Buddhism Help

[Sokrates]

Hey all,

I'm back again from my relatives. I actually got a PM from someone asking if I was doing alright, wich was a very nice gesture. I never thought that I would get someone asking me that.

Well, I was going to ask here about what you people can tell me about Buddhism. Since, Im kinda looking for a "new" religion. Christianity didnt do me any good, so I "made myself" and atheist. But, I cant stay an atheist since I guess Im just to spiritual to not have any religion what so ever. So Im kinda looking into other religions at the moment, trying to find something that fits me. And Buddhism caught my eye.

Any info you can tell me about Buddhism and about becoming a Buddhist whould be much appriciated.

Yours
//Christian AKA: Sokrates

[marutidas]

Namaste,
Buddhism, at its core about Developing Love and Compassion For all beings, It takes alot of work and Meditation, and self discovery to walk this path.

The book I recomend are "How to Expand Love By His Holiness" the Dali Lamma, "The Wisdom of Forgiveness" By his Holiness the Dali Lamma and Victor Chan, "Practicing Peace in times of War" by Pema Chodron.

Any Buddhist will tell you, It is not something someone else can walk for you, but can find guides to help you along the way, but you don't merely take the lessons at face value, you must internalize them, live them for them to have any meaning.

I hope this helps,
Maruti Das

[Daniel]

Christian- Welcome back!

Buddhism is a big subject. While I don't call myself a Buddhist per se (I like to say I'm a closet Buddhist- not having lost touch with JC- that is- the esoteric side of him), I have benefited a great deal from sitting practice, that is, meditation. And I've been blessed with hearing the HHDL speak many times and even sit with him (at dawn) in Central Park. He rubbed his eyes like a kid and giggled when it came time to wrap things up. His teaching, however, is something else: adult and that of an accomplished academic monk, speaking to those who endeavor to pierce the veil of reality and gain Enlightenment, if only to bring peace to themselves and the world.

Technically, one becomes a Buddhist when one "Takes Refuge". But this would, I believe, be getting ahead of yourself. You will, undoubtedly, want to go around the block a few times- if not more- before you make such a formal step.

There are various 'schools' within Buddhism, just like there are various strains of Christianity. Within Buddhism, you will find Tibetian Buddhism which has an almost theatrical complexity with its meditations and visualizations. Zen Buddhism is altogether different, being spare and minimalist in contrast. Then there another strain like Shambhala, which is purely Western in expression, being started by Choygam Trungpa here in America, which has a center here in NYC (I have a close friend who attends their talks and meditations). Many find this latter expression of Buddhism very attractive for the simple reason that it exemplifies Buddhist thought unnecessary trappings.

Trungpa's book, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism is a classic.

You might also read these books before you tackle the one above:

Introducing Buddhism
by Chris Pauling

Buddhism without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening
by Stephen Batchelor

And my personal favorite:

Buddhism for the West: TheravAda, MahAyAna and VajrayAna; A Comprehensive Review of Buddhist History, Philosophy, and Teachings from the Time of.....
Dorothy C. Donath
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Book...8%26sortby%3D2

It's very complete and indepth.

The point I would like to make here is this: knowledge without practice is null and void. Some kind of meditative practice is necessary. I would encourage you to investigate a meditative practice and stick with it. Only good can result. There are many methods, though all beginning ones tend to emphasize concentration skill (bringing the attention back to an object- internal or external). Seek out a good teacher- or at least learn the basics from a book. This is the heart of what it means to be a Buddhist, and leads to what Maritudas has mentioned: Wisdom and Compassion.

You will find, if you find a teacher who is worth his/her salt, that being a Christian or naming yourself by any other faith isn't a barrier to practice. After all, labels aren't as important as what's in the can and how it gets cooked.

As is said in scripture: the Kingdom of Heaven is Within.

[Sokrates]

I just want to start with saying thank you both for the help you have offered me. It's greatly appriciated, and I've read some more things now about Buddhism and I have gotten a bigger understanding about the religion. I´m going to look into those books as well, and see if I can find them somewhere, maybe in the local library or somewhere on the web.

Also, about having a "teacher". I dont mean to sound stupid/dumb, but where would you find one? The only thing I can think of is visiting a monestary/temple (or if its called something else) and seeking out someone that could teach me. And I was just going to ask if that was what you where thinking of.

If so, I might be able to find a temple (I`ll just use that term) in the capital city of Stockholm. And perhaps find someone there to talk too.

[Daniel]

How does one find a teacher? That's a good question.

One can learn a great deal about meditation practice from books and the web, but if you choose to obtain instruction from a real-live teacher, I would advise you to go to some talks at various Buddhist centers to check out the different teachers. There is a tradition within Buddhism which notes that one should watch the actions of a teacher as much as what they say. Not bad advice actually.

One should also talk to a number of students of a teacher-asking pointed questions. Who the teacher studied with, where, how long etc. Ideally, you want a teacher who isn't a novice and has their ego in check.

And or course, there is the famous Eastern saying: "When the student is ready the teacher shows up."

I would take my time- these kinds of investigations aren't done lightly.

[Joe Brummer]

Read Thich Nhat Hahn.

It is Active Buddahism. It is amazing stuff. I have just finished my 3rd book by him and learned much about the dharma teachings. I am also going to a talk on nonviolence and buddahism on the 13th. I will try to remeber to update you!

I will tell you that budhaism isn't a theism. It worships no god, but followers live by the dharma teachings of the Budha. You can be a Christian and a Budhist if so desired.

[novaseeker]

You've gotten some great advice here already on this. I'd also suggest that you keep in mind, as you search, that Buddhism is not really a "religion" in the way we in the west generally understand the word, and that it isn't really well apprehended by books or theoretical readings and speculations, but by active praxis in life.

[NathanATX]

I suggest reading "Living Buddha, Living Christ"...

[BronzDragon]

Originally Posted by Sokrates

Well, I was going to ask here about what you people can tell me about Buddhism. Since, Im kinda looking for a "new" religion. Christianity didnt do me any good, so I "made myself" and atheist. But, I cant stay an atheist since I guess Im just to spiritual to not have any religion what so ever. So Im kinda looking into other religions at the moment, trying to find something that fits me. And Buddhism caught my eye.

» Thom says: ☛ Having stolen myself from the Church (apostate) I understand what you mean. The Church can be a pain, especially with it has political power.

Fundamentally, Buddhism and Christianism have much in common with each other. Siddhartha faced Kama-mara in much the same crisis that Christ faced the Devil in the Wilderness. (The tests themselves were different, but Hindu sentiments are different from Judeo-Greko-Roman ones.)

Personally, I would suggest you look to yourself for answers. They are already within you. You can sit at the seat of Buddha, Christ, Sun-tsu, or Woden and listen till your ears fall off, and learn till your brain burns out. In the end you are the final authority that accepts this truth or expression of truth over any other. Then again, that is this Gnostic’s opinion on the subject.

To answer your question:
Duhkha; Pervasive Discontent. To live is to suffer.

Birth is Duhkha; decay is Duhkha; disease is Duhkha; death is Duhkha; sorrow and lamentation, pain, grief, and despair are Duhkha; to be united with the unpleasant is Duhkha; to be separated from the pleasant is Duhkha; to not get what one desires is Duhkha. In brief, the five aggregates of attachment (the basis for human ego) are Duhkha. (The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama).

We must accept the uncertainties of existence that we fight so hard to ignore. In doing so, we can appreciate our selves, and take the next noble truth to heart.
Samudaya; (pervasive thirst, Clinging, grasping, attachment to things that are not permanent as if they were.)
Suffering comes from vein, meaningless desires and cravings, or more particularly, attachment to the memory of past joys, even when it has decayed into annoyance.
Nirodha: Salvation Is possible:
Suffering ends with these desires. The mind experiences complete liberty with non-attachment.
Magga: The Tao to Peace:

The Bodhi is not a tree
The clear mirror is NoWhere standing
Fundamentally not one thing exists
Where then is a grain of dust to cling.

(Functions of the Ego: Taming, Mastery, Self-control, Adaptation.) The Tao to Peace: The Tao that leads to the Cessation of Duhkha.

• Complete understanding (perspective): I recognize the impermanence of life, the mechanism of desire, and the cause of suffering. Karuna is our ability to relate to another in so intense a measure that the plight of the other affects us as much as if it had been our own.
• Complete intention (thought, Perspective): I am fully aware and mindful of where my desires come from and go, and accept them, as well as accept that they must fade. Emotions are necessary. Though they are too often broken.
• Complete speech (ethics): I speak honestly, in positive way, avoiding lies, exaggeration, idle talk, harsh words, and self-deceit.
• Complete action (Karma, perspective). (Rational non-maleficence) My actions do not hurt any other being that can feel suffering, including other animals. I avoid stealing, or sexual conduct that would bring hurt.
• Complete livelihood (ethics). I choose my livelihood to satisfy Rational non-maleficence.
• Complete effort. (perspective). With moderation, I consistently strive to improve.
• Complete meditation. (mindfulness, dhyana, discipline); I use the disciplines of meditation and focused awareness to contemplate the nature of reality more deeply.
• Complete contemplation. (Samadhi, discipline); I cultivate states of blissful inner peace.