Seek the cause of your misfortunes in your own imperfections
Chuang Tzu (Taoism)
There are many reasons to practice, some more noble than others, but the true practice is the true practice, no one can change that. Some may practice for appearance, respect, or because they see the true value in practising. And even though there are many different practices and reasons to practice the true practice is very simple, a ceasing to do unskilled acts, and a cultivation of skilful acts to remove the habits that are unskilled.
Ven. Mahā Kassapa saw a danger soon after finding out about the Buddhas death, this danger first became apparent through the elderly, but newly ordained monk Ven. Subhato who was of the opinion that the Buddha was too compulsive regarding laying down rules (Vinaya) to be followed, and that these rules were at times to restrictive and he wanted them relaxed, this brought about the first council which was to ensure the practice and teachings of the Buddha were able to be followed long after the Buddha.
Some new rules may have been added or subtracted as the need arose - which was allowed - however, what we need to ask ourselves is why those enlightened beings kept the rules and practices going after their own enlightenment, as well as encouraging others to follow them diligently‽
The Buddha encouraged this behaviour of leading by example in the Arahants, so that people who wanted to walk the path could have a living example of the end of the path, and thus could see where the path was, not with some loose precepts which can be interpreted in different ways - some of which leading off the path - but with a map which can be followed and aid in remaining on and finding the path again with as little difficulty as possible.
Yes the path is hard to walk, yet simple. So when the path is clearly marked it is easy to find and the only difficulty is staying on it.
At the end of the day I may be right, I may be wrong, but I share this hoping I am one, the other, both, or neither.
Ven. Mahā Kassapa saw a danger soon after finding out about the Buddhas death, this danger first became apparent through the elderly, but newly ordained monk Ven. Subhato who was of the opinion that the Buddha was too compulsive regarding laying down rules (Vinaya) to be followed, and that these rules were at times to restrictive and he wanted them relaxed, this brought about the first council which was to ensure the practice and teachings of the Buddha were able to be followed long after the Buddha.
Some new rules may have been added or subtracted as the need arose - which was allowed - however, what we need to ask ourselves is why those enlightened beings kept the rules and practices going after their own enlightenment, as well as encouraging others to follow them diligently‽
The Buddha encouraged this behaviour of leading by example in the Arahants, so that people who wanted to walk the path could have a living example of the end of the path, and thus could see where the path was, not with some loose precepts which can be interpreted in different ways - some of which leading off the path - but with a map which can be followed and aid in remaining on and finding the path again with as little difficulty as possible.
Yes the path is hard to walk, yet simple. So when the path is clearly marked it is easy to find and the only difficulty is staying on it.
At the end of the day I may be right, I may be wrong, but I share this hoping I am one, the other, both, or neither.
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