Buddhists

[Fruidoc]

I am curious about the public opinion here about Buddhism in general. I've been considering adopting Buddhist beliefs (I like what the Buddha initially taught, not the various schools that came out of it) and I'd like to know what people think of it.

Thanks!

 

[The Gonzo]

I once flirted with Buddhism, to reconcile my atheistic beliefs with the acceptance that I'm going to die one day. Didn't pan out, unfortunately.

 

[ohcrapitsnico]

Probably the only religion out there along with shintoism, main stream that is that doesn't have a history of violence or spark controversy (unless you count the tibetan empire but that doesn't really count).

I think it is a very very admirable religion and I greatly respect it.

 

[LightFang]

It's pretty good as a way to live your life if you don't buy that other stuff.

 

[The Yankee]

Probably the only religion out there along with shintoism, main stream that is that doesn't have a history of violence or spark controversy (unless you count the tibetan empire but that doesn't really count).

I think it is a very very admirable religion and I greatly respect it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sohei

Anyway, since I am no expert on Buddhist belief, I will not debate the teachings within it, that is for the OP to study and decide if he wants to incorporate that into his life. Though I have observed that it's given my father a little measure of peace since he studied it some time back.

It's really not up to us, Fruidoc, as it is your life. Set your own path.

 

[Fruidoc]

LightFang, "It's pretty good as a way to live your life if you don't buy that other stuff."

haha...other stuff? What would you say separates the way of life from the other stuff and why shouldn't I buy it...is it poisonous? Will it give me worms? What is this other stuff that you speak of?

 

[The Gonzo]

Probably the only religion out there along with shintoism, main stream that is that doesn't have a history of violence or spark controversy (unless you count the tibetan empire but that doesn't really count).

Jainism, of course.

 

[Fruidoc]

It's really not up to us, Fruidoc, as it is your life. Set your own path.

Yes, I know. What you say will not sway me one way or the other. I am simply curious about what the attitude toward this often misunderstood and misinterpreted philosophy is around the world.

 

[Shadylookin]

I think it's a trendy fad for young Westerners to get into eastern religions. it's a chance to rebel, have spirituality, and it's fairly non-offensive. Therefore I rate Buddhism below other relgions because it is listening to silly irrelevant teachings merely as a spiritual fashion statement instead of being a true follower.

Of course that doesn't really apply to those raised as buddhist, but I"m willing to wager most of them don't know english or have computers with internet access

 

[GenMarshall]

Well, it's a non-theistic religion, It does not have traces of atrocities like Islam, Judaism, and Christianity has, and IIRC there was an ask a Buddhist thread somewhere.

 

[Nylan]

I am curious about the public opinion here about Buddhism in general. I've been considering adopting Buddhist beliefs (I like what the Buddha initially taught, not the various schools that came out of it) and I'd like to know what people think of it.

Thanks!

I've always liked the general premise of it, and people who follow it tend to be happier (or rather, more at peace) than those without something to believe. My only qualm with it is that I don't really see it as a religion but rather a philosophy. If you find yourself without religious belief, it can't hurt, as it discourages self-destructive behaviors and encourages healing ones.

 

[The Gonzo]

I think it's a trendy fad for young Westerners to get into eastern religions. it's a chance to rebel, have spirituality, and it's fairly non-offensive. Therefore I rate Buddhism below other relgions because it is listening to silly irrelevant teachings merely as a spiritual fashion statement instead of being a true follower.

Of course that doesn't really apply to those raised as buddhist, but I"m willing to wager most of them don't know english or have computers with internet access

My thoughts exactly.

 

[ohcrapitsnico]

I think it's a trendy fad for young Westerners to get into eastern religions. it's a chance to rebel, have spirituality, and it's fairly non-offensive. Therefore I rate Buddhism below other relgions because it is listening to silly irrelevant teachings merely as a spiritual fashion statement instead of being a true follower.

Of course that doesn't really apply to those raised as buddhist, but I"m willing to wager most of them don't know english or have computers with internet access

You're right considering converting/adopting/reverting to a religion is a very serious matter and religions are brought down when things like that happens. Its very unfortunate.

 

[Godwynn]

Buddhists are pretty hardcore. That is how they protest, not with bombs or guns.

 

[Fruidoc]

I think it's a trendy fad for young Westerners to get into eastern religions. it's a chance to rebel, have spirituality, and it's fairly non-offensive. Therefore I rate Buddhism below other relgions because it is listening to silly irrelevant teachings merely as a spiritual fashion statement instead of being a true follower.

So is it impossible for Westerners to adopt eastern religions? So far as I have seen, the Western Religions have been skewed and monopolized so much, their central message is lost in the mythology.

I am the son of a minister, and though I know my father would allow me to accept what he could not, I could not bring myself openly sway myself from what he has spent his whole life teaching, crushing his hopes for a good Christian lad. However, I will continue learning from the Buddha in secret - one does not need to shout from the rooftops to be spiritually sound.

Sounds a bit hypocritical there at the end, eh? But that is the wonderful bit about the anonymity of an Internet forum.

 

[Nylan]

Unless we find out your IP address and/or some form of blog password

 

[Shadylookin]

So is it impossible for Westerners to adopt eastern religions? So far as I have seen, the Western Religions have been skewed and monopolized so much, their central message is lost in the mythology.

I am the son of a minister, and though I know my father would allow me to accept what he could not, I could not bring myself openly sway myself from what he has spent his whole life teaching, crushing his hopes for a good Christian lad. However, I will continue learning from the Buddha in secret - one does not need to shout from the rooftops to be spiritually sound.

Sounds a bit hypocritical there at the end, eh? But that is the wonderful bit about the anonymity of an Internet forum.

I"m an atheist I find all religion to be silly tripe, but I've come to accept the fact that I'm not going to enlighten the world. So I find that I have more respect for people that believe in religion sincerely than those who do it as a "spiritual fashion statement."

Obviously my statement is a broad generalization but I've ran into quite a few people that claim to be Buddhist because they read a few of Buddha's one liners and thought it would be "cool" to be a Buddhist. It's along the lines of people getting into Kabblah or Scientology because a few famous people do it.

based on the responses apparently I'm not the only one to notice this phenomenon.

 

[Fruidoc]

Alas it is unfortunate, but very true in the West...thats why I haven't called myself Buddhist yet...I'm still studying it to see if it makes sense to me.

 

[GenMarshall]

So is it impossible for Westerners to adopt eastern religions? So far as I have seen, the Western Religions have been skewed and monopolized so much, their central message is lost in the mythology.

It's actually quite possible for westerners to adopt eastern religions. I would not be supprised to see non-Indians adopting Hinduism or non-East Asians adopting Buddhism and/or Taoism.

I am the son of a minister, and though I know my father would allow me to accept what he could not, I could not bring myself openly sway myself from what he has spent his whole life teaching, crushing his hopes for a good Christian lad. However, I will continue learning from the Buddha in secret - one does not need to shout from the rooftops to be spiritually sound.

Youre going to find that, and it's not just strictly within Christianity. I recall hearing stories on how a Protestant father is upset that his son or daughter converted into Catholicism (and vice versa). Atheists and agnostics have been through the same road as well.

 

[cybrxkhan]

Of course that doesn't really apply to those raised as buddhist, but I"m willing to wager most of them don't know english or have computers with internet access

i am one of those. and, apparently, i have a compueter and internet access.

many Westerners who come across Buddhism, many of them only come to it when they are not doing so well, and they kind of fade away once they are doing better... kind of like a new year's resolution.

I"m an atheist I find all religion to be silly tripe, but I've come to accept the fact that I'm not going to enlighten the world. So I find that I have more respect for people that believe in religion sincerely than those who do it as a "spiritual fashion statement."

Buddhism technically can be considered Atheist, because it denies existence of a forever and forever kind of god. in Buddhism, you can theoretically believe in gods... as long as they die.


and a final tohught: you can have Buddhist beliefs, and not be a true Buddhist. that may be good or bad, though.