Buddhism

Here's the thing about discussing Buddhism.
You have to decide if Buddha was a real person
or a myth. He supposedly lived 2600 years
ago and the best scholars can find no real
evidence he actually existed. All the stories
about him being a prince, Sidhartha, are just
that. Stories.

2600 years is a long time for stories to change.
The point is, you're better off thinking he's
a myth, because his reality is unimportant.
The teachings are what's important, not the
man or men who were Buddha. You don't
worship Buddha, he was a teacher and not a
god. There are no personal gods in Buddhism,
no god to answer prayers or care about your
evil thoughts. It's much deeper than all that
nonsense.

Quote: Evenbob

Here's the thing about discussing Buddhism.
You have to decide if Buddha was a real person
or a myth.

I don't think you have to decide that if your goal is to just have an understanding of the religion and maybe cherry pick a few things to take from it.

Once I experienced satori. But it was boring, so I did something else instead. Watched TV, I think. Tic Tac Dough reruns. That Paul Lynde was a hoot. That was probably why they put him in the middle.

Quote: Mosca

Once I experienced satori. But it was boring, so I did something else instead. Watched TV, I think. Tic Tac Dough reruns. That Paul Lynde was a hoot. That was probably why they put him in the middle.

I went to a display of satori in town a few years ago, some of which had never been displayed in Canada before. For those that don't know the satori are small crystals that are purported to be found in the cremated remains of more famous buddhist monks and have spiritual significance. I was also blessed while at the exhibition. I assume it worked since I went on a year long run at the craps tables after the blessing.

Quote: Wizard

I don't think you have to decide that if your goal is to just have an understanding of the religion and maybe cherry pick a few things to take from it.

It's a religion of philosophy, it's not
centered on the worship of a man or
a deity, like Xtionity. The Buddha
himself is irrelevant, it's the
teachings that are important. I only
say this because there are lots of
Buddhist sects that almost deify the
Buddha. There are as many kinds
of Buddhism as there are kinds
of Xtionity.

Where did the teachings come from and where can you find them today? Are they written down or passed on orally?

Quote: pew

Where did the teachings come from and where can you find them today? Are they written down or passed on orally?

They were passed orally for hundreds
of years. Tradition says the teachings
come from one man, but that's
impossible to prove. There were likely
many Buddhas, 28 of them have names.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_named_Buddhas

I find it confusing what a Buddha actually is. There are passages that say things to the effect that Buddha always was and always will be. Buddha is kind of like "the force" in Star Wars, at least in my understanding. Sort of the highest state one can achieve.

I wish we had an actual Buddhist to torture with questions. Even if we did, like any religion, I think there are probably differences in the big questions.

This is the book I'm going through -- The Teaching of Buddha

Quote: Wizard

I find it confusing what a Buddha actually is. There are passages that say things to the effect that Buddha always was and always will be. .

They're talking about Buddha-nature, the
concept of Buddhism. The Dalai Lama
says:

"Every sentient being—even insects—have Buddha nature. The seed of Buddha means consciousness, the cognitive power—the seed of enlightenment."

“All beings are Buddhas,
But obscured by incidental stains.
When those have been removed, there is Buddhahood.” — Third Karmapa Rangjun Dorje

You can't use logic on Buddhism,
it's a subjective experience, not
a logical one.

Quote: Evenbob

You can't use logic on Buddhism,
it's a subjective experience, not
a logical one.

That is how I feel about women (sorry, Barb, how many push-ups do I owe?).