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Post by samuel on Aug 19, 2013 7:23:15 GMT 1
Buddhism is naturally in us. Now how does that work? Are you born with Buddhist affinities? Or did our great master just reaffirmed upon what we all had all along? I find those questions rather mystifying because as I learn more about Buddhism and about the Four Noble Truths, 8-Fold and 5 Precepts and all that, I begin to wonder if that was me before I discovered Buddhism?
To different people, it is expected to work differently yet there are so much similarities between all of us. No wonder we are walking a common path. But I have always thought about intent before I do something and the consequences and that there would be a balancing act to record my action. At times I have been forced to do bad things to get a good outcome. So that is a sort of karmic sacrifice as if to pile upon my bad karma so long as the outcome is good.
I have always believed in the right speech, right action, charity, compassion, sacrifices and devotion though I wasn’t a Buddhist. But still I was an unconscious Buddhist. The way I see it, if or when you are kind, the other good attributes will follow and also the same if you are evil. And in this world, there are loads of kind people and loads of evil ones yet it all transcends Buddhism. We mentioned on kind Muslims and Christians too.
So my feeble understanding is this. In Buddhism, we have order and wisdom for us to channel our natural-born Buddhist affinities because our great master formulated a whole plan for us. There’s order and philosophy and all kinds. But in essence, there’s a Buddhist in everybody who is born without them or many others realizing it.
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jeff
Senior Member
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Post by jeff on Aug 19, 2013 14:41:35 GMT 1
Buddhism is naturally in us. Now how does that work? Hi Samuel, that sounds too religious to me... We all have "Buddha-nature", which simply means we all have pure minds and the ability to remove the obscurations which keep us locked in suffering. Do you have a teacher or Dharma center near you? Jeff |
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brian
Senior Member
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Post by brian on Aug 20, 2013 4:54:34 GMT 1
Yes Buddhism does teach to bring out the natural affinities of compassion within us called our innate "Buddha Nature". I find a similar belief in the phrase that we're "children of God". Our native instincts as an innocent child is to have a clear mind, an open heart and a fervent curiosity for our world. These qualities many times get cluttered out as we age, due to many factors, so meditation is, in a sense, "re-discovering" our initial "pure" selves. I think this is one reason why Buddhism is attractive to non-religious people. It's seen as a psychological method to attain peace of mind and better fulfill our latent potentials. Yet the religious aspects of Buddhism are very important to me also. I find inspiration in Buddhist artwork, statues, mantras and songs. For me, Buddhism is a religion, but one of grounded and level headed beliefs. I could take or leave any "supernatural" or speculative aspects of Buddhism, but they are always interesting food for thought. I have great confidence and assurance that the Buddha dharma is sacred and profound wisdom as a whole philosophy. Experiencing it in one's presence and relationships is the mark of Buddhahood which we are all seeking to attain. "The way is not in the sky, the way is in the heart" BUDDHA  |
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Post by samuel on Aug 25, 2013 4:47:56 GMT 1
Yes Brian, Buddhism is like Tai Chi in a sense that it goes with the flow, harness goodness and become a better person. We have this natural force of Chi or Prana in our bodies. If we are able to harness it and tap from it then we are better off. The qualities of Buddhism is what is natural in us and our great master delved into it formulated a good system, showed us a safe path out of the Sea of Samsara.
It's like a maze. You have to find your way out or just keep on looking by trying other ways and combinations. There is a lot of "Buddhist" in Christians, Muslims and the whole plethora of religions and sects. This is because we are central to human nature - all the good attributes that's the foundation of Buddhism and all the questions about life and the hereafter. Looks like nobody wants to die - Buddhists included - no matter what each of them believe. No matter if 72 virgins are waiting for you, or rebirth into a better being and ever closer to Nirvana; or perhaps dressed in white, floating in the clouds and fluttering wings with angels.Nobody wants to die.
For me, we are basically travelling through a passage on our way to get there - whatever or wherever "there" is.
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Post by schnoebi on Aug 27, 2013 18:38:30 GMT 1
Samuel, just my opinion, for what it is worth, I see Buddhism being no different to Christianity. They both come from humble and profound origins with Jesus and Buddha, and then are woven into constructs which are intended to help. As language and meaning change over time they are re-tweaked, re interpreted and sub-sequentially turn into a gloopy mess, which one is expected to wade through. It is worth remembering that Jesus was not a Christian and Buddha was not a Buddhist. What is the fundamental truth in Buddhism is the same fundamental truth as in Christianity, Buddha-nature, God-nature etc.. Buddha once explained, that the Dharma is like a boat to help you cross the river and once crossed is left behind. Many of us keep carrying the boat on our heads.. The fact that I write this means that I do too! I hope this helps, and enjoy the journey.
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Post by samuel on Aug 28, 2013 8:34:42 GMT 1
Hi Schnoebi, You put it very nicely and thank you so much. It's nice to hear from others what they think or feel and we can hope we get wiser at the end of the day. "God" as what we perceive as the creator and "biggest wheel over the wheels" tend to manifest greatness through people emerging from very peculiar circumstances. It makes us wonder as to the subject of "order". It seems there can be no order in humanity.
Jesus was the son of a carpenter. He is believed to be conceived immaculately and not through sexual intercourse and whose parents had to relocate at Mary's advanced stages of pregnancy. Buddha, a prince, on the other hand (it is claimed) walked on lotus petals soon after he was born with his mother Maya delivering him standing up. Both became revolutionaries in a way and at a time when religion was really a hotbed. So out spawned improved versions. Jesus took Judaism,inducted the concept of forgiveness and opened it up to everybody. Buddha's foundation was Hinduism and he moved away from the realm of gods and moved internally and did away with the caste system. Instead of looking to the heavens he taught us to look within and attune ourselves to this wretched world with all its entrapment and to be least scarred by it all.
With Christianity,those who spread the religion changed many things to their advantage. With Buddhism it relied on the good old "mouth to ear" mode for a good few hundred years. So even in Christianity, one should apply one's natural instincts and grasp things a bit better because when the scriptures tell you to gouge out your eyes when they defy you, one should only take it as an analogy and not literally.
But what I like about Buddhism is that it does not condemn you to win you over. It does not promulgate the concept of sins and it does not use the fires of Hell to frighten you. It does not promise you 72 virgins to undertake a holy deed and neither does it condone killing - not even for self-preservation. It is very relaxed and at peace. It teaches you to delve within yourself and dwell in the good side for if you allow the bad side to permeate then you have lost out. It teaches you to be a thoughtful, considerate and wise person. So I find solace in it and don't feel pressured, guilt-driven or dampened.
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Post by schnoebi on Aug 31, 2013 16:13:26 GMT 1
Samuel, The word 'sin' used by Christians has apparently the root meaning in hebrew as being "to miss" as in to missing the mark. This could be reinterpreted as false view, false perception, false action or the cause of suffering. Original sin, as often mentioned in the Bible, could equate to the first noble truth. This could be all a load of bollocks, but it is a theory which may or may not be helpful in finding out the truth, or reality and reducing the sense of separation we have between one and another which causes much suffering
The danger with all theories, is when one starts to believe them. They then become another thing we have to deconstruct in order that we can perceive reality clearly.
Comparing A with B is interesting, but fundamentally gets one nowhere. Looking for the truth in A and B makes more sense. Use that mighty mind of yours to seek out that truth - for the benefit of all sentient beings.. I enjoy your posts.
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Post by Rudy on Sept 1, 2013 0:37:17 GMT 1
But what I like about Buddhism is that it does not condemn you to win you over. It does not promulgate the concept of sins and it does not use the fires of Hell to frighten you.
Just to play Devil's advocate: the concept of sin and the idea of negative karma have many similarities and basically the same consequences: suffering in the future. The only real difference is whether God will strike us or nature - that's philosophically an interesting difference, but in practice it means the same...
Buddhism also teaches about hell, perhaps traditionally more so then you would think. In the Tibetan tradition, teachers often have learned to tone down when they teach about hell in the West, otherwise people simply walk out... I know that teachers are given this advice in at least one international organization of Tibetan Buddhism.
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shaun
Full Member
Posts: 21
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Post by shaun on Sept 1, 2013 9:03:28 GMT 1
[quote author=" schnoebi" source="/post/679/thread" timestamp=". Looking for the truth in A and B makes more sense. Use that mighty mind of yours to seek out that truth - for the benefit of all sentient beings.. I enjoy your posts.j [/quote] Our I'm an Australian that was born & raised in the Irish/catholic tradition. I personally have found it a great help to concentrate on the similarities between Catholicism & Buddhism. I know that there are many areas that they don't agree on & not necessarily speculative areas either. It helps me, it may not be true for everyone but it's certainly a lot easier & simpler than getting into theological arguments with yourself. |
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