Buddha, Buddhism: are you Buddhist?

Question

Buddhism in Yahoo! answers is included in "religion and spirituality". Unfortunately most people who look up this topic are predisposed to arguing about whether Christianity or Athiesm is true. Most Buddhists I know don't want to enter in this dialouge either way...
In Yahoo! answers should Buddhists have their own category (even if Christians and Athiests don't) so they don't have to be bombarded by hate when they ask a question?
No matter what you think please tell me your Tradition and star my question so that Yahoo! answers knows what you think...

Sorry, was asking about everyone else and forgot to introduce myself...
Merely a PureLand Buddhist in Japan. Thanks for all your answers!!!

I have had some really great answers, but unfortunately I don't like letting things go to the vote (because some very bad answers sometimes get voted for) so I am going to chose a best answer. Thank you sor all your stars, it was fairly lame of me to ask for them...
Thankyou for pointing out the E-sangha, and I accept that there is probably no need for another section considering all your answers.

Answer 1

I am Catholic but I have known many Buddhists. I accept what they believe as a religion and it is certainly spiritual. When a Buddhist prays it is every bit as prayerful as when a Christian prays. It is another path to the same end. We need all the paths we can get in this world today.

Answer 2

I am a student of Buddhism, however I can't call myself a true Buddhist. I believe if you're gonna talk the talk you gotta walk the walk. The christians taught me that. As for having a seperate category, I'm not so sure. The world is schizmatic enuf as it is. Maybe we could learn from each other. Be it good or bad, knowledge is what I believe we're here for.
However, can Buddhism even be called a "religion" per say? It seems the more I learn the more I look at it as a way to reach enlightenment thru life living experiencing evrything.

Answer 3

Personally I don't subscribe to any 'religion' per se, although most people whose opinion I value would argue that Buddhism is not a religion, with which I would totally agree. So I still need another cop out line ! So maybe it's that I am too undisciplined ( to others ) to follow any 'credo' precisely.

But if I did, and it was a choice between those currently available it would definitely be Buddhism, of the Dalai Lama kind, he is a great mentor of mine, both in this world and beyond. In fact I once wrote a book ( no, it never got into print, it was too awful, and too personal ) which had it's title in analogy about comparative religion, and the conclusion was exactly as above.

I will say that the only thing that doesn't 'hang' with me in the thoughts of Chairman Gautama is the slightly dismissive stuff about women, not that I would challenge so august an 'authority', it's just that I 'know' better ! ;-)

And yes, I agree with your sentiments about the categories, but suggest that it would be a bad idea for all the others because they wouldn't get the exposure to all the splendid elements that we see here of 'Buddhist' thinking, and for the Buddhists, because all they could really do is sit around patting each other on then back for being so smart ! ;-)

Great question, by the way, thanks.

Edit :

To cybersharque

The traditional way of patience, understanding, and years of meditation in caves, or walled up in a monastery alcove are over. It is now possible to enter what is known as 'enlightenment' by the cunning ruse of saying "I am enlightened", which is actually the shorthand version of what Prince Gautama said under the wotnot tree. The only barrier, in other words, is your own thinking, if you seek your truth it is where it always has been, in your own heart/mind.

We all just 'mislaid' it when we decided to enter this dense, 'dark' realm of the physical, and it is now 'time' to find it again, for all of us. :-)))

Have fun.

Answer 4

Yes, I am Buddhist. I practice in the Tibetan tradition, Gelugpa school. Per your request, I've given your question a star -- mainly because there are so few questions about Buddhism posted here.

I don't think R&S needs different categories for the different religions. Besides the technical challenges that have already been pointed out, I think it is really very useful for the different religious and spiritual traditions to be exposed to one another and to enter into dialogue. It is true that there are a lot of people on here who only want to "sell" their own religion and bash others; at some level one hopes that they get exposed to a diversity of views whether they like it or not, and that at some point in their life this will cause a positive change. At worst, they can be ignored and one can focus on real questions that people have.

I do tend to ignore the questions that are obvious "us-them" confrontation starters, and just look for (A) questions about things that I actually have some knowledge about, or (B) questions from those who are sincerely seeking help or thoughts from others. I mostly answer questions about Buddhism because there are not a lot of us out here and we're not particularly well understood in the western world. Talking with other Buddhists is good, and I do that a lot within my sangha and within my network of friends. But we need to talk to others as well. We all live in this world together (at least this time around!)

Answer 5

Hi, I am a Buddhist too. I just started, but I would like to going into Pureland Buddhism.

well, the call is on yahoo and it probably would be fair if there is category for Buddhism, then there should be one for other religion.

I know, it is hard that ppl tend to arguing when it come to the subject of religion.

Good idea you got here. and Hope you continue to practice Buddhism well.

May Buddha blessing you and everyone.

Amitofo.

Answer 6

I am not a buddhist but I have incorporated some of the buddhist principles into my faith and practice. It is really difficult for those who walk a different path to. I am actually Wiccan and have been practicing the Georgian tradition for nearly 15 years. The wonderful thing about the religion I practice is that we are not steeped in dogma and can be open to add what we need to our faith.
I do not agree with having separate sites for different religions. It is interesting to see how different people's beliefs are. It is a bit of a drag to read through the bickering but occasionally there are some real gems of wisdom which makes it all worth it.
Blessings,
R

Answer 7

It would be wonderful if Yahoo Answers would further sub-divide the Religion & Spirituality section. I doing so, it would be useful to include sub-catagories such as Buddhism, Wiccan, Christianity, etc. . . and even include a category called Other Relgious/Spiritual Traditions.

Although I am not a Buddhist, I have integrated many Buddhist beliefs and concepts into my own religious life.

Answer 8

I am a Theravada Buddhist! And proud to be! Theravada Buddhism is the pure Buddhismwhich taught by Lord Buddha!

Answer 9

The e-Sagha (see link below) is an excellent place to ask and answer questions regarding Buddhism without the problems experienced on Yahoo Answers. I don't think that even having a seperate category would help on Yahoo Answers. The seperate vegetarian category, for example, is over-run with meat eaters flaming the vegetarians.

Answer 10

As a Buddhist, I enjoy and appreciate the insight of those of other faiths, and hope that those of all religions on YA who are sincere will find constructive dialog for the promotion of tolerance, understanding and peace.

I find that many people misunderstand the tenets and principle of Buddhism, and in particular tend to assign very narrow and 'western' meanings to term such as karma, nirvana, etc. and I hope to help increase the more understanding of our practices.

I believe it is ok to be bombarded by hate, as it gives the opportunity to absorb it and respond with kindness and compassion.

Mahayana