Buddhism and Meditation
Buddhism encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices that are aimed at guiding followers toward enlightenment journey as well as obtaining blessings. The common form of Buddhism is the practice of meditation. In Buddhist society, various meditation practices are beneficial in achieving certain objectives like healthy mind/body, peaceful mind, acceptable social behavior, and problem-solving skills (Suzuki 41). This piece of writing is a reflection of my personal experience with regards to forms of Buddhist practice and ritual. These experiences are drawn from Chua Phat Bao temple based in Philadelphia.
Rituals at Chua Phat Bao Temple
At Chua Phat Bao temple there are various forms which are keenly observed by all participants. These rituals include the ways Buddhists sit in the meditation posture, walk in meditation hall, chant and give sacrifices, take communal meals, put shoes outside the door, and show respect to each other. For instance, when one arrives at the temple he/she puts off the shoes and places them next to other shoes already there. On entering the meditation hall, the person performs small, standing bow facing the altar. Finally before settling down, he/she makes a standing bow to his/her seat and to the community respectively. The sitting direction is dependent on the activities being performed in the temple. For example, if the activity is chanting, one is expected to sit facing the center of the hall. Likewise, if the activity is meditation, one sits facing the closest wall.
Zazen Practice: A Remarkable Buddhist Ritual
The most amazing Buddhist ritual that significantly captured my attention is zazen practice. Zazen allows followers to sit in a comfortable posture, free from disturbances or difficulties.
I really enjoyed that practice since it enables one to be relaxed and open-minded, an act that is essential in learning diverse and new things. Indeed, the sitting posture provided me with a stable mind and freed me from endless thoughts that frequently occupied my mind. The moment my head calmed, many interesting thoughts filled my mind. Nonetheless, I experienced a refreshed breathing pattern. Both inhaling and exhaling processes were at their best. I was able to see beyond my self-ego and accept the universe the way it is. In fact, I agreed that pain and suffering are part of our life and therefore we should not seek help from external objects.
Zazen Practice and the Liberation of the Mind
According to Shunryu Suzuki, sitting in a relaxed position offers stability and creates a state of mind which flees person’s mind from numerous constant thoughts (Suzuki 54). Suzuki argues that the brain follows the pattern of breathing and this enables it to lose ‘self-ego’ focus. When the mind is pre-occupied by ‘self-ego,’ an individual only thinks of himself or herself. In fact, such a person feels superior to others and expects to be treated special. However, when the mind loses self-ego, a bigger picture of the universe is created. This broader picture can be termed as Buddha nature (Suzuki 54). Sitting and breathing shatter the ‘small mind’ idea that one is special and instead, it fosters uniformity. Breathing in Buddhist practice is important since it reminds the followers of their dependence on nature, especially through the air they inhale. In addition, breathing brings the aspect of being alive and independent.
Zazen Practice and Acknowledging Life's Dynamic Nature
From my perspective, zazen practice enables people to acknowledge the world as ever dynamic and full of chaos. When people accept the pleasure of pain in their lives, they realize the meaning and purpose of life.
Conclusion: Attaining Full Potential through Buddhism
In conclusion, Buddhism forms and practices play an integral role in helping individuals attain their full potential. Actually, zazen practice intends to offload the excess stuff in mind and in turn create empty-mind which is a pathway to accessing the perfect and endless intelligence of the universe.
Work Cited
Suzuki, Shunryu. Zen mind, beginner's mind. Weatherhill, 1977.
Appendix: Images from Chua Phat Bao Temple
Image 1: At the entrance of the Chua Phat Bao Temple
Image 2: At the front of the Chua Phat Bao Temple
Image 3: Front of the Chua Phat Bao Temple
