Thoughts on Buddhism

[tackattack]

From my perspective it doesn't align with most religions becuase of it's lack of a God or God's. One I'm sure could argue that Buddha could be considered a God and the Dali Lama a prophet, but I don't think internally that's their view. In a lot of other aspects it does though, life after death, doing good works gains a reward, punishment for bad works, etc. Just as Christianity differs only from the usual religious formula in that it doens't believe Good works are what gets you a reward.

[Laurens]

From my perspective it doesn't align with most religions becuase of it's lack of a God or God's. One I'm sure could argue that Buddha could be considered a God and the Dali Lama a prophet, but I don't think internally that's their view. In a lot of other aspects it does though, life after death, doing good works gains a reward, punishment for bad works, etc. Just as Christianity differs only from the usual religious formula in that it doens't believe Good works are what gets you a reward.

It's true that Buddhism can function without God or Gods, but I wouldn't say it is itself without them completely. There are many 'heavenly' realms in Buddhism where one can hope to be reborn as a God of some kind. There is even stories of the Buddha conversing with Maha-Brahma, supposed creator of the universe, except that Buddhism views him as deluding himself into thinking he created the universe, rather than actually creating it.

The thing Buddhism lacks is a creator God, thats all. Buddhism teaches that our round of rebirths has no beginning and the only way out is to follow the Buddha. Infact Buddhism doesn't actually go so far as to say there is no creator God, only that the Buddha did not answer the question.

My view is that Buddhism is a lot like other religions, it just does a good job of marketing itself differently to the others - which is probably why it is becoming successful in the west. Also since being imported to the west it has lost a lot of its superstitions and fairy stories, if you went to somewhere like Thailand, Buddhism would seem a heck of a lot more religious.

[Frank]

From my perspective it doesn't align with most religions becuase of it's lack of a God or God's. One I'm sure could argue that Buddha could be considered a God and the Dali Lama a prophet, but I don't think internally that's their view. In a lot of other aspects it does though, life after death, doing good works gains a reward, punishment for bad works, etc. Just as Christianity differs only from the usual religious formula in that it doens't believe Good works are what gets you a reward.

It's true that Buddhism can function without God or Gods, but I wouldn't say it is itself without them completely. There are many 'heavenly' realms in Buddhism where one can hope to be reborn as a God of some kind. There is even stories of the Buddha conversing with Maha-Brahma, supposed creator of the universe, except that Buddhism views him as deluding himself into thinking he created the universe, rather than actually creating it.

The thing Buddhism lacks is a creator God, thats all. Buddhism teaches that our round of rebirths has no beginning and the only way out is to follow the Buddha. Infact Buddhism doesn't actually go so far as to say there is no creator God, only that the Buddha did not answer the question.

My view is that Buddhism is a lot like other religions, it just does a good job of marketing itself differently to the others - which is probably why it is becoming successful in the west. Also since being imported to the west it has lost a lot of its superstitions and fairy stories, if you went to somewhere like Thailand, Buddhism would seem a heck of a lot more religious.

The problem is we know (scientifically speaking) infinite rebirths isn't really possible. First, humans didn't always exist (we're a rather new species in terms of the lifespan of the universe); and we also know the universe (as it is now) won't last forever (although 100 trillion years is a pretty long time e.g. before maximum entropy sets in ... although I tend to think the physics on this stuff is in its infancy, but not to digress).

Buddhism is like other religions. No basis in fact, but it probably teaches a few good things?

[Laurens]

Buddhism is like other religions. No basis in fact, but it probably teaches a few good things?

I'd say that pretty much sums it up.

Personally I am in the process of stepping away from Buddhism as a whole, I think its limiting to base my life upon one person's views. I will take with me some of the important things I learned, but I no longer attach the label 'Buddhist' to myself, partly due to my own stepping away from it, and partly due to its negative religious connotations.

[wickedrum]

my problem is very similar to the aforementioned. Buddhism seemed attractive because of the lack of worshiping of god at first. I became quite extensively involved with different related practices and values, meditation, yoga, stances, exercises and found them very beneficial to my, mainly physical, wellbeing.
unfortunately with atheism comes a certain scepticism of all that's beyond the immediate, palpable and measurable realm n I started to doubt this religion as well.
problem is, even since this happened, all the magic that fuelled my meditation amd such disappeared n now it appears that its completey pointless for me to do any of that as it does not hav a beneficial effect on my health anymore!
feels like its a pity, sometimes..

[The Omnissiunt One]

Yeah, I don't think the Buddha ever called himself such and didn't want anyone to make statues of him etc. However in Tibetan Buddhism (and possibly other forms) for example, they view the Buddha as omniscient - even going so far as to call him 'The Omniscient One'.

Pfft. We all know there's only one of those, and it's not him. Also, what idiot spells it like that?

[Ervin]

I have some experience with Budhism. The temple I have been to they prostrate to Budha statues like muslims do to God. They ask Budha for forgiveness and treat him like Theists treat God.

There is this sutra that mentions Avalokitesvara bodhisatva(bodisatva being a great being with powers) and they believe that just a mention of the name of that bodhisatva can free you from any suffering. In that sutra that I read it says that that Avalokitesvara bodhisatva manifests in all realms and can do preaty much everything in relation to sentient beings.

In a book by one of the heads of Chinese mahayana Budhism I read that one of the ways to create negative karma is by following the wrong paths wich preaty much tells me that theres is the only right path wich contradicts the aleged Budhas saying not to critisize other religions.

Some psychologists today will tell you that meditation is very good for you while others will gigle if you mention it to them. Personaly I think that meditation can do you good(not if theists are right) since there is aparently a lot of scientific research been done on the subject.

In Budhism like Theism you act out of fear of lower realms. Only in Budhism they are not forever. So when your bad karma is exhausted you go to the better realm.

Ok, it did have good efects on my personanlity thinking like a Budhist but so did Islam. Both of them have made a good person and because of Islam in the past for instance I have done some realy good deeds, however that doesn't make eather of them true.

Thanks

[KichigaiNeko]

I can only remember two statements from 'Buddhism'

1. "My teachings are to only be a temporary raft for you on your journey, not an enslavement" apparently attributed to the Buddha
2. "Before Zen, it's chop wood and carry water; after Zen, it's chop wood and carry water" goodness knows where I go that from

I find 'meditation' beneficial in assisting me with some arthritic pain that I have (reducing the amount of medication necessary) But beyond a relaxation technique and stress relief I can't say....getting to heavenly realms via meditation??? I don't think so.

I enjoy my life here and now. I'm too long in the tooth to be worried about much, least of all guilt (I think I ditched that somewhere on the road along with -can't, shouldn't/ should and couldn't) If that is Hedonistic (as i have been accused of being) then so be it. I do what I can when I can.

Sounds to me that 'Buddhism' is getting very "religious" these days.

[DeistPaladin]

Robbed monks don't stop me on the street or knock on my door and ask me if I've "found Buddha".

I admire that in a religion.

[everythingafter]

Indeed, but the stories are drummed up in such a way as to make them seem very believable. Most likely discarding important facts that might cast doubt over the claim.

Just the same as with Christianity. Even as Bible stories may appear irrational to free thinkers, preachers, Sunday school teachers and the like want to make children and youth think an omniscient, all-powerful god is a reasonable thing in which to believe. And like your Buddhist friends, when you begin to question their tales, you are called deluded, or as I was told by my former worship leader, "stop resisting," as if I was acting like a stubborn child in my unbelief. Once you dismiss one religion, I don't see why there is much sense in accepting any of the others either. Hitchens, for instance, has a chapter in his book about the bankruptcy of the far eastern religions. Or, as Sam Harris has said, if someone insists on adopting a religion, Jainism might be the best way to go.