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 Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 11:23 am
I've entered adolescence, so naturally I've started to question everything. Particularly my religion. I've researched Buddhism really, really well, but I need help answering a few questions. Thanks.
1) Do I need to go to Temple or can I meditate myself? (I can't find a local)
2) Do I need a Teacher? If so, can someone explain this simply to me?
3) Does becoming a good Buddhist mean giving up all my un-neccesary items?
4) Does Buddhism acknowledge God?
Thanks again. I'm sure you'll agree conversion is a big step, so I'll be thinking about this for a long time. It seems to be the religion, the philosophy for me though...I feel like it develops the self while learning about God. Am I wrong?
Help here would be really appreciated. Thanks guys. wink
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 11:43 am
Well Im currently converting. I am going to lessons and getting help.
For your questions I would say,
1) Alot of personal work is required, and you dont need a group to meditate, but shangra (did i type that right?) is very important. But If you cant get to a temple nothing should stop you from starting down your path alone. Plus you always have an online community to help you.
2) Ill give the same answer as the last one.
3) well as I was thought, no. Though as you become better material wealth will become less important to you as you clear away illushions of ego. But unless you intend to become a monk or nun, you wont need to take a vow of poverty any time soon.
4) Buddist dont really take a position on god. The budda did mention heavenly beings, but buddists dont worship any god piticularly. Its a matter of choice mostly.
Well thats my answeres. Im not really an expert or anything but from I know that the best answers I can give. Someone who know more then me should be around in a bit to explain it better then I can.
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:10 pm
Eye_seE Well Im currently converting. I am going to lessons and getting help. For your questions I would say, 1) Alot of personal work is required, and you dont need a group to meditate, but shangra (did i type that right?) is very important. But If you cant get to a temple nothing should stop you from starting down your path alone. Plus you always have an online community to help you. Sangha, but close enough. The rest of the answer's great and the point got across. smile Quote: 2) Ill give the same answer as the last one. Agreed. Quote: 3) well as I was thought, no. Though as you become better material wealth will become less important to you as you clear away illushions of ego. But unless you intend to become a monk or nun, you wont need to take a vow of poverty any time soon. Indeed! Quote: 4) Buddist dont really take a position on god. The budda did mention heavenly beings, but buddists dont worship any god piticularly. Its a matter of choice mostly. As far as I can tell with this one, we tend to fall mostly Agnostic. Apathetic agnostic, actually - there's no real mention of a being like the Abrahmaic capital-G God in Buddhist scripture (though there is a mention of a god who seems to think he is - the Buddha called him deluded and felt bad for him, as he's as trapped in this cycle as we are, but does not recognise it), nor do Buddhists tend to seek one. Really, though, the question is why bother searching for one - he's not in communication with us as is, and until he starts yacking in our direction again, isn't it better to just get on with living life as best you can? Quote: Well thats my answeres. Im not really an expert or anything but from I know that the best answers I can give. Someone who know more then me should be around in a bit to explain it better then I can. You've done quite well. Nice work. heart
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 7:37 am
Byaggha Eye_seE Well Im currently converting. I am going to lessons and getting help. For your questions I would say, 1) Alot of personal work is required, and you dont need a group to meditate, but shangra (did i type that right?) is very important. But If you cant get to a temple nothing should stop you from starting down your path alone. Plus you always have an online community to help you. Sangha, but close enough. The rest of the answer's great and the point got across. smile Quote: 2) Ill give the same answer as the last one. Agreed. Quote: 3) well as I was thought, no. Though as you become better material wealth will become less important to you as you clear away illushions of ego. But unless you intend to become a monk or nun, you wont need to take a vow of poverty any time soon. Indeed! Quote: 4) Buddist dont really take a position on god. The budda did mention heavenly beings, but buddists dont worship any god piticularly. Its a matter of choice mostly. As far as I can tell with this one, we tend to fall mostly Agnostic. Apathetic agnostic, actually - there's no real mention of a being like the Abrahmaic capital-G God in Buddhist scripture (though there is a mention of a god who seems to think he is - the Buddha called him deluded and felt bad for him, as he's as trapped in this cycle as we are, but does not recognise it), nor do Buddhists tend to seek one. Really, though, the question is why bother searching for one - he's not in communication with us as is, and until he starts yacking in our direction again, isn't it better to just get on with living life as best you can? Quote: Well thats my answeres. Im not really an expert or anything but from I know that the best answers I can give. Someone who know more then me should be around in a bit to explain it better then I can. You've done quite well. Nice work. heart Well thank you whee Its good to know Im not totaly ignorant.
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 9:36 am
How would I go about converting then?
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 3:33 pm
Darkdestroyer How would I go about converting then? It may make a difference depending on which specific sect you want to fall in with, but for the most part, conversion is a process that involves taking the three refuges - and meaning it. My husband did this at a monastary to make it more "official", I'm likely going to do the same come the end of this summer (when we can get down there next). The three refuges are as follows: I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha. There you go, that's the whole of it. As for an explination as to why those three things are so important, I'm going to borrow a section from Buddhanet.net's Good Questions, Good Answers: Ven. S. Dhammika What are the Three Refuges? A refuge is a place where people go when they are distressed or when they need safety and security. There are many types of refuges. When people are unhappy, they take refuge with their friends, when they are worried and frightened, they may take refuge in false hopes and beliefs. As they approach death, they might take refuge in the belief in an eternal heaven. But, as the Buddha says, none of these are true refuges because they do not give comfort and security based on reality. Truly these are not safe refuges, not the refuge supreme. Not the refuge whereby one is freed from all sorrow. But to take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha and to see with real understanding the Four Noble Truths. Suffering, the cause of suffering, the transcending of suffering and the Noble Eightfold Path that leads to the transcending of suffering. This indeed is a safe refuge, it is the refuge supreme. It is the refuge whereby one is freed from all suffering. Taking Refuge in the Buddha is a confident acceptance of the fact that one can become fully enlightened of the fact that one can become fully enlightened and perfected just as the Buddha was. Taking Refuge in the Dhamma means understanding the Four Noble Truths and basing one's life on the Noble Eightfold Path. Taking Refuge in the Sangha means looking for support, inspiration and guidance from all who walk the Noble Eightfold Path. Doing this one becomes a Buddhist and thus takes the first step on the path towards Nirvana. After that, it's all practice, practice, practice. I do recommend, though, before just taking the refuges with so little information from us, actually reading and studying quite a bit. After all, the Buddha himself did say that we've got to test it all, know it's right for us before simply assuming everything in the faith is correct because it is written. Test it out, make sure it makes sense to you. 3nodding Trust me, you'll feel much better than you do now (even if you're positive Buddhism is where you want to be) after you have. Oh, and one more thing: Buddhism doesn't develop the self, it teaches that there isn't one. xd
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:00 pm
I am in a similar situation as dark destroyer...and you answered some of the questions I have been having.
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Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 7:15 am
ninjapulse I am in a similar situation as dark destroyer...and you answered some of the questions I have been having. Glad we could be of service. heart
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:30 am
About your poll question- go for it. Just because your in school doesn't mean you can't believe in what you want to. Just last year though when I got all into Buddhism, people thought I was just trying some elaborate thing to get attention. I was excited I found something new, and I wanted to talk about it, and eventually it pissed off all of my friends, especially my Catholic friend. Of course, ever since 2nd grade people made fun of me because I didn't believe in God. (second graders can be so cruel) Obviously, not wanting to believe in God at 7 years meant I've been pondering my religion for quite some time....
?
1) We have a local temple, but I've gotten so used to studying long hours of the night, that I don't see the point. I got my own lil' buddha and my incense so I'm all good. Besides, what would you do at a temple? Probably you'd be hanging out with other buddhists your age, asking questions about a religion still new to you- but wait! Aren't you doing that now? You're talking to a teen just like yourself asking questions. good for you!
2) Do you need a teacher? Pshaw! You got us who can tell you to sit down and shut up. But you don't have to listen to a thing we say. Decide for yourself. Afterall, wasn't Sidhartha a rebel? Damn right you better believe he is!
3) You don't have to give anything up silly! Be greatful for what you have, but what you do have, share willingly. You don't have to give anything, but it wouldn't hurt! The thing is, once you do become more buddha-ey in your own individual way, you'll probably want to share! I did. I feel a lot better now knowing I don't need to get a job because all I'd do is give my money away! xd
4) Does buddha acknowledge God? Absolutely not. But that's not a bad thing! Just wait.... He doesn't acknowledge him soooo much, that he never talks about him. You know what that means to you? It means that you can believe or disbelieve all you want. I know some people who are Christian and still buddhist. Buddhism isn't a religion- remember that. It's more like... *thinks* a self esteem improvment class, or a book telling you to be a better person. Buddhism to me is like a friend who wants to go sky diving with you, so that you can get the most out of life and enjoy it. Calling Buddha God, is like calling Dr. Phil Jesus because "oh! He has so much wisdom and insight! Praise Dr. Phil! All obey Oprah! ah-yea-ya ya!!!!" ha ha....
No.
So, I hope that helps. And by the way, all these other people are going to tell you the exact same thing I told you. Just to be warned wahmbulance A lot of them can be kinda boring.... Friend request me if you like how I put it. Let's be friends. Hug? heart
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 11:54 am
Well, my question is similar to Darkdestroyer's too except that I grew up as as Theravada and abandoned my religion because we never went to the temple daily or even monthly. Right now, I am 16 and I don't have my permit yet and I know alot of temples it's just I can't drive there and nobody will take me there.
Is it okay to become a Theravada Buddhist but not attend a temple?
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 12:51 pm
Sykoi Well, my question is similar to Darkdestroyer's too except that I grew up as as Theravada and abandoned my religion because we never went to the temple daily or even monthly. Right now, I am 16 and I don't have my permit yet and I know alot of temples it's just I can't drive there and nobody will take me there. Is it okay to become a Theravada Buddhist but not attend a temple? I'm sure there isn't a problem. You can still practice bringing out your inner buddha and all that right at home- and it's not like you can really help it since no one will take you to a temple and you can't get there yourself.
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:07 pm
Thanks for your quick response smile and that makes me feel better since I felt like I had sinned all my life because I didn't attend temple.
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:33 pm
No matter what religion you are, the IDEA that you HAVE to attend mass or temple or whatever is outrageous! These places are meant to guide you and introduce you to people that share similar interests. Not for going out to proove yourself and your commitment to your religion or belifes.
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 6:11 pm
Quick question on the topic:
Can i call myself a buddhist if i believe all the "basics" and put them in practice, even if i dont have a particular school to call my own yet? There is no buddhist community here so i cant have a teacher or be involved in a real community.
Im so torn over religions right now (long story) and this is the only one that gives me the peace of mind and logic ive been searching for.
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