What is it that draws you to Buddhism and the teachings of the Buddha?
Is there anything in particular that stands out about these two topics to you, and why?
Myself, I haven’t found anything as comprehensive and detailed that is supportive in helping me comprehend the nature of mind, body, feelings and phenomenon around me. All the material I have come across when paired with my own contemplation has served to provide immense benefit and has been conducive in helping insight to arise. Not only are the teachings, Suttas and others intriguing, but the living culture is something that is very special to me.
Before I knew anything about the Buddha or Buddhism, I knew experientially that there is dukkha. In my late 50’s, after getting no help from creator gods and religious saviors and after knowing that sense pleasures lead to dukkha, I heard about meditating to see for myself in real time the operation of my mind and knew that was the path.
So to answer your question, here are a few thoughts:
The Buddha’s word has always proven right and leads me towards the ending of dukkha.
The Dhamma has given me wholesome motivation and the means to live my life with precepts.
The Buddha’s teachings are based in action and effort that I am capable of undertaking.
The N8FP is clear and accessible to me.
The Buddha’s innovative teachings on developing sati in such a way that I can fulfill the four foundations of mindifulness and fulfill the seven awakening factors in order to have clear seeing and wisdom is a life’s work but something that I can at least do daily.
Following the Buddha and studying and practicing the Dhamma has improved every aspect of my life and my relationships.
I may not enter the stream, but It benefits myself and others.
I’ve been listening to people my whole life. This is the first time people actually have something worth listening to. The tools for radical transformation are available . Happiness is available. Ehipassiko.
Buddhism says that we have the power to stop our own suffering. Only we can purify ourselves, no one else can. Hence it is quite logical.
Just think about it, you are thirsty, would praying to Vishnu or Allah or Jesus etc make you get rid of that thirst ? Such blind beliefs will only end up killing you.
So what is the rational thing to do ? Get yourself a bottle of water, all by yourself.
If God can’t even quench your thirst, I doubt he can save you from inevitable suffering.
God can’t even save his followers who visit his shrine.
Buddhism teaches that each being possesses the power of Viriya,
energy, diligence, enthusiasm,” “effort,”) which allows us to shape our own happiness or suffering. It emphasizes that we hold the responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Our actions can be categorized as wholesome or unwholesome, based on the motivations, intentions behind them—motivations often driven by ignorance, desire, and aversion.
Liberation from Dependence
In this path, we learn that we do not need to depend on some omnipotent ,unseeen being who watches over us, judging our every move. shadowing us with guilt,threat for hell.
There is no need to beg for forgiveness or plead for rewards such as happiness or wealth. Instead, we are encouraged to act rightly and justly out of Wisdom (Panna).
If we seek true happiness, we must take responsibility for our thoughts, speech, and actions. Carelessness and following whims can lead to negative outcomes—this is the essence of the law of karma in Buddhism.
so what is happiness ?
At deeper levels of teaching, we come to understand that even worldly and heavenly happiness is not eternal or unchanging; rather, it is mostly temporary and fleeting. This realization brings forth the concepts of Anicca (impermanence), Dukkha (unsatisfactoriness), and Anatta (not-self). It serves as a wake-up call, a great alarm: even those born into superior conditions or heavenly realms face expiration dates. This truth can indeed be shocking! !!!
The four truths
Buddha proclaimed the Four Noble Truths, which reveal the reality of our samsaric existence:
He pointed out the truth of our current condition.
He explained the reasons behind this condition.
He assured us that this condition can be stopped.
He provided a way to stop this condition.
In the parable of the Wisest Doctor, Buddha addresses us as patients:
“Look, you are sick; you are afflicted by these ailments.” (Dukkha)
“The reason for this sickness is craving.” (Tanha)
“This sickness can indeed be stopped!” (Achieving of Nibbana ,ending of Lobha,Dosa,Moha)
“Here are the prescriptions for your healing.” (The Noble Eightfold Path)
Self-Contemplation
As I reflect on these teachings, I ask myself: How much longer will I endure this cycle of repetitive suffering and dissatisfaction? As stated in SN 56.11, “Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not getting what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.”
I have had enough… I will work on my own salvation.
Embracing the Path
The path has been laid out for us—the solution and medicine have been prescribed by Buddha out of compassion for those who suffer endlessly in samsara. The Noble Eightfold Path offers a way forward.
I feel incredibly blessed and fortunate to have encountered this rare opportunity in my life—to grasp such precious knowledge on how to break free from the cycles of blind samsara (even if I have only begun my studies). There is so much more practice ahead.
Aho Sukham! Aho Sukham! Aho Sukham!
It is a great blessing for all of us who have come to know Tiratana in this life. It is an even greater blessing for those who understand Dhamma rightly, and the utmost blessing for those who practice Dhamma well to achieve freedom from samsara.
Dukkha was what first drew me in. I came to a point in life where I truly wanted to put in real effort to change for the better. I had already learned about Buddhism and several other mystical traditions but never practiced anything seriously. At that point, I quickly gravitated toward early Buddhist suttas, Theravada, and the Thai Forest tradition and haven’t looked back. It fit like a hand in a glove and still does. You could offer me rulership of the Earth in exchange for forgetting about Buddhism, and I wouldn’t take the offer. The Triple Gem is the most valuable thing in the world.
Same here. When I learned about Buddhism and discovered that dukkha means more than the often-repeated “life-is-suffering” -formula , i.e. the inherent insatisfactoriness of everything, the unstableness, the fleeting and fickle nature of the things we usually aspire to - that is what really got me. It was a much needed antidote to the “higher-faster-stronger”-carrot dangling in front of me. I wouldn’t go so far as to turning down rulership of the Earth if offered at this point of my life , but yes, I can see where that statement is coming from.
Reading about samvega in Thanissaro was also really important in that regard . It spelled out something I have been sensing and feeling for a long time.
The value of Enlightenment and walking the Noble Eightfold Path, endeavoring to do this all one’s life is a valuable enough tenant in Buddhism to follow it’s philosophy. To Awaken to the Dhamma one day, is one thing. But I realize that the Dhamma has always been there. It’s not like I’m learning something new or adding something to my Consciousness. On the other hand, Dhamma is like an everyday reality that’s already been there, being understood, instead of a brand new reality being opened up, so as I say I value Enlightenment, I wish to move towards that full Awakening and instead of merely understanding, I wish to act in an Enlightened state of mind, something I believe the Buddha can give me through His Wisdom.
!!!
There is so much more practice ahead.
, but yes, I can see where that statement is coming from.