boneyard bill

sbaii writes:

Poverty is a virtue when it keeps a person from becoming too ego-centered. The advantage of poverty is that the poor person does not have a lot of possessions to become attached to and doesn't wrap up his self-identity in possessions or social status. Starvation and disease, however, are not a virtue in either Buddhism or Christianity, both of which encourage giving to help those people who are in need.

boneyard bill

Sbaii writes:

This assumes that there is nothing universally true in the insights of Buddhism. While I wouldn't claim that Buddhism (or anything else) is 100% true, I think that much of what is taught in Buddhism explains a great deal about other religions and has applications to modern psychology, and philosophy and perhaps even to natural science. After all, it survived it own time and has flourished in cultures that were very different from where it was founded. This certainly suggests that it has a significance that transcends time and place.

boneyard bill

Adam Who writes:

I certainly agree on this point. Popular Buddhism in the West is heavily influenced and I believe, distorted, by Western Romanticism. In general, Buddhism takes a dim view of the emotions and passions as a guide to living or to the attainment of truth. It isn't about discovering some ideal "inner self" that will somehow make life perfect. And it isn't about achievement, like who can reach nirvana first. But the New Age take on it seems to suggest something like that. I should add that fundamentalist Christianity has distorted traditional Christianity in much the same way. Fundamentalism and the New Age aren't really all that far apart.

St. Robert

Who among you is a devout Buddhist?

AdamWho

St Robert, this might not satisfy your question.

I practice Buddhist principles. The word devout (I think) implies a faith-like state, so I wouldn't use this word. I have no "faith in" Buddhism as a source of revelation.

I do believe (read: given the state of evidence) that Buddhism represents a useful guide to the betterment of my life. It is much more philosophically advanced than any western religion (read: rational), as a psychological theory is sound, and it is much more ethical.

I do not believe (given the state of evidence) in "enlightenment" beyond the human sense, the Collective Conscience, the deity of Buddha, or the supernatural.

So, why bother saying I practice Buddhism when I don't BELIEVE and have FAITH in Buddhism. The same reason a scientist might use a theory: it is the best thing so far, but it will probably be improved and replaced with time.

[ May 29, 2002: Message edited by: AdamWho ]</p>

St. Robert

Would you say that Buddhism provides the best answers to life's toughest questions?

Eudaimonist

What are life's toughest questions? Does "what is the solution to Fermat's Last Theorem" count? Now that's a tough question.

You might as well list what you consider the toughest questions to be, just so we know we're on the same page.

Also, specify what counts as an answer to these questions. Is it anything that brings inner peace for some people, or must there be rational support for this reply in order to count as an answer?

[ May 29, 2002: Message edited by: Eudaimonist ]</p>

AdamWho

St Robert:

Buddhism (like all religions) operates on the person psychologically; therefore the answers one gets from Buddhism (and all religions) are necessarily subjective. If you claim that Christianity can provide answers beyond this then you need to prove your claim.

*an answer in anticipation of you real question*
I know the Christians are typically materialistic in their outlook and crave objective rules to guide their lives. Someday you may realize that this is just a type of Freudian “infantization” of the believer which robs them responsibility and the ability to grow. Buddhism doesn't do this; it is YOUR responsibility to find the answers to "the tough questions of life"
Daddy can't give you all the answers YOU are responsible.

[ May 30, 2002: Message edited by: AdamWho ]</p>

AdamWho

St. Robert:

In previous post Boneyard Bill stated that he was not a practicing Buddhist.

I am only speaking for him since he said he would be unavailable for a while.

St. Robert

AdamWho,

Who has deceived you?

It is Buddhism that is actually based on objective rules. Christianity is based on trusting Jesus.

If you believe that you are equipped to find the answers on your own, go for it. Jesus has given you the freedom to do so.

[ May 31, 2002: Message edited by: St. Robert ]</p>