The Buddhist Way of Life : On thoughtfulness and mindfulness.

8. On thoughtfulness and mindfulness.

•  In everything be thoughtful; in everything be mindful ; in all things be earnest and bold. 
• This is the Buddhist Way of Life. 
• All that we are is the result of what we have thought ; it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of your thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him. Therefore pure thoughts are important. 
• Be not thoughtless, watch your thought! Draw yourself out of the evil way, like an elephant sunk in mud.
• Let the wise man guard his thoughts, for they are difficult to perceive, very artful, and they rush whenever they list; thoughts well-guarded bring happiness. 
• As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break through an unreflecting mind. 
• As rain does not break through a well-thatched house, passion will not break through a well-reflecting mind.
• This mind of mine went formerly wandering about as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased ; but I shall now hold it in thoroughly, as the Elder who holds the hook holds the furious elephant. 
• It is good to tame the mind, which is difficult to hold in and tightly, rushing wherever it listeth; a tamed mind brings happiness. 
• Those who bridle their mind which travels far, will be free from the bonds of temptation.
• If a man's faith is unsteady, if he does not know the true Dhamma, if his peace of mind is troubled, his knowledge will never be perfect. 
• Whatever a hater may do to a hater, or an enemy to an enemy, a wrongly directed mind will do him greater mischief.
• Not a mother, not a father will do so much, nor any other relatives as a well directed mind will do us.

If Buddhism is so good why are some Buddhist countries poor?

QUESTION :
                          If Buddhism is so good why are some Buddhist countries poor?

ANSWER :

• If by poor you mean economically poor, then it is true that some Buddhist countries are poor. But if by poor you mean a poor quality of life, then perhaps some Buddhist countries are quite rich. America,  for example, is an economically rich and powerful country but the crime rate is one of the highest in the world; millions of  elderly people are neglected by their children and die of loneliness in old people's homes; domestic violence, child abuse, drug addiction are major problems;  and one in three marriages end in divorce. Rich in terms of money but perhaps poor in terms of the quality of life. 
• Now if you look at some traditional Buddhist countries you find a very different situation. 
• Parents are honored and respected by their children, the crime rates are relatively low, divorce and suicide are rare, and traditional values like gentleness, generosity, hospitality to strangers, tolerance and respect for others are still strong. 
• Economically backward but perhaps a higher quality  of life than a country like America. However, even if we judge Buddhist countries in terms of economics alone, one of the wealthiest and most economically dynamic countries in the world today is Japan where a good percentage of the population call themselves Buddhist.

If the Buddha is dead how can he help us

QUESTION : If the Buddha is dead how can he help us?

ANSWER : Faraday who discovered electricity is dead, but what he discovered still  helps us. Louis Pasteur who found the cures for so many diseases is also dead, but his medical discoveries still save lives. Leonardo da Vinci who created masterpieces of art is dead, but what he created can still uplift the heart and give joy. Great heroes and heroines may have been dead for centuries but when we read of their deeds and achievements we can still be inspired to act as they did. Yes, the Buddha passed away but 2500 years later his teachings still help people, his example still inspires people, his words still change lives. Only a Buddha could have such power centuries after his passing.

Wasn't it irresponsible for the Buddha to walk out on his wife and child?

QUESTION : Wasn't it irresponsible for the Buddha to walk out on his wife and child?

Lord Buddha Taking Last Look On Family

ANSWER :  It couldn't have been an easy thing for the Buddha to leave his family. He must have worried and hesitated for a long time before he finally left. But he had a choice between dedicating himself to his family or dedicating himself to the world. In the end, his great compassion made him give himself to the whole world, and the whole world still benefits from his sacrifice. This was not irresponsible. It was perhaps the most significant sacrifice ever made.