Every Day Buddhism

The Character And Nature Of Every Day Buddhism

I’ve always been fascinated with Buddhism as a faith and philosophy and while I’ve read a bit about the Buddha’s teachings I’ll admit there’s much I don’t understand. We’ve traveled a fair amount through Asia and I’ve had a lot of conversations with Buddhists about their beliefs and I’ve learned how many relate to their religion. Most every day Buddhists are serious about the rituals and the shrines and temples without really understanding the core philosophy. Much of being raised in a faith is participating in those worship services and they in turn form the foundation of the general culture with its associated traditions, but that doesn’t mean people are well versed in the philosophic fundamentals.

The first thing I realized is the faith of every day Buddhists and Christians are much different. While Christians purportedly will usually turn to God and pray for the health of someone or to seek spiritual guidance, every day Buddhists are constantly asking a Buddha for help with everyday things. One man I talked to said he wouldn’t buy a lottery ticket without praying first to “his” Buddha. A woman we spent a day with lost her wallet and we had to stop by the temple of “her” Buddha so she could pray for help. She got a call from a stranger who found her wallet within the hour. These are actually pretty typical examples. The first time I heard the expression “every day Buddhist” was in talking with a Buddhist teacher.

This doesn’t mean that there are not every day Christians, there are lots of Christians that are involved in the church and its rituals without actually living a life ascribed by Jesus.

The Core Difference Between Buddhism And Christianity

Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the enlightened one attaining nirvana. Buddhism is a non-theistic religion, meaning it doesn’t ascribe to a belief in God, but is based on a philosophy. It teaches meditation leading to attaining nirvana or reaching a state in which the mind, enlightened as to the illusory nature of the life-death cycle, transcends all suffering and attains eternal peace.

Christianity is monotheistic and centered on the teachings of Jesus. They accept God as the creator of everything and believe that He ascribed the rules to be followed to attain a place with eternal life. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son Of God who acts as a guide and intermediary with God and they can develop a relationship with God through prayer.

In Buddhism there is no deity one can direct prayer to but rather the faith is based on meditation and learning that can lead to enlightenment. When a Buddhist is to pray to a specific Buddha they are actually recognizing his (her) wisdom and seeking guidance in better understanding the philosophy. While Christians are actually praying to God for direction, understanding and intervention.

Understanding Buddhism

Most Westerners misunderstand Buddhism, thinking that there is only one Buddha while in fact there are many. In Buddhism, Buddha is a title for an “awakened one” who are spiritually awake or enlightened, and have thus attained the supreme religious goal of Buddhism, variously described as nirvana, awakening and liberation. Because of that many of the statues in shrines and temples represent many different but specific Buddhas. The first was the Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni Buddha, also known as Gautama Buddha, who was a spiritual teacher and the founder of Buddhism. He was born in Lumbini, Nepal, around the 6th century BC. He renounced his royal life at the age of 29 and spent six years seeking enlightenment. After attaining enlightenment under a bodhi tree, he became known as the Buddha, which means “the awakened one.”

The Path to Buddhahood

Becoming a Buddha requires cultivating wisdom, compassion, and ethical conduct. It involves practicing meditation, studying Buddhist teachings, and engaging in virtuous actions.

The Stages of Enlightenment the path to Buddhahood is divided into four stages: Stream-enterer, Once-returner, Non-returner, and Arhat. Each stage represents a deeper level of realization and detachment from worldly concerns.

Meditation and Spiritual Practice Meditation is a central practice in the pursuit of Buddhahood. It helps calm the mind, develop concentration, and cultivate insight into the nature of reality. Other spiritual practices, such as chanting, pilgrimage, and devotional rituals, also support the journey to Enlightenment.

Number of Buddhas The exact number of individuals who have achieved Buddhahood is not explicitly identified in Buddhist scriptures. The concept of Buddhahood is central to Buddhism, representing the state of enlightenment and liberation from suffering.

Buddhist Scriptures Buddhist scriptures, such as the Pali Canon and the Mahayana sutras, provide accounts of various individuals who attained Buddhahood, including Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Different Buddhist traditions and schools of thought may have varying perspectives on the number of Buddhas. Some traditions believe that there have been many Buddhas throughout history, while others focus on the teachings of a specific Buddha, mostly the Shakyamuni Buddha.

When Our Travel Plans Fell Apart

Spending Time Around Our Backyard It feels a bit like being put on restriction and sent to my room for a while as punishment. 2026 was planned with a number of travel itineraries, but things fell apart early on. The first being our fourth try to exploring Egypt. It seems there are several places that…

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Are Bloggers Victims of Social Media Algorithms?

Blogging & Are We Being Played? There’s a lot in the news lately about the social media companies manipulating our children online to keep them engaged and how much harm it may be doing. It is obvious that these entities know a great deal about human psychology and how to take advantage of people online.…

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Standing Watch Above The Rhine

People, places and captured moments selected from The Intentional Travelers photo collection. Marksburg Castle on the Rhine River Marksburg Castle, a majestic fortress located above the town of Braubach in Rhineland, Germany. This castle holds the unique distinction of being the only hilltop fortress on the Rhine that has never been captured or destroyed. Originally…

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The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The History Behind The Celebration Of Easter Without question the holiest site in all of Christendom is located in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem. It represents the location where Jesus was crucified and where his body was laid to rest. Today there is a high level of certainty that the location has been actually identified.…

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Todays Image • Ireland’s Annie Moore

On the waterfront in the Irish city of Cobh stands a statue of a young seventeen-year-old girl and her two brothers.

Waterfront Cobh, Ireland

This statue celebrates Anna “Annie” Moore an Irish émigré who was the first immigrant to the United States to pass through federal immigrant inspection at the Ellis Island station in New York Harbor when it opened in 1892. Bronze statues of Annie, created by Irish sculptor Jeanne Rynhart, are located in Cobh, Ireland and at Ellis Island, New York.

After arriving in America, Annie married a German named Joseph Augustus Schayer, a salesman at the Fulton Street Fish Market, with whom she had eleven children. She died on December 6, 1924, at age 50 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, in Queens, New York.

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Before you leave you might also find some of our more recent postings, listed below, of interest.

Exploring South America

with From Cartagena, Columbia to Ushuaia, Argentina the South American continent is an amazing land of natural wonders and human accomplishments. Explore the islands of the Galapagos or hike around Iguazu Falls, climb up to Machu Picchu or cruise through the Panama Canal. You can even cast off for a trip to Antarctica or walk…

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Port Of Civitavecchia, Italy • A Guide To Visiting Rome

Cruise ships in the port of Civitavecchia

Visiting & Touring Rome From Civitavecchia

While Civitavecchia is a major Mediterranean departure cruise port it is also a port of call for many cruise ships with itineraries that include Rome. While the most convenient way to tour Rome is booking ships excursions, going off on your own can not only save you a lot of money. but can also leave you with more time to explore. The trains and metro will get you into Rome in a little over half the time of taking a cruise ship tour bus.

The best option after a cruise tour is the Civitavecchia Express train service. In 2024 booking has been included on the Italian train service Trenitalia (Web Link HERE) and service has been expanded to even more train times with reservations including a bus from the port to the Civitavecchia train station.

How To Book A Reservation With Trenitalia

Start by accessing the Trenitalia web site (above for English). Select the departure as Civitavecchia Porto and the destination as a Roma station. For express service you should select either Roma Ostiense, Roma S. Peitro or Roma Termini with Ostiense being the best central location. Next select the date you’re in Civitavecchia and choose a departure time. Tickets can be round trip or one way and have several classes. Currently there is a Family and Friends special at a discount for groups up to six people. Select a payment type and after you are issued a reservation you will need to check in (a formality you can do right away). Print and save on your phone and that’s it!

This train costs around €15 for a roundtrip ticket. The first train departs from Civitavecchia before 09.00 am with express service to Roma San Pietro, Roma Ostiense and Roma Termini arriving from 10.00 am on. The last return express train departs from Roma Ostiense at 4.30 pm and arrives in Civitavecchia around 5.20 pm and includes the return bus to the port.

There is also additional excellent train service connecting Civitavecchia to Rome. Trains run about twice an hour throughout the day. Trains from Civitavecchia travel into the Termini in Rome (the main train station) with stops at Tuscolana, Ostiense, Trastevere, and San Pietro. Many are double-deck regional commuters with room to set luggage if you’re going to spend some time in Rome. Fares are about €7 to €9 per person one way. There are a few faster InterCity trains between Civitavecchia and Roma Termini costing under €12 each but usually they do not stop at Tuscolana, Trastevere, or San Pietro.

The Civitavecchia station

If you feel like walking from the port shuttle bus stop the station in Civitavecchia is a pleasant walk of a dozen or so blocks (allow fifteen to twenty minutes). Exit the port and turn right at the first intersection. Follow the street to where it ends, turn right, walk down to the McDonalds and go left, cross the street and walk along the main waterfront street to the train station.

Train schedules that are easy to understand are posted in the station and tickets can be purchased at automated vending machines in the station. There is also a maned ticket window but it’s unlikely they will speak English. After purchasing tickets remember the ticket MUST be validated for use before boarding the train, punch the ticket in one of the little green and white machines around the platform area. There can be serious fines for being on a train and not having validating a ticket.

Civitavecchia To Rome Tours

Saint Peters

Most tour buses into Rome, both “Rome On Your Own” or a guided tour will make the first stop at Saint Peters. If you are taking a train the recommendation is to get off at the San Pietro station (Saint Peters). From there you can visit Saint Peters, the Vatican Museum, switch onto the Rome Metro or head off to explore the city on your own. Check out our “Seeing Rome In Eight Hours” guide HERE.

On returning to Civitavecchia the entrance to the port is only a dozen or so block walk. (Exit the train station and go right.) When you get to the McDonalds turn right and go uphill following the street around to the left. A few blocks further along is the ports free shuttle bus area on your left. The free shuttle buses to each ship are clearly marked for your ship.

Taxis in Civitavecchia should be used with caution as they are notorious for being expensive. Make sure you understand the fare before heading out.

Todays Image • Old Wine

Tenerife is the largest and most populated island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is known for its volcanic landscapes, including Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain. This island is enjoying a growing reputation for producing some excellent and unique wines. Any visit should take advantage of sampling some local wines.

Alvaro Wine is one renowned Tenerife wine producer, known for its high-quality wines made from indigenous grape varieties. The volcanic soils and unique climate of the islands contribute to the distinctive character of Alvaro wines.

Alvaro utilizes a variety of indigenous grape varieties, including Listán Blanco, Listán Negro, and Malvasía, which are well-suited to the Canary Islands’ climate. These grapes produce wines with unique flavors and aromas that reflect the region’s volcanic origins.

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Discovering Kruger National Park, South Africa

Visiting Kruger: The Ultimate Safari Experience For The Trip Of A Lifetime Rated as one of the world’s greatest wildlife experiences and reported to be the number one African safari destination, Kruger National Park is not to be overlooked when considering your travel plans. Larger than many countries and containing mostly undeveloped land, Kruger is…

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Todays Images • Mykonos

The Iconic Windmills Of Mykonos. Traditionally, these windmills are heavy, three-story buildings made of stone, are circular in shape, reflecting the simple yet functional design typical of the Cycladic islands. They were primarily built by Venetians in the 16th century and continued to be constructed into the early 20th century for milling wheat. Mykonos is…

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A Twisted Tale Of Buying Salmon In Alaska

Please Note: For Our Guide To Buying Alaska Salmon Click HERE

A Short Story

Recently (pre Covid) we were on an end of season cruise in Alaska that was to be followed by a cruise down the California coast. Near the end of the Alaska itinerary the cruise ship was liquidating all the smoked and canned salmon in their gift shop. Generally the cruise ports in Alaska sell the packaged salmon at pretty good prices and near the seasons end there are even some good sales, but the prices in the ship’s gift shop were incredible. The last Alaska port on the cruise was Skagway. We thought that because it was a town in America with a U.S. Post Office we could mail our salmon home.

Early in the day in Skagway we walked into town to the post office and picked up a number of USPS cartons. At the hardware store we also bought some packing tape and returned to our stateroom on the ship to box up our salmon for mailing. After boxing up five cartons worth we went to leave the ship to take the packages to the post office.

Only Government Could Think This Way

At the gangway with the ships security was a person stationed there by U.S. Customs (not an agent) with orders that nobody could leave the ship with large packages without them being inspected by a customs agent. Of course the customs office was closed for the day (about 11 am). The young man guarding the ship seemed a bit confused as to what his instructions meant. It seemed that when we sailed out of Skagway our next stop was going to be Vancouver, Canada which might have been the issue? Probably not though. Maybe people were smuggling forbidden items into America by cruising? Probably not though.

After some questioning it seemed that the postal packages were the problem so he allowed us to tear down all the cartons and leave just with the individual Alaskan caught and packaged salmon. Soon we were at the post office again with our salmon and the remaining packing tape, filling new USPS mailing cartons that we mailed home.

But Wait, There’s More.

Skagway main street

As our ship sailed out of Skagway we realized that the gift shop had lowered the prices again on the last remaining salmon. We couldn’t resist, We bought more. Upon docking in Vancouver there were no customs forms and since we were cruising next down the west coast of the United States, we just kept the salmon in our stateroom.

The next day we docked in Seattle and there was a casual customs check but no forms or declarations to file. When asked about anything to declare we explained that we had some salmon we bought in Alaska and since it came from the U.S. there didn’t seem to be any concern. Three days later the ship stopped in San Francisco and again we left the ship with the salmon. Several blocks away from the pier we again mailed more salmon home at a post office.

Wouldn’t you think that U.S. Customs and Immigration would have more important things to do than protect a U.S. port from salmon caught and processed in a U.S. state having U.S. citizens go to a U.S. Post Office to mail it to their home in the United States? Maybe the original problem had to do with our ship being flagged in a foreign country? Could the U.S. salmon have been technically exported to the ship? That raises the question if you need to pay duty on U.S. products bought overseas and brought back into the U>S.? If we tried to mail the salmon home from Vancouver would we have been required to fill out postal customs forms? After more consideration we decided this was just government being government and trying to be official without much thinking..

Todays Image • A Window With A View

The Acropolis Museum

The view of the Acropolis from inside the Acropolis Museum. The museum is one of the most important museums in the world, houses the findings of only one archaeological site, the Athenian Acropolis and its surrounds. The masterpieces that form its collection offer a comprehensive overview of the one of the worlds most historical sites.

The Acropolis was built in the 5th century BC during the Golden Age of Athens. It is home to some of the most famous ancient Greek buildings, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

MORE ON THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM

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