Received my cert for the MA in Buddhist Studies in the mail recently. Ironically, it reminded me of how little of the Dharma I know, not how much I’d ‘mastered’. ‘Master of Arts’ in Buddhist Studies? Hardly a master! Though three years were spent, with lots of midnight oil burning for study of the various Buddhist traditions, I’m conciously clear that what learnt merely scraped the surface of the breadth and profundity of the Dharma – and it’s only theory too.
However, I’m also reminded that there is no need to learn absolutely all Dharma methods to advance towards enlightenment – because there are 84,000 skilful means that lead to the same goal. And the Buddha, who is the true Master of the Dharma, did not expect all to master everything he taught in this human lifetime. And he had no worldly certification for his enlightenment too! Why then, did I take up the course? Simple – to inspire myself systematically and comprehensively with the Dharma, and hopefully, use the certification to inspire more confidence in the Dharma that I share. Amituofo.
WOW! Congratulation!
Hmmm, I will never be able to do this, studying is never my cup of tea and I can’t remember theory well …
May you help to brighten this world with your wonderful acquired knowledge … 🙂
Hi Shian,
I came across this article about living with light and air only. Straight away i thought about Buddhist Middle path. Probably you want to read and comment? The following is the link:
http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/breatharian.htm/printable
Anyway, I am just wondering will it be possible to comment on the Zeitgeist movie and the Addendum? Hope that it is not too troublesome. Those movies’ premises are lay out ‘scarily’.
Hope all people reading this blog will have a good long weekend. Enjoy.
I think it’s possible to live without solid food – though it is difficult and requires much will power and mastery of the mind. E.g. Bodhidharma sat for nine years in meditation without food. Mind over matter – and mind can create nourishment for the body in its own way.
About the Zeitgeist and its Addendum, I wanted to write a review, but it’s tough because there is so much to comment on! I will attempt a short one though – but I dunno when 8/ cos am super busy recently. The premises sound credible and incredible at the same time, and I’m not sure how much is factual.
Interestingly, the Zeitgeist movie slammed many religions, but not Buddhism – because it does not function like many religions do – because it encourages personal realisation of truth instead of acceptance of ‘revealed truths’ from others.
(Thanks Crystal!)
Congrats Shian! Keep it going!! :p
The next major educational system I’m enrolling in is that in Pureland! Meanwhile, it’s University of Samsara! 😉
May you get your PhD of Nirvana soon! 😀