...who likes to drink beer and shoot clay pigeons. Can I still sign up?
An atheist Buddhist? I think I can do that. I'm just not so sure about the beer and the shotguns.
2007-06-13 11:05:47 · 6 answers · asked by Dog 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Atheist . . . no problem.
Clay pigeons . . . no problem.
Beer . . . well, two out of three ain't bad.
2007-06-13 11:10:47 · answer #1 · answered by buddhamonkeyboy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drinking alcohol is contrary to the 5 Precepts but there are Buddhists who see nothing wrong in a very controlled consumption of beer,saki.wine.etc, Shooting real pigeons for sport would be contrary to the 5 Precepts and the 8fold Path,but shooting clay pigeons is not against ahimsa(non violence or not harming living beings) and some Buddhists have practiced archery as a form of discipline and meditation.
The main thing of Buddhism, not only Theravada but also most forms of Mahayana, is an awakened attitude and commitment to living the 4 Noble Truths, the 8fold Path and the 5 Precepts. Atheism should not be a problem as long as one is serenely respectful to those Buddhists who honor and believe in gods,boddhisatvas,heavenly realms and/or other such realities.
2007-06-13 18:50:49 · answer #2 · answered by James O 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism is essentially atheist, you only have to give up beer absolutely if you're going into a monastery, per the Vinaya. As long as the clay pigeons are causing nobody harm or suffering when you actually decimate one, there's nothing wrong with that, however taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha doesn't require one to "sign up"... it's about simply understanding the Buddha's teachings and applying them to your life voluntarily.
Buddhism's not about denial it's a middle way, equanimity, etc. It's about not causing harm and suffering, etc.
www.buddhanet.net you can figure the rest out yourself or not as you like.
_()_
2007-06-13 18:22:12 · answer #3 · answered by vinslave 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's about seeing without the constraints of human conceptualization and any human consciousness is capable of it. The middle road means understanding that there really are no absolutes and the divisions and separations that we percieve, are basically our own creation. There really is no Buddhist and Non-Buddhist as we may percieve in the world and therefore the label vanishes. The hobbies that you described do not disqualify you from understanding this....
2007-06-13 18:22:36 · answer #4 · answered by Kai Dao 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, my friend. Buddhism does not require god concepts.
2007-06-13 18:11:07 · answer #5 · answered by Shawn B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the club! Its not a problem at all.
2007-06-13 18:23:56 · answer #6 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋