Just BE GOOD!
The Buddha''s advice is to :
Do Good, Avoid Evil, and Purify the Mind.
In practical everyday terms, this means the practice of Dana, Sila and Bhavana.
The Buddha''s advice is to :
Do Good, Avoid Evil, and Purify the Mind.
In practical everyday terms, this means the practice of Dana, Sila and Bhavana.
What is Dana?
This simply means ''giving'',
charity or helping others. This can be practiced
in many different
ways. You can do so through speech by using kind and encouraging
words with others. Even giving something as simple as a smile can help
another if it cheers them up and brightens their day.
You can always lend a hand to
anyone who needs help. You can volunteer your efforts or your resources
to the less fortunate. You can also share the Buddha''s Teachings to
anyone who is interested in them. It is the greatest gift of all.
However, try to do all this
without regret, discrimination or ulterior motives. Practice Dana with
kindness, compassion and empathy.
What is Sila?
This means ''Morality'' and the Buddha advised us to
observe the Five Precepts in the cultivation of Sila
:
1. Abstain from killing any living beings.
2. Abstain from taking what is not given.
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct.
4. Abstain from lying and false speech.
5. Abstain from the abusive consumption of intoxicants and drugs.
2. Abstain from taking what is not given.
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct.
4. Abstain from lying and false speech.
5. Abstain from the abusive consumption of intoxicants and drugs.
These
Precepts are not commandments, but are rules that Buddhists take upon
themselves to observe. They are observed not because of fear of
punishment but because we realize that such actions harm others as well as
ourselves.
For
example, as we ourselves do not wish to be killed or harmed, we realize that
all other beings also do not wish to be killed or harmed. Likewise as we
do not wish to be victims of theft, adultery, lies and slander, we ourselves
should avoid doing such acts to others.
The Buddha also strongly advocated avoiding intoxicants and drugs. This is because once you have come under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs, you are capable of committing any acts that you would not have done otherwise.
Should you break the Precepts, the Buddhist way is to be fully
aware that you have done so, try your best to make amends, and then resolve to
try harder from then on.
Morality is the foundation which everything else rests upon.
It thus might be a good idea to memorize the Five Precepts so that you can be mindful of
them at all times.
One of our free distribution items is a colourful and
attractive bookmark with the Five Precepts, which you can keep with you always
as a gentle reminder.
And once the observing of the Five Precepts becomes an instinctive
part of your behaviour, developing its positive aspects will come easily and
naturally :
1.
The practice of Harmlessness
and Compassion.
2. The practice of Kindness and Generosity.
3. The practice of Faithfulness and Responsibility.
4. The practice of Truthfulness and Pleasant Speech.
5. The practice of Self-control and Mindfulness.
2. The practice of Kindness and Generosity.
3. The practice of Faithfulness and Responsibility.
4. The practice of Truthfulness and Pleasant Speech.
5. The practice of Self-control and Mindfulness.
What is Bhavana?
Bhavana means the practice of ''Mind Cultivation'' or simply meditation. Meditation can be said to purify the mind by making it easier to develop Generosity and Compassion, and then to finally acquire Wisdom.
Buddhist
meditation is usually classified into two types - Vipassana or Insight meditation,
and Samatha or Concentration meditation.
There are many forms of Samatha meditation, and Metta or Loving-Kindness
meditation is
one of its more widely practiced forms. All these types of meditation
have their benefits.
However,
it is usually recognized that it is through the practice of Vipassana or Insight meditation that we
can come to fully know ourselves. And that through this we will be able to
better realize and understand the Buddha''s Teachings and to see things as they
truly are.
Meditation
can be said to be the highest form of Buddhist practice as the Buddha himself
attained Enlightenment through meditation.
You
do not need long meditation sessions to begin with. Even a short 10 to 20
minute session every day or every other day will do wonders.
This is a good place to start learning
Buddhist Meditation.
www.justbegood.net
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