I prefer the slow, sure, strong growth of the bodhi tree. Something magic about being in the middle of nowhere, when there is nothing to do but strive, surrounded by trees distant from cities, where time itself slows.
Why Buddhism is not growing?
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
Unfortunately, Buddhism is for the people who are suffering or understand the suffering.I quote the above often. Contemporary Buddhism is not mostly catching "gods & humans" in its net, as the Buddha intended. It is mostly catching "hungry ghosts & hell beings" thus become a "therapeutic" tradition rather than a socially orientated tradition. I imagine a "therapeutic" tradition would struggle to grow because it is based on healing suffering rather than maintaining well-being.
As we know there are three kinds of suffering. Dukkha, Viparinama Dukkha and Sankhara Dukka.
People who suffer from Sankhara Dukkha are "gods and humans" due to their stupidity they do not realise it.
In that reagard, I would say "hungry ghosts and hell beings" are wiser to learn Dhamma and they have a better chance.
On the otherhand, I think there are more "hungry ghosts and hell beings" than "gods and human"
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
I know there are the three kinds of suffering but I doubt SarathW knows exactly what the three kinds of suffering are.
I imagine gods & humans are affected by each of the three kinds of suffering.
The above idea is obviously different to the teaching of the Buddha. The Buddha referred to bhikkhus from "good family" who enter his Sangha.
The "suffering" the suttas generally refer to is the suffering of birth, old age, illness, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief & despair from separation from the loved, etc. The suttas appear to not refer to the "suffering" from drug use, sexual promiscuity, addiction, etc, which is the suffering of the hungry ghosts & hell-beings.
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
You have to be a bit more kind to them. They suffer a lot and need help.from drug use, sexual promiscuity, addiction, etc, which is the suffering of the hungry ghosts & hell-beings.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
The above is the opposite to my posts. My posts say focusing on the above is why Buddhism is not growing. Regardless, your post does not explain how exactly they are to be helped.
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
Why is Buddhism not growing? Porbably because of arrogant and people like doodoo. Why does this forum allow people like this on here?
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
Without Mara, no Buddha!ChooChoo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:59 pm
Why is Buddhism not growing? Porbably because of arrogant and people like doodoo. Why does this forum allow people like this on here?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
If Buddhism does not take root in families, I doubt it will grow. Related topic here.
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
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Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
I agree and that is what I posted in the related thread too. If you look at the two most successful denominations or sects in terms of number of adherents, it is:
1. Sunni Islam about 1.5 billion
2. Catholics about 1.3 billion
Both sects above have a strong family heritage and tend to shun leaving the religion. In some nations, it is even illegal and punishable by death to leave the religion (Sunni Islam). That is one way to ensure the religion thrives and doesn't decrease in numbers.
I'm not saying Buddhism should do anything like that, but it could use some improvements with more family type functions. In the U.S., Spirit Rock and IMS have some family programs and are creating a more community setting, but those are only 2 places that I know of that are doing that. Otherwise, it is primarily the ethnic immigrant temples that are leading the way in community functions.
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
I know this is a Theravada forum, but thought you might be interested to know that other branches of Buddhism are also working on increasing family participation. One example here https://www.facebook.com/events/394989097969142/ (there were more than 2 there!); there are quite a few Tibetan-based groups that offer family programs, and Shambhala offers a family summer camp.DNS wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 11:13 pm...Both sects above have a strong family heritage and tend to shun leaving the religion. In some nations, it is even illegal and punishable by death to leave the religion (Sunni Islam). That is one way to ensure the religion thrives and doesn't decrease in numbers.
I'm not saying Buddhism should do anything like that, but it could use some improvements with more family type functions. In the U.S., Spirit Rock and IMS have some family programs and are creating a more community setting, but those are only 2 places that I know of that are doing that. Otherwise, it is primarily the ethnic immigrant temples that are leading the way in community functions.
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
Absolutely no offence to you intended, Justsit, but in view of all the recent scandals involving the Tibetan Buddhist Shambala organisation,their family summer camp would definately not be a place I'd recommend to anyone myself!Justsit wrote:and Shambhala offers a family summer camp.
https://religionnews.com/2019/05/13/sha ... x-scandal/
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
No offense taken. I didn't mean to imply I was recommending any of those programs. I only mentioned them to provide examples of family centered activities in other Buddhist groups. IMO discussion of Shambhala itself is best reserved for DWM.Aloka wrote: ↑Mon Jun 03, 2019 10:45 amAbsolutely no offence to you intended, Justsit, but in view of all the recent scandals involving the Tibetan Buddhist Shambala organisation,their family summer camp would definately not be a place I'd recommend to anyone myself!Justsit wrote:and Shambhala offers a family summer camp.
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
Because so many Buddhists are authoritarian types who treat others like they don't exist, or at least like they don't matter.
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
Look! A wrongly grasped snake! Let's see if it does what the Buddha said it would do...
Re: Why Buddhism is not growing?
Are they true Buddhists? Maybe you're paying attention to the wrong people...
[Notwithstanding https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Scotsman, and possible misinterpretation of intent...]
Mike