The Recitating and Bowing ceremonies...Inquiry Response
The Recitating and Bowing ceremonies...
When we recitie morning and evening ceremonies in front of the Buddha and Bodhisattva images, it is just as if we were vowing to abide by their teachings right in their presence. Morning recitation acts as a reminder, preventingus from forgetting the Buddha's teachings, and reminding us to act accordingly in the course of the day. Evening recitation is a reflection of today's practice, checking to see if we acted accordingly to the Buddha's teachings. If we did, then we should work even harder next time, if not, then we must reform, seeking to renew in this way can true benefits be attained. Morning and evening recitations are the most basic practices in learning Buddhism. It is necessary to remind ourselves each day, and reflect and reform.
One who wishes to become a student of the Buddha should first learn from Maitreya Buddha, or "Happy Buddha". Maitreya Buddha represents the most basic conditions necessary to become Buddhist - a smiling face and a big heart. (Represented by his big belly). We must recognize that all Buddha images serve to remind us of the Teachings, and are not idols or gods of worship. "Happy Buddha" teaches us to give rise to an equanimous mind, and be happy; thus being to enter the Buddha Way.
Buddhism is the education of wisdom, it encompasses all things, and exceeds the boundaries between countries, races, and religions. Since Buddhism is an education, it is not limited in the boundaries of religion. Followers of all religions are welcome and should learn and cultivate the education of true wisdom.
The content of the Buddha's teachings is infinitely deep and vast, one is unable to speak of it all, for the flavor of it is unfathomable. Understanding it can bring great help to our living, work, and dealing with all people, matters, and affairs. Buddhism truly surpasses the boundaries of nationality, races, and religious - there isn't single thing it cannot encompass. The Buddha's teachings is truly a very complete education.
References: The informations above was retrieved in a booklet called
"The Art of Living" by Ven. Master Chin Kung.
BOOKS WORTH READING
\|(^_^)|/ Try searches on net, Public library, Buddhist temple, secondhand
bookstore ~
| Empty Cloud: The Teaching of Xu Yun by Jy Din Sakya,
Abbot "And isn't this the way to happiness? Isn't this how we enter Nirvana? By losing our individual egos and gaining the universal Buddha self? Paradise comes when we surrender ourselves to it." Online access |
| Food for the Heart by Venerable
Ajahn Chah "In the practice of Dharma we don't have to fight with others, but instead conquer our own minds, patiently enduring and resisting all our moods... Fight Greed, fight aversion, fight delusion... they are the enemy." Online access |
| The
Way it is - by Ajahn Sumedho "We have that marvellous ability to rise up to things rather than sink down. 'Rising up' isn't a wilful force; it's the ability to go beyond the inertia or the habit tendencies of one's life toward something higher; it is learning how to just pay attention to the breath or to be more patient, more forgiving, more kindly-- with oneself and others." Online access |
| Pure Land Principles and Practice by Dharma Master
Thich Thien Tam "Why wait until the flowers fall, to understand that form is emptiness?" Online access |
