Lógos Sokratikós

Is there anything in Buddhism (Buddhism essentially, not particular traditions) that contradicts Humanism?

Are there supernatural elements in Buddhism? Are there empirically unverifiable claims in Buddhism?

abaddon

When you say "Buddhism essentially, not particular traditions" can we take it you mean what some people call "core Buddhism" or the Essentials of Buddhism, especially the "Four Noble Truths" along with their "Eightfold Path"?

And if you mean the particular tradition of humanism that is "secular Humanism" then I would say there's no contradiction. That's not to say there are no differences that will make one preferable to the other, depending on what you personally value most. Buddhism is more than just a system of ethical precepts, it's an empirical methodology. Humanism is "rational" in that it relies more on reasoning things out than on letting experience say what's real and what isn't.

There are no empirically unverifiable claims in this "essential Buddhism."

Lógos Sokratikós

No idea. Just learning/curious.

On the other hand, does any one tradition come close to "the essentials of Buddhism" or is it just a "minimum common denominator"?

Thank you.

Colander of Truth

Buddhism does not acknowledge beignets. Humans do.

veganatheist

Hello Logos. I've spent a lot of time investigating the comparisons between Buddhism and Humanism. Having lived in India and Sri Lanka for years, I was able to see that there are the masses of people who are only "culturally Buddhist", and relatively few that actually take on the practice and internalise the Noble Eight-fold Path.

While living in the U.K. as well as the U.S., I attended Humanist (and Freethought) meetings for many years wanting to find fellow atheists who were willing to fuse reason with compassion. Hmmm. That has been a crashing disappointment.

Nevertheless, I offer two Web sites that are noteworthy:

Key in on your browser: "Was the Buddha the First Humanist" because it is so much easier than the long Web address.

The second web address I recommend is: www.vgweb.org/manussa/humbud.htm
It was worth printing off all 18 pages of it. Written by a Sinhala (native Sri Lankan) now living in Australia, Victor A. Gunasekara offers a wealth of information.

I hope this helps.

danfluidmind

During the years when I was gradually moving away from theistic belief, one of the big influences was many years of studying Hinduism, Buddhism and Daoism. And while I ultimately ended up as a secular humanist, I still feel a strong affinity for Buddhism, mainly because I've always felt that Buddhism is a very humanistic religion.

It concentrates on humans, in this life, here and now--not an afterlife, and not necessarily a set of doctrines that you're supposed to believe. It's more about how to live this life, making this a good life, alleviating suffering, living with compassion, etc, rather than worring about being saved from eternal torment after you're dead.

If you'd like a rather rational, humanistic view of Buddhism, I highly recommend Steve Hagan's Buddhism Plain and Simple (http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-Plain.../dp/0767903323)

Cheers
--Dan

perfectbite

Humanism can become bland. Buddhism has mysteries, has spice.

lenrek

Yeah! I for one enjoy mysteries...

Streamwinner

Veganathiest - It took you seven months to make your first post? Welcome to the boards!

Danfluidmind - Welcome to you, too! (3 posts/year?)

Logos - How'd the exams go? (Comps?)

As for the OP, I don't think you'll find much friction between Buddhism and Humanism. Actually, I'm not sure there much friction between Buddhism and anything.

perfectbite

There is a lot of friction between the Buddhist 'I really don't know' and absolute ignorance.