Being a quasi Buddhist has allowed me to maintain all the moral lessons learned from my prior religion. I believe religions are fundamentally good (no matter what they are) in translating what might be an artificial doctrine infused with moral principles into one practical in the real world. They are as follows:
1) dṛṣṭi (ditthi): viewing reality as it is, not just as it appears to be.
In recognizing the world around me, it’s necessary to accept the world as it presently is. Underlying this reality, I see karma as very blatant in our society – every action ultimately results in a consequence. Everything that starts will end (death). Suffering in the form of aging, sickness, and death will happen, and there is nothing that we can do to prevent it.
2) saṃkalpa (sankappa): intention of renunciation, freedom and harmlessness.
I think everyone should have the “right intentions” in life. Everyone has a different standard on what they see as “moral”, and “immoral”, and I believe if they live their lives to their own moral standards, we’d live in a much happier universe. In buddhism, suffering is seen as stemming from attachment to material or worldly things, and in riding ourselves of it, we rid ourselves of immorality. Christian doctrine focuses on the 10 commandments to make this message clear.
3) vāc (vāca): speaking in a truthful and non-hurtful way
Speaking truthfully entails not lying (Barack Obama/Mitt Romney), not creating divisive speech (Adolf Hitler), not engaging in abusive speech (Kanye West), and abstaining from idle chatter. To truly be good morally you have to branch yourself off from these blatant sins.
4) karman (kammanta): acting in a non-harmful way
In following the correct actions in any given society, it is necessary not to steal, not to kill, not to do things that will eventually cause either physical or emotional harm to other people. Though stricter in some religions than others, I do think we should all essentially follow the Golden Rule – One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.
5) ājīvana (ājīva): a non-harmful livelihood
This means to engage in a life that doesn’t indirectly cause harm to other people (in professions. etc.). It would ultimately depend on people’s moral perspectives what professions or livelihood these entails – but I would probably place the following categories as bad –> Prostitution, Drug Dealers, Weapons factories, Those in the military, Bankers, etc.
6) vyāyāma (vāyāma): making an effort to improve
If we recognize the badness that we may all fundamentally possess, and we make an effort to improve, we are forever changing ourselves, and eventually through our interactions with others, the societies around us.
7) smṛti (sati): awareness to see things for what they are with clear consciousness, being aware of the present reality within oneself, without any craving or aversion
To maintain the right mindfulness in a society, you need to be deliberate in your intentions – by concentrating and focusing more on how your actions and thoughts will shape society, you will not only transform the society around you, but also yourself.
8) samādhi (samādhi): correct meditation or concentration
Correct meditation is something I need to actively engage in more. Meditation allows a cleansing of the mind that you probably won’t get from the ins and outs and everyday activity. It allows you time for yourself, to free yourself from the stresses of everyday life. I need to get some more of that in the long run.
Though you may not all agree with this path towards Enlightenment (I don’t agree with all of it either), I do believe it possesses some great moral lessons that we should all carry onto our everyday experiences in the real world.
This is great! Although I identify myself as a Buddhist, I have never been very religious so it is nice to see another “quasi Buddhist” making the attempt. I wish you luck trying to achieve the eightfold path. I hope I can also follow these teachings to the best of my ability.
Buddhism is dangerous. You envelope yourself too much in the teachings without a master and you could wind up in despair (think about how Buddhism surrounds its teachings with the idea of suffering). HOWEVER, that is not what Buddhism is about. Many of the Great Masters are jolly and boyish. Enlightenment is key, not suffering. Just remember that.
Also, a personal tidbit, as a Chinese Buddhist, I follow the five precepts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Precepts Much more 10 Commandments-esque, but they sound so elegant and beautiful in Chinese. Not to mention, start small so you can work your way up to bigger things to achieve/tackle.