Buddhism

derek · 04-09-2011, 10:43 AM

Has anyone seen this statue in person?

~~pooka~~ · 04-09-2011, 01:33 AM

as a theravada buddhist do you subscribe to no afterlife?

TockTockTock · 04-09-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooka

as a theravada buddhist do you subscribe to no afterlife?

I do not. I also don't quite follow rebirth either. Nor do I believe in a god. But all three of those are coming from an agnostic approach. I cannot say for certain that all three don't exist, I just have doubt that they do. We can't ever know for certain.

Needless to say, however, I don't need to believe in them because they are irrelevant in achieving happiness. I think we are perfectly capable of improving ourselves and aiding others without the motive of receiving a paradise-like afterlife. If anything, that is kind of a selfish reason to go about things. Don't you think?

djchameleon · 04-09-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

Needless to say, however, I don't need to believe in them because they are irrelevant in achieving happiness. I think we are perfectly capable of improving ourselves and aiding others without the motive of receiving a paradise-like afterlife. If anything, that is kind of a selfish reason to go about things. Don't you think?

I agree with everything you said here. I have even been saying this to my roommate for the past few weeks.

He was Christian but he lost his faith and now he's not sure what he wants to label himself. He's leaning heavily towards just being an Atheist for now until he figures out what he wants to do/believe in.

TockTockTock · 04-09-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

I agree with everything you said here. I have even been saying this to my roommate for the past few weeks.

He was Christian but he lost his faith and now he's not sure what he wants to label himself. He's leaning heavily towards just being an Atheist for now until he figures out what he wants to do/believe in.

Has your friend looked into any philosophies or religions yet?

djchameleon · 04-09-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

Has your friend looked into any philosophies or religions yet?

No, he hasn't. He wants to take a break from all religions so he can collect his thoughts.

Howard the Duck · 04-09-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

I do not. I also don't quite follow rebirth either. Nor do I believe in a god. But all three of those are coming from an agnostic approach. I cannot say for certain that all three don't exist, I just have doubt that they do. We can't ever know for certain.

Needless to say, however, I don't need to believe in them because they are irrelevant in achieving happiness. I think we are perfectly capable of improving ourselves and aiding others without the motive of receiving a paradise-like afterlife. If anything, that is kind of a selfish reason to go about things. Don't you think?

In Taoist-Buddhism, everybody goes to Hell. There're different levels of Hell, depending on your deeds. Most people usually end up in Level 1, waiting for rebirth. The cruel hardcore end up in Level 18, where the Lord of the Underworld subject them to cruel torture.

Only those who attain Godhood end up in Heaven.

~~pooka~~ · 04-09-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

I do not. I also don't quite follow rebirth either. Nor do I believe in a god. But all three of those are coming from an agnostic approach. I cannot say for certain that all three don't exist, I just have doubt that they do. We can't ever know for certain.

Needless to say, however, I don't need to believe in them because they are irrelevant in achieving happiness. I think we are perfectly capable of improving ourselves and aiding others without the motive of receiving a paradise-like afterlife. If anything, that is kind of a selfish reason to go about things. Don't you think?

buddhism on a secular level is excellent.

Howard the Duck · 04-09-2011, 08:31 AM

i was a Taoist-Buddhist but it had zilch to do with the actual teachings of Buddha, it was mostly mystical mumbo-jumbo with idol worships, lots of rituals (incense offerings, burning papers to get rid of enemies, to bring good luck, etc) and celebrating birthdays of deities by going vegetarian

~~pooka~~ · 04-09-2011, 10:44 AM

no but ive seen it in books. isnt it thailand?

04-09-2011, 10:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
derek Music Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 778	Has anyone seen this statue in person?

04-09-2011, 01:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
~~pooka~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: the local county jail Posts: 133	as a theravada buddhist do you subscribe to no afterlife?

04-09-2011, 08:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
Howard the Duck Live by the Sword Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 9,075	i was a Taoist-Buddhist but it had zilch to do with the actual teachings of Buddha, it was mostly mystical mumbo-jumbo with idol worships, lots of rituals (incense offerings, burning papers to get rid of enemies, to bring good luck, etc) and celebrating birthdays of deities by going vegetarian

04-09-2011, 10:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
~~pooka~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: the local county jail Posts: 133	no but ive seen it in books. isnt it thailand?