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Food for Thought - Part
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Reflection Series:
1999 issues - Jul
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Many people declare themselves to be ‘Buddhists’ when in actual fact they do not know what being Buddhists really means. Many students ( I was once like that too ), when required to fill forms state their religion as “Buddhism” or “Agama Buddha” although they have no idea at all what the essential Teachings of the Buddha (Dhamma) is all about …. let alone understanding and practicing the Dhamma.
Today, we see so many
different ‘Brands’ of “Buddhists” .
Let us look at them and do some reflection.
The
‘Burning’
“Buddhist”
You
see quite a number of such “Buddhists” …. they burn bundles of joss
sticks, joss paper and other paper paraphernalia at home, in Buddhist
Associations and even Buddhist Temples. Poor Mother Earth ! She is choking and
suffering and our environment gets more and more polluted. Talk about wise,
wholesome and good Karmic actions ! When
will such “Buddhists” ever learn that the ‘gods will not be appeased ’ (
and we don’t get peace within and without )
through a ‘combustion reaction ’?
We need to conquer the Devils of Greed, Hatred and Delusion.
The
‘Wesak’
“Buddhist”
These
‘once a year’ “Wesak Buddhists” throng Buddhist Associations and Temples
on Wesak Day carrying out so many deluded practices. They perform many
meaningless rituals, have their fortunes read, their amulets and talismans
blessed, rush for free Dana food ( the “Hungry Ghost” Realm is very real ! )
and “Holy Water”. They make supplication to the Buddha, asking for all sorts
of favors with promises to do certain things if their material wishes are
granted. Poor Buddha ! He must be very tired listening to the “bargains’ of
these “Wesak Buddhists”.
The
‘Intellectual’
“Buddhist”
I
have come across many friends who are like “Walking Encyclopedias” when it
comes to ‘intellectual Dhamma’. They devour one Dhamma book after another ,
listen to many Dhamma Speakers and Tapes but alas all these remain at the
intellectual level. The Dhamma is not practiced and actualized
. Such intellectual Buddhists still cling on to their negative traits and
habits. Talk about the practice of Dana … ha, now we understand partly why so
many Buddhist Organizations lack Volunteer workers for Dhammaduta work. We have
too many “intellectual Buddhists’ walking around !
The
‘Ceremonies’
“Buddhist”
We
can see such Buddhists in some Buddhist Temples and Associations. They are
caught up in lots of devotional rites, rituals and ceremonies the whole year
long. So much of their time and energies are sapped indulging in unnecessary
rites and rituals. When will they ever learn, understand, practice and realize
the Sublime Teachings of the Buddha ? Unless
and until they do, the defilements will remain or even multiply. We do not deny
the role of a certain degree of devotional Buddhism but beware …rites and
rituals can bind us more and more to the Wheel of Samsara.
The
‘Social’
“Buddhist”
There
are Buddhists who are particularly active when it comes to socializing and fun
activities. Of course, we need good Buddhist Fellowships, excursions, tours and
other healthy recreational activities. But beware ! Our primary aim in being a
Buddhist is to learn and practice the Dhamma , to seek and realize
Enlightenment. ‘Social’ Buddhists sometimes frequent Buddhist Temples,
Buddhist Societies and Associations with ulterior motives.
They may be looking for potential life partners or have a hidden business
or political agenda. The Dhamma
takes backstage.
The
‘Deity’
“Buddhist”
It
is interesting to note that many
Chinese “Buddhists” regard the Buddha as another of their gods or deities.
If you visit their homes, you can find the image of the Buddha placed at their
shrine altar together with a host of other gods . ‘Deity’
“Buddhists” perhaps believe in this : ‘ The more gods, the better (
and merrier ) ….more protection and security ! ’ Will they ever learn the
meaning of true Refuge in the Triple Gem ? I know of a ‘long-time Buddhist’
( also an ex-Committee Member of a Buddhist Organization ) who was so afraid of
removing his many gods from his shrine altar at home. He believes misfortune can
strike him if he does so !
The
‘Emergency times’
“Buddhist”
Such
Buddhists only pray to the Buddha or Kuan Yin in times of trouble, problems and
conflicts. They pray for immediate solutions to their problems of health, poor
business, love relationships, academic studies etc. etc. At other times, when
they are relatively trouble-free, they will be too busy chasing material wealth
and indulging in sensual pursuits. For such Buddhists, there is no time and
place for Dhamma. I remember some time ago, there was a “Buddhist” man who
came to our Buddhist Association with a very lost and stressed-up look. He
wanted to learn Meditation to solve immediately his big problem …. insomnia
and business loss. I suggested that he joined our Dhamma Study Class first. He
did but it did not last . He was not patient and just wanted to solve his
‘emergency’ problem.
The
‘Preaching’
“Buddhist”
The
Buddha once said, “ Others faults are easy to see but one’s own faults one
hides like a fowler in disguise.” “Preaching”
Buddhists do a lot of talking, suggesting, ordering and commanding. They
project themselves as the “Know-All” in Dhamma but they themselves do little
when it comes to real Dhammaduta work and Dana. Such Buddhists can be quite
intelligent and creative but alas they don’t really practice the Dhamma.
Talking and suggesting is one thing but wise pro-active action is
another. Intelligence and Wisdom can be worlds apart.
The
‘Cultish’
“Buddhist”
Such Buddhists can be found everywhere. They can be filled with delusion, ego and conceit. Instead of spending their time practicing good Dana, Sila and Bhavana, they waste much time and energy chasing after “cultivated monks/nuns”, futile arguing over hair-splitting Dhamma points, attempting to convert others to their “cultish” brand of Buddhism and hero-worshipping and tending to their “enlightened leaders or teachers’. ( Let us not forget that our real Teacher is the Dhamma. The Buddha says, “He who sees the Dhamma sees Me.” )
