Archive for the 'Inspiration' Category

Dec 23 2007

4 Noble Truths of Buddhism

Published by Tom under Inspiration, Religion

Many debate rather Buddhism is a religion or a philosophy. For me it has some truth in what it offers so I admire the message that is offered.

 The core belief of Buddhism is the four noble truths:

1. All life is suffering

2. Suffering is caused by desire

3. Remove the desire and remove the suffering

4. Follow the eight fold path

The first means that a human life is full of suffering. We suffer the loss of love ones, we suffer when we experience poor health and sickness. We suffer a loss of love or a loss when we lose our worldly processions. We get depressed when we lose something we feel we can not live without. In the final suffering, we die.

The second one points out that all of the suffering is brought on because of of our own desires for happiness. We desire after both physical and mental happiness. “If I only get that new car, I will be happy.” The car does not provide the happiness you desired so you move on to the next thing or person to make you happy. The car will wear out and rust and it will not last forever. Attaching your happiness to such a thing means you are setting yourself up for more suffering. The same applies to sex, if you just need that sex to make you happy, it will not fulfill your need. The more you desire and get, the more you need.

The third states that if you remove the desire, you will remove the suffering.  If you quite relying on other things to make you happy, you will lose the desire for those things and you will lose the hold they have on you. From releasing this desire you can be enlightened and achieve a state of Nirvana. This is a state of release and freedom. There will be no more fear, worry, troubles and you are in a true state of happiness.  It also means you yourself are released from the world and it releases you from the chains of rebirth or reincarnation.

The fourth noble truth is a way of life that we all should strive for (Buddhist or not). It is the eight fold path:

1. Right view

2. Right Intention  

3. Right Speech

4. Right Action

5. Right Livelihood

6. Right Effort

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Right Concentration

Basically, live your life the right way and watch at all time what you say and do.

Does this mean you can not enjoy pleasures we all know? No it mans that we should let them control us. Your happiness is inside you and not wrapped up in your desires. You can enjoy all of life both the good and bad without letting it effect your happiness.

We can learn a lot from what Buddhism has to say rather it is a religion or a philosophy.

The key is to respect others no matter what their belief is. If other treat you bad, say That Blozzz and move on for your happiness is not wrapped up in their opinion.  

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Dec 20 2007

Why I do not want a Christmas present!

Published by Tom under Inspiration

I have a wife who loves me

I have family who cares

I have friends who I see everywhere

I have gidgets and gadgets of many different sorts

I have pleasure of life that can’t be ignored

I have a roof over my head that doesn’t leak when it rains

I have people who care when I am in pain

I have plenty to eat as you can see by my frame

But I live in a country so full with its shame

There are people who have nothing to eat

There are so much sorrow that fills many of our streets

Santa comes for many while others he ignores

There are children who never see the pleasures that I feel in plenty

So I ask from my heart to anyone who will listen

Pass the gift on to others and make their hearts glisten

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Dec 13 2007

What do I do when the holidays are over?

Published by Tom under Family, Inspiration

I am a little boy of 8 and my family is very poor. My mom is sick and my daddy has lost his job. Often we have some great meals of soup or beans and on lucky nights we have a hot dog.

My parents are proud and did not want to ask but our neighbor put my brother and me on the Angel Tree. When my mom found out she started to cry and was so thankful for the gift we will receive. My brother who is four and has nothing but hand me downs was excited that he might get a new toy. For me, the joy is gone because I fear what will come next. Don’t get me wrong I am grateful for the help and the pleasure my brother will feel.

The problems come when the gifts are opened and the charity is done and everyone goes back to their lives. You see while we eat a good meal at the local church on Thanksgiving and Christmas day, I always wonder what we will eat when the holidays go away.

My daddy lost his job right after my mommy got sick. He spent what we had on medicine for my mom and now we have almost nothing. He applied for some jobs but employment is scarce and he just can’t find a job. He does what he can with his odd jobs but that only barely pays the rent. I am not complaining because I know that he is doing his best. I do not mind the holes in my shoes even though the other kids laugh. I don’t mind wearing the same winter coat that the neighbor boy once had. I don’t even mind that often I am hungry because I know my daddy really tries.

My fear for me and my family as a whole is what will happen when the holidays are over and everyone forgets. Please can someone tell me what do I do?

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