Have you ever explored Buddhism?

[*Deidre*]

Just wondering. I've been reading a lot about it, and there's so much richness to it. So much goodness. And it's so vastly different from anything I ever was 'taught.' I read a little every day about it, and find it fascinating on many levels.

I'm an atheist, but exploring Buddhism...is that acceptable?

[Amalynne0]

Buddhists are atheists of a sort but they believe in some weird spiritual stuff. I'd explore the aspects of meditation as it can be useful. Sam Harris admires Buddhism and often describes it as a gateway to self-awareness and a greater sense of "universality" or an "us" feeling. It's interesting stuff to be sure.

http://www.samharris.org/site/full_text/...he-buddha/

[vorlon13]

Read Siddhartha in college to no lasting effect.

Just as an outside observer, heavily Buddhisted areas don't seem to be out competing the rest of the religious and/or political systems on the planet.

[Minimalist]

They're full of shit, too.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world...773997.cms

Myanmar Buddhists threaten death to Muslims in Mandalay unrest

Or maybe its just that everybody hates the fucking muslims no matter how peaceful they think they are?

[*Deidre*]

Buddhists are atheists of a sort but they believe in some weird spiritual stuff. I'd explore the aspects of meditation as it can be useful. Sam Harris admires Buddhism and often describes it as a gateway to self-awareness and a greater sense of "universality" or an "us" feeling. It's interesting stuff to be sure.

http://www.samharris.org/site/full_text/...he-buddha/

Yes, this! I find it to help one become more self aware, yet not in a selfish way. In a 'how can i use my life for the good of mankind' kind of way.

When I left Christianity, I felt a need to fill that hole that prayer filled. Old habits die hard as they say. I made sure to not explore really anything 'new' until I 'recovered' fully from my departure from religion.

I never want to mistake my desire to study Buddhism as something else. Appreciate your thoughts to this very much! :=)

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Read Siddhartha in college to no lasting effect.

Just as an outside observer, heavily Buddhisted areas don't seem to be out competing the rest of the religious and/or political systems on the planet.

because they have no agenda lol

[Chad32]

When I was moving away from christianity, I was interesting in bhuddism because of the ideas of self enlightenment and reincarnation. Instead of telling myself that I'm evil, and need someone to save me, I could work hard to reach enlightenment myself. Pretty much the opposite of christianity. Plus being reincarnated sounded more interesting than worshiping Yahweh/Jesus in one place for eternity.

I never really explored it too deeply, though at one point I found out that reincarnating is not meant to be ideal.

[Natachan]

I read about it and studied it a bit and it does have some respect from me. I can actually see the remains of Buddha if I wish to spend a great deal of money and travel a long way, so that lends it some credibility (as opposed to some other religions *wink*). And I appreciate the introspection and self reflection. I appreciate the idea of balance and moderation. But when it gets into the mystic aspects I kinda disconnect.

[Dystopia]

It's fun to study religions, as long as I don't become a part of it.

[jesus_wept]

If seems the same as all other religions to me... Have a crap life and suffer, give your money to the monks and lamas and when you die you might get a better life. Meanwhile the monks and lamas live in palaces...

I can see why meditation could be good to help people relax but I think it'd be better if they used mediation and left the other nonsense aside.

[Mudhammam]

Just wondering. I've been reading a lot about it, and there's so much richness to it. So much goodness. And it's so vastly different from anything I ever was 'taught.' I read a little every day about it, and find it fascinating on many levels.

I'm an atheist, but exploring Buddhism...is that acceptable?

It is perfectly acceptable if you accept Nietzsche.

"I hope that my condemnation of Christianity has not involved me in any injustice to a related religion with an even larger number of adherents: Buddhism."

"Buddhism is a hundred times more realistic than Christianity: posing problems objectively and coolly is part of its inheritance, for Buddhism comes after a philosophic movement which spanned centuries. The concept of "God" had long been disposed of when it arrived. Buddhism is the only genuinely positivistic religion in history. This applies even to its theory of knowledge (a strict phenomenalism): it no longer says struggle against sin" but, duly respectful of reality, struggle against suffering." Buddhism is profoundly distinguished from Christianity by the fact that the self-deception of the moral concepts lies far behind it. In my terms, it stands beyond good and evil."

"Buddhism, I repeat, is a hundred times colder, more truthful, more objective. It is no longer confronted with the need to make suffering and the susceptibility to pain respectable by interpreting them in terms of sin — it simply says what it thinks: "I suffer."

"One should not mix up Buddha's 'religion' with so pitiable things as Christianity."