is anyone a Buddhist?

[imcoryy]

so ive been thinking about religion lately. i myself am not religious. i was thinking about Buddhism however, finding enlightenment within myself, inner peace, rather than focusing on a god. if anyone here is a Buddhist would you mind explaining it a little bit too me? ive been thinking about starting practicing its beliefs however have no idea where to start.

[kingofpain99]

Find a local center. They are generally very receptive and will help you. There are lots of good books that spell out the basics for beginners.
"What color is your mind?" Thubten Chodron
"The heart of the buddha's teaching" Thich Nhat Hanh

[BeefSister]

im a bootyist and represent the church of booty

[imcoryy]

Find a local center. They are generally very receptive and will help you. There are lots of good books that spell out the basics for beginners.
"What color is your mind?" Thubten Chodron
"The heart of the buddha's teaching" Thich Nhat Hanh

thanks ill have to check it out, there is a temple about half an hour away but i dont want to walk in and not have any clue as to what im doing.

[rafkalf]

Yellow chakra checking in . My chakra is stuck there for ages .

my third eye also doesn't get unclogged

still haven't had a kundalini rising

[imcoryy]

Yellow chakra checking in . My chakra is stuck there for ages .

my third eye also doesn't get unclogged

ive herd of chakra before. what is chakra?

[LettuceFuark]

There's all types of Buddhism. Assuming you live in the West, you should check out Nichiren Buddhism. It is Buddhism without all the superstition, but more about the philosophy and self improvement. The Soka Gakkai International is the organization behind this form of buddhism, they have centers around the US.

Personally I grew up practicing the superstitious buddhism, which has had a profoundly positive effect on me but it makes it harder for me to practice it with only the philosophy lol, so I don't practice as much in general nowadays

[nikolic993]

if you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him

[kingofpain99]

thanks ill have to check it out, there is a temple about half an hour away but i dont want to walk in and not have any clue as to what im doing.

Call first.

[kingofpain99]

There's all types of Buddhism. Assuming you live in the West, you should check out Nichiren Buddhism. It is Buddhism without all the superstition, but more about the philosophy and self improvement. The Soka Gakkai International is the organization behind this form of buddhism, they have centers around the US.

Personally I grew up practicing the superstitious buddhism, which has had a profoundly positive effect on me but it makes it harder for me to practice it with only the philosophy lol, so I don't practice as much in general nowadays

Nichiren....feel sorry for you brother.

There are various approaches. Zen is about the experience more than teachings. Tibetn is more philosophical. Theravada is closest to how it was practiced in the Buddha's time.

[rafkalf]

ive herd of chakra before. what is chakra?

don't be so ignorant we're talking about chakras here they're very important and need to be treated with care

lol what is chakra ? fuk out of here bro

[makesitrain]

don't be so ignorant we're talking about chakras here they're very important and need to be treated with care

lol what is chakra ? fuk out of here bro

lol claims buddhist.... completely non buddist response to question

[SeymourCake]

What specific questions do you have?

[imcoryy]

don't be so ignorant we're talking about chakras here they're very important and need to be treated with care

lol what is chakra ? fuk out of here bro

no im serious, i came here to learn. i figured everyone here would have a generally open mind to all and any questions i may or may not have. anyways sorry if youve been offended. have a good day

[benzy456]

meh fk religion.

[imcoryy]

What specific questions do you have?

well ive already learned about Nichiren Buddhism thanks to the poster above. i guess im interested in learning about that. i personally dont believe in a higher power. so i guess im more or less here to learn the very basics, of connecting my mind body and spirit. i guess im looking for a starting point to get my feet wet. the idea of leaning more about who you are as a erson and finding inner peace and happiness within yourself seems very rewarding to me.

[momason]

start with watching fight club.

[weddingsoup]

meh fk religion.

such a deep and profound statement.

[imcoryy]

meh fk religion.

well see thats just it, most western religions like juddism or christianity believe in an all powerful god, one that you have to please in order to find peace. this is where eastern religions differ, its not about a god or superior being, its about becoming more in turn with yourself. heaven isnt a place, its you, your level of happiness and joy that you get out of your own life. who wouldnt want to be happy?

oh yes and too everyone else, thank you i appreciate the input.

[cannadian]

OP - if you search for enlightenment you will not find it. And if you don't search for enlightenment you will also fail to find it.

I'm not a Buddhist but I have been practicing Zen for about a year and I do subscribe to the Buddhist doctrine of shunyata (the interconnectedness of all things) - but this is more due to my scientific background as opposed to spiritual discovery.

Start listening to some Alan watts recordings on YouTube.

[SeymourCake]

well ive already learned about Nichiren Buddhism thanks to the poster above. i guess im interested in learning about that. i personally dont believe in a higher power. so i guess im more or less here to learn the very basics, of connecting my mind body and spirit. i guess im looking for a starting point to get my feet wet. the idea of leaning more about who you are as a erson and finding inner peace and happiness within yourself seems very rewarding to me.

This is a chant they do in Nicheren Buddhism.


Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r364h19dXio

In Mahayana Buddhism (which I'm more familiar with), they heavily emphasize in the Prajnaparamita (Heart) Sutra.

Turn on the "CC" for the English translation

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ooCodjgjkY


Here are some Buddhist terms.
Hinayana: Small Vehicle
Mahayana: Large Vehicle
Vajrayana: Supreme Vehicle

Vajyrana Buddhism is practically Tibetan Buddhism. Pure Land Buddhist and Zen Buddhists are under the Mahayana. You can consider Theravada to be under Hinayana. Vajrayana deals with magic and that sort. Therevada means "teachings of the elders" which is more conservative than the other sects.

[SeymourCake]

OP - if you search for enlightenment you will not find it. And if you don't search for enlightenment you will also fail to find it.

I'm not a Buddhist but I have been practicing Zen for about a year and I do subscribe to the Buddhist doctrine of shunyata (the interconnectedness of all things) - but this is more due to my scientific background as opposed to spiritual discovery.

Start listening to some Alan watts recordings on YouTube.

To be specific, shunyata means emptiness. In emptiness, there is no border or frontier. There is only infinity.

[BeStill]

so ive been thinking about religion lately. i myself am not religious. i was thinking about Buddhism however, finding enlightenment within myself, inner peace, rather than focusing on a god. if anyone here is a Buddhist would you mind explaining it a little bit too me? ive been thinking about starting practicing its beliefs however have no idea where to start.

Thich Nhat Hahn IMO is one of the best resources for the western mind to understand that basic concepts of Buddhism and to begin a practice. Most major book stores have a few titles by him. I would recommend, "Peace is Every Step". It blew my mind and transformed meditation for me. Incidentally TNH is very ill and might die at any moment from a serious stroke suffered a week or two ago. Martin Luther King, among many others, drew inspiration from his teachings. Wander in to a Barnes and Noble and flip through a couple of his books. See what you think.

[sowilson]

Theravada Buddhist checking in. OP, there are two main schools of Buddhism; Theravada which made it's way to SE Asia via Sri Lanka, and Mahayana which made its way over to NE Asia (Japan, Korea) via N. Asia (Tibet) and China. The Dali Lama would be the most well known Mahayana Buddhist. Much of what you'll encounter as Buddhism in the west is Mahayana Buddhism. Basic tenants of both schools are the same. Theravada Buddhism is the more conservative of the two. I find Buddhism very refreshing as it doesn't require believe in a supreme being and that the individual is responsible for their own actions (i.e. you cause your own suffering). Theoretically you could be a Buddhist and a Christian (or Muslim) simultaneously - at least the Buddhists wouldn't disown you.

[imcoryy]

To be specific, shunyata means emptiness. In emptiness, there is no border or frontier. There is only infinity.

thank you for those videos ill have to watch them in between watching lectures on the skeletal system. so what are the core beliefs of buddhism? i feel like it is something along the lines of meditation, and loving all things as they are all interwoven together. however beyond that i dont understand much.

also meditation, how does that work? ive tried it late at night, ill lay in bed and clear my mind, i think of a white light and usually listen to something by "yellowbrickcinama" (its like spiritual, meditation music...or so they claim) what am i supposed to be looking for while meditating? am i even doing it right?

[imcoryy]

Theravada Buddhist checking in. OP, there are two main schools of Buddhism; Theravada which made it's way to SE Asia via Sri Lanka, and Mahayana which made its way over to NE Asia (Japan, Korea) via N. Asia (Tibet) and China. The Dali Lama would be the most well known Mahayana Buddhist. Much of what you'll encounter as Buddhism in the west is Mahayana Buddhism. Basic tenants of both schools are the same. Theravada Buddhism is the more conservative of the two. I find Buddhism very refreshing as it doesn't require believe in a supreme being and that the individual is responsible for their own actions (i.e. you cause your own suffering). Theoretically you could be a Buddhist and a Christian (or Muslim) simultaneously - at least the Buddhists wouldn't disown you.

so what im gathering from this is their are many different subsets of buddhism? if you wouldnt mind could you go into a little more detail in regards to the various subsets and how their belief systems differ?

oh by the way, im going to rep everyone on this thread. or at least try too, still trying to get the hang of the forum options. meh have my green squares of peace. oh also i have this thread kept open in a tab ill check back in every 15 minutes to a half hour so that way i can keep the conversations going.

[Hesher]

No thanks, Jefferson.

Worship the ways of a fat dude with horrible gyno? Nope nope nope.

I'll be taking Christ, our Lord and savior for the win. The Alpha and the Omega.

Das it mane.

[SeymourCake]

thank you for those videos ill have to watch them in between watching lectures on the skeletal system. so what are the core beliefs of buddhism? i feel like it is something along the lines of meditation, and loving all things as they are all interwoven together. however beyond that i dont understand much.

also meditation, how does that work? ive tried it late at night, ill lay in bed and clear my mind, i think of a white light and usually listen to something by "yellowbrickcinama" (its like spiritual, meditation music...or so they claim) what am i supposed to be looking for while meditating? am i even doing it right?

The core teachings of Buddhism are "The Four Noble Truths" and "The Eightfold Path"

The Four Noble Truths:
1. The truth of dukkha
2. The truth of the arising or origin of dukkha
3. The truth of the cessation of dukkha
4. The truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha

(Dukkha means suffering by the way).

The Noble Eightfold Path:

Wisdom (Sanskrit: prajñā, Pāli: paññā)

1. Right view 9. Superior right knowledge
2. Right intention 10. Superior right liberation

Ethical conduct (Sanskrit: śīla, Pāli: sīla)
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood

Concentration (Sanskrit and Pāli: samādhi)
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration


Buddhism texts (or sutras) are divided into two ancient languages. Sanskrit being the language for the upper class and Pali being the language for the common man.

[imcoryy]

No thanks, Jefferson.

Worship the ways of a fat dude with horrible gyno? Nope nope nope.

I'll be taking Christ, our Lord and savior for the win. The Alpha and the Omega.

Das it mane.

to each their own. id rather find peace in myself vs something i cannot see, i dont have to worry about walking through life pissing off a higher being. i feel as if i should live my life for me not for a diety. now since you brought that up lets talk about free will vs destiny?

[SeymourCake]

No thanks, Jefferson.

Worship the ways of a fat dude with horrible gyno? Nope nope nope.

I'll be taking Christ, our Lord and savior for the win. The Alpha and the Omega.

Das it mane.

Thanks for representing Christians from all over the world.

By the way, the fat guy you're thinking of is Budai(Hotei in Japanese). He is from a Chinese folklore and he's not considered to be part of the original authentic Buddhism.



Siddhartha Guatama, the Shakyamuni Buddha is the actual Buddha. He historically existed.


You make Christians look so good. They should be proud of you for your vast knowledge outside the bubble you live in.