: ) For theists and atheists only!?

Question

What do you do with Buddhism? How do you regard it?

And if you offer a response to this, I invite you to check back again later for follow-up questions. My thanks in advance for sincere replies.

So, a number of folks here are making a distinction between "religion" and "philosophy". What to you is the difference?

Answer 1

I am not a Buddhist, but I incorporate some Buddhist thinking into my own view of the world. It is at once a very simple and very complex philosophy that does much to explain our perceptions of the world and the results of those perceptions.

In some ways, I see it as a religion because it offers certain recommended "rituals" for achieving certain states. On the other hand, these really are just recommendations and are not universal, not to mention the fact that they involve thought (or lack of thought) instead of blind motions. Of course, like any other case, Buddhism, too, can become empty if one simply performs the actions without any understanding.

I classify it as both, but it is first and foremost what it describes itself to be: a path to escape from suffering. When we are too concerned with distinctions and the like, we are missing the purpose of the approach.

Answer 2

One of the tenets of Buddhism is "Desire is the cause of every evil". If we can control it we can control our life and of course the whole world.
There are other tenets also but somehow this particular one stirs me most. A deep thought on this really takes you down to the core truth of the words. I believe its very true.
If this can be applied to our life then I guess much of our everyday problems will be solved.

Perhaps no other religion spelt this aspect of truth so specifically.
I do not have any special regard for Buddhism as a whole (mostly because I do not know much about the religion), however it is like any other religion that seeks to find truth. I have respect for this religion.
I consider that its not the so called structured "religion" that make a person good or bad, on the contrary it is the values. Religion came after man. It was made by man to put control, checks and measure on his life. Values are eternal.

Answer 3

Since I do not believe in religions, I do not give credence to Buddhism as a religion. As a philosophy it's okay, as I understand that there are atheist forms of it.

atheist

Answer 4

i like buddhism.

i myself am actually very kin to zen buddhism because of their emphasis on mediation and their non-emphasis on reincarnation (most don't even believe in it).

if you really study buddhism, you'll see that it does have some great philosophies on how to live life.

edit: to aurora--all forms of buddhism are inherently atheistic. there is never anything taught about a god or gods.

edit: it's difficult to explain. i like the buddhist philosophy but i don't follow the religion. the basic idea of it is what i refer to as a philosophy, as opposed to the daily practice of it, which i would qualify as the religion. it's really a fine line here.

Answer 5

While Buddhism is often classified as a religion, and often and for many people it is one.

I personally regard it more as a Philosophy, that can become a religion.

Answer 6

From a theist and Christian, eastern philosophy is dangerous because it teaches that there is no such thing as a monotheistic God as we know it.

Every buddhist Ive ever talked to has the same problem. They think Jesus is great and wonderful and will even admit he is the son of God. Then they will go on to talk about all the things needed for a spiritual life and it has nothing to do with Jesus. They are giving him lip service and then telling us how we can self-help ourselves with their philosophy.

Christianity isnt about being good by the worlds standards, its about conforming to Christlikeness in Gods standard.

Answer 7

I think it's a nice quiet religion. Always looked peaceful to me. I haven't met many Buddhists, but the religion itself seemed nice.

Answer 8

I think Buddhism is an irrational religion (or at least some forms of it are, like Mahayana and Zen).

Answer 9

The ones that proselytize as much as the Xtians do, I am against. The ones that mind their own business until asked about their faith, I'm fine with.

Answer 10

im osho. just read a liitle about buddhism. i dont know if i can apply it in real life.b