Ask a Buddhist

#21

No, to me religion is insanity masquerading as philosophy injected with mysticism. Also, you didn’t answer my question.

Okay, so enlighten me. (haw haw)

#22

Why would I bother answering a question posed in blatant bad-faith?

#23

Because this is an “Ask a Buddhist” thread. I’m asking, so its up to you to answer. Also; would you rather Siddhartha’s teachings be considered a philosophy or a religion, against his wishes? It wasn’t supposed to be a troll, but you are certainly turning it into one.

#24

:hmph:

What basis do you have for claiming Siddhartha considered his teachings to be a philosophy rather than a religious doctrine?
I tend to think both the religious tradition and the philosophy are equally important to Buddhism as a whole. Some people find the philosophical aspect most helpful to their personal development, and some people find solace in orthodoxy.

#25

I doubt that, if we even knew what it was we would still have different opinions about it, you can’t really expect everyone to see it the same way you do.

Q: What does Buddhism require to join if anything?

#26

What do you mean, “to join,” do you mean to become a monk? Or what does it require to consider yourself a Buddhist?

#27

Why is it that when you’re asked a question about Buddhism you get defensive? That doesn’t happen in any of the other threads. I consider Buddhism to be a philosophy (personal teachings or rules to measure your life by) more than a religion (which includes theology, dogma, doctrine, and faith), and therefore on a higher level. A philosophy is a good and healthy thing to have. If you were to put a name to the spyglass I tend to live my life through, you would call that Nihilism. It’s not a religion, but a way of life.

As pessimistic as this sounds, the philosophy of Siddhartha Gautama is a kind of therapy. In fact, classifying it in Western terms is impossible. We think of Buddhism as a religion, which it unquestionably became, but Siddhartha was less concerned with theology or ritual or prayer as he was with providing a tool for individuals to use to escape suffering. The goal of this method, the Eightfold Noble Path, is the elimination of one’s desires and one’s attachment to one’s self.

This is why I don’t really consider Buddhism a religion.

So lose the victim attitude. I’m honestly interested in learning more about it from a real Buddhist. You are a Buddhist, right?

#28

Enough to call yourself a Buddhist.

#29

I practice buddhism as more of a philosophy than a religion, and I’m primarily interested in the philosophical aspect of it, but there’s no denying that it is in fact a religion according to your definition. All of the sects of Buddhism do in fact have doctrine, dogma, etc. The argument could be made that Zen Buddhism specifically is more a philosophy than a religion, in fact it’s very close to Taoism which is in fact a philosophy, but the problem is that the Zen incorporates the experience of Satori, which can be described as a religious experience stemming from meditation and is readily available to all practitioners.

@Acristoff, I think all that is required is belief in the Four Truths and a desire to adhere to the Eigthfold Path. Basically, if you accept the doctrine (Dharma) that makes you a Buddhist. IMO. I haven’t asked an actual monk, though.

#30

I AM BUDDHISM

I dont think that buddhism is a bad religion … it seem that its doctrine teach us to be a perfect person like these following topic:‘Kalamsutr’

Rely not on the teacher/person, but on the teaching.
Rely not on the words of the teaching, but on the spirit of the words.
Rely not on theory, but on experience.
Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything because it is written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason
and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

do these word looks like the ‘scientific method’?

#31

hey, i like that

…and oh hi necro-guy

#32

-_-’

should I pleased with that word?

#33

Nice quote, thanks

#34

I can answer some question anyway.

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