How you can gain insight through
Buddhism Religion
The truth of suffering is one of the central concepts of
Buddhism religion. The Buddha can be looked upon as a physician
who diagnoses and prescribes the path leading to the end of
suffering. This is the teaching of the Buddha.
Buddhism is looked upon by some as a pessimistic religion
since it stresses on suffering. What they forget is that that
this is a philosophy that also prescribes a way out.
Nature of the basic beliefs of
BuddhismMy own view is that Buddhism is based on an
understanding of human psychology and that it is very realistic
and practical. Buddhism religion does not concern itself with
anything but the cessation of suffering or gaining well-being.
Such matters as the existence of god, the existence of the soul
and the like are deliberately not discussed as they would act
as distractions to our main task – accomplishing the cessation
of suffering.
So this is the main reason for following a path according to
the basic beliefs of Buddhism.
The teachings of the Buddhism
holy bookAnother characteristic of Buddhism religion –
which makes it such a boon to mankind – is that all the
Buddhist teachings are regarded as a map leading to our goal or
to truth. The teachings are never mistaken to be the truth
itself. The Buddha himself regarded his own teachings as
nothing more than a finger pointing at the moon. As Bruce Lee
said in the movie – Enter the Dragon – “Don’t concentrate on
the finger or you will miss all the heavenly glory.” There have
never been any wars fought over Buddhism religion and that is
because Buddhism religion never regarded its own teachings as
the truth, but only pointers to it.
Buddhism religion then – according to me – is a path of
insight leading to the end of suffering (or well-being). The
Buddha gained enlightenment through meditation, and meditation
was also what he primarily taught. There are many methods of
Buddhism and many Buddhist meditation practices. I myself am
doing Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka.
Vipassana means insight. Hence Vipassana meditation means
insight meditation. Insight meditation can be done only if the
mind is stable and strong enough to concentrate well. For the
distracted mind what is required is not Vipassana but Shamatha
(or stopping). We need to stop our minds from its endless
distractions to be able to observe properly and gain
insight.
There is a story told in Zen circles about a man and a
horse. A man was astride a horse, which was galloping away to a
distant goal. Everyone thought that the man must be on some
important journey. Another man standing on the road asked –
“where are you going”. And the man on the horse replied “I
don’t know; ask the horse”
This is the situation that we find ourselves in. We are
pulled along by our passions - anger, greed, fear etc. - and by
our habits and we seem to have no say in deciding where we want
to go.
Observation of the breath is a powerful Buddhist meditation
practice that leads to Shamatha. I have also described some
mindfulness practices based on the Anapanasati sutra in this
page on Buddhist
Meditation . This mindfulness practice can be integrated
into our day-to-day lives and we will be immensely
benefited.
I also strongly recommend that you take up a regular
meditation practice whether in the Buddhist Meditation
tradition or otherwise.
Meditation practices in
Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism is also known as
Hinayana Buddhism or Path of the Elders. It is the Buddha's
original teaching. Vipassana is one of the mail meditation
practices of Hinayana Buddhism.
Vipassana - or insight meditation – is the path to freedom.
There are many insight meditation practices in the Buddhist
meditation tradition. I myself am learning the method taught by
S. N. Goenka and I strongly recommend it to you if you are
determined and motivated to learn. Centers have been
established by Mr. Goenka in many countries. More information
can be found on this page on Vipassana meditation.
In the tradition of Theravada Buddhism there are other forms
of insight meditation or Vipassana as taught by a number of
other enlightened masters. More information is available in
this book
Living Dharma by Jack Kornfield available at Amazon.
Jack Kornfield visited and trained with many Burmese
Buddhist masters in the 1970’s. The above book is an insightful
compilation of the many practices that he became familiar with.
Interested students of Buddhism religion and Buddist meditation
practices would do well to read this book. It is knowledgeable,
insightful and inspiring.
In brief the practices and basic beliefs of Buddhism
religion stress awareness, meditation and walking the path of
the end of suffering.
I hope you enjoyed this article and that it will be useful
to you.
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