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@

Gautama Siddhattha Reviewed by Gautama Siddhattha on 10-18-2006. Ima Buddhist. 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 Rating: 5

[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.

[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 in Shanghai.

I remember making post about Chinese Buddhism in this thread.