Page 1 of 1
Can a layperson actually follow "The Middle Way"?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 8:32 pm
by seeker242
Can a layperson actually follow "The Middle Way" when they are still indulging in sense pleasures? Sex comes to mind.
"There are these two extremes that are not to be indulged in by one who has gone forth. Which two? That which is devoted to sensual pleasure with reference to sensual objects: base, vulgar, common, ignoble, unprofitable; and that which is devoted to self-affliction: painful, ignoble, unprofitable. Avoiding both of these extremes, the middle way realized by the Tathagata — producing vision, producing knowledge — leads to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding."
If a person does not avoid indulgence in sense pleasure, can it still be said they are following the middle way?
Re: Can a layperson actually follow "The Middle Way"?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 8:45 pm
by LastLegend
Yes, moderation. If married, don't over indulge in love making. But enough. Like eating and sleeping too. Don't over indulge in such. Eat to live, not live to eat. But first, study and practice Buddha dharma and never neglect that.
Re: Can a layperson actually follow "The Middle Way"?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 9:32 pm
by ClearblueSky
They can, many traditions and teachers have said so. A big part of is also keeping the correct view, keeping in mind that the sensual pleasures we might go after are fleeting and will not last.
Re: Can a layperson actually follow "The Middle Way"?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 9:38 pm
by Paul
Yes. Look at the Vimalakirti Sutra for example. Then there's also the great masters of many lineages who were laypeople, such as Milarepa. It's all about dedication - that overrides any circumstances.
Re: Can a layperson actually follow "The Middle Way"?
Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 7:11 pm
by Wesley1982
You can read about it on chapter 5 on What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula. ~ I like reading it as a .PDF document
Re: Can a layperson actually follow "The Middle Way"?
Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 8:23 pm
by Wesley1982
page 32.
Re: Can a layperson actually follow "The Middle Way"?
Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 3:25 pm
by Wesley1982
seeker242 wrote:Can a layperson actually follow "The Middle Way" when they are still indulging in sense pleasures? Sex comes to mind.
If a person does not avoid indulgence in sense pleasure, can it still be said they are following the middle way?
If its wholesome sexual conduct. And appropriate then sex is fine.
Re: Can a layperson actually follow "The Middle Way"?
Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 2:49 am
by Huifeng
Paul wrote:Yes. Look at the Vimalakirti Sutra for example. Then there's also the great masters of many lineages who were laypeople, such as Milarepa. It's all about dedication - that overrides any circumstances.
Okay, looking at Vimalakirti - if you are a bodhisattva who has
manifested an appearance in this world, after coming from another Buddha field (Abhirati, where Aksobhya lives), no problem. Vimalakirti is simply
not the regular lay person.
But dedication, yes. In the end, "lay" and "monastic" are just designations. Look at the mind.
~~ Huifeng