Overview of Buddhism

[mom3]

At various points we have talked about Buddhism and characteristics related to it, such as mindfulness. Over the past year or more I have been learning about Buddhism and other eastern practices. I find them very renewing and peace giving. This article was a great explanation of Buddhism and it’s purposes. I thought I would share it.

http://www.explorefaith.org/steppingstones_SpiritualLife_Buddhist.htm

[journeygirl]

Thanks for the link. My beliefs have been moving more that way recently too. I like how “now” focused it is and that morality is innate rather than needing to be from some authority figure. I agree, it is a peaceful way of thinking and reflecting.

[SamBee]

I went on a Buddhist retreat at Christmas.

I do not consider myself a Buddhist, although some of the ideas are interesting and I can dig the meditation.

A lot of stuff I don’t agree with though – reincarnation, mantra

chanting, making obeisance to statues/images etc.

The link you give is an oversimplified version of Buddhism. The real deal is chockful of jargon, lists of numbers (the three X, the seven Y,

the ten Z etc). Also it’s worth pointing out that the root of

Christianity is wonderful, but that like real Buddhism, it is wrecked by accretions, false traditions and institutional problems. The two religions have been round for thousands of years, with all that entails.

[AgnesMarie]

SamBee wrote:

A lot of stuff I don’t agree with though – reincarnation, mantra

chanting, making obeisance to statues/images etc.

Just wanted to point out that there are many different varieties of Buddhism and not all involve the mystical stuff. You can be a Buddhist without believing in reincarnation, chanting, etc. Like anything, Buddhism comes with cultural trappings it has picked up along the way so there’s a lot of optional stuff to sift through. Brad Warner’s books have been helpful to me in stripping away the frills.

[hawkgrrrl]

I love Buddhist teachings (they are very similar to Jesus’ paradoxical teachings, leading to speculation that he was essentially teaching Buddhism after having been exposed to it), and I love the new agey Buddhist stuff we get in the western world. The real deal Buddhism is not great, IMO. Yes, there are different strains, but they are chock full of superstition and weird followers that don’t seem to fully grasp the teachings. Now, what does that sound like? Oh yeah, every religion ever.

[SamBee]

Pretty much every variety of Buddhism, old and new, that I’ve looked into involves chanting even Zen.

Buddhism is of great interest to me, but beware of exoticism… that can sometimes hinder a real appreciation.

And of course, institutional Buddhism too has been involved in wars, corruption and sexual molestation too, I’m afraid.

[SamBee]

I think one great thing Buddhism has, which Christianity doesn’t really, is the observation of the mind, and the cultivation of positive mental states. We don’t do that much.

Jesus does give hints that the root of sin lie in the mind, but not necessarily how to deal with it.

A Japanese historical figure was shown the Sermon on the Mount though, and said straight away that Jesus was an enlightened man.

[Unknown]

SamBee wrote:

I think one great thing Buddhism has, which Christianity doesn’t really, is the observation of the mind, and the cultivation of positive mental states. We don’t do that much.

Jesus does give hints that the root of sin lie in the mind, but not necessarily how to deal with it.

A Japanese historical figure was shown the Sermon on the Mount though, and said straight away that Jesus was an enlightened man.

I agree. I remember in sunday school as a teen, the persistent theme was to watch our thoughts, because our thoughts lead to action, action to habit, and habit to destiny. I think my leaders were fond of Steve Covey. This idea is also taught in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 4:30.

The difference I see is that in Buddhism we are to observe the mind without evaluating or judging our thoughts as good or bad, whereas in Mormonism/Christianity that seems to be the whole purpose of observing the mind.

[Unknown]

hawkgrrrl wrote:

I love Buddhist teachings (they are very similar to Jesus’ paradoxical teachings, leading to speculation that he was essentially teaching Buddhism after having been exposed to it)

So, Jesus was a Jewish Buddhist?

[Old-Timer]

Unknown, you might like the following post by Hawkgrrrl back in 2009:

“Was Jesus a Buddhist?” (http://forum.staylds.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=916&hilit=buddhist)

[Unknown]

Curtis wrote:

Unknown, you might like the following post by Hawkgrrrl back in 2009:

“Was Jesus a Buddhist?” (http://forum.staylds.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=916&hilit=buddhist)

Hawkgirl did an excellent comparison of the quotes.

I may have a bumper sticker made.

[Forgotten_Charity]

Curtis wrote:

Unknown, you might like the following post by Hawkgrrrl back in 2009:

“Was Jesus a Buddhist?” (http://forum.staylds.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=916&hilit=buddhist)

Thank you for linking that Ray. It reminds me why I get along so well with many Buddhist. The parallel concepts I think are represented (to me) easier, more accurate and more defined. But very similar. But the quote are as a friend speaking to you in a casual conversation. Anyways, as in life on earth and even the earth itself with the universe. Everything is connected. You can’t pull something aside by itself without pulling other things.

Thanks hawkgirl for making that post as well.

[SamBee]

Buddhism isn’t easier than Christianity. For a start, you have to meditate constantly, and unlike Christianity, the canon isn’t set… you can quote from hundreds of books!

[Forgotten_Charity]

SamBee wrote:

Buddhism isn’t easier than Christianity. For a start, you have to meditate constantly, and unlike Christianity, the canon isn’t set… you can quote from hundreds of books!

I find that a huge bonus. There is nothing more frustrating and limiting to progression then a set paradigm, especially a set paradigm in thinking. That’s just as true in academics as it is in church.

To be limited in how you think and interact with the world is just outright stifling and depressing. What profess can be made there? I never make any progress if I limit my capacity to think at least. I feel completely stunted.

My only rule is good fruit and my rights end where another’s begin. Intelligence is the sign to constantly adapt and look and interact and see infinite perspectives. Them true growth happens.

[SamBee]

I’ve a lot of time for Buddhism, and have studied it deeply, and used some of its practices… but I think we romanticize it sometimes because it is exotic.

Christianity itself can be boiled down to love thy God and love thy neighbor, and a simple prayer of accepting Jesus as your savior.

That’s Christianity in a nutshell – what we often get is Buddhism in a nutshell. In both cases, those nutshells are buried deep in a lot of soil and dirt.

[Author]

Posts