Do Shin Buddhists use the Eightfold Path and the Six Paramitas as a guideline in daily life? Can you explain how they are used a little bit.
For the most part, Shin Buddhists do not try to follow the Eightfold Path in a strict sense.
We acknowledge that this is part of the basic Teaching of the Buddha, but the Eightfold Path is almost impossible to follow as a limited human being. Instead, we hold it as the ideal.
As Mahayana Buddhists, we try to follow the Six Paramitas. These are guidelines for daily living. But, again, we know the Six Paramitas are almost impossible to follow as limited human beings. But we try.
For example, Dana or Selfless- Giving is the first Paramita. We know it is good to give, and we want to give of ourselves (money, time, energy, etc.). But we also know that we are limited human beings, so we want to be acknowledged when we make a donation, we want a thank-you card or a tax letter for the donations we make.
In reality, we should be able to give selflessly, without expecting anything in return— to give for the sake of giving. That is the ideal.
We also have to be aware of the other end: to receive. To receive without needing to even say thank you, but to receive with heartfelt gratitude. Again that is the ideal.
Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron