Thereavada Canon
| This Article is Thereavada Canon |
| Thereavada Buddhism is more conservative than Mahayana Buddhism, strictly following the teachings of Buddha. With Thai exceptions, Thereavada focuses solely Buddha's teachings, making it less merged with non-Buddhist religions. The earliest available teachings of the Buddha are to be found in Pali literature and belongs to the school of the Theravadins, who may be called the most orthodox school of Buddhism. This school admits the human characteristics of the Buddha, and is characterised by a psychological understanding of human nature; and emphasises a meditative approach to the transformation of consciousness. The teaching of the Buddha according to this school is very plain. He asks us to ‘abstain from all kinds of evil, to accumulate all that is good and to purify our mind’. These can be accomplished by The Three Trainings: the development of ethical conduct, meditation and insight-wisdom. The philosophy of this school is straight forward. In general, the goal of Thereavada Buddhism is personal liberation from suffering. The goal of Mahayana Buddhism is liberation of all beings from suffering. |
Misconceptions about Buddhism[]
This is not Buddha
- 1. The Buddha is the fat guy.
- Main article: Budai
The statue of a bald, fat Buddha is actually a Chinese monk who lived in the 9th century CE.
- 2. All Buddhists are bald.
- Main article: Hair
Although the shaving of the head is sometimes fashionable, such as the basketball players in the 1990's, the shaved head is one sign of being a monk or a nun in the Buddhist tradition, where it is considered to be one less thing to identify with or be attached to. Lay people rarely shave their heads and primarily do so for the same reasons non-Buddhists do so; for ease, comfort, or fashion.
- 3. All Buddhists are vegetarians.
- Main article: Vegetarianism and Buddhism
Many Buddhists choose a vegetarian diet to better practice the First Precept, but not all. About half of all Buddhists are vegetarian or vegan and the other half regularly consumes meat, limits it somewhat, or eats meat only if served or offered it by others.
- 4. All Buddhists meditate.
- Main article: Meditation
Meditation has been identified as the central practice of Buddhism (Edward Conze said that meditation is for Buddhism what prayer is for Christianity). It is unclear how many Christians actually pray, but the majority of Buddhists throughout history have not meditated. Meditation has, until rather recently, been considered a monastic practice, and even then, as a practice reserved for only certain monks. The Buddha did place great emphasis on meditation, but some traditions such as the Pure Land do little to no meditation in their practice.
- 5. All Buddhists who meditate sit in full lotus.
- Main article: Meditation postures
Very few Buddhists sit in full-lotus when they meditate. The Buddha advocated for mindfulness at all times and not just when sitting or in a certain posture. All postures are acceptable and used.
- 6. Reincarnation is fun.
- Main article: Rebirth
As much as anyone might like to come back to play centerfield for the Yankees, this is just not the way it works. If you are tired of people saying "Been there. Done that," just remember that Buddhists have been saying it in so many words for a couple of millennia. There is no place you have not been reborn, no form of sentient life that you have not already been a zillion times. It all should be a tedious bore right now, and all you should want to do is get out. Unless, of course, you're a bodhisattva.
- 7. All roads lead to the same mountaintop.
- Main article: Heaven
Many great Buddhist figures, from Dogen to the current Dalai Lama, are emphatic on the point that enlightenment is only possible by following the spiritual path. You can only get so far following other religions: all roads lead to Everest base camp, but from there, spirituality is the only route to the summit. Buddhism holds that anyone can get to heaven leading a moral life and precepts from any religion, but the ultimate Nirvana is through the Buddhist path. (This is a Buddhist Belief)
- 8. All Buddhists live in monasteries.
- Main article: Upasaka and Upasika
Most Buddhists throughout history have been laypeople and hence have not lived in monasteries. They could not do so, because without the laity the monasteries could not survive.
- 9. You must be a monk or nun to get enlightened.
- Main article: Lay arahant
- Main article: Upasaka and Upasika
There are reports of lay people from all traditions who have attained enlightenment.
- 10. All Buddhists are hippies.
- Main article: Precepts
Hardly, many Theravadins are quite conservative, as are some Zennies and Vajrayana Buddhists. Some follow what might be called rigid precepts and do not even drink alcohol.
- 11. Buddhists are idol worshipers.
- Main article: Idolatry
Not true, some traditions don't even use statues much. And those that do, do not worship them, just pay respects to the teacher and teachings. There is a Zen saying that if it is cold and your statue is made of wood, throw the Buddha statue in the fire to keep warm.
- 12. The Dalai Lama is the head of Buddhism.
- Main article: Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, but not of the many other Mahayana schools, Zen schools, or Theravada.
- 13. Buddhists believe in reincarnation.
Main article: Anatta It is actually rebirth, not a transmigrating soul.
- 14. Buddhists must wear robes.
- Main article: Clothes & fashion
- Main article: Buddhist fashion
Buddhists wear whatever they like and are not required to wear robes. Some Zen sects wear a robe, but that is only for the meditation session and it is immediately taken off before leaving the zendo. It is also worn over the regular clothes. Other schools of Buddhism, such as Vajrayana and Theravada do not wear any robes even during meditation and retreats (except for monastics of course).
- 15. The Buddha is God or one of the gods.
- Main article: Buddha
The Buddha was as mortal as any of us and got sick and died too. He attained enlightenment and Nibbana but was born a human in 563 BC in his final life. He was not a Son of God either, as found in Greek mythologies.
- 16. Buddhism is a pessimistic religion.
- Main article: The Four Noble Truths
The first noble truth is the noble truth of suffering. But there are 4 Noble Truths, not one. The rest deal with us getting out of suffering.
- 17. It's all an illusion.
- Main article: 2 truths
Nothing can bare ultimate examination. It is not all an illusion, as if nothing is there. It is all like an illusion, as in being dependently arisen; dependently arisen is not something that is obvious to the ignorant mind. The following extract from - Do objects Exist ? by the Dalai Lama : "Analysis does not contradict the mere existence of the object. Phenomena do indeed exist, but not in the way we think they do."
- 18. Buddhism is a reformation of Hinduism.
- Main article: Hinduism
Buddhism is in sharp contrast to Hinduism. Still, many Buddhist do not disregard the beliefs of Hindus, and the amount of similarities in numerous, however, Buddha saw many flaws in the Hindu religion and how numerous traditions contradicted the religion's true spiritual meaning, which is included in most Buddhist beliefs.
- 19. Buddhists are all dreadfully serious people, don't wear make up and never have any fun.
- Main article: Main article: Cosmetics
- Main article: Smiling and laughter
Buddhists wear cosmetics, if they so choose, but do not use them during retreats and other days when they want to focus on their meditation practice. At other times, Buddhists use or don't use cosmetics at the same rate as anyone else in the community / nation. Buddhists strive for equanimity, which is a balanced state of mind, primarily so that they do not react to situations especially with anger or without thought. Buddhists still can know how to have a good time, but attempt to do so without attachment. Ajahn Brahm and the Dalai Lama as well as many other famous teachers are known for their great sense of humor and frequently tell jokes, laugh, and smile.
- 20. Buddhists are not allowed to desire anything so cannot play sports or achieve anything either.
- Main article: Archery & kyudo
- Main article: The Zen of Golf
Buddhists play sports and some do very well at it. Tiger Woods is a champion golfer. Buddhist athletes do very well at archery and other sports too. Phil Jackson has won more championships in basketball than anyone else, as a player and coach (combined). Jackie Chan, Steven Seagal, Goldie Hawn and numerous others have made a success at acting. Steve Jobs is the CEO of Apple, Inc. Steve Wynn is the highly successful casino mogul in Las Vegas. Ellison Onizuka was a NASA astronaut. Several Nobel Prize winners have been Buddhist, winning awards in the sciences, medicine, literature, and peace. The Pali term chandha refers to intention, will, and zeal and is used for good and wholesome desires. Not all desires are bad or not allowed.