Any Buddhists?
- Thread starter TonyH
- Start date
Lots. In hell.
Just joshing. If you've been a practicing Buddhist for 16 years, I think you can take it.
Honestly, I don't tend to think of Buddhism as a religion, because so much of its practice is rooted in the secular. The Tripitaka supports the idea that answering the 'bigger questions' isn't going to fix your problems the way a set of basic, clean-living precepts will. So, to me, it has always seemed more like a very well-reasoned lifestyle option, but I'm more of a Theravada guy.
On the other hand, I know a fair few people who are Buddhist by culture, just as I know a lot of people who are Christian for the same reason. Despite how the groups might self-identify, I don't see much difference between them. For me, it takes more than a couple of incense sticks or an annual Mass to make someone religious. In the end, I suppose I'm all about lifestyle.
So here's my question to you: is there something ironic about a Buddhist who loves a good shave?
Just joshing. If you've been a practicing Buddhist for 16 years, I think you can take it.
Honestly, I don't tend to think of Buddhism as a religion, because so much of its practice is rooted in the secular. The Tripitaka supports the idea that answering the 'bigger questions' isn't going to fix your problems the way a set of basic, clean-living precepts will. So, to me, it has always seemed more like a very well-reasoned lifestyle option, but I'm more of a Theravada guy.
On the other hand, I know a fair few people who are Buddhist by culture, just as I know a lot of people who are Christian for the same reason. Despite how the groups might self-identify, I don't see much difference between them. For me, it takes more than a couple of incense sticks or an annual Mass to make someone religious. In the end, I suppose I'm all about lifestyle.
So here's my question to you: is there something ironic about a Buddhist who loves a good shave?
I'm not a practicing Buddhist, but I've read books from the Buddhist perspective and found them very helpful in my spiritual development.
Tony, Tony, Tony, being Thai, I am a Buddhist my friend. However, since I moved here when I was 8, 20 years ago, I have to say I have not been a good practicing one. My wife was actually baptized Catholic in high school and is starting a blog of a year as a strict Catholic for Easter and it got me thinking I should do the same thing for Buddhism and really learning my faith more. I was even thinking about buying Buddhism for Dummies to read up on it more. It's cool to know you are a Buddhist though. 
I try to avoid the categories, but I've been sitting maybe 10-15 years.
I have to completely agree with the Buddhism as a lifestyle. I actually attended Catholic school most of my life and didn't have a problem with it being a Buddhist because I always viewed Catholicism as more of an "add on" to Buddhism's way of life. Buddhism to me is a bunch of teachings on how to live and how to treat others and I see a lot of similarities with it and other religious beliefs as well.
- Thread starter
- #7
Hmm...I think it lends itself to cleanliness and is certainly a form of meditation. When there's a Wapi at your neck, you can ONLY be present!
Tony, Tony, Tony, being Thai, I am a Buddhist my friend. However, since I moved here when I was 8, 20 years ago, I have to say I have not been a good practicing one. My wife was actually baptized Catholic in high school and is starting a blog of a year as a strict Catholic for Easter and it got me thinking I should do the same thing for Buddhism and really learning my faith more. I was even thinking about buying Buddhism for Dummies to read up on it more. It's cool to know you are a Buddhist though.
I've been looking for groups here in Austin to start digging deeper as well. I just need to expend more effort in my search.
I have been a practicing Buddhist for the past 3 years and I have found a lifestyle that I am comfortable with. It is hard to explain but I am more at peace ever since I started practicing versus other religions I have experienced..
Cheers,
Cheers,
Buddhist here too, started out reading a bunch and it all seemed to click and make sense. In the past year I was able to attend a cleansing ritual and attend a speaking by The Dalai Lama.
I don't subscribe to any type of spirituality, but from a philosophical point of view the Bardo Thodol (Tibetan Book of the Dead) helped me gain perspective and cope with loss.
But yeah, the whole suffering comes from desire, eliminate desire eliminate suffering mantra wouldn't seem to mesh well with the ADs we've got going on at this place.
But yeah, the whole suffering comes from desire, eliminate desire eliminate suffering mantra wouldn't seem to mesh well with the ADs we've got going on at this place.
Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
Did you hear about the Buddhist monk that went up to the hotdog vendor and said "Make me one with everything"
Did you hear about the Buddhist monk that went up to the hotdog vendor and said "Make me one with everything"
Lol, nice!
Did you hear about the Buddhist monk that went up to the hotdog vendor and said "Make me one with everything"
LOL
I'm still laughing every time i see this after half an hour.
tho it took me a while to get it.
On a more serious note. I consider myself a sort of buddhist.
I've read several books and have practiced meditation.
I consider "true buddhism" more of a philosophy than a religion.
Having been to a few countries in Asia, I keep seeing buddhism as a religion.
Buddha himself said he did not want to be prayed to, or treated as a god, he was a normal guy who just found a way to enlightenment.
Still in my humble opinion it is the one religion that makes more sense out of the lot. (no offense to others)
As someone grew up in the Judeochristian tradition, I believe that the world would have been a much better place if Buddhism had become its dominant religion (I even hesitate to call it "religion" because it doesn't require belief in or prayer to a higher power).
If everyone had subscribed to the core Buddhist beliefs of finding spirital peace from within and minimizing desire beyond what is necessary for survival, there would be no war, persecution, racism, exploitation, obesity and hatred in the world. Of course, the price for this peace would have been the end of technological and medical progress, exploration, and scientific discovery.
Jeff in Boston
If everyone had subscribed to the core Buddhist beliefs of finding spirital peace from within and minimizing desire beyond what is necessary for survival, there would be no war, persecution, racism, exploitation, obesity and hatred in the world. Of course, the price for this peace would have been the end of technological and medical progress, exploration, and scientific discovery.
Jeff in Boston
Yes, for quite some time.
The same could be said for anyone following any of the anabaptist (Brethren, Mennonite, Amish) beliefs or the Quakers too.
Live simply, peaceably, consume no more than is needed and look to that of God which is each of us.
Tony
- Thread starter
- #17
Well said Tony.
Thank you.
I also thank you for not being afraid to share your beliefs. While I believe very strongly in my own beliefs I am not foolish enough to think mine is the only, or correct path. We can learn a lot from what others believe if we are open enough to hear.
I myself am baptised Brethren (Dunkers) but used to attend a conservative Mennonite church and occasionally go to Friends Meeting (Quakers).
I work with a few Buddhists and can associate with what they believe as well.
Our "denomination" is just an outward title, what is in our hearts and how we live is what matters and I suspect many of us are not that different inside or in what fills our hearts.
Tony
I also thank you for not being afraid to share your beliefs. While I believe very strongly in my own beliefs I am not foolish enough to think mine is the only, or correct path. We can learn a lot from what others believe if we are open enough to hear.
I myself am baptised Brethren (Dunkers) but used to attend a conservative Mennonite church and occasionally go to Friends Meeting (Quakers).
I work with a few Buddhists and can associate with what they believe as well.
Our "denomination" is just an outward title, what is in our hearts and how we live is what matters and I suspect many of us are not that different inside or in what fills our hearts.
Tony
Well said sir. If more people shared this belief I think we'd have a better society.
I was exposed to Buddhism in college and I try to follow the parts of the philosophy that I can. It changed my life and my outlook.
Siddhartha Gautama was a wonderful person and his Way is something we can all aspire to.
Siddhartha Gautama was a wonderful person and his Way is something we can all aspire to.
