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Welcome.
Welcome to my website. My online name is Cishanjia, which is Chinese for "philanthropist". I am a lay Buddhist, who has set out on the Bodhisattva path.
Like anyone learning a career, I make notes as I go. A spiritual career is no different in this way. Since a Bodhisattva promises "to free all beings before entering Nirvana", it is only right I share them. But I am not an ordained teacher and expressly do not claim authority to teach Buddhism. Please read my disclaimer before using my site. Web: disclaimer.shtml
I have divided my notes roughly into three levels. I hope you may find the introductory level best if you are new to Buddhism. I hope other Buddhists may find the intermediate level better. My advanced level notes may make little sense, but I will upload then anyway. These are ideas I find do not fit easily into words.
I give two words of warning though. First, the levels are how I see them. You may not agree. Second, as I said, I am a lay Buddhist. I have been a Buddhist for some years. I have no direct access to an ordained teacher yet. I will no doubt be wrong on things, more or less. So you may want to look at other sources I add, and find your own. There are many schools in Buddhism. I follow the lineage of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Cishanjia,
19 August 2008.
A Word from the Buddha.
Do not believe in anything (simply) because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything (simply) because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all then accept it and live up to it.
The Site's Layout.
I divide each page into six parts:
- The top part has the page title and some graphical eye candy.
- You can navigate around the site from the left hand column.
- The centre column has the page's main content.
- The right hand column has any links to other web sites.
- The bottom part has links to any legal stuff and to site policies.
There are the pages you should expect on any website:
- A site map. Web: sitemap.shtml
- A "what's new?" page. Web: whatsnew.shtml
- An "about me" page. Web: about.shtml
- A "webmaster" contact page. Web: webmaster.shtml
I have divided the site into three main areas, relative to my own understanding:
- The introductory level pages. Web: introduction/index.shtml
- The intermediate level pages. Web: intermediate/index.shtml
- The advanced level pages. Web: advanced/index.shtml
In turn I have divided each level into two:
- Talks on whatever idea in Buddhism. These are usually my notes on talks by ordained teachers or masters, or summaries of discussions I have had among other Buddhists.
- "Fact cards" on individual topics. These are more detailed notes on individual ideas.
I have deleted my poor attempt to introduce Buddhism. Instead I have now added a link to a far better one. It is particularly aimed at Western readers. Web: http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=15541
If you cannot access that link, you may have to join E-Sangha first. This is an online Buddhist forum of both laypeople and ordained teachers. Membership is free of charge.
Finally, I have also added a couple of extra items:
- A simple glossary of ideas. Web: glossary/index.shtml
- A collection of Buddhist poetry. Web: poetry/index.shtml
In the introductory level pages I include links to the glossary. Each time I use a special term or idea on a page for the first time, I link to it. I will also link to the "fact cards" from the glossary as I write them.
This Page's References.
[1]. Kālāma
Sutta,
Anguttara Nikaya, Vol 1, 188-193 P.T.S. Ed.,
In the "Treasury of Truth, Illustrated Dhammapada",
By, Ven. Weragoda Sarada Thero.
www.buddhanet.net