Buddhism
Buddhism came to China and much of Asia from India through the teachings of Siddhartha in the 6th century BC. Like Hinduism that it came from, they believe that there are laws that transcend gods, mortals, and animals.
The "EXAMPLE" of the Buddha showed everyone
From a palace to a tree, from a prince to an self proclaimed enlightened hermit; this is the story of how the Buddha came to be. He was born sometime in 6th–4th century BC, as Prince Siddhartha[(Sanskrit) Gautama or (Pali) Gotama]. His mother died days after his birth. At age of 7 he underwent civil and military training but noticed from a bird taking a worm that 'all living creatures kill each other', which depressed him. At age 19 his father married him to Princess Yashodhara, daughter of his late mother's brother.
For the next 10 yrs he would dwell on the problem of suffering, as he tried to understand the true meaning of human life. He observed that sickness, old age, and death are all unavoidable. He figured the wrong way to look at these unavoidable things would be actively try to avoid them. But the right way to view them was to find meaning in that which transcends human suffering.
This struggle continued when his only child Rahula was born when the Prince was 29. He heard the devil tempting him to return to the castle promising that he would have the whole world but he told the devil he didn't want the whole world. He subsequently DESERTED his newborn son and wife, to pursue enlightenment.
From a palace to a tree, from a prince to an self proclaimed enlightened hermit; this is the story of how the Buddha came to be. He was born sometime in 6th–4th century BC, as Prince Siddhartha[(Sanskrit) Gautama or (Pali) Gotama]. His mother died days after his birth. At age of 7 he underwent civil and military training but noticed from a bird taking a worm that 'all living creatures kill each other', which depressed him. At age 19 his father married him to Princess Yashodhara, daughter of his late mother's brother.
For the next 10 yrs he would dwell on the problem of suffering, as he tried to understand the true meaning of human life. He observed that sickness, old age, and death are all unavoidable. He figured the wrong way to look at these unavoidable things would be actively try to avoid them. But the right way to view them was to find meaning in that which transcends human suffering.
This struggle continued when his only child Rahula was born when the Prince was 29. He heard the devil tempting him to return to the castle promising that he would have the whole world but he told the devil he didn't want the whole world. He subsequently DESERTED his newborn son and wife, to pursue enlightenment.
So what is ENLIGHTENMENT
Buddha means 'enlightened one'. According to Buddhism anyone can become 'buddha' by becoming enlightened like the Buddha. To become enlightened you need to figure out the Four Noble Truths, through meditation.
The Noble Eightfold Path includes:
Buddha means 'enlightened one'. According to Buddhism anyone can become 'buddha' by becoming enlightened like the Buddha. To become enlightened you need to figure out the Four Noble Truths, through meditation.
- The truth of suffering is that life is suffering ( "dukkha")
- The truth of the cause of suffering, that suffering is caused by desire ( "samudaya")
- The truth of the end of suffering, suffering can end by stopping all desire. ( "nirhodha")
- The truth of the path that frees us from suffering, that desire can be stopped by the Noble Eightfold Path.( "magga")
The Noble Eightfold Path includes:
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About 2,000 years ago Buddhism divided into two major schools: Theravada and Mahayana. For centuries, Theravada has been the dominant form of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, (Myanmar) and Laos. Mahayana is dominant in China, Japan, Taiwan, Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Korea, and Vietnam. In recent years, Mahayana also has gained many followers in India. Mahayana is further divided into many sub-schools, such as Pure Land and Theravada Buddhism.
Vajrayana Buddhism, which is chiefly associated with Tibetan Buddhism, is sometimes described as a third major school. However, all schools of Vajrayana are also part of Mahayana.
The two schools differ primarily in their understanding of a doctrine called "anatman" or "anatta." According to this doctrine, there is no "self" in the sense of a permanent, integral, autonomous being within an individual existence. Anatman is a difficult teaching to understand, but understanding it is essential to making sense of Buddhism.
Vajrayana Buddhism, which is chiefly associated with Tibetan Buddhism, is sometimes described as a third major school. However, all schools of Vajrayana are also part of Mahayana.
The two schools differ primarily in their understanding of a doctrine called "anatman" or "anatta." According to this doctrine, there is no "self" in the sense of a permanent, integral, autonomous being within an individual existence. Anatman is a difficult teaching to understand, but understanding it is essential to making sense of Buddhism.
Rewards for Enlightenment (ultimate goal of all Buddhist)
Because Buddhism came from Hinduism through the Buddha, they have the idea of reincarnation and the final target goal in common, joining the universe's single consciousness, known as Nirvana (meaning "extinguished" or "blown out"). However unlike other religion's afterlife, the individual that reaches Nirvana ceases to exist and becomes one with the energy consciousness of the universe. Nirvana has been described as bliss—unchanging, secure, and unconditioned.
Because Buddhism came from Hinduism through the Buddha, they have the idea of reincarnation and the final target goal in common, joining the universe's single consciousness, known as Nirvana (meaning "extinguished" or "blown out"). However unlike other religion's afterlife, the individual that reaches Nirvana ceases to exist and becomes one with the energy consciousness of the universe. Nirvana has been described as bliss—unchanging, secure, and unconditioned.
LARGE problems with what Buddha says is required
- According to Buddhist doctrine, the universe is the product of karma, the law of the cause and effect of actions, according to which virtuous actions create pleasure in the future and non-virtuous actions create pain. However in order for karma to work, an All-powerful & All-knowing God is needed to keep track of everyone's deeds. Buddha never claimed to be a god and didn't know anything about people's actions. Only the God of the Bible fits this bill.
- The problem is the impossibility to make one completely devoid of all desires "self" or even of one's own physical needs for life, which results in desires (desire to stay warm, safe, fed, dry). It is awefully naive and easy for Buddha, born into luxury, to not have any desires. This shows a lack of compassion for the plight of commoners, that is unbecoming of a holy person.
- In the Noble Eightfold Path, it requires the "right" everything. Who's definition of "right" are Buddhist supposed to go by? Perhaps the universal "right" inherent in all men? The problem is some people's "right" these days include murdering unborn or elderly or disabled. Obviously this "right" needs to be standardized to apply to all people. In order to standardize "right", there must be a moral LAW and a moral LAWGIVER which predates Buddha himself. This leads you straight back to the God of the Bible who gave 10 moral LAWS.
- Lastly the goal of Nirvana-unchanging, secure, and unconditioned is very pointless as you aren't even aware and don't exist as a individual to enjoy it. Its state of ignorant bliss since the universe is quite ignorant of all desires and motives.
The power of Buddhist way displayed
1/20/23 Chinese everywhere celebrate the Lunar New Year with family and friends. They will travel far to their home towns for this celebration, even across the world if need be. Most of those up in the mountaineous regions of China and Tibet and make the long trek back to their villages for this most festive time of the asian people. The vast majority are practicing Buddhist, as the teachings of Buddha came thru the mountains before overtaking the rest of China. So needless to say many Chinese journey back to their ancestoral Buddhist villages for the 2023 Chinese New Year. The freezing temperatures up in the mountains caused a huge avalanche that killed 28 people.
Naturally the question came up why didn't the gods or even Buddha himself protect his followers from being entombed in ice and snow and dying the most painful death of all, by hypothermia?
Of course Buddha never claimed to be a god or able to control nature. But what is the use if emptying one's self of pain and desire doesn't stop external pain, suffering, and desires from intruding INTO your life?
1/20/23 Chinese everywhere celebrate the Lunar New Year with family and friends. They will travel far to their home towns for this celebration, even across the world if need be. Most of those up in the mountaineous regions of China and Tibet and make the long trek back to their villages for this most festive time of the asian people. The vast majority are practicing Buddhist, as the teachings of Buddha came thru the mountains before overtaking the rest of China. So needless to say many Chinese journey back to their ancestoral Buddhist villages for the 2023 Chinese New Year. The freezing temperatures up in the mountains caused a huge avalanche that killed 28 people.
Naturally the question came up why didn't the gods or even Buddha himself protect his followers from being entombed in ice and snow and dying the most painful death of all, by hypothermia?
Of course Buddha never claimed to be a god or able to control nature. But what is the use if emptying one's self of pain and desire doesn't stop external pain, suffering, and desires from intruding INTO your life?
If Buddha's "way" doesn't work, could other holy men's ways work instead??
The entire idea of being free from pain is the ultimate goal of Buddhism. And as noble as that might be it falls short as this world is still full of pain and suffering. However, Jesus' solution can free all from pain and suffering forever in heaven and one doesn't even need to shed one's identity to accomplish this. In fact all you need to do is accept the Jesus of the Bible, who is God himself, to accomplish this.
The entire idea of being free from pain is the ultimate goal of Buddhism. And as noble as that might be it falls short as this world is still full of pain and suffering. However, Jesus' solution can free all from pain and suffering forever in heaven and one doesn't even need to shed one's identity to accomplish this. In fact all you need to do is accept the Jesus of the Bible, who is God himself, to accomplish this.