|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:44 pm
mazuac Hello, my name is Alex and I live in the U.S.A. I am 13 years old and have just not found out about Buddhism. I have many questions, and still have a long way to go before I pledge myself Buddhist, but I hope to get some information from this guild. Buddhism caught my eye because I have herd of it and that I have recently turned away from Christianity, and do not wish to become part of a biased religion like judaism or Islam or christianity. I think Buddhism will help me out a lot!!! Yeah, so... I am back to this guild again! I am Christian now, and back because when I was buddhist-athiest I was fascinated by it, and so... well, here I am! At this point, I don't think I could turn away from life as a Christian, it's been so good! But I am very interested in the philosophy of Buddhism, so, thank you!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:44 pm
Hello, my name is Jesica. I am a 19 year old college student of art history and I live in Michigan.
I love to write, and the novel I have been working on is set in Japan around the beginning of the 14th century. I first started reading about buddhism (particularly zen, amidism, and other sects practiced in Japan) purely as research for my novel. At this time I was also having a lot of trouble in my spiritual life. When I was in high school I was the perfect little devout Christian. But after I got into college I felt unconnected to God. So then my research turned into an actual spiritual practice. It's not that I don't believe in God, but I believe God doesn't want me to have a religion.
The moment in my life that sparked a turning point in my spiritual practice was when I was reading a collection of Japanese folk tales as research for my novel. One story was about a monk who decided to get himself thrown into prison so he could chant the lotus sutra for the prisoners and he did that for the entire end of his life, only to die and have his body thrown into an unmarked grave. To me that was not only the true essence of Buddhism, but the true essence of Christianity. It was then that I realized that I didn't want to go to heaven and I would much rather be reborn again and again until all sentient beings were saved. I want to become a boddhisatvah.
What happens after I die is out of my hands. And I am prepared to meet whatever awaits me on the other side. All I have is this life now and I will spend this life helping all people. And as for whatever happens after I die, I know I would rather aid people in hell than live gloriously for myself in heaven.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:46 pm
Whom's the name, atheism/secular humanism's the game. I was born Jewish, but never practiced, although I'm a bar mitzvah. A couple days ago, I decided that I want to study Buddhism (probably of the Zen variety). I'd like to practice in a secular fashion (meditation, mindfulness, and hopefully some day koan study under a Zen teacher, but none of the supernatural beliefs like reincarnation). My first major introduction to Buddhism was reading Thich Nhat Hanh's The Miracle of Mindfulness in a class; I also studied meditation a little bit for theater classes, and Genpo Roshi's "Big Mind" lecture.
I may already know some of you from ED or M&R; I know about this guild from banners I saw in some EDers' sigs a while back.
I think that's about it from this introduction. I hope to learn from and with this fine establishment. pirate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:07 pm
I'm Melody...
I was born Jewish and non practised I eat bacon samiches! Then I was Roman catholic for a while, but for some reason I feel like both have severly failed me.
I've always been fascinated and drawn to Buddhism and therefor it would be great to talk with others about it and learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:42 pm
my name is aiden and im intrested in buddism beacuse it is the ultimate anarchy
in my opion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:59 pm
Hey, this is Bloody, and I'm a nonconformist right now...
If you check over my guilds, you'll see tons of religious guilds.
Just trying to find my vibe, yep. mrgreen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 3:46 pm
Can you guess my name? xd I'm currently 24 years of age, living with my parents outside of Philadelphia, PA. I have a fiance whom I've been with for three years and counting. My religious leanings? Well, I was raised a christian, but lost faith and trust after witnessing the hypocrisy that went on in church after church which my grandmother took me to (about half a dozen before I was 12). Then I began exploring paganism, which brought me a sense of calm. Eventually, though, that, too, wore off, (use of comma much? sweatdrop ) and I found myself leaning back toward christianity. I don't attend church, and I don't seek baptism. This time around, I adapted Buddha's teaching: don't put faith in what I hear/read unless it makes sense. So I guess you could call me simply spiritual/religious. I feel that there is much in the simple, basic philosophies of Buddhism which can be applied to (and indeed, mesh with) christianity. After all, even early christians were taught the idea of reincarnation, until it became apparent that most thought that reincarnation gave them license to do as they pleased. (I'm pretty sure that's why the fire-and-brimstone preaching came into play) I hope that what I learn here will stay with me as I continue to grow, and I look forward to much discussion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:24 am
Hello! My name is Rampling, I'm 21 and I am from Michigan. I'm an aspiring author currently writing a vampire-fiction novel.
Some time ago I began having a lot of trouble in my spiritual life and lost my faith in Christianity. At first I explored Wicca a lot since I had a friend at that time who was Wiccan. But I realized that I really didn't feel any closer connection to something divine through that, so I started studying Buddhism. I began with Tibetan Buddhism but have moved out and explored almost all the different sects now.
I believe that we are reborn again and again as our souls continue on this great journey for the truth, for the ultimate connection to God, and that what the Buddha taught was the best path we have to finding that ultimate connection.
However, I don't think I would ultimately call myself Buddhist, since I believe that there have been a lot of great teachers through the ages and that, though the Buddha's path is the best one, we should also learn from what others have discovered about God to help enhance our own journeys.
Sorry if I'm rambling on and on...but I suppose that'll do it for now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:45 am
Hello everyone,
My name is Darke Skye and I'm 36 years old. I'm a single mom and going to school to get a technical degree in Medical Office Procedures and Technology.
I am very new to the study of Buddhism. After several things happened in my life right in a row I lost my faith. I was born into and raised a Mormon (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints/LDS). I began investigating other religions and other methods of gaining and expressing your faith. Buddhism is one of the few that I have, personally, found that provides some peace.
I am here to learn more, to hear other people's experiences and hopefully find more about the various forms of Buddhism from those people who practice it. I hope that I will find a few friends along the way.
Take care, be well and bright blessings to you all,
Skye
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:16 am
My name is Sarah. I'm 20 years old and a college student, studying psychology. I have been interested in Buddhism for about 2 years. I am a lesbian and have a girlfriend named Heidi who I intend on marrying (as soon as I am legally able).
I am astounded by the meanness of Gaians, especially in the GD, ED, and Life Issues forums. I have set out to find a place (still on Gaia) where I can seek spiritual guidance and escape from the rough conversation in the forums.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:16 pm
Just call me seraph or cora or by my full avi name. Ex Christian and look into Islam deeply due to a friend of mines having trouble with it. I have thought about converting to Buddhism here and there over the year. Just recently started acting on my thought about Buddhism rather them just letting them remain considerations. I am on deviantart alot http://seraph6283.deviantart.com/Note I haven't been formally accepted into the guild yet but since it is public I figure I go a head and start reading and posting. I think Zen Buddhism is my sect as I remeber reading somewhere that they believe in finding the beauty in all things which is pretty much a short hand relfection of my signature.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:15 pm
Hi everyone,
My name is Michelle and I am twenty-three. A friend forwarded this guild to me and I was so delighted to see the types of discussions that were happening here, I had to send in a request to join!
My interest in Buddhism began probably five years ago when my sister lent me a book that she believed would help me find ways to cope with an anxiety disorder. Subsequently I was able to take a course in Chinese philosophy while in university which exposed me to a number of Buddhist texts, including those which were the first known records of Buddhism in China.
My interest lies in texts like these, as well as in the historical point at which Buddhism branched off from Hinduism. I love the latter as well.
I had wanted to look into becoming Hindu but couldn't find a path that focused on the Indian Buddha, who I adore and have many accumulated statues of... As a result I've begun to research buddhist thought again. This guild is really ideal for me where I am presently and I am very much looking forward to contributing to discussions.
Nice to meet you all!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:49 pm
Hello all. My name is Carolina and I'm Chilean. I found this guild by poking around, basically. mrgreen
I was raised Catholic, but soon grew disillusioned of that path. I am a bit of an agnostic sometimes, and lean to Paganism/Goddess Spirituality most of the time. And Buddhism has always called to me, but I have not yet answered. I am not sure why.
I'm here to watch, learn and hopefully talk to other spiritual seekers. Perhaps we can learn of each other along the way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:19 pm
My name is Prema I go by the name of Middy. I am 21 years old college student and I am a Hindu.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:15 am
Hi, I just joined. My name's Emma.
I'm not religious, but enjoy discussing religious/theological etc topics.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
