Buddhism

[Casper]

I am not a religious person, but have for a while contemplated practicing Buddhism to gain greater perspective in my day to day life, and improve myself mentally and spiritually. Can anyone suggest how I might go about going down this path? I have essentially no knowledge about Buddhism to start with. Thanks for any suggestions!

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Casper

I am not a religious person, but have for a while contemplated practicing Buddhism to gain greater perspective in my day to day life, and improve myself mentally and spiritually. Can anyone suggest how I might go about going down this path? I have essentially no knowledge about Buddhism to start with. Thanks for any suggestions!

Buddhism is another set of rules and controls. It seems more user friendly, but in truth it's just more learning that will ultimately haved to be unlearned.

Religion is religion in all it's guises.

You don't need more rules, laws and practices.

Observe your reality without ego then everything will be added.

That pretty much sums up Buddhism without all the boring bits

This is just my opinion based I what I have experienced, other people may find religion very useful.

Judge

10 Reasons You Should Never Have a Religion

What kind of hotdog would Buddha like?
One with everything

[Casper]

So Buddhism is another form of institutional social control? My impression, although perhaps an uninformed one, of Buddhism is that is not like Christianity in that it is not a form of social control, but rather, is liberating, and allows one who practices Buddhism to flow through life with peace and greater ease and freedom, thereby allowing that person to live with a greater sense of fulfillment and compassion for the world.

Perhaps, this can be achieved without any religion, but I though it would be easier to achieve such a level of consciousness through some structured system such as religion.

[brandongilbert]

I would approach buddhism as a philosophy more than a religion.

A good book to start with is called Buddhism: Plain and Simple

Also, check out the works of Robert Anton Wilson. Look him up on youtube.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by Judge

Buddhism is another set of rules and controls.

Buddhism is not quite just another set of rules and controls. One of Buddha's key teachings is -

Do not simply believe or accept anything he says. Instead test it out, and experience for yourself whether it is true or not.

This in itself tells you that Buddhism is really not quite your usual set of rules and controls.

[Brutha]

Some forms of Zen Buddhism don't see themselves as religions.

On the other hand you also have Buddhists who are religious in the same way that Christians are religious and answer "yes" to the question whether they believe in God.

Seeking a local Buddhist group is probably a good idea to go into Buddhism.

[Judge]

All words are further mental concepts

Words are pointers to truth.

We can talk and talk and talk and talk.

No words can describe what can only be known.

From the version of control we call 'Buddha'..........

=========================================

To the seekers of truth the Buddha says:

"Do not accept anything on (mere) hearsay -- (i.e., thinking that thus have we heard it for a long time). Do not accept anything by mere tradition -- (i.e., thinking that it has thus been handed down through many generations). Do not accept anything on account of mere rumors -- (i.e., by believing what others say without any investigation). Do not accept anything just because it accords with your scriptures. Do not accept anything by mere suppositions. Do not accept anything by mere inference. Do not accept anything by merely considering the reasons. Do not accept anything merely because it agrees with your pre-conceived notions. Do not accept anything merely because it seems acceptable -- (i.e., thinking that as the speaker seems to be a good person his words should be accepted). Do not accept anything thinking that the ascetic is respected by us (therefore it is right to accept his word).

===================================

Sounds like religion to me

Buddha is just another mental label to attach your ego to.

Judge

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Casper

I am not a religious person, but have for a while contemplated practicing Buddhism to gain greater perspective in my day to day life, and improve myself mentally and spiritually. Can anyone suggest how I might go about going down this path? I have essentially no knowledge about Buddhism to start with. Thanks for any suggestions!

I'm not Buddhist, and previously had relatively little exposure to what it's about other than in my college World Religions class.

However, I recently read some of Pema Chodron's books. I think they are really beautiful. I would recommend When Things Fall Apart and Comfortable With Uncertainty.

As for whether Buddhism is just another religion to control and limit you...only if you let it. I think all religions, even Christianity, have at their base a great and useful knowledge that's been corrupted by time and power hungry people. The wisdom and the spiritual paths themselves are helpful in my opinion.

Good luck on your journey!

[Michael Chui]

Ironically, the philosophy that Judge espouses comes mainly from Buddhism.

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by Michael Chui

Ironically, the philosophy that Judge espouses comes mainly from Buddhism.

I had the same thought earlier. Talking about observing the mind and its processes and thoughts is classic Vipassana meditation.

[Acting Like Godot]

Judge didn't get the relevant quote. Which is:

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

Buddha welcomes people to disagree with his teachings. Which is why I say it's probably quite inaccurate to describe Buddhism as "just another set of rules and controls".

I'm quite sure you won't find the Prophet Mohammed quoted as saying: "Ah, as far as the Quran is concerned, just follow the parts which you find useful, and ignore the rest. Pork is fine for pork lovers, and dogs are fine for dog lovers".

Similarly, you won't find Jesus saying: "Hey, you don't HAVE to believe me. There COULD be other ways to salvation, other than through me. Maybe there ARE other gods out there."

[torilink]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

Judge didn't get the relevant quote. Which is:

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

Buddha welcomes people to disagree with his teachings. Which is why I say it's probably quite inaccurate to describe Buddhism as "just another set of rules and controls".

I'm quite sure you won't find the Prophet Mohammed quoted as saying: "Ah, as far as the Quran is concerned, just follow the parts which you find useful, and ignore the rest. Pork is fine for pork lovers, and dogs are fine for dog lovers".

Similarly, you won't find Jesus saying: "Hey, you don't HAVE to believe me. There COULD be other ways to salvation, other than through me. Maybe there ARE other gods out there."

I may be mistaken, but I thought I recalled the gnostic gospels stating Jesus as saying to read the Torah and all that is good in your eyes is truth, discard the rest. That's my paraphrasing, maybe I'll try to find a quote.....

[wachusettgirl]

Originally Posted by Judge

=========================================

To the seekers of truth the Buddha says:

"Do not accept anything on (mere) hearsay -- (i.e., thinking that thus have we heard it for a long time). Do not accept anything by mere tradition -- (i.e., thinking that it has thus been handed down through many generations). Do not accept anything on account of mere rumors -- (i.e., by believing what others say without any investigation). Do not accept anything just because it accords with your scriptures. Do not accept anything by mere suppositions. Do not accept anything by mere inference. Do not accept anything by merely considering the reasons. Do not accept anything merely because it agrees with your pre-conceived notions. Do not accept anything merely because it seems acceptable -- (i.e., thinking that as the speaker seems to be a good person his words should be accepted). Do not accept anything thinking that the ascetic is respected by us (therefore it is right to accept his word).

===================================

Buddha is just another mental label to attach your ego to.

Judge

The quote that you use here is basically saying seek your own truth.

[wachusettgirl]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

As for whether Buddhism is just another religion to control and limit you...only if you let it. I think all religions, even Christianity, have at their base a great and useful knowledge that's been corrupted by time and power hungry people. The wisdom and the spiritual paths themselves are helpful in my opinion.

aspiring to clarity, you really live up to your name. Studying and reading about religions is incredibly fascinating and valuable to me, from both a historic and spiritual perspective. Everyone has their own path to follow. I believe in taking the things that resonate with you and letting the rest fall away. Saying that all religious teachings are bad is throwing the baby out with the bath water (please accept my apologies for using this cliche, it just seemed to fit...)

[Michael Chui]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

Similarly, you won't find Jesus saying: "Hey, you don't HAVE to believe me. There COULD be other ways to salvation, other than through me. Maybe there ARE other gods out there."

A friend of mine once pointed out that the First Commandment implies the acknowledgement and existence of other gods. I haven't actually dug into the Hebrew translation details, and I know that Christians generally interpret the term metaphorically, but.



Believers aren't supposed to acknowledge their existence. God takes care of that, apparently.

[Groundless]

Are we not wasps who spend all day in a fruitless attempt to traverse a window-pane - while the other half of the window is wide open? --WWW

How many of the ways (disciplines, exercises, practices) recommended as helpful, or even necessary, for the attainment of Satori are not in fact consequences of that state erroneously suggested as means? -- WWW

[jokerman]

I think that regardless of religious context, Meditation (i.e., sustained and precise investigation of sensory and mental phenomena...not merely relaxing and feeling ethereal) is an invaluable tool for self-discovery. Buddhist metaphysics is one thing, and you can take it or leave it as you would any other faith-based speculative philosophy, but Buddhism does offer one of the more rigorous and time-tested frameworks for meditation practice. Meditation practices are common to most religions, but to vastly varying degrees. Buddhism places great emphasis on it, which is why it is a useful paradigm for those seeking first-hand/experiential knowledge, as opposed to mere academic/verbal knowledge about the nature of consciousness.

Finding an experienced teacher is probably necessary to make real progress in meditation, as the practice can be complex and confusing.

First off, read a few books about Buddhism and/or meditation. Having a clear conceptual framework is necessary to make sense of the practice.