AboutAnandapanyo Bhikkhu Expertise I can answer questions about Buddhist practice, Buddhist understanding and how to apply Buddhism to daily life. I can help analyze Buddhist sayings and teachings. In addition, I can help with questions Buddhism stories, fables and Vinaya(rules). I have meditated for over 10 years and can help you start with meditation. In addition, I can help provide insight into what to do when you feel that you have hit a wall with your meditation. My main area of expertise is how to think in accordance with Sammaditthi (the right view - and number 1 in the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path. If I cannot answer your question, I have many able teachers with over 20 years experience to help me, so chances are I will be able to find an answer for you.
Experience I have been practicing Buddhism for over 13 years. I started studying under various famous Thai Theravada masters. Finally, I met and studied under Phra Acariya Thoon Khippapanyo who has recently passed away on Nov 11, 2008 and is widely accepted as a great Arahant (fully enlightened) teacher of our time. In addition, I have personally read and studied much of the Buddhist scriptures and popular literature available. I have recently undertaken the ordination vows and have become a Buddhist monk in the theravada forest monk tradition. I reside at a temple with many dedicated practitioners and great teachers. I have been practicing training my mind to be aligned with right view (sammaditthi) for over 10 years. I have also been meditating for over 10 years. In my time spent with Acariya Thoon, I learned many things and was able to incorporate them into my life. In addition to practicing Buddhism within temples and my home, I used to own two restaurants and managed commercial real estate. I had to deal with many different and problems. I learned how to use Buddhism to fix my problems, both externally (my environment) and internally (within me).
Organizations Wat San Fran Dhammaram Temple
KPY - a non-profit religious organization
Publications none
Education/Credentials Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of California Santa Barbara
MBA from San Francisco State
Question Is it possible to practice Buddhism while honoring traditional Celtic deities (Gods, land spirits, ancestors etc.)? I am a practicing Druid interested in Buddhism.
Answer Dear Alex,
Thank you for the opportunity to answer this question.
This question deals with two parts.
The first part is what is means to practice Buddhism. Buddhism does not require you to believe solely in the Buddha and no others, to meditate, to forsake all other gods, or to chant or to do anything except for 1 thing: learn about yourself and make yourself a better person (ok, maybe two things).
The second part is how to practice Buddhism. There are many ways to practice Buddhism. Allow me to list a few commonly understood techniques:
Meditation: Many people believe THIS is Buddhism, but it is not. It is merely a tool that has been in use by people throughout the world for an incalculable time. Meditation existed before Buddhism and is not used solely by Buddhists. In this technique one focuses on their breath or a singular concept/point in order to center their mind. This allows you to hone your concentration and have temporary tranquility and peace within yourself and your mind (due to not allowing outside distractions to enter and take over your thoughts).
Chanting: Chanting is considered by some as a way to pay reverence to the Buddha. However, one important side benefit of chanting is also meditation and focus. In addition, it is a practicing of humbling yourself (read the translations of most chants and you will know what I mean).
Self-Contemplation: This is by far the most effective and ultimate type of practice. In fact, all other practice leads to this one. Meditation increases focus. Focus for what? Focus to contemplate one issue to completion. Chanting gives you humbleness (to allow yourself to be wrong) and encouragement (The Buddha and his followers did it, I can also!). For example consider cooking. If the main goal of cooking is to complete the meal, then meditation is the sharpening of the knife and chanting is the enthusiasm and excitement to cook. However, self-contemplation is the preparing, cutting and cooking of the food. So, as you can see, only Self-contemplation and Self-improvement will achieve your goal. Meditation and Chanting alone can not bring you self-improvement or self-contemplation. They are merely tools to help you start your REAL practice. Buddhism is the only religion/body of thought/philosophy/way of life that leads to elimination of suffering and obtainment of nirvana (cessation of rebirths and suffering)
You might be wondering how to self-contemplate. Many groups of Buddhists will tell you to see yourself as not-self (a construction of the mind) or to see that everything is not what it seems (even though you see it). However, I would like to offer a simpler way to START practice.
I often ask myself what the real point of practice is. I came to the understanding that it is to better yourself until there is nothing left to better. How do we do this? Well, while some will tell you to start with increasing what is good about you (through kindness to others or submitting to others or avoidance)I would recommend starting with the opposite, what is wrong with you!
Begin by contemplating situations where an unwanted emotion arises (anger, jealously, hatred, annoyance, disturbance, irritation...). All emotions are a result of two things:
1) a external stimuli (someone saying something harsh, a bad situation, someone cutting you off)
2) a preconceived Point of View (POV) (I don't deserve this kind of treatment, I shouldn't have to deal with this, Why don't they ____, instead of ____)
We cannot control, limit or change the external stimuli. However, we CAN change our POV. Our POV is why we suffer, so why don't we change it? Most people tend to try to take the seemingly easy way out, we try to change the stimuli. However, this is impossible. In addition, even if we DO change the stimuli, we might still be upset.
To recap:
From a Buddhist point of view, it is completely acceptable to practice Buddhism alongside other religions.
However, I do not know what the Celtic Druidism point of view is with practicing other religions.
I hope this is not too overwhelming, but if you have any further questions or would like any further explanations, feel free to ask. I hope I answered your question.
Saddhu,
Phra Anandapanyo
feel free to check out our blogs at www.kpyusa.org
