Buddhism
July 5th, 2018 at 1:28:14 AM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25011 | Here's the thing about discussing Buddhism. You have to decide if Buddha was a real person or a myth. He supposedly lived 2600 years ago and the best scholars can find no real evidence he actually existed. All the stories about him being a prince, Sidhartha, are just that. Stories. 2600 years is a long time for stories to change. The point is, you're better off thinking he's a myth, because his reality is unimportant. The teachings are what's important, not the man or men who were Buddha. You don't worship Buddha, he was a teacher and not a god. There are no personal gods in Buddhism, no god to answer prayers or care about your evil thoughts. It's much deeper than all that nonsense. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
July 5th, 2018 at 8:15:37 AM permalink | |
Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 239 Posts: 6095 |
I don't think you have to decide that if your goal is to just have an understanding of the religion and maybe cherry pick a few things to take from it. Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |
July 5th, 2018 at 9:52:02 AM permalink | |
Mosca Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 22 Posts: 730 | Once I experienced satori. But it was boring, so I did something else instead. Watched TV, I think. Tic Tac Dough reruns. That Paul Lynde was a hoot. That was probably why they put him in the middle. |
July 5th, 2018 at 10:39:48 AM permalink | |
kenarman Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 14 Posts: 4515 |
I went to a display of satori in town a few years ago, some of which had never been displayed in Canada before. For those that don't know the satori are small crystals that are purported to be found in the cremated remains of more famous buddhist monks and have spiritual significance. I was also blessed while at the exhibition. I assume it worked since I went on a year long run at the craps tables after the blessing. "but if you make yourselves sheep, the wolves will eat you." Benjamin Franklin |
July 5th, 2018 at 11:37:06 AM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25011 |
It's a religion of philosophy, it's not centered on the worship of a man or a deity, like Xtionity. The Buddha himself is irrelevant, it's the teachings that are important. I only say this because there are lots of Buddhist sects that almost deify the Buddha. There are as many kinds of Buddhism as there are kinds of Xtionity. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
July 5th, 2018 at 12:06:29 PM permalink | |
pew Member since: Jan 8, 2013 Threads: 4 Posts: 1232 | Where did the teachings come from and where can you find them today? Are they written down or passed on orally? |
July 5th, 2018 at 12:21:52 PM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25011 |
They were passed orally for hundreds of years. Tradition says the teachings come from one man, but that's impossible to prove. There were likely many Buddhas, 28 of them have names. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_named_Buddhas If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
July 5th, 2018 at 3:20:45 PM permalink | |
Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 239 Posts: 6095 | I find it confusing what a Buddha actually is. There are passages that say things to the effect that Buddha always was and always will be. Buddha is kind of like "the force" in Star Wars, at least in my understanding. Sort of the highest state one can achieve. I wish we had an actual Buddhist to torture with questions. Even if we did, like any religion, I think there are probably differences in the big questions. This is the book I'm going through -- The Teaching of Buddha Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |
July 5th, 2018 at 3:32:44 PM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25011 |
They're talking about Buddha-nature, the concept of Buddhism. The Dalai Lama says: "Every sentient being—even insects—have Buddha nature. The seed of Buddha means consciousness, the cognitive power—the seed of enlightenment." “All beings are Buddhas, But obscured by incidental stains. When those have been removed, there is Buddhahood.” — Third Karmapa Rangjun Dorje You can't use logic on Buddhism, it's a subjective experience, not a logical one. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
July 5th, 2018 at 4:03:39 PM permalink | |
Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 239 Posts: 6095 |
That is how I feel about women (sorry, Barb, how many push-ups do I owe?). Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |