336-Was Diogenes a Buddhist?- Buddhism in daily life

336-Was Diogenes a Buddhist?- Buddhism in daily life

Author: Shaolin-Rainer March 3, 2023 Duration: 5:27

Was Diogenes a Buddhist?

Diogenes was a Greek philosopher who propagated the doctrine of "needlessness", i.e. the complete opposite of today's "consumer society".

In his view, man should desire only elementary things. Everything beyond that, the scholar considered "useless", external conventions, such as marriage, he rejected.

For me as a Buddhist, Diogenes' views appear to be of elementary foresight; if I, as a human being, am going to crumble to dust anyway, what good are gold and money to me?

The philosopher is also said to have met the great King Alexander. According to the story, Diogenes was sleeping in an old wine barrel. When the king came to visit (the philosopher's reputation seemed enormous), Alexander introduced himself: "I am Alexander, the great king". To this Diogenes replied: "you stand in the sun for me, go to the side"!

Well, to me also every day many people stand in the sun, but no kings.

The radical way of life of Diogenes, including his hard answer to the king, show similarities with the teaching of Buddha; not only the historical Buddha had reached "enlightenment", already before (and after) him extraordinary people had and have reached this state.

I claim: You can achieve it too, we all can become a Buddha!

According to another story, Diogenes is said to have had little in common with Plato (Greek philosopher, 428 to 348 BC). What a wonderful time this must have been, smart people were exchanging ideas!

IF YOU GIVE EVERYTHING, YOU CAN'T BLAME YOURSELF

- DIRK NOWITZKI - GERMAN BASKETBALL PLAYER - B. 1978

So what do our possessions bring us, what is "in the sun" for us? What are we "fighting" for, what makes up our personality?

We don't have to sleep in an old barrel, nor should we "stand in the sun" of other people.

We could engage in the philosophy of Buddha, peeling back the layers of our personality one by one, coming back to the "core" of being, but do we want that, do you want that?

Well, I do!

Diogenes was a Buddhist!

And I love the rays of the sun.

Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de

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You'll find a quiet, practical companion in Buddhism in daily life-Mindfulness in every day tasks, hosted by Shaolin-Rainer. This isn't about abstract philosophy; it's a hands-on guide for weaving the principles of Chan Buddhism directly into the fabric of your ordinary day. Rainer's voice serves as a gentle guide, offering short lectures that bridge timeless Asian spiritual practices with contemporary Western life, making ancient wisdom feel immediately accessible and useful. Each episode is a down-to-earth session, whether it's a guided meditation you can do while washing dishes or insights on finding stillness during a commute. The core of this podcast rests on the transformative power of mindfulness and genuine self-compassion, presented as tools to soften emotional struggles, nurture a sense of healing, and cultivate a quieter confidence. You'll encounter practical discussions on self-acceptance, approaches to managing anxiety, and the integration of movement practices like Yoga and Qi Gong as extensions of mindful awareness. Ultimately, tuning in is an invitation to discover the spiritual awakening hidden within your own routine, turning every task into an opportunity for presence and peace.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Buddhism in daily life - Mindfulness in every day tasks
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