Ask a Buddhist

[GenMarshall]

Does Buddhism (Including Zen Buddhism) have a rational and logical world view?

 

[Swedishguy]

Does Buddhism (Including Zen Buddhism) have a rational and logical world view?

Aren't you a buddhist? Shouldn't you know that?

 

[Mr. Dictator]

Does Buddhism (Including Zen Buddhism) have a rational and logical world view?

they are pacifists, which would mean that they might be the only ones with a rational and logical world view.

 

[GenMarshall]

Aren't you a buddhist? Shouldn't you know that?

Actualy, I'm not a full Buddhist.

 

[Gilder]

Does Buddhism (Including Zen Buddhism) have a rational and logical world view?

I believe the Theravada school promotes a more logical view.

 

[Tee Kay]

A.) where did our individual souls start and B.) where did the universe start.

I'm not an expert but there's no such thing as a creation story in Buddhism AFAIK. Life, the Universe and Everything are subjected to the cycle of birth, death and rebirth (think “Big Bang” theory). We believe this to be a natural phenomenon.

why don't we remember our past lives?

Only a person who have reached enlightenment (for example, the Buddha) can view their past lives (although apparently some people can view parts of their past lives, but not a complete picture). Normal people have a natural tendency to forget things that happened in the long past (This is a fact. You can prove it yourself. Can you remember what happened when you were a baby?) and especially if the memory is painful.

I don't know how many different views of Nirvana there are, but it can't be too different.

Every Buddhist have his or her own view of Nirvana. Mine is just one of them.

Does Buddhism (Including Zen Buddhism) have a rational and logical world view?

Depends on what you mean by rational or logical. Personally though I think Buddhism have a heavy philosophical slant. Buddhism encourages discussion and experiment and many of its ideas are more or less in agreement with modern science.

 

[GenMarshall]

Is it true that I myself am Buddha conscious, but I just don't know it yet?

How can one become a Buddhist?

Depends on what you mean by rational or logical. Personally though I think Buddhism have a heavy philosophical slant. Buddhism encourages discussion and experiment and many of its ideas are more or less in agreement with modern science.

When I am refering to rational and logical. I am referring to science and the modern rational thinking and the scientific method instead of appealing to emotions and fary tailes. In a nutshell, I have came into my point of faith of questioning my own religion. Somehow, I found that Buddhism is a bit more agreeable with my line of thought instead of turning people away (and harming my Karma) and offending people with evangelicalism and threats of Hell found in Christianity.

 

[Prince_Imrahil]

When I am refering to rational and logical. I am referring to science and the modern rational thinking and the scientific method instead of appealing to emotions and fary tailes. In a nutshell, I have came into my point of faith of questioning my own religion. Somehow, I found that Buddhism is a bit more agreeable with my line of thought instead of turning people away (and harming my Karma) and offending people with evangelicalism and threats of Hell found in Christianity.

Gees karma. But anyways, you shouldn't be so weak in your views. First off, as a atheist myself, I'm not advocating you shouldve stuck to christianity, but if your views are based on what other people think of them, then they're pretty pathetic views to have. Come to your own conclusions based on what YOU think and feel about your views, not others. Their opinions are not yours, and just cause they get offended, who cares, why should you? That's their problem, not yours.

You've been wishy-washy for quite some time... hardcore christian defender to calling their views wishy washy... you shouldn't fly your colors if you don't really stand by them. Instead of parading catholicism as you have done in the past and shot down others opinions, you should have converesed as you really are, someone who's looking yo develop his point of view on these matters, interested in other opinions, looking to find out which one you can agree with most, and THEN become hardline about it after these views you can honestly claim as YOUR OWN views.

 

[ParkCungHee]

they are pacifists, which would mean that they might be the only ones with a rational and logical world view.

Again, Zen Buddhism is absolutely not pacifist. Zen Buddhism was a major social force and philosophical justification for Japanese Militarism.

 

[GenMarshall]

Again, Zen Buddhism is absolutely not pacifist. Zen Buddhism was a major social force and philosophical justification for Japanese Militarism.

Actually, it was more on the lines of State Shintoism that was a force behind the Japanese Militarism. The Emperor wanted Shintoism separate from Buddhism after being mingled together for hundreds of years.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Actually, it was more on the lines of State Shintoism that was a force behind the Japanese Militarism. The Emperor wanted Shintoism separate from Buddhism after being mingled together for hundreds of years.

Mutsohito did seperate Zen Buddhism and Shintoism, but both continued to push for militarization seperately, particularly Monks like Nantembo, who continues to be regarded as one of the greatest Zen masters of the Twentieth Century.

 

[Chieftess]

Is it possible for a Christian to adopt Buddhist Philosophies such as the Eight Fold Path, etc?

For the sake of commentary...

CG, this would be like asking a chocoholic if it's ok to eat chocolate. You should ask the same question on a Christian forum (preferably a Catholic forum since that's what you are -- supposedly). You may or may not get a different opinion.

EDIT: In fact, I found a thread here for your enjoyment.

 

[GenMarshall]

Chieftess, I dont agree with what you state. I beleive that religion is a personal thing, not dictated by a group of people controlling a mass of people.

 

[Chieftess]

... not dictated by a group of people controlling a mass of people.

So why are you asking a Buddhist, then?

 

[GenMarshall]

So why are you asking a Buddhist, then?

To get a better idea of what Buddhism is all about and perhaps that I want to know more about Buddhism.

 

[Bill3000]

For the sake of commentary...

CG, this would be like asking a chocoholic if it's ok to eat chocolate. You should ask the same question on a Christian forum (preferably a Catholic forum since that's what you are -- supposedly). You may or may not get a different opinion.

EDIT: In fact, I found a thread here for your enjoyment.

Yeesh. That thread is akin to simply saying that one can't syncrenize the religions because one cannot syncrenize religions. Most of the criticisms are also focused on the fundamentals which are incompatable, rather than any possible compatibility.

 

[Ogedei_the_Mad]

As for vegetarianism I don't know much about the Mahayana branch but in Therevada eating meat is the norm.

I fall under the "Mahayanist" category (Pure Land Mahayana, actually), so I'll add my input here:

Vegetarianism is also highly espoused in all forms Mahayana Buddhism and in Chinese and Vietnamese tradition, even onions and garlic are forbidden since they are believed to cause anger (this, however is likely cultural since it stems from Chinese and Vietnamese concepts of "hot" and "cold" foods). For the laity, however, it's more of a personal choice: there are people that eat meat and there are those that don't.

Basically you cease to exist, but it's more complex that that. The Buddha himself said that the experience of nirvana is indescribable. You can choose to come back to earth or allow yourself to be absorbed into cosmic consciousness. After that, what happens is mystery to humans.
I don't know a lot about the in-depth theory of nirvana. I encourage you to do some independent research.

"Nirvana" is considered to be the "ultimate liberation." What it is varies among the various schools of thought; some even describe it as a city. What is agreed among various schools of thought, however, is that "Nirvana" is the state when suffering ceases because you've been able to transcend beyond petty attachment to the notion of a permanent "self." There are no more definitions, no labels, no chains, no self-slavery, nothing. It's not an easy thing to grasp (or for many people, even accept), but the basic idea is that it's freedom in its ultimate form.

 

[mrt144]

why are white people who become Buddhist so nerdy/lame/outcasty

 

[Elrohir]

Are you certain that your opposition to the idea is wholly independent of your own framework for viewing the afterlife? Maybe you are more like atheists who say they hate the idea of heaven, or as they call it, "standing around and praising God forever", more than you realize . . .

No, I'm not. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if at least half the reason I don't like the concept of Nirvana is because I have a concept of the afterlife (The Christian Heaven) which I believe is completely superior in every aspect. But that doesn't mean I don't have a point - I condemn atrocities against humanity partly because of something inborn, but also largely because of the culture I was raised in, one which values human life. I have a preconceived idea that killing people without cause is wrong. Because it's preconceived doesn't mean it's automatically right, but it doesn't mean it's wrong, either. It just is.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

why are white people who become Buddhist so nerdy/lame/outcasty

??