Buddhism for non-Buddhists

Buddhism makes up the world's fourth largest world religion and one of the oldest. Religion in general has been slowly decreasing in many countries around the world as society changes and technology advances, but Buddhism has been one of the strongest "religions" to stay around and develop in many countries in the West, especially Australia and Germany, and now in the United States and Canada. A major reason for this is because of Buddhism's view on one's life; that we are in control of our happiness and unhappiness, of our present and future conditions, and our own liberation. Another big reason is the absence of the belief in a creator deity; that a higher power controls our life, future, and happiness.

Many non-Buddhists visit temples and Buddhist holy sites for many reasons, mainly out of curiosity and knowing that Buddhism teaches love, compassion, and happiness - and of course everyone wants to be happy and at peace!

Buddhism comes in many forms depending on the country and society Buddhism is in, and what the people in that society ultimately want: gaining merit for better rebirths, self-liberation, liberation of all beings, higher levels of meditation, etc. Buddhism also has many forms, but the two main forms of Buddhist practice are what are called the "slow way" and the "fast way." Not to be taken literally as slow and fast, but meaning that the "slow way" takes a little more time than the "fast way."

The "slow way" is what is usually practiced in most Mahayana temples. The slow way includes chanting, prayer, and meditation on sutras and practices. The fast way is the deep meditation and contemplation on Buddhist psychology and philosophy, mostly practiced in Zen and Tibetan Buddhism.

Many Westerners take to the "fast way" of practice because it doesn't involve the "religious" practices of chants and prayers, and mainly focuses on meditation and contemplation to gain the wisdom for liberation.

The slow way and the fast way doesn't necessarily mean that it will be a slow or fast process to enlightenment. Even if decided to practice the fast way, it doesn't guarantee you a fast track to enlightenment. Enlightenment is extremely difficult to achieve, especially in modern day society, but it's not impossible. The fast way can mean it might take you 50 more rebirths before enlightenment, versus 100 rebirths with the slow way.

Why do people go to the slow way? Many reasons, but a main reason is that you can gain a more comprehensive and a larger and higher understanding of Buddhism and its practices. Chanting and reciting prayers and mantras also develops concentration where it will eventually lead to wisdom, and from wisdom it will lead to liberation. Whereas the fast way is usually strictly focused on penetrating the true reality of things (emptiness).

No one way is better or lesser than the other, both lead to enlightenment. It is up to the practitioner to decide what suites their practice better.

When non-Buddhists come to Buddhism, they often look at the fast way because it bypasses the religious part of Buddhism and focuses more on the mind and training the mind. Training the mind? Training the mind to overlook what might seem like an "obstacle" or a "challenge" and turn it into a practice of mindfulness and control. Buddhism is not about worshippingBuddha, offerings, meditation, or chanting - it's about living peacefully in a chaotic world.

“You’ll never see the beauty in a chaotic world if all you’re doing is looking at the disasters instead of the sprouting flowers underneath the falling tree.” 

Quang Trí.

Source: examiner.com (Oct. 4, 2014)