Category: Buddhist Mythbusting

What is Karma and What isn't Karma? And Why It Matters. [UPDATED]

9/12/2021

Perhaps one of the most widely misunderstood concepts in all of buddhism and eastern philosophy: karma explained.

What is Karma really? Is our life predetermined or do we have agency? And what does it have to do with who we are or what we experience?

In this short article, we will cover what Karma is and what it isn't; how it relates to destiny and free-will; and, its relationship to your happiness and your peace-of-mind.

Before I start, let me get this out of the way right upfront: Karma is not a universal morality system; it's not a bad behaviour boomerang. In Buddhism, there is no deity watching over anyone, rewarding do-gooders and smiting wrong-doers.

So, what is Karma then?

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Patience: How Buddhists Should Respond to Inconsiderate Acts of Others.

2/10/2021

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Patience isn't a reward that is granted by praying for it, it's a skill that is cultivated by practicing it.

In this Q&A, we will learn about how Buddhists view and approach the teachings on kindness, tolerance, acceptance, and patience with others.

Q1: Unalome tattoos are gaining in popularity among non-Buddhist women, and though it is a beautiful symbol with a very powerful meaning I was wondering if people within the Buddhist community find offence with non-Buddhists getting these sacred symbols tattooed on their bodies?

Q2: I guess I'm wondering where the balance is between personal significance and cultural appropriation for you and if seeing these images on non-Buddhists is offensive?

Hi Lily,

Thank you for your email and your interesting questions. Let's dive right in...

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The Altruistic Intention: What People Get Wrong About Buddhism, Enlightenment, and Bodhisattvas.

11/2/2020

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Dispelling a very common myth about the Altruistic Intention and the Mahayana Bodhisattva Path; and how it applies to your practice and attaining enlightenment.

In this article we will (1) learn about the Buddhist Altruistic Intention: what it is, what it isn't, and how it applies to Bodhisattvas and to your practice. We will also briefly (2) review what Buddhist enlightenment is and what it means to be "enlightened."

Before we start, let's knock down some misbeliefs right now.

Mahayana Bodhisattvas and Nirvana: What People Get Wrong

Three Common Misbeliefs I Hear About Mahayana Bodhisattvas and/or the Mahayana Dharma:

Belief #1: Bodhisattvas vow not to enter into nirvana until they have helped all beings to liberation. This is not true.
Belief #2: Mahayana Buddhists must not directly pursue stream-entry or enlightenment. This is not true.
Belief #3: Being motivated to attain enlightenment-in-this-life is both selfish and Hinayana. This is not true.

These are remarkably common misunderstandings of the Mahayana Bodhisattava Path and the Altruistic Intention to guide others, and spending some time to understand the root texts and commentaries can help us to better understand the intent and esoteric meanings of the teachings on this concept that hold us back from true progress along the Path.

But short of doing that—and before we jump into the concept of the Altruistic Intention—it's helpful to understand at a very high-level what enlightenment is to a Buddhist practitioner and what the implications are of attaining it, even partially.

So let's jump right in and begin!

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Mindfulness Meditation Not Working For You? Here's Why.

10/17/2020

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There's a big problem with the Western Meditation movement that no one wants to talk about. Until now.

In this article, we will cover what's wrong with western meditation, how to fix your practice, and why it's so important to attaining Awakening and Enlightenment.

"I’ve been meditating for years, but if I'm being honest, I don’t really enjoy doing it. I meditate because I think I’m supposed to, but I mostly find it boring and it is not something that I like to do.

Will I ever enjoy doing it, or is that not the point?"
- Anonymous

If you can relate with the question above, then I have good news, I can tell you why: it's because you've been taught how to meditate incorrectly. Boredom (or even having a restless mind) is a guaranteed sign that you aren't actually meditating, it's a sure sign that you're just sitting still...and yes, that's boring. I understand that some practitioners aren't going to like reading the rest of this, because they have developed their own views and notions, but allow me to explain as this goes against the rote teaching in the West and there is a lot to gain from keeping an open mind on this subject; so let's dive right in!

(Warning: the text that follows may be considered seditious and incendiary. That is not the intent; the intent is to highlight and correct in no uncertain terms.)

COMMENT: Huh, so, I was taught to meditate wrong?

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Buddhist Renunciation for Laypersons Explained (a practical how-to guide)

9/27/2020

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Renunciation is about wanting to put an end to Samsara: the endless cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death.

In this short article, we will cover what Renunciation is and what it isn't for lay-practitioners; how to cultivate it; and, why it's so important to attaining Awakening and Enlightenment.

Buddhist Renunciation isn't about asceticism or giving up pleasures and the finer things of life; believe it or not, you can renounce and still have those things. Rather, genuine Renunciation is about rejecting our unskilful attachments to the things that make us unhappy.

Don't worry, this will all make sense shortly.

So, what is and what isn't Buddhist Renunciation, more specifically?

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Meditating on Emptiness: Stop - You're Wasting Your Time - Buddhism Explained

6/23/2020

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A unique approach to finally understanding sunyata that actually works for practice, growth, and Enlightenment.

I have problems trying to understand Emptiness. I even struggle at finding a better way of putting the idea of Emptiness or No-self as it is explained in dharma books and dharma talks into my own words. I suspect the causes will be in no small part because I am not fully understanding the subject in enough depth and therefore struggle in putting it into my own words, like the bowl with the holes in it, I discover it has all seeped away and just isn’t happening yet! I also don’t want to just parrot back words, I want to understand it enough to understand it with confidence and some insight.

- G.R.

Hi G.R.,

Emptiness (Sanskrit: śūnyatā) is an challenging topic for the uninitiated and it presents an almost impossible learning curve to beginners who are just starting to explore the Buddhist path...

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The Importance of Thinking About Death (and how it can help you) - Buddhism

5/13/2020

6 Comments

Despite common misconceptions, buddhists are not obsessed with death, they are obsessed with happiness.

What is the point of thinking about death? Is it morbid or is it useful? And how can it be used by non-Buddhists to cope with dying, death, or loss?

Ask a Buddhist what the leading cause of death is, and the Buddhist will say: "birth."

While it's true that Buddhism has a deep interest in the subject of Death, it is just a true to say that Buddhism has a deep interest in a great number of the things that seem to plague the human experience. However, the comfort with which Buddhists can talk about Death seems to make a lot of people uncomfortable and, as a result, it gets over-played in our media and culture.

So why does Buddhism have such a focus on Death?

6 Comments

The Sagacious Buddhist Blog.
practical dharma teachings. questions|answers. essays.

What is Karma and What isn't Karma? And Why It Matters. [UPDATED]

Patience: How Buddhists Should Respond to Inconsiderate Acts of Others.

The Altruistic Intention: What People Get Wrong About Buddhism, Enlightenment, and Bodhisattvas.

Mindfulness Meditation Not Working For You? Here's Why.

Buddhist Renunciation for Laypersons Explained (a practical how-to guide)

Meditating on Emptiness: Stop - You're Wasting Your Time - Buddhism Explained

The Importance of Thinking About Death (and how it can help you) - Buddhism

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The Sagacious Buddhist Blog.practical dharma teachings. questions|answers. essays.

What is Karma and What isn't Karma? And Why It Matters. [UPDATED]

Patience: How Buddhists Should Respond to Inconsiderate Acts of Others.

The Altruistic Intention: What People Get Wrong About Buddhism, Enlightenment, and Bodhisattvas.

Mindfulness Meditation Not Working For You? Here's Why.

Buddhist Renunciation for Laypersons Explained (a practical how-to guide)

Meditating on Emptiness: Stop - You're Wasting Your Time - Buddhism Explained

The Importance of Thinking About Death (and how it can help you) - Buddhism

Subscribe.

Categories.(Spring 2020 and newer only.)

Archives.(Spring 2020 and newer only.)

Author.

The Sagacious Buddhist Blog.
practical dharma teachings. questions|answers. essays.

Categories.
(Spring 2020 and newer only.)

Archives.
(Spring 2020 and newer only.)