]Have any of you, particularly ex-Muslims, found yourselves drawn to Buddhism? Why or why not? Sometimes I feel like I still want a little ritual and mystery in my life and I definitely wish I had community - something I didn't really have with Islam, with all its conditional friendships, and divisions based on class, race, and ethnicity.
I'm an atheist, but sometimes I've thought, 'Well I could just go to a liberal church or something.' But I won't, because I am really not a fan of Christianity. I do know about Unitarian Universalists, whose 'tone' differs from church to church, and I have heard about a branch of Quakers that are non-theist - but I am not a pacifist, so I guess I wouldn't do well there.
I know that Buddhism, in a general sense, is non-theist. It seems like it doesn't require that you choose a sect or that you adhere to rigorous practices, but I don't know much about it. I like that paganism is sort of irreverent in many forms, but I am definitely not a polytheist, and of course there are pagans whose woo is even worse than Muslims. (Woo being the silly beliefs factor). If I was going to believe in gods, I would chose the likes of Thor and Freya. Or maybe Al-Lat and Uzza.
This quote, attributed to the Buddha, is posted everywhere, and I think it contributes to the belief that Buddhism is a DIY, liberal religion :
“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”
This quote has been proven to be a misinterpretation. The Buddhist scriptures are much larger than the Islamic, Christian, or Jewish ones, and -like practitioners of those religions- people often don't bother reading the scriptures. The real scripture that this quote is taken from actually says the opposite. It says that rational thought alone isn't enough, spiritual revelation is necessary.
But even if this quote
were true, what it would mean? The Buddha is said to have (he never wrote anything down) created The Four Noble Truths. These Four Noble Truths are the fundamental stones of Buddhism. If you don't believe these Truths, you aren't a Buddhist, pure and simple.
If the quote above
was a teaching of Buddhism (which is absolutely isn't), it would mean that the Buddha doesn't care if you believe what he does, but you're still going to suffer a bad re-birth for not doing so, because the Buddha
absolutely believed in the doctrine of karma and re-birth.
The Four Noble Truths are:
1. There is suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is craving, desire, and ignorance.
3. Suffering can be ended completely.
4. The end of suffering is achieved by following The Noble Eightfold Path.
Personally, I
strongly disagree that desire is the root of suffering. But that's just me.
The Noble Eightfold Path is:
1. Right View
The right view includes realizing that everything about life is impermanent and will experience suffering. It includes realizing that there is no self. It also includes realizing that there is the laws of karma. The laws of karma dictate that every good or bad action had a consequence. This doesn't just mean that if I kick a ball, it will move, it means that an
equal consequence will happen. Karma is always fair. If a newborn infant is born with a heart condition, it's because of his bad actions previously. He should attempt to be moral from now on to avoid further bad karma. The law of karma is fundamental to the Right View, therefore fundamental to Buddhism.
2. Right Intention
A commitment to the spiritual life. A renunciation of material comforts, and a commitment to non-violence (this includes going to war to defend your country and your family). Thoughts are also included here.
3. Right Speech
A direct quote on this one, "And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, and from idle chatter: This is called right speech."
As you can see, I disagree on the "idle chatter" part!
4. Right Action
There are different sets of rules for monks and laypeople.
Laypeople: "And what is right action? Abstaining from taking life, from stealing, and from illicit sex. This is called right action."
Monks: "And what, monks, is right action? Abstaining from taking life, abstaining from stealing, abstaining from unchastity: This, monks, is called right action."
Clearly, it is more karmically correct to be a monk than a layperson though.
5. Right Livelihood
Selling weapons, selling meat, selling alcohol, selling sex etc. is all prohibited.
6. Right Effort
Making an effort to abandon all the wrong and harmful thoughts and actions.
7. Right Mindfulness
Always being aware of yourself.
8. Right Concentration
You must practice meditation, as it is the path to spiritual revelations.
Buddhism is often promoted as a DIY, pick and choose religion, where you can be as liberal as you want and you're still a Buddhist. That's not true. There's already a word for people who pick and choose what they want to believe based on their own critical thought -they're called Atheists.
I sincerely hope that I have not offended anyone with this post.
Topic: Buddhism