RE: Thoughts on Buddhism
February 29, 2012 at 12:37 am
(This post was last modified: February 29, 2012 at 12:41 am by Bgood.)
Buddhism is more of an individual practice, focusing inward. We don't go out and preach the gospel, try to save others or force conversions. Buddha sits there and people go to him. We aren't like Jehovah Witnesses knocking on your door at 8 a.m. and sending out cheesy flyers warning of the Revelation and end of the sinful world. Specifically it that way, it is much more passive. If one wants to seriously try to attain enlightenment, then go for it. Give it a try. All the tools and knowledge is there in his teachings. If one doesn't believe in any of the dharma or in meditation, then so what, go your own way and good luck, simple as that.
Where many people became Christians through force, fear, or ignorant inculturation, Buddhists, at least mainly in the west, it is done by choice. And a somewhat radical choice at that, since I was born into an Irish Catholic family. I think of buddhism as more "entertaining" and interesting more than something that I HAVE to do or feel like I should do. It is actually very deep and seemingly never-ending in it's vast psychology and beautiful aesthetics.
I understand many atheist's hatred for all the Abrahamic religions, and in a sense, rightfully so, but i don't think it's fair to lump Buddhism in the same cesspool of belligerence and condemnation. There are some superstitious elements in buddhism, esp. Tibetan buddhism, but they are mostly seen as tools for contemplation and imagination rather than dogma which must be obeyed. It is more playful, more flexible. Buddha's legends are seen as legends, not as historical fact as in Jesus's miracles and resurrection. You can debate this as a historical, philosophical generality, but yet in practice, this is the way it is in the post-modern world now. For instance, most Buddhists, esp. Secular Buddhists, don't take such things as any of the multi-armed dieties as biological realities. The many arms represent a diety's overflowing generosity and compassion..always willing and able to lend a hand, to thousands of sentient beings.
no one[/i] would have been killed in the name of any god, but people would have still killed for money, power, control, sex, drugs, revenge, territory, sadism, hatred, rascism, etc...must I go on?
Where many people became Christians through force, fear, or ignorant inculturation, Buddhists, at least mainly in the west, it is done by choice. And a somewhat radical choice at that, since I was born into an Irish Catholic family. I think of buddhism as more "entertaining" and interesting more than something that I HAVE to do or feel like I should do. It is actually very deep and seemingly never-ending in it's vast psychology and beautiful aesthetics.
I understand many atheist's hatred for all the Abrahamic religions, and in a sense, rightfully so, but i don't think it's fair to lump Buddhism in the same cesspool of belligerence and condemnation. There are some superstitious elements in buddhism, esp. Tibetan buddhism, but they are mostly seen as tools for contemplation and imagination rather than dogma which must be obeyed. It is more playful, more flexible. Buddha's legends are seen as legends, not as historical fact as in Jesus's miracles and resurrection. You can debate this as a historical, philosophical generality, but yet in practice, this is the way it is in the post-modern world now. For instance, most Buddhists, esp. Secular Buddhists, don't take such things as any of the multi-armed dieties as biological realities. The many arms represent a diety's overflowing generosity and compassion..always willing and able to lend a hand, to thousands of sentient beings.
(February 28, 2012 at 11:54 pm)Rhythm Wrote: As far as what would be different if everyone were an atheist...no one would have been killed in the name of any god...and that's a tidy sum of someones, not just in Asia, but worldwide, wouldn't you agree?
no one[/i] would have been killed in the name of any god, but people would have still killed for money, power, control, sex, drugs, revenge, territory, sadism, hatred, rascism, etc...must I go on?
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
