Buddism started to be called
"Buddism" a long time ago, about 2552 years ago when the first Budda sat
under a tree in India and became enlightened. That is, the Budda became
free from mental pain caused by attachment to mental phenomena.
When the Budda sat under the
tree he focused on his breath. When one focuses on the breath for a
period of time, and is well practiced - eventually all thoughts in the
mind stop.
Though it might seem a very
unnatural state of mind, in Buddism this is part of the goal because
once the thoughts stop churning about in the mind - the mind becomes
more aware, free, and responsive without the memories of the past or the
hope of the future enchaining it.
Buddism is the study of what
Budda did to free the mind from suffering. Budda gave a lot of talks to
help people come to the same state of being that he attained - and many
have since then. They too are said to be arahants or "Buddas" but,
really the first Buddha is the one that was referred to and is referred
to as "Budda". Others were said to have attained arahantship.
Buddism in Thailand is
practiced a couple different ways. Thai Buddism follows the Theravada
style of Buddism and yet there are a couple of schools of training.
Some Theravadans believe that
one need only sit and meditate in order to attain enlightenment. Others
believe you must also add "mindfulness" of the present moment.
Some schools of Buddism are
very strict and go only by what the Budda originally said. Others also
take into account what other enlightened persons have said as well.
Some in Buddism believe in
spirits, in good luck, in seeing the future, in protection amulets and
tattoos, and many other other-worldly experiences.
At it's base, I believe that
Buddism is a scientific philosophy that is a way of live and a way of
guiding people's lives based on what the Budda said... Basically we're
to read what the Budda said, try it - and it revise it a little - in
case we missed the meaning... try again, try again... if it doesn't work
for us - we can throw it away. Buddha said, "if you meet the Budda on
the trail, kill him."
Meaning - there is nothing
important about the Budda or what he has said if it doesn't apply to
your own situation. Try it, if it works - keep it - practice it, if not,
throw it away like trash and find some other way to practice.
Buddism says our entire life
should be like this - trying things, seeing if they work well for us -
and discarding them if they don't.
Buddism is an intelligent,
rational, logical religion above all else. The believe in magic amulets
and pendants can also be very rational and logical to some people. In
fact, here in Thailand there are many more that believe in the power of
Buddist good luck pendants and amulets than people that don't believe in
them.
Buddists in Thailand are a
little different from Buddists in China, Malaysia, Burma, and India.
Visit Thailand if you get a chance and see what Budism is to Thais. It's
quite a wonderful way to live life..
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