| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 2:07:24 AM | Applying Buddha's teachings to my life brings me much tranquality and peace. Many people that don't understand these teachings believe that if you are a Buddhist, you don't delieve in God. This is so not true.
I was raised in a baptist family and have faith in a Higher Power. This faith has opened my mind and given me an insight to become more educated in all aspects of life. One interpret is gaining knowledge of this wise man's enlightment.
One can look up the history of Buddha on the net, but keep in mind that he was born 500 years before Christ. He was not around any Jews; therefore, he didn't know about Christanity which is somewhat comparable to his beliefs. Although the Buddha himself was a theist (believed in gods), his teachings are non-theistic.
His father was King Suddhodana. The king tried to shield his son from the unpleasant realities of life and he was surrounded with all the riches of that time. He left his family and friends, went to the edge of the forest, took off all his clothes and jewelry, covered his naked body with rags of cloth, cut off his hair and started to meditate.
As the story continues, "he accepted a little milk and rice pudding from a village girl and then, sitting under a Sacred fig , also known as the Bodhi tree. He vowed never to arise until he had found the Truth. His five companions, believing that he had abandoned his search and become undisciplined, left. After 49 days meditating, at the age of 35, he attained bodhi, also known as "Awakening" or "Enlightenment" in the West. After his attainment of bodhi he was known as Buddha or Gautama Buddha and spent the rest of his life teaching his insights (Dharma)."
The Buddha was more concerned with the human condition: Birth, Sickness, Old age, and Death. The Buddhist path is about coming to a place of acceptance with these painful aspects of life, and not suffering through them.
Please be clear on this point... The Buddha is not thought of as a god in Buddhism and is not prayed to. He is looked up to and respected as a great teacher, in the same way we respect Abraham Lincoln as a great president.
He was a human being who found his perfection in Nirvana. Because of his Nirvana, the Buddha was perfectly moral, perfectly ethical, and ended his suffering forever. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 2:14:47 AM | | The Bible has its good points, it depends on your interpretation. We do not know the exact words of Jesus or Buddha. As far as Buddhism and how it has affected me, I truly like the Buddhist interest in the here-and-now, to be aware of the present, and it, like yogic philosophy, seeks to have a scientific, psychological approach to spirituality. In modern society, we focus on attaining things, but in Buddhism there is nothing to attain, you must simply get to know your true self and your truth to end your suffering on this Earthly plane. I like the idea of Mushim or one mind as mentioned in Zen thinking. I do have respect for the Bible, but Buddhism is definitely something one can learn from. It connects to Hinduism. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 5:23:45 AM | Buddhism is a very interesting Asian religion which has profoundly affected Asian countries, from India to Indonesia in many ways. It has also been responsible for the founding of a very rich philosophical tradition in Asia which is a subset of Asian Philosophy in general.
Overall in terms of its complexity, depth and insight I think Buddhism rivals the other main world religions in many ways. Buddhism doesn't require you to believe in God, but it doesn't argue that a God exists. The path of salvation in Buddhism is not focused on obeying the divine will or uniting with God but instead on overcoming the existential problem of dukka (or suffering) and the 'marks of existence' (including impermanence, transience and conditioned-ness) by reaching the Unconditioned, which is called nibbana in Sanskrit or nirvana.
Buddhism is divided into three major sects, Theravada, Mahyana and Tibetan Buddhism. Theravada is more focused on the individual and the personal quest for enlightenment, while Mahyana is more devotional and includes many different Buddhas or beings which have already reached enlightenment and strive to help all creatures in all worlds reach enlightenment (sort of like the intercession of saints in Catholicism and Shia/Sufi Islam). Buddhism and Buddhist scriptures will often seem strange to our mindset, which is focused on reason and using logic and precision to reach truth and knowledge, which Buddhism strives for a more intuitive approach to reality as it truely is. However, Buddhist philosophy also uses some quite sophisticated logical techniques and language (especially the use of aporetic paradoxes) to try and get our mind from clinging to the world of phenomena to a state where the distinction between the conditioned world of phenomena (which includes us and all things) and the Unconditioned, which is changeless and unmade, is overcome. Reaching this state in a continuous act of concious awareness constitutes enlightenment or nirvana, and hence salvation from dukka.
Buddhism offers a very interesting picture of the world which has some shared characteristics with mystical spirituality in other religions and also with some Western philosophical concerns as well. Its philosophy offers some interesting insights into mind, conciousness and language and how they are used to describe the world. It is well worth studying, even if only for academic interest. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 12:07:32 PM |
Not too many buddhists around in these parts...if you have the telephone code for China, you probably fare a whole lot better...heheheheh...
Don't be ignorant... China is a communist nation, therefore religion is rarely practiced (it's officialy an Athiest nation). Taiwan however... that's where you'll find the most Buddists. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 12:16:11 PM | You know the one thing I find the most fascinating about Buddhism? It's got 18 Hells (which beats Dante's 9 hells  LOL). Yes... even Buddhism has its "Dark Side"...
And yes... I "ctrl + V" all of this (who the hell has time to type everything out?) And NO, I'm NOT going to cite my sources (this isn't English Class FGS). But if you'd like to know it's from the text called "Jian Di Yu Jing" 間地獄經...
1Chamber of Wind and Thunder – People who kill and commit heinous crimes out of greed are sent here for punishment.
2Chamber of Grinding – Wealthy men who do no good and waste food are ground into powder in this chamber.
3Chamber of Flames – People who steal, plunder, rob and cheat are sent here to be burnt.
4Chamber of Ice – Children who ill-treat their parents and elders are sent here to be frozen in ice.
5Chamber of Oil Cauldrons – Sex offenders such as rapists, lechers, adulterers are fried in oil in this chamber.
6Chamber of Dismemberment by Sawing – Kidnappers and people who force good women into prostitution suffer the fate of being sawn in this chamber.
7Chamber of Dismemberment by Chariot – Corrupt officials and landlords who oppress and exploit the people are dismembered by a chariot in this chamber.
8Chamber of Mountain of Knives – People who cheat customers by earning more than they should, profiteers who jack up prices and cheat on the quality of goods are made to shed blood by climbing the mountain of knives.
9Chamber of Tongue Ripping – Gossips who stir trouble and liars suffer the fate of having their tongues ripped out in this chamber.
10Chamber of Pounding – Cold-blooded murderers are pounded in this chamber.
11Chamber of Torso-severing – Scheming and ungrateful men have their torsos severed in this chamber.
12Chamber of Scales – Crooks who oppress the innocent, people who cheat on the quality of goods and daughters-in-law who ill-treat their in-laws have hooks pierced into their body and hung upside down.
13Chamber of Eye-gouging – Peeping toms who go around peeking and leering have their eyeballs gouged out in this chamber.
14Chamber of Heart-digging – People with evil hearts have theirs dug out in this chamber.
15Chamber of Disembowelment – Instigators, hypocrites and tomb-robbers have their bowels dug out in this chamber.
16Chamber of Blood – Blasphemous crooks who show no respect to the gods suffer the fate of being skinned in this chamber.
17Chamber of Maggots – Crooks who use loopholes in the law to cheat and engage in malpractice are being eaten alive by maggots in this chamber.
18Chamber of Avici – Crooks who have committed heinous crimes, brought misery to the people and betrayed the ruler are placed on a platform above an inferno. The unlucky ones fall off the platform into the inferno and burn while the lucky ones remain on the platform. These spirits are never to be reincarnated. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 2:28:36 PM | I love Buddhism.
There are so many different sects with different takes on it all... Some believe in deities, some believe in hells... As far as I recall, Siddhartha Gautama never talked of any hells except those that were manmade and of no concern to an awakened mind.
According to him only the unawakened were/are affected by the whims of gods.
Overall in terms of its complexity, depth and insight I think Buddhism rivals the other main world religions in many ways. Buddhism doesn't require you to believe in God, but it doesn't argue that a God exists. The path of salvation in Buddhism is not focused on obeying the divine will or uniting with God but instead on overcoming the existential problem of dukka (or suffering) and the 'marks of existence' (including impermanence, transience and conditioned-ness) by reaching the Unconditioned, which is called nibbana in Sanskrit or nirvana.
I like how you put that... Hinduism taught that the closest you can get to the gods was through yoga... After a time (The Buddha was Hindu for several years) Siddhartha felt he was going nowhere and made his decision to sit under the Bodhi tree until he knew enlightenment.
After several days he did... At first his Hindu friends thought he had forsaken his quest and was just being ignorant, but after meeting with masters, it was decided (amoung many) that he was indeed the reincarnation of Krishna and if you look into it, you will see that many branches of Hinduism still recognize him as such.
The thing is, Buddha taught that you didn't need yoga to see past Karma and be free of "gods"... He taught to look within yourself... To question everything until it makes sense to your inner self.
His self appointed mission was to enlighten absolutely every being... He knew it was impossible to do but he took on the task regardless... His compassion was merciless... He knew(imo) that we were all Buddha-Nature... That's why it's called an awakening... We just have to wake up and realize that we are the Buddha.
I have my own perspective on Buddhism... One that kind of ties back into a Hindulike setting... They called the One Brahma... All gods, folk and stuff sprang from there.
I think I'm mostly influenced by Tebetan and Zen... I like to throw in the Tao, Hindu philosophies and so much more, that although I love Buddhism, I can't rightly call myself a Buddhist... I do not cling... And in my way of thinking, the Buddha wouldn't want us to follow strictly, his actions... He wasn't a conformist... He did what worked for him... But he wasn't afraid to say what worked for him. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 4:23:55 PM | | If you believe in god go worship him but it is not wise to follow buddhism with it. If you follow buddhism you are not completely following god's teachings. You can only have one master not two. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 5:08:22 PM |
You can only have one master not two.
Buddhism teaches you to be your own master... Monotheistic religions can go hand in hand with Buddhism if they practise compassion above persecution. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 8:03:57 PM |
If you believe in god go worship him but it is not wise to follow buddhism with it. If you follow buddhism you are not completely following god's teachings. You can only have one master not two.
It doesn't matter, because there's only one God anyway; regardless of the religion, God is the same being (with different names). | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 8:40:56 PM |
Siddhartha Gautama never talked of any hells except those that were manmade and of no concern to an awakened mind
Hence the term, "Occult" - to shut off from view or exposure... ;)
It's a shame how the Communist army razed all the old Buddhist Temples and burnt all the old texts (not to mention killed off a lot of the monks) back in the 1940's. They also killed off all the Chinese nobles (or made them renounce their titles if they didn't want to die). My father used to tell me stories about this when I was a child (he was born in 1939), so he grew up in that era.
Most of all the original Chinese Buddhist texts have been either lost or destroyed (or at least not translated into English yet). I guess there were a lot of things they didn't want the people to know about. In a sense the communist party really did try to "kill off" all religion; too bad they also destroyed a lot of history as well, but that was their goal, to re-write history. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/29/2008 9:49:35 PM |
China is a communist nation, therefore religion is rarely practiced (it's officialy an Athiest nation). Taiwan however... that's where you'll find the most Buddists.
That is categorically untrue. The communist Chinese government permits the practice of five religions, including Buddhism, provided the practice falls under the auspices of a registered group. Most religious practice is underground, however, as the official government forms are considered impure and sanitised.
The official government estimate suggests that there are around 100 million Buddhists in China -- more than five times the entire population of Taiwan.
Furthermore, there are many unregistered (underground) Buddhist practitioners -- probably hundreds of millions more. This means China probably has the largest Buddhist population, by far. Even if one only accepts the official government figures, only Japan could possibly rival it.
I think someone owes someone else an apology... | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/30/2008 6:15:13 AM |
If you believe in god go worship him but it is not wise to follow buddhism with it. If you follow buddhism you are not completely following god's teachings. You can only have one master not two.
This is certaintly not a 'wise' post and so untrue.
I have faith in one God, but I learn from many teachers. I never claimed Buddha to be my master. I did state previously that the Buddha is not to be worshiped because he was not a God. He infact was a wise man that we can learn from as with any intelligent insightful human.
I personally stay clear of "foolish people." | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/30/2008 12:33:18 PM | | You put your feet in two boats, you follow two teachings not just one. How can you get ahead? Doesn't matter if you don't worship buddha you are reading about buddhism. There's a lack of loyalty, you have little faith in god so you have to learn buddhism that's simple fact. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/30/2008 1:13:23 PM | ^^^ There are many teachings... Each one a little different.
Why limit the teachings you may get insight from? There is no lack of loyalty if you believe in a creator god and still follow the ways of the Buddha... One doesn't take away from the other in my outlook.
Why would you have to have little faith in God to not believe what mankind has written of It?
There's a lack of loyalty, you have little faith in god so you have to learn buddhism that's simple fact.
All you did here is make an assumption which I'm guessing is off the mark for the poster intended and is not a fact at all... It IS simple, I'll give you that much. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/30/2008 1:16:59 PM | The Source:
You put your feet in two boats, you follow two teachings not just one. How can you get ahead? Doesn't matter if you don't worship buddha you are reading about buddhism. There's a lack of loyalty, you have little faith in god so you have to learn buddhism that's simple fact. Conversely there is a multitude of paths to God.. like a big buffet.. if you choose to be "loyal" to only one dish.. so be it, but many others would like to taste and sample the bountiful plentitude that life has to offer...
I am eclectic and collect the nuggets of truth that resonate for me amongst all of the paths/religions I have researched...
Buddhism has much that interests me, but so do many other paths... and I do not like to limit myself :) | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/30/2008 2:48:55 PM | edge_of_dawn
I'd take from anything that which resonates... whether it's Buddhism or the JW's.
Your "Jian Di Yu Jing" 間地獄經... references could only resonate to a warped mind. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/30/2008 3:37:47 PM | As usual Montreal Guy's posts are right on. I especially like the 8 spokes of the Wheel of Dharma;
The Noble Eightfold Path
Wisdom
1. Right View
2. Right Intention
Ethical Conduct
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
Mental Development
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
I find working on those keep me busy enough to not worry too much about all the different streams that feed the river, as the two posters above me have said, it all leads to the ocean. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/31/2008 11:36:23 AM | I thought the very first essence of Buddhism was first taught as a philosophy and not as a religion and not following the path it set out only meant not being able to reach the highest form of enlightenment that the Buddha was trying to teach his pupils to reach and wasn't it was only later when people started adding there own parts to it that the fear of eternal damnation and paranormal elements were introduced into it?
So anyway from my reckoning, if you follow the true meaning of what the Buddha was trying to teach in the first place then it is OK to practise both Bhuddism as well as a religion with out the fear of spending eternity with a red pitchfork (or any other chosen garden implement of your religion) up your bum | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/31/2008 1:55:04 PM |
This quote by the Dalai Lama is the type of honest observation that is incredibly rare in meditation: "In the West, I do not think it advisable to follow Buddhism. Changing religions is not like changing professions. Excitement lessens over the years, and soon you are not excited, and then where are you? Homeless inside yourself." – The Dalai Lama
I think to many people are fascinated with Religions other then Christianity because it obviously does not answer the most important questions properly. But there are real and serious dangers to being involved in other religions that shouldn't be taken lightly.
This is a good site that outlines the dangers...
http://www.lorinroche.com/page8/page8.html
Religion, spirituality isn't something to be taken lightly They are all dangerous because we give up free will by believing in something and often are open to many things because of that belief. | |
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Posted: 1/31/2008 5:05:39 PM | ^^^That was a long time ago I believe... His views have changed since he has seen the western world from compassionate eyes... Yes, if you ask him, the Dalai Lama would say he has much to overcome himself still... As far as I know he eats meats still... What of it? Nobody has it all down!
Religion, spirituality isn't something to be taken lightly They are all dangerous because we give up free will by believing in something and often are open to many things because of that belief.
I disagree... I would say that taking this stuff too seriously is dangerous... There are many ways to look at it and the only thing that's dangerous about that is our prejudices.
A view that blinds you to other views is hindering your potential to form your own view.
Have fun with it... My way or the highway? Sorry... I forge my own path thanks. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/31/2008 7:28:02 PM |
You put your feet in two boats, you follow two teachings not just one. How can you get ahead? Doesn't matter if you don't worship buddha you are reading about buddhism. There's a lack of loyalty, you have little faith in god so you have to learn buddhism that's simple fact.
No! That's your simple minded assumption. You absolutely make no sense at all.
So if I read about Buddha or about any intelligent man or woman, then I'm sinning againt my Father. You're full of it. I take it that you don't read; therefore, you're uneducated as well.
You have no right to concern yourself with my loyalty and faith, when you are sounding like a judgmental hypocrite.
BTW...God is spelled with a capital "G" at all times. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/31/2008 10:52:12 PM | Yes. But still not enough of us :) Buddhist's that is.
I have come to belive there is some Spiritual power in the universe but is dose not take the anything close to the form found in Christianity or Islam or Judiasim.
I have heard it called "The Great Divine"
If there was an Infinite Being at the core of all things I dont thingk "It" would have any use for things like "Hate", "Anger", "Retribution", or any reason to cause suffering on lesser beings.
I dont think many people realy understand the concept of "INFINITY"! and an infinite universe or an infinite being and how infinitely small we all are in the grand scheme of things.
My 2 cents. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/31/2008 11:03:18 PM | So please enlighten me.
Which of Gods teachings are the correct ones to follow.
Catholism
Orthodox
Greek Orthodox
Lutheran
Anglican
Baptist
Pentacostal
Shaker
Quaker
Mormon
Jehovas Witness
Judaism
Islam (sunni)
Islam (Shea)
Isalm (other)
Dukabour
And about 1000 others i cant remenber right now.
So just who's "interpertation" of GOD's word should we folow blindly?
"Question Everything... Even this statment!" - Buddha | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 1/31/2008 11:15:18 PM |
The Noble Eightfold Path
I find it easier to follow the "Five Precepts"
1. Do Not Kill or condone killing.
2. Do Not lie, exaggerate ot gossip.
3. Do Not Steal Cheat or Gamble.
4. Do not engage in sexula misconduct. Sex should be reserved for a loving relationship.
5. Do Not take any mind altering substances. No Drugs or Alcohol.
These are concidered guidelines for living a moraly healthy and ethical life.
M. | |
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| Buddhism
Posted: 2/1/2008 7:42:28 AM |
Question Everything... Even this statment!" - Buddha
While the word BUDDHA may conjure up images of a specific person from history or world religions, it is also a description of the highest state of life each of us can achieve. Buddha actually means “awakened one” and the historical Buddha (known as Shakamuni or Siddhartha Gautama) discovered that all humans have a potential for enlightenment – or “Buddhahood” – in the depths of their lives.
In short we are all Buddha’s, we just have to tap into our potential to find unlimited wisdom, courage, hope, confidence, vitality and endurance.
Instead of avoiding or fearing our problems we learn to confront them with joyful vigor, confident in our ability to surmount whatever life throws in our path.
Buddhism also shows us the most satisfying way to live among others (religions, ethnicity, status and background). It explains that when we help others overcome their problems, our own lives are expanded. When our capacity increases and our character is strengthened, the source of our problems comes under control. Because we make an internal change, our relationship with our problems change as well, wrestling positive resolutions in any number of astounding yet tangible ways. | |
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