Dear Aston
I refer to your post.
Just like to share my bit when you say the fundamental principle of Buddhist thought has always been in ending Attachment. Not necessarily so.
Actually Buddha did not mean all forms of Attachment. It doesn’t mean just give up Attachment and do what we like.
The Attachment which we need to give up are the selfish cravings for the ephemeral pleasures of the world, wherein lies the origins of suffering.
In fact, the teachings refer to Attachment to worldly affairs, as opposed to severance, in activities such as politics and economics so as to have a sense of appreciation of the things around us, for only then Buddhist wisdom may be actualised. That’s one aspect.
You also see Buddhist Scriptures encapsulate manifold wisdom not only to withstand life’s adversities but also to transform them into causes of happiness and joy. This is because the philosophy enshrines peace, compassion, selflessness and universal love as fundamental virtues.
Though the term “prayer” is used in Buddhism, in one sense however Buddhism may be regarded as being distinctly atheistic, purely because it holds the key (known as Enlightenment) to the mystery of the mysteries of the Universe(s) or Multiverse(s) which are in remarkable accord with discoveries of modern science, including the origins of life.
The whole purpose is to dispel ignorance so that human beings as creatures of the cosmos understand it at its most deepest and profound level. Yet it teaches us to respect the views of other beliefs, because it emphasises right thinking and right actions in a multicultural and multireligious society.
Posted on 23 May 2009. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
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