Buddhism Course

About 10 years ago I developed an interest in Buddhism after studying a number of other religions and spiritual paths. I began practicing meditation and attending classes soon after. As I learned more about Buddhist practice I realized I seemed to naturally fit in with it and it with me and I also realised that this was the path I had been looking for all through my life.

This course, The Master of Buddhist Studies, has helped me gain a more rounded understanding of the many aspects of Buddhism and how being a Buddhist has affected my life making me a more peaceful, relaxed person, more capable of dealing with life and all its difficulties. It has helped to change my view of life as such and reinforced to me the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of doing the right thing from a Karmic perspective.

The study of Buddhism appears to affect many people in a similar way.      “Personally, the practice of Buddhism has affected my life greatly.  I think it has brought me great peace, made me a more understanding and compassionate person.”  Quote from http://www.drbachinese.org/drby/articles/english/article13.htm

Since beginning the course I have been regularly attending activities and began volunteering at our local Mahayana Zen Buddhist temple, Nan Tien. It is a large temple with a number of Chinese Nuns in residence. The temple is in the process of building the first Buddhist University in Australia and will be starting courses there in the near future. Since completing this course of study I have been encouraged to continue to study Buddhism in depth and intend to become a student at the University when it is completed.

During the course it was interesting to learn how Buddhism has changed and evolved to become acceptable to Western cultures while at the same time not changing its fundamental principles. This is clearly seen from a quote as follows:  

“I remember when there usually wasn't one shelf in a bookstore for Buddhism, or even Eastern Spirituality. Back then, there were more Buddhas in America in glass cases in museums (statues) than living beings teaching and practicing the way.  Now, it's accepted in the mainstream.  In fact, a recent poll found one in eight Americans affirming they've heard teachings of the Buddha which they consider of lasting influence in their lives.  That's really interesting.  So people don't have to formally say their Buddhist to appreciate the Buddha, any more than one has to say one is an Einsteinian to accept the theory of relativity.  So even if Buddhism, per se, might never become a mainstream religion in the West, its influence is mainstream”. Gary Gach, author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buddhism 3rd Edition" http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=25,9219,0,0,1,0

Some of the most important things I have learned from the course are these:

o   Buddhism is a way of life that is to be UNDERSTOOD & PRACTISED.

o   Buddhism is a path to 'awakening' from the delusions of life

o   Buddhism is a way to achieve freedom from suffering.

o   Buddhism can be experienced and practiced with immediate results.

o   Buddhism is not a religion, does not support the view of a Supreme Being, nor is it based on blind faith.

o   Buddhists do not condemn non-believers or non-followers. Anyone is free to study and learn the Dhamma regardless of whether he/she is a Buddhist or not.

In the Dhamma Encyclopedia it is stated that “The Buddhist definition of faith is: Believing with confidence through understanding and wisdom”.

The course has reinforced for me that basically Buddhism is a simple and common sense path. It teaches us to be kind, take care of those around us and generally just be a good person.    

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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.
 

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Buddhist Studies

The Buddhism course gave me an appreciation for the universal truth of the Dharma.  I personally see the Dharma as a living entity that exists beyond the boundaries of remembered teaching and as a common reality between potentially opposing philosophies and beliefs.  It is the way of practice and not theory and speculation.  It is the way things are.  I can find it in most of the worlds religions and spiritual teachings as well as in art, poetry, music and works of compassion.  Buddha's journey appears free from attachment to dogmatic views and shows the importance of a personal approach and the avoidance of a non-authoritian perspective.  Some say that because the Buddha found it necessary to leave home and seek enlightenment, his message is that it is only possible to be enlightened if your are a monk.  I disagree!  I see everyone's journey to enlightenment as a personal and autonomous endeavor.  Buddhism is far from external forms.  You don't have to study long and involved scriptures, eat only special kind of food, wear any special clothes, attend a church, chant or even meditate.  Buddha's realistic statements as to the realities of life are explained well in the Four Noble Truths.  Many people appear to advocate a personal existential approach with the attraction being permanent bliss free from suffering.  But the Buddha emphasized that both happy and sad times come to an end and that we suffer by worrying about what we might lose or gain.  This advocates an attitude in me that is open to experience including the awareness of personal attachments that perpetuate suffering.  We all crave sensations of various kinds and if they are pleasurable, we crave their repetition.  What appealed most to me about the course is Zen and it's emphasis on clearing the mind.  As the Buddha put it in the Dhammapada, "everything is based on the mind, is led by the mind, is fashioned by the mind".  In other words, if you speak and act with a polluted mind, suffering will follow you as the wheels of ox cart follow the footsteps of the ox.  If you speak and act with a pure mind, happiness will follow you as a shadow clings to form.  I find that the Zen idea of a polluted mind is quite different from the traditional Christian perspective, which dictates that "impure" thoughts be rooted out and eliminated.  What pollutes the mind in Buddhist view is our desire to get life to conform to our peculiar notion of how things should be as opposed to how they really are.  The point of Zen practice is to make you aware of the thoughts that run your life and diminish their power over you.  One of the fundamental tools for doing that is a form of sitting called "Zazen".  In Zazen practice, concentration comes not from trying hard to focus on something, but from keeping your mind open and directing it at nothing.  Sitting zazen, I learned to trust the moment - to be as mindfully as possible so I could react spontaneously to whatever was taking place. Another aspect of Zen that intruged me was it's emphasis on compassion.  The goal of Zen is not just to clear the mind, but to open the heart as well.  The two are interrelated and I would say that awareness is the seed of compassion.  As we begin to notice ourselves and others, just as we are, without judgment, compassion flows naturally.  When I was a boy, I was caught up in the mental aspects of worship, sort of building a wall in my mind with prayer and quotations from the Bible, that I lost track of the essence of Christianity.  By practicing Zen, I was able to clear my mind of all that interference and look upon my heart again. It is also clear to me that the Buddha recognized the Dharma would be subject to change as all things are.  The teachings of Siddhartha changed as they traveled.  As aspects of the Dharma were emphasized and developed within separate sangas, new schools of were encouraged. As a result of this development, sects were created holding opposing beliefs, some which separated the ordained monks and nuns from the lay people.  Because influences and teachings come from a variety of traditions and countries, it appears to me that we do not have a coherent Western sanga.  In my opinion, what we have instead is a number of sanga's held together with the label "Buddhism".  From this, I'm inspired to think of Western Buddhism as an objective Buddhism developed by observing the many fractions as a whole.  By Rev. Stephen Satonick ******************************************** 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

Lesson 2 - Vows to Enlightenment

1.      Which of these guidelines do you think is the most important? Why?

What a challenging question to have an opinion about which guideline is the most important.  For me the four noble truths is a great place to start this journey.  The noble truths are simple however complex to apply consciously in daily living.  I believe that unconsciously we have been trained our minds to seek happiness as a goal.  In most cases our daily living presents more suffering to this attachment to happiness.

Reviewing and gaining understanding of these noble truths it is important to appreciate what Buddha's learnings.  According to Buddha, whatever life we lead, it has the nature of some aspect of suffering (sense of unease).  Even if we consider ourselves happy for a while, this happiness is transitory by nature. This mean that at best, we can only find temporary happiness and pleasure in life.  The more introspective we become, we start to see that this sense of unease happens at all levels of our existence.  

Being new to Buddhism it appears to be very pessimistic and confusing.  However to seek and understand what Buddha offers about the three kinds of suffering gives a perspective of the way of true living.  When I review my way of living I choose not to feel the suffering and be in denial or hide from the cause.  But through this way I suffer.  Living an idealist world that does not live to these expectations I have set in my mind.

Buddhism categorizes this experience into three kinds of dukkha (suffering): suffering from suffering, suffering from change, and all-pervasive suffering.

Suffering from Suffering: This is the most obvious, and is what we normally think of as suffering. It is something that is painful when here but pleasant when going away. Examples include hunger, thirst, and sickness; painful things by nature. Or it can be an argument such as a family quarrel after losing a job.

Suffering from Change: This is related to a sense of instability and unreliability: what goes up must come down. It is sometimes harder to locate this suffering because it relates to our reaction when things around us change in opposition to our desire. Relationships grow apart. Our favorite clothes wear out. A new boss takes over. We get old but want to look and feel young.  Change is a constant in our lives, but we would rather have everything stay the same. When it doesn't we often experience the distress of irritation, anger, fear or loss.

All-Pervasive Suffering: At its most profound, suffering is a condition that exists because of how we perceive ourselves in relation to the world. Taken from this view, our entire worldly experience is a definition of suffering that we cannot even see.  Having understood the nature of our experience at its most subtle allows us to work with it, to mold it, to change our perception through the wisdom of insight. It is like a dormant deadly disease; diagnosing it at an early stage is the beginning of its cure.  All-pervasive suffering is the aspect of existence that Buddhism ultimately strives to illuminate. 

Then the second noble truth "the cause of suffering is desire' uncovers the root cause of this and all other aspects of dukkha.  The simple explanation of the second noble truth is we cling on to our desires for something other than what is happening at this present moment.  The tighter we hold on to the desire and attach to our desire the more discomfort can be experienced.  Even when we are happy, we wish the joy will last.  

Then when we experience pain we fight against it.  We don't want to be in pain but the more we concentrate on it - and the madder we get at our circumstances - the more magnified it becomes.

This 'pushing back' against the bad or 'pulling toward' the good stems from our very concept of self. The second noble truth asks us to look closely at ourselves. The ego is a powerful mechanism. Our experience of ourselves as an individual, separate entity is well practiced. And as the separate entity we perceive ourselves to be, we are always positioning for the most pleasurable and secure destination.

Our concept of self, and our relationship to all our experiences originate in the mind. Dukkha or suffering therefore resides not in our experience itself, but our relationship to it - to how we perceive ourselves in our circumstances and more fundamentally how we perceive ourselves as beings.  Shakespeare wrote 'tis the self by which we suffer.  Changing our concept of self and building a positive belief structure of our identity of self will release suffering.  To accept what is in our control and what is not will release the desire and pain that maybe the cause of suffering.

The third noble truth - the end of desire leads to the end of suffering.  This noble truth presents that the root cause of our suffering resides in our mind.  The way out of this suffering is to look deeply at the true nature of mind and when you realise the true nature of mind, you achieve a liberation from suffering.  What this means is that we recognise and experience the way things truly are beyond our imprisoning thought of self-absorption.  We think beyond the ego filtered perspective of our typical daily interactions.  As we move towards this new direction, suffering will naturally subside.  Our relationship with experience shifts and allows us to let go of our need to protect our sense of self.  As we let go of the clinging hope for results from our actions we begin to experience life as a fluid and interconnected whole.  In Buddhism once we experience the realities of the second and third noble truths we understand the true nature of mind and we achieve enlightenment. 

The fourth noble truth - the way to end desire, and hence to end suffering is to follow the eightfold path.  This is the path to liberation from suffering.  This simple structure of eight prescriptives of how to live your life is the doorway into all buddhist thinking and daily practice.  With consistent practice in each of the eight categories establishes the conditions in which to achieve enlightenment and it teaches the methods to get there.

2.      What is the unifying concept of these guidelines?

The four noble truths and the eightfold path constitutes the heart of Buddhism.  The eightfold path is designed to practice it daily.  Through daily practice one can attain a higher level of existence and finally reach enlightenment.  The three primary groups into which the eight are arranged, attaining wisdom, moral conduct and mental development. 

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?  

Buddha would say to choose a living which does not harm yourself or others.  Harm can be physical, psychological or spiritual.  In the end, morality is a matter of seeing what will benefit you and others as situations arise in your life.   As wisdom and awareness increase through practice, beneficial choices become easier to see in the midst of the chaos of daily life.  The results of right livelihood comes from hard work and consistency.  Practice requires a balance of positive energy, focus and understanding in order to achieve results.  One workforce that Buddha might consider to avoid is becoming a soldier for combat.  This goes against the principles of right livelihood.  

Rosie Davoli

rosiedavoli@gmail.com

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

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Buddhism Course

Lesson 17

 

1. For me, Dharma Day touches my heart. I think that this first teaching in the Deer Park was the beginning of the sharing of Buddhism, and without that sermon, no one would have begun to learn how to practice. The sermon was a practical way to begin to view the world and live out your life.

 

2. To me, this means that no matter where one gets their food from, or builds a home, that we should take the example of the honeybee and treat the Earth, animals and the environment in general, with the gentleness of the bee. A bee does not ruin the flower it gathers pollen from to make honey. We also, should tread gently and purposefully.

 

3. I firmly believe that today, the Buddha would be a vegetarian for many reasons. First of them would be he would see how the factories and slaughterhouses treat the animals today, causing all sorts of horrific suffering to them and that energy of anger and fear is passed along to us. Second, animals today are massed produced, like cars, and pumped up with hormones and medicines that humans should not be ingesting. But personally, I believe he would be disgusted at the way other humans treat animals on these so called "farms" and since the world today has many many options for non-animal food, I think he'd be a vegetarian.
 

Rev. Mark J. Larose


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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.

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Buddhism Course

Lesson #1

1.      Does the story of Siddhartha Guatama, particularly in the years before he became the Buddha, ring true? Is it legend or hearsay? Does it matter?

The story of Siddhartha Guatama maybe true however it does not matter.  The legend shows how a young man searching for more.  With his mind of curiosity and a knowing that there is more to explore.  The legend shows that a prince who has all the prized material possessions know he was missing something.  The courage to step away from the material wealth and comfort that it provides daily in search for what is missing.  As the prince steps out of his comfort zone to explore he finds difference and suffering by many.

The legend symbolizes the life we may live today.  It shows the distractions we have during our life that may take us away from enlightenment.  For some we may know that there is more to life however do not have the teachings, confidence to pursue and then left with the emptiness.  On a personal note this legend inspires me to explore a better way of living.

2.      What does enlightenment mean to you?

Enlightenment is one of those concepts that is so nebulous that it is challenging to define.  The definition of enlightenment from the dictionary is a state of giving intellect or spiritual knowledge.  It is a condition that revelation brings to the believer who have striven for its attainment having a pure intellect and sense of knowing.

What enlightenment means to me is a state that we can flow through.  It is not a state that stays with us.  It is a fleeting moment that changes you in the most profound way.  It is like a switch that shines just for the moment to add more light on life, the outcome may be a new way we view our life and world.

Then enlightenment is to be responsible for creating what you want in your life.  The limitations that we feel to attaining our enlightenment are from our own thinking.  We are self-imposed by our belief system that may limit us to the life we want to live.  To attain enlightenment is to realise that we create our own limitations in our mind and accept that we are not perfect.  It is through enlightenment that we can accept where we are, knowing that we have created this for some reason and through exploration of the limitation that has been placed by us.  If we push against the life created and resist we will be more trapped by it and experience it even more of it in our life.  All too often we perpetuate our pain, keep it alive by replaying our hurts over and over again in our mind.  Magnifying our injustices in the process.  We repeat our painful memories with the unconscious wish perhaps that somehow it will change the situation - but it never does.  

Unhappiness comes to each of us because we think ourselves at the centre of the world.  Unhappiness is feeling trapped in our own skin and trapped in our own brain.  The Dalai Lama speaks that it is important of accepting suffering as a natural fact of human existence.  What type of future will come about to a large extent, lies within our own hands in the present.  Our life will be determined by the kind of initiatives that we take now.  Enlightenment is to see what is, love and embrace it, and work through it. 

3.      Do you believe that enlightenment is possible? Is there more than one way to be enlightened? If so, what?

I believe enlightenment is a thinking of a higher type of concentration and knowing.  The mind can be conditioned and trained to attain this state with clear intentionality.  It is a training to cultivate happiness and a genuine inner transformation by deliberately selecting and focusing on positive mental states and challenging negative mental states.  The ultimate objective is for one to know life, understand this world and to see through its limitations with greatest of acceptance.  Enlightenment requires a tremendous capacity to knowing without attachment to the goal.  It is also requires a tremendous dedication to dedicate ourselves without ego to this highest state.  It requires a correct type of perception, deepest acceptance and philosophy to attain this highest state.   It is a journey.

Rosie Davoli

rosiedavoli@gmail.com

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

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

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Buddhism Course

Lesson 11

1. What are some of the unique features of Mahayana Buddhism? The main practices of Mahayana Buddhism can be summarized in the six perfections: the perfection of giving ethics, patience, joyous effort, concentration and wisdom. Seek enlightenment for all sentient beings, not just their own.2. What is necessary to achieve bodhicitta? take bodhisattva vows3. Why do you think the Mahayana Buddhism appeals to such a large number of people? Because it is a Buddhism for all mankind, not only for the few. Enrique Sanz Bascuñana

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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

MASTER OF BUDDHISM COURSE

This is an outstanding course for anyone who is interested in the religious background and teachings of the Buddha. This is an ancient religion and many of its teachings permeate our society in unusual ways.

Here are just a few of the interesting and “enlightening” things you will learn when you decide to pursue your own Master of Buddhism Degree:

Find out:

* Who was the Buddha? Has there been more than one Buddha? Find out here!

* What do the Buddhists consider the cause of ALL suffering?

* Learn the Buddhist secret philosophy to a happy life!

* Why is the lotus flower an important Buddhist symbol?

* What are the three most important Buddhist teachings?

* What is Nirvana? Is it really what you think it is……?

* Discover the rich cultural background behind this world religion!

* Find out where Buddhism originated, trace its history, and explore the meanings of its mysterious symbols! Lots of interesting stuff!

* Explore Buddhism's holy books and religious teachings for yourself!

* Learn about the power of Karma, and how it figures into the life of the Buddhist, as well as how it can apply to you!!!

* You will also enjoy learning about the Buddhist way of meditation, their philosophy of rebirth, and path to enlightenment! Wayyy too much stuff in this course to describe on one page!

We believe you will be pleasantly surprised with the quality of this course, once you choose to begin receiving it! Buddhism has been admired for decades for its appreciation of tolerance and respect for others.

The concepts of this peaceful religion have stood the test of time. Why not find out why, first-hand!

In this course, you will view the astonishing simplicity and beauty of a tradition that has transformed the civilizations of India, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, Korea, and Japan—and has now become a stable component in the cultures of Europe, Australia, and now the United States.

Think about it: This is a chance for the person interested in Buddhism to pursue that interest, and earn a Master’s Degree at the same time!

What a unique opportunity!

Here’s why : This is a State-certified degree from ULC Seminary! Degrees in Religion from religious institutions traditionally are not accredited, however, for it to be recognized by the general public it must be State-certified to strict standards and guidelines.

We proudly adhere to the State’s policy, and thus, we are recognized as a legal Seminary. We are THE place to further your legitimate religious study, with regulated state standards, course guidelines, and mandatory work assignments that will enrich you on your path for truth. Imagine having the attractive Master of Buddhism Degree certificate framed, and hanging on your wall….and all the wisdom that comes from that awesome accomplishment!

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

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.