Topic: buddhism

[beo]

so yeah, i think i'm buddhist. it's a bit complicated trying to explain why or how i got here, so i'll leave that for now. not entirely sure why i'm sharing this here (other than the fact i'm going to have to wait a while before telling anyone i know in the real world), but i thought that some of you would get a kick out of it, knowing how i so vehemently opposed your religious views in the past.

feel free to take the piss!

[JacksRag(e)]

So, is this gonna be legit Buddhism or supermarket Buddhism?  I don't mean offense, but if you're gonna be serious about it, it requires a lot of sacrifice.  Anytime I go to temple, it's just mind-boggling how these monks live.  The completely disciplined and structured lives they lead are something I don't think I could ever manage.

[idolminds]

I think Buddhism has a great message and philosophy (based on the limited stuff I know about it).

[Ghandi]

I've always been interested in Buddhism, it is a unique religion to say the least. I actually just finished reading Siddhartha, and it is a great book, particularly on this subject, I highly recommend it if you haven't already read it.

[beo]

i want to justify this, and i've tried to write a reply now for over an hour explaining why, but it's difficult. basically it's a philosophy that fits with my world view, and i believe that it can help me be a happier and better person. there's a lot more to it than that, but that's the simple answer. if that makes me a "supermarket" buddhist then so be it.

[Antares]

When it comes down to it, I'd rather be a "supermarket" Buddhist who at least did some research and found a religion in line with his philosophy than someone who is part of a religion for no other reason than because it was his parents'

[Quemaqua]

I'm not even going to get into the counter argument to that.

Anyway, I'll just say that I've always respected Buddhism and find it to be a fascinating set of principles.  Of all the religions in the world, I think there are none more focused on self control and self denial.  The mastery over the human body exhibited by some of the Buddhists I've met is obscenely impressive.  On that same note, though, as Hoob already mentioned, Buddhism is all about sacrifice.  I don't mean any offense to you by this, but I find myself curious about why you're so attracted to Buddhism.  I mean, sacrifice doesn't exactly seem up your alley.  Again, I don't mean any offense.  I just know you like to party.

[JacksRag(e)]

What about it fits to your world view?  I'm interested in that.  The Eightfold path, the four noble truths?  If more people could follow at least some of the path, the world would be a better place.  Buh.

[Raisa]

Buddhism has some great points but I don't exactly agree with the "you are nothing" part... I don't think I'm nothing and I don't think you're nothing..

[beo]

the four noble tuths ring true with the cause of suffering being desire, and that desire can be reigned in by living a life in accordance with the eightfold path.

all parts of the noble eightfold path make sense as to leading a "better" existence. the sila, with regard to not taking intoxicants is not something i can do at the moment, but i am well aware that drinking and drugs do not have a positive impact on my life, and have already made a conscious effort to stop with the harder stuff. if i can strive to follow these guidelines as much as possible, then i can only see it leading to good. it may sound pretentious, but after fucking up countless times, i came to several points of the eightfold path on my own. it was only after searching about buddhism that i realised that a lot of it paired up with what i already knew. to me it doesn't seem much like religion, more just logic. if you live a "bad" life, you feel bad - makes sense.


the noble eightfold path, as copied from wikipedia:

Sila is morality — abstaining from unwholesome deeds of body and speech. Within the division of sila are three parts of the Noble Eightfold Path:

   1. Right Speech — One speaks in a non hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way (samyag-vāc, sammā-vācā)
   2. Right Actions — Wholesome action, avoiding action that would do harm (samyak-karmānta, sammā-kammanta)
   3. Right Livelihood — One's way of livelihood does not harm in any way oneself or others; directly or indirectly (samyag-ājīva, sammā-ājīva)

Samadhi is developing mastery over one’s own mind. Within this division are another three parts of the Noble Eightfold Path:

   1. Right Effort/Exercise — One makes an effort to improve (samyag-vyāyāma, sammā-vāyāma)
   2. Right Mindfulness/Awareness — Mental ability to see things for what they are with clear consciousness (samyak-smṛti, sammā-sati)
   3. Right Concentration/Meditation — Being aware of the present reality within oneself, without any craving or aversion. (samyak-samādhi, sammā-samādhi)

Prajρā is the wisdom which purifies the mind. Within this division fall two more parts of the Noble Eightfold Path:

   1. Right Understanding — Understanding reality as it is, not just as it appears to be. (samyag-dṛṣṭi, sammā-diṭṭhi)
   2. Right Thoughts — Change in the pattern of thinking. (samyak-saṃkalpa, sammā-saṅkappa)