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Post by ~*~Kit_The_Kat~*~ on Nov 18, 2003 21:08:59 GMT -5
This is the place to talk about buddhism.
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Post by libra254 on Nov 21, 2003 23:14:05 GMT -5
if their noble truths tell them not to have any senses, then they aren't allowed to love, have determination. For example, when one loves, they risk getting hurt, and if one truely loves another and they end up hurting u....then u haven't reached all the noble truths, right? Well this is how I took it, correct me if i'm wrong.
Also, to have no senses, then one can't want anything?
This is all new to me. I actually have friends who are buddhists, but they never talk about their beliefs to me.
The only things I know that they do, is meditate frequently, they go out and buy fish weekly and release them to compensate for the unnoticed insects they might have killed accidentally.
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Post by ~*~Kit_The_Kat~*~ on Nov 22, 2003 12:21:45 GMT -5
I think Libra, I'm not sure, but the way I interpret it is that they "one's who follow the path of Buddha" live their lives trying to obtain the Four Noble Truths in which they can continue their journey forward to the "The Eightfold Path". They follow their precepts to the best of their abilities and continue forth. None can truly obtain total one ness with "the truths" unless some sacrifice of one's self is involved..... (see "Basic Beliefs of Buddhism" in this same topic section in order to see the direction that I'm heading) .... The ones who reach enlightenment are those that live their lives to the letter of the "Truths" and "Eightfold Path" and are considered holy men. I know this by when I lived in Bangkok Thailand most all of the people were Buddhists and we (the class I was in) spent a great deal of time trying to understand the culture and the religion as a part of that culture. The temples are beautiful and the sereneness one feels is none like you've ever felt. The teachings of Buddha are simplistic yet quite deep in meaning at the same time. The wisdom expelled in the teachings is principle to their quest for enlighteningment. In other words, it is a lifetime journey to try to obtain and understand all the "Truths". Did I make sense? I'm having a difficult time this morning getting the right words to form in my brain in which I can transpose them here.... I'm tired from work last night and probably need to go lay down for a little while and sleep.  |
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Post by libra254 on Nov 25, 2003 3:58:57 GMT -5
u made perfect sence kit, thanks
well deserved rest
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Post by wildcat14 on Jan 4, 2004 19:47:17 GMT -5
my wife was confermed at the age of 2
she got the nickname dragonlady by one of the monks
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Post by zenmama on Jun 8, 2004 21:16:19 GMT -5
Buddhism as it is practiced and Buddhism as you may find described in a book about world religions is totally differant. This is especially the case in the United States where American Buddhists focus on meditation, vegetarianism and human right type issues (to name a few). All of these are good...dont get me wrong I am not bashing buddhists (I meditate and pay respect to Buddha regularly, notice i didn't say worship). But this just shows exactly what I love about the religion and why it works so well and tends to be practiced w other religions. Buddhism is flexable..there is no right or wrong way to practice the way...everything is impermanant and therefore everything changes...a wonderful view of life Thats my thougt...anyone else? |
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Post by ~*~Kit_The_Kat~*~ on Jun 9, 2004 16:11:51 GMT -5
When I lived in Bangkok Thailand for a couple of years (more years ago then I care to remember) I was exposed to a culture and way of living predominantly made up of individuals that also pay respect to Buddha several times a day. The beauty and culture was phenomenal.... I remember one time (school trip) we went a saw the largest reclining buddha in the world in addition to visiting a huge monestry with hundreds of monks. We also were very fortunate to view a very sacred buddha that only the king of Thailand was able to approach and change the "seasonal" garments of. It was fascinating to be able to learn about a religion of such grace, serenity and beauty. I remember every home dwelling in the country had a spirit house dedicated to the paying tribute to Buddha several times a day equipped with candles, incense, lays, prayer notes, and any article able to be used to pay homage to Buddha. The festivals that were celebrated in that country were very beautiful and rich in history and tradition. Thanks for giving me that flashback of oh so many years ago...... Please continue with your thoughts zenmama, they are very much welcomed and enjoyed!  |
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Post by acharmedprncss on Jun 22, 2004 19:02:30 GMT -5
whats a zen buddist???
are they different from regular budists?? if they are ...how soo??
just wondering just read that jake gyllenhaal is one and hes really kewl and hott and the number 2 bacholar according to ppls mag any way if any of ya know plz fill me in
thx
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Post by zenmama on Aug 4, 2004 11:17:02 GMT -5
First...sorry it took so long to reply!
Second...there are differant types of Buddhists just like there are different types of Christians. For example: In Christianity there are Catholics and Protestants (and many types of protestants might i add such as Baptists and Methodists etc.) In Buddhism there are three main breakdowns of Buddhists: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Zen Buddhists fall into the Mahayana category. The specifics of what a Zen buddhist believes varies among differant schools in the Zen tradition...so really its a complex question without any straightforward answer! Hope this helps...and doesn't confuse anyone!
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Post by ~*~Kit_The_Kat~*~ on Aug 4, 2004 19:49:05 GMT -5
I was so hoping you would take on CP question Zen. I so it a while ago and since I'm not an expert like you in the field I went to a website and read about the different schools of thought regarding Zen Buddhism. When reading what I was reading it got quite confusing (but not to the point where I was lost, just to where I had to re-read certain sections again), because the answer you gave is probably the best answer there was to give about the beliefs vary from school to school based on who the "holy men" are that that particular school teachings as based from that they follow. (Did that make sense?)
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Post by acharmedprncss on Aug 4, 2004 21:10:42 GMT -5
thanks guys im getting that its a complex question cause i was looking through some websites about it and they kinda got me confused like kit said i had to re read certain sections and i didn't really get that far
this may be a stupid question but i don't know the answer and im stupid so ill ask lol
would a christain get along with like a zen buddist? j/w
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Post by zenmama on Aug 4, 2004 21:14:50 GMT -5
Kit: you made perfect sense...glad I didn't get to confusing!
CP: It all depends on the person! For example: I know plenty of Christans who can't get along with anyone who doesn't believe EXACTLY what they believe...they just can't get past the idea of saving every person they meet from the depths of hell. On the other hand I know some Christians who are the most open minded people in the world! Most buddhists can get along with almost anyone...but hey there is always an exception to the rule. I would say that Buddhists in general get along so well with anyone because of thier belief that there are many roads to one goal and they don't feel the need to convert believers to thier faith.
Please noone think I am bashing Christians! I have many wonderful friends whom are christians...some of the comments I may have made are based on my own experience (some with the extreme!) so please don't hate me!
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Post by ~*~Kit_The_Kat~*~ on Aug 12, 2004 12:10:48 GMT -5
Perfect answer zen. She's right CP. I was raised as a Presbyterian, but that's not necessarily my strict belief. I believe that there is a higher power for everyone or a belief system that everyone follows whether atheist, agnostic, God fearing folk, or anyone who has a wish of finding nirvana. That's the beauty of this world CP, there are so many wonderous individuals that our world is enriched by, that it doesn't matter what religion a person is or what color their skin or for that matter their sexual orientation... I believe people should be embraced by their attitudes towards others and treat all persons regardless of who they are with respect and love and understanding and acceptance. We all can learn so much from one another if we're willing to open our hearts and minds to all ways of life. I don't mean we should be neglectful of our own values by any means, but I do think that if one opens their thoughts and viewpoints with others we could possibly come to a better understanding of what life is all about globally as well as locally. Never compromise yourself, just enrich your knowledge of others by listening to other views people share with you is all I'm saying. You are a very intuitive young lady with an extremely good head on your shoulders and you ask the right questions because if you think about it... life is a knowledge quest, and if one closes one's mind to new thoughts, ideas and cultures, one limits oneself to becoming a lifeless void of an individual with nothing to share with the world, therefore wasting the purpose of why one exists in this world. I hope I didn't get to deep on that one, but that's pretty much the jist of what I've accumulated thus far in my brief existance of 41 years of learning. I am but a nanosecond in the passage of time. |
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Post by zenmama on Aug 13, 2004 11:45:09 GMT -5
awsome reply Kit!
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Post by acharmedprncss on Aug 14, 2004 10:23:39 GMT -5
ok thanks guys
you've answered my questions and i they make perfect sense thanks so much for clearing that up for me!
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