11.1.07

Grist

Ram Dass often said about the things that happen to us "is just more Grist for the mill"
Now no mater what you may thing of Ram Dass the man, or the Guru, this is wonderfulll expression of truth.

I have tried to make a point about practice being the heart of what Buddhismim is all about (for me) and I found a nice Knowledge nugget on Yellowrobe.com* that, while I won'’t say it is perfect, it is really nice.

I will paraphrase here:

What Buddhism IS:
A religion, as a set of practices, to achieve peace
•A religion, as a set of practices, to achieve bliss
•A religion, as a set of practices, to conquer the mind
A religion, as a set of practices, to achieve right concentration
A religion, as a set of practices, to attain Nibbana
A religion, as a set of practices, to achieve right mindfulness
A religion, as a set of practices, to achieve perfect morality

While some could certainly add quite a few things to that and even subtract some on the thought that they are really already covered elseware, or even modify the language used, I do like this concept.

I often think of Buddhisim as a religion of practices that is our mill to process all of the grist in/of our daily lives.

*The Pali Cannon have some views,"The Pali Canon has always been the most well-preserved original teachings of the Buddha because it is maintained by disciples who have faith and reached Arahantship (meaning the person has realized Nibanna and this being the last round of birth)." that some may not find helpful, however I am one to try and help people by means of "the truth the whole truth and anything else that works."Storefront Lawyers

4 comments:

67 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Jordan,

Thanks for the continuing posts.

Just one question; what is not practice?

Gassho, Ted

SlowZen said...

Siapac,
I appreciate your warning, as I appreciate those who practice Buddhism but do not see it as a Religion.
Even Buddha had thought of his teachings as medicine, not dogma. So in part I agree with them.
However, if they are practicing Buddhism, are they practicing religiously?

Thank you.
Be well and happy!
Gassho,
Jordan
____________________________________

Ted,
A wonderful question… What is not practice?

Everything has become part of “my” practice.
(I am finding that this is making it very difficult to drive.)

I tend to think of this in relation to close order drill.
When I was a recruit we did an awful lot of this and it eventually became engrained in us so that we could respond to commands instinctively.
But we still practice even after we have been out in the “fleet” for 15 years.
I think that Right Practice would likewise come instinctively or intuitively all the time.
But even then, I will still practice.

Be well and happy!
Gassho,
Jordan

SlowZen said...

"This post has been removed by the blog administrator."

Sorry I did not know I did that.

Anyone know if I can get it back?

Jordan

Thanks for looking!