I'm an atheist but I quite like Buddism...

[Alex K]

Good point. It is said that there is no 'Buddhism' merely Buddhist X at point Y and date Z. From the Wikipedia article on Buddhist karma, and the definition I learned:

The "law of karma" applies

...specifically to the moral sphere [It is] not concerned with the general relation between actions and their consequences, but rather with the moral quality of actions and their consequences, such as the pain and pleasure and good or bad experiences for the doer of the act.

But it's also something like your spiritual DNA, assuming you believe in rebirth, the part you pass on. Only in the West do you find the idea of "I found that dollar 'cause I just gave money to the homeless guy."

I you want to know about the life of Siddhartha, or just see a visually stunning movie, try "The Little Buddha". Debate later why Keanu Reeves is the default Hollywood choice for messiah.

For my own personal religion, I add this:

the next buddha will have skin the color of dirt, six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. oh, yeah, and a freakin' righteous 'fro. and sunglasses - 'cause you gotta wear your sunglasses, so you can feel cool.

after he encounters nirvana, he will be tested. the MAN, lord of addiction and greed, will rise up before him and offer him all the moneys of the world. the buddha will look up and say "they are but dirt and ashes to my eyes, " and the money will burn and the gold will rust into dirt.

then the MAN will threat with all the armies of the oppressors. guns will be aimed, missiles will be armed, bombs will lock on target. the MAN will push his button and the weapons of hell will fly. then the buddha will look upon them and smile, and they will turn to flower petals and tabs of LSD and rain down upon the peoples.

at last, the MAN, knowing he has lost, will challenge "you are alone, who will know your accomplishment?" and the buddha will look towards the camera and smile, "the world is my witness".

i keep telling people this, and they just laugh - "wow, what an imagination", as if i'm kidding.

I don't think you're kidding, I just think you're high. But do go on, you are onto something there, like the Buddhist's Revelation of John. I'm sure it'll be a hit.