as a person must sleep and eat and drink water to survive and not die from thrist and starvation and stay sane he must also be physically fit. as bertrand russell said the body is designed to withstand a great deal of hard physical labor. when he was a teenager on holiday he would walk in the countryside twenty miles without a stop. at night he was perfectly calm and relaxed and slept quite wonderfully. as he said business men would be much better off with a good hike than philosophy alone
Attachment to the body is very good. Having a good shapes make on attractive to potential sexual partners. Exercise makes you happy, disciplined and you will feel good. Of course - when getting opld and sick - give up the attachement, but until then - have fun. And very important exercise: masturbate, good against depression, good for mindfullnes and concentration.
What is your opinion on exercising for the purpose of enjoying the discomfort then to meditate after by thinking and accepting that one day the body will die?
What is your opinion on exercising for the purpose of enjoying the discomfort then to meditate after by thinking and accepting that one day the body will die?
What is your opinion on exercising for the purpose of enjoying the discomfort then to meditate after by thinking and accepting that one day the body will die?
What is your opinion on exercising for the purpose of enjoying the discomfort then to meditate after by thinking and accepting that one day the body will die?
all I know is that spending five days at a forest monastery showed me that any monastic gets plenty of exercise just existing in said environment. So yes it would be silly to do " an hour on the treadmill" like a regular person living a normal sedentary lifestyle would.
watch Yuttadhammo's vidéos for his POV ond experiense, yes. . .but where yu shall find 'your' answers is within 'your' mind, in 'your' own méditation.
I agree with the idea that exercising to stay in "shape" or to lose weight is pointless. However, the mind is bidirectional with the rest of your body (mind affects body, body affects mind). For example, some find that exercise gets rid of depression. Personally, exercise focuses my mind afterward, which I think is highly applicable to increasing mindfulness.
Holy s**'t , as a monk , u only eat ONCE a day ?? how do u survive on that amount of food ? please anser me :D haha , u must drink lots of water atleast.
Hello Yuttadhammo, please read the following about why I think you and other advanced spiritual humans should exercise:
Exercise and eating properly makes the body work better (if one is to think in terms of better and worse). This helps reduce suffering because buddhists can live longer and with better mental capability, which means the ignorance of this world that they can get rid of is increased.
However, if one is not understanding there is of course the risk of attaching to the attributes derrived from exercising which will cause suffering when they are sooner or later fading away. But these attachments are not neccersarry and one can just let/allow/dont mind the falling away of these attributes and no suffering will be created. But more suffering being reduced.
yuttadhammo talks from total ignorance of exercise. Not only will it. make you live longer, it keeps your brain in better conditon. It has been shown to increase memory, concentration and processing ability. Those things are very important. Or is a lower functioning brain a good thing? I think not.
I definitely hear one side of his argument... the attachment to the body , it's form and the biological imperative to maintain a physical endurance for survivalist reasons, or better health in aversion to death, sickness etc, or attractions of the opposite sex. In the philosophical sense it can be just as much an attachment/aversion issue as anything. I think people who do exercise fail to see their hidden attachments just because of a society that constantly affirms that exercise is GOOD.
@Neuromance27 And that it is GOOD to look GOOD and GOOD to feel GOOD, etc... and BAD to look BAD and bad to feel bad. I can see the sense in it, but having said that I know that it can be a great mindfulness exercise or moving meditation, whether it's a sort of "internal" body or "external" body. Most buddhists seem to fail to see that there is this mind/thought exercise that is intrinsic to the practice. And in the realm of Maya the physical is a projection of mind, so why not use it as well?
I have to disagree. Since I began training my body it has had a HUGE affect on my mental health. Aside from the meditative aspect of the exercise, I find that I'm more at peace after taking all the stress and negative emotion I build up during the day and putting that energy into something that betters me. Not to mention the mind is a physical part of us and it can not be healthy unless the body is too. Even Buddha walked great distances, and Shaolin Buddhism places great emphasis on a fit body.
@Rabbittthewise Indeed. In fact, many years ago, long before I ever heard of mind training, exercise was my first introduction to the ability to focus the mind and develop some control over it. Since a severe psychological crisis five years ago, I have found that rigorous exercise has been an invaluable support for my meditation practice in developing increased mindfulness and cleansing the body of negative emotions and energetic disturbances that accumulate in it.
Physical exercise is as important to me as meditation, and, with the rise in obesity, it is about the most important thing to be promoted in society.
And I'm sure exercise is as vital to monks too, as vital as anything else in their spiritual life. What do you think going on alms round is also about. This whole video is a bit ridiculous imo.
@HelloMellowed More exercise as the solution to obesity is absurd. It is the change in diet and quality of our terrible food sources and eating habits that promote poor bodily health moreso than any lack of exercise.
physical exercise is of the most crutial importance! you cannot have a happy, alert mind one thats capable of much intelligence and never knowing the rotten life negating effects of fatigue. able to keep your zip, pep, and strength well into your 80s it all relies on exercise it is as important as eating, drinking, and sleep!
Then what about the physical exercise of for example shaolin monks, where the kung fu is a kind of meditation in itself? They train kung fu for achieving perfection in the same way as the zen archers.
It has been proven that physical exercise is a great neuro-protector.Even better then yoga and meditation!!Physical exercise can fend off cancers,depression and other human aliments.
Being in shape is really good to find a girlfriend, finding a girl is supposed to make a common guy happy. But being in shape is not the reason she is supposed to like him, so being in shape is NOT a proper reason for a girl to like you. Then it means that being in shape is meaningless... But it's so hard to live without a woman!!!!
Being in shape is really good to find a girlfriend, finding a girl is supposed to make a common guy happy. But being in shape is not the reason she is supposed to like him, so being in shape is a proper reason for a girl to like you. Then it means that being in shape is meaningless... But it's so hard to live without a woman!!!!
I thought the Buddha came to understand that the middle path is most important. That it is ones duty, because physical exercise is important because if you maintain a strong body, you can maintain a strong mind... and with a strong mind you can help people better. When I exercise I don't exercise out of wanting to make my body beautiful, that was the cheif reason before but now after meditating im doing for others, because it will help me help others. I see fitness almost as sharing merit.
Staying in shape is important in the sense of maintaining physical strength. If you meditate all day, and don't exercise at all, your muscles are going to atrophy, it doesn't matter how much you slow your metabolism down...What if there was a absurd attack on monastery or something? Strength could mean the difference between life and death. Sure as a monk you may be able to deal with death... but why would you allow yourself to die when you can take the steps to prevent it?
I strongly disagree. I practice yoga as part of my relapse prevention program for alcoholism and depression. For me the mind, body, and spirit are all linked. By the way, the word "yoga" comes from the same root as the word "yoke". It means "to link". He is certainly entitled to his opinion. However I my experience is that my serenity goes to pot when I stop doing yoga.
Is the dhammawiki Theravada Buddhism? Because the article 'Sport' in the dharmmawiki seems to contradict you :) I'm a bit confused. I trust what you say.
Not asking because budhdha did so. But just want to know if it is ok to leave two kids to their mother and become monk?
Also, how can i have a bit of an interaction with you. I am having too many fears right now, a little bit of interaction with you may help me move in the right direction. Can I get your email address?
Also, the true practice of Yoga is not a physical exercise. It encompasses the heart/mind/body, bringing them all into perfect balance. It does bring a focus to the physical body, but only to reach beyond the regular limitations presented by the body. With regular practice you are promoting a connection more in tune with your place in the universe than you may think. It's one of those things, too, you must practice to really see, to learn true yoga and reallly see.
@mrbojangles487 I practice yoga and it has changed my life and the lives of many others around me. In fact the place where I go to do yoga is the most positive environment in terms of people I have ever found. I do not get the sense that they are narcissistic or self-absorbed in their appearance, instead many arrive committed to changing themselves for the better and purifying both body AND mind. It's not a "New Age" fad, it's an ancient practice that has deep roots on the spiritual path.
Besides watching your videos where can I go to learn more about Buddhism and it's theories ? What books/scriptures should I read and where to find them? It seems to me that the Bible is more easier to get then ancient Buddhist scriptures. Can you point the way to find the answer?
physical exercise is for far more than just keeping your food intake in check. We are designed to exert. I don't deny that acts of mindfulness can bring our physical bodies into right alignment, but still some exercise is good. I mean, if you take a walk through the woods, your getting some exercise, even if it is minimal. I think taking right care of the body encompasses more than what you're saying here. Think about how good one feels after a long bike ride.
ouch, i like many of the monk beliefs and ideas but you need to freshen up on your science if you want to tell people meaningful things. You don't need to eat much or exercise if your goal is just to live. however if your goal is to live longer and healthier yes you should eat the correct amount of of nutrients and calories, otherwise you are not taking care of your body. if you begin physical exercise and eating the correct foods you will most certainly notice a better physical health.
The Buddha said: ‘Good health is the highest gain’ and he encouraged monks and nuns to do exercise as a way of promoting vigour and health. As far as the mind is concerned, sport can help to develop positive states like team spirit, friendship, alertness and even a degree of detachment (gracefully accepting the umpire's decision or defeat). -Excerpt from the dhammawiki under 'Sport'
I thought The Happy Buddha must have been or symbolized the Buddha after he gained enlightenment (o: I'd say to myself "The skinny Buddha must be the Buddha as he was on his path, before enlightenment" Anyway, this is a common misconception from the West, that the chubby Happy Buddha is the Buddha.
Again it's unfortunate but you're objectively wrong yuttadhammo. And rather than looking at things objectively and seriously, you instead avoid unbiased research(or facts, if you will) and find arguments to fit your established position and Buddhism itself.
You cannot take care of your body without exercise, it's impossible. I don't doubt that you and many Monks are healthy, but it's for diet. If you combined diet with physical activity you would be healthier(physically). That's just science.
@z0mgrugbyreturns IMO the point of the vid wasnt to prove that excercise isnt healthy, rather to show the uselesness of it on the path. As a monk in the forest who has seen thru all the bs where does he benefit from weight lifting and jogging? The only usefull excercise is of the mind
@z0mgrugbyreturns Healthier in your path maybe, of course. A skinny person isn't necessarily unhealthy... I can't see science agreeing on that. We will have to look at reports & statistic on how healthy monks are now but that isn't the point...it's the middle way, remember? You are not your body.
@uilium Skinny and fat people can both be relatively healthy. But not without physical exercise.
Humans NEED physical exercise. Yes going out of your way to lift weights in gyms and jog 5 miles a day is a little peculiar and strange. But it needs to be understood that people only do this because they're living a lifestyle where they're deprived on natural physical activity.
Simply under-eating, as many monks do, is not an answer to lack of exercise.
@z0mgrugbyreturns He is not under eating. Just because we don't believe or understand everything does not make the whole teaching useless. Westerners are put off by rebirth or the various powers that some very skilled monks are said to be able to attain. For me, it is hard to believe that a monk could do things like levitate or touch the sun. I take it on faith because I trust the Teachings, Why? I see that without a doubt in my mind that this is the right path.
@uilium Apologies, I was speaking generally, not specifically about yuttadhammo. But there are plenty of monks that do under eat.
But really this isn't about monks but people generally. Physical exercise is needed, and if you don't get it naturally, you need to get it superficially(going out of your way to exercise, jog, go to the gym etc).
No matter where you are mentally, you can't change a million years of carefully tweaked physical evolution. Humans need physical exercise.
@z0mgrugbyreturns the simplest, easiest, to do exercise walking, reaps great rewards a brisk walk in the outdoors preferably in a scenic area not only satisfies the soul with its beauty but the inhalation of the clean refreshing air, and the physical locomotion, circulating the blood keeping the body and its organs including the brain functioning at peak capacity thus preserving one's health and life for a long time.
The human body needs exercise. Not exercising, regardless of what mental position you might have, is wholly unhealthy. It's paramount to putting a Lion in a small room, over time it will get sickly and weak.
In the small room, does the lion need to be in physical peak condition? Maybe not, but it's still ruining a body and system developed over hundreds of thousands of years.
Exercise only appears silly because we're in false environments deprived of natural movement and exercise!
@dsalfvcfkljfmkmcfef what's so harsh about living in a forest or eating once a day? Wild animals only eat as necessary, and they don't seem to suffer from it.
@ladyserene100 start out by studying at your local zendo sangha and then go for a year long study period at an actual temple like zen mountain its very hard to become a monk.
@atfatw Thank you! :) I know, everybody is saying it's hard.. But that is why I want to live a monastic life.. because by then, there is no easy or hard.. No duality. Just being. Not living simply, but simply living. :) Thanks again! Namaste.
The argument that monks in their 90s are still 'good' without exercise is an invalid argument. Meditation plays a great role in their health ONLY, because these monks do not face the every day stress that average people encounter that causes the people to become unhealthy. That being true, monks could be said to be healthier than the avg person. I suggest that when you give advise on Youtube, please state your targeted audience since not everyone have the opportunity to be a monk or layperson.
@4GreenEarth2 a layperson is just a person who lives in normal society and doesnt live as a monk. But who says monks have a less stressful life than laypeople? if you look at a venerable monk, they have the responsibility of looking after an entire temple of othe rmonks, and of looking after the buddhist lay community , which can include talking to people who are about to commit suicide, and they are that persons last hope, if they dont say the right thing that person may go through with it.
trainie monks have the stress of giving up all of there craving, sleeping four hours a night, sleeping on the flour, not getting the food they want, eating only before noon, having to obey the orders of senior monks. I wouldnt say living as a monk is any less challenging than living in the lay community, each way of life has its own challenges which can lead to stress. monks arent free from stress just because they dont live in the lay community, they are free from stress because they meditate.
saying meditation only works for monks because they dont live in the laycommunity is not true, seems to me monks face just as much, somtimes much more stress, than someone in the laycommunity. As i wrote before senior monks have the responsibility of looking after hundreds of people, in sometimes serious situations, that could be far more stressful than working 9 to 5. and sometimes monks start work at 4am, and work all day.
its not that monks have les responsilbity, or less work to do, which is the reason for less stress. Its how they interact with there life that counts, what they do with it, and meditation is the most important aspect of that. meditation isnt just successful if you have an already stress free life, if that was true, there would be no point meditating. Meditation is successful and thats Why you have a stres free life :).sorry for the ridiculously long reply didnt realise how long it was till now:P
@4GreenEarth2 Well, I can´t answer for him, but in my view the point here is that getting a healthier body only leads to attachment to the body. So even if he did not believe that one can live a healthier life by taking a monk´s diet and doing no sports, but only meditation, well, even if that were the case, I think he would still take just do the "minimum" for survival. I think it can be explained by the religious background. It´s the religous dogma of getting free from our human existence.
In the end, it´s not really important wether meditation, for example, solves our mental and physical problems or not, because these problems themselves are only attachment problems... it´s a problem for us because we suffer or have pleasure for some states of the mind and of the body. I don´t agree with that belief, but I think that´s the explanation, as I understand it... some kinds of solutions for problems (such as weak muscles) only lead us to other problems.
@4GreenEarth2 I think I did state that this is only one pov, and that many may not agree. I am not trying to please everyone with my videos, though. If you don't agree with the things I say, you have options open to you. My target audience, as always, is those people looking to move beyond our conditioned state of being into one that is more objective and universally applicable. A small audience, i think.
harsh as these words are, he's just telling the truth. i do exercise mainly because i'm addicted to the rush of pleasure i feel and the satisfaction of seeing myself fit and strong.
P.S You are only understanding the first part of the benefit of exercise which is to "be in shape" - but the second part is equally important as well and that is to "be fit" - a person can be "in shape" and look great because they have good genes, but they might not be able to have the endurance and stamina without exercise. As a monk, you can eat 'right' and not exercise and still be okay - but you could be BETTER physically 'fit' if you do exercise.
Exercise does not only benefit people with unhealthy eating habits, but can also be beneficial for those such as yourself. There are monks who practice martial arts or carry heavy loads of water, or woods up the mountain - this is their form of exercise. Our muscles and bones will tense up and loose it's flexibility and strength if we don't practice or use them.
@4GreenEarth2 there are monks who drive cars and monk who sell iPhone apps. I disagree about the flexablity, I've been without conscious exercise for twelve years, and I'm more flexible than most. As to strength, if it's needed in one's life, it will come naturally.
@License2Bill no, not really... it does take some getting used to, but I feel healthier than I ever did eating in the evening. Eating in the evening is pretty useless since you just sleep on it any way (or burn it off in the night when you should be sleeping :) ).
This is one of the more difficult ideas for me to grasp and I'm not sure I agree with the way you are explaining it here.
This is the first time that I've felt you express some real criticism of one's life style. I think most of your subscribers are laypeople and I think you should be aware of that when you make your videos.
Overall though I have been enjoying your videos. Thank you.
@amnesiac2482 thank you for the feedback. I can be a bit critical at times, I apololgize. my intention was simply to point out the uselessness of physical exercise, and then only because someone asked about it. if you want to exercise, it's of no consequence to me... as to subscribers, I didn't coerce people into subscribing to my videos, and if they don't like what I say, they can always unsubscribe... I certainly can't adapt my views to fit theirs!
@101011b I did a study once when I was still a lay person, and found that I was only eating about 1200 calories a day, if I remember correctly. Probably less now :) and I've never felt more fit. Many people ask about the camera... I'm not sure it's proper to be advertising camera brands here - it's no secret, though; you can PM me if you would really like to know.
as a person must sleep and eat and drink water to survive and not die from thrist and starvation and stay sane he must also be physically fit. as bertrand russell said the body is designed to withstand a great deal of hard physical labor. when he was a teenager on holiday he would walk in the countryside twenty miles without a stop. at night he was perfectly calm and relaxed and slept quite wonderfully. as he said business men would be much better off with a good hike than philosophy alone
atfatw 1 week ago
LOUDER!
atfatw 1 week ago
Attachment to the body is very good. Having a good shapes make on attractive to potential sexual partners. Exercise makes you happy, disciplined and you will feel good. Of course - when getting opld and sick - give up the attachement, but until then - have fun. And very important exercise: masturbate, good against depression, good for mindfullnes and concentration.
Namaste Sven
teevorian 2 weeks ago
@teevorian how about you having sex with an embalmed body philosopher!
atfatw 1 week ago
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What is your opinion on exercising for the purpose of enjoying the discomfort then to meditate after by thinking and accepting that one day the body will die?
jonoce633 2 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
What is your opinion on exercising for the purpose of enjoying the discomfort then to meditate after by thinking and accepting that one day the body will die?
jonoce633 2 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
What is your opinion on exercising for the purpose of enjoying the discomfort then to meditate after by thinking and accepting that one day the body will die?
jonoce633 2 weeks ago
What is your opinion on exercising for the purpose of enjoying the discomfort then to meditate after by thinking and accepting that one day the body will die?
jonoce633 2 weeks ago
all I know is that spending five days at a forest monastery showed me that any monastic gets plenty of exercise just existing in said environment. So yes it would be silly to do " an hour on the treadmill" like a regular person living a normal sedentary lifestyle would.
StudentofthePath 1 month ago
@StudentofthePath Noticed that as well when I was staying in a forest monastery last year (Cittaviveka)
wikigrinder 1 month ago
@StudentofthePath thats exactly what a sedentary lifestyle isn't ie normal
atfatw 1 week ago
your answers seem to revolve around meditation.....how is that done.....prehaps i need to look at more of your videos to find the answer
iggymydog 1 month ago in playlist Ask A Monk
@iggymydog
watch Yuttadhammo's vidéos for his POV ond experiense, yes. . .but where yu shall find 'your' answers is within 'your' mind, in 'your' own méditation.
Anelriel 2 weeks ago
I agree with the idea that exercising to stay in "shape" or to lose weight is pointless. However, the mind is bidirectional with the rest of your body (mind affects body, body affects mind). For example, some find that exercise gets rid of depression. Personally, exercise focuses my mind afterward, which I think is highly applicable to increasing mindfulness.
kshariqm 1 month ago in playlist Ask A Monk
Holy s**'t , as a monk , u only eat ONCE a day ?? how do u survive on that amount of food ? please anser me :D haha , u must drink lots of water atleast.
calle899 2 months ago
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Hello Yuttadhammo, please read the following about why I think you and other advanced spiritual humans should exercise:
Exercise and eating properly makes the body work better (if one is to think in terms of better and worse). This helps reduce suffering because buddhists can live longer and with better mental capability, which means the ignorance of this world that they can get rid of is increased.
snosan 4 months ago
However, if one is not understanding there is of course the risk of attaching to the attributes derrived from exercising which will cause suffering when they are sooner or later fading away. But these attachments are not neccersarry and one can just let/allow/dont mind the falling away of these attributes and no suffering will be created. But more suffering being reduced.
Feel your feet :)
snosan 4 months ago
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snosan 4 months ago
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yuttadhammo talks from total ignorance of exercise. Not only will it. make you live longer, it keeps your brain in better conditon. It has been shown to increase memory, concentration and processing ability. Those things are very important. Or is a lower functioning brain a good thing? I think not.
ConquerCollin 5 months ago
I definitely hear one side of his argument... the attachment to the body , it's form and the biological imperative to maintain a physical endurance for survivalist reasons, or better health in aversion to death, sickness etc, or attractions of the opposite sex. In the philosophical sense it can be just as much an attachment/aversion issue as anything. I think people who do exercise fail to see their hidden attachments just because of a society that constantly affirms that exercise is GOOD.
Neuromance27 6 months ago
@Neuromance27 And that it is GOOD to look GOOD and GOOD to feel GOOD, etc... and BAD to look BAD and bad to feel bad. I can see the sense in it, but having said that I know that it can be a great mindfulness exercise or moving meditation, whether it's a sort of "internal" body or "external" body. Most buddhists seem to fail to see that there is this mind/thought exercise that is intrinsic to the practice. And in the realm of Maya the physical is a projection of mind, so why not use it as well?
Neuromance27 6 months ago
I have to disagree. Since I began training my body it has had a HUGE affect on my mental health. Aside from the meditative aspect of the exercise, I find that I'm more at peace after taking all the stress and negative emotion I build up during the day and putting that energy into something that betters me. Not to mention the mind is a physical part of us and it can not be healthy unless the body is too. Even Buddha walked great distances, and Shaolin Buddhism places great emphasis on a fit body.
Rabbittthewise 6 months ago
@Rabbittthewise Indeed. In fact, many years ago, long before I ever heard of mind training, exercise was my first introduction to the ability to focus the mind and develop some control over it. Since a severe psychological crisis five years ago, I have found that rigorous exercise has been an invaluable support for my meditation practice in developing increased mindfulness and cleansing the body of negative emotions and energetic disturbances that accumulate in it.
squamish4244 5 months ago
Physical exercise is as important to me as meditation, and, with the rise in obesity, it is about the most important thing to be promoted in society.
And I'm sure exercise is as vital to monks too, as vital as anything else in their spiritual life. What do you think going on alms round is also about. This whole video is a bit ridiculous imo.
HelloMellowed 6 months ago
@HelloMellowed More exercise as the solution to obesity is absurd. It is the change in diet and quality of our terrible food sources and eating habits that promote poor bodily health moreso than any lack of exercise.
Neuromance27 6 months ago
physical exercise is of the most crutial importance! you cannot have a happy, alert mind one thats capable of much intelligence and never knowing the rotten life negating effects of fatigue. able to keep your zip, pep, and strength well into your 80s it all relies on exercise it is as important as eating, drinking, and sleep!
atfatw 6 months ago
Then what about the physical exercise of for example shaolin monks, where the kung fu is a kind of meditation in itself? They train kung fu for achieving perfection in the same way as the zen archers.
azzuman 6 months ago
Jack Lalanne said -The fastest way for the human body to get sick is not to use it!Jack Lalanne lived to be 99 years old.
MrPeaceoflife 6 months ago
It has been proven that physical exercise is a great neuro-protector.Even better then yoga and meditation!!Physical exercise can fend off cancers,depression and other human aliments.
MrPeaceoflife 6 months ago
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Being in shape is really good to find a girlfriend, finding a girl is supposed to make a common guy happy. But being in shape is not the reason she is supposed to like him, so being in shape is NOT a proper reason for a girl to like you. Then it means that being in shape is meaningless... But it's so hard to live without a woman!!!!
greiper 6 months ago
Being in shape is really good to find a girlfriend, finding a girl is supposed to make a common guy happy. But being in shape is not the reason she is supposed to like him, so being in shape is a proper reason for a girl to like you. Then it means that being in shape is meaningless... But it's so hard to live without a woman!!!!
greiper 6 months ago
I thought the Buddha came to understand that the middle path is most important. That it is ones duty, because physical exercise is important because if you maintain a strong body, you can maintain a strong mind... and with a strong mind you can help people better. When I exercise I don't exercise out of wanting to make my body beautiful, that was the cheif reason before but now after meditating im doing for others, because it will help me help others. I see fitness almost as sharing merit.
BoomDoneNext 6 months ago
Staying in shape is important in the sense of maintaining physical strength. If you meditate all day, and don't exercise at all, your muscles are going to atrophy, it doesn't matter how much you slow your metabolism down...What if there was a absurd attack on monastery or something? Strength could mean the difference between life and death. Sure as a monk you may be able to deal with death... but why would you allow yourself to die when you can take the steps to prevent it?
xtensitymusic 6 months ago
@Svedn
thanks Svedn, I just watched the video and created an account also.
ukibiku 7 months ago
"Physical exercise is good but mental exercise is better" — Thubten Yeshe
ieatchickenmeat 7 months ago
I strongly disagree. I practice yoga as part of my relapse prevention program for alcoholism and depression. For me the mind, body, and spirit are all linked. By the way, the word "yoga" comes from the same root as the word "yoke". It means "to link". He is certainly entitled to his opinion. However I my experience is that my serenity goes to pot when I stop doing yoga.
geshemike 7 months ago
Is the dhammawiki Theravada Buddhism? Because the article 'Sport' in the dharmmawiki seems to contradict you :) I'm a bit confused. I trust what you say.
uilium 7 months ago
hi yuttadhammo,
Not asking because budhdha did so. But just want to know if it is ok to leave two kids to their mother and become monk?
Also, how can i have a bit of an interaction with you. I am having too many fears right now, a little bit of interaction with you may help me move in the right direction. Can I get your email address?
thank you very much
ukibiku 7 months ago
Exercise makes you feel good why not do it?
ilovetodraw555 7 months ago
Excessive
ilovetodraw555 7 months ago
I ag
ilovetodraw555 7 months ago
Seems like meditation is your answer to everything ...
lexyzimus 7 months ago 3
I applaud your desire for the minimal lifestyle. It's a noble path you lead, with your pursuits.
mrbojangles487 7 months ago
Also, the true practice of Yoga is not a physical exercise. It encompasses the heart/mind/body, bringing them all into perfect balance. It does bring a focus to the physical body, but only to reach beyond the regular limitations presented by the body. With regular practice you are promoting a connection more in tune with your place in the universe than you may think. It's one of those things, too, you must practice to really see, to learn true yoga and reallly see.
mrbojangles487 7 months ago
@mrbojangles487 I practice yoga and it has changed my life and the lives of many others around me. In fact the place where I go to do yoga is the most positive environment in terms of people I have ever found. I do not get the sense that they are narcissistic or self-absorbed in their appearance, instead many arrive committed to changing themselves for the better and purifying both body AND mind. It's not a "New Age" fad, it's an ancient practice that has deep roots on the spiritual path.
squamish4244 5 months ago
Besides watching your videos where can I go to learn more about Buddhism and it's theories ? What books/scriptures should I read and where to find them? It seems to me that the Bible is more easier to get then ancient Buddhist scriptures. Can you point the way to find the answer?
4GreenEarth2 7 months ago
physical exercise is for far more than just keeping your food intake in check. We are designed to exert. I don't deny that acts of mindfulness can bring our physical bodies into right alignment, but still some exercise is good. I mean, if you take a walk through the woods, your getting some exercise, even if it is minimal. I think taking right care of the body encompasses more than what you're saying here. Think about how good one feels after a long bike ride.
mrbojangles487 7 months ago
ouch, i like many of the monk beliefs and ideas but you need to freshen up on your science if you want to tell people meaningful things. You don't need to eat much or exercise if your goal is just to live. however if your goal is to live longer and healthier yes you should eat the correct amount of of nutrients and calories, otherwise you are not taking care of your body. if you begin physical exercise and eating the correct foods you will most certainly notice a better physical health.
willrocks41 7 months ago
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The Buddha said: ‘Good health is the highest gain’ and he encouraged monks and nuns to do exercise as a way of promoting vigour and health. As far as the mind is concerned, sport can help to develop positive states like team spirit, friendship, alertness and even a degree of detachment (gracefully accepting the umpire's decision or defeat). -Excerpt from the dhammawiki under 'Sport'
uilium 7 months ago
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uilium 7 months ago
I thought The Happy Buddha must have been or symbolized the Buddha after he gained enlightenment (o: I'd say to myself "The skinny Buddha must be the Buddha as he was on his path, before enlightenment" Anyway, this is a common misconception from the West, that the chubby Happy Buddha is the Buddha.
uilium 7 months ago
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uilium 7 months ago
Again it's unfortunate but you're objectively wrong yuttadhammo. And rather than looking at things objectively and seriously, you instead avoid unbiased research(or facts, if you will) and find arguments to fit your established position and Buddhism itself.
You cannot take care of your body without exercise, it's impossible. I don't doubt that you and many Monks are healthy, but it's for diet. If you combined diet with physical activity you would be healthier(physically). That's just science.
z0mgrugbyreturns 7 months ago 2
@z0mgrugbyreturns IMO the point of the vid wasnt to prove that excercise isnt healthy, rather to show the uselesness of it on the path. As a monk in the forest who has seen thru all the bs where does he benefit from weight lifting and jogging? The only usefull excercise is of the mind
FrankTalby88 7 months ago
@z0mgrugbyreturns Healthier in your path maybe, of course. A skinny person isn't necessarily unhealthy... I can't see science agreeing on that. We will have to look at reports & statistic on how healthy monks are now but that isn't the point...it's the middle way, remember? You are not your body.
uilium 7 months ago
@uilium Skinny and fat people can both be relatively healthy. But not without physical exercise.
Humans NEED physical exercise. Yes going out of your way to lift weights in gyms and jog 5 miles a day is a little peculiar and strange. But it needs to be understood that people only do this because they're living a lifestyle where they're deprived on natural physical activity.
Simply under-eating, as many monks do, is not an answer to lack of exercise.
z0mgrugbyreturns 7 months ago 3
@z0mgrugbyreturns He is not under eating. Just because we don't believe or understand everything does not make the whole teaching useless. Westerners are put off by rebirth or the various powers that some very skilled monks are said to be able to attain. For me, it is hard to believe that a monk could do things like levitate or touch the sun. I take it on faith because I trust the Teachings, Why? I see that without a doubt in my mind that this is the right path.
uilium 7 months ago
@uilium Apologies, I was speaking generally, not specifically about yuttadhammo. But there are plenty of monks that do under eat.
But really this isn't about monks but people generally. Physical exercise is needed, and if you don't get it naturally, you need to get it superficially(going out of your way to exercise, jog, go to the gym etc).
No matter where you are mentally, you can't change a million years of carefully tweaked physical evolution. Humans need physical exercise.
z0mgrugbyreturns 7 months ago 9
@z0mgrugbyreturns the simplest, easiest, to do exercise walking, reaps great rewards a brisk walk in the outdoors preferably in a scenic area not only satisfies the soul with its beauty but the inhalation of the clean refreshing air, and the physical locomotion, circulating the blood keeping the body and its organs including the brain functioning at peak capacity thus preserving one's health and life for a long time.
atfatw 1 week ago
The human body needs exercise. Not exercising, regardless of what mental position you might have, is wholly unhealthy. It's paramount to putting a Lion in a small room, over time it will get sickly and weak.
In the small room, does the lion need to be in physical peak condition? Maybe not, but it's still ruining a body and system developed over hundreds of thousands of years.
Exercise only appears silly because we're in false environments deprived of natural movement and exercise!
z0mgrugbyreturns 7 months ago
@z0mgrugbyreturns very nicely said
dawgpost90 7 months ago
Do you clean your teeth, shave? Sounds like attachment to the body...
Tubiso 7 months ago
@Tubiso Its the same as having a messy bedroom...subconsiously it affects you in some ways. Its a middle way
FrankTalby88 7 months ago
@Tubiso We are all attached to our bodies, the idea is to see through that.. Monks are human beings too.
uilium 7 months ago
@dsalfvcfkljfmkmcfef what's so harsh about living in a forest or eating once a day? Wild animals only eat as necessary, and they don't seem to suffer from it.
yuttadhammo 7 months ago
I want to be a monk, please. I need a ticket to Sri Lanka.
ladyserene100 7 months ago
@ladyserene100 I can help you become a monk, if you can find a ticket to Sri Lanka.
yuttadhammo 7 months ago 7
@ladyserene100 start out by studying at your local zendo sangha and then go for a year long study period at an actual temple like zen mountain its very hard to become a monk.
atfatw 7 months ago
@atfatw Thank you! :) I know, everybody is saying it's hard.. But that is why I want to live a monastic life.. because by then, there is no easy or hard.. No duality. Just being. Not living simply, but simply living. :) Thanks again! Namaste.
ladyserene100 7 months ago
have any one seen wild animals been overweight and doing exersice? monk is true. its all because of we are eating more. just be you.
amilagmail 7 months ago 2
People who have taken up a meditative life-style (as monks or even lay like me) won't see a problem in digesting the things you said ;)
Shadeslayerintown 7 months ago 2
@Shadeslayerintown thank you, that is all I ever hope for.
yuttadhammo 7 months ago 3
The argument that monks in their 90s are still 'good' without exercise is an invalid argument. Meditation plays a great role in their health ONLY, because these monks do not face the every day stress that average people encounter that causes the people to become unhealthy. That being true, monks could be said to be healthier than the avg person. I suggest that when you give advise on Youtube, please state your targeted audience since not everyone have the opportunity to be a monk or layperson.
4GreenEarth2 7 months ago
@4GreenEarth2 a layperson is just a person who lives in normal society and doesnt live as a monk. But who says monks have a less stressful life than laypeople? if you look at a venerable monk, they have the responsibility of looking after an entire temple of othe rmonks, and of looking after the buddhist lay community , which can include talking to people who are about to commit suicide, and they are that persons last hope, if they dont say the right thing that person may go through with it.
XzmazX 7 months ago
trainie monks have the stress of giving up all of there craving, sleeping four hours a night, sleeping on the flour, not getting the food they want, eating only before noon, having to obey the orders of senior monks. I wouldnt say living as a monk is any less challenging than living in the lay community, each way of life has its own challenges which can lead to stress. monks arent free from stress just because they dont live in the lay community, they are free from stress because they meditate.
XzmazX 7 months ago 2
saying meditation only works for monks because they dont live in the laycommunity is not true, seems to me monks face just as much, somtimes much more stress, than someone in the laycommunity. As i wrote before senior monks have the responsibility of looking after hundreds of people, in sometimes serious situations, that could be far more stressful than working 9 to 5. and sometimes monks start work at 4am, and work all day.
XzmazX 7 months ago
its not that monks have les responsilbity, or less work to do, which is the reason for less stress. Its how they interact with there life that counts, what they do with it, and meditation is the most important aspect of that. meditation isnt just successful if you have an already stress free life, if that was true, there would be no point meditating. Meditation is successful and thats Why you have a stres free life :).sorry for the ridiculously long reply didnt realise how long it was till now:P
XzmazX 7 months ago
@4GreenEarth2 Well, I can´t answer for him, but in my view the point here is that getting a healthier body only leads to attachment to the body. So even if he did not believe that one can live a healthier life by taking a monk´s diet and doing no sports, but only meditation, well, even if that were the case, I think he would still take just do the "minimum" for survival. I think it can be explained by the religious background. It´s the religous dogma of getting free from our human existence.
harehare 7 months ago
In the end, it´s not really important wether meditation, for example, solves our mental and physical problems or not, because these problems themselves are only attachment problems... it´s a problem for us because we suffer or have pleasure for some states of the mind and of the body. I don´t agree with that belief, but I think that´s the explanation, as I understand it... some kinds of solutions for problems (such as weak muscles) only lead us to other problems.
harehare 7 months ago
@4GreenEarth2 I think I did state that this is only one pov, and that many may not agree. I am not trying to please everyone with my videos, though. If you don't agree with the things I say, you have options open to you. My target audience, as always, is those people looking to move beyond our conditioned state of being into one that is more objective and universally applicable. A small audience, i think.
yuttadhammo 7 months ago
harsh as these words are, he's just telling the truth. i do exercise mainly because i'm addicted to the rush of pleasure i feel and the satisfaction of seeing myself fit and strong.
Bassfully 7 months ago 2
P.S You are only understanding the first part of the benefit of exercise which is to "be in shape" - but the second part is equally important as well and that is to "be fit" - a person can be "in shape" and look great because they have good genes, but they might not be able to have the endurance and stamina without exercise. As a monk, you can eat 'right' and not exercise and still be okay - but you could be BETTER physically 'fit' if you do exercise.
4GreenEarth2 7 months ago
@4GreenEarth2 actually, I did address this point in the video... somewhere in the later portion.
yuttadhammo 7 months ago
Exercise does not only benefit people with unhealthy eating habits, but can also be beneficial for those such as yourself. There are monks who practice martial arts or carry heavy loads of water, or woods up the mountain - this is their form of exercise. Our muscles and bones will tense up and loose it's flexibility and strength if we don't practice or use them.
4GreenEarth2 7 months ago
@4GreenEarth2 there are monks who drive cars and monk who sell iPhone apps. I disagree about the flexablity, I've been without conscious exercise for twelve years, and I'm more flexible than most. As to strength, if it's needed in one's life, it will come naturally.
yuttadhammo 7 months ago
Shaolin Buddhist monks exercise.
burningmoon01 7 months ago
@burningmoon01 exactly what I was thinking, im curious if this is just his opinion...
pacman211 7 months ago
@burningmoon01 and practice kungfu and perform acrobatics in front of audiences. I'm not a Shaolin monk.
yuttadhammo 7 months ago
isn't eating only once in the morning detrimental to your health? I agree that you shouldn't over-eat but are you not often weak and tired?
License2Bill 7 months ago
@License2Bill no, not really... it does take some getting used to, but I feel healthier than I ever did eating in the evening. Eating in the evening is pretty useless since you just sleep on it any way (or burn it off in the night when you should be sleeping :) ).
yuttadhammo 7 months ago
This is one of the more difficult ideas for me to grasp and I'm not sure I agree with the way you are explaining it here.
This is the first time that I've felt you express some real criticism of one's life style. I think most of your subscribers are laypeople and I think you should be aware of that when you make your videos.
Overall though I have been enjoying your videos. Thank you.
amnesiac2482 7 months ago
@amnesiac2482 thank you for the feedback. I can be a bit critical at times, I apololgize. my intention was simply to point out the uselessness of physical exercise, and then only because someone asked about it. if you want to exercise, it's of no consequence to me... as to subscribers, I didn't coerce people into subscribing to my videos, and if they don't like what I say, they can always unsubscribe... I certainly can't adapt my views to fit theirs!
yuttadhammo 7 months ago
@Yuttadhammo How many calories would you estimate that you eat daily? What kind of camera did you use to shoot this video?
101011b 7 months ago
@101011b I did a study once when I was still a lay person, and found that I was only eating about 1200 calories a day, if I remember correctly. Probably less now :) and I've never felt more fit. Many people ask about the camera... I'm not sure it's proper to be advertising camera brands here - it's no secret, though; you can PM me if you would really like to know.
yuttadhammo 7 months ago
I can see your aura :) Thanks.
emis2004 7 months ago
Thank you Bhante, I'm a bit sick right now and this is useful to hear! :)
HouseOfDao 7 months ago
@HouseOfDao you're welcome... happy sickness to you :)
yuttadhammo 7 months ago
@yuttadhammo "happy sickness to you :)" Good one!
uilium 7 months ago