| I just read a quote from a famous Buddhist monk. | | | | 3) Sometimes we are at peace |
| Basically it said that all meetings end in partings, all | | | | 4) There are reasons why we are at peace. |
| buildings end as dust and all life ends in death, so we | | | | I believe the second description of Buddhism does a |
| might as well just work hard at our meditation. I | | | | better job at getting to the root and solution of our |
| thought this was a sad interpretation of Buddhism | | | | problems. When we pay attention to what is |
| and, in my opinion, a bass ackwards way to live one's | | | | happening in our lives and discover why we suffer |
| life. | | | | (wrong job, saying hurtful things to people we love, |
| I believe that many spiritual people are more likely to | | | | trying too hard at things that don't matter), we |
| say that all partings lead to new meetings, all buildings | | | | automatically find the way to reduce suffering. When |
| are made of dust and desire, and from death life | | | | we discover those things that bring us peace (being |
| blooms again. The Pagans have a phrase that fits, | | | | in the right job, saying kind and loving words to |
| "Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again!" | | | | people we care about, and working hard at things |
| How can a learned Buddhist monk go so wrong? It's | | | | that DO matter), we automatically reduce suffering. |
| easy. Buddhism is usually understood as hinging on | | | | So where to start on the path to less suffering and |
| the Four Noble Truths, often stated as: | | | | more peace? |
| 1) Life is suffering | | | | Try not hurting people and doing more of what you |
| 2) Suffering comes from desire | | | | love and build from there. That's a very natural way |
| 3) There is a way to end suffering | | | | of stepping onto the Wheel of Life. It's kind of like |
| 4) The way to end suffering is to end desire. | | | | lighting a candle, doing a spell or saying a prayer, you |
| Another Buddhist sage, Thich Nat Hahn, suggested | | | | try it and see what happens. You don't beat yourself |
| that we consider the Four Noble Truths this way | | | | up trying to push the river, trying to force the magic; |
| (and I'm paraphrasing slightly here): | | | | you just take action, watch, and look for good things |
| 1) Sometimes we suffer | | | | to happen. At least that's my Life Positive view on |
| 2) There are reasons why we suffer | | | | Buddhism and spirituality. |