Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Malagasy Rain · 12-05-2003, 04:09 PM

I've read that some of the Eastern religions/philosophies like Buddhism, Shintoism, and Taoism are more peaceful and more calming than most religions today. I'm sort of attracted to them as they seem a hell of a lot less noisy than then the Western and/or monotheistic religions of today.

What are the philosophies of these religions?

BTW: Feel free to move this if it doesn't match the subject topic.

wade-w · 12-05-2003, 04:19 PM

I think you'll probably get a better answer in our Non-Abrahamic Religion & Philosophy forum, Aurora. So I'm going to move it there.

Invisible Insanity · 12-05-2003, 08:20 PM

Shintoism is a form of animism that is native to Japan. Taoism is a religion that deals with balance and harmony. It can involve deities, but it doesn't seem central to Taoism. What's cool about Taoism is that the Tao-te-Ching is short, easy to understand and pleasant to read. Buddhism is a religion based upon the teachings of the Buddha (aka Siddhartha Guatama). Buddhism tries to answer the question, how does one gain permanent happiness. The hero of the story, Siddhartha, takes it upon himself to answer this. Siddhartha, once realizing the nature of things, becomes enlightened and is therafter called the Buddha (the awakened one). There are many sects in Buddhism, but they all fall into Mahayana (Large Vehicle), Hinayana (Lower Vehicle) or Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle). The most popular which is Zen Buddhism which is found in Japan and China (called Ch'an in China and is a little different than the Japanese version) belongs to the Vajrayana. I particularly enjoy Theravedan Buddhism which is the Buddhism found in Burma, Laos, Thailand, and Sri Lanka is part of the Hinayana. It is known for being more "traditional" than Mahayana Buddhism. What is cool about all of these religions and philosophies is that there isn't any proselytizing involved and is not monolithic like the Abrahamic religions. All of those mentioned do not have a problem with living and let live.

Hope this helps
Al

Joni-san · 12-07-2003, 04:32 AM

Invisible Insanity, you got a few things wrong. (I know I'm being pedantic but still...)

While the things you said about Taoism, Shinto and Buddhism are mostly correct, you forgot to mention some things

A: Taoism is both a philosophy and a religion (the version most know of is the religious one [the one with the 8 immortals and the peachesw of immortality and all that] while the philosophical one is mostly practiced by some martial artists and some philosophers and some other people])

B: in Buddhism, Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism) is often classified as a large sect in Mahayana and often Hinayana is mostly called Thervada (Council of the Elders, IIRC)

Otherwise an excelent explanation on the aforementioned religions

andy_d · 12-08-2003, 04:58 AM

I thought Zen/Chan was Mahayana anyway? Feh, who cares!

Anyway, good summary Invisible Insanity.

If you're after some quick info on any religions Aurora Elegance, there's always Religious Tolerance, or if you're after something a little more whimsical, there's always God-u-Like.

As for eastern systems being more peaceful and calming than western ones, well that will certainly be true for some people, but many people do just fine with western religions. Different strokes for different folks.

aditya · 12-29-2003, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aurora Elegance
I've read that some of the Eastern religions/philosophies like Buddhism, Shintoism, and Taoism are more peaceful and more calming than most religions today. I'm sort of attracted to them as they seem a hell of a lot less noisy than then the Western and/or monotheistic religions of today.

Your observation about monotheism being intolerant is just on the mark.
Many of these religions either have zero gods or many more than one gods. All abrahmnic monotheistic religions are based on the first commandment which is most intolerant command. The problem with monotheists is that they still cannot agree on which "one god" to worship and are always ready to kill each other who does not agree with their own cult.

aditya · 12-29-2003, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by andy_d
IAs for eastern systems being more peaceful and calming than western ones, well that will certainly be true for some people, but many people do just fine with western religions.

Do you call the terrorism practiced by them agaist each other getting just fine?

andy_d · 12-30-2003, 10:57 AM

Note that I said "many people", aditya, not "all people"

I think it's a bad idea to let the actions of a misguided minority blind us to the peaceful lives lived by the majority.

premjan · 12-30-2003, 11:07 AM

Islam is not very western (barely, one might say).

hinduwoman · 12-30-2003, 06:34 PM

Well eastern religions do teach that one can merge with the infinite as opposed to only serving Him. Is that more calming?

12-05-2003, 04:09 PM	#1
Malagasy Rain Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: USA Posts: 664	Far Off In The East I've read that some of the Eastern religions/philosophies like Buddhism, Shintoism, and Taoism are more peaceful and more calming than most religions today. I'm sort of attracted to them as they seem a hell of a lot less noisy than then the Western and/or monotheistic religions of today. What are the philosophies of these religions? BTW: Feel free to move this if it doesn't match the subject topic.

12-07-2003, 04:32 AM	#4
Joni-san Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Finland/Suomi Posts: 1,224	a few corrections to what's above Invisible Insanity, you got a few things wrong. (I know I'm being pedantic but still...) While the things you said about Taoism, Shinto and Buddhism are mostly correct, you forgot to mention some things A: Taoism is both a philosophy and a religion (the version most know of is the religious one [the one with the 8 immortals and the peachesw of immortality and all that] while the philosophical one is mostly practiced by some martial artists and some philosophers and some other people]) B: in Buddhism, Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism) is often classified as a large sect in Mahayana and often Hinayana is mostly called Thervada (Council of the Elders, IIRC) Otherwise an excelent explanation on the aforementioned religions

12-30-2003, 11:07 AM	#9
premjan Obsessed Contributor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 61,538	western religions Islam is not very western (barely, one might say).

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12-05-2003, 04:19 PM	#2
wade-w Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Silver City, New Mexico Posts: 1,872	I think you'll probably get a better answer in our Non-Abrahamic Religion & Philosophy forum, Aurora. So I'm going to move it there.

12-05-2003, 08:20 PM	#3
Invisible Insanity Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 216	Shintoism is a form of animism that is native to Japan. Taoism is a religion that deals with balance and harmony. It can involve deities, but it doesn't seem central to Taoism. What's cool about Taoism is that the Tao-te-Ching is short, easy to understand and pleasant to read. Buddhism is a religion based upon the teachings of the Buddha (aka Siddhartha Guatama). Buddhism tries to answer the question, how does one gain permanent happiness. The hero of the story, Siddhartha, takes it upon himself to answer this. Siddhartha, once realizing the nature of things, becomes enlightened and is therafter called the Buddha (the awakened one). There are many sects in Buddhism, but they all fall into Mahayana (Large Vehicle), Hinayana (Lower Vehicle) or Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle). The most popular which is Zen Buddhism which is found in Japan and China (called Ch'an in China and is a little different than the Japanese version) belongs to the Vajrayana. I particularly enjoy Theravedan Buddhism which is the Buddhism found in Burma, Laos, Thailand, and Sri Lanka is part of the Hinayana. It is known for being more "traditional" than Mahayana Buddhism. What is cool about all of these religions and philosophies is that there isn't any proselytizing involved and is not monolithic like the Abrahamic religions. All of those mentioned do not have a problem with living and let live. Hope this helps Al

12-08-2003, 04:58 AM	#5
andy_d Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: umop apisbn Posts: 568	I thought Zen/Chan was Mahayana anyway? Feh, who cares! Anyway, good summary Invisible Insanity. If you're after some quick info on any religions Aurora Elegance, there's always Religious Tolerance, or if you're after something a little more whimsical, there's always God-u-Like. As for eastern systems being more peaceful and calming than western ones, well that will certainly be true for some people, but many people do just fine with western religions. Different strokes for different folks.

12-30-2003, 10:57 AM	#8
andy_d Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: umop apisbn Posts: 568	Note that I said "many people", aditya, not "all people" I think it's a bad idea to let the actions of a misguided minority blind us to the peaceful lives lived by the majority.

12-30-2003, 06:34 PM	#10
hinduwoman Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: India Posts: 6,977	Well eastern religions do teach that one can merge with the infinite as opposed to only serving Him. Is that more calming?

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