Hey, China Guy, I’m curious, how much time is a ‘lot’ of time to spend in Tibet?
I’ve always wanted to get there myself, so I’m very interested.
When did you go? Was it recently?
(ooops, sorry for the hijack)
Points 1 and 2, I should think.
Some forms of freemasonry arguably are religions. Under Catholic dogma, isn’t it a heresy? That would mean it is a religion (one that violates Catholic dogma).
This might be a large enough debate to warrant its own thread, but here goes nothin’
- A group of believers = lawyers
- a coherent set of beliefs about the nature of the universe = laws and how to make and change them
- who therefore have a code of day-to-day behavior (i.e., ethics) = well…um… OK, no lawyer bashing. They *do *have a set of ethics based on their belief about the nature of the universe.
- participate in certain rituals and activities (either as individuals or as a group, or both) that are about expressing the belief system. = court, filings, appeals, etc.
We could do this with other “non-religious” groups as well:
Politicians
Educators
Little League parents and coaches
Teenagers
I have to admit, my husband and I do sit around thinking these things up, as he teaches a class on occultism and ritual experiences in everyday life.
I agree with you about Freemasonry, however, as they do require their members to have a belief in God. They’re not too picky about which one, but technically a Lodge should not admit an Athiest.
You’re just making assertions without justifying your claims.
I disagree that just any social or professional group can be labeled a “group of believers.” The law is also most certainly not “a coherent set of beliefs about the nature of the universe.” I don’t even think law qualifies as a set of beliefs. It’s a set of rules promulgated to resolve conflicts and regulate societal behavior.
Is it at all significant that the majority (probabaly) of people in the world occupied as lawyers actually subscribe to a religious belief?
Another question for practising Buddhists. How important is Hinduism to your Buddhism belief?
Only as important as you wish for it to be.
Being a Buddhist does not preclude you from practising any other faith. Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, it’s all good.
I would say for many Buddhist’s from Asia perhaps Hinduism has a place in their faith.
On the other hand, for millions of Buddhist throughout the world, Hinduism has no place in their religion. It’s entirely up to you.
“Now may everything,
young or old,
weak or strong,
near or far,
known or unknown,
living or departed,
or as yet unborn,
may everything
be full of bliss.”
Buddha
As a practicing Buddhist (Nichiren Shoshu, more about this in a second), I would go along with the Philosophy side of the argument. The way I was taught and use Buddhism is one that encourages you to think of it as a tool. Taking the philosophy behind it and applying it to everyday life. In this way there is no separation between everyday life and enlightenment, and everything you do to make your life better is a means towards enlightenment.
Nichiren Shoshu (NS) is a strain of the Mahayana branch, based on Siddartha’s Lotus Sutra, and one that fits Roger Thornhill’s description of Buddhism to a T. There is no outside source or benign entity to grant wishes or punish misdeeds, it is merely observing the Mystic Law of the Universe (which is the middle way, which is etc. etc. that lives in the house that Jack built).
As Kimstu said, there are branches of Buddhism that adhere to a god-like figure(s). Tibetan Buddhism, for example, believe that whoever the Dalai is, he/she is the continuing reincarnation of Siddartha, and therefore someone who is above everyone else. Zen Buddhism, on the other hand, doesn’t place an importance on an omnipotent being, but more on detachment of everyday life/desires.
NS, as mentioned earlier, promotes attachment, and makes the distinction that everyone (you, myself, even deleted expletive Bush II) is a Buddha, on the same level as Siddartha (Shakyamuni, as the Japanese knew him), and, more importantly, on the same level as all of the more mystical Buddahs (which are thought of as concepts). The difference, from person to person, is how aware they are to this fact.
Due to this, it seems kind of silly to adopt another religion, not that you couldn’t. I’d just look for the wisdom to be ascertained and leave the rest of it alone.