Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Wisdom Quarterly based on Book of Protection (MN 2)
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| Middlesex schoolboy to Shaolin monk: Enter the Suburban Dragon (See below) |
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| Fat Budai, fit Buddha (center), fat Hotei (Sonam Ukyab/Khorsani/flickr.com) |
Ever try to diet? It would be better to live-it. The Buddha was fit, but not
Budai (Hotei), the "Fat Happy Bodhisattva" so often confused for the Buddha.
He was
roly poly and very pudgy. But he was a Chinese monk and jolly folkloric Santa Claus figure named
Budai ("Cloth Sack") who came longer after the Buddha. Taoism reveres him more than Buddhism does, and that's only because he is much more of a good luck charm than an exemplar.
Four Reflections of a Buddhist Monastic
1. Wisely reflecting I wear this garment in order to protect myself from cold, heat, gadflies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, from snakes [who would strike warm flesh using thermal-vision but not cool cloth], and also as a constant cover motivated by modesty.
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| Vegan diets are compassionate and healthy |
2. Wisely reflecting I partake of food not for the pleasure of it, not for the pride (resulting from the physical strength that can be obtained), not for adornment, not for beautifying [and beefing up] the body, but in order to maintain this body, to slake the hunger, and to enable the practice of the high life. And I do so also to quell the pangs of hunger (due to want of nourishment) but avoiding pain (resulting from an excess consumption of food). In this way life is maintained free from wrongdoing and free from distress.
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| Fitness = sleep, eat well, smile, work, exercise, and relax. |
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| I'm not fat. I'm small-shirted! |
3. Wisely reflecting I make use of lodgings in order to protect from cold and heat, from gadflies and mosquitoes, from wind and sun, from snakes, as a constant protection against the rigors of climate, and in order to realize that ardent yearning for seclusion (which results in mental concentration and
meditative absorption).
4. Wisely reflecting I make use of medicine as an aid to eliminate bodily pains that have arisen and also to maintain that important condition [so useful in striving for liberation from all suffering, enlightenment], free from disease.
"All The Taints" (MN 2) Bhante G explains this sutra dealing with the eradication of the three taints: craving for sensual pleasure, craving for being, and ignorance, which are heart-defilements brought about by unwise reflection or unskillful attention. The seven methods to eradicate them are: seeing, restraining, using, enduring, avoiding, removing, and developing.
Or do it the Hard Way
How about a strictly vegetarian Shaolin monk's diet?
From Middlesex schoolboy to Shaolin monk: Enter the (Terribly Suburban) Dragon
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| So much strength and power from veggie diet? |
He's the ordinary north London boy who became a Chinese warrior monk. And his story is as astonishing as it is inspiring. Matthew Ahmet is 20 and he's hard -- very hard. His head is shaved, and his body bears the ravages of a violent life. A mark on his forehead shows where a metal bar came crashing down on his skull. His forearms have been sliced repeatedly by razor-sharp knives, and his left arm has a "punishment" burn from boiling water. So when he sits down, flashes a beautiful smile, and talks about spreading happiness and peace, it comes as a great surprise.
More
1. Wisely reflecting I wear this garment in order to protect myself from cold, heat, gadflies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, from snakes [who would strike warm flesh using thermal-vision but not cool cloth], and also as a constant cover motivated by modesty.
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