use any company that places greed, money, and personal gain as an example of suffering and the opposite of what right action and right mindfulness should be. I think he would be able to explain that people can still do honest work that revolves around taking care of humanities basic needs such as food and shelter instead of working in a dishonest environment that is also wasteful and promoting unethical conduct masked by what someone only perceives as ethical conduct. There are so many examples in the workforce that could be used that it would be nearly impossible for me to name them all. The majority of people these days seem to have an ulterior or egocentric motivation. We must be mindful of these people as they do not realize the suffering they create nor how to get out of that suffering. We must be examples using the Buddhas guidelines of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path and wish for all beings everywhere realize suffering and the path out of suffering and wish only good and virtuous things for them for this is the right mindfulness of which the Buddha spoke so knowledgeably about. Thank you, Jesse ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Buddhist Studies

I found the ULC Master of Buddhism course to be a great refresher for my past twenty years of Buddhist study. As students and practitioners we can often get buried under a mountain of Buddhist texts and teachings. I found it revitalizing to go through the weekly lessons and get back to the "roots" of Buddhist study and practice. These same lessons can serve as an excellent starting point for people new to Buddhism or those just exploring the teachings. From lesson 1 in which we are given the history of Siddhartha Gautama – his birth, his 29 years as a pampered prince to his battles with the demon Mara and his more than forty years as the enlightened teacher Buddha – to the final lesson in which we are asked to consider Buddhist virtues, meditation and the life "perfections" of a Bodhisattva, the ULC Master of Buddhism course provides the student with all of the basic tools to begin a lifelong study of the dharma. I also appreciated that the lessons discussed different "schools" within Buddhism. Vajrayana, Mahayana and Zen Buddhism all have various subtleties within them that may attract different potential practitioners. The lesson on Karma was well written and was a straightforward elucidation of this often misunderstood concept. I particularly appreciated that the course stressed Buddhism's consistent call for one to take responsibility for their actions. It is said the Buddha lived many lives and took many forms before finally becoming reaching enlightenment. The Jataka Tales of lesson number 10 are a fun and often humorous way to present the teachings of the Buddha through parables built around his many incarnations. I found myself passing along some of my favorites via e-mail. For me personally, the ULC Master of Buddhism course allowed me to reconnect with my Path and be reminded of why I became so fascinated with Buddhism from an early age. I was reminded of the tremendous versatility within the Buddhist disciplines that allows people from many different places, cultures and economic backgrounds to find common ground in the dharma. I was reminded of the Buddhist call to embrace simplicity, to reduce selfishness and to seek the Middle Way. I was inspired, once again, by Buddhism's call for compassion and loving kindness. Given the state of our political and social systems today, these messages and reminders seem more important than ever. There was very little I didn't care for in the program. Even those minor points have nothing to do with the content, but more so in regards to the delivery of the content. On one occasion I had to write to receive a missed lesson. This was no big deal and the lesson was sent very quickly. My only other problem with the e-mail system is that some of the image links were bad and/or missing. My final comment is that I would have hoped the full course would be available for either digital download or in a more user-friendly print format. As I mentioned in my opening comments, I think this course is an excellent resource for new students as well as a great "refresher" for those who have been studying for many years. It would be great to have this reference material more readily available than having to dig through e-mail to find it. Regards, James ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Buddhism

 Lesson 3

#1.   The fact that the Dharma wasn't written by the Buddha himself could indeed be problematic.  The Dharma was transmitted orally from generation to generation.  Questions arise about how much the teachings were truly the Buddha's teachings.  Most likely oral transmission was reliable until the teachings were written down, and until they jumped across language hurdles and national/cultural borders.  In each case, mistakes could have been made in interpretation.  In each case, where Buddhist teaching/transmission to other countries occurred, it landed in a backdrop where there were pre-existing religions and cultural factors and most likely these factors influenced Buddhism with local "color."  Interpretation could also have been changed for personal gain, such as the desire for power over converts.

#2.   If I were to go for refuge (I already have), rearranging my lifestyle and changing priorities are/were necessary.  It is also necessary to stop and think about motivation and expected results when going for refuge.  In the final analysis, refuge has to be perceived as a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel, or the awakening after a long, terrifying nightmare.  When going for refuge, lifestyle, perception and priorities change.

#3.   The Three Jewels are ultimately found within.  Conditions outside oneself are impermanent -- money, lovers, friends, physical environment and physical bodies -- they all deteriorate, change, and go away.   Even the Sangha, made up of mortal beings, can go away.  The two permanent things we can rely on is the Buddha and the Dharma -- yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Nancy Anderson

aka "Lotus"

********************************************

To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Buddhism

1.  Does the story of Buddhism early years ring true? Yes it does, I can clearly identify with his parents wanting to protect him.  His desire to be his own person, to find himself. yes it does ring true. 1,  Is it a legend or hearsay: It is mythological, there is no historical evidence that he actually existed.  There were many Buddhas before, during and after his time. 1.  Does it matter?  No, what is important is the message. 2.  What does enlightenment mean to me? It means insight  It means insight.  Buddha was sitting under the Boddhi tree, he said he would not leave until he found answers to aging, suffering and death.  He received an insight of the middle way and he experience liberation, this is enlightenment. 3,  Do I believe that enlightenment is possible? Of course, using my definition anyone can.  Not all will, not all will go through the painful process of taking responsibility and looking at themselves.  It is not a once and for all getting it, it is a life time process.  It will take many insights to grow and grow and grow. 3.  Is there more than one way?  Of course.  Many religious and secular methods of becoming free from bondage and finding liberation. 3.  If so, what?   Therapy, meditation, prayer, journaling, talking.  There are many ways. Rev. Alfred ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Buddhism

1.   Does the early years of Guatama ring true?  The early years do ring of some truth.  His parents wanted him to be safe and secure from the world.  The protected him.  HIs curiosity about life and venturing outot see the world.  His response to aging, suffering and dying all ring true.  His desire to find his own way path in life and trying to find fulfillment are all common themes for all of us.

Is he a legend?  His person and life are myths.  There were many Buddhas during and before the time of Guatama.  Did he exist as an historical figure?  Probably not.  The life and story of Guatama were mythological in nature; to substantiate the divine nature of Buddhism.

Does it matter if it is a story, legend or myth or a combination of all.  No, what is important are the teachings, principals,morality and discipline it engenders.  What are important are the teachings not the teacher.

2,   What does enlightenment mean to me?

This is a very good and open ended question.  Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree and did not want to leave until he found the answers to suffering, pain, aging and death.  While he was sitting there he gained insight into the problems of suffering and pain and how to relate to his problems.  At that moment of insight he gained enlightenment thus leading to a sense of inner freedom.   Enlightenment means gaining insight into one's problems, and at that moment experiencing a sense of freedom.

3.   Do I believe enlightenment is possible? Yes, there is more than one way to gain insight into life's problems. Psychology,  counseling, journaling, reflecting, meditating provide avenues to gain insight into the problems of life.

There are many ways to gain this insight.

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Buddhism

1.  All the guidelines are important.  The Eightfold Path is in essence a performance assessment tool whereby we can measure the rightness or wrongness of any intention. If one could select only one, however,  it would have to be "right action."  The intended result of anything to which we aspire should be measured and weighed first with the qualities of right view, thought, speech, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration before any action (or decision not to act) is taken.  If the intention passes all the other "rights," then it is a "right action."

2.  The unifying concepts of all these guidelines are harmlessness and compassion (relief from suffering for ourselves and all sentient beings.)

3.  Buddha would probably have a lot to say today about "right livelihood," for there are so many types of livelihood that are harmful.  He would see the suffering caused by craving and greed by those who never have enough an the suffering of those who are victims of craving and greed.  Wall street, predatory financial institutions and industry that destroys in order to produce have historically caused suffering of all human beings as well as Mother Earth herself.  We do not need to eat meat, therefore one should avoid employment in slaughter houses, butcher shops and meat markets.  All employment that causes harm to another living being, including Mother Earth, should be avoided.  Any time we harm another we harm ourselves.

Nancy Anderson

aka "Lotus"

_________________________________
"Imagination is everything.
It is the preview of life's coming attractions."
-- Albert Einstein
___________________________________

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Buddhism

1. I think the story of the early life of the Buddha is a mix of legend and truth. That may not matter in the overall scheme of life though. This is because we are more concerned about his teaches after his Enlightenment at the Bodhi tree. I'm sure there have been some embellishments and exaggerations that were added but zealous disciples who most likely had attempted to make the historical Buddha more attractive. 2. To me, enlightenment means attaining recognition of the Truth of all things. This truth would encompass how all things, such as life, death, the universe, time, space, etc, are interconnected. As humans, there seems to be something deep within each of us that desires things to be forever. Personally, my path in Buddhism began when I realized that all things are impermanent. For me, that realization pointed me in a direction in my spiritual life that I had not taken before. 3. I believe that enlightenment is possible, and just as there are many roads to be traveled, I think that the path is different for each person, but that the guidelines are similar. One can not go about murdering humans and then still try to attain enlightenment, for an example. The basic teaches of the Buddha, should be followed. Compassion and an altruistic attitude need to be developed, especially in a world that is primarily narcissistic and self centered. Meditation upon ones own life and attitudes needs to be disciplined. Aside from that, I'm sure that the path could vary. Rev. Mark J. Larose ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar