Any Buddhists?

Question

I'm an atheist, but I've heard about Buddhism and it sounds like the nicest religion out there. Can anyone tell me about it? I know the nirvana, re-incarnation bit, but that's about all.

To "Wow are we Stupid or What"
Buddhists do not worship Buddha directly. It's just a monument. Like having a statue of Jesus in a Christian church.

Answer 1

YOU WORSHIP A FAT STATUE IDIOT IT DOES NOT MOVE AND NEVER WILL !

Answer 2

I am not a Buddhist, but I have taught classes on the subject at the university level. Like many other world religions, Buddhism has many different 'denominations', so there are lots of areas to choose from. However, there are some basic tenets, like any any religion, that are recognized almost universally.

Here is an overview:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddism

From the Tripitaka:
http://www.watchai.iirt.net/buddhist1.html

Zen Buddhism:
http://www.gardendigest.com/zen/ten.htm

Answer 3

I was raised without faith and the best thing I can tell you about Buddhism is that I have never had to develop faith to be Buddhist. Buddhism explains life, how things work and a deeper meaning, but it never ducks behind God as a means of explaining things that don't make sense. (No offense to other religions, its one thing for Jesus to invoke God, but for Buddha to do it would be a stretch.)

The cheat sheat on Buddhism is this:

Four Noble Truths -- Life is contaminated by sufferings in all dimensions due to attachment. Let go of attachment and you don't suffer... oh and Buddha had twelve ideas on how to do this (he actually had thirteen, but the last one was about never betting on your favorite football team, so it got dropped)

Five Precepts -- A practitioner tries to adhere to five rules, these are not sins, they just create an environment more conducive to enlightenment. They are:
1. Don't Kill
2. Don't Lie (this one's tough)
3. Dont get high/drunk (the jury is still out in my opinion, the passage has been translated to say don't drink alcohol)
4. Don't Steal
5. Don't engage in sexual misconduct (Usually translated to mean two consenting adults... without an exchange of money)

Three Evils -- The devil in Buddhism, Mara (generally accepted to be metaphoric) had three daughters, which represent the three evils:

1. Greed
2. Anger
3. Delusion (I actually miss this one.)

The main thing about Buddhism that appealed to me was the part about not taking any of it at face value. If something doesn't make sense to you at first, think about, experiment with it, if it still doesn't make sense ignore it, its bullsh--, even if the Buddha said it.

Thats basically the deal. Watch out for the nonsense though, Buddhism is a religion that has many sects, like any other religion. We don't spend much effort in attacking other religions or sects (something to do with the no-drinking thing), so alot of misinformation gets spread.

Oh and by the way, question everything about it, if it can't stand up to logic then its worthless, but keep an open mind.

Answer 4

Bhuddhists follow the 8 fold path or the middle path.
Basically its to do good in this life time so that you will suffer less in the next life time and after many re-birth's you will finally be free from the cycle of birth.
They chant the mantra:
"Om mane padme hum"
which means may my heart be as pure as the lotus.
If your heart is pure,your deeds or karma will automatically be pure.And the lotus is a symbol of purity for the bhuddists as well as the hindus. Your deeds should be selfless and you have to do everything with good intentions.
My mom can tell you more about it.Contact me and i'll put you through to her.

Answer 5

I read these posts...Man, God deserves better! There is 1 God the Holy Creator. There definitely is a devil and fallen angels. They seek to destroy and deceive everyone and that is why there are so many different religions. Especially ones that worship idles or multi gods (also known as fallen angels or demons see history of Babylon etc. ) They are just trying to deceive the masses like satan did to Eve in the Garden. Why because he knows he is going to hell. Jesus Christ is the Savior, period. AND PLEASE, Pray in Jesus Christ's name for God to send the Holy Spirit and keep the devils away. Not because they are powerful (FEAR NO EVIL) but because God deserves your Love. See you can not choose a religion on what seems the nicest but choose on the TRUTH and what would make your Creator happy. Only he can bless you! The devil wants EVERYONE to go to hell with him. Ask Jesus into your heart today...Godspeed!

Answer 6

http://www.dharmanet.org/ -- California

Welcome to Zen Mountain Monastery
Located on 230 acres of forest preserve in New York’s beautiful Catskill Mountains, Zen Mountain Monastery (ZMM), the mainhouse of the Mountains and Rivers Order (MRO), is one of the West’s most respected Zen Buddhist monasteries and training centers. Since its inception in 1980, ZMM has offered spiritual practitioners innovative ways to engage the Buddhist teachings through a wide range of retreats and residential programs that take place within the context of authentic, full-time Zen monastic training. Throughout the year, our teachers, staff and special guests lead retreats that highlight each of the areas that form ZMM’s unique training matrix: the Eight Gates of Zen, a Western rendition of the Buddha’s Eightfold Path.
http://www.mro.org/zmm/index.php

Do some research for yourself, as there are different branches..

I wish you the very best, in your journey.. may you find the answer you're seeking.

God Bless..

Answer 7

I used to be a Catholic, then a Paganist, then a Buddhist.
I am now a Chrstian.

Buddhist say that they have been around since before Jesus Christ.

This is true, but they just said in that remark that God also
Exists;

And He Is Considered the Alpha the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

Sincerely, Ant.

Answer 8

i am buddhist, but nt like very much into it, more like because my family is, but i will most likely stay as one......
i have gone to churches, mosques, temples, basically a lot of other religious places, because my friends are made up of diff religions......heard their preachings........read their books out of interest..............while they all teach us to be good they also come with some ridiculous stuffs.....
buddhism.......to me, consists of the least amount of ridiculous components...if u just concentrate on its teachings on how u can live life better, to achieve enlightment or have better vision about the whole thing called life.......i think this religion is the most sensible one........not being biased here....but reading from the rest of the answers given by others, i know i am not waaaay tooo wrong......
btw, i dun understand about the whole hu-ha about its wrong to worship statues..come on we know very well that the ones we r worshipping or praying to is not the stones themselves, it's the god or whoever we believe in......

Answer 9

I'm not a buddhist, but I share your fascination. I think the thing that is most fascinating about it for us agnostics is Buddhism's attitude toward life and happiness, and how to make them happen: The dogma is basically to reduce your wants and urges, and you will be happy and achieve high levels of inner integrity. Not a bad thought to entertain in a world which may face inevitable downsizing, don't you agree? Takes the threat out of a lot of things.

Answer 10

Sounds like a nice religion?

Hmm, I'm afraid religion does nothing for people, religion does not save you, a Savior will, the end times are approaching, I'd do a lot more soul searching rather than seeking "a nice religion."

Seek the truth and it will set you free!!!

Answer 11

You seem to be seeking a way to the truth of all that is...so I don't think that the term atheist is necessarily appropriate. Keep searching, and you will find that you don't need an organization, nice or otherwise, to bolster your belief. In my personal quest I have found them ( organized religions each with their own prophets and divisions) to be detrimental to any individual seeking spiritual development.