Buddhism is interesting, any Buddhist on DP?

First of all, i'm NOT Buddhist.

But.... i consider that Buddhism is the most peaceful religion.

Any Buddhist on DP?



I wanna learn more about Buddhism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

 

Looks like I'm the only here is buddhist? )

Took refuge a few years ago and have been practicing Tibet Buddhism for two years.

 

I'm not, but I also have an interest in it.

 

I'm not. In fact, Buddhism is not a religion that I can say from what I have read in books. That just tells you how to live and let others live in a peaceful way. Anybody can practice Buddhism with out any restrictions. Though Buddhism is from India/Nepal, most of Indians like me are not aware of it.

 

Whether Buddhism is a religion or not, it's really up to how you define "religion". Personally I don't mind calling Buddhism a religion.

Also there are some restrictions being a buddhism, which is called "vows" and there are different levels of vows. For example, if you take refuge there are three basic refuge vows you have to follow, such as not taking refuge in any other religions, no harm to other beings, so on.

 

As much as I dislike pigeonholing myself - I am a Buddhist!

If you would like to find out more about Buddhism you could try this forum: http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/

A good place to start reading might be here: http://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks_g.htm

Wikipedia is OK for a start but there is a lot of fiction on there. Same with youtube.

Buddhism is not god-centred, it’s man-cantered. We don’t worship any gods, the Buddha wasn’t a god (he never professed to be one) and he isn’t worshiped as one. Some types of Buddhism have multiple Buddha’s that symbolise different things but there was only one and he was just a human being like you and me. Some types of Buddhism are quiet ritualised (like Tibetan for example) and from this point of view it appears to be a religion like christianity with its many rituals.

I personally don’t class Buddhism as a religion, not in the monotheistic sense. I see it more a way of life.

Buddhism is very practical. When I first started reading about what it was all about I remember I kept thinking to myself “hmmm, I kind of always knew that”.

Try to have an open mind though, it’s not like the monotheistic religions, there are no “thou shall not” or “you must do this or you will burn in hell” rules.

Buddhism can be very overwhelming when you first start because it seems so vast but I recommend you have a gander at the 4 noble truths. All 89,000 recorded discourses of the Buddha can be accommodated in the framework of the 4 noble truths.

If you have any questions I will try my best to answer. Though you will find many knowledgeable people on the lion city forum.

 

Thanks you for the links.

They will put to good use, I will read them.

Send more if you have them.

 

NP

There is: http://www.accesstoinsight.org
Its pretty deep stuff on there so if your just starting out don’t get put off by this site.

TBH, the e-books on the site I mentioned above should see you right for a while, there’s a lot of material there.

To an absolute newcomer or someone who just wants to know what Buddhism is about I have to recommend this excellent Q&A e-book: http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/gqga-4ed.pdf

As mentioned I also recommend you have a look at the 4 noble truths and the eightfold path (which follows on from he 4 noble truths). This pretty much is what Buddhism is all about.

 

The fifth precept is too much for me.

 

Most of the Hindu's like Buddh as one of their gods as well..

or when they see a Buddh statue they pray there as well..

 

Buddhism and Hinduism are very closely related.

 

I have never practised Hinduism and I’m no expert but we have had some Hindu guys come down to my local Vahara and they meditated with us, it was obvious there is a lot in common.

The law of Kama is also observed by Buddhism and Hinduism, but in Hinduism this is tied into the system of caste (see below), which Buddhists don’t observe.

Buddhism and Hinduism are historically related, Buddhism came from India and the Buddha was born 2500 years ago in a part of ancient India that is now Nepal.

There was an ancient religion practiced in India 8000+ years ago that we know very little about in which meditation appeared to play an important part. This mixed with monotheistic religions when India was invaded by people from what is now modern day Europe who believed in an all powerful god who controlled everything and the concept of god or gods was mixed. Hinduism has many gods but in Buddhism gods are not worshiped at all.

Buddhism rejects the concept of caste, which is a core concept in Hinduism. When the Buddha was alive he trained many lower caste people, thieves, murderers, prostitutes, and even (gasp) women! This was a big no-no at the time and caused major outrage because it undermined the system of caste whereby the Brahmans were at the top and you could not transgress your allotted position in life. But to a Buddhist we are all the same and no one is better than anyone else.

Buddhism is more psychological, and not metaphysical like theistic religions. The focus is on the person, not the a divine, all knowing all seeing being who must be pleased in order to secure a place in heaven.

Did this help ?

I have heard of this happening but the Buddha is not a god. He never said he was, in fact he taught against the belief in gods.

lol, From what I read on forums yours not alone

 

Check out the picture I took of a monk on a cell phone- he he!




(I had just finished ringing those bells on the left about twenty times)

 

Here are some links to free audio material, Dharma Talks and teachings:

http://www.audiodharma.org/
http://www.buddhanet.net/audio-talks.htm
http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/

There are a lot of non-copyright books and audio files on torrent pages (like demonoid). I can recommend anything by Jack Kornfield, Venerable Mahinda, Ajan Cha and Thich Nhat Hanh.

 

More than a 'religion', Buddhism is interesting as a philosophical/spiritual movement like Confucianism in China. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism

 

For anyone who is interested here is the Dalai Lama talking about the 4 Nobal Truths.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXmdKWVirUA

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoMJ2B3v1iU&mode=related&search=

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3t0uMdPT6g&mode=related&search=

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTs6HnSqHmo&mode=related&search=

 

Anything that conveys the though of peace is okay with me. :3

The Dali Lama actually visited in my area not to long ago.

 

My sister is, but doesn't act like it at all.

 

The original five are something I have been doing without knowing >.>

I hadn't seen this much information before, I just had the basic understanding from World History in college.