Buddhist-Lite, version 2

This is dedicated to Marcus, who enjoyed this blog post on the old blog, now gone. Oftentimes when I get burned out on doctrinal debates, or when I get on one of my over-achieving fits, I like to return to a simpler practice, which I call Buddhism-lite.* Here, by simpler, I don’t believe in compromising the teachings of the Buddha though. Instead, I try to focus on things here that a simply lay Buddhist, especially those who don’t have access to a good community, or swamped with lay life, can do.

Buddhism at its heart is about:

• Sila – Good, clean living.
• Samadhi – Some kind of Buddhist practice or practices.
• Pañña – Wisdom.

So with that, here’s my approach toward Buddhism-lite. I keep it as doctrinally-neutral as I can, so anyone can try it out:

1. Each day, try to follow the Five Precepts. If you make a mistake, just try again. Think of the last attempt as a dress rehearsal. This is both a challenging and rewarding practice.
2. Find something good to chant, that’s short and easy to stick with. I like chanting the Heart Sutra, the 10-verse Kannon Sutra, or the Morning Pali chant used in Thailand. Or just recite the Three Refuges in English.
3. I think people in the West kind of blow meditation way out proportion, but it helps to try and meditate even as little as 10 minutes a week. I sometimes meditate at work in a dark, vacant office if I am burned out that day. Try to make this fit your schedule, not the other way around.
4. In regard to wisdom, it helps to read books a little, but people can rely on books too much. Wisdom is something acquired through living, not books, but if you don’t watch out for it, you may miss it. Being around other, more experienced Buddhists is a really big help, so find people in your area.

Anyways, enjoy and remember that Buddhism is about kindness, peace and understanding.

Namuamidabu

* – Now with half the calories! Actually, I think this term Buddhism-lite is often used in a negative sense to mean people who dabble in Buddhism, but don’t take its teachings seriously. I use it here in a positive sense.