agnost
- buddha asked you to seek not define; you cannot be enlightened by disagreeing with the thoughts or beliefs of another, only by understanding. The thoughts or beliefs of 'the other' may be the open door to your understanding. I am wrong in truth has far more importance than 'you don't understand'. I want to learn, I want to be better; I don't profess to teach or disagree. I will listen and I will try to understand; everything you say is important to me because all I have is my desire to be a better person, a better neighbour, a better friend or even a better enemy- if that should be the case. I will continue to read and listen.
- —datommo
Another big myth
- Don't forget the myth that we Buddhists are going to Hell after we die because we're not part of someone else's religion. Reading about Buddhism is like reading about swimming; it can only give you the slightest hint of what it's about. Be that as it may, I'd like to recommend a book by Stephen Batchelor called "Buddhism Without Beliefs."
- —Guest Rico
Is Buddha really just a normal Human? No
- I accept that in His life Honorable Gautama Buddha never accepted that He is God himself or God's Avatar. But this does not simply means that He is not. In Hindu Religion Rama also never accepted that He is God during His life. But He was God Vishnu's Seventh Avatar. Just As per same scriptures of Hindu Religions The Born time, location and family tree was same which was wrote about Ninth Avatar of God Vishnu to be, and same main guidance (non-violence) which was wrote to be about ninth avatar. So, He may be God, but acted just like Human and didn't do any miracle from which He can be judged that He is God just like Hindu God Rama. I think their might be controversy in case of God Rama at start, Just like now in Buddha. Former has been resolved with passage of time while later will be resolved, i wish to be soon. Thses are my personal view, I had shared. If this hurt someone, I apologize for that.
- —Guest Just to Say
dukkha
- I think of dukkha as finiteness. Practically, if you've stocked your house with everything you need, tooth paste, toilet paper, dry goods, canned goods, etc., so that you are secure and have everything you need at hand and all is well, still you will eventually run out of every item. If you don't pay the electric bill, even the electricity will go away. No matter what you do or own, life is a relentless cycle of replenishing. Each time you reach for something, that's dukkha.
- —Guest wanderer
Abbi
- The more I read on Buddhism, the more I realize that I need to read more and the more I realize I need a true Buddhist to guide me to/down this path. One with a whole map! My "map" so far has been taped together from parts of many maps, so I feel as though I am traveling from one circle to another without continuation. It feels "right", it feels "true" for me. Thank you for one more piece to add to my taped-together map! :0)
- —Guest Abbi
CANDLE BURNT DOWN
- dear reader, you are looking from the angle of a one single candle. When is candle required? When there is darkness, the significance of a candle is felt. Hence we have in our house many candles stocked made from the same element, like wise human beings are made from same life element. The quality differs according to making, but the commons thing is same. Hence if one candle is burnt out some other candle is taken for lighting. The purpose is fulfilled. Just compare a candle which lasts for one hour with a human life which lasts for 100 years. That is why Buddha said Anatta which is no such thing as Atman because both human and candle are same. but where lies the difference if candle and humans are same? Ths difference is that a candle is an inanimate object, whereas the human beings are subjected to pains and pleasures.
- —Guest CHANDRASEKARAN
To Chandrasekaran
- I have a question about your candle analogy. If a person is like a flame on a candle, what happens when the candle burns down?
- —Guest Estudiante
If People Only Knew
- Much is said about Buddhism and what we believe in... my experience has led me to believe in no thing but instead to a practice that is ongoing acceptance and bowing... it is letting go and not trying to be 'happy' just content within what is ... so I would like you to know I believe in nothing .. and when willing accept everything... deepest of bows to you all!
- —Guest Lee
Happiness and the Buddhism
- I read in an article on this website which said that dukka also can mean happiness, because it is not permanent. I do not agree with that, i am always happy and believe that it is permanent as long as you live your life in a manner that your beliefs.......(in my case Buddism)
- —Guest Armen
misconception of Buddha
- Thanks for this article. It showed that I had some wrong thought concerning Buddhism. But one thing that I did know and I really wish other people would realize is that The Buddha was not a deity; no God or Jesus character. The Buddha was a human man who gained enlightenment on his own practice.
- —Guest Monique
Buddhism As An Escape..
- Many people also mistakenly feel as if Buddhism is an escape. That meditation,and mindful thinking is just a corny thing of the past. And..they definitely don't understand any type of understanding from the Christian deviation of religion. It's very hard to explain the complex interaction of sexuality as well into Buddhism (such as Tantra), and the diverse cultural backgrounds..such as the connection w/Africa. Unfortunately, I think some simply don't get it.
- —KarmaMama06
BUDDHISM is ULTIMATE
- India is a land of many religions and sects; it gave birth to many philosophical thoughts. I am immensly pleased to read what Rama and Krishna said in Ramanyana and Mahabaratha, but I liked most what Buddha had said as he is the only HISTORICAL Figure. More so, his revelation of FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS are the ultimate and free from any arguments. Not he revealed, but also he showed the EIGHT FOLD PATH to get rid of SORROW is truly a medicine for every human being. He is a world teacher. His way is simple, logical and practical.
- —Guest CHANDRASEKARAN
REBIRTH
- Buddha says,'if for some reason a persons extinguishes a candle and lights again after some time, the light in the first half is the same or different in the second half? In one way the light is same; in some other it is different. Like wise a man's life is the body is like a light; it is passed on to next candle by transmission. Meaning of rebirth requires greater vision. Thanks to the lord Buddha for enlightening us.
- —Guest chandrasekaran
it's complicated
- Buddhsit beeliefs are notorously subtle and complex. Variouse schools of Buddhsim have debated them for 2,500 years with increasingly diverse and subtle shades of meaning. These debates continue to the present day. Therefore, we can't realy blame Non-Buddhists for being a bit confused. Stil, I think your mostly right (but nobody realy knows haw an enligtened person feels until they get there.)
- —Guest ethan Davidson
To guest cleverperson
- For an authoritative reference that corroborates my explanation of dukkha, see What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula. The word "dukkha" means "unsatisfactory" or "imperfect," but the Buddha also spoke of viparinama-dukkha (impermanence) and samkhara-dukkha (conditional) as forms of dukkha. Not so clever, eh?
- —mahabarbara
