[quote='Rhythm' pid='245994' dateline='1330412551']
[quote]It's strange then, that the histories of the two religions seem to have so many parallels, don't you think?[/quote]
Actually no, I don't think the histories of these two religions have many parallels, but maybe by chance they have a few.
[quote]Let me ask you this, if buddhism were all these things you feel that it is, then exactly how did these buddhists go so terribly awry?[/quote]
I don't feel that these buddhsts went so terribly awry. It is very relative and circumstantial evidence, not to mention sparse and kind of ambiguous. We don't know the true motives and real reasons why these "buddhist wars" even took place.
[quote]Why didn't their buddhism shield them from these things?[/quote]
Perhaps for some it did, but they go undocumented and forgotten in history. Plus, what things are they supposed to be shielded from?
[quote]If buddhism were somehow superior to christianity..then how is it that these buddhists ended up behaving in exactly the same manner as christians?[/quote]
I don't see Buddhists behaving exactly in the same manner as Christians in hardly any sense. I think you are grossly exaggerrating the "evil darkness" you see in buddhism. This would be callled false perception or distortion of facts. I understand that buddhism is not perfect, but who or what is???? No religion, no company, no business, no government, no university, no science, nothing is perfect.
[quote](I notice you haven't touched my mention of Tibet, The Dalai Lama, and his feudal theocracy. Is it that you don't see any evil in this, or that you just can't believe that this was the case? Was this theocracy somehow not a product of buddhism? Just how holy is His Holiness?)[/quote]
I don't really understand what you mean by His Holiness's "fuedal theocracy". This just sounds like some mumbo-jumbo to be honest. Exactly what crimes or inhumane treatment are you accusing him of? If many Tibetan people believe he is a god, diety or reincarnation of Buddha, then so be it. He is living in exile in Dharamsala anyway so what kind of "evil" can H.H. Dalai Lama really be up to?
To say he is oppressing people or power hungry in any sense truly sounds like some kind of unfounded conspiracy or undeserved mudslinging.
Lastly, Rhythym you mention that Buddhism doesn't offer wisdom, comfort or guidance to millions of people? I think that is false. Personally, I have gained great knowledge from it's philosophy, and moderate comfort and guidance thus far. I would only call myself a Buddhist two years ago. So I am still a novice, esp. at meditation. Christianity and Buddhism are not good comparisons IMHO, although some buddhists would disagree. From my own experience with both, they are much more different than alike. But good questions!
[quote]It's strange then, that the histories of the two religions seem to have so many parallels, don't you think?[/quote]
Actually no, I don't think the histories of these two religions have many parallels, but maybe by chance they have a few.
[quote]Let me ask you this, if buddhism were all these things you feel that it is, then exactly how did these buddhists go so terribly awry?[/quote]
I don't feel that these buddhsts went so terribly awry. It is very relative and circumstantial evidence, not to mention sparse and kind of ambiguous. We don't know the true motives and real reasons why these "buddhist wars" even took place.
[quote]Why didn't their buddhism shield them from these things?[/quote]
Perhaps for some it did, but they go undocumented and forgotten in history. Plus, what things are they supposed to be shielded from?
[quote]If buddhism were somehow superior to christianity..then how is it that these buddhists ended up behaving in exactly the same manner as christians?[/quote]
I don't see Buddhists behaving exactly in the same manner as Christians in hardly any sense. I think you are grossly exaggerrating the "evil darkness" you see in buddhism. This would be callled false perception or distortion of facts. I understand that buddhism is not perfect, but who or what is???? No religion, no company, no business, no government, no university, no science, nothing is perfect.
[quote](I notice you haven't touched my mention of Tibet, The Dalai Lama, and his feudal theocracy. Is it that you don't see any evil in this, or that you just can't believe that this was the case? Was this theocracy somehow not a product of buddhism? Just how holy is His Holiness?)[/quote]
I don't really understand what you mean by His Holiness's "fuedal theocracy". This just sounds like some mumbo-jumbo to be honest. Exactly what crimes or inhumane treatment are you accusing him of? If many Tibetan people believe he is a god, diety or reincarnation of Buddha, then so be it. He is living in exile in Dharamsala anyway so what kind of "evil" can H.H. Dalai Lama really be up to?
To say he is oppressing people or power hungry in any sense truly sounds like some kind of unfounded conspiracy or undeserved mudslinging.
Lastly, Rhythym you mention that Buddhism doesn't offer wisdom, comfort or guidance to millions of people? I think that is false. Personally, I have gained great knowledge from it's philosophy, and moderate comfort and guidance thus far. I would only call myself a Buddhist two years ago. So I am still a novice, esp. at meditation. Christianity and Buddhism are not good comparisons IMHO, although some buddhists would disagree. From my own experience with both, they are much more different than alike. But good questions!
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
Buddha
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
Buddha
