Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org

understand how the Buddha’s teaching can lead to its goal,
or even what that goal is in the first place. Beginners on the
Buddhist path often find themselves confused or
overwhelmed, and some may actually become disenchanted
with the Buddha’s teaching, thinking it an impractical or
even useless teaching due to their inability to see clearly
what it was the Buddha actually taught.
Some may say that the Buddha taught people to just close
their eyes and ignore the world around them, that he taught
nothing about how to live one’s daily life. Even in the time of
the Buddha himself, there were those who tried to pin
various labels on him; in the Vinaya Piṭaka, for example, we
find the Buddha confronted by a brahmin who accuses him of
holding all sorts of extreme positions such as nihilism,
self-torture, etc. In order to avoid such misunderstandings, it
is important for Buddhist newcomers to obtain a
comprehensive teaching; a teaching that covers all elements
of practical Buddhism and provides a practice that is of use
in all situations – a teaching that protects those who
undertake it from all obstacles, challenges, and dangers on
the path.
When undertaking the practice of Buddhist meditation, we
have to remember that formal meditation practice is only
one part of the Buddha’s teaching and only one aspect of our
development on the Buddhist path. Certainly it is the most
essential, since only through meditation practice will one be
able to see reality as it is. We must also, however, be
equipped to deal with the many distractions, diversions, and
obligations not directly related to the practice of walking and
sitting meditation.
In our daily lives, there are many challenges to our practice
that we must face – for example, making a living,
harmonizing with our environment, or tending to our physical
health, to name a few. If we are unable to deal with the
many various aspects of life and practice skillfully, our
foundational practice of walking and sitting meditation will
be incapable of bearing fruit, just like a fruit tree that needs
support and care in order to grow to maturity. Once we
understand how to incorporate the Buddha’s teaching into all
aspects of life, our practice will progress smoothly, protected
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