What did the Buddha teach the Lay people?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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jcsuperstar
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Re: What did the Buddha teach the Lay people?

Post by jcsuperstar »

i found this book here to be a great tome on the subject
http://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Teachings ... 828&sr=8-1
For those of us unable to devote hours to meditation and study, the long journey to enlightenment can be difficult to integrate with our daily lives. We may have access to Buddhist teachings, but specific guidance on how to conduct ourselves in the work-a-day world may be missing. This remarkable guide fills that gap, and directs "laypeople" toward a fuller, more spiritual life, by suggesting ways to bring skillful, spiritual practice to everyday responsibilities and concerns. From money to romantic relationships, office conflict-management to wise parenting practices, this book helps readers negotiate both the road to the Buddha's wisdom and the many daily distractions that threaten to test one's resolve along the way.
i was gonna try to do a book about it myself using the suttas as guides (and with many more direct quotes) and from a layman's POV as opposed to a monastic but its turned out to be a lot of work. maybe i'll pick it up again, who knows.
สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ

the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
Freawaru
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Re: What did the Buddha teach the Lay people?

Post by Freawaru »

Hi Mike,
mikenz66 wrote: MN 143 Anathapindikovada Sutta: Instructions to Anathapindika
Ven. Sariputta offers a deep teaching on non-clinging to the ailing lay-follower Anathapindika.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
[Sariputta:]
...
"Then, householder, you should train yourself in this way: 'I won't cling to what is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, attained, sought after, pondered by the intellect; my consciousness will not be dependent on that.' That's how you should train yourself."

When this was said, Anathapindika the householder wept and shed tears. Ven. Ananda said to him, "Are you sinking, householder? Are you foundering?"

"No, venerable sir. I'm not sinking, nor am I foundering. It's just that for a long time I have attended to the Teacher, and to the monks who inspire my heart, but never before have I heard a talk on the Dhamma like this."

[Sariputta:] '"This sort of talk on the Dhamma, householder, is not given to lay people clad in white. This sort of talk on the Dhamma is given to those gone forth."

"In that case, Ven. Sariputta, please let this sort of talk on the Dhamma be given to lay people clad in white. There are clansmen with little dust in their eyes who are wasting away through not hearing [this] Dhamma. There will be those who will understand it."
...
Mike
Don't know whether this is relevant here but the "illness" of Anathapindika sounds dangerously similar to Kundalini problems. The recommended cure is detachment - as prescribed by Ven. Ananda. It would, btw, imply that Anathapindika was well versed in concentration practice - which wouldn't be surprising considering his rebirth in the deva realm.
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retrofuturist
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Re: What did the Buddha teach the Lay people?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings Lazy Eye,
Lazy_eye wrote:Wouldn't understanding of the four noble truths be a prerequisite for stream entry? One would need to know what the Buddha's teachings were in order to confirm their accuracy, right?
Yes, but how much understanding?

Does one need to know that they "seem to make sense" or does it involve knowledge that all formations are dukkha, even those that are pleasant or heavenly. To that end, you might be interested in this earlier discussion...

Sabbe sankhara dukkha - how to observe this Dhamma?
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=4210" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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bodom
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Re: What did the Buddha teach the Lay people?

Post by bodom »

Lazy_eye wrote:Hi,

Wouldn't understanding of the four noble truths be a prerequisite for stream entry? One would need to know what the Buddha's teachings were in order to confirm their accuracy, right?

Namaste,

LE
Association with people of integrity is a factor for stream-entry. Listening to the true Dhamma is a factor for stream-entry. Appropriate attention is a factor for stream-entry. Practice in accordance with the Dhamma is a factor for stream-entry.— SN 55.5

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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