Buddhism

[EternalStorm]

Well said Rodri. The fact that it allows you to be a part of other religions and still follow Buddhist beliefs is probably the statement that best disassociates itself from religion. After all, nearly every religion there is out there says that you should not practice any other beliefs but their own, because the others are all wrong. I think I said in my first post, but Buddhism believes that all religions are a path to god.

However, whether Buddhism is, or is not a religion is a matter of opinion. My opinion is that it is not, which is why I made this thread.

So, I'd like to get back on topic.

As I said, some parts of the Buddhist lifestyles are things that would be a massive change for me, and would be very difficult to do. All the same, it still appeals to me. Yet I can't make the final choice without speaking to a person face to face about it (And in my town, that's going to be very difficult. Christian city, it's 98% Churches, 1% Synagogues, 1% Hindi temples), and as such, I came here, to have a discussion with some of the more enlightened members of the forum, to get some opinions, before I go gallivanting on a 2 hour drive to the nearest Buddhist Temple.

[CandleLite]

what are the parts that appeal to you and what are the parts that dont? if you dont mind my asking

[EternalStorm]

what are the parts that appeal to you and what are the parts that dont? if you dont mind my asking

It's a long list.

I'd have to give up drinking and smoking, and making fun of people.

But I like the ideals of it, a healthy lifestyle, without greed, lying, harming others. I'm not very well learned so far, but what I have learned, I like.

I've discovered that there is in fact a temple in my town, and maybe there I can learn more, and make a well-informed decision. Though that temple may not be the particular sect I want to follow, I can still get information, and opinions of people with that information.

[CandleLite]

i think that, though hard, those are all good things. and that following them would bring more happiness to anyones life. what, if i may ask, is it that has you dissatisfied with your current belief set?
i ask because the most common reason i have found that ppl give up their belief set for another is not the beliefs themselves so much as the ppl.

[EternalStorm]

i think that, though hard, those are all good things. and that following them would bring more happiness to anyones life. what, if i may ask, is it that has you dissatisfied with your current belief set?
i ask because the most common reason i have found that ppl give up their belief set for another is not the beliefs themselves so much as the ppl.

It's not about my beliefs, it's about enlightenment. It's about spirituality.
I'm happy with my beliefs, and I'm content with my life. I'm just looking for spirituality, and religions don't do that for me, being a skeptic and all.

[Rodri]

It's really not about giving things up to become a better person.
It's more about learning to control your desires, because desire is what traps you on the eternal wheel.
All life is suffering, and desire is just another form of suffering.

Think about this.
Find the most comfortable position that you can. It feels good right? Now how long can you stay in that position before it begins to become uncomfortable? How long before that discomfort becomes actual pain? No matter how much you strive to fulfill your desires there will always be a yearning for something more. That is the nature of life and the nature of suffering.
Buddhism tries to teach methods to learn to let go of those desires and just accept what is.

[Alusair]

The fact that it allows you to be a part of other religions and still follow Buddhist beliefs is probably the statement that best disassociates itself from religion. After all, nearly every religion there is out there says that you should not practice any other beliefs but their own, because the others are all wrong.

Only Monotheism (and a few other similar theisms) follows the "one god only" routine. Theisms such as Henotheism and Monolatrism, not so much. [/end rant]

But, to steer back on the intended subject a bit more, I give a thumbs up for looking around for what you feel best fits you, or what you have the most interest in.

[King Alboin]

It's really not about giving things up to become a better person.
It's more about learning to control your desires, because desire is what traps you on the eternal wheel.
All life is suffering, and desire is just another form of suffering.

Think about this.
Find the most comfortable position that you can. It feels good right? Now how long can you stay in that position before it begins to become uncomfortable? How long before that discomfort becomes actual pain? No matter how much you strive to fulfill your desires there will always be a yearning for something more. That is the nature of life and the nature of suffering.
Buddhism tries to teach methods to learn to let go of those desires and just accept what is.

^reminds me of an excercise expounded by Tom Brown, the adopted Apache tracker.

Seriously, Eternal S. maybe you should go on a vision quest, if a true path to spirituality is what you seek.

Very high discipline level,
Very high difficult level,
Very long duration, but simple in its concept.

The idea is this:
1) Have an important question in you heart of which you would like to be truthfully answered.
2) Find an isolated area, in the wilderness, away from people, and civilization of any kind. (pure nature)
3) Fast or at least eat very little for three days before you do this. no meats, roman noodles are very good. However do not neglect fluids, very important to drink water.
4) Let someone know (whom you trust) where and for how long you are going to be, and come get you or at least call for help if you dont return at the proper time. (maybe would help if they were to observe you from a distance.)
5) In this isolated part of the wilds, pick out a tree that seems suitable to your inner self.
6) Take a walking stick and draw a circle twenty feet in diameter around this tree.
7) Prepare yourself with the question that is in your heart.
8) Now sit down under the tree within the circle for Four Days and meditate about that question without stop.
9) Beware the thirst, for after three days you might succumb to dehydration, so be sure to have emergency water on hand, outside the circle.
10) If by the fourth morning you have stayed in the circle and are still alive and still remember your question, you will recieve a vision pertaining to that question.
11) Test the vision for truthfulness and deceit.
12) Follow what you see, and begin your studies.
12)a Call to your betrusted friend to help you back to camp, for a proper meal, to regain your energy, so you may return to .... where ever you may need to go.

[Note and disclaimer: this excercise should not be tried by anyone who is not wise to the wilds of nature, or anyone under the age of 21, please its very dangerous if not properly supervised by a trusted associate, really. so dont be stupid and do what you are told not to do.]