Buddhism in Today's Life
This is a philosophy which is probably the most human-oriented of any. The spirit is real-world oriented and less ideology.Invented by people who are not capable of handling their life and they try to pass the problems to some "holy ghosts", maybe they can solve them, very comfortable and full of lies.
Buddhist philosophy was founded in India around 500 BC and made its way through Asia, first to Tibet, China, Sri Lanka and Myanmar or Burma, after Thailand and slowly expanding its footprint.
Here is one of the most venerated Buddhist Shrine.
The Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon Myanmar
Buddhism is not a real homogeneous religion as most other are, there are always sects with their own rules, believing and mythology, often in a combination with people issuing strict rules and telling all other human are more or less not good as it is usual in Islam where it is clearly postulated that all non-Muslims are so-called non-believers.
This is against some of the basics human social behavior and there is clearly no willingness to update or change anything, if a Muslim does any thinking of his own they stone him or her.
Over time plenty of sects developed with its own doctrines and legends. Although it has produced not much mythology of its own, it has incorporated legends of various regions. There are many ideas and local plus national versions the whole is characterized by complicated dogmatic expressions. But besides of all this diversity and variants, there are some common values among are the prayer in the Buddhist Monasteries.
The main directions of Buddhism are called Theravada or Hinayana "Little Vehicle", and the Mahayana "Big vehicle" but in all versions Buddha as the main object of veneration.
The follower in Asia and all over the world still take the teachings quite serious since it is not so much directed to a "God" who watch over the local ghosts and deities, as it is in Myanmar and Thailand e.g.
They have their local Nats which are the ghost of dead people living in the trees or small spirit houses, they also have this in Thailand where practically in front of every house is a small spirit shrine. Since it was started in India no wonder that there have been and still are influences of Brahmanism which is again a variation of Hinduism. Over time all countries created their particular styles to present it to the believers.
Source of all was Siddhartha 'The Buddha"
This was a prince from a state in northern India where his father Suddhodana was king, he was born around 563 BC. In the center is Gautama as the main object of veneration. The word "Buddha" is not just a name. It means "the enlightened one". There were countless incarnations before, but the highest veneration was Prince Siddhartha.
Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam
are the three most universality religions as they are not nation specific. The totally opposite to Buddhism are religions such as Islam and Christianity who claim only they are right in terms of religion.
As a matter of fact, one can easily distinguish a primitive from an advanced and humanitarian religion by checking the tolerance giving to others with a different thinking pattern.Buddhism is a rather modern philosophy, it's more than 2000 years old but the elements of pluralism and humanity are definitely included.
This more or less Indian idea is on top of any by this parameter. Here nobody gives you a problem when you think in a different way. In Islam, if you think different, they stone you, they hang you and they kill you by some other means, strange religion isn't it ? Currently (2016) the worst is Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
As a matter of fact, they do even the same when a women make some "winkle - twinkle" to the other guy and the Turks, Kurds, Moroccans and so on even kill their sisters and brothers if they mingle with people of another religion, this happens in the 21. century.
Boys at novitiation and more >
The five Mudras, read more >
Buddha antiques are often high priced, more >
in particular when there is real evidence that they are genuinely old since there are many fake items its necessary to be very careful when buying any, on top of it almost no country where they are available allows to export them.
This old pieces of desire are real business and they make plenty of money usually at auctions since that makes it bit less transparent because it quickly disappears and no traces left.
Especially the newly rich from China throw plenty of money when they think to get back some great heritage. That could be just the top piece of decoration in a newly built residence somewhere. From a certain amount of money they own it's only gaming and to try to play some games.
In Thailand, it looks different sometimes, more >
Thailand is a mainly Buddhist country (there are also a lot of Muslims) and has some of the best Buddha related art plus exotic temples where they are on display such as Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. There are many others in museums, monasteries, often just as home decoration and e.g. the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
what the people say about meditation
What the people say about meditation
Countless Temples
Actually, the difference between a Temple and the other is it can be entered just as walking into a Church or Mosque, the Pagoda, Stupa or Chedi is a solid construction and there is now way to walk in. Two versions have been constructed as buildings and in caves.
Bali Buddha
Myanmar Nats
Myanmar Nats
In Myanmar, more >
In Cambodia, more >
These religions share the belief in reincarnation and karma, inclusive Indian gods called Devas and Asuras which are the demons.
Legends tell about Amitabha who was a bodhisattva, means a person who found enlightenment but delayed his entering into nirvana to help others to gain enlightenment by meditation too.
Here are Pagodas at Sagaing near Mandalay.
meditation retreats at Sagaing Mandalay
Meditation retreats at Sagaing Mandalay
Meditation retreats
A great place with monasteries and Buddhist retreats is Mandalay and especially Sagaing which is just across the Irrawaddy River.
Tags: Buddha life Buddhist life Buddhism today
