lugotorix

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1573226564/104-3616108-0332762?vi=glance" target="_blank">Buddhism Without Beliefs</a> by Stephen Batchelor is one you might like. It approaches Buddhism from a skeptical or agnostic viewpoint. It caused quite a stir when it was published. A lot of traditionalists decried it as a distorted, secular revision of Buddhism. I disagree and think he presents the heart of it all very clearly.

lugotorix

Answerer

Any non-biased and accurate English translation of the original abhidharma, Tantric teaching, Heart, Wisdom and lotus sutras will be a wonderful guide to the Dharma. I believe the best way to learn more about Buddhism is to start from its foundations first before moving on to its other developments.

B34RZ0R

Being a former fallower of the Dharma I still feel that the teachings in regards to compassion towards all sentient beings is "worth-while". The whole problem is that they believe in the whole people meditating and floating off into the sky type of thing I was really quite dissapointed when I heard that! I think that Buddhism does have a less contradictions than the majority of the religions out there.. yet they still hold that if you are "retarded" you cant escape samsara and not be reborn into a "better" life or Nirvana
So I am an Atheist
Be Well
*Bear*

dostf

Living Dead Chipmunk:

- If your position is that Buddhism does not recognize as one of its basic tenants that "life is suffering" linked to our desires-- and has an accompanying "methodology" or "path" to rectify this situation, then one of us truly knows nothing of Buddhism....and it's not me...
- While I have discussed this topic with Buddhists in the past, I'm sure having never had any discussion with them you would feel free to state they also know nothing ....

Be seeing you...

dostf

Buddhism is true because its methods (eg meditiation, renunciation, etc) work, and do what they claim to (unlike the prayer of religion) We don't promise as much as the religions, but we deliver what we promise. buddhism can be seen therefore as a method, not a religion. (Sarpedon)

- While results can be obtained from "exercises", "fasting", "prayer" ,etc..., that does not mean they are necessarily beneficial, reasonable, or a "way to truth".
- Many other "esoteric" sects of established religions including Christianity and Islam, also offer very similar "exercises" or methods as Buddhism, as a way of "working on oneself"

Be seeing you...

Devilnaut

I would say that buddhism and atheism can be perfectly compatible. I would also say that christianity and atheism can be compatible.

Of course, all of this depends on your definitions. If you want to take 80% of the teachings of buddhism and 80% of the teachings of xianity and still be an atheist, no one has a right to call you illogical, unless you profess to believe in a contradiction.

Dr. Jagan Mohan

I think you are tying to water down similiarities between Atheism and Buddhism while trying to say that 'any' religion is compatible with Atheism...

Seraphim

"I think you are tying to water down similiarities between Atheism and Buddhism while trying to say that 'any' religion is compatible with Atheism... "

My reply : What similiarities? Can't see any ...

Gryllus

Hi, I am new so bear with me folks. Buddhism is something that I have been interested in for several years now - not that this makes me any expert. However I do have one reading suggestion for Fcuk. You might enjoy some of Thich Nhat Hanh's writing (maybe "Being Peace" or "Peace is Every Step"). This Vietnamese Buddhist monk is heavy into Buddhism as method, he goes light on the metaphysics, and is also something of a political activist. Good luck with your research!

Devilnaut

Dr. Jagan,

The only similarity between atheism and buddhism is that buddhists are not obligated to believe in God.

And, I didn't say that any religion is compatible with atheism, I said that christianity could be as well as buddhism.