One of my biggest problems with christianity ( I was raised catholic) is the lack of physicial evidence, and the fact your expected to have blind faith in a book which was written by word of mouth. This is one of the reasons I was drawn to Buddhism, however I also do not believe in rebirth. So my question is, is it required to believe in rebirth to be a buddhist? I understand that individuals say you see your past lives when your enlightened.. but this would require me to put faith in someone else's views/opinions.
2006-12-13 10:45:35 · 5 answers · asked by travdes 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
With respect...
Why do you have to define yourself and fit into a category? You don't have to explain yourself to anybody. Believe what you want to believe and don't worry about what to call yourself.
Buddhism is NOT a philosophy. The goal of real (Zen) Buddhism is to return your mid to its natural state, done through sitting meditation(zazen). There is nothing to believe, think, or follow.
Buddhism is about not having mental attachments, even to Buddhism itself. When you are your true self, then you are Buddhist. That's why Buddhists practice zazen, so that their minds can be disciplined and free from attachments.
Go to church on Sunday and a Buddhist dojo on Saturday, whatever makes YOU happy. It's your life and your the only person your going to be with everyday for the rest of your life so live it for YOU.
PS-Anyway, Buddhism texts are also word of mouth.
2006-12-14 12:40:28 · answer #1 · answered by Teaim 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Buddhism is probably more like Philosophy rather than Religion.
Even in Buddhism, one does not have to be a Buddhist! There is no such thing as: if you say you are not a buddhist, then you will go to hell. It is based on cause and effect or action and reaction. There are reasons for most things.
Good or bad things happen mostly probably because of Karma. Things happen not because what you believe in, but what you do. Ones can debate all day about the other factors such as chance, luck, distiny, God's will and etc. Buddhists are more into what ones can control and leave what is uncontrollable to others. Of course we can learn from previous mistakes but there is no point of feeling all bad about things that you cannot control or change.
There are different levels of beings, realization and enlightenment. There are many branches of Buddhisms and different Buddhists do practice differently.
If you do not feel comfortable with reincarnation, please do not get caught in the lack of physical evidence. Even though some may argue that there are evidences such as why there are some exceptional genius people. Is it because they remember what they learned in the past lives and not realizing it?
It is not unreasonable to say of course eventually ones can attain the enlightenment after living so many lives for so many times!!
Sometimes you just have to say that you are not sure and do not have all the answers.
There are many more or as important issues in Buddhism such as the Principle of Uncertainty, nothing is permanent, so better not to be too attached to objects and material things. I particularly like the idea of being in the middle of the road and moderation. You don't have to choose between rebirths and one life with heaven and hell.
Good luck.
2006-12-13 18:22:18 · answer #2 · answered by Totsakan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
LOLOL ... how do you imagine the Buddha would have replied? In mathematics proofs, when an inconsistency is observed, it indicates a flaw in reasoning (or logic) or a flaw in assumption (or premise) I think your understanding of Buddhism is somewhat off target Right View Right thought Right speech Right Action 1. Respect life 2. Earn all that you have 3. Control your desire, rather than allow desire to control you. Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness . Right Concentration
2016-05-23 21:31:13 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's required though you'd have to look more carefully into the teachings of Buddhism. I say this because enlightenment is said to be gained though numerous lifetimes of goodness, meditation,ect.
2006-12-13 11:23:36 · answer #4 · answered by anon4112 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL. Sounds like you're caught between a rock and a couple of lifetimes.
Your other out is to be a 'modified' Buddhist, if you really must.
Keep your search going then...
Peace be with you.
2006-12-13 10:51:45 · answer #5 · answered by Arf Bee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋