Shaolin martial art has the Buddhist ethic at it's core. Some of the teachings regarding attachment and it's connection to suffering struck me in a very deep place.
The Four Noble Truths:
1) The Truth concerning the origin of Suffering is thus:
Birth is characterized by suffering and dissatisfaction, Death is characterized by suffering and dissatisfaction, Being with the unpleasant is characterized by suffering and dissatisfaction, Being away from what is pleasant is characterized by suffering and dissatisfaction.
2) The truth concerning the cause of this suffering and dissatisfaction is that it arises from cravings, the craving not to be forgotten, craving for sense pleasures and craving sometimes, for death.
3) The truth concerning the way to overcome the suffering and dissatisfaction brought about by craving is to cause craving itself to cease, to withdraw from participating in it, to renounce it, to liberate oneself from it completely.
4) The truth concerning the way to cease craving is to follow The Noble Eightfold Path of Virtue which consists of right views, right intentions, right speech, right activities, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
The only time I find myself straying form the peaceful space this promotes is when I reconnect back to my ego and begin to serve my oh so selfish interests. I imagine this is why it is called PRACTICE and not RELIGION.....
Build rather than destroy;
Avoid rather than check;
Check rather than hurt;
Hurt rather than maim;
Maim rather than kill;
For all life is sacred
and
none can any be replaced.
-Shaolim Monastery Credo
To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.
-Patanjali Samadhi
"Not engaging in ignorance is wisdom."
~ Bodhi
Never miss a good chance to shut up