Human beings need their lives to make sense, to have meaning and purpose. Religions appear to meet this need. As a consequence, most people adopt a set of religious beliefs or dogmas as a framework within which to understand their lives. But as there are a number of belief systems, and each one tends to assert that it alone is the possessor of truth, the age-old conflict between belief systems and the passions they engender is inevitable. Despite all of the “religious” violence the world has seen, the nature of human needs makes it hard to imagine a world without people taking refuge in dogmatic beliefs.
Even determinedly secular or materialistic people have the same psychological needs for stability and meaning. Indeed, they may identify with their own views and beliefs as tenaciously as the more conventionally religious. It is not difficult to find present-day examples of political beliefs and even scientific theories taking on the trappings of dogma.
Buddhists are proud that in their texts not one phrase can be found that would justify shedding a single drop of blood. In some places, however, the texts remain unread and their lessons untaught. In the world today, a small minority of men wearing the robes of Buddhist monks use their authority to aggravate rather than placate ethnic and territorial disputes, while the rest of the Theravāda world looks on in dismay.
Nevertheless, the teachings of Buddhism do offer a way out of religious violence. They assert that the path to true security and meaning lies in our actions of body, speech and mind, rather than belief. Faith is placed in our capacity to change, which we can put to the test, rather than in dogma—which we cannot. In the effort to educate their behavior, emotions and understanding, human beings can find a purpose that does not create a sense of alienation from all those who do not share their commitment.
New book by Ajahn Jayasaro: "Without and Within" (150 questions and answers)
Maha Sadhu to Ajahn Jayasaro for his lifetime experience to have written this valuable guide for non buddhist who want to understand buddhism and dispel wrong perceptions of this way of life. I was in the right condition to get in touch with this book title through Ajahn Dton, who was inspired by your preaching while in US studying medic specialist. Maha sadhu to you, venerable sir. May you attain to the stream winner and eventually nibbana. Santivara, georgetown, penang.
When i was staying at WPN in the late 90's Ajahn Jayasaro used to regularly read excerpts from a book he was drafting which was a biography of Ajahn Chah, as far as I know it has never been published, I sometimes wonder what happened to it.
Pronouns (no self / not self) “Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
Ajahn Jayasaro wrote: Faith is placed in our capacity to change, which we can put to the test, rather than in dogma—which we cannot...
There is in Dhamma right dogma which, just can not help, has to be believed.For example Impermanence, suffering, and anatta
Materiality [and the rest] is impermanent, changing, becoming other. Whoever decides about, places his faith in, these dhammas in this way is called mature in faith [saddhaanusaari]. He has alighted upon the certainty of rightness... Whoever has a liking to meditate by test of experiment with understanding upon these dhammas is called mature in the true idea [dhammaanusaari]. He has alighted upon the certainty of rightness... Whoever has a liking to meditate by test of experiment with understanding upon these dhammas is called mature in the true idea [dhammaanusaari]. He has alighted upon the certainty of rightness...
Goofaholix wrote:When i was staying at WPN in the late 90's Ajahn Jayasaro used to regularly read excerpts from a book he was drafting which was a biography of Ajahn Chah, as far as I know it has never been published, I sometimes wonder what happened to it.
This is Upalamani, the biography of the Jewel from Ubol. The earlier part of it has been published in Forest Path which has been reprinted recently. But it is not finished yet.