Is Buddhism a religion?

[AYJAYDEE]

No, just interested.

I'm not a teacher and would never profess such skills.

I agree, but I'd say some are excluding significant parts of the teaching.

This can have an impact on the goal, ones effort, and ones form of practice.

Many Westerners are averse to Re Birth.

My thoughts are to travel with an open mind rather than exclude such things out of hand.

Aversion reinforces Ego.

The other is that for most, not all, devotion to long hours of samadhi practice is essential in order to achieve the levels of concentration and awareness needed to navigate through the stages of realization.

Ven Maha Boowa would spend long periods (weeks or months) of Samadhi, to build up his reserve, after which he would then engage in investigation.

When his reserves were exhausted, he would disengage, and return to Samadhi practice to build himself up in order to perform further investigation.

The Samadhi he developed came easily, was very deep and he was able to remain in such a state for many hours.

Whilst in such states he needed to be vigilant to the traps of Avijja.

Sublime states which would fool most into thinking they had reached Nibanna.

This is even before one has a chance to begin investigation.

Avijja presents all the way up to the precipice.

This is why I indicated an an earlier post that professing to be a Buddhist and practicing for 30 - 40 minutes a day, is nice and has many rewards, but it's akin to a tyre kicker in a car yard.

This is not a reference to you but an observation I have made in terms of practicing to Awaken.

my but youre a judgemental fellow. impatient as well. you apparently think you will achieve enlightenment in this life and assume that everyone else should aspire to that goal as well. and if they dont, they have no right to call themselves buddhists. i can't agree.

[rockyysdt]

I'm surprised this is how you read it.

I fall into the category with everyone else who hasn't committed fully.

In terms of patience the only alternative is to wait for a future re birth.

For many this doesn't exist.

Don't forget I also have attachment to ego.

I am not a saint.

How else should I have viewed it?

[fang37]

I started to get an interest in Buddhism many years ago.

I did not rush it.

It grew on me.

No have to stuff.

Even today, it seems to be totally logical if you put it into your life - with good results.

Big plus - no FEAR of the future!

[AYJAYDEE]

I'm surprised this is how you read it.

I fall into the category with everyone else who hasn't committed fully.

In terms of patience the only alternative is to wait for a future re birth.

For many this doesn't exist.

Don't forget I also have attachment to ego.

I am not a saint.

How else should I have viewed it?

I call em as I sees em. and I might add that I found it offensive.

Edited October 18, 2015 by AYJAYDEE

[fang37]

Within Buddhism, I have read that it a superior strategy just to remain silent rather than go into attack mode.

Attack creates more friction.

[rockyysdt]

If it's due to the tyre kicking expression I've been known to be careless with the selection of my words.

My apologies, no offense was ever intended.

If it's to do with the level of practice, we are all governed by facts

Again, it depends on what you want to achieve.

Edited October 18, 2015 by rockyysdt

[fang37]

I wish to achieve perfection - or even better.

[AYJAYDEE]

If it's due to the tyre kicking expression I've been known to be careless with the selection of my words.

My apologies, no offense was ever intended.

If it's to do with the level of practice, we are all governed by facts

Again, it depends on what you want to achieve.

the phrase "professing to be buddhists" did it for me

[fang37]

To say I am a Buddhist.

Who else makes the decision?

OK by me.

[rockyysdt]

I started to get an interest in Buddhism many years ago.

I did not rush it.

It grew on me.

No have to stuff.

Even today, it seems to be totally logical if you put it into your life - with good results.

Big plus - no FEAR of the future!

Forums can often be a single dimensional environment where the brevity of posting can often fail to represent what the author is attempting to impart.

The skill of an individual's wording plays its part.

I never meant to disparage others beliefs or their efforts.

What I write relates my situation.

The thoughts I deal with include, "if what the Buddha taught is true, then have I been wasting my life".

What I write is to share my journey.

It is not meant to apply or diminish others endeavors.

[AYJAYDEE]

I started to get an interest in Buddhism many years ago.

I did not rush it.

It grew on me.

No have to stuff.

Even today, it seems to be totally logical if you put it into your life - with good results.

Big plus - no FEAR of the future!

Forums can often be a single dimensional environment where the brevity of posting can often fail to represent what the author is attempting to impart.

The skill of an individual's wording plays its part.

I never meant to disparage others beliefs or their efforts.

What I write relates my situation.

The thoughts I deal with include, "if what the Buddha taught is true, then have I been wasting my life".

What I write is to share my journey.

It is not meant to apply or diminish others endeavors.

well you sure passed judgement on a lot of others in doing it

[rockyysdt]

Sorry.

When I coined this I wasn't thinking of you in anyway.

I don't think of you in those terms.

I personally don't like to use labels.

I don't think of myself as a Buddhist.

Just a person trying to make sense of this life.

Again no reference to you.

On a technical level it was interesting how words led to thought, which lead to feelings, which lead to re action.

Sorry if the feelings felt real.

Edited October 18, 2015 by rockyysdt

[fang37]

It is apparent that, in this thread, there is an emphasis on correctness eg perfect grammar & vocabulary.

There can be disadvantages re this too. eg restraint of thought.

Shame.

[rockyysdt]

Part of my conditioning makes me uncomfortable if I alienate or offend others.

I'll aim to write with rightful speech, but if my language offends, put it down to poor choice of words.

[fang37]

I suggest that you say it as it is to you. Otherwise, you are just wasting your time & that of others.

[VincentRJ]

Relax! It's all an illusion.

[only1]

One can call Buddhism a religion, a philosophy, a way of life, or even science. It fits in all 4 as none of the 4 could find any fault or anything incompatible with Buddhism but for those who call it a religion, make sure they understand what is Buddhism's difference with other religions. If not, they will end up praying to the Buddha for miracles, and before the end of their life, they will suffer like those followers of other religions.

Edited October 21, 2015 by only1

[AYJAYDEE]

One can call Buddhism a religion, a philosophy, a way of life, or even science. It fits in all 4 as none of the 4 could find any fault or anything incompatible with Buddhism but for those who call it a religion, make sure they understand what is Buddhism's difference with other religions. If not, they will end up praying to the Buddha for miracles, and before the end of their life, they will suffer like those followers of other religions.

i dont pray for miracles but suffer all the same

[only1]

One can call Buddhism a religion, a philosophy, a way of life, or even science. It fits in all 4 as none of the 4 could find any fault or anything incompatible with Buddhism but for those who call it a religion, make sure they understand what is Buddhism's difference with other religions. If not, they will end up praying to the Buddha for miracles, and before the end of their life, they will suffer like those followers of other religions.

i dont pray for miracles but suffer all the same

Yes, expected. I know that will happen to you. Even the Dalai Lama said scientists said that bad emotions like anger, hatred etc is bad to the body; and I believe that too. Go think about it.

In case you dont catch it, it's due to attitude. Be less aversive to Buddhism or others, your sufferings will cease when you accept the 4 Noble Truth and practise Noble 8 Fold Path.

[AYJAYDEE]

One can call Buddhism a religion, a philosophy, a way of life, or even science. It fits in all 4 as none of the 4 could find any fault or anything incompatible with Buddhism but for those who call it a religion, make sure they understand what is Buddhism's difference with other religions. If not, they will end up praying to the Buddha for miracles, and before the end of their life, they will suffer like those followers of other religions.

i dont pray for miracles but suffer all the same

Yes, expected. I know that will happen to you. Even the Dalai Lama said scientists said that bad emotions like anger, hatred etc is bad to the body; and I believe that too. Go think about it.

In case you dont catch it, it's due to attitude. Be less aversive to Buddhism or others, your sufferings will cease when you accept the 4 Noble Truth and practise Noble 8 Fold Path.

I hope you are not suggesting that you or anyone youve ever met no longer experiences dukkha

[camerata]

One off-topic provocative post has been deleted. Stick to Buddhism or refrain from posting.

[weary]

One can call Buddhism a religion, a philosophy, a way of life, or even science. It fits in all 4 as none of the 4 could find any fault or anything incompatible with Buddhism but for those who call it a religion, make sure they understand what is Buddhism's difference with other religions. If not, they will end up praying to the Buddha for miracles, and before the end of their life, they will suffer like those followers of other religions.

i dont pray for miracles but suffer all the same

Yes, expected. I know that will happen to you. Even the Dalai Lama said scientists said that bad emotions like anger, hatred etc is bad to the body; and I believe that too. Go think about it.

In case you dont catch it, it's due to attitude. Be less aversive to Buddhism or others, your sufferings will cease when you accept the 4 Noble Truth and practise Noble 8 Fold Path.

I hope you are not suggesting that you or anyone youve ever met no longer experiences dukkha

Why is it not possible that he has met an arahant?

[fang37]

Is Buddhism a Religion?

Very important question.

It is so important that the Buddha decided NOT to address the issue.

[only1]

Life is dukka and there are only 2 ways to get over it:

1) The shortcut or ignorant way: Just believe in a god with blindfaith like the ancient Chinese, Hindus, Christians or Muslims but later he will still suffer, after seeing his loved ones around dying one by one and prayers are never met, heaven afterlife become doubts. The person dies with even deeper sufferings when he sees that all these god-believing religions are debunked by science and logic.

2) The longer way or wise way: Understanding life with science, logic or at least common sense. Understanding life and the cause of sufferings will help a person to suffer less or even achieved heavenly bliss in the present life and no doubts on the future.

Which way you choose ?

I opt for way 2) and Buddhism helped me to be more knowledgeable about it. It doesn't matter whether one calls it religion or not.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016

[VincentRJ]

The person dies with even deeper sufferings when he sees that all these god-believing religions are debunked by science and logic.

Science cannot debunk belief systems based upon emotional needs. The scientific process requires evidence which can be falsified. The evidence for a Creator God is no more than anecdotal. There's nothing that can be measured, so far, in order for the explanation to be refuted.

If there exists such an entity as a Creator God, it would seem very unlikely, in my opinion, that a mere human could have any comprehension of such an entity, or have any direct communication with It/Him/Her. However, that opinion falls into the category of personal common sense and reason.

As I've mentioned before on this forum, we often tend to think we are very smart as a species because of our scientific accomplishments, such as being able to split the atom and build rockets which land us on the moon, but to get things into perspective at a universal level, we've reached the stage of realization that we don't have a clue as to the nature of 95% of the matter and energy that surrounds us. We call it Dark Matter and Dark Energy, which is totally invisible and undetectable. It seems that, the more we know, the greater our awareness of how little we know.

A Happy and Enlightened New Year to everyone.

[only1]

Let's not get diverted too far into the unknown. The simple fact that this creator God with Adam and Eve story already proven fake by science and evolution,as well as common sense and logic is enough, to avoid it. At least Buddhism and other religions like HInduism have no claims that are debunked by science or logic. This facts have nothing to do with the 95% unknown, this is known.

Edited January 3, 2016 by only1

[rockyysdt]

Only, I traveled as you do, exactly the same path.

Eventually I realized Buddhism is actually a practice, not something to talk about.

All the knowledge in the world is useless without it.

You can know much but remained doomed along with everyone else.

[only1]

Life itself is a practice, beside being a journey.

Buddhism made the practice easier and helps one to achieve a better destination.

Another way to do the Journey is to cheat oneself by believing in blindfaith, that a god will make his life easier; but this way is proving to be hopeless due to newfound knowledge.

[VincentRJ]

The main difficulty I have with Buddhism is getting my mind around the concept of an apparent goal of escaping from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, or the cycle of 'life itself'.

I can't help getting the impression that it seems to project, at least in part, a rather negative outlook with respect to general human well-being, which is dependent upon economic activity. The message seems to be that birth, death, and all the stages in between, inevitably involve suffering, and that such suffering can only be eliminated through practices such as meditation, which attempts to cease all thought, and abstinence from all sexual activity which would result, eventually, in the extinction of the human species.

By contrast, all the universities, I would suggest, encourage maximum thought on a wide range of subjects, and 'right thinking' in general is the foundation of human progress and well-being.

Nevertheless, I see a valuable role of Buddhist meditation practices in learning to gain control over 'unproductive' thinking, such as unnecessarily becoming angry, upset, or fearful about matters over which one has no control in reality, and learning to gain control over one's appetites, urges and desires in general, so that one is not a victim or puppet of external forces.

[only1]

Wrong !!

That is only if you want to be a permanent monk.