HBS BUDDHISM AUSTRALIA

 Although schools of Buddhism can differ quite radically, there are some foundational concepts that all schools of thought must adhere to. These are part of the Shakyamuni Buddha's direct teachings: THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS 1. Suffering exists 2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires 3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases 4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path. *Suffering can  mean anything from mild (for example work stress) through to major (death of a loved one) THE EIGHTFOLD PATH (following the Eightfold Path will alleviate "suffering." 1. Right view 2. Right thought 3. Right speech 4. Right action 5. Right livelihood 6. Right effort 7. Right mindfulness 8. Right contemplation *Note these are all things we are mindful of and need to change within OURSELVES. This is not a judgemental view of others. The Eightfold Path is guided by "Panna" (wisdom), Sila (morality), Samadhi (meditation or chanting). What hinders...

 Particularly in Western countries we have some fairly strong stereotypes as to what Buddhism is about. Here are some of them: 1/ Buddha is a god. 2/ Buddhists don't eat meat or drink alcohol - they are pretty much vegan 3/ Buddhists just meditate 4/ Buddhists are submissive and never get angry 5/ Buddhism is not a religion - it is a philosophy 6/ Buddhists just focus on suffering  7/ To be a real Buddhist you need to become a monk or nun 8/ Buddhists believe in reincarnation In actual fact, all of the the above statements are either completely untrue or mostly false.  Buddhists revere the Buddha but we do not view him as a God but merely a master who found the answers and who we have faith in. The faith is more as a teacher not as an entity who will control our fate or destiny.  Buddhists do eat meat and drink alcohol and even smoke but this can depend heavily on the tradition. Some of the Southern traditions such as Theravada tend to be vegetarian and abstain from ...

  Don’t Let Your Negative Karma Hinder Your Faith Don't Let Your Negative Karma Hinder Your Faith Religious discourse by Seijun NAGAMATSU, head priest of Myoshinji Temple, Honmon Butsuryu Shu (HBS), Yokohama, Japan. Translated by fluteman3 When we smell danger in the wind, instinct pushes us into a protective posture. Similarly, the world charges toward protectionism when it is trapped in an economic predicament. What concerns us today is how we can protect ourselves against and prepare for the unpredictable; we are too self-centered to look after other people and tend to the needs of other countries. When the world seems harsh and discomforting, it is because the minds and hearts of the people are harsh and discomforting. It appears as though we are becoming increasingly egotistical, blaming others for all the woes that we experience in our daily lives. We are permitting the occurrence of incidents such as miscommunications and misunderstandings with the people who are closest to ...

 Here is a phrase that can be said before sharing a meal, particularly with other HBS members: Myoho rufu ni ikinga tame ni ima sono jiki wo, itadakimasu Arigatougozaimasu

 The Lotus Sutra is said to be the finest work of the Buddha. Saint Nichiren derived through his many years of study as a monk, a phrase which anybody could use in the hope of achieving Buddhahood. By chanting the Namu-Myo-horenge-kyo we are paying homage to the lotus sutra.  What should I be thinking when chanting this sutra? As practitioners lucky enough to have access to a temple we can simply look at the 'Gohonzon' as a focus point. The Gohonzon is a a sacred scroll revered by all and treated with utmost respect. Lay practitioners also who are members will also have one of these in their homes preferably in a quiet room placed just above eye-line when seated.  How does chanting this sutra help me? 1. By collecting and spreading good karma. The vibes we give off to other people affects how others interact with us. 2. As a way of praying to our ancestors who are no longer with us. 3. To pray for other people in our family or community who are experiencing illness or oth...

 Zen Buddhism has different schools so there is a different emphasis within each of these schools. Most people in the West have a basic idea about Zen as we have had some exposure to it over the last last 100 hundred years.  Zen has some really great stuff, I respect the positive influence Zen has had in Japanese culture and Chinese culture before the Cultural Revolution. The influence in Japan has been quite profound, in my personal opinion through years of living in Japan and discussing this with Japanese people, is that artisans/craftsmen and tradesmen have a heightened sense of achieving perfection in their chosen field. Their world renowned eye for detail and producing top quality products in contemporary times such as motor vehicles, electronics, food etc all came from practicing the art of patience and perfection cultivated over many hundreds of years. Zen had a major role to play in developing this mind set It is difficult to describe Zen, this would be unfair of me to...

 There are many questions that people have. Most of them can be found through looking at the websites in the original blog. However, there might be a particular point that you wish to have clarified more deeply. Please email me your question directly through the following email: alastair.c.bain@gmail.com If I cannot answer your question, then I will ask a monk from either Sri Lanka or Japan to help me. This may take some time for a thorough answer but I am happy to do that for you. Arigatou-gozaimasu Al

  Honmon Butsuryu Shu HBS-Network - A GUIDE TO HBS Teachings of True Buddhism―Honmon Butsuryu Shu Seifūji Temple – Honmon Butsuryū Shū | Nichiren Buddhism based on the Lotus Sutra in Osaka True Buddhism, HBS-Network English web site White Lotus Temple - YouTube https://hbsnepal.com.np