I am thinking about converting to buddhism, because I cannot find any issues with it really. As far as I can tell you try to be a good person and not crave things that you do not need. Being a good person means not stealing from or killing others. Now the closer to nirvana that you get the easier these things become.

that is jsut the overview there are also 4 basic trueths and 8 knoble paths. but they all basically say what I said above.

The only things that will be hard to get used too is well I was raised christian, so getting used to a religian with no god will take some getting used too.

but does any one know any big flaws in buddhism? like some of the stuff that is messed up in other religions.

I don't really think Buddhism has "flaws" in the sense that other religions have flaws. Do you recall any wars being fought for the sake of Buddhism?

I got a big book on it, read it all, and decided that it wasn't as good as it first seemed... but I can't remember why now. http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif)

I wanted to convert to Buddhism when I was younger. I told my parents I refused to confirm (raised Catholic). They threatened to take away my car so I caved.

They even asked me about me marrying my current girlfriend since she isn't Catholic. They told me she had to convert for it to happen. Ughhh I hate that shit. You know something's wrong with a religion if your partner has to convert for you to get married to them.

Now I don't care about being labeled with any religion. I denounce my confirmation and don't follow any religion. I have my own set of beliefs.

I couldn't be living a happier more fulfilling life thanks to Buddhism.

As is mentioned above, it is flawless.

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/ritepath.pdf

Is a good e-book to read for a beginner, explains everything in laymans terms with some excellent examples.

Also, please feel free to join us at: http://www.e-sangha.com/ if you are genuinely interested in Buddhism.

Peace

S.K

p.s For anyone wondering why I post far more infrequently now days, it is because of my religion. I see a lot of suffering here on totse, and alot of the things I used to participate in no longer agree with my state of mind.

[This message has been edited by Special. K (edited 09-05-2006).]

1. Why would you want to give up craving things? Yes, you will sometimes be disappointed with what you get or eventually get bored and want a new toy, but without sadness and disappointment, there is no happiness. Craving is human. Trying to give up your humanness seems futile to me. It also seems like it is being done for fear of ever suffering.

2. There is no strong evidence for reincarnation. Why believe in anything without a reasonable amount of strong evidence?

3. No evidence for karma. Why believe in it?

You don't have to pick a religion. Many of us are perfectly content without religion.



[This message has been edited by Martini (edited 09-05-2006).]

quote:Originally posted by Martini:

1. Why would you want to give up craving things? Yes, you will sometimes be disappointed with what you get or eventually get bored and want a new toy, but without sadness and disappointment, there is no happiness. Craving is human. Trying to give up your humanness seems futile to me. I also seems like it is being done for fear of ever suffering.

2. There is no strong evidence for reincarnation. Why believe in anything without a reasonable amount of strong evidence?

3. No evidence for karma. Why believe in it?

You don't have to pick a religion. Many of us are perfectly content without religion.



OH trust I went with out religion for around 5 years, but I started to feel as thoguh my life lacked substance. So I started getting into disscussions with friends and family about religion the same way I did when I gave up on it. Only this time I had a buddhist girlfriend.

One does not need to believe in irrational things to have a life of substance and meaning.

I recommend the following book for anyone having trouble with this.

http://tinyurl.com/zdxm6

Lol, convert to convertism because that's all you're doing!

*dies*

Buddhism is a very interesting philosophy. I've been very tempted by it myself, but then I though damned if I'm buying in to reincarnation bullshit.

I liked the sound of buddhism, but I didn't like the sound of having no desire. It sounds more like having no will and being more of a slave.

Why ask if anyone can find flaws?

Why can't you just have faith in your own judgement, and if you yourself find a flaw, don't assimilate that particular belief into your way of life.

quote:Originally posted by king koopa:

I don't really think Buddhism has "flaws" in the sense that other religions have flaws. Do you recall any wars being fought for the sake of Buddhism?

Actually, there have been conflicts fought for the sake of buddhism.

quote:Originally posted by shuu:

Actually, there have been conflicts fought for the sake of buddhism.

Not to my knowledge. There was some dissent when China tried to say take away the Dalai Lama's political power in Tibet, but it never amounted to much and the Dalai Lama just fled to India. That was hardly fought for the sake of Buddhism. Some of the Tibetans tried to fight for their own political governance, it wasn't a conflict about religion. The Chinese government was going to allow the Buddhists to continue their religious practice even though they were a rabidly anti-religion communist government. The problem was that the monks (non-violent) could be enlisted to fight in wars, and the Tibetan lay buddhists were willing to fight for their monks to not have to.

Oh, and for all of you opposed to the actual concept of reincarnation, that's okay. Buddhists don't have to believe in reincarnation. In fact, if you look at the Buddha's history and early Buddhism you'd see that the only instance in which reincarnation was spoke of us a literal transmigration of the soul (atman) into other beings was when teaching Hindu farmers (who already believed in reincarnation) the dharma.

If you remember carefully, the Buddha taught people in accordance with their own ability to know the dharma. I believe that this talk of reincarnation to the Hindu farmers was just a way to make the transition into Buddhism easier. Generally he makes reincarnation out to be rather a change that occurs on earth and in the self to another of the six realms. As in, the animal realm is to have a mind like an animal, leading a life characterized by ignorance and fear of change.

I am my desires and I exist to fufill them. I'm not going to sacrifice my humanity; I'm not going to be free from satisfaction to be free from suffering.

quote:Originally posted by Twisted_Ferret:

I am my desires and I exist to fufill them. I'm not going to sacrifice my humanity; I'm not going to be free from satisfaction to be free from suffering.

being unsatisfied is suffering

your looking at it like ignoring your hunger and not eating

when really its more eating but stopping befor you get stuffed, eating until your satisfied, then being done.

quote:Originally posted by king koopa:

I don't really think Buddhism has "flaws" in the sense that other religions have flaws. Do you recall any wars being fought for the sake of Buddhism?

http://www.buddhistinformation.com/place_for_a_righteous_war_in_bud.htm

War has been fought by certain groups of people who call themselves Buddhists and sometimes over the religion which they feel they are defending, it isn't unheard of.

quote:Originally posted by gomp

being unsatisfied is suffering

You say that like all suffering is of the same intensity. I'm unsatisfied with many things in my life, but I am quite content accepting that that's a normal part of life. I also see it as a good thing, because it helps me to strive to give myself and my loved ones things that we want (I'm not just talking about material things). Never being unsatisfied doesn't seem like some ultimate goal that's worthy of striving for, IMHO. Never being unsatisfied sounds more like a mental illness.

buddhism has considerably less flaws than most religions.

buddhism is it as good as it looks?



buddhism can be thought of as a sea..on the surface its just salty but if you can reach deep down its like a pearl

buddhism is awesome... and the whole thing with buddhism is that you can pick and choose the parts that you like. I personally dont believe in reincarnation as such, i was brought up with no faith watsoever so its hard to suddenly have faith in other realms, but if you think about the cell theory: all cells come from pre-existing cells, then i suppose there is some element of truth to it... also, with karma, rather than see it as a spiritual thing that looks down apon us, i reckon its more of a common sense thing... you steel cars for a living, you go to jail. Simple as that

The only flaw it has is the same as any religion: The metaphysics have no backing. How can you prove that there is a Nirvana? How can you prove the reincarnation factor? These things become big questions when you accept something as a religion. Frankly, I don't understand the concept of needing a reward system to act justly. If you already feel that acting in that manner would be the right thing, then why convert? All you'll be doing is taking on additional burdens such as caring for your metaphysical being. This, by its very nature, betrays the altruism that philosophical Buddhism is supposed to ahve.

Also, on a philosophical note, the buddha reutinely talked about not eating meat as that was cruelty towards the animals. Yet, in nature, all animals eat other living things. Even plants are alive. There is no way to avoid the fact that life feeds on life. That irked me a bit.

It would be selfish to attain Buddhism without helping others to do the same first. The closer you feel you are to Nirvana, the farther from it you are.

quote:Originally posted by MRman:

but if you think about the cell theory: all cells come from pre-existing cells, then i suppose there is some element of truth to it

Absolutley not. Reproduction does not equate to reincarnation, whether it be done sexually or asexually.



quote:Originally posted by MRman:

... also, with karma, rather than see it as a spiritual thing that looks down apon us, i reckon its more of a common sense thing... you steel cars for a living, you go to jail. Simple as that

Are you re-writing the definition of karma to make Buddhism make more sense? Hmm, a Buddhist apologist.

No religion is "better" than any other. All paths lead to God.

Some, however, are less arduous than others.

quote:Originally posted by ArmsMerchant:

No religion is "better" than any other. All paths lead to God.

That's not what most religions holy books say. Where did you get this info from? Have you talked to God?

quote:Originally posted by Martini:

Are you re-writing the definition of karma to make Buddhism make more sense? Hmm, a Buddhist apologist.



i was brought up with no faith... you cant just start believing in something spiritual when you never have before. Anywho, i was not re-writing the definition of karma by any means... but it is just common sense that if you do bad stuff then you'll probably get busted for it. But if you dont hold a door open for a lady doesnt mean you'll get hit by a car

thats why i dont see it as spiritual, but i dont think that the possibilty of a spiritual realm is by any means impossible... i would just not believe it til i saw it

stupid skepticism

buddhism isn't that hot, but i'd fuck her.

quote:Originally posted by MRman:

but it is just common sense that if you do bad stuff then you'll probably get busted for it.

But that's not what karma is.

quote:Originally posted by Martini:

But that's not what karma is.



i never exactly researched it though... besides, buddha never said that his religion was right, he said to believe in it as you want to, thats one of the things i like about buddhism... but right now im too tired to argue, as its 1:15 am here... goodnight

quote:Originally posted by Martini:

But that's not what karma is.



Then what is karma?

You don't even really "convert" to buddhism, I mean there's no special precepts to it or anything. You can just start calling yourself a buddhist and there you are. Get books on meditating, start meditating, practice mindfullness, etc. See if it's for you. Then memorize and start following the buddhas noble way. By the way you can be christian and bhuddist at the same time.

quote:Originally posted by Source:

Then what is karma?

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/karma.htm

You don't need to convert to Buddhism for many of the teachings to profoundly move you, and make you think.

Why not just stay as you, and incorporate buddhist beliefs.

And i own several books on Buhhdism, to me "is it as good as it looks" is just such an "un-buhhdist" way of thinking....

however...

I actually know a buhhdist monk, they're a friend of my mothers, and damn they seem happy and at peace.

buddism is cool because of Shoalin - the kung fu and the soccer xD