Core Teachings and Practices for a Lay Follower

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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mettafuture
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Core Teachings and Practices for a Lay Follower

Post by mettafuture »

A seeker friend has shown interest in Buddhism, and asked for a brief outline of the bare essentials of lay Buddhist practice so that he can research them. This is the list I'd like to pass on. Is there anything I should add?
  • Take Threefold Refuge
  • Understand Four Noble Truths
  • Follow Eightfold Path
  • Follow 5 Precepts
  • Eliminate first 3 fetters
  • Observe Uposatha Days / 6 Recollections
Last edited by mettafuture on Sat Jan 12, 2013 10:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Cittasanto
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Re: Core Teachings and Practices for a Lay Follower

Post by Cittasanto »

mettafuture wrote:A seeker friend has shown interest in Buddhism, and asked for a brief outline of the core teachings and practices for lay Buddhist practice so that he can research them. This is the list I'd like to pass on to him. Is there anything I should add?
  • Take Threefold Refuge
  • Understand Four Noble Truths
  • Follow Eightfold Path
  • Follow 5 Precepts
  • Eliminate first 3 fetters
  • Observe Uposatha Days / 5 Recollections
Try the gradual instruction
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/index-su ... ml#gradual" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and the gradual training right below.
personally I would omit fetters because these can come at a latter point when the fruits of the path is discussed.
I would also clump the precepts and observance days together as they are connected. although the five recollections are more of a practical issue you may wish to find the relecant section within the subjects in the above link to fill that out as a means of looking at it.

but there is a wonderful document on the site linked above for a initial instruction. http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
but there are some really good links at the bottom of that page.
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
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LonesomeYogurt
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Re: Core Teachings and Practices for a Lay Follower

Post by LonesomeYogurt »

I think it would be:

1. Meditate
2. Follow the five precepts
3. Meditate
4. Don't be a jerk
Gain and loss, status and disgrace,
censure and praise, pleasure and pain:
these conditions among human beings are inconstant,
impermanent, subject to change.

Knowing this, the wise person, mindful,
ponders these changing conditions.
Desirable things don’t charm the mind,
undesirable ones bring no resistance.

His welcoming and rebelling are scattered,
gone to their end,
do not exist.
- Lokavipatti Sutta

Stuff I write about things.
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mettafuture
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Re: Core Teachings and Practices for a Lay Follower

Post by mettafuture »

Thank you very much for your replies.
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bodom
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Re: Core Teachings and Practices for a Lay Follower

Post by bodom »

See my thread Suttas for the Householder in the Theravada for the modern world sub forum. Apologies for not being able to post a link I'm on my phone.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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mettafuture
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Re: Core Teachings and Practices for a Lay Follower

Post by mettafuture »

Here it is :)
http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=259" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks.
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bodom
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Re: Core Teachings and Practices for a Lay Follower

Post by bodom »

mettafuture wrote:Here it is :)
http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=259" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks.
Thank you!

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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mettafuture
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Re: Core Teachings and Practices for a Lay Follower

Post by mettafuture »

As usual, my little projects explode into something bigger than I originally planned.

Here's the latest update of the blog I decided to make for the benefit of my friend and others.
http://tonysharp.tumblr.com/post/40578107435" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
bodom wrote:
mettafuture wrote:Here it is :)
http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=259" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks.
Thank you!

:anjali:
You're welcome.
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