The
Buddhist teachings have changed my life in so many ways. In fact, I can say
that it was Buddhist teachings that gave me my first real view of life. The
teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha made me aware of just how unaware I had been in
the living of my life.
Perhaps before I go further I should clarify
something ….. See on a daily basis I do Buddhist studies and practice, yet I am
not a Buddhist. I also do some studies and practice which are Christian in
nature, some which are Nigerian, in fact I do quite a bit of spiritual and
philosophical studies from various so called religions, but it was Buddhism
which opened me up to having a “Right view” of life. May be some will say that
I need to catalog myself into this or that, but I say that as of yet I haven’t
seen where the Buddha called himself a Buddhist nor have I seen where Christ
called himself a Christian. Therese great teachers and other simply gave us the
teachings and we have taken them and created all sort of categories, labels,
divisions, and separations. So I choose no label other than a student seeking
enlightenment.
Now back to what I learn from Buddhism.
Well Buddha’s teachings attracted me because in the reading of them they never
has any negative things to say about other so called religious, nor did they
try to slight other views, Buddhist teaching always said to contemplate to
test, don’t take it on blind faith.
Buddhism showed me how to view things as
they are not as I want them to be, Buddhism showed me how to see all sides
without attachment or Aversion. I can go on and on and perhaps I will in future
writings.
Cecil Everett (Guan Sheng)
10/29/2012
10/29/2012
Calipatria State Prison
