Comments for Daily Buddhism

Comment on Can Anyone Be a Buddhist? by Clare Barrera

Clare Barrera — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:35:03 +0000

are also known as brahmaviharas , divine abodes, or simply as four immeasurables.

Comment on Depression and Drugs by Mj

Mj — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:36:53 +0000

Having suffered with anxiety and depression in the past Buddhism and some of the philosophies have helped me to think only in the present so reduced my anxieties.

Comment on Buddhists vs. Jehovah‚Äôs Witnesses: The Jihad by Antonio

Antonio — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:59:15 +0000

I have read all of the comments, and ask one question the philosophy of Zen and other things are Ideas of men, they were also utilized by the Samurai of Japan and other violent Martial Arts, the final stage of enlightenment is nothing. I deas are great, and yet many religions have had ideas, Hitler, KKK, Reverand Jim Jones, ETC. The reason Jehovahs Witnesses come to peoples doors is because this world has put a price tag on your Head, what ever you make is what your worth, 50,000 a year and so on, once your broke, your worth zero. Jehovahs Witnesses believe that there is no price tag on your head that you are worth more then cars, gold, diamonds, money. Your life is worth everything. This is why they knock on your door. Whether or not you believe them or not, isnt it good to know a group of people in this world still believe we are worth more then material things, and they don’t just talk they show it. I guess there wrong in there believeing that peoples lives, are worth more then the mere things mentioned, and that war, violence are better ways to express how we feel about each other. I wish we lived in a world were ideas were acted out with true sincerity, at least they practise what they preach.. everyone is entitled to freewill, and yet how we have used that will is a shame to our humanity, and a group of people preaching peace, love, and unity, without going to war and committing violence, must be crazy since they live by it. I never see Jehovahs Witnesses strapping Bombs to themselves, or killing each other or others in war. Whens the last time you got robbed by one of them.. Crazy that a group of people telling people to live by a standard that they claim they want, when they say lets do it, oh there crazy, finatics, there trying to stop us from committing violence, Adultery, Murder, Lieing, Stealing how dare they… Whos Ideas are not sound the ones claiming to want peace but wont do it, or the ones living by it???? I’ll take Peace.. I hope you guys have it, or find it..

Comment on Podcast Episode 62: Hatred, Ignorance, and Looking to the Weekend by Teoani

Teoani — Sun, 05 May 2013 14:03:10 +0000

Just want to say that I’m glad you are back with new podcasts.
I’ve just downloaded a sample of your new book on my kindle. Will take a look at it tomorrow morning, when the excitement of the Malaysian Elections get out of the way.
Can’t say I’m Buddhist, but I agree with many of the concepts explored on some of the shows. Thanks for the wise writings and podcasts!
A suggestion: Is it possible to record the podcasts stereo? Right now I can only hear your voice in the left earphone The music sounds stereo over both earphones, though.

Comment on Podcast Episode 5: The Four Noble Truths by Chris Deibert

Chris Deibert — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:50:06 +0000

Thank you, Brian for your daily enlightenment. I am listening to the Podcast from the beginning and I apologize if my question has already been answered.

Are there not only 3 noble truths since the 3rd is redundant? i.e., If enlightenment is the answer to eternal suffering, it goes without saying that there is an answer. #3 is as redundant as ‘basic, introductory material’ and ‘intuitively simple.’

{btw I wanted to upload an mp3 as invited but I do not see this option.)

Comment on Rioting Buddhists Clash With Muslims by Matt

Matt — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:15:27 +0000

Actually, from what I read here http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/myanmars-monks-have-become-corrupt-and-dangerously-sectarian/?hp monks may have instigated some of the rioting, and that the problem lies in a lack of integrity within the Burmese Sangha. The journalist is a Myanmar native.

Comment on Depression and Drugs by David

David — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:59:09 +0000

I am a recovering addict and was using heroin for over 20 years. This was to cover up the suffering I was experiencing and most certainly was not the answer and only caused more suffering such as depression for which I required medication. A problem leading to another. I am fortunate enough to be clean and healthy today and of a sound enough mind to study dharma. Something I had always been keen to study but was too wasted or ill to do so. Many people I know did die because of their addictions and I feel so blessed to be still alive and have knowledge of these wonderful teachings. Peace and joy everyone.

Comment on Judgmental Family and Hypocrisy by wambam

wambam — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:53:10 +0000

I can totally relate to being around hypocrites. I also live in the bible belt and do not agree with their beliefs. I grew up catholic and now I practice a Buddhist type spiritual life as best I can.
I only have power over myself. No outside force can hurt me unless I allow it. Everyone lives in their own world and can choose to believe what they want. Most people like hypocrites are addicted to drama. They love to see people to react to their words or actions.. if we stop reacting to their drama, they will eventually move on to someone else that they can push their buttons to get a reaction. It just takes practice. Try not to take anything personal. Your cousin thinks she knows you. When in reality you are just a secondary character in her story. She has NO Clue who you are. Just like she is a secondary character in your story.
I believe most of our problems resides in our minds. We are constantly thinking about the past or the future and that robs us of the present moment. And the present moment is all we ever have. It is always NOW. If we can learn thru constant practice to remain present we will have heaven on earth. That voice in our heads we call thinking keeps us trapped in Hell on earth. Stay present and grow. When Christ talked about people being LOST. He didn’t mean doing bad stuff. He meant being lost in thought. Most people (your cousin) are always lost in thought. The mind can be a wonderful servant but a terrible master. I wish you well and try to lighten up and not take life too seriously. Everything is always passing. Peace and Love my friend…..Good day…!

Comment on Appropriation and Commercialization of Buddhism in the West by Keith Howard

Keith Howard — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:24:48 +0000

Forms. Labels. Symbols. Likes. Dislikes. Opinions. Judgements. Division. Discord.
I have a small gold Buddha on a nice golden chain for my own personal reasons and it is “Just That” . I would think the question points sharply back on the observers reaction to object and the resulting mind stream and emotion it does and doesn’t evoke and ultimately why it is a thought it is clung to.

Comment on Sign Language in Buddhism (ASL) by sdterp

sdterp — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 06:55:32 +0000

The video is not ASL…perhaps it’s BSL??? Does anyone know for sure?

Comment on Buddha: Evil Spirit Repository by Robert

Robert — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:42:24 +0000

I would have laughed and laughed and laughed. But that is me. As a Christian Buddhist I get in these conversations (though usually not as bizzare) a lot, including with myself. The trick I have found for Christian-Buddhist dialog is loving-kindness. When talking about Christianity and my theology, I talk about love, its reality, nurturing and growth. When I talk about my Buddhist practices, I talk about love and how the practices have helped me nurture and grow it. When I do this I do it as lovingly as I can. I smile, I listen.

Also this is facebook. There is a temple in Dallas TX where in the paintings that cover the walls of the meditaiton hall there is a ocean representing the sea of suffering of the world, and one of the figures drowning in that ocean is using facebook. The silly uninformed statements on facebook is a million times greater than the truly informed and considered statements on facebook.

Comment on Buddhism in Public Schools by Robert

Robert — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:19:33 +0000

Use skillful means… Attention, presence, openness, looking deeply and carefully are all universal human abilities that can be practiced to everyone’s benefit. There is no need to drag religious language into it. There is no need even to make it a big deal. Say “Before you draw this, look at it closely, take it in, what is it made of? What is it doing? Where did it come from? What will happen to it when we are done with it? Don’t tell me. Just look and see if you can see these aspects of it. Lets just take a minute and be quiet and look at it, and then draw it.”

That is not “Buddhism” that is good art sense right?

Comment on Podcast Episode 2: Who Was The Buddha? by Sherry mulligan

Sherry mulligan — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:52:19 +0000

Brian, love your podcasts! I’ve learned a lot from you about many subjects including Buddhism. Thanks for what you are doing and keep it up. Thanks Sherry

Comment on Rapidfire Questions Basic Buddhist Questions by Michael

Michael — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:26:09 +0000

To extend the thought regarding abortion, contraception, euthanasia, and divorce: Many of these ideas were borne out of situations already in a state of suffering. Right actions include ending suffering, not enduring them, no?

As a society, we have enlisted (some of) these actions as a rule, not an exception, and herein lies the judgement and distaste (disgrace?) that is attached to them. We give up a lot of things in haste to pursue what we believe will lead to happiness (or at the very least, the avoidance of suffering). If only forethought was as clear as hindsight.

None of these things are good or bad. They are simply tools of compassion. We can’t always travel down the ‘right’ road, but we can always find our way back to it, with or without these tools and a little perspective.

Comment on If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him by colin

colin — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:22:24 +0000

joe knows what he’s talking about, it seems

Comment on Beginners Buddhism Books by Mark

Mark — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:36:22 +0000

Blistered Feet Bissfull Mind is the only book which moved me to pop a review on Amazon. At the time of this comment is has 18 reviews all 5 stars a truly amazing book about buddhism. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/190608517X/?tag=askdrarca-20

Comment on Buddhist Tattoos and Books by Donna

Donna — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 05:01:43 +0000

Buddha did say “do not adorn your body or home with images of me”. As he did not consider or want others to consider him as a god

Comment on Koan: The Strawberry by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:33:42 +0000

The entire situation the man is in is his poor life circumstances that require immediate attention, and his grabbing the strawberry is his distraction leading to downfall.

Comment on Rioting Buddhists Clash With Muslims by Joshua Ferrell

Joshua Ferrell — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:07:38 +0000

I agree that rioting isn’t a very Buddhist activity, but I disagree that every violent act would be a form of hypocrisy in Buddhism. I read an article, several months ago, by the Dalai Lama that mentioned that self defense isn’t a bad karmic act as long as it comes from true necessity, such as a situation where more bad would ultimately come from not acting than it would from defending yourself or another. (Being a life long martial artist, I found this article doing some research for a paper I was writing). He gave the example of walking into a room and discovering a rape or a child being molested and explained that of course you would do what was necessary to end such a horrible act. I didn’t bookmark the article, but the basic premise of it was that reality and our perfect ideals don’t often meet together. He gave the example of someone who is striving to be a vegetarian and yet not a single vegetarian or vegan has or ever will do that perfectly because there are always, at least trace amounts, parts of insects, cross contamination of animal products, or bacteria in our foods. The fact that we do our best to live up to our ideals are more important than absolute perfection in executing them. One can try to lead as peaceable life as much as possible, but one may encounter circumstances in their life where the more nobel thing to do is to take an action that one has strived to avoid. I’m vaguely familiar with what the mood is in Myanmar, and, while I don’t know the complete national or personal backstory that led to these riots, it’s possible (most likely unlikely, but possible) that these acts were the best response. I certainly agree that Christianity doesn’t have a monopoly on hypocrisy, but deviating from our ideals isn’t always hypocrisy either.

Comment on Rebirth Revisited by Brian Schell

Brian Schell — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:38:31 +0000

“Religion should not dismiss Science so should Science not dismiss religion. They have actually a lot to learn from each other.”

No. The older I get, and the more I see, the more I disagree with that statement.

Comment on Rebirth Revisited by Necrolius

Necrolius — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 05:23:15 +0000

Rebirth is starting to be more and more evident is our daily lives. These days we talked about migrating our data to a new phone or computers. If something as inanimate as data can be migrated…why not consciousness that is alive. The only thing in Buddhism is that there is no eternal soul which is logical. Are u the same you today and 1 year ago? No. Because we grow and change based in what we experience in life. If we are not the same “me” now, how can we be the same “me” in future lives shaped by new conditions of change?

Comment on Rebirth Revisited by Necrolius

Necrolius — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 05:02:56 +0000

Religion should not dismiss Science so should Science not dismiss religion. They have actually alot to learn from each other.

Comment on Rebirth Revisited by Necrolius

Necrolius — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:55:55 +0000

The mind or consciousness is the greatest configurator of our existence. Its like a black box that we write to it which we are predetermining now our spiritual blueprint or dna which eventually expresses into the form or state of being most deserving of us. Ancuent humans are spiritual first and they have achieved a glorious history of achievements in areas unexplained by modern science especially when they have less tools or technology than us.

Comment on Rebirth Revisited by Necrolius

Necrolius — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:47:39 +0000

Buddhism without rebirth is meaningless. There is nothing to get out of. If so, whats the point of attaining Buddhahood so that we can benefit more suffering beings? Energies cannot be destroyed as proven by science. I believe they get transformed from one state to another.

Comment on Rebirth Revisited by Necrolius

Necrolius — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:44:42 +0000

For all we know, this entire universe is a flux of energies operating constantly in a cyclic way. Input and output comes hand in hand. We get output in new forms and dimensions based on the inputs we receive and hold dearly in life. If scientists can believe in the existence of other worlds and lifeforms, why can’t the existence of a parallel dimension right where we are exists where spirits are the “other” beings. In simply put, we are also a form of energy interacting with the other energies in this universe.

Comment on If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him by The Path That Leads to Nowhere – janetkwest

The Path That Leads to Nowhere – janetkwest — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:07:59 +0000

[...] There’s a phrase I’ve heard often, If you meet the Buddha on the way down the mountain, kill him. http://www.dailybuddhism.com/archives/670 [...]

Comment on Genetic Enhancements, Abortion, and Buddhist Ethics by Karate Kiddo

Karate Kiddo — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:14:53 +0000

If we live our lives by building our happiness, needs and wants onto the suffering of others. In return, we are building suffering into the very happiness we set out to achieve for ourselves. One who plants the seed of suffering will only receive the fruit of suffering in return. We have lead many lives with the same lifestyle. How can one who cteates suffering not expect suffering to ripen in one’s life this life or after?

Comment on Genetic Enhancements, Abortion, and Buddhist Ethics by Karate Kiddo

Karate Kiddo — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:06:45 +0000

Many faiths are pro-life but if ever a creator does exist, he cannot be totally pro-life for millions of innocent kids die becos of illnesses who are literally aborted or premeditated by his PLAN. The best explanation to explain all these phenomenon is Karma whch absolve the creator from any blame. Since this world has yet to experience a total world where human refrain from killing, almost every aspects of our lives revolves round killing which we build our happiness onto the suffering of others. Karma is the best answer to all the ups and downs or life though it is not to be fatalistically taken as well.

Comment on Genetic Enhancements, Abortion, and Buddhist Ethics by Karate Kiddo

Karate Kiddo — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:15:46 +0000

Many faiths are pro-life but if ever a creator does exist, he cannot be totally pro-life for millions of innocent kids die becos of illnesses who are literally murdered or premeditated by his PLAN. The best explanation to explain all these phenomenon is Karma.

Comment on Genetic Enhancements, Abortion, and Buddhist Ethics by Omegatron

Omegatron — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 05:55:12 +0000

Theistic religions abhors abortion. I support some aspects of it becos taking an innocent young life is wrong. If indeed, why is it right that the big guy up there can take the lives of young kids by having it in his plan to have them get Cancer? Whatever it is, a kid is a kid. Having a young kid get illness is no difference from abortion. The only difference is the kid is born and the other is an unborned kid.

Comment on Koan: The Strawberry by weddell seal facts

weddell seal facts — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:48:57 +0000

Before that question is answered we’ve met new friends whom we will never forget and heard love blooming in song. Freeing them depends on the destruction of a massive ice shelf. It is love that drives these strange creatures and makes them so endearing, and it is their willingness to sacrifice that makes them so admirable.

Comment on If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him by Buddhism: the religion of peace - US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

Buddhism: the religion of peace - US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:54:01 +0000

[...] [...]

Comment on Why Do Buddhists Pray To Idols? by Simon B

Simon B — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:17:00 +0000

It’s a perfectly rational answer, which suggests that the image is used as a focus for the mind to guide it to, and is not the target of, the respect and veneration accorded to the Buddahs.

Comment on Why Do Buddhists Pray To Idols? by Omegatron

Omegatron — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:37:10 +0000

If wood is just wood. Clay is just clay. Lets tear down all the temple and churches for the real kingdom lies inside of us not outside.

Comment on Why Do Buddhists Pray To Idols? by Omegatron

Omegatron — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:35:05 +0000

Creationism makes me puke. For god so loved the world, he also perverse his creation in ways unimaginable as they suffer from illness even a life as innocent as a baby.

Comment on Why Do Buddhists Pray To Idols? by Ire Maiden

Ire Maiden — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:57:46 +0000

Buddhism is the only or few religion that look at the issue of suffering and the end of suffering more thorough and detailed than anybody else. The Buddha gave his life and time to it. Suffering is the cause he pursued like a doctorate. The end of suffering…Nirvana is what he graduated from.

Comment on Why Do Buddhists Pray To Idols? by Ire Maiden

Ire Maiden — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:43:08 +0000

I cannot never accept thr fact that an almighty god would commit a simple sin such as JEALOUSY. It really make him look small.

Comment on Why Do Buddhists Pray To Idols? by Ire Maiden

Ire Maiden — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:41:25 +0000

Buddhist are not afraid of hell. We have the means to get ourselves out of it. If ever there is a real need, hell is the place bodhisattvas are most needed. All sentient beings are our past lives parents. We will.never quit on any sentient beings. This is the difference between one who truly wants to save and one who only save those who are members only.

Comment on Why Do Buddhists Pray To Idols? by Ire Maiden

Ire Maiden — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:37:35 +0000

Some people find rebirth ridiculous yet they believe the very reason they are born is because they are the only successful sperm who made it to the egg against the millions competing with them. If so, who are those millions that they are competing against?

Comment on Why Do Buddhists Pray To Idols? by Ire Maiden

Ire Maiden — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:11:17 +0000

I do not worship GOD becos he is an IDOL to me.