First, self examination or introspection. The Buddhist is a vigilant observer of him-/herself body (behaviors, speech, actions), thoughts, feelings and emotions (consciousness and mind). This is a nonstop struggle to conquer oneself. Hence, each Buddhist is a soldier engaged in a fight against his/her own greed, anger, and ignorance till the last breath. Buddhist practitioners are expected to be aware of what is going on to their own body and mind. They are not supposed to rely on others for their mindfulness and enlightenment (the ultimate goal of their practice). A Buddhist is an atheist in this sense. The statue/photo of the Buddha is only for the Buddhist to show respect to his/her great Teacher. The Buddha is not an omnipotent or omnipresent God who can save the follower from the hell s/he has created through his/her misdeeds (bad karmas).
Second, the Buddhist's attitudes or reactions towards others, what is happening around him/her, including all changing events and phenomena in this world and in the universes. All genuine Buddhists are supposed to cultivate wisdom (namely, seeing things as they actually are or Truth/Reality) and three virtues in their life on earth. These virtues are Loving-kindness & Compassion (Metta & Karuna), Joy (Mudita) and Equanimity (Upekkha or Letting Go/Not disturbed or agitated, neither attached nor unattached). Wisdom and the three virtues guide Buddhists in their response to various situations. Buddhists' learning about and experience life universal laws in action inside and outside themselves: interdependence or interconnectedness (dependent origination), karma, cause and effect, to mention a few. There is nothing that comes into being by itself. In other words, this is (this exists), because that is (that exists). Everything is changing in an unending process. No beginning. No ending. Cyclic.
The Anapanasati Sutta is the popular guide to Buddhist practitioners. The Sutta guides the practitioner to observe the body, the feelings, the mind, and the dhammas (universal laws). With breathing in and breathing out as one's life companion, one can follow the Way, and achieve, step by step, the ultimate Goal the Buddha Himself pointed out to humankind. It was exactly the Way and the Goal which the Enlightened One once experienced and attained within His own lifespan. This lifespan of ours is only part of our journey towards the ultimate destination, enlightenment. Effort and perseverance will do wonder.
As long as every human can get engaged in conquering him-/herself, and learns to develop wisdom and to cultivate the three virtues mentioned above, peace may happen on earth, within and without. Fundamentally, humankind is a peace-loving and happiness-seeking species.
Related links:
In Vietnamese:
http://thuvienhoasen.org/a22760/thay-tru-tri-thien-vien-truc-lam-gap-go-duc-dat-lai-lat-ma
Important:15:30
In English:
Discussion of Service with Princeton University
Students
