Buddhist Nun Speaks After 45 Years of Solitary Retreat

[RochecousteML]

Maybe we are the ones wasting our lives!

[UniverseOffspring]

That's messed up. That second dude wanted to lean against her head and pray as-well, but she was like " you pray with that, I don't want to do that with you, you're not cool enough". At least that's what I understood, I watched a commercial with monks on it once- I'm pretty good at understanding the language they speak.

[Mazurka1001]

Why disturb her, you evil fucks...

[Ebvardh]

@Mazurka1001 Good question. Why do you think it's a bad thing they come around her place?

[RafaelDeLaCastilla]

I'm an atheist. I think Buddhism is the most peaceful religion in the world.

[TheNewAgeOfDubstep]

@RafaelDeLaCastilla you can be atheist and buddhist too!

[restlez2002]

@TheNewAgeOfDubstep more accurately, you can still practise what the buddha taught without being deeply attached to religious organisations. Spiritual freedom is not won by religious affiliation, it is through the working with your heart.

[ChicagoZenith]

@RafaelDeLaCastilla I love Buddha’s teachings also. I also love Jesus’ teachings as well, not people’s interpretations necessarily. Indeed, in Luke (6.27-36), Jesus says you must love everyone, including atheists.

[UniverseOffspring]

@RafaelDeLaCastilla So you don't think cheesus is the way to go?

[graycam]

sincere question: how does praying for happiness of others in the confines of her own house for 45 years actually bring about happiness for others? Would it not be more effective to go out and work toward the change she wishes to see?

[Rosedeclemence]

@graycam 1. Vajrayana Buddhists believe that instead of merely combating the superficial manifestations of suffering (war, mental illness, rape, poverty) this woman is destroying the root causes of these things within herself. Also, her prayers may generate of supernatural help so that she is able to remotely do more for sentient beings in that little hut than Mother Theresa. Or, in my view, she is not separate from Mother Theresa; they're like two hands of the same body.

[restlez2002]

@graycam a good question. one has to decide (constantly when conditions change) which actions would be most effective. A person more or less has an idea about his/her own abilities and what they can do best. Taking mother theresa's life as an example, we can say this nun grew up in a very different environment and was equipped with very different skills. They both chose paths where their determination could bring them to dealing positively with the suffering of others although the routes differ.

[pseudonymuser]

im so glad there is something like the dharma and its followers in this world - called "buddhism" ... if we survive the next few years ... im sure philosophies/lifestyles like this will be the "religion" of the future ... om mani padme hung

[beztroskii]

How it is, some of us accuse her of wasting her life and being useless for the community? ... my eyes got wet, she warmed up my heart of stone, I feel like it melts, going back to the life after years of coma... isn't she the Bodhisattva?

[chrisroor]

@MrHomeChef

Happiness is about contentment with what you have and eliminating the feeling of wanting more. The only difference with those who 'walk through brambles' and 'twirl a parasol' is the contentment present within each person. One has it, the other does not. Being alive is enough, if you understand how rare life is, to live a completely happy life. Give a little introspection a chance.

[digimon916]

thats crazy. that mantra was recited by ninjas hundreds of years ago during hand exercises to strengthen their hands. the "nine cutting fingers" of ninjitsu.

[pemala777]

Great meditation joyful nun she is real enjoying without any materials

[MountAnalogue]

Much Metta to all.

[MrHomeChef]

@Imyirtseshem Someone told me the rational part of Buddhism is the teaching part, which does not include flying. The flying is what some call a Chinese whisper, which means an exageration. Buddha may have merely hopped over a stream, and to an avid admirerer, he flew. I could understand that, but yet there is no denial from many that this a a trait that can be mastered. Monks are merely instructed to NOT fly in public per Vinaya rules. How convenient. I promise not to fly too. Promise kept.

[MrHomeChef]

@Imyirtseshem Like I said in an earlier post, I had some interest in Buddhism, but when it got to the flying and other impossible physical feats I lost interest. The philosophy is quite interesting, and makes sense if you make the effort to understand it. But I have a big problem with any beliefs that become supernatural or make fantastic claims of "miracles" of a physical nature. I thinks it's in man's nature to be grandiose, and this always leads to exagerations and false claims.

[Dizzlyn]

@MrHomeChef Well that's one of the wonders of Buddhism, because first of all. Not all forms of Buddhism believe in or practice anything beyond science really. On top of that, there is no pressure or force in Buddhism to believe anything that say. In fact the Buddha himself encouraged you to doubt anything he said if that's what you felt was right. Buddhism isn't about blind stupid faith, it's about what you think is correct.

[Dizzlyn]

@Dizzlyn Replying to myself to fix a terrible mistake. anything that they say* not that say.

[MrHomeChef]

Being an agoraphobic with OCD isn't a life to be admired. What a crock of BS. This woman wasted her ENTIRE life behind a closed door chanting a meaningless phrase for 45 years. There is nothing amazing or admirable about this. It's just pathetic, and a perfect example of why religion is just another form of mental illness, and a vehicle that enables insanity.

[PotatoJim]

@MrHomeChef I agree that this practice borders asceticism, but notice that this woman is happy, appears to be perfectly healthy, she is not harming anyone, nor imposing her faith on others. I would not say she is wasting her life if she is happy with the path she has chosen.

[MrHomeChef]

@PotatoJim It's hard to impose your faith on someone from behind closed doors, however notice the people using her lifestyle as an example. An example though in what? Narcissism? To spend your entire life not creating anything, not taking part in anything, not communicating with anyone to me is a complete waste of a life. Life is to be lived, not avoided, not partitioned off like an unused bedroom. I don't know how she would know happiness in such a void.

[PotatoJim]

@MrHomeChef She is an example of what Buddhism teaches, contempt and simplicity. She is also proof that happiness comes from inside, from inner serenity and peace not from satisfying cravings and desires. I would suggest you try and understand what each religion teaches, so that you may judge them separately. Even Nietzsche had something good to say about Buddhism in his book "The Antichrist" which mainly bashes christian faith.

[PotatoJim]

@PotatoJim Also if you want to skip the reading, I can explain in a PM to the best of my ability, why Buddhism does not encourage achieving as a goal in life.

[MrHomeChef]

@PotatoJim I've studied all the major religions. None are worth the effort since none, even buddhism, are rooted in reality. Buddhism does have it's merits, but it still disintegrates into nonsense and supernatural idiocy. Happiness is a fleeting emotion, not a constant state unless you're mentally retarded. They're the only people who are unaware enough of reality to be perpetually happy. And not all atheists are nihilists, since I think Nietzsche was full of shit too.

[50centasaurus]

@MrHomeChef

You've only studied, not practiced, so you would never understand.

[MrHomeChef]

@50centasaurus I don't have to fall down to understand gravity. Whenever someone says you could never understand something, it usually pertains either to their own lack of knowledge and abilitiy, or the subject is total BS. Which is it?

[eatcarpet]

@MrHomeChef Well aren't you just a bundle of sunshine. Can you honestly say that you are happy? Isn't the whole point of living, whomever that you may be, is simply to be happy?

[MrHomeChef]

@eatcarpet Who said anything about my happiness? The only "bundles of sunshine" I've ever met were either mentally retarded, or stoners. Which are you?

[eatcarpet]

@MrHomeChef The question of happiness is relevant because first, Buddhism is about the elimination of suffering, to pursue happiness and enlightenment. Second, the question pertains you because isn't the whole reason why you're so cynical, why you're so antagonistic and hostile, is because you're so unhappy and dissatisfied with yourself and the world?

[ATTACKaMAC]

@MrHomeChef because "ignorance IS bliss" "knowing" can be emotionally painful & disturbing ...

[shinymetalexcess]

@MrHomeChef You really need to practice meditation to understand any of the teachings. Yes like any popular religion there are supernatural myths, the ultimate aim is not eternal happiness, is equanimity, but I'll even contest whether there is an aim. I don't buy into spiritual marketing either, I believe that's the kind opium that Marx talked about when he said "Religion is opium for the masses." There are quite a few teachers, I feel have it right, and quite a few that are missing thepoint

[MrHomeChef]

@shinymetalexcess I have to say I've fought having an orderly and calm life for as long as I can remember. Like I told my bi-polar stepson, some of us walk through the brambles, nettles and poison ivy, and watch others walking down the sunny lane twirling a parasol and whistling, and we ask ourselves "What the hell is wrong with us?". But we have no right to complain since we chose that path, me out of boredom, him out of mental illness. I imply choice by him since he chooses to not be treated.

[shinymetalexcess]

@MrHomeChef At the heart of buddhism, it does not promise an orderly calm life, but equips you with how best to deal with issues that arise, it's not passive and certainly not escapism. The market of health beauty spirituality serves only to place doubts in ourselves, so they can turn a profit. I don't think your skepticism is far off from mine : ) Many people miss the point. This woman however I don't think misses the point, she's chosen a life of austerity out of compassion.

[shinymetalexcess]

@MrHomeChef but that's certainly not the only way.

[MrHomeChef]

@shinymetalexcess I'm going to send you a PM since the 500 character limitation and YT's inability to send 100% of the response to my inbox is too frustrating.

[lindadurhamblog]

Moving and amazing...Om Mane Padme Hum

[simonsnell2010]

Amazing.



[openbuddhistforum]

Wish You a Week full of Smiles and Happiness

★。／｜＼。★╚ÍGH† & Ŀ☼√Ξ ♥2♥.¸¸.•*`*•.☼

。☆。*。☆.

OM MANI PADME HUM

[ekanipata]

She wasn't doing that for god, or any gods. could you do some search people? there is no GOD in Buddhism.

[makespeaches]

i started saying 'om mani padme hung' every morning after i saw this video. i think that if somebody has 45 years practice doing something, and then recommends a specific practice, then there must be some merit to doing that practice. nowadays we know through science that there is in fact changes in the brain due to meditation and prayer.

[zippydoogun]

From the angle of reincarnation, she is not wasting her time, she comes from a different culture. Such a pure spirit would be inspiring to visit.

[juditK2007]

@zippydoogun Any proofe of that reincarnation thing you are talking about? If not then she is wasting her time.

[adamholt84]

@juditK2007 You can read works by Ian Stevenson, Brian Weiss (MD), Roger Woolger (I believe PhD) if you want evidence. Notice I didn't say proof, but frankly, we have less proof than we think for many assumptions that we have.

[juditK2007]

@adamholt84 Interesting. Oh not the evidence, but the fact that you gave 3 names and not even those 3 agree among themselves. Stevenson bases his whole thing on random behavior and phobias that he interprets as evidence. Weiss is a staight out stage magician who's proofe is hypnosis (a total bs) and so is Woogler. Sorry but regression therapy isn't proofe of past lives let alone reincarnation (see I grant you that the bs the buddhists believe may not be how it actually works). cont.

[adamholt84]

@juditK2007 As I said, it's not proof, but I do think it's evidence. Stevenson is probably the most methodical in terms of his approach that I've read, Weiss seems to have risked a very successful career in order to write his original book (knowing he would be ostracized), and Woolger's book is maybe the best I've read on the topic. Woolger in particular distinguishes between a therapist, researcher, etc, and clearly says he is not out to prove reincarnation - he just tells the stories.

[juditK2007]

@adamholt84 So Woolger "just tells stories"?So that book is a fictional book?Harry Potter also tells stories about a boy who goes to a really fun school and makes two very good friends and they have lots of adventures together.That's basically what you are saying.

Assuming you've read all of their works to be able to make this distinction:good for Stevenson to be the most methodical one.But if he still makes connections that are not there he's still wrong.And he's also writing fiction.

[adamholt84]

@juditK2007 Woolger is a therapist, and by "tells stories" I mean that he simply tells his patient's stories and lets them speak for themselves- he makes no claim to be trying to "prove" reincarnation. In his words, that is the role of the parapsychologist, not of the therapist. And yes, I have read all three. Stevenson does much more than just base "his whole thing on random behavior and phobias"- he very methodically goes into the claims of the children and looks at how they could have...

[adamholt84]

@juditK2007 cont... the information that they do, etc. Again, and I'm slightly going in circles here, I never said any of this is proof, though some have claimed that Stevenson's work is as close as it comes. But it is evidence, and I personally think that the past-life regression evidence is in fact evidence. Ultimately, you (or I or anyone) probably needs first hand experience to fully know, which is most likely beyond the scope of a youtube discussion. This is probably my last post.

[juditK2007]

@adamholt84 And I'm also familiar with the problem of quantitative vs qualitative methods.But even so that's no excuse for someone to make up imaginary connections between disparate events and people(many of them not even alive)and make up nice,comfortable sounding stories in order to provide evidence for his claims.Srry still doesn't work that way.& just because someone published a book about something doesn't make it true.& the claim of being possibly"ostracized" for it is way to conspiracy bs

[juditK2007]

@adamholt84 cont.

And no the fact tha Weiss went to Yale and Woogler went to Oxford doesn't count at all and neither do the abreviatons md or phd before their names.

So no, still insufficent evidence. Hey I used to believe in reincarnation so I'm a fan, but not based on whisful thinking (anymore). Neither mine, nor someone elese's. I'd rather not be delusioned even if smarter and more educated people than me are deluded also.

[thomodachi]

I see that some people here are confused about a Buddhist's life. She is not wasting her life, she is just living it a different way. Maybe by your diluted and society driven standards, she is wasting her life, but to her, this is what makes her the happiest. Living free from all attachments, taking as little as possible provisions from the people but then sharing the dharma in return. We youtubers, we sit here and watch other people's lives as ours go by and that my friends is a waste of life.

[juditK2007]

@thomodachi Ok so if one of us evil westerners only do what makes us happiest we are greedy and shallow but if someone calls the same doing only what makes him/her happiest and excepts that others support her and give her shelter for free but calls it part of a religion and says that she is praying for the good of all beings THAT's somehow sacred and a sign of a saint?

Where do I need to sign up for the free food, my own house and no work+ admiration of not only Tibetans but others?

[thomodachi]

@juditK2007 Why did you assume that I hate westerners? I live in the USA, why would I hate myself? Even though I live over here, I can respect people in other cultures and their different ways of living. If you wish to pursue what makes you happy without interfering with other's pursuit of happiness, then feel free, nobody is judging you. There's nothing greedy and shallow about living your own life. I just wanted to dispel the confusion about Buddhism. The main goal isn't about living for free.

[chambasa2006]

There is probably no god, stop worrying and live your life

[bikeridingpinko]

pray for all sentient beings to be free from all suffering = epic fail.

[ILIYYILI]

It might look ok and good... but she's exactly like every other religios preak, she takes from the society, but gives nothing back.

[Ajhoful]

@ILIYYILI She gave back cookies...

[ILIYYILI]

@Ajhoful

Oh cool...

Good thing she prayed so that someone gives her cookies so that she can give them to someone else.

[9886635574]

What a waste of perfectly good life.

[chambasa2006]

@9886635574 exactly!!!!!

[Ajhoful]

@9886635574 I challenge you to say Om Mani Padme Hung 100 times a day for the next 3 months or so, and then see if you think it did nothing. It only takes about 5 minutes, max, if your jaw doesn't work well.