Normalising Self-Discipline

[Shi Da Dao]

Buddhist study is a course of self-study. This is true whether an individual reads a book and trains in their bedroom – or travels to Asia and trains in a Buddhist temple. Regardless of the source of the Buddhist instruction, and the type of Buddhist school involved, all Buddhist training is a matter of self-discipline. This requires a sound inner strength and quietude coupled with an outer fortitude premised upon self-control and self-limitation. Without these abilities the Buddhist method will not work. Of course, none of these things matters if the Buddhist practice involved is simply a superficial pastime designed to boost the very ego its methodology is supposed to overcome. Those who adhere to this superficial pastime, then those who advocate genuine Buddhist practice will be thoroughly rejected and treated with scorn, etc. The Buddhist method only works if inner and outer discipline is established and maintained. This is the only way that greed, hatred and delusion are transcended and the ‘emptiness’ of reality fully understood, penetrated and integrated with. This is the essence of Chinese Ch’an Buddhism...