Other Buddhists Here?

[FreeVenice]

I'm not much of a religous person (to many people trying to turn good teachings into something they can profit off of), but I do apreciate the ideals of Buddha Ho-Tei. Its so down to earth and complex at the same time. I have been able to make alot of positive changes in my life because of what I have studied.

[PatrickHenry]

although i'm not buddhist per se, i do most closely identify with buddhism as a religion. i've been lucky to be exposed to buddhism up close because of my vietnamese-american wife and my travels to vietnam. (i wasn't in the war or anything, we were in spanish class togehter as kids, HHAHA)

There are many different forms of buddhism, just like christianity, judaism, and islam. The dalai lama is only associated with one small sect of buddhism (tibetan), and doesn't exist as a spiritual leader for all, or even most, buddhists. Budai or Hotei (the name adopted by japanese buddhists) is a lucky buddha who brings good fortune. I think he's more steeped in chinese mysticism than anything else but I do love him. I have multiple statues of him around my house and even a tattoo of him! He brings me happiness when I look at him and his permagrin!

[BlueCat]

Have you seen this viral video? I hate when this kind of stuff is going around it just makes more people hate each other...listen to that scary music that attached to it...and the screaming...LMAO

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...01417972&hl=en

[PatrickHenry]

hahahahhahaha that movie is hilarious! my wife and i were laughing in disbelief!

i can't believe people make such garbage; to each their own i guess. if they don't bother me, i won't bother them. just don't try to save me!

[BlueCat]

I thought the sound effects really added to the plot

It is so funny it is sad...

[mfitzp]

Im a full blown athiest raised that way dont believe in anything think all religion is evil but totaly love buddhists and there beliefs

[0range]

I'm a Zen Buddhist, which means I don't practice meditation or keep precepts (follow rules). It's a great religion when you find a teacher you can really relate to...For me it's Bodhidharma. Liberation! Yeehaa!

I'm not sure who your teacher is.. but the most important precept in all sects of Buddhism is meditation. That's like saying I'm a Christian but i don't believe in Christ. do you research religions before you choose them?

"The term "zen" is in fact a contraction of the seldom-used long form zenna (禅那; Mandarin: chánnÃ*), a derivation from the Sanskrit term dhyāna (Pāli: jhāna), which refers to a specific type or aspect of meditation." (wikipedia)


i really despise how people choose religions or philosophies without even doing any research about what they are about. for those of you interested in Buddhism, check out wikipedia theres tons of info. if you're stil interested PM me i'll send you a good list of books.

I myself don't really have a set belief, but i'm really into eastern philosophy like Buddhism and Taoism and lately have been getting really into Tibetan Buddhism (the tibetan book of the dead is nuttttsssssss, search it on google read it online)

[0range]

By the way, all the sects are primarily the same. except some are mystical and some are not. Theravada Buddhists only believe in what the Buddha taught, how to escape suffering and gain enlightenment. After that people started adding different things, like the concept of rebirth which came from Hindu religion. Zen buddhism is a mixture of the buddha's teachings and lao tse who is the father of Taoism.

but honestly, if you read what the Buddha taught, that's all you need. I love it because it's the least sugarcoated religion*, it's very straightforward. there's no bullshit involved like in most other religions

*many believe buddhism to not even be a religion, but more like a philosophy of how to live your life and get the most out of it without adhering to a "Greater power". the power is inside you.