Buddhism

[Racoon]

Buddhism can be viewed as both a Philosophy and Religion.

 

Consider these statements by Albert Einstein :eek:

 

"Buddhism is the only religion able to cope with modern scientific needs."

 

and

 

"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected from a cosmic religion for the future. It transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; It covers both the natural and spirtiual, and is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity"

 

:( High praise from such a respected scientist.

 

I look at the Philosophical aspects it takes into considerations.

Yes, there are religious aspects as well.

There is something refreshing in Buddhism I find. :evil: :hihi:

 

This is merely an Awareness of other possibilities.

No place for ill intent, arguement, or conversion.

 

Simply a positive thought :eek2: :confused:

 

Wiki has Great information, so you can look and comment for yourselves if you so wish.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

[motherengine]

the siddhartha legend is kind of odd to me, the idea of finding sickness, aging and death so upsetting that one has to aggressively seek asylum from them. but karma, dalai lamas and reincarnation aside, i personally relate to some aspects of zen philosophy (as opposed to the zen buddhist religion). i find the idea of one casting off the clutter of civilized conditioning and simply existing in a state of natural calm very interesting. there is no better stress reliever than meditation.

 

as far as the opinions of people like albert einstein, though, i can't say that they are very relevant to me. buddhism has little to do with science, it is simply the least god centered religion and so the most impressive to a mind that requires spiritual faith without dogmatic fundamentalism. there is a movement in the west of utilizing watered down versions of complex religions (hinduism, buddismand, islam...etc.) that i do not endorse either, but hey, to each their own.

 

just some thoughts on your comment.

[InfiniteNow]

Many findings in the past century in the field of Quantum Mechanics seem to parellel traditional Buddhist principles.

 

With all of the arguments and personal perspectives that cause so much strife when discussing other religions, I find the concepts of Buddhism welcoming and proper. Seek your own happiness by hoping for the end of someone else's suffering. Let go of attachments and nothing will be lost. Thank your enemies for providing you opportunity to grow and reinforce your patience and compassion. I don't practice any religion, per se, but I sure do respect what I've come to understand of Buddhism, even as remedial as my understanding is.

 

 

The Four Noble Truths

1. Life means suffering.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

 

Emptiness fills the jug... :shrug:

 

Anyway, shouldn't this be in Theology? :)

[motherengine]

The Four Noble Truths

1. Life means suffering.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

 

cessation of sufferance is cessation of mind which may occur for anyone who exists at the moment of death regardless of belief or actions. to ease suffering in others one needs to do more than propose vague tenets. i personally find prayer and meditation to be quite helpful but the four noble truths is more concerned with the belief in reincarnation than help in the here and now.

[InfiniteNow]

Yeah... was just trying to cover some main points, not really link them all into one. Sorry if my presentation of my own rudimentary understanding wasn't clear. Thanks for the clarification though.

[motherengine]

actually, i think the statement i made before was "a bit cold and pointless". sorry. the more i think about it the less it should matter how one interprets religious writings as long as they find something positive within. i don't personally see any connection between buddhism and science but then i am as ignorant as the next schmoe when it comes to the big picture. i will return now to my anthill pyramid and meditate.

[Racoon]

There are no commandments in Buddhism.

There are no "Thou shalt not's..."

 

Its more of an inner realization and awareness to make some self promises:)

 

to refrain from harming living creatures

 

to refrain from taking what is not freely given

 

to refrain from sexual misconduct

 

to refrain from incorrect speech

 

to refrain from intoxicants which leads to loss of mindfulness

 

I admit to having Not refrained from number 5 on occasion :eek_big: :lightning

 

And I am aware :singer:

[Turtle]

There are no commandments in Buddhism.

There are no "Thou shalt not's..."

 

1. to refrain...

2. to refrain...

3. to refrain...

4. to refrain...

5. to refrain...

 

Refrain - To hold oneself back; forbear

In other words, not do...shalt not blah blah blah.

Do as I say, not as I do!? Wisdom is where you find it & any wisdom that any religions have they mean for me to pay to get it. For every call to action, there is a call to inaction.:confused:

[Racoon]

Refrain - To hold oneself back; forbear

In other words, not do...shalt not blah blah blah.

 

Wisdom is where you find it

 

Refrain (n.) something repeated, esp. a phrase or verse in a song or poem; a chorus :confused: :smart: :phones: :steering:

[Turtle]

1.repeat harming living creatures

 

2. repeat taking what is not freely given

 

3. repeat sexual misconduct

 

4. repeat incorrect speech

 

5. repeat intoxicants which leads to loss of mindfulness

[Racoon]

repeat harming living creatures

repeat taking what is not freely given

repeat sexual misconduct

repeat incorrect speech

repeat intoxicants which leads to loss of mindfulness

 

That does sound Sagacious :)

 

1. :evil:

 

2. :Guns:

 

3. :steering: :smart: :confused:

 

4. :rant:

 

5. :phones:

 

:hihi:

 

Perhaps the word refrain could be rephrased...:)

[Turtle]

Perhaps the word refrain could be rephrased...:steering:

 

To what end? Further obfuscate. Regardless of the similarity/dis-similarity of Buddhism to other religions, it is a religion. An organized effort to separate people from their resources, both mental & physical.

Rephrase it as you like, it smells the same. a rose by any other name.:confused:

[Racoon]

To what end? Further obfuscate.

 

Rephrase it as you like, it smells the same. a rose by any other name.:confused:

 

Its Philosophy through Rose Colored glasses! :steering:

 

According to Wikipedia it is BOTH Religion and Philosophy. (see link in post #1)

 

Everything needs Money to run in todays world. Including Science and Philosophical institutions.

 

Further obfuscation is futile.

I may refrain from it. :phones: :smart:

[Panjandrum]

Many findings in the past century in the field of Quantum Mechanics seem to parellel traditional Buddhist principles.

 

Really? Such as?

 

Buddhism may be the religion most able to deal with modern knowledge, but so what? Why should we respect a religion just because it doesnt try to gainsay science generally? Its not as though Buddhism is rational or scientific itself, and it does contradict many known or suspected scientific ideas. Besides which, its doctrine of Karma is detestable, the creed of a slave.

[Jehu]

Although I am not a Buddhist, nor do I adhere to any religion, I feel that I must respond to the charge that the Buddhist doctrine is not rational. On the contray, the "doctrine of emptiness" is entirely reasonable, and perhaps the only plausible explication of the phenomenal world. Unfortunately, because todays "rational thinkers" tend to shy aways from all things religious or esoteric, the wisdom embodied in the Buddhist doctrine is virtually unknown in the west.

[Vicarious]

I borrowed my friend's copy of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism" recently. I was completely ignorant of what buddhism was but I was interested because I know it's not theistic, and buddhist monks are known to have pretty clear, efficient minds. It's what I've been looking for! Buddhism respects the utility of the human mind. This is opposite of the religion I was raised on: Catholicism.

[Vicarious]

"its doctrine of Karma is detestable, the creed of a slave"

 

 

Karma is just cause and effect. What is your opinion that this is detestable based on?