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Iv often though about learning more about Buddhism but been put off by the fact its a religion even so it teachs wisdom, self control, self belief, and has no real god (only god like beings).

Does anyone have any insight into it or is part of this religion who can push me in the right direction i would like to learn more.

Main question is it worth my time?

So many religion topics today.

Do you really feel like you need Buddhism to help you with your daily life? That it'll make you a better person? That it'll give you some sort of spiritual or mental clarity that you couldn't achieve alone?

If so, then go for it. There's no harm in trying new things.

yea

Oh yes definitely learn more about Buddhism you will learn so much. People need to realize that buddhism is not a religion. The biggest reason why is that there is no god. When you see people praying in front of a statue of buddha, they aren't praying to appease him as a deity, just a sign of respect to the guy who founded the whole thing.

My relatives are buddhists and I learned a bit about buddhism from them and its very very helpful guidance.

Theres so many things that buddhism gets into, like patience, not hurting other people's feelings, health, respect, not being arrogant, etc. so I can't get into detail, you'll have to learn about it yourself, but I would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to seek spiritual support.

You'll see christians talking about the 10 commandments and about not killing people, etc. But then they also say "believe in jesus or go to hell". Buddhism doesn't push you up against the wall like that.

I suggest Korean buddhism because it got influenced by confucianism and both buddhism and confucianism are a healthy mix (and Korean buddhism is what I know, I'm sure indian buddhism is great in its own right)

My family is Buddhist. They bought me a jade Buddha that is about the size of the bottom of a pop can. Then they ask why I hide it under my shirt.

But I guess that's just as hypocritical as almost every Christian I know.

Iv looked up a few places but now you mentioned there are more then one type of buddhism i aint got a clue haha, il check more out tomorrow.

And im sure it is a religion, religions dont need a got its a blief system not a slave system although some make you pretty much as good as a slave

well the fundamentals of all of them are gonna be the same. I'm only familiar with Korean buddhism and I highly recommend that but if you find something else then thats great. And east asian buddhism is pretty much going to be the same, like Korean or japanese buddhism. China I have no idea whats the deal there, they are communist. I think you're only going to find a few differences between east asian and indian buddhism.

Well we might as well start arguing about what the definition of religion if we want to debate whether buddhism is a religion or not. I personally see buddhism as a "set of teachings" not a religion but call it what you like.

A lot more interesting than reading/watching "sitting on the toilet videos"..

Would be neat if there was a Science/Politics/Religion section in OTL.

=P, you know it's true. Rarely can any topic like those can stay on topic before it divebombs.

Two is "so many"?

I don't know much about Buddhism, all i know about is karma (consequences), reincarnation (rebirth as different soul), 4 truths/8th paths to nirvana. not sure about the last two, would be better if you research it over teh internetz

Yes, I'd recommend researching and looking into Buddhism, not necessarily as something to use as a crutch, in case you need that, but knowing you, Wong, you don't and are probably just interested, which is good.

I'd prompt you to look into Zen buddhism, it's pretty interesting. It will teach you things that are generally good for you, not just for your soul or whatever. Try and meditate, may seem and sound silly, but, for me at least, it is actually quite calming and nice. I wish I could recommend some sites, but I don't know of any, I took a class last year about world religions and we spent a good amount of time on Buddhism and Taoism, both really caught my interest.

As to the religion question, I wouldn't consider it a religion because you aren't forced to believe in a god or go to hell, you are just encouraged to follow some guidelines that will be beneficial to your life.

Jstar keeps mentioning Indian Buddhism, and I don't know if he's confusing that with Hinduism, or if I'm the confused one, but I would consider Hinduism a religion because it does have a god and centers around the worship of said god.

TL;DR: Yes, look into Buddhism.

Life changing, Totally life changing i would recommend starting with Vipassana if thats available near you,
It should be Free to do any were in the world, its a 10 day course that teaches silencing the mind and experiancing the human body from a awareness western society could never offer you.

Go for it wong harmonizing the charkras is just such a deep beauty ,
ive always wanted to get back into this, possibly live in a commune to further meditation
well good luck i wish u the best

Vipassana... isn't that the 10 day camp where you meditate? Yea, I have heard from countless people that it has changed the way their lives were going after taking it, I would like to take it, but they say you have to be fully prepared for such a retreat lol.

I used to moderate an atheist/theist discussion group. so I guess I just got sick of them =S

True that Salmissra you do need to be fully prepared but alot of that comes down to your guides during the journey also, Its pure dissolving the EGO and behind the EGO are doorways into perceptions probally thought unattainable in only 10 days
The First time doing Vipassana is a real challenge as it confronts your reality like nothing else ever could, not even a hullacagenic drug,

Salmissra can you post some experiances that your freinds had at a vipassana retreat?
Its such a deep spiritual journey you take alone as your not aloud Any communication (except staff), id love to hear other experiences indeed

A good source of moral and spiritual guidance:

http://open.salon.com/blog/charlesbivon ... y_of_bodhi

Only thing I have with Buddhism is saying that women can't achieve enlightment. But beside that it's a decent enough pratice.

Don't be put off by something just because it is religious. It's good to find out about different religions. Observe it, but be careful not to be drawn too deeply into it until you have understood what you are getting into. For example, try visiting a different religion's temple/church/etc each week. People are generally nice and you can find out a lot about them.

Unless you're a woman. In which case it's a 50/50 chance.

well i dont believe in being of a higher plane aka gods i feel that even if im wrong and they do exist it is wrong for us to put our faith in them rather then believe in what we can do our selfs, many storys of how god or gods have touch people involve silly things like he/they helped me pass my test or helped me do something which is wrong you passed the test or achieved your goal not god so dont praise him for it.

ontop of that buddhism is one of the only religions to mind that is open minded enough to allow other religions to exist, its peace based aswell unlike the others

No I'm not confusing it with hinduisism. Buddhism does exist in india. Buddhism is interesting because it began in india but very very few people there actually practice it and its much more popular in other parts of asia.



Exactly. And thats why organized religion is just so hypocritical too often. As Zen put it, buddhism offers spiritual guidance and self peace that is on a different level from religions. I know that sounds trite, but it is true.

Don't bother trying to sit in during mass on sunday at different churches. Of course they would be super nice to you, they want to convert you to their way of thinking. Don't even bother with them.

this is my nearest buddhist center according to google maps although some smaller ones might not be on that map that are closer

http://www.birminghambuddhistcentre.org.uk/

i cant find any reference to what type it is though

Hinduism =/= Buddhism. There are many similar aspects between both though (karma, chakras, reincarnation, meditation, etc, and Buddha is considered one of the characters of Vishnu in Hinduism. In the place i come from, many buddhists celebrate hindu traditions as well as vice versa.

You can stop yourself from any suffering, just detach yourself from everything that may affect you emotionally or mentally

You don't need to follow any religion. Just be a good person, help other people. There is no such thing as "it's an obligation to be a dog of someone".

But but... I need a book to teach me morals.. I don't know how to be good.

However, I can't see Buddhism hurting you in anyway... seems like a nice way to relax.

im not doing it for the need to follow something i feel that its teachings could benefit me, i do kickboxing i feel this benefits me too i dont like religion i feel its often constricting which is why this stands out i can continue my beliefs about how i see the world and how we became without been forced into a 1 way system of thinking, not to mention buddhists believe life creates life therefore they accept the theory of evolution which 99% of religions dont, had mormons preaching to me i asked them how we came to be they answered we just entered a body which was made by god aka we just popped up from no where..what utter shit

The fossils don't lie dude, shit just appeared.. oh wait..

what is religion anyway?