The Advantages of the Teachings of Lord Buddha

Who can follow the Teachings of Lord Buddha?

Anyone can follow the Teachings of Lord Buddha, if one is interested and not prejudiced.

There is no need for initiation or Baptism. There is no expensive ceremony or formal admission into the Teaching.

We do not have to look at the almanac. We do not have to go to a Buddhist monk for any chanting and we do not have to go to a Buddhist temple to ask for permission. The Teachings of Lord Buddha is not the prerogative of any monk or temple. The Buddha gave it free to all sentient beings who have the ear to listen . We do not have to fill any forms at any registry. The Teachings of the Lord is for all human beings, high and low caste, any race, people with education and people without much education. No one can claim any authority over it. It is universal. One can go into it and quit if one finds it too difficult. It does not require any special language.

One need not change name or formally change the present religion. It is like buying a TV set. One can buy it and sell it off if you do not like its performance. One need not change the race. The principles or Teachings of Lord Buddha is for practice, it is a way of life, ethics and moral rules to be followed in our dealings with fellow men and animals. It tells us what causes mental misery, failures in our relationships, failures in life, failures in marriage, failures in academic life, failures in professional life, causes of birth in painful realms, causes of slavish mentality in society, causes of our misery in this life and so on. It teaches us to accept certain disabilities in this life as we are responsible for our actions in previous lives.

Not only does it explain the causes but it also shows us the way to avoid or overcome them. It does not ask us to spend a fortune and go and bathe in certain rivers to wash our sins, or ask us to do painful austerities. It does not ask us to inflict pain on our physical bodies.. Inflicting pain on our bodies cannot remove our sorrows. Something else is required.

A complete change of our attitudes and ways of dealing with people is what is needed.. It is within the reach of everyone. The Teachings will bring success to us. We will become masters in our lives. We live with discipline not with meaningless fears and superstitions. ‘What we sow we reap in this life and in our future lives.’ Have the courage to accept the teachings and try it out for sometime before you reject it. The Teachings merely tell us to become better human beings, successful spiritually, socially and in every way. Live with dignity and get rid of slavish mentality. "We are heirs to our own deeds."

We need not go to any Buddhist temple to be accepted and practice the Teachings. No, not at all. We do not need their acceptance. It is between us and the Dharma. It is very private. Even when a person dies we need not call a monk or priest to perform any ceremonies to purify the departed spirit and pay a fortune. How can another purify our mind; It should have been done while alive.

Read the ”Path of Purification” by Buddhagosha or the Dhammapada, which contains the essence of the Teachings of Lord Buddha if you have any doubt. We can practice it in our homes, in our office and wherever we are. We need not wear any special clothes. (Religious people wear special clothes to announce to the world that they are leading religious lives.). An ordinary person need not announce. Practice is more powerful than clothes. What is needed are very simple clothes, simple living and noble thinking. Remember anyone can try. Do not reject before trying. Do not be afraid – No religious teacher can harm you.

Discipline cannot harm you in any way. One need not wear any special logos or amulets to show that one is following the Teachings of Buddha or go to a Buddhist temple. Just live in accordance with the moral Teachings of the Lord Buddha.

Whoever can read need not fear. There are more than enough Buddhist books in the market in many languages. Those who are not able to read and understand can always come over to Metta Hermitage for free instructions, free books and a free place to read and meditate in an ideal environment. Why reject such wonderful opportunities?

Think success. Think of the joy that spiritual discipline can bring to you and your family. Transform your life In one life time. Can you do it? Yes, you can. Be prepared to do away with useless and outdated thinking and bring success and joy into your life.

May you achieve good fortune in this life.


Lingamroshi
lingamroshi@yahoo.com