Buddhism serves as a guide for body, speech and mind.
by Khenpo Tashi
Question: After reading many Buddhist books, Buddhism seems too focused on the inner mind. The outer world seems ignored. Is that good? Should there be more balance between inner and outer aspects?
That is not very correct. You may have read the deep philosophies in Buddhism. Those will discuss primarily the mind and mind’s workings.
Of course, mind is the most important. Actions and speech follow after the mind. But Buddhism is also about body, speech and mind.
In general, Buddhism is profound and valuable because it is a guide for body, speech and mind. “Guide” is a good word, like a map. We are always lost, having imperfect happiness and never-ending problems. So this map points us to the right direction.
The direction we are going to is attaining a more stable kind of happiness and removing pain and suffering.
Buddhism is Not Only for Humans
For any young or old person, any human being, any animal, any hungry ghost, any hell being, Buddhism is a beneficial guide. Most of the time, we take this quality for granted. We think Buddhism is only a religion, a philosophy for Buddhists or for humans.
Buddhism is for all sentient beings! Wow, that is very great. As beginners, we cannot capture the entirety of Buddhism within our minds.
Within the Day-to-Day
First, on Karma, where one should go and where one should avoid going, if a person wants happiness and not pain!
Buddhist has the Ten Virtues. Avoiding killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and so on? And their opposites, Extending others’ lives, generously giving, proper sexual conduct, speaking the truth, etc.?
That is the first use of Buddhism – a useful and reliable guide for an individual’s thoughts, speech and activities. For worldly happiness and avoiding worldly suffering.
The State of Buddha
For those who have felt renunciation for Samsara, Buddhism is even a more useful and rarer guide to Liberation out of the Ocean of Samsara. (READ: Basic Samsara)
Whether we believe this or not depends on how much we investigate Buddhism for ourselves. The proper teacher is crucial when talking about liberation from Samsara. The teacher guides the individual through the proper understanding of Buddhist views on Karma, merit, Liberation and Samsara.
Also, Buddhism is not only about the view, but also about practices. The Buddha gave a lot of practices, out of his compassion and his skill. He taught many methods to achieve that view of liberation from Samsara.
Buddhas also go into the hell realms to teach hell beings the Dharma. And to all other realms. Their methods to teach and guide all kinds of beings are unfathomable.
Summary
So, Buddhism is like a map, a guide. First, a map within Samsara – that is the very detailed and precise workings of the Law of Karma. For an individual to find temporary happiness and enjoyments, and to close the doors to pain and sufferings within Samsara.
Then, it is also a map for liberation from Samsara, showing a great number of paths to come out of Samsara. Liberation from Samsara is permanent happiness. Buddhism is not only about mind. Our thoughts, speech and all kinds of actions are all involved.