virtue

Philosophy

Buddhism | A Path to Personal Freedom

By admin on August 17, 2021

Every major religious and philosophical system has within an inner and outer teaching.  Buddhism is no different.  Buddhism has an outer teaching for those who want to live a better life.  Inner teaching offer a perfected life. Original Date  August 17 2021 Last Update: August 17 2021   Dedication A special thanks goes to Bhikkhu Soma.  We offer to him our sincerest appreciation and gratitude. 'Soma Thera was a genuine monk. He observed the Vinaya rules with absolute strictness, never permitting himself  infringement, His standards were the highest. His life was a shining example to others, Bhikkhus and lay-folk alike.  This poem sings a mere fraction of his thoughts.   Out of the womb of sightless night Rang out a word of healing strong, And put to flight the evil throng That stood betwixt the eye and light.   Introduction I First Stanza Virtue, concentration, Wisdom and the peerless freedom: To these verities awoke Buddhahood or Illustrious Gautama. II. Introduction Oh Student: You must first know learn and practice the following: Virtue means restraint Concentration means non-distractedness Wisdom means comprehension Freedom means freedom from bondage. Peerless means canker-free. Awoke means realized and understood through wisdom. Attainment of Nirvana means the loss of worldly pain and suffering Illustrious means blessed These verities' means the four noble verities Buddha a title for someone who is awake, and has attained nirvana and Buddhahood through their own efforts and insight, without a teacher to point out the dharma. Through this attainment one finds their true fame. It comes not from outside but from within. You are a reflection of your inner truth. Of Freedom there are Five Kinds: 1. Freedom of suppression; that is the passions (Meditation 1) 2. Freedom of parts; this the freedom from errors of views due to suppression through concentration to the next phase of penetration. 3. Freedom of eradication; is the destruction of the fetters (chains) that hold you rigid. It is the discovery of the supramundane path and its application in the student. 4. Freedom of tranquility; it is represented by the happy individual who has discovered his…