interested in Budism?

Question

What are the benefit's of being buhdist? what are the main beliefs?
I am interested in learning about this religion. I know of a buhdist who was very calm and collected.
I've heard other people say that they are both buhdist and christian? how does that work??
How about Karma? I strongly believe in what goes around comes around, and am interested in learning more about Karma.
Any information would be great!
I also hear that buhdists meditate a lot??

Answer 1

Check out http://www.bswa.org and watch some of the dharma talk videos by Ajahn Brahm, that should help answer some of your questions.

Buddhists practice letting go, that is why they are usually calm and collected. They practice (continually) to realize that all things are impermanent and to let go of things when they pass their use-by date, as not letting go is just denial of the truth, which leads to your own anguish and suffering.

Karma is, basically, cause and effect. The cycle of violence is a perfect example of negative karma coming back on someone. Think of it, when you do a good deed and help someone out, it inspires *them* to be in a better mood, motivating them to also help others! The same with anger....a husband might yell at his wife, who then later is short with her child and yells at him, who then later draws on the walls with a crayon. This is a basic example, but I think you probably get the idea.

Mediation is the tool of the Buddhist, it trains your mind to be aware of all of its senses and its own phenomena (thoughts, internal dialog, etc.). You learn how to let go, how to be calm and at peace with meditation. When you become skilled, you can get so calm and so at peace that joy and bliss over come you...this is known as jhana, a state of deep meditation.

Ultimately, Buddhists value reason, rationality, and direct knowledge in all teachings...you should not accept something as perfectly true until you understand it. This does not mean that you cannot have faith in a teaching, but you should not accept it fully until you have direct experiential knowledge of it. For example, one is compassionate to others because it makes for a fertile mind for peace and bliss. Think about it, if you are always selfish, you are always concerned with something about your self; someone might steal my stuff, or make fun of me, or whatever. If you are selfLESS and compassionate to others, you are too busy being content and happy with helping others you are not stressed, not anxious. It makes yous mind fertile for happiness and joy. I'll link a great MP3 below when Ajahn Brahm goes over the Mindfulness of Breathing sutra which talks about the stages of meditation and how to meditate.

Oh, as for Christian-Buddhists, they do exist, and it's basically a meshing of the teachings. Jesus and the Buddha said pretty much the same stuff, metaphorically speaking. It's just that most Christian's don't take his teachings metaphorically. For example, when Jesus said "though me you will enter the kindgom of Heaven", he didn't mean *him*, he meant his way of being; treating others compassionately, forgiving others, being selfless, etc. because by doing this you make your internal world, your mind, happy and content, ready for bliss. See, the Buddha isn't a god or anything, he is just a highly respected teacher because he showed the path to the cessation of suffering. I hope this helps, and keep investigating!

Answer 2

The great enlightenment of the Buddha was that the source of unhappiness is desire.

So instead of seeking happiness by pursuing a bunch of silly desires, you can get there by managing or simplifying your desires..

One warning, Buddhism is ‘enjoy the day’ not ‘seize the day’. So it won’t turn a slacker into a go-getter. On the other hand if you’re a type-A bottomless pit of needs and wants, Buddhism is a godsend, or would be if Buddhism had a God.

Buddhists believe that your good & bad behavior creates good & bad Karma. Karma, remains with the soul through many cycles of life and death, and naturally interacts with the universe to cause happiness or suffering. Your ‘goal’ is to shed your selfishness, the source of bad Karma, so you can step off the wheel of life & death into Nirvana, a state of eternal enlightened existence.

Personify Buddhism and you have Christianity. The ‘nature of the universe’ becomes God, who judges your merit (good Karma) and sin (bad Karma) . Satan becomes the source of selfishness, which in turn is the cause of sin, evil and unhappiness. Christ’s sacrifice allows you to avoid the punishment for bad behavior, so after one life; you can step into Heaven, a ‘place’ of eternal enlightened existence.

Christianity is Buddhism for people who don’t quite believe in Zen.
Buddhism is Christianity for people who don’t quite believe in God.
Christianity is Jesus teaching Buddhism as though it were Judaism.

If you’re having trouble understanding this, try meditating….a lot.
;-)

Answer 3

There are many sects of Buddhism. Most of them don't believe in any gods. Siddartha STRONGLY advocated following your OWN path. In fact, in the Dammapadda (i probably spelt that wrong >_>), which was writen by followers of Buddha, it says that meditation and alike things will not get you into Nirvana. Karma is like the sum of all the good deeds and bad deeds of your soul, in all of your lifetimes. When you die, karma determines what you are reincarnated as and will let your spirit have more control over what it will be (if it is good).

Answer 4

As of 1990 Buddhaism had 307 million followers. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha(enlightened one). It originated in Southern Nepal in the sixth and fifth centuries B.C.
Buddhaism teaches that meditation and the practice of good religeous and moral behavior can lead to Nirvana, although before achieving Nirvana, one is subject to repeated lifetimes that are good or bad depending on one's actions(karma).
The Doctrines of Buddha describe temporal life as featuring "four noble truths": existence is a realm of suffering; desire, along with the belief in the importance of one's self, causes suffering; achievement of Nirvana ends suffering; and Nirvana is only attained by meditation and by following the path of righteousness in action, thought, and attitude. Buddha was a man, not a god.

Answer 5

Try googling zazen and zen, zen and Allan Watts (a studier of zen buddhism). or Zen buddhism. Zen is more about buddhist documentation, zen meditation (zazen) and its relation to theories for achieving nirvanna.

For an interesting east meets west book google or yahoo search Zen Buddhism and Psychoanalysis by Erich Fromm, D.T. Suzuki and Richard De Martino.

Oriental philosophies generally were studied by GWF Hegel.

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/hegel/index.htm

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/hegel/works/hp/hporiental.htm

'3. The Sect of the Tao-See
There is yet another separate sect, that of the Tao-See, the followers of which are not mandarins and attached to the state religion, nor are they Buddhists or Lamaics. The originator of this philosophy and the one who was closely connected with it in his life, is Lao-Tso, who was born in the end of the seventh century before Christ and who was older than Confucius, for this representative of the more political school went to him in order to ask his advice. The book of the Lao-Tso, Tao-King, is certainly not included in the proper Kings and has not their authority, but it is an important work amongst the Taosts or the followers of reason, who call their rule in life Tao-Tao, which means the observation of the dictates or the laws of reason. They dedicate their lives to the study of reason, and maintain that he who knows reason in its source will possess universal science, remedies for every ill and all virtue; he will also have obtained a supernatural power of being able to fly to heaven and of not dying.
'

Answer 6

Meditation is simply learning to live in the moment, when nothing distracts you and when you are not tied to the past or anxious about the future. In meditation you become peacefully aware of your real self. The more you use it, the more aware you become. When you learn to live life for each moment, to enjoy and appreciate life to the fullest at that moment, you suddenly become impervious to the myraid of doubts and fears that you've lived with all your life.

While there are many folks that seem to believe their particular mantra has "magical power", it really is the mindfulness that matters. The mantra is just one of the vehicles you can use to get there.

I developed a simple nonsectarian practice, but my background is in Buddhism - specifically Jodo Shinshu (aka Shin) Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, and the nonsectarian teachings of the Bright Dawn Institute (aka Kubose Dharma Legacy).

Here is the simple, yet potent, meditation technique that I use with some recommended resources as well. Specific posture does not matter. If you are uncomfortable sitting on the floor, you can sit on a chair with feet flat on the floor.

Since I have medical issues, I do a simple form of secular mindfulness meditation to relieve stress and anxiety. This helps to reduce high blood pressure and the frequency of headaches. It is a practice recommended by my primary licensed physician and is not encumbered by any superstitious nonsense.

I have actually studied a wide variety of religions and paths. Being more musically inclined, I was initially attracted to the practices of Jodo Shinshu (aka Shin Buddhism) and Nichiren Buddhism - with the combination of chanting a rhythmic phrase (Nembutsu or Odaimoku) and/or sutra recitation to a visual object (a scroll of Amida or a Gohonzon). This is a more active form of meditation as compared to the silent form (see below for that). So I decided to create a nonsectarian alternative in that vein. One practice that I find helpful in the vein of the Way of Oneness (the realization of interdependence) is to chant “Be One, Be Peace” in a position of gassho (palms together in front of chest with fingers pointing upward - a traditional gesture of respect) to an object such as a Dharma Wheel or a drawing of enso (a circle - you can paint one on a while sheet of paper with a Chinese style brush - traditionally the circle is not fully enclosed - just do a Google search on enso to see examples) as used in Zen. Five minutes of this every morning before work does wonders for my blood pressure and stress level.

You are more than welcome to use the chant if you think you may find it possibly useful.

I use two forms: “Be One. Be Peace.” for those who prefer a four syllable “mantra” like “Namandabu.” Or “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.” for those who prefer the pace of a six syllable “mantra” like “Nam(u) Myo-ho Ren-Ge Kyo” or “Na-Mu A-Mi-da Butsu.” People who like (or are drawn) to chant are attracted to the rhythm.

For me, the purpose of any practice is to encourage self-reflection, internalizing this awareness , and wonder/gratitude/awareness of the interdependent forces of the Universe (Dharmakaya - in Shin this is symbolized as Amida Buddha which allows practitioners to perceive these forces as “compassionate” and “caring” thus allowing us to relate to them easier, or as the Gohonzon in Nichiren Buddhism which is a calligraphic representation of the “Ceremony in the Air” from the Lotus Sutra which is also a representation of the interdependent forces of the Universe).

There are a couple of simple techniques for silent meditation as well. You do not have to sit on the floor. You can sit with erect back on a chair. Many people say try for 15 minutes twice a day. I say start with a simpler goal - 5 minutes twice per day. The benefits include stress management and relaxation benefits which help the body, increased mindfulness and focus, and increased energy. The mindfulness can be a benefit to your spiritual life, but meditation also has "non-spiritual" benefits. Here are two easy techniques:

Breathing meditation - 1) Check posture. 2) Close your eyes and relax. 3) Focus on your breath entering and leaving your body. 4) Count breaths mentally one to four. Repeat. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

"Mantra" technique (choose a personal "calm" word or phrase that you will repeat in your meditation - it can be from your religion or something as simple as "one" or "calm" – I use the nonsectarian “Be One. Be Peace” or “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.”) - 1) and 2) as above in the Breathing meditation. 3) Listen to your breathing and let it relax you with each breath. 4) Once you are relaxed, mentally "hear" your "calm" word or phrase in your mind. Let it repeat in your mind. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

That is all there is to these very simple but beneficial meditation techniques. Many people think that something "mystical" should happen during meditation. Most often "nothing" happens and "nothing" should be expected.

Oh yes, and it didn't cost me anything to learn nor were there any "initiations" involved.

Some good resources on "secular" meditation are "The Calm Technique" by Paul Wilson as well as "The Relaxation Response" by Herbert Benson. If you need more formal "assistance" or "training" then I would look into Natural Stress Relief which was founded by former Transcendental Meditation instructors upset at the rising cost and ongoing superstition associated with TM. They charge $47 for their training compared with the $2,500 that TM would charge you.

http://www.naturalstressreliefusa.org/

Also look at these websites on Buddhism on the nonsectarian Bright Dawn teachings which have a heritage of Shin and Zen Buddhism:

http://www.brightdawn.org/

http://www.heartlandsangha.org

I hope these are helpful!

Answer 7

Hi.
I myself have followed the path laid out by Siddharta over the years and have learned much of the path on the way. Today, I am more Buddhist than Christian, even though I was raised a Catholic. I mostly follow the tenants of Zen Buddhism, so my interpretation may vary from that of others. In fact, my interpretation most certainly varies from that of others, as we learn that the path is a question of personal experience.
I will try to give a concise answer to your question, although it is a very complex one.
First of all, I don't think it makes much sense to ask about the benifits of a religion in quite the way you formulate it. People don't enter a religion for the benifits. They enter into beliefs because these beliefs make sense to them. There are a number of reasons for which I ended up dissatisfied with Judeochristian beliefs, but this has to be a long road. I don't believe people can simply leave a Church and enter another the next morning. A long process has to lead you down a certain path.
The fact that you are interested in learning about other religions shos that you are interested in exploring different ways of seeing the world. That could be a true first step that could eventually lead you to new spiritual undertakings. As a westerner, you display many prejudices which will influence how you view Buddhism and other Eastern beliefs. This is normal. It is hard to wrap a western-educated mind around some of the concepts encountered in Buddhism. These are very different ways of seeing the world. Even today, after many years of study and practice, I still find my western mind and my eastern beliefs are often at odds.
The first point I suggest you look into is the question of "becoming" a Buddhist. The way you phrase that shows a definite western twist of mind. Judaism has a ceremony which will make you a jew. If you declare that Jesus Chist is the son of God, you are a Christian. If you declare that Allah is God and that Mohammed his is Prophet, you can be accepted in the Muslim community. No such clear-cut entry point exists for Buddhism. In fact, I avoid saying I am a Buddhist, because that tends to be missinterpreted in the west as some sort of allegiance. And that could also result in undue attachement to the idea of being a Buddhist. You either adopt beliefs of the Buddha, or you don't. You can be a Buddhist (so to speak) and still struggle with some of these beliefs. Unlike Judeochristian religions, Buddhism doesn't have that clearcut yes/no answer on the question. Orientals don't "hold on" to thoughts the way westerners do. They believe thoughts are fluid. And they're not your real self anyway. So these kinds of declarations of faith don't really carry much weight in Buddhism - they belong to a person's past. What's important is what they're doing now to further themselves in the path.
So if you're interested, keep learning about it. But you don't have to come out and suddenly declare to your family: I am a Buddhist! You may wish to make that kind of declaration for personal reasons, but it is not necessarily of great significance.
In Buddhism, we don't have the notion of sin either. What we have is the notion of suffering. The purpose of meditation, or spirituality if you prefer is to eliminate suffering. Suffering is ultimately caused by selfish desires. The self, like all compound things, is an illusion. All that is in this Universe must pass. In order to cease suffering, we must abandon selfish desires. A person that completely accomplishes this becomes a Buddha. A Buddha is an enlightened being whose purpose is now to enlighten others. As long as there is still suffering in the world, the Buddha can not completely detach from it.
Now there are many sects of Buddhism. Some insist on reincarnation, others on the existence of demons and Gods. As a Zen Buddhist, I tend to pass these things unto silence. They may exist, they may not exist, or they may be representations of things we can't understand directly. As mentioned above, belief or non-belief is not the primary concern of Buddhism.
But also, western minds tend to interpret these things differently and usually distort them. For example, most westerners think of reincarnation as a life, followed by death, followed by judgement, followed by a new form that punishes or rewards them for their former life. This is a view that is deeply influenced by Christianity. It posits a being that rewards and punishes in some sort of judgement at the end of one's life. It posits an end to existence with death and a new beginning with birth. It presupposes a Cartesian "I" that exists as an identity of consciousness, etc... In reality, reincarnation is mostly viewed as a continuance. Since life is an illusion, the passage from death to life is not what it appears to be either. We don't re-incarnate as muh as we continue to exist in a different form. Whether we could even recognize the ego from one form to the next is highly debatable.
Anyway, onto your other questions. I could probably write a book about this, so I'll speed things along... I suggest you do some further reasearch. But the first thing you should ponder is the four noble truths of the Buddha.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths

As for being both Buddhist and Christian, I've heard that too. Theoretically, Buddhism does not preclude the idea. Buddhists believe that if a belief brings a person to better themselves, than that belief is a good belief. Buddhists are not nearly as concerned with methaphysics as are followers of most other religions. However, I sincerelly don't see how that is possible. The problem is Christianity teaches that Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation. Buddhism tends to steer very clear of such all-encompassing declarations. I don't really see how one person can resolve tht conflict. But we are also taught that a person's path is their own and if that works for that person, I am in no position to object.
As for Karma, it is more present in certain branches of Buddhism than others. The concept is originally derived from the Hindu faith. Siddharta (the original Buddha) was raised as an Hindu. So Hinduism is the mother religion of Buddhism. A lot of the concepts of Hinduism help to understand Buddhism. Some branches of Buddhism insist more on the idea of karma than others. That you carry a certain weight for the suffering you cause and that you must atone for that weight. Others, such as Zen buddhism, tend to see evil more as the result of ignorance so that there is no need to assume a karmic debt; as a being becomes more enlightened, it will detach from selfish desires, so that the temptation towards evil will simply disappear.

Meditation is an integral part of Buddhism. I myself meditate twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening, before dinner. Meditation is particularly important in Zen Buddhism, because it clears the mind. If you're interested in trying, here's a good way to start. Sit upright. (You can sit in a chair, although some purists would disagree). Don't slouch, but don't be rigid. Keep an alert, but relaxed posture. Ground your feet to the floor. Turn your eyes downwards or close them. Then, start concentrating on your breathing. Become aware of it. Once you're fully aware of your breathing, start breathing more slowly. Take in deep breaths and try to empty your mind of all thoughts. Thoughts will pop up now and then - that's normal and even experienced meditators can't stop that from happening. Gently brush the thoughts aside. Keep concentrating on your breathing. Try to empty your mind and to relax. I use a timer that will beep after 5 - 20 minutes, depending how long I want to keep meditating. Two minutes should be plenty for a first time.
Meditation is very relaxing. With time, I find it gives you more consciousness over your own thought process and thus, more freedom. Studies have also shown it reduces stress, blood pressure and keeps a person young.

Best of luck to you in whatever you do.

Answer 8

Buddhaism sucks. o-(-.-)-o