I got a book on Buddhism called Teachings of The Buddha and I'm almost half way done with it. Its so interesting and I feel that now I should follow the way. The book is a small compilation of texts from different larger Buddhist books. When I was in middle school, elementary school, and the daycare my mom always took me to (it was at a protestant church and they made us pray and stuff, but I was only like 4 so I didn't care), people told me that Christianity was the only right religion and that all other religions were wrong and Eastern religions inparticular were nothing but bs and reincarnation (they said more than that actually, i'm just summing it up). I remember having a discussion with my teacher in 6th grade. One of my sisters is unhappy that I am reading the book. I just made this thread to say that people have been lying to me and Buddhism is pretty awesome. Its not like I believed their lies, but I really didn't know anything about Buddhism (except that it can make you always be happy) until now. I have a problem and a question. How do you define religion? Whats the difference between a religion and a philosophy? According to some Satanist text I read, religion is the most important thing in a persons life. What do you consider religion to be? Also, does Buddhism come into conflict with Existentialism at all?
Namaste, Green. =) It's good to see people who have found their way. Religion is, to me, any system of belief or thought that requires "faith" in something. It is often organized, and almost always includes some form of worship and prayer. The difference between a religion and a philosophy is that religion requires the above. Philosophy is a tool of the mind, it follows reason and logic, usually deals with metaphysics, ideas, principles, morals, and arguments. For example -- Buddhism also comes in two flavors -- a religion, and a philosophy. The religion of Buddhism (which the Buddha himself warned about) generally involves people praying to the Buddha, meditating for relaxation and calmness, it teaches of reincarnation as animals or even demons, and in general doesn't demand much else. The philosophy of Buddhism (which is what the Buddha himself actually taught -- philosophy, not religion) teaches strictly to NOT worship the Buddha, because he is a mere man, not a god. Buddhism as a philosophy has much to teach -- mindfulness meditation (for discipline and awareness), vipassana (also called insight meditation), it teaches the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, it teaches Nirvana (which is not a heaven-like concept at all), it even teaches reincarnation, but even that concept is very in-depth and different from the actual meaning of the word "reincarnation" as we think of it in the Western world. I disagree with that Satanist text you read -- I believe that religion is one of the LEAST important things in a person's life, and in fact it is one of the most detrimental things in a person's life, causing unnecessary suffering, worrying, strife, hatred, and division. Existentialism is more or less a blanket term for various types of philosophical thought. It is hard to define exactly what existentialism is. Buddhism, as a philosophy, most likely does not conflict with existentialism, but I have never exactly had a firm grasp on what existentialism is. I have two friends that were existentialists, and I asked them at the same time what existentialism was, and they got into an argument over it, both one claiming that the other was a moron and didn't know what true existentialism was, lol ... Regardless, the Buddha said something along the lines of this once: I am not asking you to believe that what I say is true. I am only asking you to listen, and consider whether or not what I say makes sense. If it makes sense, believe it and explore it. If it does not, then don't.
green, i have to agree with your sister and that you not read the book at least until you're 18 because i think kids should follow their parent's religion until they are 18
My parents never told me what their religion is. My family is very detached and we don't talk to each other much. My mother and sister are depressed (and me sometimes) which makes me think we are genetically susceptible to depression (I think my other sister is depressed also). She screams "I hate myself" in the middle of the night. I think my sister is brainwashed as I once was, knowing what she has been through, and I don't know what her beliefs are either. My other sister (my sisters are twins) stated that she believed in reincarnation (in the western sense) because she couldn't handle that we die and thats it. I explained philosophical materialism to her shortly after, and she decided that thought was irrational and retracted it. She wasn't serious about the belief, but that belief doesn't reflect my parents beliefs, whatever those beliefs are. My dad said he has a book on Buddhism somewhere, but he didn't say he believed anything in it, while my mother would take me to vacation bible school when I was little. I know both my parents left the church, and I think but I'm not sure my dad left the methodists and my mom left the baptists because my dad didn't want to go to church. They said that people weren't going to church to be Christian and that they were hypocrites (which is true for many who call themselves christians). I don't know what my parents religion is. The only time my dad talks to me is when he is telling me to do a chore. My sister and I fight, and my sister who seems unhappy with me possibly becoming a Buddhist is ignorant on the subject and we very rarely speak. I am astranged from her. I am astranged from my father and my mother. The only person I know is my sister who hates me, and all I know is that she is full of anger. My mother wouldn't help me get help when I told her I was depressed and having thoughts of suicide and she wont help herself. My father wont help me either and he wont help my mom. I knew when I was 13 that I would have to wait and get help myself. When your depressed, you lose the ability to think rationally. I'm not asking my parents what they believe or telling them what I believe or that I am a communist because they are ignorant and ignorance leads to hate and I don't want the people I live with to hate me. Sorry I went off topic and wrote so much and I keep going back and writing more. I sit here alone in my room thinking all day and almost never talk to my few friends. I was trying to illustrate that my family is messed up.
Why? religion is a very personal subject and I think it is always good to have a openmind and learn about different religions (which does not mean you should change religions everytime you read about a new one). Besides, following a religion you don't really believe in doesn't make any sense... Green, I'm really sorry to hear that you have a complicated family situation, whenever you feel like talking just write to me, ok? Sometimes getting off your chest the things that worry you can make a great difference in your phsycological wellbeing
I didn't change religions unless you consider religion to be " A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion." in which case I did change religions. I also renounced agnosticism and existentialism today because of what I read, and I discovered the truth about what maoism is. I change every day because of what I read. I can't identify with myself a year ago at all very well. I couldn't have predicted that I would think this way in the past. I find myself in contrast with myself from a week ago. The last two days have been my first few days that I have had time to sit down and think about things and read and reflect. I don't change like this everyday, because I'm usually too busy, but my summer just started and I have many more days of nothing to do but think.
yeah, I agree with the general sentiment. one of my very good friends told me about how she is raising her daughter, who is about my age. what she's doing is exposing her daughter to every religion and every story, so that she can decide for herself what she believes in, not have her beliefs dictated to her for the beginning of her life. And good Job Green! you've started out pretty much the same way I did!
sounds familiar... My story goes something like this; Christian-drugs-Athiest-More drugs-Communist-Anarchist-many more drugs!-Nihilist (rejecting all ideologies, politics and philosophies)-Psychedelic drugs-Travelling-quitting drugs-Buddhist-? Maoism is indeed a joke...Read animal farm...Go to Nepal...Study the modern history of China... I remember the day when I finally conceded that the 'revolution' isn't going to happen...ever. Congratulations, you are discovering that external ideologies are not to be grasped at and that change only comes from within...Probably quite an interesting path you've begun to walk on
I think some people fail to see that without tradition there would be no Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity or other religions. One could go further and say Buddhism is tradition. Without tradition, what would actually be left?
Tradition is a locking mechanism. It is static and not subject to ready change. Any religion or philosophy that relies only on tradition is dead as it can not change and becomes only a collection of dogmatic "laws". Life is dynamic, it must change to meet the current conditions or it dies. Tradition provides a base. While tradition is needed, it is no more important then the leading edge of change and new ideas. Both are required for a healthy relgion/philosophy.
Without tradition though, would Buddhist ideas and teachings have come down to us? It's hard to see how. Also, just about every particular Buddhist teacher is coming from a specific school or tradition. I agree that tradition can become heavy with dogma etc, and tend to hold people back - in a sense, that's another case of confusing the finger that points at the moon with the moon itself. Another point is that it is easier to find some like minded people, kindred spirits etc in some kind of group, and usually, these are based more or less on tradition in some shape or form. A living tradition should not be something static though, I agree on that. It has to be able to be flexible and capable of adaptation. And really, among the world's religions, Buddhism has historically shown itself capable of just that. I am not a Buddhist, but I have learned to respect spiritual traditions from various religions. The problem is too, that if you sweep away all religous traditions, what is left in the way of guidance to the masses? Isn't the breakdown of tradition part of the geaneral malaise of this fragmented modern world? I think it could be seen that way. Modern society and it's lack of values offers people very little on the inner, spiritual level. It leaves them feeling rootless. If people immerse themselves in spiritual traditions, then I think that's a generally good thing. Perhaps they can find some meaning and value in life there.
Just as a trees roots dig deeper and branch out with time, soo too does tradition grow broader and richer over the ages.
Bill, didn't you ever freak over the emptiness? Look at the now without any seperation or identity other than what you feel at the time (no past or future). Pretty silly. I mean, if you take away the story, you just have what you feel at the moment without "meaning" other than instant "physical" sensation. That's why bullshit is sooooooo cool. It fluffs stuff up (leavens it as Jebus would josh). I mean, without making deeeep organized stuff out of colors, tastes, feelings, etc. we just have a real simple, empty, stark reality. But we don't just have that. Look at all the fucking wars out there!!!! War is soooo awesome! The stories.... Man, they are really a lifeline. Aren't they?
