Question: I understand the Buddha’s message and I have faith in it. Why is it difficult to find time to read the Dharma or practice the Buddha’s teachings?
by Khenpo Tashi
Generally, as we speak, there are two kinds of situations – the worldly and the non-worldly situations.
What is the worldly? It is the secular, the busyness, the never-ending plans and dreams, going here and there, chasing after some idea or goal.
Worldly is non-Buddhist. Buddhism is non-worldly.
However, even for most Buddhists, we never understand Buddhism. Or, our understanding of Buddhism is a little shallow. What is the reason? Because we do not know what the worldly is in the first place. We are not familiar with the worldly affairs to begin with.
If we truly understand the worldly, practicing Dharma will be easy.
The Secular World
In the secular world, the experience of suffering is the same. There is no difference for the sufferings of Buddhists and non-Buddhists in the secular world. Buddhists and non-Buddhists suffer alike.
Although Samsara is a teaching mostly taught under Buddhism, it is in fact, secular. There is nothing Buddhist about it. Samsara is what anybody feels – the feeling of suffering we encounter again, and again, and again. Sometimes it comes in the afternoon, sometimes it comes during the day. Sometimes big, sometimes small, the sufferings that we face from one’s birth until death.
Familiarizing with the Secular World
Most people think that Buddha became a monk because he was destined to become a Buddha. The truth of the matter is, the Buddha was simply 100% familiar with the secular world.
He was a prince destined to be an emperor. He had three palaces for each of India’s three seasons. He was surrounded by beautiful entertainers and consorts. He excelled in sports, studies and arts. He experienced all the sensual pleasures one could ever think of. (READ: The Prince Left the Kingdom)
Due to that full familiarity, he knew the limitations of the secular. Thus, he was able to work for Buddhahood, without hesitations or doubts, because he knew what the secular’s limitations are.
Practice will be Weak and Shaky
So, we must know very, very well what the secular world is. Knowing the never-ending suffering of the secular world must come from our own experience. Then, from our minds will arise the certainty that anywhere in the human realm, or anywhere in the six realms, there is always some form of suffering waiting for us.
If we are not familiar with the secular, doing any Buddhist practice, whether it is a basic or advanced practice, will be VERY difficult. Our practice will be weak and shaky.
We can see this for ourselves. At present, when we commit to a Buddhist practice, the desire, the energy, the motivation to do it is small. Sometimes, it is difficult to find time. Sometimes, it is difficult to be inspired.
What is Liberation from Suffering? We will naturally know the answers to this when we are 100% familiar with the secular world, and its limitations.