Greetings

[ChrisL]

Hello Friends!

I am new to Buddhism and so excited to have found this forum to learn more! Everything that I've read so far has been interesting and useful. I have been pondering what place (if any) does Buddhism have in our Western societies? Which teachings are useful for us? Can you please share which teachings you have found useful in your modern lives?

Best wishes,

Chris

[t]

Greetings

I have been pondering what place (if any) does Buddhism have in our Western societies?

The Buddha's Teaching or commonly referred to as 'Buddha Dharma' has the quality of being 'supraculturally transcendent' yet relevant to specific needs of any aeon, culture and civilisation... why?
Because the question of what is 'dukkha/duhkha' or unsatisfactoriness/stress/suffering and liberation from it in this world of condition is regarded as universal across the board. All sentient beings seek happiness and wants to avoid suffering yet does one create the cause/ground for happiness to arise for oneself and others? Many are the perspectives found in this world on this matter but here on this forum board, the focus as espoused by the Buddha is what is represented and focused on. Consider below...

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn11/sn11.003.than.html
...well-expounded by the Blessed One, to be seen here & now, timeless, inviting verification, pertinent, to be realized by the wise for themselves

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.031.than.html
"In the same way, monks, those things that I have known with direct knowledge but have not taught are far more numerous [than what I have taught].
And why haven't I taught them? Because they are not connected with the goal, do not relate to the rudiments of the holy life, and do not lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding. That is why I have not taught them.

Which teachings are useful for us?

Consider these passages...and see if you can find your own answer...
Once, the Elder Ananda, the Buddha's own cousin and personal attendant made this remark...

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/thag/thag.17.03.hekh.html
82,000 Teachings from the Buddha
I have received;2,000 more from His Disciples;
Now, 84,000 are familiar to me.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.031.than.html
"And what have I taught?
'This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress... This is the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress': This is what I have taught.
And why have I taught these things?
Because they are connected with the goal, relate to the rudiments of the holy life, and lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding.
This is why I have taught them.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.072.than.html
'Those who teach a Dhamma for the abandoning of passion, for the abandoning of aversion, for the abandoning of delusion — their Dhamma is well-taught.
Those who have practiced for the abandoning of passion, for the abandoning of aversion, for the abandoning of delusion —they have practiced well in this world.
Those whose passion... aversion... delusion is abandoned, its root destroyed, made like a palmyra stump, deprived of the conditions of development, not destined for future arising: they, in this world, are well-gone.'"

Can you please share which teachings you have found useful in your modern lives?

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.041.nymo.html
He teaches a Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle and good in the end with (the right) meaning and phrasing, he affirms a holy life that is utterly perfect and pure.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an08/an08.026.than.html
"And to what extent, Lord, is one a virtuous lay follower?"
'Jivaka, when one abstains from taking life, from stealing, from sexual misconduct, from lying, and from fermented & distilled drinks that lead to heedlessness, then to that extent is one a virtuous lay follower."
 
"And to what extent, Lord, is one a lay follower who practices both for his own benefit & the benefit of others?"
"Jivaka, when a lay follower himself is consummate in conviction and encourages others in the consummation of conviction;
when he himself is consummate in virtue and encourages others in the consummation of virtue;
when he himself is consummate in generosity and encourages others in the consummation of generosity;
when he himself desires to see the monks and encourages others to see the monks;
when he himself wants to hear the true Dhamma and encourages others to hear the true Dhamma;
when he himself habitually remembers the Dhamma he has heard and encourages others to remember the Dhamma they have heard;
when he himself explores the meaning of the Dhamma he has heard and encourages others to explore the meaning of the Dhamma they have heard;
when he himself, knowing both the Dhamma & its meaning, practices the Dhamma in line with the Dhamma and encourages others to practice the Dhamma in line with the Dhamma:
then to that extent he is a lay follower who practices both for his own benefit and for the benefit of others."

[Hanzze]

Yes, that might be the hope of many, actually its more a kind of leaving the society, like it was all the time and like all sages did. *smile*

Welcome to one of the gateways to Buddha Dharma. It just seems like a resting hall but actually its palace of departure.

[Monkey Mind]

Welcome to FreeSangha, Chris. I hope you enjoy your time here.