Don't Know a great deal about them. My sister visited a Buddhist retreat, she loved the experience! i know very little about their beliefs, but, they seem to have it just right. Very peacefull people!
interested in your thoughts!
Thank you
2007-05-23 13:50:49 · 19 answers · asked by nicky 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you 'all' for your views and very thorough answers!
I wasn't shopping for a 'Religion' to follow - i am a Christian - but just really admire how the Buddhist people seem to live!
Thanks again 'all'
nighty night X
2007-05-23 14:37:36 · update #1
CHRIS - Just seen your 'lovely', sensible message - it really cheered me up!
Thank you
goodnight!
2007-05-23 15:02:13 · update #2
It's the way to go for me. I checked out a lot of religions when I went "shopping" for one. Buddhism was the only one that reflected my world view and the more I practice it, the better I like it. There are some things I don't like, but most of those things come from specific sects that I'm not a part of. It took a little while and a lot of reading, but I settled on the Zen sect as appropriate for me.
The basic beliefs are pretty simple. You can distill the goal of Buddhism into a sentence: To see reality as it is, not as we expect or desire it to be. That, in a nutshell, is Nirvana/Enlightenment. But, here's the actual doctrine, if you want to call it that.
You have the Triple Gem:
1 Buddha, the awakened one. Everyone has the potential to be a Buddha if they like.
2 Buddha-Dharma, or the teachings of Buddha. Unlike religions, these are just guides that you blend with your own experience to find your way, not rules or commandments.
3 Sangha, or the Buddhist community.
The center of Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths:
1 Dukkha: stress, unsatisfactoriness, suffering
2 Cause of Dukkha: grasping, clinging and wanting;
3 Nirvana (not heaven, but a state of mind): The ending of Dukkha. Awakening or Enlightenment.
4 The Eightfold Path to Nirvana.
The Eightfold Path:
Samma (right) can be interpreted as: integral, complete, perfected, holistic, whole
1. Right View, Understanding;
2. Right Attitude, Thought or Emotion;
3. Right Speech;
4. Right Action;
5. Right livelihood;
6. Right Effort, Energy, and Vitality;
7. Right Mindfulness or Awareness;
8. Right Samadhi "concentration", one-pointedness. Integration of, or establishment in, various levels of consciousness.
And finally, the Five Precepts:
1. Act with Loving-kindness
2. Be open hearted and generous
3. Practice stillness, simplicity and contentment
4. Speak with truth, clarity and peace
5. Live with mindfulness
Is Buddhism for you or your sister? If you think this is a way to live your life that'll you agree with and will find peace with. If not, then it's not for you. If your sister does become Buddhist, there's some things she'll change and some things she won't. Some people find a loved one's change in religion pretty threatening. Some don't.
An FAQ, non-Monks/Nuns do eat meat. So you don't have to be a vegetarian to be a Buddhist. It's problematic on the precept, but like I said earlier, Buddhism is a guide, not a set of commandements. We don't expect people to do things they aren't comfortable with or don't want to do.
Hope this helps!
2007-05-23 14:12:12 · answer #1 · answered by Muffie 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There are currently about 6 billion human beings manifested on this planet at this moment. That means, theoretically at least, that there could be 6 billion 'ways', none of them is 'right' for everyone, and a Buddhist would be the first to tell you this.
Personally, if I had to choose a 'way' other than my own, I would definitely favour one of the paths that Gautama pointed out to us.
There is much wisdom to be gained from our Buddhist brothers and sisters. I particularly recommend the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche, as has been suggested here before, and the Art of Happiness by his holiness the Dalai Lama.
2007-05-23 21:21:09 · answer #2 · answered by cosmicvoyager 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably it is. The blanker your mind the more you will know. It just makes sense. But it is not the kind of thing you can debate with someone, really. It is more of a personal choice that has to feel intuitively accurate and right for you if it is to become any kind of eternal committment. I know it appeals to certain types of people. I myself rather like the Zen thing. You can master it without having to know anything. All you do is just shut up and let go. But it is to what you let go from which or where your wisdom comes. The Zen people I have actually seen all look a bit daffy and unplugged. They also look happy and smart. I rather like the Zen thing. It is immediate like the broom in my garage - there it is being a broom more ready for everything than I will ever be in this silly lifetime...
2007-05-23 21:30:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes it is at least for me. Do you also realise in Buddhism, they do not convert their believer. It is the other way round, you go to him instead. Just like what you doing now, to seek for answer. Good luck.
By the way, do you know in Australia, ,many Aussie loves to seek retreat and meditate in one of many Buddhist's temples that organises it.
2007-05-23 21:00:01 · answer #4 · answered by ANDERSON P 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism has a lot of good things to teach people such as mental and physical discipline, it has a good moral code and would benefit anyone if they take the time to study it.
2007-05-23 20:55:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good? Yes.
Best for some? Yes.
Best for all? No.
Best for me? Absolutely not.
Basing you view of Buddhism on what you see on TV is like basing your view of Christianity on a serene Orthodox monestary. They have the same problems as everyone esle, the same saints, the same sinners, the same high-quality spiritual adepts and same low-quality hypocrites.
2007-05-23 20:56:27 · answer #6 · answered by NONAME 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Buddhanet - worldwide Buddhist information and education network
http://www.buddhanet.net/
2007-05-23 21:01:38 · answer #7 · answered by wb 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a philosophical way of life...very spiritual. If it feels right for you, then I say go for it.
Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood
2007-05-23 20:54:43 · answer #8 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes - I like them too - fantastic food in the Yoga Ashram's in Oz.
2007-05-23 21:10:12 · answer #9 · answered by Jewel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buddhism is just a made-up religion that is totally incorrect!! Jesus is the only way! John 14:6 says "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" !! The Bible is true and does not have a single false word in it....... Jesus is the only way to get to heaven. So.... you can be a buddhist if you want to burn in hell forever! Sound like fun? if you have questions, mehappysmilie@yahoo.com
2007-05-23 21:02:07 · answer #10 · answered by nicole 1 · 1⤊ 4⤋