Ven. Aggacitta - What is the attitude of a truth-seeker?

[powrxplor69]

To be "comfortable with uncertainty" is such a clear & poignant way to describe actually the whole Buddhist path IMHO.. It's easier said than done but then if it was easy we would all be Buddhas...

Thank You Ven. Agacitta for these vids, wish I could go to Malaysia to study with you

[TkAlIntoCncdration]

Thank you, that helped me very much. If I wanted to start practicing at a monastery, would that be a possibility for me? Are there requirements? What should I do to find out more information like these questions?

[TkAlIntoCncdration]

I have been thinking about joining a monastery or something similar, but I often see monks repeatedly bowing to the statue of Buddha. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

1Q: Why do monks bow to the statue?

2Q: Why must we bow to the statue when the Buddha had to bow to nothing in order to gain true self / truth / enlightenment?

Thanks! I really enjoy your videos.

[humaner]

In the practice of Buddhism we are not bowing to the statute but to the philosophies of the Buddha..we bow also to rid our minds of attachment and arrogance.Bowing is away of practicing mindfulness.Also many Buddhist practices encouraging 108 prostrations for good health.

[graphicgolem]

@TkAlIntoCncdration

One way to understand why someone might bow to a Buddha rupa (statue) is like this.

Suppose that a person had a life threatening illness and because of that sought a doctor who could give them a medicine which would completely cure that illness. Then that person hears of a doctor who has got a medicine which when taken over a period of time is capable of curing that sickness. cont...

[graphicgolem]

@TkAlIntoCncdration

If after taking some that medicine one found that the illness was alleviated then one might then think that this doctor is capable of completely curing that illness. One would most likely feel gratitude to that doctor, respect them and thank them wholeheartedly for their compassion and wisdom. In the same way, it is in this spirit that some people bow to a Buddha rupa.

[TkAlIntoCncdration]

I must ask for a further definition of the word and meaning behind a bow in Buddhist culture.

[graphicgolem]

From wikipedia:

"Bowing (also called stooping) is the act of lowering the torso and head as a social gesture in direction to another person or symbol...bowing is not reserved only for greetings. Bowing is a gesture of respect. Different bows are used for apologies and gratitude, to express different emotions, humility, sincerity, remorse, or deference, and in various traditional arts and religious ceremonies."

[graphicgolem]

When a Buddhist bows to a Buddha rupa they may be showing respect and gratitude to the teacher (the doctor in the former similie) and the teaching he offers (medicine). There are probably many other reasons why poeple bow. Such as tradition or because to centre the mind on a meditation theme. The act itself has an intention underlying it which varies according to the person. Intention is central to what Buddha taught as it closely liked to kamma: how actions shape ones experience.