One of World's Faith

8/3/2019 One of World's Faith

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Introduction:Introduction:

In every community, big or small, the institutions of social life grow and develop in their own way. As timepasses, the ways in which the community does things become fixed. So the rules which govern socialbehavior become the laws of the community or of the nation, and the way in which a country is governedbecomes a fixed political system. These institutions may be changed, sometimes quickly and sometimesslowly.

In a similar way, every community builds up its own religion. Most religions include the followingelements:

1. The beliefs of the community about God.2. The beliefs of the community about Gods relationship with the world.3. The ways in which the people of the community worship God and pray to him.4. The rules which the community follows because of their beliefs about God.5. The places and people which the community believes to be holy and to belong to God in a special

way.

No human face is exactly the same as another human face, but it is like many others in having two eyes, anose, two lips, and two ears. In the same way, no two people ever respond to Gods presence in exactly thesame way. Each persons prayer is personal to himself, and each persons response to God has its ownindividual quality and characteristics. The relationship between God and every particular thing or livingcreature is unique, with an individual quality of its own.

Religion is both an individual and a social activity. We should not surprised by the great variety ofreligions in difference parts of the world. Many different patterns of life have evolved in human societydown through the ages, and many great civilizations and nations have been important at different times. It isnot surprising, therefore, the relationship between God and human people has taken many different forms.

Each particular religion has a particular character because of particular people who practice it. For example,Islam grew in the caravan cities of the Hijaz of Arabia, and Hinduism developed in the variegated life ofIndia. American religions came to birth among those who lived in the swamps and forests and mountainsand plains of America. The Dinka religion is close to the way of life of the cattle-owning Dinka of theSudan, while Shintoism has many special qualities which fit the Japanese people who follow it.

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THE RELIGIOUS ATTITUDE TO LIFETHE RELIGIOUS ATTITUDE TO LIFE

(1) People worship God as transcendent

In most religions, people believe that God is transcendent. He is independent of the world. Because of thisthey worship Him. They often see signs of His presence in extraordinary events and in the extraordinary

powers which are at work in natural world. These, however, are not the only ways in which they see signs ofHis presence.

(2) People feel dependent upon God

Most religious people believe that God is closely related to the natural world, and they believe that Hecontrols it. So they feel dependent upon God. They seek His help and protection and they fear His wrath. Inmost religious people believe that there are evil powers at work in the world which cause harm and illness.They seek Gods aid against them.

(3) People feel that they owe a duty to God

Religious people feel that they have a duty to worship God. They do this by means of praise and giftsoffered in religious ceremonies. In their daily lives they try to behave in ways which they believe will pleaseGod, and this helps them to decide what is right and wrong. They also link the more important events ofhuman life with the worship of God including those connected with birth, marriage, and death, or the

planting and reaping of cops. When men fail to behave according to their accepted idea of right and wrong,they often feel that they have angered God. They use various means, especially sacrifice, in order to restoregood relationships.

(4) People pray with confidenceReligious people also believe that it is possible to gain the help of God by prayer, and they oftenaccompany their prayers with sacrifice. The prayer of petition is, in some ways, the simplest and yet themost important of all religious acts. By praying, people express their dependence on God, and make theirneeds known to Him.

(5) People think of God in personal terms

Human beings are persons. A person knows himself ( or herself ) to be a living being who exists as anindividual. A person also has the power to think and to decide for himself. This self-consciousness and the

power to choose make human beings into persons. Without these qualities, human beings would be littlemore than animals. People think that God is a personal being like themselves. Another way to say this is tosay that God is a he and not an it. Most religious teach that human beings can have personal relationshipsof communion and fellowship with God. Many religious thinkers, however, teach that God transcendshuman life in this matter as well as in others. He is a personal being, but He is truly personal in a way inwhich human beings can never be because of their imperfections.

(6) People see the universe as a whole and as related to will of God

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In the light of the relationship which people see exists between God and the natural universe, they work outfor themselves a description or picture of how things fit together. By this picture, they are able to think ofthe different creatures and things which make up their world as related to each other according to the will ofGod. Such a picture is often called a world-view or cosmology.

(7) People believe that God is the One who acts first in His relationship with them

The previous paragraphs have described the ways in which people practice their religions and what they believe about God. Many of the following also will have much to say about the human side of therelationship between God and the world. But religious people believe that God is the one who acts first. Hecreated the world. He gave them life, and He is the one who moves them to worship Him and to pray toHim.

Demographics

Buddhism is most prevalent in the Far East.

According to one analysis, Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world behind Christianity,Islamand Hinduism. The monks' order (Sangha), which began during the lifetime of the Buddha, is among theoldest organizations on earth.

BUDDHISM

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A statue ofGautama Buddha in Bodhgaya, India.

Bodhgaya is traditionally considered the place of his awakening.

Buddhism is the religion of hundreds of millions of people-perhaps as many as 500 million who live inlands stretching from the island of Sri Lanka to the islands of Japan, and throughout large areas of the Asianmainland. Like Christianity and Islam it is a missionary religion, and has today spread to countries in theWest.

Buddhism claims to be one of the most reasonable of the worlds great religions. Its teaching about beliefand conduct is designed to meet human need, and to solve mans spiritual problems without reliance on thesupernatural. In this Buddhism differs from other religions: it has no place for God, nor for a Saviour; it putssalvation completely within mans control. It is sometimes called a Do-it-yourself religion.

Buddhism has been in existence for more than 2,500 years. It has been a great civilizing force, and hasinspired art, literature, and other cultural activities. Today it is the state religion of Burma, Thailand, Tibet,Cambodia, and Laos: the religion of the majority in Sri Lanka; and the faith of a very great number ofChinese, Japanese, and Koreans.

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Buddhism has two main divisions, and many sects. The two main divisions are: Theravada (or Hinayana)Buddhism, which is followed by people in southern Asia, particularly in Burma, Thailand, and Sri Lanka;and Mahayana Buddhism, which is followed by people in China, Japan, Tibet, and Mongolia. Both theseschools of thought owe their basic teaching to a man named Siddhartha Gautama, whose life and examplehas become a source of profound inspiration to millions of his followers

Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya, India, where Gautama Buddhaattained Nirvana under the Bodhi Tree (left)

The international Buddhist flag.

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THE FOUNDER OF BUDDHISM

AsceticGautama with his five companions, who later comprised the first Sangha.

Wall painting in a Laotian temple

Many legends are told about the life of the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It seems clear that he wasborn in the sixth century BC and was brought up in what is now Bihar in Eastern India. This was probably atKapilavathu, capital city of the Sakya state to which his family belonged. The following account of his life is

based on the stories about him which most people accept.

The Buddha familys name was Gautama (or Gotama), and his personal name Siddhartha, though this is notoften used. His father was Suddhodhana, an aristocratic Hindu chieftain, and his mother was Mahamaya.The young prince was brought up in princely luxury.

It is said that he had three palaces, one for the cold season, one for the hot, and one for the season of rains.During the four rainy months, female minstrels entertained him, and he did not come down from the palace.He had all comforts and pleasures of life. Because he was the one and only one, his father took great pains to

provide all he needed, and to educate him so that he could succeed him as the chieftain of the clan.

Gautamas education consisted not only of the various branches of learning taught by the great men of histime, but also of skill in all the manly arts, especially archery, in which he excelled. At the age of sixteen hemarried a beautiful wife, Yasodhara, having won her favourin archery contest. From this time on for about thirteen years he led a life of luxury and domestic happiness.

His father took all precautions to guard his son from anything that would cause him pain or displeasure, buthe could not do this for ever. The time came when the young prince saw the cruel realities of life.

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The prince once drove through the streets of the city, in a gaily decorated chariot, when suddenly an oldman with grey hair tottered out of a hat, dressed in nothing but rags. His eyes were dim and his teeth hadfallen out. When the prince saw him, he was greatly distressed, and returned home, in horror and disgust,abandoning his trip to the Royal Garden for sports.

On another day as the prince drove in his chariot he heard a cry calling for help. He looked round and sawa sick man twisting his body in the dust, groaning and moaning and gasping for breath. Again he was filledwith dismay and returned home.

On another occasion the prince saw a corpse being carried by a crowd of people who were weeping andwailing. The prince was struck dumb and returned home in silence. He went into his room and began tothink about the mystery of life. He realized the sorrow which is present in the life of all men. He felt inhimself despair, pain and sorrow. Later he used the term dukkha, loosely translated as suffering, to expressthis fact of human life. He thought to himself; There is a getting born and a growing old, a dying and a

being reborn. But, alas, no escape is known from this suffering, not even from old age and death. When shallsuch escape be revealed?

He found the answer to this question on another occasion when he saw a serene and dignified hermitclothed in flowing orange-coloured robes. (A hermit is a person who lives in a simple way, by himself, oftenin isolated places, in order to be free to pray.) He lived a life of peace in the midst of unrest, of security inthe midst of insecurity. So the prince made up his mind to renounce the world, like the hermit, and to go insearch of peace and security from the suffering of this mortal life.

One day, when he was twenty-nine, in the very day when a much-longed-for son, Rahula, was born to him,Gautama left his family and home, resolving not to return until he found the solution to the riddles of life.

He went deep into forest, shaved his head, clothed himself in the yellow robes of a hermit, and for six yearshe sought for a solution. He sought for knowledge from famous philosophers of his day, and practicedextreme forms of asceticism (asceticism means living a hard life without comfort or luxury, in order todiscipline ones body or to pray.) Eventually, through starvation, he became dreadfully thin and weak. Fiveascetics admired him and joined him as companions. But it was not for long. He realized that extremeasceticism was not the way, and he begant o take his normal food again. The ascetic friends deserted him.

Finally, Gautama sat under a peepul-tree, and vowed that he would not move until he had found the answerto his quest. Mara, the tempter, attacked him, and tried to frighten him with storms, torrential rains, and

blazing weapons, and to seduce him by offering him the wealth of the world. But Gautama was unmoved.Then, after forty-nine days of known as Buddhagaya in Bihar, he made his final struggle and achievedenlightenment. He had found the solution to the riddle of life. Thereafter, he became known as the Buddha,which meansEnlightened One. The word for enlightenment is Bodhi, and the tree under which he was enlightenmentcame to be known as the Bodhi-tree or Bo-tree.

The Buddha was thirty-five years old when he attained enlightenment. For forty-five years after that hetraveled up and down northern India, teaching and preaching the message of hope and happiness, andmaking many converts. He lived a life of unceasing activity. It is said that he slept for only two hours atnight. He passed away at the age of eighty at Kusinara on a full-moon day.

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REFUGE IN THREE JEWELS

Footprint ofthe Buddha with Dharmachakra and triratna,

1st century CE, Gandhra.

Traditionally, the first step in most Buddhist schools requires taking refuge in the Three Jewels (Sanskrit:tri-ratna, Pli: ti-ratana) as the foundation of one's religious practice. The practice of taking refuge on behalfof young or even unborn children is mentioned in the Majjhima Nikaya, recognized by most scholars as anearly text (cf. Infant baptism). Tibetan Buddhism sometimes adds a fourth refuge, in the lama. In Mahayana,the person who chooses thebodhisattva path makes a vow or pledge, considered the ultimate expression ofcompassion. In Mahayana, too, the Three Jewels are perceived as possessed of an eternal and unchangingessence and as having an irreversible effect: "The Three Jewels have the quality of excellence. Just as real

jewels never change their faculty and goodness, whether praised or reviled, so are the Three Jewels(Refuges), because they have an eternal and immutable essence. These Three Jewels bring a fruition that is

changeless, for once one has reached Buddhahood, there is no possibility of falling back to suffering."

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The Three Jewels:

TheBuddha. This is a title for those who have attained Nirvana. See also the Tathgata and GautamaBuddha. The Buddha could also be represented as a concept instead of a specific person: the perfect

wisdom that understands Dharma and sees reality in its true form. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Buddhacan be viewed as the supreme Refuge: "Buddha is the Unique Absolute Refuge. Buddha is theImperishable, Eternal, Indestructible and Absolute Refuge." A Buddha started as an ordinary person andgenerated infinite compassion and equanimity to arrive at a state of highest bliss, and omniscience. But,as the Buddha himself said: "I cannot do but point the way" - if we don't take the medicine, the doctor ishelpless, but what better doctor could we have than an omniscient one?

The Dharma. The teachings or law of nature as expounded by the Gautama Buddha. It can also,especially in Mahayana, connote the ultimate and sustaining Reality which is inseparable from theBuddha. Further, from some Mahayana perspectives, the Dharma embodied in the form of a great sutra(Buddhic scripture) can replace the need for a personal teacher and can be a direct and spontaneousgateway into Truth (Dharma). This is especially said to be the case with the Lotus Sutra. Dr. HiroshiKanno writes of this view of the Lotus Sutra: "it is a Dharma-gate of sudden enlightenment proper to theGreat Vehicle; it is a Dharma-gate whereby one awakens spontaneously, without resorting to a teacher.

The Sangha. Those who have attained to any of the Four stages of enlightenment, or simply the

congregation of monastic practitioners.

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Pli Tipitaka

The Pli Tipitaka, which means "three baskets", refers to the Vinaya Pitaka, the Sutta Pitaka, and theAbhidhamma Pitaka. The Vinaya Pitaka contains disciplinary rules for the Buddhist monks and nuns, aswell as explanations of why and how these rules were instituted, supporting material, and doctrinalclarification. The Sutta Pitaka contains discourses ascribed to Gautama Buddha. The Abhidhamma Pitakacontains material often described as systematic expositions of the Gautama Buddha's teachings.

The Pli Tipitaka is the only early Tipitaka (Sanskrit: Tripiaka) to survive intact in its original language,but a number of early schools had their own recensions of the Tipitaka featuring much of the same material.We have portions of the Tipitakas of the Srvstivda, Dharmaguptaka, Sammitya, Mahsaghika,Kyapya, and Mahsaka schools, most of which survive in Chinese translation only. According to somesources, some early schools of Buddhism had five or seven pitakas.

According to the scriptures, soon after the death of the Buddha, the first Buddhist council was held; a monknamed Mahkyapa (Pli: Mahkassapa) presided. The goal of the council was to record the Buddha's

teachings. Upli recited the vinaya. nanda, the Buddha's personal attendant, was called upon to recite thedhamma. These became the basis of the Tripitaka. However, this record was initially transmitted orally inform of chanting, and was committed to text in the last century BCE. Both the stras and the vinaya of everyBuddhist school contain a wide variety of elements including discourses on the Dharma, commentaries onother teachings, cosmological and cosmogonical texts, stories of the Gautama Buddha's previous lives, andvarious other subjects.

Much of the material in the Canon is not specifically "Theravadin", but is instead the collection ofteachings that this school preserved from the early, non-sectarian body of teachings. According to PeterHarvey, it contains material which is at odds with later Theravadin orthodoxy. He states: "The Theravadins,

then, may have added texts to the Canon for some time, but they do not appear to have tampered with whatthey already had from an earlier period."

THE TEACHINGS OF BUDDHISM10
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1. THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

The first sermon of the Buddha, which he preached soon after his enlightenment to the five ascetics whohad been his companions, contains the kernel of his teaching. In this sermon he discussed the problem of

suffering, and pointed to a path of action by which a solution can be achieved. This is an outline of hissermon:

Revered monks, the man who has withdrawn from the world should not approach either of the two extremes.He should not approach the one which is connected with lust through sensuous pleasures, because it is low,

foolish, vulgar, ignoble, and profitless. He should not approach the one which is connected with asceticism

because it is painful, ignoble, and profitless. Avoiding both these extremes, revered monks, take the middleroad which brings insight, and knowledge, and leads to tranquility, to enlightenment, to peace. And revered

monks, what is this Middle Road that leads to Peace? It is the Noble Eightfold Path, namely, Right Speech,Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Thought. The Middle Road, revered monks, leads to Peace.

Now, revered monks, this is the Noble Truth as to sorrow. Earthly existence indeed is sorrowful, decay issorrowful, disease, death, union with the unpleasing, separation from the pleasing, is sorrowful. The wishwhich cannot be fulfilled is sorrowful; in brief, to walk the path of desire is sorrowful.

Again, revered monks, this is the Noble Truth as to the origin of sorrow; the recurring desire which isassociated with enjoyment and seeks pleasure everywhere, is the cause of this sorrow. In other words, it isthe desire for sense-pleasures, the desire for individual existence, and the desire for self-annihilation.

Again, revered monks, this is the Noble Truth as to the cessation of sorrow, and to the acquiring ofhappiness. It is the cessation of this desiring so that no remnant or trace of it remains. It must be abandoned,renounced, and escaped from.

And once more, revered monks, this is the Noble Truth as to the road which leads to the cessation ofsorrow. It is indeed the Noble Eightfold Path.

As soon, revered monks, as my knowledge and insight concerning these Four Noble Truths becamecomplete, I knew that I had attained supreme and full enlightenment. I became aware and fully convinced

that my mind was liberated; that existence in its unhappy form had ended; that there would no more be anyunhappy survival.

Thus, spoke the Blessed One. The five monks, rejoicing, welcomed the word of the Blessed One. Let usnow carefully examine this sermon:

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1. The first Noble Truth is that suffering is a universal fact. The Buddha preached in the Pali language, andthe Pali word he used for suffering is dukkha. This is a word that has a deep philosophical meaning and isvery difficult to define. It includes the ordinary meaning of suffering such as misery, distress, despair,agony, suffering of body and mind. It also means change, emptiness, imperfection, conflict. Thus theBuddha started off with the truth of common human experience. He dealt with a realistic situation. He wasconcerned with the human predicament, the suffering which is always present in the life of men and women.By declaring that all existence is dukkha, the Buddha did not mean that all life is suffering and nothing else.

While he was extremely sensitive to the universal fact of human suffering, he discovered a way out of itwhich brings true and lasting happiness. That is why the Buddha is said to have had a radiant and cheerfuldisposition. He often compared himself to a physician. The physicians first concern is to diagnose thedisease, however unpleasant and terrifying it may be. Thus is what the Buddha did in the Second NobleTruth.

2. The second Noble Truth states the cause of suffering. The cause of suffering is desire. It is hungering,desiring, and craving for self-satisfaction. It is the ceaseless striving for pleasures and sensations which,though they give some satisfaction for the moment, only arouse more desire. People seek for self-satisfaction through things which they believe they can experience because they do not know the true nature

of all things, that they are impermanent. Attachment to things is therefore due to ignorance; ignorance leadsto desire, and desire to suffering.

3. The third Noble Truth declares that there is a state in which there is complete freedom from sufferingbondage. It is a state of unspeakable joy, happiness, and peace. This state is called nirvana (Nibhana).

4. The fourth Noble Truth declares the way that leads to nirvana. It is known as the Noble Eightfold Path. Itis also referred to as the Middle Way between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-torture, both ofwhich are profitless. The Middle Way consists of eight duties or principles of conduct which are as follows:

Morality:(1) Right speech-abstaining from untruthfulness, tale-bearing, harsh language, and vain talk.(2) Right action-abstaining from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct.(3) Right livelihood-earning a living in a way not harmful to any living thing.

Concentration:

(4) Right effort-avoiding evil thoughts and overcoming them, arousing good thoughts and maintainingthem.(5) Right mindfulness-paying vigilant attention to every state of the body, feeling, and mind.(6) Right concentration-concentrating on a single object so as to induce certain special states ofconsciousness in deep meditation.

Wisdom:(7) Right views-understanding the Four Truths.(8) Right thought-freedom from ill-will, lust, cruelty, and untruthfulness.

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This Eightfold Path leads to insight and wisdom which dispel ignorance. Its fruit is serenity, knowledge,and enlightenment which is nirvana the state of perfect peace and bliss.

Thus the Buddha did not claim to be a saviour who can take upon himself the sin and suffering of mankind.He claimed only to be a guide, a teacher of the Way. Having gained deliverance from suffering, he pointedthe way for others to follow. To follow is to gain spiritual emancipation, not as a gift of divine grace but as aconquest won by mans intellect and will on his own responsibility. Man must work out his own salvation

by his own efforts; no one can do for him what he must do for himself. This emphasis on self-effort, self-conquest, self-emancipation, is fundamental in the Buddhas teaching.

By oneself evil is done, by oneself one is defiled. By oneself evil is left undone, by oneself alone one is

purified. Purity and impurity depend on oneself. No one purifies another.

Thus Buddhism teaches a man to trust himself and summon his powers within him to achieve his goals inlife. The clarion-call of Buddhism is sounded in the following words: Be ye refuges unto yourselves; beyour own salvation. With earnestness and high resolve, work out your salvation with diligence.

It is important, however, to notice that although Buddhism teaches that each person must work out his ownsalvation without the help of a Saviour, yet both branches of Buddhism also teach faith in the Buddha. InMahayana Buddhism, the Buddha assume the role of saviours. In Theravada Buddhism, the worshipper inthe daily chant says, I take refuge in the Buddha.

2. THE DOCTRINE OF ANATTA

Buddhism does not teach that man has an eternal, indestructible soul. Instead Buddhism says that there isno-soul (anatta). This doctrine of no-soul is implicit in the Buddhas teaching about suffering. Since allthings are subject to dukkha, to pain, decay, and death, there can be nothing permanent; all things changeand are impermanent. Hence there cannot be anything which is not subject to the law of change.

It was by thinking about life that the Buddha arrived at the conclusion that there is no soul or self. The so-called I, said the Buddha, is only a combination of ever-changing forces which together make up a being.

There forces include the sensations of sight, hearing, and touch, the activities of the mind, and the qualitiesof things as they are, such as solidity, heat, and movement. Where these forces act together there is a beingwhich takes a certain form and is given a name.

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Because the forces which combine to make this being are changing from moment to moment, this beingis also continually changing. A thing or person, of any sort, is never the same for two consecutive moments.It is like a cinema picture, which is made up of the thousands of individual drawings, each separate anddistinct, but which follow one another on the screen with such rapidity that it appears to be continuous. Thusthe combination of physical and mental forces creates an illusion that there is a person, when in fact thereis no permanent self. It is this illusion that begets the notion of I, me, mine, and this in turn producesdesire or craving. This produces selfishness, egotism, ill-will, hatred, conceit, pride, attachment, and all

other evils we can think of. All this is what suffering means.

The cure for all the evils in this world, therefore, lies in getting rid of this false idea of the self. A personmust realize that the so-called self is only a combination of ever-changing mental and material elementswhich make up a succession of changes and nothing more. A human person is no-soul, anatta.

3. KARMA AND REBIRTH

If at death a person has not realized the true nature of being by completely destroying the desire for life,then this desire gathers fresh life and forms a new mind-body complex, a new being. Life will continue aslong as there is desires, and it is the law of karma that keeps the process going.

The law of karma may be described as the law of cause and effect. Everything is the result of some priorcause, and is itself the cause of something else which will follow. What a man sows he shall reap. As anIndian proverb has it:

Who plants mangoes, mangoes shall he eat.

Who plants thorn-bushes, thorns shall wound his feet.Good actions produce good results and bad actions produce evil results.

The law of karma operates by itself. No God can interfere with the law. Prayers, ceremonies, rites, andofferings cannot alter this law. It is a law that holds good in every department of the universe.

As long as there is karma, a being will be born and reborn in various states in accordance with his good orbad deeds. This continued existence, birth after birth, is called samsara, reincarnation. Samsara embraces thewhole cycle of existence: past, present, and future.

Behind us there stretches a vast vista of past lives, and before us lies the possibility of innumerable lives aslong as karma persists. In reincarnation, a person may be born as an animal, a ghost, or a god, and mayundergo suffering or enjoy pleasure in proportion to his

bad or good deeds. (The doctrines of karma and samsara are also Hindu doctrines.) A question thatinevitably arises is: If there is no soul or person, who is it that is reborn? Is it the same person that is rebornor is it another? The traditional Buddhist answer is that one who isreborn is neither the same nor is he another. There is nothing that passes from one life to another, but isones own karma in a previous life that brings about the new life. The new life is not the same as the

previous life, but the new life is not an altogether different one, because of the law of karma, or cause andeffect.

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This is difficult to explain. Buddhist lore is full of parables to help explain this paradox, that the one born isneither the previous one nor yet a different one. When a man lights a light from another light, one light doesnot pass over to another light. The properties of the new light are the same as the previous one, but the twoare not identical. The birth process of a butterfly is another illustration. It was first an egg and then it becamea caterpillar. Later it developed into a chrysalis, and finally evolved into a butterfly. The butterfly is neitherthe same as, nor totally different from, the caterpillar. The chain of existence will continue as long as there isdesire for existence.

4. NIRVANA THE GOAL

Must the weary round of existence, life after life, continue for ever? No, said the Buddha. His primaryconcern was to point out a way of putting an end to reincarnation. This is the Middle Way, consisting of theeight steps whose goal is nirvana.

The literal meaning of the word nirvana is dying out or extinction, as of a fire. Using this simile, theBuddha said that the world is in flames, kindled by the fire of desire. The process of rebirth is a rekindling ofthis fire from one flame to another flame, and this keeps the fires of birth, old age, decay, death, pain,despair, anxiety, etc., constantly burning. Nirvana is the extinguishing of this flame, the flame of desire!With that the life process as we know it comes to an end. In a sense, this is annihilation, but it is not theannihilation of the self, because, according to the doctrine of anatta, there is no self to annihilate. It is ratherthe annihilation of the illusion-the thirst for life, lust, greed, selfishness, desires, appetites, and all forms ofsuffering- are annihilated. The fire has gone out because there is no longer any fuel to feed it.

Nirvana is not just nothing. It is called the harbor of refuge, the cool cave, the island midst the floods,the place of bliss, liberation, safety, the home of ease, the end of suffering, the supreme joy.

Nirvana is an experience of bliss which can be attained in this life in this world, and not a state that can beattained only in the distant future. Nor it is a state that only few can attain. Everyone is capable of thisattainment, although very few or hardly any achieve it in full measure in this life. In the sacred books of theBuddhists there are numerous stories of saints who experienced the unbounded peace and joy of nirvana.

Buddhism also teaches about the bliss of the saints (or prefect ones) after death. This is called parinirvana.Because the saint has no more desire is no more rebirth for him.What

exactly happens to the saint we cannot say for certain. The human mind is incapable of describing that state.However, a well-known passage describes it as a state where there isneither solid nor liquid, neither heat nor air, neither this would nor any other, neither sun nor moon, neitherarising nor passing away nor standing still, neither being born nor dying, neither substance nor state, but anunconditional state of bliss and ultimate happiness. Such is the goal of the Buddhist to which the NobleEightfold Path leads.

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5. THE PATH OF HOLINESS

The person who perseveres in the Noble Eightfold Path will pass through Four Stages of Holiness wherein he will, step by step, gain freedom from the Ten Fetters which bind people to the existence of suffering:

1.The first stage is that in which a person becomes entirely free from the first three of these fetters:(a) The false belief that he has a real unchanging soul.(b) Doubt about the Buddha.(c) Addiction to rituals as a means of deliverance from suffering, together with all charms, rites, ceremonies,worship, or other forms of dependence on superhuman agencies.

A person who has attained to this First Stage of the Path can never be reborn except as a god or man-he is forever freed from rebirth in the lower forms of life. He is called Stream-Winner.

2. The second stage is that in which a person is almost, but not quite, freed from the power of the next twofetters. Such a person may return once to the existence of man-after an existence as a god in one of the

heavens. He is called Once-Returner.

3. The third stage is that in which a person becomes absolutely freed from the fourth and fifth fetters:(d) Sense-Pleasures. This includes every conceivable form of desire for pleasure-lust, natural affection,legitimate gratification of the physical senses, even many mental and social delights which are normallyconsidered to be good and helpful.(e) Anger. This includes all ill-will or hatred that would lead to a desire to see another injured.

The person who has attained to this Third-stage can never be reborn on earth, but passes to the highestheaven, whence he reaches nirvana. He is called Non-Returner.

4. The fourth stage is that in which a person becomes perfectly free, after having cast off the remaining fivefetters:(f) The desire for existence in a bodily, material form, in one of the lower Heavens.(g) The desire for existence without a bodily, material form, as a god in one of the higher Heavens.(h) Pride.(i) Restlessness.(j) Ignorance.

The person who has attained this Fourth Stage is free from any rebirth-he has attained nirvana. He iscalled Holy One.

FOUR IMMEASURABLES

The Buddha taught the following to his son Rahula (from "Old path white clouds" by Thich Nhat Hahn):

"Rahula, practice loving kindness to overcome anger. Loving kindness has the capacity to bring happinessto others without demanding anything in return.

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Practice compassion to overcome cruelty. Compassion has the capacity to remove the suffering of otherswithout expecting anything in return.

Practice sympathetic joy to overcome hatred. Sympathetic joy arises when one rejoices over the happinessof others and wishes others well-being and success.

Practice non-attachment to overcome prejudice. Non-attachment is the way of looking at all things openlyand equally. This is because that is. Myself and others are not separate. Do not reject one thing only to chaseafter another.

I call these the four immeasurables. Practice them and you will become a refreshing source of vitality andhappiness for others."

LOVE

The definition of love in Buddhism is: wanting others to be happy. This love is unconditional and itrequires a lot of courage and acceptance (including self-acceptance).

The "near enemy" of love, or a quality which appears similar, but is more an opposite is: conditional love(selfish love, see also the page on attachment).

The opposite is wanting others to be unhappy: anger, hatred.

A result which one needs to avoid is: attachment.

This definition means that 'love' in Buddhism refers to something quite different from the ordinary term oflove which is usually about attachment, more or less successful relationships and sex; all of which are rarelywithout self-interest. Instead, in Buddhism it refers to de-tachment and the unselfish interest in others'welfare.

'Even offering three hundred bowls of food three times a day does not match the spiritual merit gained inone moment of love.'

Nagarjuna

"If there is love, there is hope that one may have real families, real brotherhood, real equanimity, real peace.If the love within your mind is lost and you see other beings as enemies, then no matter how muchknowledge or education or material comfort you have, only suffering and confusion will ensue"

His Holiness the Dalai Lama from 'The little book of Buddhism'

COMPASSION

The definition is: wanting others to be free from suffering.

This compassion happens when one feels sorry with someone, and one feels an urge to help.

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The near enemy is pity, which keeps other at a distance, and does not urge one to help.

The opposite is wanting others to suffer, or cruelty.

A result which one needs to avoid is sentimentality.

Compassion thus refers to an unselfish, de-tached emotion which gives one a sense of urgency in wanting tohelp others. From a Buddhist perspective, helping others to reduce their physical or mental suffering is verygood, but the ultimate goal is to extinguish all suffering by stopping the process of rebirth and the sufferingthat automatically comes with living (enlightenment).

The attitude of a so-called Bodhisattva is Bodhicitta: this is the ultimate compassionate motivation: the wishto liberate all sentient beings from the sufferings of cyclic existence and to become a fully enlightenedBuddha oneself in order to act as the perfect guide for them.).

SYMPATHETIC JOY

The definition is: being happy with someone's fortune/happiness. Sympathetic joy here refers to thepotential of bliss and happiness of all sentient beings, as they can all become Buddhas.

The near enemy is hypocrisy or affectation.

The opposite is jealousy, when one cannot accept the happiness of others.

A result which one needs to avoid is: spaced-out bliss, which can easily turn into laziness.

Note: sympathetic joy is a great antidote to depression for oneself as well, but this should not be the maingoal.

By rejoicing in others' progress on the spiritual path, one can actually share in their positive karma.

Sympathetic joy is an unselfish, very positive mental attitude which is beneficial for oneself and others. Inthis case, it also refers specifically to rejoicing in the high rebirth and enlightenment of others.

EQUANIMITY

The definition of equanimity is: not to distinguish between friend, enemy or stranger, but regard everysentient being as equal. It is a clear-minded tranquil state of mind - not being overpowered by delusions,mental dullness or agitation.

The near enemy is indifference. It is tempting to think that just 'not caring' is equanimity, but that is just aform of egotism.

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The opposite is anxiety, worry, stress and paranoia caused by dividing people into 'good' and 'bad'; one canworry forever if a good friend may not be a bad person after all, and thus spoiling trust and friendship.

A result which one needs to avoid is apathy as a result of 'not caring'.

Equanimity is the basis for unconditional, altruistic love, compassion and joy for other's happiness andBodhicitta.

When we discriminate between friends and enemies, how can we ever want to help all sentient beings?

Equanimity is an unselfish, de-attached state of mind which also prevents one from doing negative actions.

"If one tries to befriend an enemy for a moment, he becomes your friend.

The same thing occurs when one treats a friend as an enemy.

Therefore, by understanding the impermanence of temporal relations,

Wise ones are never attached to food, clothing or reputation, nor to friends or enemies.

The father becomes the son in another life,

Mother becomes the wife,

Enemy becomes friend;

It always changes.

Therefore there is nothing definite in samsara." (The Buddha)

"The foundation for practicing the seven-point cause and effect method is cultivating a mind of equanimity.Without this foundation you will not be able to have an impartial altruistic view, because withoutequanimity you will always have partiality towards your relatives and friends. Realize that you should nothave prejudice, hatred, or desire towards enemies, friends, or neutral persons, thus lay a very firm

foundation of equanimity." (His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from 'Path to Bliss: A PracticalGuide to Stages of Meditation' )

It is said that the awareness of a Buddha is completely even, like the ocean, taking in equally the joys andsorrows of all people, friends, loved ones, relatives, and those never met. This is the meaning of a statement

made by so many of the world's great spiritual teachers, "Love your enemy."

It doesn't mean love the person you hate. You can't do that. Love those who hate you. (From 'Buddhism

with an Attitude: The Tibetan Seven-Point Mind-Training')

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THE MIND AS OUR SOFTWARE

To illustrate the Buddhist approach to the mind, let me compare our body and mind to a computer. In thissimile, the body is the hardware and the mind is the software

The mind is defined as a non-physical phenomena which perceives, thinks, recognizes, experiences andreacts to the environment, not unlike computer software.

Although software needs to be imprinted or registered in something like the hard-drive before it can doanything, in itself, a program represents a lot of thinking by the software manufacturer. Without software(mind), the hardware (body) is just a 'dead thing'. The hardware (body) is of course important in what thecomputer can do; how fast it is, which programs can be run, and how the computer can interact with theworld. However good the hardware is, it can ultimately only perform what the program 'knows'. Thehardware can get damaged, or even 'die', and the software can be moved onto another set of hardware; notunlike rebirth!

The software needs to use the 'senses' of the hardware, like the keyboard, the mousea, a video camera, amodem etc. to receive 'input'; just like the mind needs the senses the receive the 'input' of the outside world.

This leads to an important observation: it is easy to recognize that a computer is not 'objective' about theworld; depending on what kind of video camera, microphone or modem we connect it to, the input will bedifferent. Similarly, our bodily senses cannot really be objective: people's ears are different, the eyes aredifferent etc., so how can someone ever claim to be an 'objective observer'? Above and beyond that lies thesoftware; the more advanced this is, the more 'intelligent' it will be able to read the world and determinewhat is the best thing to do. Similarly, the more advanced our mind is, the more intelligent and wise we will

be, providing we are not hampered by serious physical problems. As the software actually determines whatthe hardware does, so is the mind the master of the body - within the physical limitations of the body. Butthe Buddha made it clear that a human body is the best type of available hardware!

There are limits to the development of the hardware; for example, the amount of electrical circuits on chipsis getting larger and larger, but there are physical limits which the developers encounter. With the software,the limit appears to be much less clear; the first types of computers behaved with the intelligence of anon/off switch, but already they can beat a grandmaster at chess and nobody can say where it will end.Similarly, Buddhism teaches that there is no real limit to the development of our mind, and in factomniscience is possible. At that stage, all our normal values and concepts dissolve as limited and non-objective. Buddhism encourages us to develop the software of our mind to enter into a different state which

is beyond limitations, suffering and problems.

The method to develop our mind is summarized as study and meditation. Initially, we need to understandhow the programs of our mind work and how they can be improved, and then do the reprogramming inmeditation. This is why psychology and meditation are so important.

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Devotion

Devotion is an important part of the practice of most Buddhists. Devotional practices include bowing,offerings, pilgrimage, and chanting. In Pure Land Buddhism, devotion to the Buddha Amitabha is the main

practice. In Nichiren Buddhism, devotion to the Lotus Sutra is the main practice.

Yoga

Amitbha Buddha meditating, sitting in the lotus position.

Borobodur, Java, Indonesia.

Buddhism traditionally incorporates states of meditative absorption (Pali: jhna; Skt: dhyna). The mostancient sustained expression of yogic ideas is found in the early sermons of the Buddha. One key innovativeteaching of the Buddha was that meditative absorption must be combined with liberating cognition. Thedifference between the Buddha's teaching and the yoga presented in early Brahminic texts is striking.Meditative states alone are not an end, for according to the Buddha, even the highest meditative state is notliberating. Instead of attaining a complete cessation of thought, some sort of mental activity must take place:a liberating cognition, based on the practice of mindful awareness.

Meditation was an aspect of the practice of the yogisin the centuries preceding the Buddha. The Buddhabuilt upon the yogis' concern with introspection and developed their meditative techniques, but rejected theirtheories of liberation. In Buddhism, mindfulness and clear awareness are to be developed at all times, in pre-Buddhist yogic practices there is no such injunction. A yogi in the Brahmanical tradition is not to practicewhile defecating, for example, while a Buddhist monastic should do so.

Another new teaching of the Buddha was that meditative absorption must be combined with a liberatingcognition.

Religious knowledge or "vision" was indicated as a result of practice both within and outside of the

Buddhist fold. According to the Samaaphala Sutta this sort of vision arose for the Buddhist adept as aresult of the perfection of "meditation" (Skt. dhyna) coupled with the perfection of "discipline" (Skt. la).

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Some of the Buddha's meditative techniques were shared with other traditions of his day, but the idea thatethics are causally related to the attainment of "transcendent wisdom" (Skt.praj) was original.

The Buddhist texts are probably the earliest describing meditation techniques. They describe meditativepractices and states which had existed before the Buddha as well as those which were first developed withinBuddhism. Two Upanishads written after the rise of Buddhism do contain full-fledged descriptions of yogaas a means to liberation.

While there is no convincing evidence for meditation in pre-Buddhist early Brahminic texts, Wynne arguesthat formless meditation originated in the Brahminic or Shramanic tradition, based on strong parallels

between Upanishadic cosmological statements and the meditative goals of the two teachers of the Buddha asrecorded in the early Buddhist texts. He mentions less likely possibilities as well. Having argued that thecosmological statements in the Upanishads also reflect a contemplative tradition, he argues that the

Nasadiya Sukta contains evidence for a contemplative tradition, even as early as the late Rig Vedic period.

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HOW TO MEDITATE?

I would strongly advise everyone to start with a serious course in meditation in a centre or group under theguidance of an experienced teacher, preferably at least with a few days in silence. This should give you agenuine feeling of the effect that meditation can have on the mind. Many people try to teach themselves

meditation by reading books etc., but I can't remember ever meeting an enthusiastic self-taught meditator.So a proper course, if possible with a qualified teacher is invaluable. Furthermore, one should realise thatcontinuity in meditation is considered essential: better five minutes a day, every day, than two hours once aweek. For example, five minutes in the morning are likely to become longer over time, and can easily

become part of your everyday life.

Many people discover it quickly becomes more essential and helpful than a good breakfast or 'the first cupof coffee' in the morning. In the evening, it can be a good way to stop the worries of the day and go to sleepin a comfortable state of mind. People who have problems getting to sleep may discover that with anevening meditation just before going to bed, the mind becomes much calmer and getting to sleep is no

problem anymore. Ultimately, meditation can become a continuous state of mind, but that obviously takes alot of training/habituation.

Before starting meditation, ideally we need to take care of a few things:

- a quiet place (using music is nice for relaxing, but not really meditation), switching off the phone will help.

- make sure you are not too tired, early morning is generally said to be the best time.

- sit comfortable; most people like a cushion under their behind, the room is best not too warm or cold.

- wear loose, comfortable clothing.

- try to create continuity in time and place to become habituated to the circumstances of meditation.

The Body:

- keeping the back straight, in whichever posture you meditate is most essential.

- try to be comfortable and physically relaxed, and avoid moving too much.

- keep the head straight, slightly bent forward, keep the teeth slightly apart, the tip of the tongue against theupper pallet.

- the eyes are best kept half-open (without really looking), but many beginners find that too distracting andclose them.

- the shoulders should be relaxed and the hands can be put in one's lap.

- the legs can be in the full lotus (which not many Westerners manage), but also simply crossed. In fact,other positions like sitting on one's knees or on a bench are good as well. If all of these are too difficult, you

can also use a chair, but remember to sit only on the front half of the seat, not leaning against the back rest toavoid a bent back, and keep the feet flat on the floor. Keeping the knees warm may help to avoid numbnessof the legs.

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- try belly-breathing; not breathing with the chest, but from the navel.

- always remember that the posture should enhance meditation, not be an obstacle! The Buddha even taughtone of his disciples who had many problems with his posture to lie down with his back on a bed, and then hequickly made progress; however, most people tend to fall asleep - so it will not be suitable for everyone...

The Mind:

- be relaxed but at the same time awake and attentive: finding your balance here is not easy!

- be a careful observer of your own mind and thoughts; sometimes called the 'little spy inside':

The Session:

1. Try and set yourself a minimum time that you want to meditate and try to stick to that as a minimum, butalso stop before you get completely tired.

2. Motivation - to know what you are doing, most Buddhists will start with a refuge prayer, generating

bodhicitta (for example using the prayer of the four immeasurables) and the seven-limb prayer (this containsthe aspects of respectfulness towards the teachers, making (mental) offerings, admitting one's past mistakes,rejoicing in positive actions, asking the teachers to remain, requesting them to teach and dedicating the

practice to full enlightenment). See the example meditations for a set of these prayers.

3a. Calming and clearing the mind - often using a simple (but often not easy) breathing meditation - seebelow.

3b. Optional for an analytical meditation: take specific object or technique and stay with that - avoid excusesto change the subject.

4. Conclusion and dedication - to make impression on the mind.

In short: meditation is a method to transform ourselves into the person we would like to be; don't forget whatyou want to be like, therefore we need to set the motivation which gives perseverance in the practice. Keeprelaxed, don't push yourself and don't expect great experiences. A dedication at the end directs positiveenergy towards results.

COMMON PROBLEMS DURING MEDITATION

Pain

Physical pain is a common experience, especially when you are not yet used to the position. Instead ofimmediately moving at the first note of discomfort, remain seated, do not move and study yourself and the

pain. How does pain really feel? Give yourself time to discover and explore the feeling. You can visualiseyour body as completely empty, or feel remote from the body, as if you are observing yourself from outside.When the pain is very strong and comes every session again, check your posture; experiment if you like tosit on a higher cushion or without, try different positions etc. Also yoga exercises can help a lot. Take a

physical brief break by standing up, but try to keep in the meditative state of mind.

When unfolding your legs after some time, you may feel considerable discomfort - maybe your legs don'teven want to support you for a few seconds. Don't worry about this: contrary to popular belief, this is notcaused by a limited blood supply to the legs, which could be very harmful. Instead, this is a sign that nerves

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have been squashed a while; that is the reason for the prickling sensation; the nerve signals are comingthrough again. So numbness and 'sleeping' legs are no problem. I have heard occasionally of peopledamaging their knees while pushing themselves too hard (like can happen in intense Zen retreats) for muchtoo long. If you really feel serious returning pains in the knees during sitting, you may want to go for adifferent sitting position (if need be a chair) as it is possible to damage your knees if you ignore body signalstoo much.

Sensual desire, attachment

A common disturbance is being drawn to someone or something; it is often not easy to forget about yourlover or a piece of chocolate once the thought has come up. But you can try some of the following: realisingthat these things are so brief and come with problems attached. Fulfilling one desires is never enough, thenext one will come soon. Looking at the reality of the object: a body is really not much more than a bag ofskin filled with bones, meat, blood etc., chocolate makes you fat and unhealthy.

Distraction, restlessness, worry

The best way is not to give it attention, notice it but don't get involved. If it persists, usually it helps to addin a short period of breathing meditation as described above. Check with yourself if you are maybe pushingtoo hard, if so, relax a bit. You can remember that past and future don't exist, there is only the here and now.Restlessness from the past and worry for the future are illusions. Sometimes it helps to get the energy downfrom the head and to remember belly-breathing or focus on a spot just below the navel. You can also focuson an imagined black spot between the eyebrows. Persistent matters can be given a very short attention andthe promise to deal with it later. It may even help to have a pen and paper at hand to make a very short note.However, make sure you don't start to write an essay - then it just becomes an escape from meditation. Ifeverything else fails, try an analytical meditation on the problem or situation that distracts.

Lethargy, drowsiness, sleepiness

Remember that death is certain, and this chance for meditation should not be missed. There is only the hereand now, past and future are imaginations. Check your motivation for meditating. You can concentrate on avisualised white light between the eyebrows. Take a couple of deep breaths. If you are really tired, take arest and continue later.

Despite of all these problems, do not let yourself get discouraged to easily; meditation is about habituation,so it may take a while to get used to. Don't condemn yourself when a session did not go well, rather try tofind the cause and avoid it next time.

"Cultivating the mind is very much like cultivating a crop. A farmer must know the proper way to preparethe soil, sow the seed, tend to the growth of the crop, and finally harvest it. If all these tasks are done

properly, the farmer will reap the best harvest that natures allows. If they're done improperly, an inferiorharvest will be produced, regardless of the farmer's hopes and anxieties.

Similarly, in terms of meditation it is crucial to be thoroughly versed in the proper method of our chosentechnique. While engaged in the practice, we must frequently check up to see whether we are implementingthe instructions we have heard and conceptually understood. Like a good crop, good meditation cannot beforced, and requires cultivation over time."

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Depression caused by meditation on suffering

"In discursive (analytical) meditations it is imperative that one's growing disenchantment with mundaneexistence is complemented with growing confidence in the real possibility of true freedom and lasting joythat transcends the vicissitudes of conditioned existence. Without this faith and the yearning for suchliberation, the meditations may easily result in profound depression, in which everything seems hollow,unreal, and futile. Thus instead of polarizing one's desires towards the single-pointed pursuit of nirvana, one

is reduced to a debilitating kind of spiritual sloth."

Not too tight, not too lose.

The monk Sona came to the Buddha with a question on why he was not having success in his practice, theBuddha answered (adapted from Anguttara Nikaya by Nyanaponika Thera):

"Tell me, Sona, in earlier days were you not skilled in playing stringed music on a lute?"

"Yes, Lord."

"And, tell me, Sona, when the strings of that lute were too taut, was then your lute tuneful and easilyplayable?"

"Certainly not, O Lord."

"And when the strings of your lute were too loose, was then your lute tuneful and easily playable?"

"Certainly not, O Lord."

"But when, Sona, the strings of your lute were neither too taut nor too loose, but adjusted to an even pitch,did your lute then have a wonderful sound and was it easily playable?"

"Certainly, O Lord."

"Similarly, Sona, if energy is applied too strongly, it will lead to restlessness, and if energy is too lax, it willlead to lassitude. Therefore, Sona, keep your energy in balance and balance the Spiritual Faculties and in this

way focus your intention."

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In Conclusion:

A mini-poem that catches a lot of the essence (unknown source):

"Too young to meditate...

Too bad to meditate...

Too in love to meditate...

Too busy to meditate...

Too worried to meditate...

Too sick to meditate...

Too excited to meditate...

Too tired to meditate...

Too late to meditate!!

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