learn about buddhism

Buddhists seem to hold the key to eternal happiness, love, and fearlessness. I am ready to learn.

I have always loved many of the aspects of buddhism and I think there is a lot to be learned from it regardless of your beliefs.
First on my reading list is How To Practice (Dalai Lama)

I finished How to Practice by the Dalai Lama several weeks ago. I’m still trying to put my thoughts together coherently.

I think it’s safe to say that I don’t think I can reconcile Buddhism with atheism (at least on the segment of Buddhism described here). But there is plenty that I can apply to my life in Buddhism, and unlike other religions, it seems possible to take bits and pieces.

I have 2 more books that I plan to read at minimum.

I am 40 and i seem lost in my life—i have a few friends that are buddhist and I am willing to try and get my life together.

For the longest time I avoided all religions (and “religions”) because I didn’t want to read/study/learn about any gods or the moral codes one should obey – being a pure atheist worked fine for me. I’m still very much a non-believer, but the spiritual void I’ve lived in has become so vast that I’m losing myself in it. I know I can be spiritual, but religious – not so much (at all).

Buddhism started to interest me some time around last year, I think, but I never got around actually reading about it (because of other things that got all my attention), but now I’ve finally started. I’m in the middle of a book about Zen Buddhism and find it very interesting. Many of the thoughts presented in the book I notice I’ve pondered over myself at some point in my life. I’m getting more and more drawn to the way of the Buddha. It brings me inner peace when I read about and study it, without getting the feeling of pressure from “God” or gods.

I’m merely just starting my journey, but I’m very interested in knowing more. I had an inspiring discussion about spirituality in general with some of my relatives at my aunt’s birthday party last Sunday, I’d love to be able to bring a bit more to such discussions in the future, not for the sake of argument, but to share what I’ve learnt and how I feel.

I know the inner peace is already in me, but if I can find it with the help of the teachings of the Buddha, then why not. This is not about following some charismatic leader, this is about getting to know the self to forget the self.

I read a book written by Dalailama on main principles and goals of Buddhism, as well as how should a buddhist act, think or feel. I really admired the principles, however I also realised how little I am doing to abide by them – how deep am I caught in samsara.

I think, before starting meditation, I should acquire deeper understanding and knowledge of the principles (I have to accept them “myself”), and, most importantly, deep conviction of the reality of Karma and Reincarnation.

Today I went to the library to read. I began by reading a section of Buddhism for Dummies, focussing on the chapter about meditation:
You get to know yourself more intimately than you ever thought possible. Instead of turning your attention outward, to other people or the external world, you turn inward, back on yourself. As a result, parts of your heart and mind that may have been underdeveloped or even unknown to you beforehand, gradually become a natural part of who you are and how you relate to the world.
Then I went on to begin reading Buddhism Plain and Simple, which I am enjoying and finding very interesting.

Buddhism has two main goals for a human being:
- to achieve enlightenment by dealing with delusions and stopping our suffering (following the Buddha’s path)
- to help other people in achieving enlightenment in various ways, individual for each person.

Buddhists strive for a deep insight into the true nature of life and do not worship gods or deities. There is no belief in a personal God. It is not centred on the relationship between humanity and God. Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent – change is always possible.

Karma
Actions have consequences; so our lives are conditioned by our past actions.

Consciousness continues after death, and finds expression in a future life.
Liberation from karma

Following the Buddha’s path = escape from cycle of craving and suffering:
The Four Noble Truths

Enlightenment
The highest goal of life is to reach Enlightenment; a state of being that goes beyond suffering.

Facing the truth
The Buddha taught that the human tendency is to avoid the difficult truths of life and this in turn leads to suffering. By enabling the mind to be at peace through meditation a human being can confront reality and overcome hatred and craving.

It seems that I’ve inadvertedly adopted a few of these traits in my life so far. I am keen to learn more.

was the real life Tripitaka whose pilgrimage to the West was immortalised in the story of Monkey.