Essentials of Buddhism : ATOM 0.3

Essentials of Buddhism

A website outlining what it takes to be a Buddhist. In case you are interested.

belvario @ 1/15/2008 10:20:52 AM

This site doesn't actually tell you a whole lot about Buddhism - it appears to be a bunch of lists of esoteric terms that beginners aren't going to get.

There isn't one "Buddhism" anyway - for instance, Zen and Pure Land Buddhism are vastly different approaches.

Pocksucket: Buddhism is not about denial, it's (partly) about freedom from attachment to things that are making you suffer. Only by being truly present in this moment can you actually enjoy anything you have - whether you are "Buddhist" or not. We all have this experience. Buddhism is mind training that helps you be truly present and aware rather than living in your head all the time distracted by mental chatter.

HOOsker: if you think Buddhist training is lazy, come with me to a weeklong Sesshin at a Zen temple - I guarantee you will be permanently cured of that misconception :)

juaner899 @ 1/15/2008 9:15:28 AM

All religions have good qualities and bad. Its up to the individual to take from it what he will. Whether it be a desire free life or a binging life.
If you keep an open mind and decide for yourself what your going to believe and the life your going to live then nobody can tell you your wrong for it and you'll have the most freedom.
However, if you want to live that way one most remember that he is still govern by the laws of man.

Alton @ 1/15/2008 8:30:50 AM

I've been looking into Buddhism, off and on, for the last few years.

My biggest issue, and one that would probably help if I got over it, is my selfishness.

I also like my s**t, and I like wanting more s**t, though I know I don't need mor...

hOOsker @ 1/15/2008 8:13:58 AM

About 20+ years ago I delved into teh Buddhism for several months. A few things turned me straight off, the most important of them being how lazy the practice of Buddhism is.

pocksucket @ 1/15/2008 7:56:21 AM

Now this highlights precisely my first and primary objection to organised religion; denial.

Why* do they all have it at their core? This seeming expectation that a life lived well will result in them being welcomed into the afterlife by a deity or spirit saying "Well done. You enjoyed none of that. Nothing at all. Not an ounce of pleasure did you derive from the bounties around you."

Forgive me for putting words into the mouth of God** or gods, but that is what religious leaders have been doing for millenia, so I think I'm entitled to have a go.

All the major religions describe our plane of existence and experience as being something along the lines of Samsara, a construct built for our pleasure and edification. Think of it like a theme park.

And think of God as being the builder of this theme park - his wonder to behold. Now which do you think is more likely? The creator of that park saying

"You've paid your entry fee now go and play. Have a go on everything, and if, at the end of the day, you have some time left, go back and do the rides you liked the best again."

or as the priests would have us believe

"Get off the ride. Look, but don't touch. In fact no, don't even look."

The world we live in is a place of wonder. We should be running through it with child like wide eyed amazement, sticking our fingers into everything we see, tasting everything that looks tasty and generally sucking the marrow out of life.

Enjoy the world around you. That's what it's there for.

< /rant >

(interesting article though, Wags)

*This is a rhetorical question - I do know the answer to that one.
**And yes, I also know that Buddhism is not a theistic religion. I'm generalising for the purposes.

gammerus @ 1/15/2008 6:29:29 AM

I took a world religions class in college that covered buddism. It is a very fascinating religion with a very interesting history

Bilb0 @ 1/15/2008 6:11:49 AM

then youll shoulde have some understanding of the first and second of the Four Noble Truths, but if you wish to move forward whitin Buddhism philosophy youll need the understanding of the other two aswell...

melgesevad @ 1/15/2008 1:20:21 AM

Ok, so if suffering is cause by my attachment to desires, what happens then, if I desire suffering?