Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

Page 61

concentration (meditational training); Wisdom by: right understanding (of reality) and right thoughts (of unselfishness, compassion and detachment).
Buddhism believes in karma, and that everyone has to suffer or enjoy the consequences of their actions, except detached ones, either in this life or in lives hereafter. Exhaustion of the fruits of karma is essential for nirvana, a state of perfection and bliss, and it can be achieved even in this life by the observance of the eightfold path. The three jewels of Buddhism are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. Modern and Mahayana Buddhists adore and worship the Buddha, the arhat and Bodhisattvas, and perform temple rituals. The Buddhist sangha consists of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen.
Becoming a Buddhist
Anyone who wishes to follow Buddha's teachings can join a Buddhist Organisation. Admission to the monastic order involves: Renunciation of the secular life and Acceptance of monasticism. Some Buddhists regard themselves as converts, i.e. have actually renounced or rejected the religion they were born into, and taken up Buddhism. Others, however, do not feel this sense of rejecting anything. Buddhism does not demand a commitment to it alone, to the exclusion of anything else, and there are many who happily harmonise more than one faith or way of life within themselves. For example, there are westerners of the Judaeo-Christian traditions who maintain their faith yet supplement it with the practice of Buddhist meditation.
Customs and way of life
A Buddhist is supposed to refrain from: harming living beings, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct and misuse of senses, harmful speech, and drink or drugs which cloud the mind; and observe the rituals of;
1. Venerating the Buddha, the exchange of gifts to the monastic order, pilgrimage and ordination
2. Sacred mandala: A symbolic picture of the universe representing an imaginary palace that is contemplated during meditation to help transform ordinary minds into enlightened ones and to assist with healing.
3. Meditation & Worship
61