After watching a documentary about Tiger woods and his connection to Buddhism, I decided to contact my friend that was Buddhism to get the ball rolling. Was it a pro golfer that got me going on this journey? And if so, why? Well, I had learned previously, that Tiger Woods has lately been tangled in a particularly mind confusing and life altering condition. Later on it would be mentioned that he was caught having an affair on his wife with numerous of other women. All of this happening to him really displayed Tiger’s wishes has brought sorrow to his life brought a lot of pain and suffering to his life. So what does this have to do with my journey with Buddhism? Well, I found it satirical for the reason that the longings he has brought to himself are supposed to be what the Buddhist faith inspires those that follow in it. From my research, Buddhism is looked at to be a religion that is extremely passive and tranquil in which individuals try to evade cravings that Tiger Woods was apparently falling into. With that said, this essay will discuss my voyage into the Buddhism world by attending a service which was way out of my comfort zone.
The Temple
Moments into the temple, it was clear that I was not anywhere in a Christian church. I was instantaneously struck by the outside of the Buddhist Temple. I stood in a classy part of the city about to walk into a clean, neat, red brick building, in spotless form, and it just had a humble symbol on a brass inscription representing it is a temple. In advance of even walking into the temple, I began to develop this sense of devotion to feature, modest self-assurance, and a lack of flashiness. When I walked into the place, I noticed that the backgrounds were reliable with that of the outside. The flair was modest but nice-looking – what my unqualified artistic awareness would maybe say "typical". The fixtures, colors, and floors, not to mention the outside garden – the whole place appeared to be part of a combined and meticulous idea that intended for tranquil, ease, modest attractiveness, and open space that seemed to be clean. I really found entire effect to be tremendously attractive.
The People
Most vital, unquestionably, were the individuals that I met at the service. I understand that could possibly appear corny or maybe just a bit insincere to mention that most of the people that I was able to come in contact with at the Temple were actually warm individuals. They were warm, polite, friendly, and very "nice" to me. The personality and character of the followers of a group describe that crowd over and above any philosophy or principles. Mostly all of the people that I came in contact with or gotten to know at the temple all have their own unique personality, as well as their own ideas and thoughts – on the other hand all have been consistently kind, welcoming and hospitable to me in a method that appeared unreserved and natural. To be honest, I really did know from the start that this was a community of caring persons a place that I could call home maybe.
The Reverend
I was already feeling very comfortable by the surroundings around me, and then Reverend Pu’s words, nonviolent expression, and radiant smile delivered an enticing foretaste of the wisdom and direction that I could possibly get here. Halfway into her actual first Dharma sermon, I said to myself, "I think I've found it". I discovered that is Dharma was actually the teaching of the Buddha. All of these teachings were basically just the terms of natural laws where most of the Buddha would come to comprehend - predominantly the laws of human nature. Through the teachings, I discovered that when they take refuge in Dhamma, they also take sanctuary in the wisdoms of the Buddha - which is sanctuary in the purity and truth of their own factual nature.
The things that I took home on the certain Sunday ever since then appeared to be so fresh and clear to me. It was very perceptive, uniting thoughts from Buddhism and her own involvements, in order to deliver an in-built, practical, hands-on lesson. The teacher was not theoretical sermons nevertheless in its place take the scripture and policy and attaches it with the realism of everyday life. Reverend Pu, in a chic that appears solely reliable with this lovely Temple – silent grace, intellect, and modest charm – brands each service a lovely knowledgeable experience. Through her teaching I learned that part of taking refuge in the Sangha, as a result, comprises the appeal to 'action that is right' which I learned through the teaching is grounded on the Buddhist ethical enigma of conduct. In its simple exercise this is 'The Four Precepts':
Practice of setting Birds Free from Cages.
In service I learned what setting the birds from cages actually means. The leader of the church did mention it over and over but broke it down to the visitors. The idea behind the whole birds in cages things is that for example, I would purchase a bird (mainly from a person that has already seized one) and then I would drive out into the country somewhere away from civilization and then set the bird free. Releasing an animal that is considered to be trapped is looked at as a very wonderful thing to take part in. Actually, the Buddhist looks at it as something that is “great Kamma, much worth”. Very interesting, I thought, because on a serious note it was clear from after participating in that exercise that Buddhism is strictly about getting the heart cleansed. Purification constantly includes personal sacrifice, doing something against our wishes, having to do things that are not easy to do.
In conclusion, it is clear that my experience with Buddhism was an eyes opener. Meeting the people, participating I the rituals and listening to a great sermon brought me into a world that was vastly different from my Christian world. However, in the end it is clear that it was an experience that I will not forget.
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Works Cited
