Ima Buddhist.

[Gautama Siddhattha]

Cannabiez,
Ima Buddhist,and I think I always was and didnt know it.
I was raised "Christain," but rarely did we go to church.
I became intrested in "Chi," when I was young,reading martial arts magizines,but they only gave "Clues," as to any methods of developing it.
When I was in prison I got a book called: "The world of Zen," and it started answering questions I had had my whole life.
Then I got a book called: "Buddha," and it was obvoius that "Buddhism," was for me.
I enjoy life,people,and all living things now,and my life holds meaning.
Buddhism isnt concidered a religion,but a "Way of life."
And it indeed works for me.
Peace,
K@

[Hamlet]

Aah, someone who's earned his chops the hard way. I like that.

I've always been interested in 'Chi', but for the most part, I'm skeptical. The Fen Shui fad didn't help much.

But it works for you and that's great! It's one religion where you don't have to grow an eye in the back of your head to watch what their up to.

[moorephened]

I lived in PR China over the summer. Have you ever delved into Chinese Buddhism? That appears to be the heaviest form around.

By the way, excuse me if I'm ignorant about something but why is it "Ima" instead of "I'm a"

[Polymirize]

well shucks, you do have the name and the avatar I guess.

Yeah, I was going to be buddhist once, but then I liberated myself from my desire for such labels.

:D

[mrdevious]

I don't think it matters whether or not one has a title, or if one adheres to a particular sect. In my experience, the most important thing to do is learn the teachings directly from the buddha's words, and don't worry about what each sect interprets them as. Buddha himself encouraged us to question everything, and to explore our own understanding of the teachings. I've actually found that some Taoist principles are very complimentary to buddhist practice. But my point being, buddhism is simply a philosophy that delivers on what it pomises; and the more you work at understanding and following the path, the more you'll be able to take from it.

Guatama Sidhartha, I wish you the best of luck on this path, you'll learn more and more the longer you stick with it. and definately stick to your meditation practices, and when you've mastered them explore different methods. While I know some buddhists are rather casual about this, it's an essential step to understanding the true nature of the mind.
(on a little side note, shouldn't your name be "Sidhartha Guatama", not the other way around? I have actually heard it both ways so perhapse it's interchangeable, but I thought Sidhartha came first).

[MastaChronic]

its ima because
ima killa for tha skrilla
guerilla warfare
get it?

[MelT]

Well said Mr Devious. I'm a Buddhist too and it's really about a shared philosphy rather than which method is faster or more austere.

MelT

[Fengzi]

I lived in PR China over the summer. Have you ever delved into Chinese Buddhism? That appears to be the heaviest form around.

By the way, excuse me if I'm ignorant about something but why is it "Ima" instead of "I'm a"

Where were you in China moorephened and what were ya doing their? I spent a year there back in '96-'97. Totally different now though. I go back pretty reguarly and can never get over how fast that place changes.

Anyhow, Chinese Buddhism is actually pretty mellow. They follow the Mahayana school of Buddhism which literally means "vehicle for the masses" . It's far more easily accepted by the average person than the original Therevada form of Buddhism which is found in Thailand and Sri Lanka. Kind of like Protestantism vs Catholicism. Plus very few Chinese are pure Buddhists, most throw in some Taoist and Confucian concepts as well, for a odd little religion/philosophy stew.

I was pretty heavy into Buddhism at one point. I had taken a semester of Eastern Religions and a lot of what I learned about Buddhism really made sense. Later I took a semester of just Buddhism (and then another of Chinese Religion) and really got into it. For a while I would go up to this Thai Buddhist temple not far from where I live and hang out, meditating and talking with the monks there. For anyone interested in Buddhism, I'd recommend doing the same. We rarely talked about Buddhism itself, more just shooting the shit about daily news and things like that. But that really gave me some insight into the way they felt about things. I personally feel I learned way more about Buddhism from that than from any books I had read.

One thing that really struck me was that they were really only concerned about what you felt, not neccessarily what you did. Once when I was talking with one of the monks he asked if I considered myself a Buddhist. I said not really. After all, I didn't really pray at the temples, I didn't spend a lot of time memorizing Buddhist scriptures, etc etc. Then he asked me what I believed and after I told him he said "you're Buddhist". This was far different than my experiences with the Christian religions which want you to folow a set of rules and practices in order to be a part of the club.

Oh well, I better stop rambling on. Glad to hear Buddhism has helped you find your way Gautama Siddhattha. It certainly made a positive impact on my life.

[moorephened]

Iâ??m a freelance political scientist and I took a job in China as a consultant for the government on the American political climate and culture and how this might impact the implementation of future plans to develop the autonomous region of Xīnjiāng. I worked with a team of macro-economists and anthropologists, itâ??s a bit dry but the paid me a lot of money for pretty light work. (Not to mention the fact I get to see the world.

I prepped a piece before the Shanghai Cooperation Summit (like the G8 but for the eastern world) and got my picture taken with a bunch of world leaders.

[moorephened]

Oops, for got your question was about Buddhism.

Iâ??m sorry if I got the wrong impression about Chinese Buddhism, I donâ??t speak Chinese which diminished my cultural observations a bit. My impressions came from a comparison with Indian Buddhism and my conversations with my anthropologist friends.

Also I should say that one of the most stunning religious facilities Iâ??ve ever seen was the Jade Buddha Temple (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_Buddha_Temple) in Shanghai.

I remember making post about Chinese Buddhism in this (http://boards.cannabis.com/showthread.php?t=84255)thread.

[Fengzi]

Xinjiang is "a bit dry", haha, I like that. I'd love to get out to Xinjiang sometime but there's a ton of other places in China I'd like to go too. It really is an incredible country.

Sounds like you had a considerabley different experience then I had. I first went as a languange student and then ended up teaching English. I also met my wife there, and when we go back we stay with her family; which is always an experience for the typical white guy who grew up in suburban America. Even though I have a degree in East Asian Studies it still blows my mind everytime. I guess reading about a culture in a book and living it are just totally different things.

The Jade Buddha Temple is indeed spectacular, I have been several times. If you ever get back and go to Xiamen check out Nanputuo Temple. It's a multilayered temple complex that winds its way up a mountain. Not quite as spectacular as Yufousi in Shanghai but the location makes up for it.

[Gautama Siddhattha]

I havent really studied under one.
I use Buddha's words,and meditate daily,and that works for me.
It is a shared philosophy,and all can have the same results.
I think Buddhism is about liberation,totally,in every way.
It may not seem liberating to call oneself a Buddhist,but just being one leads to liberation.
It hasnet went the way I assumed it would,it went better.
When I was young I wanted a way to beat the hell out of others,and now I see that Buddhism IS NOT about that at all.
I would take a bullet for any other human or life form,be them enemy or not,and thats not how I was.
It has opened many doors for me spiritually,and thats great!!!!
Thankz for all replies.
Peace:thumbsup:
K@

[markomon]

I practice Nicheren Daishonin Buddhism -going on 13 years this November. The crux of this practice is the realization that I & you all out there are the Buddha. Not some diety "out there".
I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for a variety of things like to change personality defects to protection of everybody who is getting my MJ to me. I also chant for the BC 3's protection from extradiction to an DEA kangaroo court here in the ole USA. Of course all this is bullshit unless action is taken so I have donated a little money to marc emery ,michelle & MJ man by getting a no extradition t-shirt.