N。I。K。E。 in Buddhism

Last nite, I spoke on Buddhism's NIKE - the Four Dharma Seals of Buddhism namely,

N ot-self,
I mpermanence,
K arma,
E nlightenment.

Buddhism is distinguished by four characteristics, called the Four Dharma Seals.

The Four Seals are:

1. All compounded things are impermanent.
2. All stained emotions are painful.
3. All phenomena are empty.
4. Nirvana is peace.

Any religion or philosophy that contains these four foundation beliefs is Buddhism. Since the death of our Teacher, The Buddha aka Prince Siddhartha Gautama, aka Gautama Buddha, aka Sakyamuni, Buddhism has developed in diverse schools and sects. But the Four Dharma seals remain to be the same.

I recently read a book on the confession of a Taiwanese Buddhist nun, who gave up her 23 years of being a nun and became a Christian. With a full crown of white hair, she mentioned that even the Buddha, no matter how big and beautiful, cannot express the love as Christ did when he died for her sins. She also confessed that she spent years of chanting without meaning, and working for free at temple as part of free labour as she was actually a teacher in a Buddhist school.

I wondered if she had misunderstood the Four Dharma Seals.

Even God is impermanent.

There was never a "self" and she is taking things too personal.

Does she understand the true meaning of cause and effects? and that she will remain in samsara with her attachement of greed, hatred and ignorance?

How can attachment brings End of suffering?

I have no answers for her. Only she will know what she is doing.

I have been a practicing Buddhist for a while now (well since 5 years old).

Day by day, I know that using the four seals of Buddhism has helped me sail through life like a lotus leaf floating in a pond. I am in the pond, but that doesn't mean I need to get dirty.

I support and wait for the lotus flower to come out and make this world a better place.. and that too is impermanence.

I just do my part.

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2011.

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May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN