Anyone here a current, former or future Buddhist?

[chaska]

I find myself periodically drawn to the subject, but based on absolutely nothing. I have zero knowledge of Buddhism.

Can someone enlighten me as to what it's all about.

[Richard Steele]

1. Well, odds are we're ALL former buddhists...

KnowhutImean?

[chaska]

4. Nyuk, nyuk...

:)

[flvegan]

2. I consider myself a (sorta) buddhist.

And to be enlightened is sort of what it's all about.

Actually, I shouldn't sum it up so simply, as there isn't a simply answer as to "what it's all about" anyway. Buddhism to me is the absence of Self. But then, so is Christianity. Go figure.

[chaska]

5. You are one interesting guy, flvegan...

I was initially turned off buy your musculs (they aren't typical of our type: Dems) ... and your competition for the devine Miss Bech (where, oh where....? Sniffle.), but you are one sort of semi-righteous dude-like person.

[flvegan]

9. I think that Dems should flex a little more muscle, though

Know what I mean? Most vegans don't pack a lot of muscle, either. I like being not-so-typical. Sort of punches a hole in the stereotype.

And yes, Ms. Bech...had I three wishes, she'd be one...

Thanks for the compliment. I hope you find what you're looking for in your gathering of information. I don't want to threadjack, but if you'd like some specifics on my thoughts on your OP, please do PM me.

[chaska]

12. I may have to join you in the gym. I want to be the next Bruce Lee though.

I used to do the muscle stuff, but then got seriously into the guitar in high school and just never got back to it. I had potential too. I once lifted a 100 lb. barbell over my head. Not bad for a then 5'8" 170lb. 16 year old.

Oh, that was with one hand. I lifted the barbell (not a dumbell) with one hand.

[flvegan]

14. I think you might be surprised

about how much time Bruce Lee spent "in the gym" (that is, building his musculature, strength...his body). Bruce Lee was an incredibly strong man. Although slight (as an ectomorph in comparison) in stature, he had. lats. for. days. Like a cobra, he was, his back expanding like the hood of this aforementioned snake. Like any other exercise, Lee was the epitome of form and focus.

One-handed barbell lift of 100 at 16? Better than me.

[chaska]

17. Me strong.

One-handed barbell lift of 100 at 16? Better than me.

I ascribe it to a lucky alignment of the planets or something. never did it again. Couldn't bench press worth a damn, but I was the best in the neighborhood for everthing else.

Yeah, I was never a serious fan of BL but the guy was truly amazing. I like that cobra-like body. I'm a typical American mesomorph though ... slowly turning into a typical endomorphic puddle of American goo.

[buddhamama]

3. you can find info

here: http://www.buddhanet.net/

[chaska]

6. I was hoping for personal insights, but I'll check it out...

Thanks.

[buddhamama]

7. oh,

well, i try to avoid religious/spiritual conversations. there is not one "buddhism"
as with any religious or spiritual belief it is deeply personal and distinct from anything or anyone.

i consider myself a Zen buddhist.

[flvegan]

10. "There is not one 'buddhism'"...excellent, fantastic response.

Sums up an incredible amount of thought/research right there. I'd frame this and put it on a wall if I could.

[chaska]

13. I think I gotta get me a book.

[mark414]

16. for an interesting read on buddhism

check out jack kerouac's 'some of the dharma'

it started out as a letter to allen ginsberg about buddhism and turned into a massive anthology of notes letters poems etc. etc. etc.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

8. The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism:

1. All existence is in suffering
2. Desire is the cause of suffering
3. Remove desire and you remove suffering
4. Remove desire by following the Eightfold Path

(Or something like that.)

I can't think of the Eightfold Path right now, sorry.

But basically, Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of Siddharta Gautauma (aka Buddha), who was born as a noble Hindu in northern India. According to legend, he became discontented with his royal life and left his palatial home to become a wandering spiritualist. He found enlightenment (his Four Noble Truths of the world) reportedly under the branches of a banyan tree.

According to Buddhist thought, all who are alive are in suffering because of their desire. In order to reach nirvana (a state of eternal utter bliss), one must become completely enlightened, as Buddha was, by removing oneself completely from carnal desire. Until one becomes enlightened, one will suffer through the cycle of samsara, or reincarnation. Enlightenment ends samsara and gives you nirvana.

Buddhists have various other beliefs about the world, but one of the foremost is the belief in a varity of worlds, i.e. the world of animals, the world of demons, etc. Buddhism teaches that although human existence is in suffering, only humans have the ability to reach enlightenment. Buddhists believe in karma, or "you reap what you sow." Lead a bad life and you will be reborn into an animal, or a demon.

Buddhists may believe in various gods, but they do not see gods as having power over humans, and divinity is not what a Buddhist strives for. Gods are largely merely other beings, no better and no worse, really, than humans.

Bodhisattvas (Sanskrit: "wisdom beings") are compassionate beings who have reached total enlightenment but put off nirvana in order to help other humans following the Buddhist path. In Mahayana (sp?) Buddhism, bodhisattvas are revered as demi-gods alongside Buddha.

There is a lot more to Buddhism than this, and I can't promise that this is entirely accurate, but it is what I remember from my world history class and the various independent research I did on Buddhism. Buddhism is different from other religions in that it has a very humanist perspective on the world. Also, as with other religions, there are different types of Buddhism, which vary somewhat but have the same core beliefs.

:hi:

[idgiehkt]

11. the eightfold path makes more sense to me than any philosophy

I've encountered, but that shit is hard and no fun...

I never took it as far as koans or anything like that, but Buddhism saved my ass when I relapsed. I was in twelve step and had 9 years and 8 months sober and the two philosophies almost diverged at that point and I found alot more help in the esoteric knowledge I had of Buddhism. Stuff I really didn't think that I had picked up all that much because my practice of spirituality has alwasys been strictly a la carte; if it doesn't make logical sense to me I'm not into it, but apparently alot more of it had sunk in than I thought. I had my ability to meditate destroyed by some stupid antidepressants and chronic tinnitus so I've kind of lost that practice but I don't even know if I would be here right now if it weren't for Buddhism, although I really don't consider myself Buddhist now.

[flamingyouth]

15. Here's another good site with some audio links:

http://www.dharmastream.org/dharmatalks.html

Also, Pema Chodron is one of my favorite authors; check out her books if you get a chance. :)

[chaska]

18. Hey FW, how's your Alice hangin'? ;)

Darn it, I'm moving 2500 miles in a day or two. I won't likely be able to get to any of this for weeks.

[flamingyouth]

19. Pretty good

The Billion Dollar Babies concert movie just came out on DVD - haven't seen it yet but want to.

Where are you headed to? Good luck with the move! :hi:

[chaska]

20. Oh, it's all so depressing....

Going back home to S. Carolina. I can't afford Los Angeles, and my mom has been begging me to come home, I just inherited 1/3 of a piece of property where I'll be able to live cheap. Lots of reasons to go, but my heart ain't in it. I'll probably have to move again soon. I just don't much like the south.

Did you see the Alice Cooper stuff that someone posted last night from youtube. It doesn't quite hold up, I'm sorry to say. Still has a certain charm though. Those were the days, my friend....

[flamingyouth]

21. Well, best of luck to you, friend

Sorry it's not a move you're choosing to make.

No, haven't seen the stuff posted from youtube, I'll have to check it out, though, just for kicks.

Peace. :pals:

[IChing]

22. If you live in LA there are many really good temples and branches

but I suggest some reading first and then checking out different branches of Buddhism


I like Zen Buddhism also.
http://www.ciolek.com/WWWVL-Zen.html


For Tibetan Buddhism a good start is this guy


http://literati.net/Thurman/

Yes Uma Thurman's dad is a very famous Buddhist, author and teacher.

[Blue_Tires]

23. in a word, enlightenment