Four Buddhist Virtues: The "Brahma Vihara" - Page 2 - PhillyBlog

phillyaggie · #11 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 08:41 PM

Hindus always maintain, as is written in the holy Vedas:
"Ekam Sat, Viprah Bahudha Vadanti."

meaning

There is only one Truth, men call it by different names. Thus who is to say Krishna is true and Jesus is false god? Or Allah is devil? True paths lead to God, and none of us has gone in the afterlife to know who ends up where.

Of course, for a semi non-believer like myself, we all end up in the same place...and all religions are humans' own creations. Man created God, not vice-versa.

Elsewhere, again, Lord Krishna too says to Arjuna in the Bhagvad Gita:

"Call me by what ever name you like; Worship me in any form you like; All that goes to One and Only Supreme Reality."

That is why often Christian proselytizers find it hard to talk to a knowledgeable Hindu and convert him/her.

phillyaggie · #12 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trisarahtops

Pretty interesting...I'm converting!

there is probably something similar in whatever religion you current follow, or were brought up in.

Phillybud · #13 (**permalink**) 08-27-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyaggie

Hindus always maintain, as is written in the holy Vedas:
"Ekam Sat, Viprah Bahudha Vadanti."

meaning

There is only one Truth, men call it by different names.

That is wonderful! I am going to memorize it!!!

geoffrobinson · #14 (**permalink**) 08-28-2008, 09:19 AM

This was valuable. Thank you. I have a book by a Buddhist called "Why You are Not Buddhist" on my reading list, but I haven't gotten to it yet: http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.ht...&creative=9325

Maybe in some other threads you could go over more foundational Buddhist concepts. And I mean that in regards to philosophical foundation. What is reality like? Things regarding nirvana, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phillybud

Sometimes people are confused by all the numbered aspects of Buddhist teaching: The Three Gems, The Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, etc. The system of making lists and the auspiciousness of numbers are part of Buddhism's foundation in Hindu spirituality.

Indeed, I have often informed non-Buddhists that one cannot fully understand and appreciate Buddhist thought without a foundation in understanding Hinduism. I think it is safe to say that both Christianity and Islam are rooted in Judaism, so you can see that it is the same with Buddhism in relation to Hinduism.

Four Virtues of Buddhism are called "The Brahma Vihara" and they are very beautiful indeed. The words Brahma Vihara mean "The Abode of God" but can also mean something like 'Divine Attributes.' So you see, these are very important concepts are Buddhists are required to cultivate them. They are:

1. Metta - Lovingkindness
2. Karuna - Compassion
3. Mudita - Sympathetic Joy
4. Upekkha - Equanimity

I am sure everyone knows what compassion and lovingkindness are, but what is meant by "sympathetic joy"? It is an ability to derive happiness at the good fortune of another person. It is the opposite of the German word "schadenfreude" - which means attaining glee or pleasure at someone else's misfortune. Sympathetic joy is also the opposite of envy. Finally, equanimity refers to serenity and the acceptence of things that cannot be changed or altered.

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, once summed up the whole philosophy of Buddhism is just four words: "My Religion Is Kindness."

Any questions? Comments? May you and every living creature find happiness, joy and comfort in this world so full of suffering and dissatisfaction.

ivy · #15 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 10:44 PM

Interesting post. I've read up some on Buddhism, and your post cast a little more light on it. I really like The Dalai Lama saying, "My religion is kindness." All of them ought to be.

I attend a Quaker meeting, and I'm familiar with the Friends organization Right Sharing of World Resoures, www.rswr.org .
I thought of them when I read your post naming Karuna, compassion; and Metta, lovingkindness. What are the definitions here? What is the Friends definition of sharing justly the world resources and wealth? How exactly do we do that? And how do we act with compassion and lovingkindness? I ask that because it isn't enough to just invoke those actions with words.

Phillybud · #16 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 02:36 AM

Yikes! I've gotten myself into trouble now! People are coming to me asking profound questions and I am just a poor shmendrick that has been studying Buddhism but honestly no scholar or wise sage! The nature of Nibbana (commonly called Nirvana)? ... heck, I'm not absolutely sure ... I know it is the step even higher than heaven, something like being one with God or the Universe the state of being when all Samsara and desiring has ended ... Goodness! I'm still learning myself!!

To me following The Noble Eightfold Path is the guide for living righteously. Do not lie. Show kindness and respect to all living creatures. Cultivate your mind to do good, not evil. Work at an honest and respectable job ... it's all common sense.

When I go to the King Of Prussia Mall I see things I covet. I crave this thing or that thing. I am sometimes critical of the way people dress (How dare she wear HORIZONTAL stripes with that body!). I ridicule politicians I don't agree with. Once in a blue moon I enjoy a well made alcoholic cocktail. I see an attractive person and imagine what sex might be like with them. Bad Buddhist! BAD BUDDHIST!! Sit! Stay!

Well, what can I say? I am a better, kinder, more generous, more forgiving person today than I was yesterday ... but I'll improve more tomorrow! I am seeking the path of beauty and truth.

Love to all of you!

ivy · #17 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 09:47 AM

I was just putting those questions out there in general, because I think about them a lot. You've written good posts about Buddhism, and they got me thinking. I hope you didn't feel like I was challenging you. I was just tossing ideas around.

Mixiboi · #18 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phillybud

Yikes! I've gotten myself into trouble now! People are coming to me asking profound questions and I am just a poor shmendrick that has been studying Buddhism but honestly no scholar or wise sage!

Rule Number one: Never say your a Buddhist.

Phillybud · #19 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mixiboi

Rule Number one: Never say your a Buddhist.

I think, if I'm not mistaken, you were trying to say: "Rule Number one: Never say you're a Buddhist."

Fair enough. I'm a poor shmendrick who is attempting to be a Buddhist.

Mixiboi · #20 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008, 12:28 AM

I google the site and I see that this happens on alot of message boards:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...gs&btnG=Search

crazy...