Monday 17 August 2015
Buddhism in Myanmar - A Personal Perspective
Let me preface this by saying that I only spent five months in the country, working as a trainer with the British Council. So my observations are necessarily limited by that amount of time.
Nevertheless, I got the distinct impression that Buddhism is taken very seriously there.
What in particular do I mean?
- young boys and girls spend time in robes as part of their upbringing
- monks provide general education to those less fortunate
- bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, including young ones, walk the streets on alms processions
- people give generously from what little they have to the monks
- prayers are sent out over loudspeakers from certain temples at different times of the day
- major festivals are celebrated with great energy by the whole community
- people generally act modestly in public
- monks are invited to attend important social events and are treated respectfully at them
- there are always new young men and women wishing to take vows
- houses have shrines with Buddhist images, candles, incense, flowers, etc.
- monks are consulted, probably revered, for certain decisions
Of course, there are some unique elements within Burmese Buddhism, such as the worship of nats, which are unique and, to outsiders, strange, but they are fortunate to have both male and female monks, and a long history of worship extending back thousands of years. Most recently there have been some monks becoming more vocal in everyday affairs, perhaps even political ones. Given the military's iron grip on power and their extensive lack of concern for the less fortunate, this is humanly understandable. Myanmar has far to go to resemble a country Westerners would relate to, and the November elections may not change that situation in the short term.
As a fellow seeker of the Path, I certainly felt comfortable with that part of society. Please see my photo page for many images taken during my time there.
Nevertheless, I got the distinct impression that Buddhism is taken very seriously there.
What in particular do I mean?
- young boys and girls spend time in robes as part of their upbringing
- monks provide general education to those less fortunate
- bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, including young ones, walk the streets on alms processions
- people give generously from what little they have to the monks
- prayers are sent out over loudspeakers from certain temples at different times of the day
- major festivals are celebrated with great energy by the whole community
- people generally act modestly in public
- monks are invited to attend important social events and are treated respectfully at them
- there are always new young men and women wishing to take vows
- houses have shrines with Buddhist images, candles, incense, flowers, etc.
- monks are consulted, probably revered, for certain decisions
Of course, there are some unique elements within Burmese Buddhism, such as the worship of nats, which are unique and, to outsiders, strange, but they are fortunate to have both male and female monks, and a long history of worship extending back thousands of years. Most recently there have been some monks becoming more vocal in everyday affairs, perhaps even political ones. Given the military's iron grip on power and their extensive lack of concern for the less fortunate, this is humanly understandable. Myanmar has far to go to resemble a country Westerners would relate to, and the November elections may not change that situation in the short term.
As a fellow seeker of the Path, I certainly felt comfortable with that part of society. Please see my photo page for many images taken during my time there.
I Know - It's Been a While
If you are, or have been, a reader of my blog, you may have been wondering where I disappeared to, or why I stopped posting.
Well, I really have no excuses, so I'll just say sorry and carry on.
My last post was Vesak 2014 in Singapore.
Not long after that I accepted a training position with the British Council in remote Myanmar. I will be posting several photos of interest from there shortly.
After a couple of close shaves with my humanity, I returned to Australia around Christmas 2014 to spend some quality time with my family.
Finally, in late March I accepted another post in Taiwan, which is where I plan to be at least until this time next year.
However, I'm not standing still here, and I have some exciting news to share with you in my next post.
In Metta,
Greg.
Well, I really have no excuses, so I'll just say sorry and carry on.
My last post was Vesak 2014 in Singapore.
Not long after that I accepted a training position with the British Council in remote Myanmar. I will be posting several photos of interest from there shortly.
After a couple of close shaves with my humanity, I returned to Australia around Christmas 2014 to spend some quality time with my family.
Finally, in late March I accepted another post in Taiwan, which is where I plan to be at least until this time next year.
However, I'm not standing still here, and I have some exciting news to share with you in my next post.
In Metta,
Greg.
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Saturday 1 March 2014
What is Parami? How many Paramis are there? How do they determine the attainment of different types of Bodhi?
Paramis
are ‘perfections’ or qualities developed and brought to maturity by Bodhisattas
during their past experiences, and they lead to Buddhahood.
There are ten Paramis in
the Theravada tradition:
Dana Parami – perfection
in giving, generosity
Sila Parami – perfection
in virtue, morality
Nekkhamma Parami –
renunciation of sensual pleasures
Panna Parami – wisdom,
understanding, insight
Viriya Parami – energy,
effort (physical and mental)
Khanti Parami – patience,
endurance, tolerance, non-violence
Sacca Parami –
truthfulness, gentle speech
Adhitthana Parami –
resolution, strong determination, will-power
Metta Parami – universal
love, loving-kindness, goodwill
Upekkha Parami –
equanimity, impartiality
The
ten perfections vary in intensity and magnitude with respect to the three
different types of Bodhi (enlightenment), ranging from least intense (Arahat)
to most intensive (Sammasambodhi). They also vary according to the number of
times they are fulfilled, ranging from once (Arahat), twice (Pacceka) to thrice
(Sammasambodhi).
Saturday 22 February 2014
How many types of Buddha are there? What are the pre-requisites for becoming these different types of Buddha?
All
three are born human with the highest virtue and supernormal wisdom, they
develop from being a Bodhisatta, develop spiritually over countless aeons, and
are motivated by compassion.
The
first is a disciple who perfects the Paramis over hundreds or thousands of
lives, achieves the pre-requisites for becoming an enlightened being, meets the
Buddha or a disciple, hears the teaching, grasps the teaching of the four Noble
Truths and becomes an Arahat.
The
second fulfils the 10 Paramis over two cycles, appears when the teachings are
lost and beings are living in ignorance, becomes enlightened on their own, and
lives in seclusion as a hermit.
The
third fulfils the 10 Paramis over three cycles, becomes supremely enlightened
by hearing and understanding the Dhamma from previous Buddhas, enlightens
others and makes significant impacts on world history.
Friday 14 February 2014
What is a 'Bodhisatta'? How many types are there? What are the requirements to become a 'Bodhisatta'?
The
term ‘Bodhisatta’ (or 'Bodhisattva') means a would-be Buddha, or a future Buddha, in other words,
someone with all the exalted spiritual perfections leading to supreme
enlightenment, and destined to achieve Buddhahood. There are three types: those
leading to Arahat Bodhi, those leading to Pacceka Bodhi, and those leading to
Sammasambodhi.
In
the case of all three types they must achieve enlightenment through
emancipation and the liberation from worldly bonds. To become a Savaka Bodhi
one sacrifices material possessions and their pleasures for the welfare of
others. To become a Pacceka Bodhi, in addition to this, one sacrifices parts of
the body for others. To become Samma Sambodhi one also sacrifices one’s life.
Friday 7 February 2014
What is the meaning of the term ‘Bodhi’? How many different types of Bodhi are there?
The
term ‘Bodhi’ comes from the verbal root ‘budh’, to awaken or to understand. It
means awakenment, enlightenment, supreme knowledge. One awakens from the
slumber or stupor of the defilements to comprehend the four Noble Truths.
There
are three types of Bodhi: Arahat Bodhi (perfected disciple of Buddha) where one
perfects the 10 Paramis over countless lives, hears and grasps the Dhamma, and
eventually passes it on to others; Pacceka Bodhi (hermit Buddha) where one
perfect the 10 Paramis twice, achieves enlightenment without help from others
at a time when the teaching is lost in the world, and lives in seclusion; and
Sammasambodhi (supremely enlightened Buddha) where one perfects the 10 Paramis
three times, receives and grasps the Dhamma, enlightens others and changes the
world significantly. The latter includes the 28 historical Buddhas, Buddha
Gotama, and the future Lord Metteyya.
Friday 31 January 2014
Why is he called ‘Buddha’? What are the pre-requisites for becoming a Buddha?
Siddhattha
was predicted by astrologers of his time to be a future Buddha (or Bodhisatta).
He is called ‘Buddha’ because he reached supreme enlightenment (Samma sambuddho)
at the age of 35.
The pre-requisites for becoming a Buddha are fulfilling the
ten Paramis, meeting a Buddha or the disciple of a Buddha, hearing the teaching
(of the four Noble Truths) from them, grasping the teaching and then sharing it
with others out of compassion.
Friday 24 January 2014
What is the meaning of the word "Buddha"?
The word ‘Buddha’ is not a personal name or title, but refers to the attainment of supreme enlightenment by an individual after a prolonged period of spiritual evolution during which the 10 exalted spiritual virtues (Paramis) are perfected.
In the present aeon it refers to Bodhisatta Siddhattha who became the Buddha Gotama at the age of 35 years.
Historically, we are also aware of 28 Buddhas of the past, and the future one who is called Lord Metteyya.
In the present aeon it refers to Bodhisatta Siddhattha who became the Buddha Gotama at the age of 35 years.
Historically, we are also aware of 28 Buddhas of the past, and the future one who is called Lord Metteyya.
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