How is a buddhist's life differ from a 'regular' person's life?
I just want to know whatever it is you know about Buddhism??!!
Thanks!
2006-09-29 13:48:34 · 7 answers · asked by thankgodformaryjane 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I would say we seek the answers to all the questions inside ourselves. Gods don't really matter so much, buddha is an inspiration and a teacher to us. We try to have a fluid ego. Don't worry about who created what or when. It's irrelevant and will not help you live a better life. Try to do no harm and don't sweat the small stuff.
That's the very basic part.
2006-09-29 13:53:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Buddhism is one of the more peaceful, loving and accepting of all the major religions. Much can be taken from the Buddhists teachings, whether you choose to follow Buddha or not. My boyfriend is Buddhist and I've found in studying the same texts that he does, it very much resembles the CORE beliefs of Christianity. In almost every aspect the Buddhist teachings mirror the instructions given in the New Testament on how to live godly lives. In fact, many believe that Christ Himself may have traveled and studied with Buddhist monks and philosophers in His time on earth.
Be Blessed and Blessed Be
2006-09-29 21:03:53 · answer #2 · answered by Celestian Vega 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Being a self-learner, I read books. Lots of books. I recommend a link to one and another published by Doubleday called Shin Buddhism: Bits of Rubble Into Gold.
It is a wonder to me that so many people practice buddhism as a act of non-violence and that the mystical surrounding the central Guatama Buddha or Siddhartha is a story of realization without persecution.
For healing, a good mantra in 'tayathe om bekandze bekandze ma ha bekandze ranzee soma gata soha.' This mantra 7 times with thought can attract healing and in crisis, repeat mantra for healing, 120 times.
2006-09-29 21:07:14 · answer #3 · answered by bluedecker97 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Buddhists can live like normal people, it's the monks that make all the sacrafices. Buddhism is fantastic.
2006-09-29 21:04:11 · answer #4 · answered by Acerus 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nam yo ho ren ga kyo!
according to buddhists, chanting this and buying a prayer scroll (and ornate box for the prayer scroll), will ensure health, wealth and a good life.
This from my visit to a buddhist temple in the 80's.
(())
2006-09-29 20:50:03 · answer #5 · answered by Tim 47 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Buddhism beliefs - What are the basics?
The basic practices and beliefs of Buddhism are credited to Siddhartha Guatama, born in Nepal in 563 B.C. Troubled by the suffering amongst the common people, Guatama departed from his Hindu studies and gods. He chose to live off of alms while devoting himself to extreme somberness.
This brought him to a weakened state of mind and body and not to the peace he had hoped for. He began intense meditation, claiming it brought him into a god-like state of "Nirvana." Though difficult to reach, Nirvana is said to be achieved by totally denying self, entering a state of illumination, joy, and harmony. However, it is said that to do so brings release from desires for self that causes all bodily pain and sorrow. By claiming to have done so, Guatama proclaimed himself to be an "enlightened one" or a Buddha. A Buddha is someone regarded as embodying divine wisdom and virtue, but not a god.
Buddhist beliefs and Christianity differ in many ways:
Buddhists do not believe in a Divine being, therefore they have no concept of salvation and atonement for wrong doings. Compare those beliefs to Christianity, wherein God provided His Son Jesus as redemption for our sins.
While Buddhism claims there is no beginning and end, we are shown through Christianity and Judaism the Creation and God's plan for our eternity.
The philosophies of Buddha were written 400 years after his death. The Bible was written with numerous prophecies hundreds of years before Jesus was born.
There are no directives or absolutes to the path of Nirvana. Yet Jesus taught that while our physical bodies will die, our soul will ascend to be with the Lord in Heaven. We must simply accept His gift of salvation to be redeemed for this assurance. Buddhists contend that people do not have individual souls and hold to the belief that achievements in life will continue on and on into your next bodily form, striving to get it right (reincarnation). In Buddhism, there is no forgiveness or mercy from a loving God.
Buddhist beliefs - Where is the hope? In Buddhism, there is no hope for eternal safety. In Christianity, however, Jesus gave us directives and absolutes. Eternal joy is achievable through accepting Him. He tells us in John 10:9a (KJV), "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved. . ." and Romans 10:9-13, "That if you confess with your mouth,'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that your believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.' For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile -- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"
Comparison Christianity and Buddhism - What are the differences?
Jesus came to this world as a man and fulfilled all the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Buddha could not reconcile the existence of suffering with an all-powerful, loving God and so rejected the teachings of Hinduism.
There are Four Noble Truths to Buddhism: Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, and Marga.
Dukkha, the first of the Four Noble Truths, says that all human experience is transient and that suffering results from excessive desire and attachment. It is a Pali word which means, "incapable of satisfying." The Buddha taught that suffering is an inescapable reality. We know there are things in this world that will momentarily end suffering. How do we know suffering exists unless we have something to compare it to? Does a man who is completely blind know when he enters a dark room?
Samudaya, the second noble truth, explains that the cause of suffering is ignorant desire.
Nirodha, the third noble truth indicates that this desire can be destroyed. The way out of suffering is craving.
Marga, the fourth noble truth, teaches that the way out of suffering is the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path shows the way out of the cycle of birth and death, which is full of misery. Comparison between Christianity and Buddhism can be done using the principles of the Eightfold Path:
Right Understanding - "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is" (Ephesians 5:17).
Right Intention - "He who has a wayward and crooked mind finds no good. . ." (Proverbs 17:20).
Right Speech "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. . .If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless" (James 1:19, 27).
Right Action - "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17).
Right Livelihood - "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).
Right Effort - "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Right Mindfulness - "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Right Concentration - "Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth" (Colossians 3:2). A comparison between Christianity and Buddhism reveals that both acknowledge the reality of suffering. The Bible teaches that suffering began when mankind rejected God. When we refuse to accept the reality of God in our lives, it results in suffering both for us and for those who are affected by our choices. Separation from God results in temporary suffering on this earth and everlasting suffering in Hell. Unlike Buddhism, Christianity teaches that suffering ends only in the presence of God in Heaven. We cannot get to heaven without Christ.
Buddha has shown his way to live: his Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. God shows us His way; He has revealed His truth and has told us how we are to live. "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6).
2006-09-29 21:02:21 · answer #6 · answered by Martin S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't do it!!!!!!!!!
2006-09-29 21:53:06 · answer #7 · answered by Smokey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋