Buddhism

Buddhism has always fascinated me as a religion ever since I've heard about it. The way a devout one lives like is just amazing in some instances.

In Religious Education this year we learnt about the Tibetan Buddhists, with the current Dahlia Lama : Tenzin Gyatso. We were taught about The Five Precepts:

1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
3. Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.
4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
5. Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.

Later we had to later compare other beliefs like The Noble Eight Way Path Fold[/url]-->The Noble Eight Way Path Fold to Catholicism etc. However, I find the religion interesting. The whole concept of Nirvana which literally means "to cease blowing" or "extinguishing". They are not trying to achieve a goal of heaven, but of enlightenment and extinction.

I adore their theory of parallel worlds too that you can get reincarnation into. Apparently Buddha derived his first concept of this religion from the concept of suffering. :think:

I think what I hold the most regard for is the fact that everything has Buddha nature. Not just for only humans but: everything.

I don't know much about Zen Buddhism but I'm guessing it's similar.

Any views on this topic?

I pretended to be Buddhist for a while once. :tehe:
It's hard to understand what that means if you're not me. Nevermind.

I think it's a good religion. I mean, I certainly don't believe there are any bad ones and it is in many ways similar to Christianity - but most religions are very much alike. I don't think I could convert to Buddhism and look past the exotic element, the scent of fiction.
I initially found out most things about Buddhism and India through books and novels.

Have you read Siddharta by Hermann Hesse?
It's a good book, it's just a long novella actually, around 150 pages long. You could read it in a day or two and then compare it to the life and philosophy of the real Buddha. :cute:

^^Nope I might check it out.
I remember my RE teacher said he wanted be be Buddhist but the Buddhist monk told him that in this life he was Catholic and had to live with it. :tehe:

It's a really beautiful story. I think you'll like it.

I dunno, it's hard to explain, but Romanian culture as well as language was born Orthodox, we weren't even Christianized later on like Germanic populations. It's part of our identity. Converting to a more ''exotic'' religion would be just wrong? fake maybe.

But maybe I'd convert if my significant other were Buddhist and we'd want to get married.

I was actually just reading about it for my Philosophy class today and it was all just really interesting. It just really seemed to make sense to me. I

I didn't actually finish my last thought. I was going to say that I'd like to learn more about Buddhism and its beliefs.

Yes, it is very enlightening religion. :tehe:

Their morals to life are not too different from Christianity in the sense of not killing etc. However, the rituals and pilgrimages they undertake are of steadfast interest.

Excuse my slightly pointless comment, but...

Quote

4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.

Buddhist grammar nazi!

Sorry, that was my first thought when I saw it.

I've met a few people who've claimed that their Buddhist, but I've really only met one that was truly committed to the religion. It's incredibly fascinating, and when you do meet someone so disgustingly devoted to it, it's such a strange, but interesting experience.

My friend Justin (the truly committed one) is such a sweet, and caring person. He's so opinionated, but in such a subtle way. He's not demanding, and very open minded. Even the less committed people tend to be somewhat like this.

Needless to say, I think Buddhism is amazing, it's just not for me.

^^It is a truly amazing religion and the people too. These people just have a peaceful aura about them that is somewhat refreshing, and comforting that there are people like that out there.

Saiko:

Excuse my slightly pointless comment, but...

Quote

4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.

Buddhist grammar nazi!

Sorry, that was my first thought when I saw it.

Never seen that stance on it but seems quite reasonable. Incorrect speech is open to interpretation too I guess.

sunshines:

^^It is a truly amazing religion and the people too. These people just have a peaceful aura about them that is somewhat refreshing, and comforting that there are people like that out there.

I don't think it's just Buddhism.
I mean, I've seen Christians who have an aura of peacefulness around them too.
I guess all those who have found peace -one way or the other- look like that.

That is completely true. I think it's finding inner peace and different people discover it through different religions.

Some people are just naturally like that.

sunshines:

That is completely true. I think it's finding inner peace and different people discover it through different religions.

Some people are just naturally like that.

Which brings us to an interesting question, are people born with faith in God or do they learn/discover it over time?

I heard that originally Buddhism isn't supposed to be a religion.
The founder just found a way to live in peace.
But after he died,
people started following his ways,
and made a new religion.

I may be wrong,
and may instead,
be talking about Confuscious. :lol:

^^That's true. The Buddha didn't want it to a be religion, a way of living as you stated.
But people consider it a religion now-a-days. Which causes me to ponder what makes a religion a religion?

andILY.:

sunshines:

That is completely true. I think it's finding inner peace and different people discover it through different religions.

Some people are just naturally like that.

Which brings us to an interesting question, are people born with faith in God or do they learn/discover it over time?

I think they discover it. It may be naturally there, like many skills we have but it has to nurtured, like all other skills. It's one of those speculated nature or nurture questions.

Buddhism really intrigues me. I've never learned it at school, though. :| We mainly learn about Catholicism, Judaism and Hinduism. I really like the burning of the dolls ritual. It's very interesting, if you don't know about it, go and look up info on it. :cute: If I were to ever switch my religions, I'd definitely want to be Buddhist.

my mother is a buddhist. She took me to Tibet when I was younger to explore the temples and it is amazing there is no word for a person [the dalai lama] who negotiates with the people that took his country.

The scriptures were beautiful, it didn't even seem like a religion for a while, but it is. You do have to pray at one point.

I met a fantastic monk, his name was Lobsang, he was like my age and he was so... I don't really know the word for it. He was so at peace with anger, which I found amazing. He didn't try to hide from himself and the parts of his religion he doesn't like. He just , as my mother says, " let the waterfall flow over you". He was amazing.

It's definetely not for everyone though.

I think being a Buddhist is very beautiful
The religion is so calm, and wonderful.
When I move out I'm going to look into it.
My parents are Jesus freaks. >.<

Broken Doll:

my mother is a buddhist. She took me to Tibet when I was younger to explore the temples and it is amazing there is no word for a person [the dalai lama] who negotiates with the people that took his country.

The scriptures were beautiful, it didn't even seem like a religion for a while, but it is. You do have to pray at one point.

I met a fantastic monk, his name was Lobsang, he was like my age and he was so... I don't really know the word for it. He was so at peace with anger, which I found amazing. He didn't try to hide from himself and the parts of his religion he doesn't like. He just , as my mother says, " let the waterfall flow over you". He was amazing.

It's definetely not for everyone though.

That's true. I just think their way of living and concepts of life is just amazing, and so peaceful. It really does help find inner tranquility. Such an elegant religion, what amazes me is how they are able to be so calm, and barely show negative emotions like anger etc.