Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

I am really enjoying reading Buddhist Legends, by Eugene Watson Burlingame. It's the origin stories of the verses of the Dhammapada.
But I find I am reading it more for entertainment than for wholesome reasons. The stories are really interesting, clever, and yes I must admit, wise. There's suspense, surprise, battles, fights, love, tragedy, and a very colourful metaphysics.
Is this okay? I felt a bit guilty when I realised I was treating it as entertainment rather than a profound spiritual teaching.
Maybe that's just my judaeo-christian upbringing... I think I have some silly idea that if it's good for me, I should not be enjoying it. Or that if I am enjoying it, I should be treating a sacred text more seriously and soberly.
But I should snap out of it and just enjoy the stories, right?

http://readingfaithfully.org/book-sour ... urn false;

Is the same for me

James the Giant wrote: I think I have some silly idea that if it's good for me, I should not be enjoying it. Or that if I am enjoying it, I should be treating a sacred text more seriously and soberly.
But I should snap out of it and just enjoy the stories, right?

It is a sad thing to make one's practice grim/ Enjoy them.

what tilt said..

maintaining consistent long term practice is ALL about enjoying the practice! the more you learn to LOVE the Dhamma the better of you will be. so yes, you're right... thinking you should not be enjoying it because its good is very silly. I personally think that incorporating Dhammic themes into recreational activities, reading, art, music, etc is extremely wise as it's likely you'll absorb some wisdom from the fun stuff as well.

JAMES...

relax!

Enjoy the menu but just don't forget to taste the food too.

That's pretty unanimous then. Ta!