Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 1:06 pm Post subject: Buddhism
Enough of Christianity! Let's move to Buddhism instead
After reading some posts of this in the Messiahs and Resurrection thread, I wondered about the religion, which it seems interesting to know about, at least a little, I do have some questions.
As it seems to be a nontheistic religion, but the subject of spirituality it seems, those the religion promotes it as something supernatural?
Spirituality, how that works? and how that differs from the other well known religions?
Do you consider the religion or the practice to be benefitial to an individual, in order to help him/her with life and environment?
Well, just these little questions came to mind for now. _________________ Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods. ~Einstein.
The metaphysics of Buddha-Dharma are fairly similar to Hinduism: sentient beings are born, live and learn, die, and are reborn in the body that will teach them the next thing that they need to know. When someone has learned all that they need to know, they reach enlightenment and can join with the universal oneness when they die (theravada), they can be reborn so that they can help others reach enlightenment (mahayana), or they can go to a heaven-like place (pure land).
buddhism can be more or less theistic, depending on the branch. Some branches revere the Buddha as a nearly god-like figure; others regard him as a wise human teacher (sort of along the lines that westerners view Einstein, only more so). Some branches also accept members of the Hindi pantheon into their teaching as well. Also, the treatment of women varies dramatically from region to region.
My theology is similar to Shunyata. However, I still disregard Shunyata since it denies God and Self. _________________ I'm no democRAT, I'm a republiCAN!
Joined: Jan 13, 2008 Age: 22 Posts: 685 Location: Bournemouth, England
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:37 am Post subject:
Buddhism, well first of all it shouldn't exist as Buddha taught against religion as a social structure and he also taught that there is no god or gods which again conflicts with a large proportion of so called Buddhist faiths. He also taught equality often speaking out against the caste system in India. Because Buddha and his earliest students were mostly born Hindu there are alot of similarity's between the two, and even in Buddhist culture (symbols used, architectural designs of many Buddhists temples etc) after a while Buddhism became more political in India some sects of Buddhism took to using kalari (ancient Indian martial arts) and warfare in order to control small towns and rural villages which sparked conflict with the Hindu peoples. The bulk of Buddhism was eventually exiled many crossing over to china, giving rise to the popularity of Buddhism in china. As Buddhism developed in the east it picked up aspects of religions native to those areas hence why they believe in gods, heaven, demons etc
sojournertruth wrote:
sentient beings are born, live and learn, die, and are reborn in the body that will teach them the next thing that they need to know. When someone has learned all that they need to know, they reach enlightenment and can join with the universal oneness when they die (theravada), they can be reborn so that they can help others reach enlightenment (mahayana)
Buddhism, well first of all it shouldn't exist as Buddha taught against religion as a social structure and he also taught that there is no god or gods which again conflicts with a large proportion of so called Buddhist faiths. He also taught equality often speaking out against the caste system in India. Because Buddha and his earliest students were mostly born Hindu there are alot of similarity's between the two, and even in Buddhist culture (symbols used, architectural designs of many Buddhists temples etc) after a while Buddhism became more political in India some sects of Buddhism took to using kalari (ancient Indian martial arts) and warfare in order to control small towns and rural villages which sparked conflict with the Hindu peoples. The bulk of Buddhism was eventually exiled many crossing over to china, giving rise to the popularity of Buddhism in china. As Buddhism developed in the east it picked up aspects of religions native to those areas hence why they believe in gods, heaven, demons etc
sojournertruth wrote:
sentient beings are born, live and learn, die, and are reborn in the body that will teach them the next thing that they need to know. When someone has learned all that they need to know, they reach enlightenment and can join with the universal oneness when they die (theravada), they can be reborn so that they can help others reach enlightenment (mahayana)
This isn't completely true and is a bit misleading. He was against Vedic society which ignorantly followed the Jati system and senseless yajnas which did nothing for the person. _________________ I'm no democRAT, I'm a republiCAN!
Joined: Jan 13, 2008 Age: 22 Posts: 685 Location: Bournemouth, England
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject:
oscuria wrote:
Confused-Fish wrote:
Buddhism, well first of all it shouldn't exist as Buddha taught against religion as a social structure and he also taught that there is no god or gods which again conflicts with a large proportion of so called Buddhist faiths. He also taught equality often speaking out against the caste system in India. Because Buddha and his earliest students were mostly born Hindu there are alot of similarity's between the two, and even in Buddhist culture (symbols used, architectural designs of many Buddhists temples etc) after a while Buddhism became more political in India some sects of Buddhism took to using kalari (ancient Indian martial arts) and warfare in order to control small towns and rural villages which sparked conflict with the Hindu peoples. The bulk of Buddhism was eventually exiled many crossing over to china, giving rise to the popularity of Buddhism in china. As Buddhism developed in the east it picked up aspects of religions native to those areas hence why they believe in gods, heaven, demons etc
sojournertruth wrote:
sentient beings are born, live and learn, die, and are reborn in the body that will teach them the next thing that they need to know. When someone has learned all that they need to know, they reach enlightenment and can join with the universal oneness when they die (theravada), they can be reborn so that they can help others reach enlightenment (mahayana)
This isn't completely true and is a bit misleading. He was against Vedic society which ignorantly followed the Jati system and senseless yajnas which did nothing for the person.
Buddha's teachings encourage people to find their own path to knowledge/Enlightenment (he does this by teaching people how to detach themselfs from the materialistic world) This conflicts greatly with Religion as a social construct which encourages people to follow paths and ideas that have been already laid out.
Also considering his teachings are heavily remenisint of early vedic teachings and that the earliest Stages of vedic civilisation did not follow the Jati system im not sure if you could say that he was against Vedic Society, but rather certain elements within the current stage of vedic society into which he was born.
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