Practicing Buddhism

 American Buddhists tend to be very interested in “practice” and are looking for a way to improve their quality of life. But “practice” in Buddhism has a dual meaning. It doesn’t just refer to traditional Buddhist practices like sitting meditation or sutra chanting. It ultimately refers to putting the Buddha’s teaching into practice, and actually, this doesn’t necessarily require the traditional “practices.” The essence of this teaching is a radical insight into the reality of life. The great Buddhist teachers all say that practicing Buddhism—integrating this insight into our daily lives—is the way to live every day of our lives in the most fulfilling way.