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I am not sure how relevant this is in Dhamma context but I thought it’s worth sharing. I have been reading the site for a while now and the following are the groups of people I’ve seen this website had to bury:
- Materialist Scientists [can study inert matter but dismally fail to explain subjective mental phenomena]
- Creationists [“God will save you from himself”]
- Mahayana Buddhists [“Buddha is creator God. Namo Amitabha”]
- Theravada Buddhists [Contaminated by Mahayana]
- Western monks [poor English translations and many wrong interpretations of the Tipitaka]
- Early European scholars [anicca ain’t impermance and anatta ain’t no-self]
- Vedic Brahmins [distorted teachings of Buddha]
- Ancient scholars like Nagarjuna and Buddhaghosa [not even Sotapanna yet considered scholars]
- Even Sri Lankan women [Gossiping and rituals won’t lead you to Nibbana]
It is sad to see that the true Dhamma remains hidden for majority of the humans, even many self-proclaimed Buddhists. People have so many wrong views and Buddha’s teachings are not easy to comprehend. I have given up trying to express the value of Dhamma in casual conversations. It makes me feel like an alien trying to explain what it’s like to live in another planet.
How does a Buddhist cope with the fact that most humans alive today will end up in the apayas and be subjected to unfathomable suffering? Sometimes I have a hard time doing Metta Bhavana because of this. We are expected to wholeheartedly say, “May all beings be free from suffering” but the fact of the matter is that realistically, that is highly unlikely.
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Good summary. Thank you, Taryal!
You wrote: “It is sad to see that the true Dhamma remains hidden for the majority of the humans, even many self-proclaimed Buddhists.”
- That is sad but true.
- Most Buddhists (mainly Mahayana and Tibetan) believe that just engaging in rituals (chanting, worshipping the Buddha, etc.) is enough to attain Nibbana.
- I believe most Westerners can grasp Buddha’s teachings if explained methodically and will be able to see the “depth” of Buddha’s teachings. I will try to do that in the new “Meditation – Deeper Aspects” section where I will try to simplify Abhidhamma concepts.
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Hi Taryal
During Metta Bhavana, you can look at things the other way. You can see how people are trapped in this suffering due to their ignorance. You can contemplate the suffering they endure because of their ignorance. From here you can then you would sincerely want all beings to be free from suffering, because there is so much to endure. Think about it, if all beings are already Arahants/ sotapannas then there is no need to wish them to be free from suffering! Ultimately, Metta Bhavana is about the intention.
7. What matters is not the particular set of words used, but what is felt in one’s heart. In order to do that one needs to truly comprehend that there is REAL SUFFERING in this world, not only at the human or animal realms but in many other realms. (5. Ariya Metta Bhāvana (Loving Kindness Meditation)
Again, what’s important is to understand that an infinite number of beings are going through suffering, and you wish they can be rid of it. Just like how you can generate compassion from seeing a starving child, the same can be done with Metta Bhavana.
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I believe most Westerners can grasp Buddha’s teachings if explained methodically and will be able to see the “depth” of Buddha’s teachings.
I love the methodical approach. I think the people in the East can also comprehend Buddha’s teachings when explained properly. The biggest hurdle for most people, in my view, is the tendency to cling to preconceived wrong views. I have spoken to many materialists and eternalists and many of them are quite reluctant to consider possibilities different from their beliefs.
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Taryal wrote: “I think the people in the East can also comprehend Buddha’s teachings when explained properly. “
- Of course. I meant that people in the East have been exposed to Buddha’s teachings (even with incorrect interpretations) for a long time. It is easier for them to grasp concepts like kamma/kamma vipaka, rebirth, etc. Most are familiar with those concepts.
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