Buddhism as a powerful idea
"Nothing in the world is so powerful as an idea whose time has come."
- Victor Hugo - French writer (1802-1885)
Ideas have often completely changed our world. Democracy, communism, humanism, human rights movements, revolutions, religions. Guiding principles came, some stayed, many passed away again.
Depending on the spirit of the times, on different interests, on profit, greed and respective advantages, on common sense, on the search for spirituality, when the time was right thoughts turned society upside down, ideas changed the world.
But not only the idea is important, the ideal must also be "at the turn", must fall on a fertile earth to be able to develop, similar to a seed, the conditions must be favorable for the development also with guiding principles.
Few ideas have existed for a long time, mostly they were like shooting stars in the firmament, shone briefly and then burned out.
One guiding principle that has remained current over the millennia are the teachings of Buddha. He lived his life 2500 years ago and left us his legacy, which has touched and guided millions (if not billions) of people over time.
In contrast to the great world religions, Buddhism is not about the worship of a "higher power", but about the occupation of the practitioner with his or her self, i.e. not a "he should fix it", but a "I can change everything", not a dialogue with a god, but a comprehensive confrontation with myself, with my existence.
Thereby the responsibility is not given to a creator, not left to the benevolence of the gods, but I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MYSELF. This is of course much more uncomfortable than calling upon a "Lord", it presupposes reflection and action, not silent waiting for better times, but activity, action and deed.
Also the history of Buddhism was changeable over the centuries, influenced by fashions, developments, different masterminds, the respective spirit of the time. Sometimes the philosophy of Buddha was almost lost, at other epochs many people adhered to his worldview, but his words were always present, "Buddha" is still a term for every child today. Many Europeans can do little with terms such as karma, rebirth and enlightenment, but they instinctively feel that there "might be something to his statements, to his legacy". According to various surveys, about 20 percent of Europeans have adopted Buddhism as a kind of "second religion"; many simply enjoy the image of the holy man, they feel calm and peaceful at the sight of his statues.
Therefore, the question arises in my mind: Has the time come (especially in the "western world") for Buddhism?
I say YES
This blog is translated into more than 100 languages, a software now makes this site "available" even on the other side of the world, within only a short time now many people read this website daily.
The basis of Buddha's teachings is "enlightenment", a reflection on existence (being there), on the inner state.
Only reading about Buddhism does not bring us much further, the willingness to also "engage" with the philosophy must be at the beginning of the journey to awakening.
Times are hard. This is a good occasion to "go within", to take the first step.
At the beginning of the path, a question arises: "Who am I"?
Do you want to walk this path?
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