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Buddhism! WOW~!

H

Hemiechinus

Bluelighter
Joined
May 19, 2007
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346
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path

Just read it and think about how it relates to your daily inner existence. To people and the future and relaxation and change.
It takes a while to sink in... because the truth behind the teachings are so deep, they don't just go to your actions or your directions, they mold the entire experience... until... ?


I'm just gettin' started. =D
 
it considers very fortunate to be able to understand and practice Buddism to me.
 
B9 said:
^ Tell me this please - do you think buddhism a philosophy or a religion ?
Click to expand...

where would you place a set of methods? (because i think it goes there)
those are tools and need to be (can be) applied. no need to believe. thinking about it is good. practice is better

so i'd vote for philosophy
 
B9 said:
^ Tell me this please - do you think buddhism a philosophy or a religion ?
Click to expand...

Buddhism should be a philosophy. Ancient Buddhism is the by far the best IMO. The following beliefs that spun off were much more devotional, supernatural, and superstitious. Although, I also hate the karma and reincarnation beliefs of ancient Buddhism. I think it was applied as a reward system to inspire ethical behavior. As I have contemplated Buddhism I have learned that karma is incompatible. It is a conventional truth. There is no meaning to bad actions because they are defined in relation to society - having no ultimate reality. It is the way we cling to those events as 'mine' that causes a belief in karma. With no karma there is no reincarnation to carry you to a next life.

Fundamentally, I think Buddhism is a philosophical approach to atheism. There is a realization that the self is only the a concept that arises as a result of ultimately real things. But the self is not ultimately real.

It can be compared to the concept of a bicycle. There are handlebars, tires, pedals, ect... In a pile of parts there is no bicycle. When we apply a purpose and an appropriate organization to the parts a bicycle arises. But it is not ultimately real.

Other than that Buddhism teaches you to think for yourself. There is an analogy in the pali canon that relates buddhist teaching to a raft. Once you cross a river you leave the raft behind. It will only impede your progress, and you do not need it. You are supposed to leave the teachings behind to find the path that is right for you.
 
jamshyd beat me to it.

neither. was that question a test? if i were a prophit or something i would ask shit like that.
 
well tell me this b9, what do you mean by the terms 'philosophy' and 'religion' (they can mean VERY different things according to who you ask).

Take religion: maybe means a set of codes/principles to live one's life. Maybe also means: a tool to manipulate and control the collective (unwashed! =D) masses.

So, the real question boils down to whether or not you think I smell bad??

wait how did we get here?? =D

<3
 
I think the main difference between a philosophy and religion is that you study a philosophy because it is supported with logical reasoning. On the other hand, you practice a religion because (despite lack of evidence) you have faith.

Thats actually two differences: reason/faith, study/practice.

I think another thing worth mentioning is that it does not attempt to answer ultimate questions. The reasoning is that they are not important in one's spiritual path. I think I also mentioned that you get to a point in the Buddha's teachings and then they you make your own spiritual decisions based on your self understanding.

the truth behind the teachings are so deep, they don't just go to your actions or your directions, they mold the entire experience...
Click to expand...

This is the same exact way I felt when I first started getting into Buddhism. Everything was so rational, understandable, and basically common sense. I kept reading more and more and found that almost everything was in line with my beliefs.
 
samadhi_smiles said:
well tell me this b9, what do you mean by the terms 'philosophy' and 'religion' (they can mean VERY different things according to who you ask).

Take religion: maybe means a set of codes/principles to live one's life . Maybe also means: a tool to manipulate and control the collective (unwashed! =D) masses.

So, the real question boils down to whether or not you think I smell bad??

wait how did we get here?? =D

<3
Click to expand...

Religion = following the prescibed tenets of that faith to the letter because you "belive" in them due to a mystical experience - or you simply do it because it's cultural.

Philososphy you would have arrived at as a result of your own free thinking & then discovered that perhaps there's a neat correlation between your thoughts/conclusions & the basics of Buddhism.

It largely depends upon how you think - I think ;)

So, the real question boils down to whether or not you think I smell bad??
Click to expand...


Well I'd have to say mmm sometimes maybe no & sometimes maybe yes =D


Do you think you smell bad ? & if so - 100% bad all of the time ? Or do you have good daze? ;)
 
B9 said:
Religion = following the prescibed tenets of that faith to the letter because you "belive" in them due to a mystical experience - or you simply do it because it's cultural.

Philososphy you would have arrived at as a result of your own free thinking & then discovered that perhaps there's a neat correlation between your thoughts/conclusions & the basics of Buddhism.

It largely depends upon how you think - I think ;)
Click to expand...

I don't think the distinction is so clear cut.
1)The origins of philosophy( pre-socratic ) deal with the problems of being. In other words, mysticism.

2)Following prescribed tenets because of belief is dogma. Following prescribed tenets as a methodology for entering a reproducible phenomenological space is a science( in the general sense )


The words philosophy and religion are completely loaded with all sorts of connotations. To me the distinction is between contemplative methodology,
and dogmatic institutions of the traditional sort.

Both Philosophy and Buddhism have elements of both.
 
Medatripper Tates said:
an experience :p
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Yes your experience - then again everything is an experience :)

Some people seemingly arent that open to "experience" - & to dismiss my point about the cultural aspect not being a powerful influence is short sighted of you - I'm feeling charitable & Buddhistic - can't you tell ;)
 
B9 said:
Do you think you smell bad ? & if so - 100% bad all of the time ? Or do you have good daze? ;)
Click to expand...
I think I have a lovely musky arousing smell. =D

B9, I agree it largely depends on how you think. Perspective! You're good at pointing out when perspective is playing a larger role in a situation than may seem obvious.
 
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