Some would say that Buddhism isn't a faith since in some sects of Buddhism belief is of no importance.
^ Its not an absence of belief but that belief isn't important. Zen and Theravadan Buddhism don't emphasize belief in terms of what we would think of religion, belief in a metaphysical power, they don't deny it but don't see it as of much consequence. So while the act of Zen meditation is sacred its not a form of devotion. In fact there are people who call themselves Christian Buddhists who believe in Jesus Christ but follow Buddhist practices. This may seem strange but if you think about Buddhism as way of life like being a fitness buff rather than a devotional religion there is no contradiction.
Cogito ergo sum. The question I have is do you believe that anything else exist beyond your consciousness?
There are some theories that during Jesus' early adult years, before his active ministry, he traveled east and met traders who introduced him to Buddhist teachings. So the theory goes that Christianity is in affect the melding of Buddhist teachings into Judaism. The Gospel message is a lot more pleasant then the Old Testament.
Sort of like yoga and meditation. I used to do some of that. Eat a mushroom (out of a can, of course! ) and stand on my head, leaning against a wall for half an hour. Listen to several LPs, then walk around Hermann Park. Look at the ducks and the little choo-choo. It was groovy. Meet girls. I can't tell you how many girls I met that way. "My pad is a couple of blocks from the park. A garage apartment, way up in the pine trees. Want to come over for a smoke, and listen to Electric Ladyland? Open a can of mushrooms?" Keep D&D Civil.
I'm not speaking for him of course, but I think he's saying that beyond his consciousness, nothing exists to him.. whether he believes anything exists outside his mind or not isn't important, because he is no more and no less than what he perceives I will expand on that and say that from my point of view, this thread, this message board, the Internet, the entire world, may even be figments of MY imagination.. although in all likelihood everything will continue to exist after my expiration (best available theory, using Occam's Razor). But the thing is, I have absolutely no way of knowing that for sure - hence the limitations on what we call "belief", or even "knowledge" for that matter
I understand from his perception things don't exist if he can't perceive them my question to him though is does he believe there is existence beyond his perceptions. He might not think its important but I'm still curious about his opinion.
I read you.. though personally I think having the firm belief that nothing else exists beyond my consciousness = saying I am the centre of the universe, which is understandably a rather tough position to maintain
I was busy today. Of course things exists beyond one's own consciousness, ask any outside observer, but once your dead they don't exist to you, you don't exist. Oh of course your corporal remains exist to those with the ability to observe them, but you, that self conscious thinking machine inside your head doesn't exist without the functioning of the body. Your fate, Mother Teresa's fate, Adolph Hitler's fate, and a lump of coal's fate are all the same, perceptionless oblivion. Your perceptive existence is everything, everything else is nothing. or You only go around once so go for the gusto! I'm not suggesting that what you do on Earth doesn't matter because good or evil has the same fate; on the contrary, I am suggesting that what you do on Earth is of the ultimate importance, to you. It is the only thing that does matter. Ethical behavior, love, achievment, happiness etc. seem to be the best use of your time. It's not too hard to decide what you enjoy. It's an equally valid state of mind to think that you are sacrificing for others since that too can be a rewarding state of mind. You want to have as much positive state of mind as you can. Not that it matters after your dead, it doesn't, it matters while you're alive. I don't know what that philosophy is called but it seems to me it promotes ehtical behavior without requiring any worship, dogma or mysticism or any intellectualism really.
My Lutheran school education always hammered into me that Mormons were no different the Hindus, Muslims or Buddhists; not Christian. Of course Missouri Synnod Lutherans are not the most open to opposing views. You should have seen the look on my parents faces when I told them my wife's choice for sponsors at are daughters baptism was a Catholic (man) and Mormon (wife) couple that lived two houses down from us. My other daughter sponsors my wife chose was a Catholic and a Pentecostal. My two choices were Lutheran and my daughters were baptized Lutheran but my wife is Methodist. Quite a mix. I have always thought it funny that every religion believes that it has the golden free pass to the after life.
The thing is your existence and consciousness did not come from nowhere. It came from the consciousness of your parents and ancestors who are also a part of the consciousness of others etc. And as much as there is a past, there is a future. There is a transmission/connection of consciousness. You do not produce it, you are a part of it.
very interesting. it all boils down to one's definition of christ really. i served a mission for my church and in speaking with a lutheran pastor during that time, this particular pastor told me that if i believed in christ and his atonement and redeeming power, then i was going the same place he was (i definitely do). i thought that was pretty cool. my brother is a mormon and married a lutheran. it has been interesting to see the way she views our family. her lutheran school education has definately had an impact there. they are in the process of figuring out which one of their kids is baptized where... interesting, but almost lethal! i always wanted there to be a cool mormon nba player! so far, the closest thing is like danny ainge i think. and he is a douche.
I finally decided to chime in. Why is Buddhist with other? I think we can handle our own. I'm normally suppose to go to the Buddhist Temple twice a year. Once in April for "New Years," and in October for el dia del muerte or something like that. Our temple place is located in the Aldine area. Have I run into any of you guys? I want to try to find a list of all the Buddhist Temples in the Houston Area. I know there is one near Cy-Fair high school, but don't know what nationality it is. I wouldn't say I follow it, but that is the house hold I grew up in. As I get older, I will still follow it. I am accepting of other Religions. I have no problems with other religions. However, I don't like it when people shove religion down my throat, and try to "recruit me" like I am a rivals100.com football player. I think it's stupid when I have to ask a girl what religion she is, and if her parents are cool with me being Buddhist. It's also hard when the girls religion is something you have no clue about, don't understand, and haven't researched.
Do I see a vote from Mrs. JB? Even if you're not Mrs. JB anymore, this board could use a little more Mrs. JB.
