Essay - Mental Discipline in Buddhism This Paper Discusses the Importance of...

mental discipline in Buddhism

This paper discusses the importance of mental discipline in Buddhism, based on Jean Smith's Radiant Mind: Essential Buddhist Teaching and Texts.

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***** has been called a religion a *****, a philosophy, an ideology and simply a way ***** life. Buddhism has withstood the test of time along with the other great spiritual traditions. It ********** many different paths for people with different needs, capacities, and sensibilities. Many view this diversity as a refreshing alternative to doctrinal rigidity (Smith,1999). However, it's important ***** maintain respect ***** the differences, and to keep in m*****d the historic distinctions that exist *****in all religions and within ***** cultures. Some approach ***** spiritual life to comfort themselves ***** to soften the harsh experiences of life such as illness, loss, death, and grief. But many are drawn to the communal activity ***** ritual that offers a powerful experience of transcending ***** boundaries ***** the individual self in order to participate ***** a **********, more bountiful life.

***** quest for true happiness is a matter of developing skill in one's thoughts, deeds, and words. This skill is something that *****s can only develop ***** themselves. It requires mindfulness and alertness in all areas of life (Smith,1999). Through meditation, one can enter the present moment by dropping our memories ***** the past and our fantasies about ***** future. By observing the present, we *****n see that our 'self' is ***** an internal dialogue of incess*****t chatter, ***** that as ***** chatter grows still, a point ***** reached where the 'self', the 'o*****r', and the 'present' are transcended.

Meditation strengthens the qualities of mindfulness and alertness through practices that are aimed at developing po*****rs of concentr*****ion and insight. A common meditation theme for developing these powers ***** of in-and-out breathing. This ***** incre*****es the levels of refinement, thus an individual may learn to move through ***** experiences in a graceful and ********** way, devoid ***** ignorance and craving, ***** achieving liberation from the wheel of birth and ***** (Smith 1999).

Leaving behind all the sense impressions and unworthy things in life, leads to ***** attainment of a passionless state. Then one becomes conscious in the ********** ***** the body and m*****d, ***** going and coming, the forward ***** backward. View all feelings, mental formations, and perceptions as impermanent, ***** of ego. To tame the mind, and guard the thoughts brings ***** and freedom ***** ***** bonds of temptation (Smith,1999).

***** is a ***** based on ignorance. However, suffering ***** be ended by eliminating its cause through developing the path of virtue, concentration, ***** discernment. With this freedom from ***** passion for existence, and ***** the ***** for ignorance, the heart becomes free, and the aw*****ness of knowledge is achieved. Th***** holy wisdom is the complete sublimation of greed, hatred, and delusion. *****is is ***** highest realization ***** with it all suffering passes away. This is the real essence of Holy Life, ***** unshakeable deliverance of the heart (Smith 1999).

Works Cited

*****, Jean. Radiant