This is probably the most contraversial question ever asked.......?

Question

That Buddism is the only way to live your life without the mumbo jumbo and dogma of an organised religion. The enlightened course is all you need, and the realisation that everything in the whole world from earthquakes to dropping the milk is perfect. ( EVEN IMPERFECTION) Compassion and Buddism will counteract every mortal incident.

Even death is perfect. So if death is in itself perfect why do we fear it. There is nothing more perfect than dying. The circumstances may be tragic but nevertheless it is what you would expect to happen.

Answer 1

That's not a question asked, it's a statement given!

I agree that following the teachings of Buddha without the dogma of organised religion is the best way to go, although 'Buddhism' is now morphing into a 'religion'.

There is an excellent book by Stephen Batchelor called 'Buddhism Without Beliefs', which is a sort of guide to enlightenment without the 'religion' bits. He also comments on the evil that is the organised church. A good read.

Answer 2

Well, firstly its not really a question, but I like the attention tactic.

And secondly, I have to disagree!
I think Buddhism has got a lot of good stuff going for it, but it would be impossible for me to live without the 'religious mumbo jumbo' because I truly believe that God exists, and that Jesus has saved my life!

Buddhism is a great way of looking at life, but if you don't believe it is the truth, how can it help you?

Edit: I have just read Roxy's answer and wanted to say why I disagree. I totally take responsibility for my own actions, (infact the point of Christianity is to admit that you are wrong and need help). The idea of a higher power is not something to blame for suffering in the world, it is a way to understand it and make peace with it. Whether or not you believe there is truth in it is a different matter, but please don't say religion is a cop-out!

Answer 3

It's not that contraversial, it's just another point of view. The reason I reject it as a way of life is because I met with Jesus in a big way and can't deny his existence. Also Christianity doesn't try to make us run away from the evil in the world or try to say it's just another sort of perfection when it clearly isn't , but rather encourages us, through the work of the spirit, to go out and do something about it. The biggest difference is what happens when we die, as Jesus promises eternal life. If Satan exists and doesn't want people to believe in Jesus, then just maybe he would raise up other belief systems that seem 'good' as a way of blinding us.

Answer 4

the idea that even imperfection is contained within perfection, sounds counter-intuitive, i suspect, to many people...on the surface. upon deeper reflection, one can see what is meant by such a statement, and can find acceptance and serenity...which is a joy to us.

(which does NOT mean there is any reason to sit back and abandon one's efforts to maximize human and planetary happiness and minimize the trouble and the bad! who knows? maybe we actually come back to earthlife, so it seems a good idea to get this place (world) tidied up now rather than later, eh?)


anyway, James Joyce put it this way:

Life is the pink of punk perfection!

he made up a word i love - twone. two, one, twone. it means two things are particulars within the universal, yet not seperate from the universal. like leaves and branches are parts of a tree but not separate from "tree". like shetland ponies and clydesdales are both "horse" - particular horses not separate from universal horse. like you and i are particular individuals, but not separate from each other nor from the universal - all of life.

his writings (they take some thoughtful study) try to teach us that everything is recognized through its opposite. that the alchemy of opposites is how creation created, if you will. (what would we call a sunny day, if we didn't know rain? just "a day"?)

we humans are better at seeing small differences than at seeing huge samenesses, but it's really a trick we play on ourselves - imagining that the manyness is not really all the oneness.

Einstein said that ultimately, even time and space are not to be thought of as separate.

energy/existance is all there is, it is goodbad, and it just IS...which is wonderful (except when it's not).

i know, i know...sounds counter intuitive. you have to chew on these thoughts for awhile to get the "taste".

we can fully embrace all that is our earthlife, whilst also keeping our detachment from it as this life is only a partial of the universal everything we are. this life is an imperfect finity, yet not separate from perfect infinity.

a simple concept, but hard to explain!

ain't life a grand game?! jolly good show, Creator! do go on!

Answer 5

The only Buddhists I have met (they are linked to the Glasgow Buddhist centre) are two of the most f*cked-up, selfish individuals I have ever met. Buddha better be compassionate when it comes to these scum. They have no morals and use Buddhism as an excuse to not give a f*ck about others, as "It's all maya, an illusion", etc. This world is far from perfect. Wake up and smell the corpses.

Answer 6

For practicing Buddhist lifestyle, I mostly agree with what you have said.

However, the Buddhist story as well as descriptions of death, soul and afterlife / reincarnation / enlightenment are still fantastically mystical. The different branches still remain divided. Those aspects might be problematic for some.

But, what was your question again?

(See articles from Wikipedia. About.com also has some interesting information regarding Buddhism.)

Answer 7

You didn't actually ask a question. Anyway, saying that a particular religious belief is "the only way" in any form is possibly the worst form of mumbo-jumbo. Having faith is a fine thing if used to make your life and others better, but claiming you've found the way that would, and should, suit everybody (even if your intentions are good) is the first step to disaster.

Answer 8

It may not be the 'only' way, but it is certainly an excellent way. Buddhism probably provides the most beautiful and forgiving path through life that CAN be done alone. It really doesn't even have to be taught. Most of the dogmas of Buddhism can be realized through deep thought and meditation...because it is a highly logical path.

And the Quaker comment above...I agree. Gorgeous religion.

Answer 9

I don't think that's controversial. However, Buddhism has been criticised by some as being a 'zero' religion, what with its desireless state. Read the semi-racist rantings of Ayn Rand, the successful American author, for instance.

Answer 10

Is Buddhism not an organised religion?
And I don't think dropping milk is perfect. That's a bit daft.