Hello Alan, thank you very much for this video! I have a question about prostrations while traveling. I will be going camping with someone in tight quarters, so I won't be able to do prostrations inside and I don't feel comfortable doing prostrations outside where other people may see me and think that I'm doing something strange and they may feel uncomfortable. Would it be ok to do a shorter bow from the waist instead of the full prostration? Thank you
Of course! If you can't do prostrations due to conditions, then don't feel you need to do them. When camping, that can be very challenging due to the conditions and environment. You can also take this time to enhance your practice. When around nature, you are deeply expriencing impermanence and can even practice walking meditaiton (but be safe around unfamiliar and uneven terrain), among other practices. Enjoy!
We make offerings to the Buddha, a Buddha, Bodhisattvas, teachers, deceased family, etc. It's a practice that helps us become proficient in compassion, generosity, loving-kindness, and charity so we can bring that forth into the world - and break down our sense of "self". Buddhism has *many* gods and other beings. The difference is that none of them are "creator" gods or beings and are all marked with impermanence. They are all also caught in the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and you could even find yourself there one day!
Just a genuine, helpful and decent human being. With Metta Alan 🙏🏼
Hello Alan, thank you very much for this video! I have a question about prostrations while traveling. I will be going camping with someone in tight quarters, so I won't be able to do prostrations inside and I don't feel comfortable doing prostrations outside where other people may see me and think that I'm doing something strange and they may feel uncomfortable. Would it be ok to do a shorter bow from the waist instead of the full prostration? Thank you
Of course! If you can't do prostrations due to conditions, then don't feel you need to do them. When camping, that can be very challenging due to the conditions and environment. You can also take this time to enhance your practice. When around nature, you are deeply expriencing impermanence and can even practice walking meditaiton (but be safe around unfamiliar and uneven terrain), among other practices. Enjoy!
Thank you for this video and all your videos. I'm a Theravada lay Buddhist, and will use these ideas in my travel.
Namo Buddhaya 🙏🏼 🙏🏼 🙏🏼 ☸
Wonderful! Let me know how it goes next time you travel! It can always be a bit of a challenge, but doable.
I have a question about offerings. Who are you making an offering to? I thought Buddhism didn't have any gods. Love your videos btw!
We make offerings to the Buddha, a Buddha, Bodhisattvas, teachers, deceased family, etc. It's a practice that helps us become proficient in compassion, generosity, loving-kindness, and charity so we can bring that forth into the world - and break down our sense of "self".
Buddhism has *many* gods and other beings. The difference is that none of them are "creator" gods or beings and are all marked with impermanence. They are all also caught in the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and you could even find yourself there one day!