One does not need to become a monastic to follow the Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha had disciples who were monastics, but also those who were not. Some were kings and in government and other professions. We often refer to the seven types of disciples: full and novice monks, full and novice nuns, lay men and women, and a seventh, nun trainee or Sikkhamana, a type or ordination that occurs after one is a novice, but before one can become a fully ordained nun or Bhikshuni.
Erroneous View #89: THE VIEW THAT ONE MUST GIVE UP ONE’S WORK IN ORDER TO CULTIVATE ONESELF AND LEARN BUDDHISM
Some people say that they will simply give up their work in order to cultivate themselves and learn Buddhism. They say that only by quitting their job can they concentrate their attention on cultivation and thereby cultivate themselves well. This is an erroneous view. A true cultivator acts in accord with the teachings of Buddhism no matter what circumstances he is in. One should not think that only by quitting one’s job and focusing entirely on cultivation is one acting in accord with the teachings of Buddhism.
Life as a practicing and studying
The teachings of Dorje Chang have opened my
Eyes to the beauty and the emptiness of beauty.. living to give up the self and put others
First is daily promise…. Do I always do this. . Not yet. The journey is bliss. Thank you .
Totally Agreed. More Than 30s Years Ago, The Very Same Question Was Asked Toward The Monk Master In A Dharma Session. The Head And Chief Monk Of That Nation
In Therayana Buddhism Replied That ‘Its A Silly” Question Without Further Elaborates. Now Let Go Back To The Book On ‘Learning The Buddha” By H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, Which Said Cultivators Without Learning The Rule & Regulation, Rite &Ritual In The Dharma, Will Be Quite Impossible To Achieve Accomplishments & Attainments. How To Correct The Situation ?
Are you asking how you can learn the rules or receive the dharma? Your earlier comment on the Refuge State was similar, I believe. You progress step by step.
All conditions are the results of causes that we create—if not in this life in an earlier one. What we can do to “manage” our karma is done through cultivation. We do good and we earn the merit to progress, but we cannot do so with that intention. Our intention must always be first and foremost to help others on the path to Buddhahood. “What Is Cultivation” is the best guide and you should have that in English. Read it and reread it and read it again, and put it into practice. We train and practice toward attaining holy bodhichitta and do that through practicing the four limitless states of mind in the world. Deeply ponder and put those four into practice in your daily life. That is the secret. When you are ready and your karmic conditions mature, you will receive the next step, but every step is conditioned by your cultivation. You must do that. No one else can do that for you. Having the rules and rituals will not help you without proper cultivation.