if buddhism is right,both christians and atheists are unprepared for reincarnation.never seen a christian or atheist who had any more that a remedial understanding of buddhism either.But of course you already KNOW the truth,don't you.
2007-04-05 09:45:35 · 22 answers · asked by robertbobbybob 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Which version of Buddhism, dude? Therevada, Mahayana, Zen, Pure Land, etc. There's some radical difference here, and some don't even have a concept of "self" to make sense of reincarnation the way that this question implies.
The problem with this twist on the wager is that it doesn't really matter if one rejects Buddhism, since you've got plenty of chances to get things right. So you waste a life? People waste time in their lives too. You have to have a "too late, no more chances" kind of scenario in your religion for the wager to work.
2007-04-05 09:56:46 · answer #1 · answered by Scott P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here's a better twist:
Is it better to believe in no God than the WRONG God?
If an atheist and a Christian (for example) showed up on Judgement day, and the Supreme Being turned out to be Odin, who would he be more p*ssed at?
The person who didn't believe in any God and devoted his energies to living a full and meaningful life, or the one who spent his entire life worshipping and serving a rival (and therefore wrong) God?
edit: If the Buddhists are right, then EVERYONE, athiest, Christian, or Buddhist, all get the same result--reincarnation--no matter what they believe. So it's the perfect "safety net".
2007-04-05 16:53:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thought that is why people drink for Pascal's Wager. The false dichotomy. I have never claimed to know the truth, however I don't know the answer so I am Agnostic Atheist. Until evidence or proof of such is there I will not believe it.
2007-04-05 16:53:36 · answer #3 · answered by Magus 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to prepare for reincarnation if you live a righteous life. You cannot prepare for reincarnation since you don't know when and how it will happen to you. For everyone of every religions, the best way to prepare for it is to live in harmony with each other and do not commit sin. Buddhism foretells the reincarnation for people to live a good life in preparation for their own. There will be no reincarnation when you die without sin or bad karma. You will go to heaven of your Gods or Nirvana of Buddha without being reincarnated into a new suffering cycle or life. SO do not worry about it if you do not commit sin or if you did, you need to redeem it before you die by doing good deeds.
2007-04-06 11:27:12 · answer #4 · answered by holyfire 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's "preparing for" rebirth? You do virtuous deeds and do no non-virtuous ones you take rebirth accordingly and vice versa. When you've generated the karma to study and understand Buddhism then you'll be reborn to where you can do so. It's about understanding the nature of things, that they arise due to causes and conditions... through that you learn patience, and that all things are impermanent. There are no finite beginnings nor endings... what's best for the person at any given moment is what's best.
_()_
2007-04-05 16:56:45 · answer #5 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Judging from the smugness of your question, you are doomed to be reincarnated as a dung beetle.
And you assumed this atheist had no understanding about Buddhism... appears your understanding is lacking as well.
2007-04-05 16:54:31 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian.
I have more than a remedial understanding of buddhism.
You never completed the twist on Pascal's Wager, so I am not sure exactly what your question is.
But I do believe it is time for me to grap some GRAPE JUICE!
2007-04-05 16:52:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
buddhism doesnt require faith. if i live a christian life, chances are i will do most of the things involved in buddhism, the basic non-attachment to items things.
in which case, i get a one-up on karma.
and if i dont live a good buddhist life, i get a slightly crappier life. but then again, im not very knowledgeable in buddhism.
2007-04-05 16:51:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I'm an atheist and I understand Buddhism and reincarnation.
2007-04-05 16:49:59 · answer #9 · answered by photogrl262000 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you're right, I do know the truth & His name is Jesus. Reincarnation holds no appeal for me.
And since this refers to Pascal's Wager, it's time to play the drinking game--I'll have iced tea.
2007-04-05 16:50:09 · answer #10 · answered by wanda3s48 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋