Studying Buddhism is a long-term process, and it is inevitable that mistakes will be made, whether it is learning the worldly Dharma or leaving the worldly Dharma. Here are four common misconceptions about your Buddhist experience, let's see if you've ever fallen into them
1. Stick to the form.
First of all, many beginners pay too much attention to the form and ignore the fate when learning Buddhism. They will be anxious to share the Dharma, regardless of whether others can accept it or not, and if others don't want to listen, they will even get angry and criticize others. The reason for this is that they are confined to forms and do not understand the true meaning of the Dharma. The purpose of the practice is to correct one's own wrongdoing, not to judge others. If we can't apply the Dharma to our lives, then we can't really understand the mystery of the Dharma.
2. Neglect life.
Some people are too focused on learning Buddhism and neglect life. They may give up their work and family and devote themselves to studying Buddhism. This is not the right thing to do. Dharma and life are inseparable, and we should learn the Dharma in our lives, rather than separating Dharma from life. If we don't balance family and Buddhism, then we won't be able to attract others to learn Buddhism.
3. Detached from reality.
Some people prefer to study Buddhism rather than practice it. They may enjoy learning aspects of Buddhism, but they cannot apply the Dharma to their lives. This will only make them stay on the surface of Buddhism and not really understand the true meaning of Buddhism. The essence of studying Buddhism is practice, not research. It is only when we truly apply the Dharma to our lives that we can appreciate the wonders of the Dharma.
4. Sympathy overflows.
Some people abuse compassion and cause problems for themselves. Buddhism teaches us to practice compassion, but if it is not based on concentration, then compassion will become a scourge. Therefore, we must gradually develop our compassion according to the teachings of Buddhism, rather than blindly abusing it.