Written by AiwiAstwihad on 01.08.2008 at 21:44

Written by belisarius on 15.06.2008 at 21:36

he took over a lot of buddhist ideas.

Nietzsche & Buddhism?
i've heard some pll conecting him to mysticism but with buddhism, it's the first time.
well honestly i almost know nothing about buddhism so have nothing to say!!
maybe you refer to his view point over mankind...


@Lowelas OF FIRE
i suggest you don't tell 'em untill you are totally independant, according to my personal experience...

Yeah I was thinking that too, thanks
But what was your experience? You're from Iran so I'm guessing you rejected Islam and preferred something else?

well anyway....I violated the 1st precept today (do not kill/harm another being). A legion of Wasps found their way into my room. I couldn't just leave them there, I had to spray them.

but here's where the complexed Dharmic Philosophy comes in.......
-yes my karma for violating that precept is heavier than that of say a Christian (because i should know better)
-but if I feel some remorse, that reduces the karmic weight
-also, according to the law of karma, the wasps would have had this coming to them, they obviously did wrong in a previous life
-technically, i did it for protection.....I also am a living being, so not taking action is negligence (which also creates bad karma), cuz I would've willingly let them harm me if I had not killed them.

@Gigginova: you mean "reduce karmic weight", that means better off or worse off?

I've been reading this thread for the past couple of hours or so and what I have to say is absolutely nothing personal. Its just that, it gets a little bit hard to understand you guys at times. Especially you Gigginova, and I hope you understand this is nothing personal, you know I really like you.

But what's the point of calling yourself a Buddhist if you just decide its more suitable for your lifestyle to jump over some of the beliefs that make Buddhism what it is?

Why not do it all the way through? And if you just can't seem to follow all the teachings of Buddhism then why call yourself a Buddhist? When it would be more honest to just say that you lifestyle is influenced by the beliefs and yet not ruled by them. When asked if you hold any religious beliefs or a particular spiritual lifestyle, do you consider yourself a real Buddhist? Because in the end you can always go 'Bahh, sure Buddhists aren't supposed to drink, but I don't think they meant it like that, I think all you have to do is drink with moderation and you'll be fine, you can be a 'drinking buddhist'', I'm sorry but it sort of makes me feel like you're mocking it.

And I know its different to Christianity and the 10 commandments, but didn't you ever stop to think that those precepts are there for a reason? That maybe, just maybe, following them is exactly what makes you a Buddhist, that calling yourself one is simply not enough to be one. (Like a lot of lazy-eyed drunk celebrities out there).

I am not saying that you should become a monk, but my point is, this is exactly what makes Buddhism so goddamn trendy, the fact that you can just skip some of the teachings that are slightly disagreeable to your life under the excuse that 'They aren't reaaally like the 10 commandments, its not like they are rules or something, besides nobody is actually expecting you to follow them all, I'm not a monk anyway'.

I apologize in advance if this sounds too offensive or straightforward, or if I misunderstood your point. I also understand that this is quite a snappy reply for such an everyday thing like drinking, you just made me think of all those Christians who look down upon people (like myself) who don't believe in anything and go ' nono, God is looking at you right now and is not happy' right before they go cheat on their own wives. So, sorry about that, I hope you do know I do like you, you've always been nothing but kind to me.

Written by [user id=160] on 24.09.2008 at 02:24

Yeah I was thinking that too, thanks
But what was your experience? You're from Iran so I'm guessing you rejected Islam and preferred something else?

you guessed right. if you wanna talk about it more, feel free to PM me.


btw, i'm reading a book about Zen_not that i'm going to be buddhist or something, not at all, just curiousity...
i don't even know if it's a valid book to start or not, but made me think that Buddhism is so abstract...being too damn materialist made it hard for me to deal with this high level of abstraction in Mondos to even finish the book.

Written by Linak on 25.09.2008 at 18:48

I've been reading this thread for the past couple of hours or so and what I have to say is absolutely nothing personal. Its just that, it gets a little bit hard to understand you guys at times. Especially you Gigginova, and I hope you understand this is nothing personal, you know I really like you.

But what's the point of calling yourself a Buddhist if you just decide its more suitable for your lifestyle to jump over some of the beliefs that make Buddhism what it is?

Why not do it all the way through? And if you just can't seem to follow all the teachings of Buddhism then why call yourself a Buddhist? When it would be more honest to just say that you lifestyle is influenced by the beliefs and yet not ruled by them. When asked if you hold any religious beliefs or a particular spiritual lifestyle, do you consider yourself a real Buddhist? Because in the end you can always go 'Bahh, sure Buddhists aren't supposed to drink, but I don't think they meant it like that, I think all you have to do is drink with moderation and you'll be fine, you can be a 'drinking buddhist'', I'm sorry but it sort of makes me feel like you're mocking it.

And I know its different to Christianity and the 10 commandments, but didn't you ever stop to think that those precepts are there for a reason? That maybe, just maybe, following them is exactly what makes you a Buddhist, that calling yourself one is simply not enough to be one. (Like a lot of lazy-eyed drunk celebrities out there).

I am not saying that you should become a monk, but my point is, this is exactly what makes Buddhism so goddamn trendy, the fact that you can just skip some of the teachings that are slightly disagreeable to your life under the excuse that 'They aren't reaaally like the 10 commandments, its not like they are rules or something, besides nobody is actually expecting you to follow them all, I'm not a monk anyway'.

I apologize in advance if this sounds too offensive or straightforward, or if I misunderstood your point. I also understand that this is quite a snappy reply for such an everyday thing like drinking, you just made me think of all those Christians who look down upon people (like myself) who don't believe in anything and go ' nono, God is looking at you right now and is not happy' right before they go cheat on their own wives. So, sorry about that, I hope you do know I do like you, you've always been nothing but kind to me.

my views:
you're right
alot of us do skip certain parts not others

but its not that we jump over the beliefs per se
do all christians follow the ten commandments?
right down to a "t"

the precepts and the noble eightfold path are more for guidance on how to live your life
not how we must live our lives

to my understanding
the point of buddhism, would be more or less to attain enlightenment, and at the same time, sometimes help others get there too
so if there is something you dont understand, dont agree with, or find it impossible to do
would you do it?

Buddhism is for more self gain
if one is skip certain parts,
then one should be prepared for the consequences of skipping those parts
as stated here somewhere before
the Precepts and Noble Eightfold Path
they are not rules
but more guidelines
should we choose to follow them
then our reward will be greater than those who choose to skip certain parts

Written by Linak on 25.09.2008 at 18:48

I've been reading this thread for the past couple of hours or so and what I have to say is absolutely nothing personal. Its just that, it gets a little bit hard to understand you guys at times. Especially you Gigginova, and I hope you understand this is nothing personal, you know I really like you.

But what's the point of calling yourself a Buddhist if you just decide its more suitable for your lifestyle to jump over some of the beliefs that make Buddhism what it is?

Why not do it all the way through? And if you just can't seem to follow all the teachings of Buddhism then why call yourself a Buddhist? When it would be more honest to just say that you lifestyle is influenced by the beliefs and yet not ruled by them. When asked if you hold any religious beliefs or a particular spiritual lifestyle, do you consider yourself a real Buddhist? Because in the end you can always go 'Bahh, sure Buddhists aren't supposed to drink, but I don't think they meant it like that, I think all you have to do is drink with moderation and you'll be fine, you can be a 'drinking buddhist'', I'm sorry but it sort of makes me feel like you're mocking it.

And I know its different to Christianity and the 10 commandments, but didn't you ever stop to think that those precepts are there for a reason? That maybe, just maybe, following them is exactly what makes you a Buddhist, that calling yourself one is simply not enough to be one. (Like a lot of lazy-eyed drunk celebrities out there).

I am not saying that you should become a monk, but my point is, this is exactly what makes Buddhism so goddamn trendy, the fact that you can just skip some of the teachings that are slightly disagreeable to your life under the excuse that 'They aren't reaaally like the 10 commandments, its not like they are rules or something, besides nobody is actually expecting you to follow them all, I'm not a monk anyway'.

I apologize in advance if this sounds too offensive or straightforward, or if I misunderstood your point. I also understand that this is quite a snappy reply for such an everyday thing like drinking, you just made me think of all those Christians who look down upon people (like myself) who don't believe in anything and go ' nono, God is looking at you right now and is not happy' right before they go cheat on their own wives. So, sorry about that, I hope you do know I do like you, you've always been nothing but kind to me.

Thanks for your politeness I like you too.

But what I failed to explain before about me continuing to drink and so on is this:

In terms of Buddhism I am actually doing nothing wrong! BECAUSE there is something the Buddha came up with called "The Middle Way" or "The Middle Path" which is the mind frame between both opposite extremes. To follow The Middle Path means to be flexible, open minded and to do things within reason.

The Mahayana Buddhists tend to go vegetarian......but they are ABANDONING the Middle Path as they do it! Suppose you're stuck in a situation whee you are hungry and you can ONLY have meat? If you starve over that, then you practice stupidity! It's not within reason.

If I don't drink AT ALL then I too Abandon The Middle Path. I do it within reason, I do it mindfully so there is no attachment.

THE MIDDLE PATH! a beautiful thing.

I'm an agnostic and if I had to pick a religion it would be Buddhism.
/end

i never thought of Buddhism this way or Nepal is just an exception?
Nepal Appoints 3-Year-Old As New Living goddess

Written by AiwiAstwihad on 08.10.2008 at 00:37

i never thought of Buddhism this way or Nepal is just an exception?
Nepal Appoints 3-Year-Old As New Living goddess

I read that on MSN weeks ago. That is mostly Hindus. Some Buddhists get very superstitious, especially the Tibetan Path, but to me that is not 'true' Buddhism. I don't mean that in an egotistical way, I mean, it's not true in terms of The Buddha's teachings. He taught to live by conviction and not by faith, so the belief in deities is not the buddhist way. For the Nepali Buddhists, it'd be a case of their culture overlapping with the teachings. I don't believe nonsense like that, that's for sure.

Written by [user id=160] on 18.10.2008 at 16:37

Written by AiwiAstwihad on 08.10.2008 at 00:37

i never thought of Buddhism this way or Nepal is just an exception?
Nepal Appoints 3-Year-Old As New Living goddess

I read that on MSN weeks ago. That is mostly Hindus. Some Buddhists get very superstitious, especially the Tibetan Path, but to me that is not 'true' Buddhism. I don't mean that in an egotistical way, I mean, it's not true in terms of The Buddha's teachings. He taught to live by conviction and not by faith, so the belief in deities is not the buddhist way. For the Nepali Buddhists, it'd be a case of their culture overlapping with the teachings. I don't believe nonsense like that, that's for sure.

thanks, that cleared it up.

^^^sure mann.
buddhism is a very complexed belief, unlike christianity for example, if you have like sayy 25 buddhists in the same room, they won't all have the same opinion!
in christianity, if you have like 25 of them and the subject of homosexuality comes up (for example) , they will all ahve virtually the same opinion, because God's opinion of homosexuality states that it's an 'abomination', they go 'by the book'.
but that's not the case in Buddhism , because yes there is the Dhammapada (ancient documents of The Buddha's basic teachings which all denominations can abide by), but ultimately as christians have the bible and muslims have the koran, in Buddhism our bible is our mind!
The Dalai Lama once stated that homosexuality is wrong! but then a group of homosexual Buddhists protested . Many Buddhists (including me) disagree with him, so he did wrong, we don't have to be 'under his wing'.
subjects such as abortion, homosexuality and.....even....MURDER are farrr too complexed of issues to 'put in a box' of right or wrong. Because there are times when those things are necessary/okay.
like Murder, yes the first precept states not to take life from other beings, but suppose a killer breaks into your house and poses as a threat to your wife and kids? are you just gonna NOT kill him cuz the first precept says murder is to be avoided? NO, because then your wife and kid may die!! and THAT is NEGLIGENCE! which results in BAD KARMA! If you act on STUPIDITY in a situation like that, then in your next life STUPID things will happen to you, that is the law of Karma.
You see, so it's not following some ancient, holy book. it's about using your common sense!
mindfullness/wisdom and compassion (for all beings) is the only way to enlightenment,
without achieving perfection in those things, there is no Nirvana!

the precepts are guidelines! like for the first one, killing should be a very, verrryyyy last resort!

and also in buddhism, you don't have to believe what other buddhists believe if you don't want to! because can anyone else achieve your Nirvana for you? NO!
there's a small percentage of buddhists who don't believe in reincarnation! (now, in my opinion, they can only be PARTIAL Buddhists cuz to me that defeats the whole purpose), but that shows that we stand for FREEDOM! and we live by CONVICTION! if you have not been convinced, then you don't have to believe!

@Gigginova: This is a bit off-topic but I still want to play an apologete of Christianity here (being an atheist myself).
Saying that christianity isn't a complex belief is surely wrong when we look at all those theological discussions that have been going on for two thousand years. Especially in the early centuries there was extreme diversity of opinions about the notion of Trinity, the relationship between God and Christ, between Greek philosophy and theology, just to give some most prominent examples (I am surely not an expert on these questions but the more you look, the more diversity you probably discover).
This kind of complexity has also risen in the latest centuries and today there is certainly no consensus among the christians in the world even in the most basic questions. For example, many christians today approve homosexuality and there are christians for whom these kind of moral questions are just irrelevant for being a christian. And speaking about theology there is extreme variation from liberation theology to success theology, the two having almost nothing in common.
So all in all, I'd say christianity is as complex as buddhism. When there are 25 christians in the same room, they wouldn't usually have the same opinion (of course this may not apply when there are 25 extremely similarly minded christians in the same room but I guess in principle we could find 25 similarly minded buddhists also )

As for buddhism, I was intrigued to hear from you that there are some buddhists who don't believe in reincarnation. Concerning the latter, I have never understood what are the reasons for believing it.

The core idea of buddhism is the nirvana as everyone knows....does anyone know the meaning of it? It is breaking out of the circle of rebirths. It's getting out from the earthly world by finally dying. I understand lots of people think that "Oh, I get to nirvana and then it's paradise..." No....it's nothingness...the soul dies...it will never be reborn again...dead, gone forever....that's the idea...the earthly world is in fact an illusion, a prank similar to Matrix (our teacher made such a comparison) where you are suffering in this fictive illusion...all that is needed is to be erased from it forever....it's like an error in nothingness...nothingness is the ultimate goal, getting free of it....in fact nothing exists....this text we write in MS isn't real...the world, the people etc etc isn't real....you're just suffering in it and the goal is to die...to become nothingness and fade away from the fake reality....

Buddhism also states for instance that the beings who are condemned to live in this illusion are on different levels of possibility of dying (that is, breaking out of the cycle of rebirths)...the heavenly beings are not able to do that and the reason is that they enjoy being part of the cycle so much because its comfortable for them....they don't wish to die....the low beings, demons are not able to break free and die because their lives are too evil and filled with horror and suffering that they are forever condemned to it....only human beings have the possibility to reach the real death without being reborn....

It's all bout self-sacrifice.....for instance....one does not become a buddhist monk if one loses family, love....if one becomes invalid, loses his balls or cock (therefore can't fuck) or becomes impotent or sth...the idea "Oh, my life lost meaning, I'll go to monastery now..." doesn't work....
One can become a true monk only if one has got everything...if one has got health, love, if one has all the things needed to enjoy life and take everything from it....only then, by throwing ALL of it away...giving it all up deliberately, can one start the way towards the death....

There are, of course different movements of buddhism, main ones are hinajana and mahajana...for instance here in China, mahajana has had greater influence....

You see, when buddhism reached here it didn't suit the nature of the people nor the customs nor ideals at all....the way towards nirvana is a difficult crucible...it requires a lot and it takes heavy suffering and self sacrifice and ascetic lifestyle.....you must forget you have body because it's after all part of the illusive reality you are forced to inhabit....

Here, of course, one can never imagine going barefoot in snow or eating bowl of rice a day or ascetic lifestyle or anything....
Also, the buddhist original idea of the way of nirvana being an individual one (everyone is in charge of one's own salvation) contradicts our lifestyle....

Here, it's important to care and think of others to surround you...also, of course the idea of Nirnvana simply being dying is a bit depressive...in China it's more preferred to be as joining the forefathers (the original Chinese daoist background....)...
One prays for the family members, for the friends and comrades and all the nice people of getting part of the blessing....that's how also the ideas of Avalokiteshvaras emerged...the enlightened beings who have refused to get out of the cycle in order to help others do that first....
You see, it's more closer to Christian idea of "work, live a good life and be kind and friendly towards others" here....

The original concept of buddhism isn't at all as rosy and lovely as some think....it's in general a relatively strict and demanding religion....I think China and Tibet are more responsible of the milder facade of the religion which itself is a stricter and more desperate and hopeless version of hinduism....

I didn't make it up myself....it's based on the lectures I attended at my school...the teacher is a really well qualified and professional expert of cultures of India and Asia in general, his main fields of research being hinduism and buddhism....
I also, of course, added my own little knowledge and logic of the issue.....

Written by John Barleycorn on 19.10.2008 at 16:03

...I have never understood what are the reasons for believing it (reincarnation).

Same here. I undestand the philisophical origins but see no realistic rational reason behind it. It seems as baseless as the concept of soul and afterlife in Abrahamic religions, to me of course.

Written by AiwiAstwihad on 23.10.2008 at 22:37

Written by John Barleycorn on 19.10.2008 at 16:03

...I have never understood what are the reasons for believing it (reincarnation).

Same here. I undestand the philisophical origins but see no realistic rational reason behind it. It seems as baseless as the concept of soul and afterlife in Abrahamic religions, to me of course.

i'm not an expert, but i think it's because the four noble truths otherwise don't work. if all life is suffering, but life ends, then you could just accept the suffering and try to enjoy life, but if that life of suffering will continue forever, then you would try to end it as soon as possible and samsara(the eternal reincarnation of life) can only be ended by reaching nirvana.

btw, i just bought siddharta by Hermann Hesse, so i hope this book will be a good introduction because it won the noble prize for literature because of it.

To me personally, there is evidence to support reincarnation, it explains the otherwise unexplainable suffering. Plus, the research that child psychologists have looked into should not just be discarded so freely.

Anyway, check this out, it always puts my mind at ease and keeps me 'focused':

[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lAvTcMXCg4[/URL]

Written by Hembrom on 08.04.2008 at 16:51

Written by Nox Lux on 09.03.2008 at 06:18


Extreme guys that are supposedly the highest order of monks literally feel they are achieving enlightenment by simply eradicating any possibility of exercising control - if you eradicate temptation entirely, then what's the fucking point in feeling so enlightened? you haven't done shit! If it's not there then you have not exercised your teachings or virtues - and at the same time you're cutting out a lot of what could be beautiful in life.

Nice read there , when people starts meditation all wrong things automatically drops , but those who forcefully do that in order to archive something is a bunch of greedy people , nothing else. and yeah someone who dont know how to enjoy normal life , the food the smell the tree the rain .... i doubt about his enlightenment.

I do not understand. what y'all saying?

Written by [user id=160] on 19.10.2008 at 00:59

^^^sure mann.
buddhism is a very complexed belief, unlike christianity for example, if you have like sayy 25 buddhists in the same room, they won't all have the same opinion!
in christianity, if you have like 25 of them and the subject of homosexuality comes up (for example) , they will all ahve virtually the same opinion, because God's opinion of homosexuality states that it's an 'abomination', they go 'by the book'.
but that's not the case in Buddhism

A little late and this was already addressed by uku but dude, I think you have a lot to learn about both Christianity and Buddhism if this is how you're picturing them.

Written by totaliteraliter on 03.03.2009 at 19:53

Written by [user id=160] on 19.10.2008 at 00:59

^^^sure mann.
buddhism is a very complexed belief, unlike christianity for example, if you have like sayy 25 buddhists in the same room, they won't all have the same opinion!
in christianity, if you have like 25 of them and the subject of homosexuality comes up (for example) , they will all ahve virtually the same opinion, because God's opinion of homosexuality states that it's an 'abomination', they go 'by the book'.
but that's not the case in Buddhism

A little late and this was already addressed by uku but dude, I think you have a lot to learn about both Christianity and Buddhism if this is how you're picturing them.

What'd I say that was wrong? Christians feel more obligated where as Buddhists do not. One is by Faith, the other by Experience.

Written by [user id=160] on 04.03.2009 at 05:03
What'd I say that was wrong?

Different Christian denominations are bitterly opposed on the issue of homosexuality and virtually any other issue you can name. Pick any subject, you will find extremely different opinions among Christians (and they'll all believe the bible supports their contradictory positions). There is no such simple thing as "God's opinion" in Christianity, rather there are infinite and endless debates regarding what "God's opinion" is.

Written by totaliteraliter on 04.03.2009 at 06:33

Written by [user id=160] on 04.03.2009 at 05:03
What'd I say that was wrong?

Different Christian denominations are bitterly opposed on the issue of homosexuality and virtually any other issue you can name. Pick any subject, you will find extremely different opinions among Christians (and they'll all believe the bible supports their contradictory positions). There is no such simple thing as "God's opinion" in Christianity, rather there are infinite and endless debates regarding what "God's opinion" is.

Oh well I know Christian denominations differ from one another. I was born into a Christian family. Alcohol consumption is the biggest debate within Christianity (in terms of if it's right or wrong), just like in Buddhism, the biggest debate is meat consumption......and the opinions are different.
But me, I have met many Christians from various denominations and none of them were that supportive with Homosexuality, they see it as an abomination. Some are more compassionate than others towards gays, but all of them opposed it harshly. Based on what the bible teaches about it, i can see where they gather all that discrimination from......but i think this is more suited for the Christianity thread.

Written by [user id=160] on 05.03.2009 at 00:50
Some are more compassionate than others towards gays, but all of them opposed it harshly.

I don't doubt that this is your personal experience. But there is debate with both sides represented; Christianity is no different in this sense than Buddhism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominational_positions_on_homosexuality

Written by totaliteraliter on 05.03.2009 at 01:37

Written by [user id=160] on 05.03.2009 at 00:50
Some are more compassionate than others towards gays, but all of them opposed it harshly.

I don't doubt that this is your personal experience. But there is debate with both sides represented; Christianity is no different in this sense than Buddhism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominational_positions_on_homosexuality

Hmmm interesting.....my mom's side are Anglican and I understand that they are more Liberal to the matter, as they concentrate on compassion. I have heard about the Anglican Church in the news, but I can't see gays being ordained in the Anglican churches here.

Methodists allowing membership?!?! That is MORE THAN DIFFICULT to believe! I have met many Methodists and all of them were against it. Even in other parts of the world, Methodists tend to be more uptight anyways.

But back on topic, the Very General Buddhist view is very apathetic towards it. The only restrictions there are is that Transexuals should not be monks/nuns.

Happy Vesak

I think I've gradually gained a lot of interest in Buddhist philosophy. It has a lot of very interesting things that appeal to me.

To get rid of a common misconception, reincarnation is not something from Buddhism, but from Hinduism. I don't really know when it happened, but Western people started to confuse those two and later on this idea of reincarnation as a 'Buddhist idea' was assumed.

Even though that I like a lot of things from Buddhism I don't think I can be a Buddhist. Like every religion it lacks things.
For example, I don't think I really need to abstain from drugs.

But to get some other things straight:
Buddhism isn't about complete abstinence of sex or desires.
Enlightenment doesn't exist and isn't a goal AT ALL.
Buddhists do not believe in life after death.

I like to do Zazen, it is a meditation practice from Zen Buddhism. It's meditation stripped from all the etiquette, rules and things. Just pure meditation.
I might sound like a fanboy, but it really is very good. It has helped me a lot so far, I didn't expect that it would help me so much.

A nice text about Zen: Zen is boring!

What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor?


Make me one with everything

Owing to the large number of comments in regards to the initial post I apologise first-off for not having read the bulk of them.

This thread, 'Buddhism,' caught my eye as I have been a practitioner of the Buddha-Dharma for nine years now.

The initial post refers to there being " two or more different "types" [of Buddhism] with different beliefs." I would like to clarify this point to the best of my ability.

The full scope of the Buddha-Dharma as it is taught and practiced throughout the various schools and traditions (worldwide) is categorized into three "vehicles" or "yanas."

-Hinayana
-Mahayana
-Vajrayana

A rough translation of these terms is

-Hinayana (small vehicle; though note this is often seen as derogatory and there is much history to the use of the word if you were willing to do the research).
-Mahayana (great vehicle)
-Vajrayana (Diamond -or- Thunderbolt vehicle).

There are various schools and traditions which fall into each of the aforementioned vehicles, some of those more popularly known being the Theravada school (Hinayana), Zen (Mahayana) and esoteric / tantric Buddhism, such as Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana).

The differences between each vehicle and school therein are many. The fundamental teachings of the Buddha Shakyamuni (the historical Buddha) are however present within each (the Four Noble Truths; the Eight Fold Path etc.) but are approached differently; taught differently owing to the varying capacities or preferences of the practitioner and so on and so forth. Indeed, many differences are cultural. The essence though, once again, despite the differences, is the same.

I hope this has been of some use.

If anyone has any questions I am more than happy to answer them to the best of my capabilities.

Regards.

I follow ZEN ways.

Its related to living your life in the present.

Its lot more practical and it follows a simple philosophy called " Smile, Breath and Go Slow "

I have a book (that i read) called SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP.
this book details a punk rocker (brad warner) who became buddhist and in it he talks about buddhism (duh!)

now i for one am "pro-buddhist" to me buddhism is a mix of athiesm (they don't believe in a god) and hinduism (reincarnation) IN MY OPINION
i would love to be a buddhist monk to be honest, it think it's so cool. (other people say you would get bored after a while)

one story goes: buddah was working in the field as a young man he cut a worm in half with his hoe, then he realized " in order to achieve one's happiness another must suffer" (a.k.a he wants to plant a tree but in order to do that he has to kill the worm)


Two major branches of Buddhism are recognized: Theravada ("The School of the Elders") and Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle")

in the book he talked about both of them and im not gonna explain them because that would take forever interested? google. moving on

buddhism has to do with karma (y'know do something good-good things happen do something bad-bad things happen)

buddhists believe in rebirth (recarnation) it's divided into six planes

1.Naraka beings: those who live in one of many Narakas (Hells);
2.Preta: sometimes sharing some space with humans, but invisible to most people; an important variety is the hungry ghost;
3.Animals: sharing space with humans, but considered another type of life;
4.Human beings: one of the realms of rebirth in which attaining Nirvana is possible;
5.Asuras: variously translated as lowly deities, demons, titans, antigods; not recognized by Theravāda (Mahavihara) tradition as a separate realm;[35]
6.Devas including Brahmas: variously translated as gods, deities, spirits, angels, or left untranslated.


The teachings on the Four Noble Truths are regarded as central to the teachings of Buddhism, and are said to provide a conceptual framework for Buddhist thought. These four truths explain the nature of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, dissatisfaction), its causes, and how it can be overcome. They can be summarized as follows:
1.The truth of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, dissatisfaction)
2.The truth of the origin of dukkha
3.The truth of the cessation of dukkha
4.The truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha


The first truth explains the nature of dukkha. Dukkha is commonly translated as "suffering", "anxiety", "dissatisfaction", "unease", etc., and it is said to have the following three aspects:
the obvious suffering of physical and mental illness, growing old, and dying;
the anxiety or stress of trying to hold onto things that are constantly changing; and
a subtle dissatisfaction pervading all forms of life, due to the fact that all forms of life are impermanent and constantly changing.

The second truth is that the origin of dukkha can be known. Within the context of the four noble truths, the origin of dukkha is commonly explained as craving (Pali: tanha) conditioned by ignorance (Pali: avijja). On a deeper level, the root cause of dukkha is identified as ignorance (Pali: avijja) of the true nature of things. The third noble truth is that the complete cessation of dukkha is possible, and the fourth noble truth identifies a path to this cessation.

they believe in the three marks of existence: The Three Marks of Existence are impermanence, suffering, and not-self.


yoga is a daily part of buddhism.
they believe in nirvana: the ultimate enlightment.
they mediate daily also.

there is many tons of schools of buddhism and to explain them all would take a long time. so for now i'll stop talking. but im really interested in buddhism ,(im athiest myself) but i find it so intriging, (here's a copy of the book for who's interested) it's a really good read.