Misconception in Buddhism
DID BUDDHA EXIST?
No one could live for over 2,600 years to confirm that Buddha had existed. But the proof of tangible legacy is his profound teachings that have been relayed until now.
Another proof of his existence is practitioners, who had followed his dhamma, could reach harmony from within and came out of emotional pain. As Buddha once said, his teachings would continue to represent him when he left this world to Nirvana.
DETACHMENT
It means a detachment from emotions that arise.
It is an acknowledgement and understanding that nothing lasts forever. Things and people come and go. An emotional attachment leads to grievance. Emotions are intensified feelings. Once they are involved with likes and dislikes, cravings and aversions, they turn to emotional attachments. An obsession with physical looks, passionate love, indulgences in gastronomical pleasures, and addiction to happiness are some of examples. Such attachments only bring grievances when they inevitably disappear. The Buddha taught us to be emotionally detached; to acknowledge our feelings and let them go without giving life to them through craving and aversion. This will free us from miserable condition.
IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH ?
Our mind is the flow of energy. It does not disappear but transforms from one state to another. Death is a transformation of energy.
The body is turned into ashes, to be part of the earth. The soul, or the consciousness, still remains while the form of existence will change according to our past deeds. Nothing is lost. An impure mind acts as computer database.
Whatever actions that person had done in his entire life will be stored in the form of this energy which has the frequency so fine it is invisible. The “karmic code” is responsible for determining and designing our next existence or rebirth. This explains why a baby was born with silver spoon in his mouth while the other was abandoned at an orphanage. And those babies did not even do anything yet!
Buddha explained this is because of the Law of Cause and Effect. There is no coincidence in this world. Death, therefore, is not void but an energy transformation influenced by accumulated causes that lead the soul to a new condition in a new life.
IS MEDITATION A WASTE OF TIME?
Meditation is training of the mind in order to make it stable, peaceful and able to overcome a distraction. One can practice meditation in any movement: walk, stand, sit and sleep. One aspect is your mind must be still otherwise the state of meditation would not happen while also being well aware of any emotion that occurs within. A powerful mind increases performance in everyday activities including work, study, and all other activities. So meditation is beneficial to everyone not only for Buddhist monks and novices.
An untrained mind is not adequate in terms of effectiveness. We encounter different things, pleasant and unpleasant, all the time and take them all in through our senses including eyes, ears, nose, tongue, touch, and mind. We are constantly thinking. Meditation calms and empowers our mind to live wisely. These days humans spend so much time and effort to learn and comprehend everything except their own mind.
