posted September 04, 2002 06:58 AM         

Buddhism was founded in 6 B.C. by Gautama Buddha. The word 'Buddha' means 'The Enlightened One'.

Siddhartha Buddha was born into a family in what is now Nepal. His father, the Chief of the Sukyas, insisted that he be shielded from the pain and suffering prevalent outside the palace gates.

So Siddhartha grew up with no idea of pain, poverty or misery, till one day he ventured outside unattended. The next day, at the age of 29, he left his kingdom and his family including his new-born son to find a way to end universal suffering.

For 6 years, he tried various forms of meditation and different religious practices and teachers, but to no avail.
Finally, the realisation dawned that The Middle Path (midway between a completely ascetic lifestyle and a completely worldly one) was the way to attain salvation.

One night he sat under a Bodhi tree and meditated for days on end until he saw a flash of light and knew that he had attained Nirvana. From that day on he was known by his disciples as Buddha.

As you probably know, followers of Buddha are gentle, peace-loving people who don't believe in violence of any sort. They are vegetarians and completely against war. {You may have noticed their dignified silence - a year ago - when the Taliban went about wrecking their beautiful heritage in Afghanistan.}

The method of meditation Buddha used to gain enlightenment is known as Vipassana (pronounced Vi-push-[as in hush, not in bush]-unna).

According to this theory, ALL human misery arises out of one of 2 sensations - craving or aversion.

The method trains you to feel every little sensation in every single part of your body.
When you are sensitive enough to experience sensations in every part, the next step is to observe those sensations objectively, without reacting. No craving, no aversion. No scratching, no changing positions - just observe.

It is a very effective technique. I've been to a 10 day Vipassana camp. It's not easy, but it really does help.

You can't talk to anyone for 10 days, wake up at 4 every morning, meditate till about 7.30 in the evening (with short, frequent breaks) and live on 2 meals a day - breakfast (at 6.30!!), lunch around 11 and a fruit (for first-timers only)at 5.

It's not what I'd call fun, but there really isn't any other way to train your mind enough to get the hang of how the technique works.

Hope you find this interesting!

posted September 04, 2002 09:53 AM         

Can't talk to anyone for 10 days Wow that would be hard - I'd probably start talking to myself just to hear a voice
I can understand how the not talking would help you to focus though.

posted September 04, 2002 10:25 PM         

I sort of practice a Western Buddhism. I try, whenever I can, to be very present in the moment. It isn't easy for an East Coast USA woman, but I do try.

The moment is all we really have and while I still plan for the future and think about the past, I, at every opportunity, get involved in the moment I'm in, experiencing it fully (if that makes any sense whatsoever!).

AquaMoon, great posting. I couldn't keep my mouth shut for ten days if my life depended on it!!!

posted September 05, 2002 06:55 AM         

But you're right Cat, it does help you focus. It just takes a while to get used to. There are people who do the 20-day and 60-day course!!! I cannot even begin to imagine how that would feel. I think I'd be ready for the insane asylum by the end of 2 months.

We eat in the dining hall with everyone else. You aren't supposed to talk or communicate in any way, even through eye contact, with any of the other participants. That was my least favourite part of the day.
The idea is to live the life of an ascetic in every way for these 10 days, to the extent that they don't expect you to pay a fixed sum for the course. There's no fee. After the course is done, you're free to donate as much as you would like as charity for the next lot of participants who will have to live as ascetics for the next course.

After the course, my reactions were much less dramatic than they usually are. I found myself able to cope with pain more easily. (Sitting in one position and ignoring the discomfort for an hour three times a day does that to you. ) The effect of those 10 days lasted me a good couple of months. I wish I'd kept at it, but I just haven't been disciplined enough with myself.
In spite of the lack of practice, everytime I find myself freaking out, I try to use the tecnique. I say to myself, 'Just observe...' and I find that it helps. Might have a little something to do with my moon in Aquarius as well!

I guess I was able to do the course at the time because I was very disturbed and I looked forward to the isolation and the peace of mind at that moment. I really cannot imagine redoing the course anytime soon. I'm way too frisky.

posted September 05, 2002 02:13 PM         

I do really admire you for being able to do the course I'm not sure that I could not speak for 10 days, especially while sat opposite to other people.

posted September 06, 2002 12:05 AM         

_The Quantum and the Lotus_
-Ricard and Thuan

posted September 06, 2002 07:58 AM         

Rue, maybe you should try it sometime. You'll probably surprise yourself. And if you're just not comfortable with it, you can opt out anytime you want. They won't make you stay against your will.
And the 11th day is such FUN!!!
You finally get to talk - and you will not believe the pandemonium!! Everyone's laughing and chattering away like long lost pals, the teachers and volunteers are looking on with indulgent smiles and there's back-slapping and clapping and singing like you will not believe!!! It feels unbelievable!

Ah ...... and they give you a special meal to top it all off!!

posted September 06, 2002 08:44 AM         

It's an interesting read because it, if nothing else, acts as a good jump-start to an internal discussion re: your own beliefs and stands.