I have always been interested in eastern religion and philosophy. However, i am haveing a hard time deciding whether to consider myself more buddhist or taoist. any thoughts?
2006-10-04 06:52:00 · 10 answers · asked by ccain85 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think they both have much to offer! I have found that there is no one school of thought that fits me exactly. So I'm quite eclectic in my spirituality. Learn what you can from each and take the pieces of wisdom from them that suit you. I gave up on trying to label myself...I'm a "whatever" :) Best wishes! :)
2006-10-04 06:56:32 · answer #1 · answered by Joeygirl 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a Taoist. I'm not going to pimp my philosophy but I will give you some books to read if you want to pursue your interests.
Taoists do not believe in God. We believe in the Tao, which usually translates to way in English. We do not concern ourselves with an afterlife since it has nothing to do with the way. We do not seek enlightenment, we only seek to align ouselves with the way. Good and evil have different meaning to Taoists. Good is following the way, evil is going against it.
In the Tao te Ching, written by Lao Tzu, the Tao is described as the creator of ten thousand things. However, the Tao is never described as having any human characteristics. It neither thinks nor feels nor loves.
Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub;
It is the center hole that makes it useful.
Shape clay into a vessel;
It is the space that makes it useful.
Cut doors and windows for a room;
It is the holes which make it useful.
Therefore benefit comes from what is there;
Usefulness from what is not there.
-Lao Tsu
Returning is the motion of the Tao.
Yielding is the way of the Tao.
The ten thousand things are born of being.
Being is born of not being.
-Lao Tsu
On a side note Taoists and Buddhists fought wars against each other in Medieval China.
2006-10-04 07:00:38 · answer #2 · answered by zatcsu 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have found that both are much better than the organized religions, my only problem is that everyone thinks they need something to guide them to be decent human beings. I only believe in myself and those I love. I believe in my ability to get through the rough spots with the help of my loved ones. I can't see going to any church, temple, mosque, or other gathering place where a couple of people stand up and tell the rest how they should be living, while many of them are not living correctly themselves.
I know people do need faith and that is fine, however you do it, as long as you live a good life and help others to live a better life.
I know that doesn't really answer your question but I'll tell you that Buddhism is the probably one of the best philosophies to live by.
The way I see it if there is a God and that god does not allow you into heaven for living a decent, good life and helping others just because you don't believe....I don't want in anyway because if something created us and gave us free will and doesn't like when we use it then I can only imagine the heaven it has created as being full of terrible people who got in only because they believed.
Sorry about the rant, i keep getting speeches from people of all faiths about how I should be a part of their faith.
2006-10-04 07:10:53 · answer #3 · answered by fish lips 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you attended any Buddhist workshops or spoken to any monks? They can probably help you figure out where your beliefs fit & help in your understanding.
There are actually a lot of monks living in the states & there are programs you could take for an afternoon or a weekend or a week to talk & learn more.
I think that would be a good place for you to speak with someone to really help you & you could ask direct questions & get specific answers, learn similarities & differences as well.
Here is also a simple link about how Taoism & Buddism are similar http://www.thetao.info/tao/buddha.htm
Dont know if that is the answer you were looking for, but it was probably better than some of the others :-)
2006-10-04 07:01:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Taoist is a very nebulous, natural religion. Buddhism has more "rules" or a path to enlightenment. I would say read a little of each at a bookstore or library and see which you like. You can also choose a little from each like I do.
2006-10-04 06:58:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
ideal right that's the 1st substitute in its entirety: "Congress shall make no regulation respecting a company of religion, or prohibiting the loose game thereof; or abridging the liberty of speech, or of the clicking; or the desirable of the persons peaceably to hold jointly, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Do you spot some element in there that could exclude Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism, or another "ism" which you will have the flexibility to have faith of? i do no longer. So, the respond to you question could be, useful, those "isms" are completely secure below the form.
2016-12-26 09:32:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Buddhist friend of mine told me to hold off on Buddhism until I am a little older. Taoism is pretty cool.
Hey Zatcsu, that is my absolute favorite passage. Thanks for sharing it.
2006-10-04 06:59:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you looked into the Church of SubGenius? I'm an ordained minister. www.subgenius.com Check it out.
2006-10-04 06:53:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
If YOU don't know, aint' nobody going to be able to tell you.
2006-10-04 06:54:25 · answer #9 · answered by Spirit Walker 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
why bother with cults?? Christianity is the true way to salvation..
2006-10-04 06:57:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 8⤋