The Buddha in Your Mirror Nov 9, 2009
- Time: 7:00-8:00pm, Monday, November 9, 2009
- Place: Sequoia Room, 2nd floor Tresidder Union, Stanford University, 459 Lagunita Drive, Stanford CA 94305 (Map) / (Google Map).
- Theme: The Buddha in Your Mirror, an Introduction to Buddhism
- Contact: contactwpb@lists.stanford.edu
A common, iconic misconception in Buddhism is a seated Buddha statue, smiling and free of worry. It seems that Buddha,
the ideal deity in Buddhism, is a mystical entity external to us.
In this meeting, we will clarify this common misconception. Buddha is the one when you look through
a mirror - Yourself !
Buddhism has taught this belief for thousands of years: that every person is a Buddha, or enlightened being, and has the potential for true and lasting happiness inherent within his or her life. All we have to do is tap into the source of that happiness and this dynamically powerful force will manifest itself in incredible ways throughout every aspect of our lives. We will discuss the origins the belief and various aspect of Buddhist practice.
Quotes and References
1. The following quotes are extracts from "On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime", Writings of the Nichiren Daishonin:
"Life at each moment permeates the entire realm of phenomena and is revealed in all phenomena. To be awakened to this principle is itself the mutually inclusive relationship of life at each moment and all phenomena."
"If you seek enlightenment outside yourself, then your performing even ten thousand practices and ten thousand good deeds will be in vain. It is like the case of a poor man who spends night and day counting his neighbor’s wealth but gains not even half a coin."
"When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished."
2. Chapter 1 of the book "The Buddha in Your Mirror".