Contemplating Buddhism

[Amun]

Hello everyone, I'm still very young and I don't have a religion. Before now, I have never been a big fan of religion, although lately I have been contemplating buddhism. If anybody here has any thoughts/suggestions or knows a buddhist, I would appreciate it if they would enlighten me with knowledge. I've heard mixed reports on cannabis/drug use regarding the religion, but talked to a buddhist today and said cannabis has long been used as a meditation and enlightenment tool. If I wanted to take this seriously, would I have to quit smoking socially/for fun? Does all this sound stupid? I'm confused...

I got into buddhism not too long ago too. I always liked how they were potrayed and i thought 'hey, they MUST know something! righ?' ...I came across Alan Watts. i love his stuff. he talks about a lot of great stuff. if you know how to use bit torrent (if you dont i can show you) i can show you where you can download them at. its really great material (around 20 cds or so) that talk about buddhism. its entertaining too so dont worry about it being dull.

but anyway, i dont think buddhism is really strict on rules. i guess it depends how liberally you want to go about it. i dont tihnk they would have much of a problem with it, however if you went to a monistary, im sure they wouldnt allow you to smoke it there. maybe a master would have it in a tea and offer it to you one day...lol. I definately feel that it could be used as a tool for enlightenment. no doubt about it.

a famous old zen buddhist monk once said: 'to reach enlightenment quicker, one should take a few drink of saki before meditation.'

saki is ofcourse Japan's grain (i believe?) alcohol.

[klup]

it depends, do you really believe and want to follow or be a 'non practicing' sort of buddhist. i definitely admire siddhartha and think he was very in touch with life, but i choose not to my life strictly according to his suggested path. so i guess im saying just check it out more and dont be one of those kids who says 'im a buddhist' and then doesnt know anything about his teachings.

[ericwt]

One of the techniques I learned in Buddhism was the process of walking meditation. It was the idea that that you were pulling reality through yourself. It is like if you have destination that you are going to, rather than walking to where you are going, it is the destination that is walking to you.

My experience with Buddhism has been very positive. I went into the Monastery as an apprentice.

For the next year it is to live in the world of the Buddhist. I eat vegetarian I get up early. Chant, Sit, Martial Arts, more chanting, temple arranging, siting, meditating, individual and group teachings and other stuff.

What I got out at the end was that the great Buddha is within you, not a temple. Buddha is an energy you express within you. Follow the example of Buddha in your life, express his energy, or rather express your inner Buddha.

[GHoSToKeR]

Yo Etrain, did I ever find the right path? I wanna know :P

[0range]

ericwt,

can you please email me? i'm considering living at a monestary and would love to hear your experience and get some advice. mixolyd at gmail.com

[VaporDaddy]

Hello everyone, I'm still very young and I don't have a religion. Before now, I have never been a big fan of religion, although lately I have been contemplating buddhism. If anybody here has any thoughts/suggestions or knows a buddhist, I would appreciate it if they would enlighten me with knowledge. I've heard mixed reports on cannabis/drug use regarding the religion, but talked to a buddhist today and said cannabis has long been used as a meditation and enlightenment tool. If I wanted to take this seriously, would I have to quit smoking socially/for fun? Does all this sound stupid? I'm confused...

Hey there,

I am not an expert by any means but I feel overcoming the ego is key.:jointsmile:

[jahjahjahjah]

To tell you the truth i'm not religous in any aspect what soever either, but i do have a huge amount of respect for other people who do practice cerimonies of the sort, if i ever wanted to choose a religon it would deffinitly be Buddahism.