Tu Viện Quảng Đức105 Lynch Rd, Fawkner, Vic 3060. Australia. Tel: 9357 3544. quangduc@quangduc.com* Viện Chủ: HT Tâm Phương, Trụ Trì: TT Nguyên Tạng   

DIY (do it yourself)

08/04/201918:01(Xem: 5112)
DIY (do it yourself)
NGOITH~1
"DIY"

(DO IT YOURSELF)
By Dharma Teacher Andrew. J. Williams




Being a so-called Westerner in this life, I'm often asked the question, "What are the main reasons you have chosen to practise Buddhism?". In answering this type of question, I normally give varying answers of varying lengths depending on who is asking and for what reason they are asking the question. 

With the shortest answer being that to study, practise and share the Dharma is the most natural experience that I have had in my life. It feels like I'm at 'home' in the Dharma, and when thoroughly checked, the Buddha's teachings make perfect sense, and I encourage whoever is asking the question to check it out for themselves.

Actually I should humbly mention that when I think back on my life, I feel that I've always thought in a Buddhist way, even before I was directly aware of the term Dharma, and other related and important Dharma terms.

My intention here is not so much to give definitive answers, but to give readers 'food for thought', to enable each of us to be responsible and think for ourselves. So that each of us can develop genuine insight into the nature of reality.

That said, I will endeavour to give you just a few of the main reasons why I have chosen to continue practising Dharma in this and subsequent lives. For to give you all of the main reasons would take a lifetime. May I also take a moment here to share that my mother and late father also have chosen to practise Buddhism. 

Firstly, the Dharma points directly to the mind, which is the source of all of our experiences. By practising the Dharma we enable ourselves to purify our mind and directly realise relative and ultimate truth.

The following teachings of the Buddha are just a couple of the teachings that profoundly affected me in my youth and led to me increasing my study and practise of the Dharma at different stages of my life.

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. Speak or act with an impure mind, and trouble will follow you, as the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart.

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. Speak or act with a pure mind, and happiness will follow you, as your shadow, unshakeable." As well as, "Thus shall you think of all this fleeting world: A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream, a flash of lightning in a summer cloud, a flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream."

These types of teachings, along with the overall good peaceful vibes that I experienced while in the presence of practicing Buddhists, and especially while in the presence of the learned masters and teachers, have helped to encourage me and helped me to give rise to, and maintain, the enthusiasm and joy that are essential along the way.



andrew-williams-5andrew-williams-4                                                   Dharma Teacher Andrew. J. Williams and his students


The Dharma is DIY (do it yourself). In other words we are responsible for our own happiness or suffering. We are responsible for our own enlightenment or the lack thereof. The Dharma is the finger pointing the way.

Dharma is for the ultimate good of all, whether one is a Buddhist or not. All sentient beings benefit from the Dharma. This fact continues to impress me to no end. 

The Buddha is the supreme guide and physician, the Dharma is the supreme way and medicine, and the fourfold Sangha are the supreme upholders of and administers of the Dharma. We ourselves must follow the way and take the medicine prescribed by the Buddha. To successfully practise the Dharma, accurately and precisely, and to realise the fruit of enlightenment, you must DIY (do it yourself). 

I hope that these few words are somewhat helpful and beneficial on your path to enlightenment. With the help and support of the noble triple gem, may you DIY with great enthusiasm and joy. May you be well and happy.
Gửi ý kiến của bạn
Tắt
Telex
VNI
Tên của bạn
Email của bạn
12/05/2010(Xem: 12451)
The Pope, who managed to get the United Nations "International Year for Tolerance" off to a good start with the launch of his book, 'Crossing the Threshold of Hope' - Johnathan Cape, London, has demonstrated his abysmal ignorance and lack of understanding of Buddhism. Although he, with reservations, expresses guarded approval of Judaism, Hinduism and Islam, he considers Buddhism beyond the pale. He trots out the usual cliches about Buddhism being "negative" and pessimistic. What really worries him is the appeal Buddhism has to the 'Western' mind, especially to Catholics who see in Buddhist meditation techniques something that has been lost from the contemplative tradition of early Christianity. He provides no logical arguments against Buddhism but resorts to dogma to prove his point.
28/04/2010(Xem: 4593)
Buddhism is one of Australia’s fastest growing religions, having increased by 79% in the years 1996 to 2001, then numbering some 357,814 people, being 1.9% of the population. According to the 2001 Commonwealth Census, the majority of Buddhist live in New South Wales and Victoria. The largest concentration of Buddhists in Australia is in the Fairfield Local Government Area where 21.2% of the population registered as Buddhists.
facebook youtube google-plus linkedin twitter blog
Nguyện đem công đức này, trang nghiêm Phật Tịnh Độ, trên đền bốn ơn nặng, dưới cứu khổ ba đường,
nếu có người thấy nghe, đều phát lòng Bồ Đề, hết một báo thân này, sinh qua cõi Cực Lạc.

May the Merit and virtue,accrued from this work, adorn the Buddhas pureland,
Repay the four great kindnesses above, andrelieve the suffering of those on the three paths below,
may those who see or hear of these efforts generates Bodhi Mind, spend their lives devoted to the Buddha Dharma,
the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Quang Duc Buddhist Welfare Association of Victoria
Tu Viện Quảng Đức | Quang Duc Monastery
Senior Venerable Thich Tam Phuong | Senior Venerable Thich Nguyen Tang
Address: Quang Duc Monastery, 105 Lynch Road, Fawkner, Vic.3060 Australia
Tel: 61.03.9357 3544 ; Fax: 61.03.9357 3600
Website: http://www.quangduc.com ; http://www.tuvienquangduc.com.au (old)
Xin gửi Xin gửi bài mới và ý kiến đóng góp đến Ban Biên Tập qua địa chỉ:
quangduc@quangduc.com , tvquangduc@bigpond.com
VISITOR
110,220,567