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RE: Have you ever explored Buddhism?
July 28, 2014 at 4:30 am
(This post was last modified: July 28, 2014 at 4:30 am by The Grand Nudger.)
(July 28, 2014 at 3:47 am)jesus_wept Wrote: 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. It's also about all you've got left after the monks and lamas are done adorning themselves and their buildings, so you'd damn well better enjoy it or get some use out of it.
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RE: Have you ever explored Buddhism?
July 28, 2014 at 7:44 pm
I studied it, but didn't care enough for it to try because I viewed it as a punishment fitting of Hell.
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.
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RE: Have you ever explored Buddhism?
July 28, 2014 at 7:50 pm
Skip it. You have more understanding inside of you then you can learn from another. Find your own path there, and don't feed the animals on the way.
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RE: Have you ever explored Buddhism?
July 29, 2014 at 8:03 am
It certainly has my interest after studying it for a while in school. The ideas of self-relization and awakening are very appealing to me, and I don't see why it hasn't exactly "caught on" in the mainstream media.
"The greatest of victories are not manipulations at all, but simply awakening others to the truth of what you believe. Of hearing it echoed around you, in life."
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RE: Have you ever explored Buddhism?
July 29, 2014 at 8:39 am
Might have something to do with most areas where it is popular are third world shit holes.
Not that there is anything wrong with that.
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RE: Have you ever explored Buddhism?
July 29, 2014 at 11:03 am
My exploration is limited to visiting the Byodo-In temple on Oahu.
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RE: Have you ever explored Buddhism?
July 29, 2014 at 11:13 am
Buddhism is pretty cool, but what makes it interesting is also what makes it nonsensical as any other religion. The multiple sects, all the "enlightened" teachers, all the gods, and then the sect without belief in gods. I explored it as well, but quickly walked away from it.
I think that it is entirely appropriate to investigate other religions as an atheist. If you're looking for a delusion or soothing superstition then probably not. But I have always been all for the investigation of other religions. I belief all religions have some redeemable quality that can be applied to the secular world though they may all be corrupt. For example, I still use mindfulness meditation to treat my anxiety and zero in on the present. It's pretty effective at important times.
But I would also suggest reading some Hitchens on the topic of Zen Buddhism. It's quite the joyful read.
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RE: Have you ever explored Buddhism?
July 29, 2014 at 3:17 pm
(July 27, 2014 at 7:41 pm)Deidre32 Wrote: 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? 
First of, studying anything like this isn't bad in and of itself.
As for believing it in its entirety: I could see looking at the ethical teachings to see what you want to take away from it, but at the end of the day, they're going to make a lot of nonfalsifiable assertions about spiritual things. While it might not be talking about "God" specifically, it's still nonfalsifiable woo.
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RE: Have you ever explored Buddhism?
July 29, 2014 at 3:28 pm
Yeah, its down there with Islam and Hinduism in my book.
Never bought into the whole far-fetched bullshit with reincarnation.
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RE: Have you ever explored Buddhism?
July 29, 2014 at 3:38 pm
(July 27, 2014 at 7:41 pm)Deidre32 Wrote: I'm an atheist, but exploring Buddhism...is that acceptable?
Not sure that is permitted.
We should take this up with the Atheist Central Committee.
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