102-Beginning - Buddhism in daily life
07/13/22 • 7 min
Beginning
It was a long way to this bench, which was placed under the trees in front of the buildings for the visitors of Shaolin Monastery. Just opposite the monumental entrance area, with a direct view to the temple door, an impressive view. This is where I wanted to go, now I was sitting right in front of it, the world famous martial arts monastery, the center of so many kung fu movies with flying monks, incredible technique and almost superhuman performance, free from pain, the Buddhist martial artists thus within reach.
Now, at the destination of my journey, the courage left me, the doubts returned, unmistakably my annoying ego announced itself, criticized my entire decision. Rainer, what are you doing here, how stupid are you, how did you get this completely stupid idea, you in the Shaolin temple, martial arts from the monks you want to learn, they tear me apart in the air, against such fighting machines you have no chance. So, or so similarly, my ego turned its capers, searched further for reasons, why I should better leave again. I pulled my head in further and further.
Around me, an infinite number of tourists, most of them Chinese, gathered under colored flags, huge groups of travelers, always following a guide, each blaring into a megaphone, incomprehensible sounds, unfamiliar smells, I suddenly wanted to cry, I was suddenly really scared. Probably also of my own courage. How did I get here, what was I doing there?
But if I am already once there, then I could look at least the monastery once, before I would drive in any case with pulled in tail then again home. The laborious journey would not have been worthwhile otherwise in the remotest, and a few pictures could make yes also, as said, if I am already once there, the moment of the disgrace then at least savor, so that I can always remember the disgrace.
With leaden limbs I got up and dragged myself to the entrance, where the crowds were, cultural tourists armed with tickets and umbrellas, the Shaolin Temple was and is an attraction even among the Chinese themselves, attracting millions of onlookers every year. I stood in line to purchase a ticket. As I stood there so quietly, this immense awe gripped me again, the Shaolin Temple China, located in the sacred mountain Song Shan, the cradle of Kung Fu.
This is where I wanted to go, now I was standing at the door, my pants full, my courage chilled, Rainer, how did you come up with this idea?
Today I know: This way was my karma!
To travel well is better than to arrive
Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Beginning
It was a long way to this bench, which was placed under the trees in front of the buildings for the visitors of Shaolin Monastery. Just opposite the monumental entrance area, with a direct view to the temple door, an impressive view. This is where I wanted to go, now I was sitting right in front of it, the world famous martial arts monastery, the center of so many kung fu movies with flying monks, incredible technique and almost superhuman performance, free from pain, the Buddhist martial artists thus within reach.
Now, at the destination of my journey, the courage left me, the doubts returned, unmistakably my annoying ego announced itself, criticized my entire decision. Rainer, what are you doing here, how stupid are you, how did you get this completely stupid idea, you in the Shaolin temple, martial arts from the monks you want to learn, they tear me apart in the air, against such fighting machines you have no chance. So, or so similarly, my ego turned its capers, searched further for reasons, why I should better leave again. I pulled my head in further and further.
Around me, an infinite number of tourists, most of them Chinese, gathered under colored flags, huge groups of travelers, always following a guide, each blaring into a megaphone, incomprehensible sounds, unfamiliar smells, I suddenly wanted to cry, I was suddenly really scared. Probably also of my own courage. How did I get here, what was I doing there?
But if I am already once there, then I could look at least the monastery once, before I would drive in any case with pulled in tail then again home. The laborious journey would not have been worthwhile otherwise in the remotest, and a few pictures could make yes also, as said, if I am already once there, the moment of the disgrace then at least savor, so that I can always remember the disgrace.
With leaden limbs I got up and dragged myself to the entrance, where the crowds were, cultural tourists armed with tickets and umbrellas, the Shaolin Temple was and is an attraction even among the Chinese themselves, attracting millions of onlookers every year. I stood in line to purchase a ticket. As I stood there so quietly, this immense awe gripped me again, the Shaolin Temple China, located in the sacred mountain Song Shan, the cradle of Kung Fu.
This is where I wanted to go, now I was standing at the door, my pants full, my courage chilled, Rainer, how did you come up with this idea?
Today I know: This way was my karma!
To travel well is better than to arrive
Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Previous Episode
101-The inner critic - Buddhism in daily life
The inner critic
Many people call the voice in their head a critic who makes their life difficult. For Buddhists, however, it is clear that this critic is the ego, which constantly nags at us.
All day long the ego nags away, it stirs up worries and fears, it criticizes us. In the Buddhist view, the ego is not a critic, but a cause of our sufferings.
It is important (not only for Buddhists, by the way) to silence the ego. Are you always comparing yourself with other people? Do you nag, do you find fault with everything?
Do you end up even suffering from the nag that causes a slaughter or two in your mind palace? Really every person loses an incredible amount of energy to this "critic", did I do this right, am I pretty enough, will I still have my livelihood tomorrow, can I do this, do I know this?
We are sometimes very hard on ourselves, the "inner critic" can be unfair. Do the challenges of life seem huge to you, is every day a struggle?
What if you made peace with yourself? Would anything change? Would it be noticed (except by those closest to you)?
I claim: NO
If you gain power over yourself, you can live in a much more relaxed way, you are no longer in the tension of emotions. For my part, I no longer care about this "inner critic", have turned off the perpetual dialogue with the ego, no longer let myself be thrown off track by self-doubt.
The voice in my head, what is that exactly? Is it an "inner critic", or my ego?
According to the teacher of all teachers, it is the ego that can create a lot of suffering in us. Evolution has given us thinking to evaluate the necessities of existence, to make plans.
However, without limitations, this thinking easily overshoots itself, starts to see dangers that do not exist. Then questions arise that are completely useless, simply because thinking is set up that way, always wanting to be busy.
This is where the teaching of Buddha comes in, who considered this kind of thinking to be unhelpful, since such emotions are based on impermanence, are not directed towards lasting things, and cannot be.
Those who constantly criticize themselves feel bad, inadequate, insufficient. Whoever starts to take the inner critic not so seriously anymore, can finally let go. The endless stories that the mind palace invents will for the most part never come true.
The way is the goal!
The forest is a special being, of unlimited goodness and affection, which makes no demands and generously passes on the products of its life's work; it offers protection to all creatures and provides shade even to the woodcutter who destroys it.
Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorific name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 B.c.
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Next Episode
103-This world is a brutal place - Buddhism in daily life
This world is a brutal places
The world is a master of horror, but also of goodness!
The world takes its own course. A glorious day is awakening in the East.
Will we see each other again tomorrow? We do not know. You do not like it?
Never will the son be the new king, who will rule?
Open the gates, the gateless gate is invisible.
Once he is king!
What have we promised?
We are tired, what do we want to achieve?
An heir to the throne?
The queen was a servant of Satan!
What do we know?
What does it matter?
Did we sign this like this?
Are you coming with me?
Everything here is in the name of the teacher of all teachers.
Look at me, you are suffering!
Enough!
Move aside.
Do not interfere, for this world is a brutal place!
Give it the death blow, do it!
The foolish think that shame is a crown!
Please forgive, the end is near!
You are a traitor, let's go.
Who will help?
Persuasion, where is the crown? We should leave!
Who helped?
What can I do?
Have you sworn allegiance to me?
I'll go as I please!
The king is dead, long live the king!
Do not force them to use violence.
Ignite their desire.
That is not true.
Do not destroy him!
The color of flowers is not always the same!
The flowers are so common.
Burn it, it's bad!
These are troubled times.
Lift up peace, born a king, in a peaceful land, in the end a nothing.
Do we deserve this?
NO
Sorrow in the heart!
Is the child blessed?
Only through suffering we know joy!
Participation in happiness.
Your example shines.
What have you achieved? Sickness, old age and death?
Do you have an heir?
Can we do worse? Are we safe? What is security?
Questions upon questions.
Come on, we gotta go! Wherever!
What do you want?
Deny the divine commandment!
The kingdom is becoming a disgrace.
Are you affected by the guilt? Did you determine the events?
Who has taken up arms? I beg you, think it over! But it is no longer so!
Have we done enough?
Everything is possible!
Shall we do nothing at all?
I speak for myself! Only for me.
The dead greet you!
From the tomb it smells of revolution, the sisters are enemies now.
Come to me, the dead greet you, O King!
I went ahead, the others are waiting here.
Your Majesty!
This world is a brutal place!
What did you expect?
I deny!
ALL
How could it come to this?
When I see, I see. My eyes are so tired.
Fall on your knees, recognize the evil place!
As I decree it!
We are of his blood! We have nothing to fear!
Or are we?
Will God hear us?
The day would come, and it has come! Regardless of all doubts.
Condemned to death!
This world is a brutal place. But in the end there is also a beginning.
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam
"Incidentally, I am of the opinion that Carthage must be destroyed," is a saying attributed to the Roman statesman Cato the Elder (234-149 B.C.)
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/buddhism-in-daily-life-mindfulness-in-every-day-tasks-335538/102-beginning-buddhism-in-daily-life-48930088"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to 102-beginning - buddhism in daily life on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy