Buddhists?

[HardDrive]

Anyone study Buddhism here?

I recently decided to learn a bit more about it than the comic book version most are familiar with. Still lots to learn. I've gained some useful tools for gaining perspective.

Reminds of me of Wittgenstein, in that it makes one aware that much of what we perceive as problems are really contrivances of either language or mind.

[livi]

Nope, not much but enough to know that IF I were to cling to a religion at all - Buddhism would be it.

[DARISC]

I hate squashing bugs. Could I be a latent Buddhist?

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by DARISC

I hate squashing bugs. Could I be a latent Buddhist?

Your more of a Buddhist that I am. Hell, I'm going deer hunting in 3 weeks. Not clear on the details yet, but I think Buddha was kind of against the whole blasting bambi thing......

[livi]

So was Sex Pistols, always crying out 'who killed Bambi??'.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by livi

Nope, not much but enough to know that IF I were to cling to a religion at all - Buddhism would be it.

+1

I took a World Religions course some years ago. Based on that, the only religion that holds any sort of appeal for me at all is Buddhism, but I still prefer my own internal spiritual beliefs than any sort of organized or "label-able" belief system.

[kstar]

Teapotism is closely aligned with Buddhism but with more holidays.



As It was, is and will be.

Best,

Kurt

[nostatic]

There are a ton of flavors of Buddhism. You need to do find one that resonates with you.

I practice this: http://www.shambhala.org

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by nostatic

There are a ton of flavors of Buddhism. You need to do find one that resonates with you.

I practice this: http://www.shambhala.org

I have been studying theravada. Seemed like a logical place to start. I have a book about tibetan Buddhism next on my reading list. I will take a look at Shambhala.

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by kstarnes

Teapotism is closely aligned with Buddhism but with more holidays.

A relic for you:







KT

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I have been studying theravada. Seemed like a logical place to start. I have a book about tibetan Buddhism next on my reading list. I will take a look at Shambhala.

here's your local sangha: http://seattle.shambhala.org/home.htm

I'm a little more drawn to Tibetan, hence Shambhala clicking with me. I find Zen a little too "hard" if that makes sense.

[red-beard]

Most companies I've worked for practice Zen Buddhism management.

[nostatic]

they make you sit and face the wall while they come around and smack you on the shoulders?

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I'm a little more drawn to Tibetan, hence Shambhala clicking with me. I find Zen a little too "hard" if that makes sense.

there are 2 books by a Dutchman, available in english
1st one called the empty mirror , on how he post war decided to head to Japan and enter a school, and goes for the full on training, and observes everything in it, like monks who are just in it to get a job as priest, and those who are in it to be come a master... he writes with lot's of humor and insight, great book


Jan Willem van de Wetering

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/v/jan-willem-van-de-wetering/empty-mirror.htm

his second book is from his time in the us , in the 60'ies

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/v/jan-willem-van-de-wetering/glimpse-of-nothingness.htm

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by nostatic

they make you sit and face the wall while they come around and smack you on the shoulders?

NO, they ask you un-answerable questions, then beat you with sticks when you cannot answer. Sudden enlightenment usually involves quitting.

[The Gaijin]

[QUOTE=HardDrive;3553095]Anyone study Buddhism here?

QUOTE]

Only as a student. They will tell you what they think you want to hear. The Buddhism dispensed in the USA is quite different than what is studied and practiced in let's say, Japan.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

+1

I took a World Religions course some years ago. Based on that, the only religion that holds any sort of appeal for me at all is Buddhism, but I still prefer my own internal spiritual beliefs than any sort of organized or "label-able" belief system.

You continue to be a rich source of entertainment. Does Ethics work the same way? Either there is a reality out there or there is not. Do you understand your own assumption when you conclude that religion is something you can just decide for yourself? In other words, either there is a God, and there is a framework for our relationship with that God..........or there is not. If there is not then sure, just make it up as you go along. And be sure it's nice and convenient for you. But if there really is a God, and if there really is a framework for our relationship with Him, then the religion you made up for yourself is convenient.........and useless. Do you get to make up stuff like "wrong" and "right" also?

[svandamme]

well, to be honest, i don't consider myself a student, have to much ADD to like read and stuff

i just agree to the basics (4 truths and 8 fold path), and decided to procrastinate for the rest of the reading part... i try to follow the 8 fold path as much as i can, but i might occasionally be lazy...maybe when i get older i might dig into it a bit more, but for now, i'm cool with things as they are

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by Superman

You continue to be a rich source of entertainment. Does Ethics work the same way? Either there is a reality out there or there is not. Do you understand your own assumption when you conclude that religion is something you can just decide for yourself? In other words, either there is a God, and there is a framework for our relationship with that God..........or there is not. If there is not then sure, just make it up as you go along. And be sure it's nice and convenient for you. But if there really is a God, and if there really is a framework for our relationship with Him, then the religion you made up for yourself is convenient.........and useless. Do you get to make up stuff like "wrong" and "right" also?

you fail to understanding that Buddhism is not a real religion like Christianity is, it's more of a philosophy then anything else, it does not teach absolutisme , it does not require you to accept a god, just 4 truths that are not even contradicts with most religions



1The Nature of Dukkha: Suffering exists in life. (aka , live is a b1tch)
2The Origin of Dukkha (Samudaya): Suffering is caused by craving.
3The Cessation of Dukkha (Nirodha): To eliminate suffering, eliminate craving.
4The Way Leading to the Cessation of Dukkha (Magga): To eliminate craving follow the Eightfold Path.

the eightfold path in short just says , don't do anything excessive, concentrate on what you do, do it right and "be good"

there is no God to worship in Buddhism
one can perfectly decide to dig it, it is a very rational thing to do , it's not something that requires blind faith in something dogmatic, in fact it challenges one to think more critically about things, including Buddhism
it's not something that is spread around with missionaries, where the believers go out to convert people, in fact i think that would be contrary to Buddhism, i don't think anybody does that, Todd, can you confirm?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by livi

Nope, not much but enough to know that IF I were to cling to a religion at all - Buddhism would be it.

I have read a few books on Buddhism and they don't worship a deity so IMHO they are more of life a philosophy than a religion. It is also my understanding that Buddha asked that he not be worshiped after his passing therefore I presume all these people praying to giant statues is just more man made religion.