very Buddhist who practises Buddhism must go through four stages.
They are
1- believing,
2- understanding,
3- doing and
4- proving.
1. Believing: Once a person decides to become a Buddhist, she/he must have already acquired some knowledge of Buddhism and has developed a certain amount of belief and faith in the religion.
He will now be able to thoroughly study, investigate, analyze and understand the principles of Buddhism to gain the benefits because the principles are so complex and voluminous.
That is why believing is the first step in the study of Buddhism. With belief, he will study Buddhism with a sincere attitude.
Without any belief and if he had great doubts, he would not have bothered to study Buddhism at all.
And if he does, the learning process will be hindered by scepticism and negative attitude and he will never succeed in acquiring the correct understanding of Buddhism. Buddhism does encourage its disciples to question and doubt.
Buddhists don't prosytelize, it is up to the person's free choice to choose or not choose buddhism. But, this should be done in a positive manner.
A Buddhist doubts and questions specific principles or theories of Buddhism with an open mind, with the objective of gaining a better understanding of his beliefs.
2. Understanding: After one believes, he must understand the principles of Buddhism - How can Buddhism remove sufferings? What are the answers to the universe and life? How can man achieve enlightenment? It is only after one has accurately and thoroughly understood the teachings of the Buddha that one can solidify his belief and confidence in Buddhism.
3. Doing: This is actually doing what one has learned and experienced.
Some people recognize the superior knowledge contained in the Buddhist principles, however they only recognize but do not accept or believe in the religion. Others study Buddhism as an academic subject, they understand the principles but do not follow these principles.
To properly practise Buddhism, after understanding the principles, one must follow up with actual experience, to practise Buddhism according to what he has learned. One must maintain good conduct and behaviour, and purify the mind.
This is the only way to change delusion to wisdom, and reap the full benefits of practising Buddhism.
4. Proving: The last stage in practising Buddhism is proving.
Whenever one deals with a matter, one must have confidence, good understanding, and carry out the task with endurance and dedication.
At the end, one will be successful in realizing the benefits.
The same goes for the study of Buddhism.
If one has great confidence, understand the Dharma well, and practise according to the Dharma with endurance and endeavour, one will remove sufferings, find true happiness and peace of mind, and eventually attain enlightenment. This will be the proof of what one has learned from the Dharma to be true.
The Advantages of Practising Buddhism
The reason religion is important to life is obvious.
It is a most important component of mankind's spiritual life.
It has incomparable power to stimulate and excite life.
At the same time, religion can bring peace to a society, purify people's minds, giving people hope and confidence for the future.
It helps people to live more reasonable and high quality lives.
In general terms, religion has a comforting effect for the pessimists, it has a cautioning effect for the criminals, and an encouraging effect for the kind people. The advantages of practising Buddhism are very real and practical.
Although it is a religion, Buddhism is also a way of life in that it teaches the employment of basic ethics in one's daily life, such as controlling oneself, serving others without discrimination, and endeavouring towards one's perfection. If practised with devotion and firmness, it can lead one to liberating wisdom - the so called enlightenment.
For those of us who live in the modern world and are subject to stress and strain, confusion and material distractions, the teachings of Buddhism can help us improve our livelihood, make better use of our personal resources.
Some people who do not know the teachings of the Buddha criticize Buddhism to be impractical and 'escape from reality' because it deals with supramundane (beyond this world) matters.
They have actually quite mistaken the teachings of Buddhism. One of the greatest masters of Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism, Ven. Hu`i Ne'ng (7th century) said:
The Buddhist doctrine for this world
Is not to be separated from worldly knowledge.
To search for enlightenment apart from this world
Is equivalent to seeking horns on a rabbit!
This idea is in harmony with the thought of the late great master Ven. T'ai Hsu (20th century), who advocated:
When anhood/womanhood is perfected Buddhahood is attained.
These comments are based on the fact that Buddhism deals with human life and its liberation; it is necessary to thoroughly understand human nature through experience. Practising Buddhism is very much mundane (within this world) dealing with our worldly matters, and such practice brings about many advantages.
1. Buddhism helps people to obtain the correct perspective on life
Buddhism thoroughly analyzes the question of the universe and life, with the objective that man will obtain the correct understanding of life.
There are two common views of life, pessimistic and optimistic.
An extreme pessimist views life to be short and empty, and living is waiting for death.
Consequently, a pessimist remains sad and depressed all the time.
An extreme optimist carries the attitude of "enjoy while you can". He uses ecstasy and passion to fill the desires of his senses and heart, he does not really care about the meaning of life and the objective of living.
She/he does not know and he does not care.
Buddhism's perspective on life, from the strict sense, is not pessimistic nor optimistic.
It is termed the "Middle way".
What is the "Middle way"?
It means not to constantly whine and complain about life, nor to waste away life by living in a constant state of daze.
The "Middle way" recommends the use of the vision of wisdom to remove life's fears, anguishes and misunderstanding, to recognize the truth about life and to control one's destiny.
Fame and fortune are temporary.
We didn't bring them with us when we came to this world, and we cannot take them with us when we leave. Buddhism cautions man not to be too obsessed with desires and greed.
It advises us to be compassionate, charitable and kind. We must not be handcuffed by the desire for fame and fortune.
Wealth cannot provide us with spiritual fulfilment.
Only by having good conduct and pure minds, can we achieve peace, contentment and true happiness in life.
2. Buddhism encourages man to lead life with endeavour
Buddhism is totally against the belief that life is controlled by destiny or by a supreme being.**** It teaches that every person is responsible for his own deeds and future. Every man must work hard with determination.
To have a good tomorrow, we must sacrifice our excessive pleasures today, by great endeavour and efforts. Only hard work and good deeds now will bring about a good future.
3. Buddhism can purify the society
We are always saddened to learn about the abundance of crimes in our society which occur on a daily basis - murder, theft, robbery, rape etc. It makes us lose faith and hope in mankind.
A Buddhist must observe the following five precepts:
(i) not to kill;
(ii) not to steal;
(iii) not to commit adultery;
(iv) not to engage in improper talks;
(v) not to take intoxicants.
Observing the above five precepts is the foundation of leading a good life. Committing any of the precepts is against morals and the law of society.
If all of mankind were to observe the five precepts, there would be no crime in society, no broken marriages and families, and no mistakes made when one is drunk or on drugs; Wouldn't this be a peaceful and happy society. That is why Buddhism contributes towards purifying the human mind and behaviour in society.
