Indeed, in the Vinaya Discipline, a member of the Sangha is defined as someone who has left the life of a householder and taken the all the monastic vows as decreed within the Vinaya Discipline. The breaking of these vows either attracts reforming behaviour, or expulsion from the order. However, the Vinaya Discipline also defines a ‘member of the Sangha’ as someone who has ‘realised emptiness’ irrespective as to whether they have renounced the lay-life.
Tag: wisdom
Buddhist Responsibility of Speech
The modern liberal notion of ‘freedom of speech’ is an error of interpretation for the Buddha, because such speech is never ‘free’ of greed, hatred and delusion in the unenlightened state. In reality ‘freedom of speech’ is the institutionalisation of the freedom to spread greed, hatred, and delusion throughout the world, with no thought for the consequences.
Encountering Muslim Brothers in Croydon (30.4.2016)
It is irrelevant whether I agree or disagree with this or that teaching – the point is that we do not have to fight one another simply for thinking differently. Criminals are terrorists – Muslims are not terrorists. What Buddhism and Marxism has taught me is that it is important for human evolution to be ‘open’ to other people’s ideas and beliefs.
Buddha Opposed Religious Ignorance
This photograph does not offend me in the same manner as racism, or social inequality. In fact it does not offend me at all. Religious
Master Xu Yun Did Not Teach or Advocate Japanese Zen
The venerable Xu Yun (who lived to 120 years old) was in attendance of this meeting when these monks arrived and made their case. He listened quietly to these monks and then hit his palm on the table in an angry manner. He stated that a Buddhist monk and his robe cannot be separated, and that in China, a Buddhist robe signifies the practice of both strict celibacy and vegetarianism – without the Vinaya Discipline – Chinese Buddhism simply would not make sense.
Keeping a Clear Mind
Become aware of the cycles of happiness and grief and do not be arrogant,
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 