Buddhism

[Typhusoid]

I hear many religions and systems of beleifs analysed and critiscised these days, but I rarely hear the popular opinion on a religion that in fact dominates a fairly large section of the world (just look at Tibet) : Buddhism. So my questions to you are:

What is your opinion on the Buddhist dogma and beleifs?

Do you beleive Buddhist morality is superior to that of other religions?

How do you think the world would be different if Buddhism was as widely held as, say, Christianity?

Personaly I think Buddhist beleifs are anti-individualist and a society dominated by them would respect that. I think perhaps their beleifs are slightly preferable to those of other religions but, they are still deeply negative.

 

[Legion]

I like a lot of Buddhist beliefs. Although the idea of reincarnation but not having a "soul" seems a bit strange to me.

However, I do not know enough about it really to make any judgement on it.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

My lady friend is a Buddhist, so I have no choice but to like them.

What is your opinion on the Buddhist dogma and beleifs?

Dogma?

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

Words attributed to the founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha.

 

[Krakyn]

Buddhism is all about acceptance and tolerance. They seriously respect other people's views.

If more people in the world were Buddhist, I think it would be a much better place.

 

[chaser[phoenix]]

A few years back I actually looked into Buddhism and was happy with what I read about.
Like it's been said, they teach acceptance and tolerance which is pretty damn hard to come by nowadays.

I'd consider myself Buddhist if only I took the time to read further into it.

Either way, I do like how they don't promote or fight others. Sure they don't believe so much in a magical place everyone goes when they die and I think perhaps that's a problem for others to accept.
Everyone fears death so that they need to be told there is another place they go when they die, and as such are immortal. See: Heaven (and I suppose Hell).

Based on what I've learned Buddhism is reincarnation until Nirvana is reached, which, ultimately, is just a stop to reincarnation which is, of course, an end to life.

But I like it. Praise of a deity you can't be sure exists isn't required and I can back that, though I couldn't say I'm 100% with constant reincarnation. Who knows, though.

 

[Susano]

]
I'd consider myself Buddhist if only I took the time to read further into it.

You are never buddhist, you are just on a spiritual path that happens to be shared with thousands of buddhists, and they are not buddhists either.

 

[Legion]

]
I'd consider myself Buddhist if only I took the time to read further into it.

You are never buddhist, you are just on a spiritual path that happens to be shared with thousands of buddhists, and they are not buddhists either.

I think by buddhist he meant "I'd consider myself a follower of buddhist philosophy" Mr. Pedantic.

 

[Susano]

]
I'd consider myself Buddhist if only I took the time to read further into it.

You are never buddhist, you are just on a spiritual path that happens to be shared with thousands of buddhists, and they are not buddhists either.

I think by buddhist he meant "I'd consider myself a follower of buddhist philosophy" Mr. Pedantic.

I wasn't trying to be, sorry.

 

[Legion]

]
I'd consider myself Buddhist if only I took the time to read further into it.

You are never buddhist, you are just on a spiritual path that happens to be shared with thousands of buddhists, and they are not buddhists either.

I think by buddhist he meant "I'd consider myself a follower of buddhist philosophy" Mr. Pedantic.

I wasn't trying to be, sorry.

No need to be, I was saying it light heartedly. (damn internet and it's coldness)

 

[caross73]

]
I'd consider myself Buddhist if only I took the time to read further into it.

You are never buddhist, you are just on a spiritual path that happens to be shared with thousands of buddhists, and they are not buddhists either.

Or, alternatively EVERYONE is a Buddhist, but most of them don't know it.

 

[the captain]

Fun Fact- Apparently Bowser converted to Buddhism. I might have to look into it now, thats a pretty big celebrity endorsment. Now all the need is Tom Cruise.

 

[Brotherofwill]

Buddhism is the closest thing to actually accomplishing what many religions ought to promote in my opinion.

Oh yea, and the movies are mostly kick ass.

 

[Abedeus]

I consider myself a Buddhist when it comes to their beliefs.

God may or may not exist, I do not worship him, but I do believe in good. Good actions bring happiness and bad actions bring unhappiness. And of course:

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

This I completely agree with.

It basically tells you to not be affected by outside judgment or opinions, unless you agree with them. No matter how sure someone might be/is.

]
I'd consider myself Buddhist if only I took the time to read further into it.

You are never buddhist, you are just on a spiritual path that happens to be shared with thousands of buddhists, and they are not buddhists either.

Or, alternatively EVERYONE is a Buddhist, but most of them don't know it.

Except for people that live only for money/fame or are in a cult. Or are religious zealots.

 

[Dr. Nerfball]

For the record: Wooo! Buddhism! So yeah, I'm in favour of the whole pacifisim thing. But being the giant cynic and athiest that I am, the only way you'd actually get me to believe in any religion is if I was slapped by the god/gods of said religion.

 

[caross73]

I consider myself a Buddhist when it comes to their beliefs.

God may or may not exist, I do not worship him, but I do believe in good. Good actions bring happiness and bad actions bring unhappiness. And of course:

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

This I completely agree with.

It basically tells you to not be affected by outside judgment or opinions, unless you agree with them. No matter how sure someone might be/is.

]
I'd consider myself Buddhist if only I took the time to read further into it.

You are never buddhist, you are just on a spiritual path that happens to be shared with thousands of buddhists, and they are not buddhists either.

Or, alternatively EVERYONE is a Buddhist, but most of them don't know it.

Except for people that live only for money/fame or are in a cult. Or are religious zealots.

Just because you deny the path, or walk backwards on the path, doesn't mean you aren't on the path.

 

[GRoXERs]

My lady friend is a Buddhist, so I have no choice but to like them.

Ditto. Hooray for Buddhist girlfriends!
It seems like it's a lot less guilt-ridden than most other religions, which makes it attractive to me, but I'm not sure if I could get behind the whole reincarnation thing.

 

[caross73]

My lady friend is a Buddhist, so I have no choice but to like them.

Ditto. Hooray for Buddhist girlfriends!
It seems like it's a lot less guilt-ridden than most other religions, which makes it attractive to me, but I'm not sure if I could get behind the whole reincarnation thing.

Yeah, but you aren't really what you think of as you anyway in Buddhism, so the reincarnation thing is sort of obvious. Its like a candle being relit. You don't consider flames to be distinct things, fire is fire obviously, so when one candle is snuffed out, wooo there it is again.

But it can be just as goofy as other religions once a whole bunch of ritual is tacked onto it. Different sects have gods. The philosophy is nice, the religious trappings are hokum.

 

[Typhusoid]

What is your opinion on the Buddhist dogma and beleifs?

Dogma?

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

Words attributed to the founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha.[/quote]

That is, in and of itself, a dogma. Futhermore, it is a blatant contradiction. It is the sort of false modesty employed by proponents of various other religions.

 

[Typhusoid]

Unfortunately, as most of you are demonstrating, there is an ignorance concerning the "dark side" of Buddhism.

For instance, there are a great many people in Tibet, who have literally no material wealth. As soon as they chance apon a scrap more than they need to stay alive, they "donate" it to support minks is gold-encrusted (sometimes literally) monastaries.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Dogma?

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

Words attributed to the founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha.

That is, in and of itself, a dogma. Futhermore, it is a blatant contradiction. It is the sort of false modesty employed by proponents of various other religions.

Aw that's just being silly. ^_^

Telling people to rely "on your own common sense" is hardly indicative of a dogmatic and insular philosophy.