A few of you have asked me to write something about Buddhism.
If you want to know the essentials of this faith please check this site http://home.earthlink.net/~srama/
Or for a deeper study try http://www.tricycle.com/p_buddhist-basics.html

Any Buddhist out there reading this? Let me know.

Any questions? Let me know!

What is one of the great differences between Buddhism and Christianity? (P.S. this is NOT a Christian bashing post!) What you are about to read may seem strange to you but give it a chance.

Christianity sees the problems of the world as coming from sin. Sin is seen as a moral problem. There was a fall in the Garden and man is stained with this moral failing called sin. We are told in the Bible that our every thought is evil! There is nothing good in us at all until we are adopted into the family of God. Remember! In the Christian view we are not all the children of God. "To them that believe he gives the power to become the Sons of God" so the Bible tells us. You are not a child of God's until you believe. (Their beliefs, respect them.)

Buddhism sees the problems of the world as a psychological problem. "Sin," or wrong-doing, is a problem of ignorance. We are ignorant of the true nature that lies in all beings. That nature is called, the Buddha-Nature. Buddha is not a God! He was a man who found the way to awaken that Buddha nature in mankind. In Buddhism we are all children of the faith, good folks and bad ones. There is no adoption or reconciliation back into the family - you are there already, you just don't know it.

One awakens to your Buddha-Nature through, primary, meditation. Through meditation we slow down the endless, confusing, contradictory, chatter of the brain. We then can see clearly our true nature and our place in the universe. We also come to see and except that the world, and life in general, is suffering (Dukkha (Buddhist term!)) but the way out is through understanding and practicing the Eight Fold Path. (Check the first web site I gave you in the last posting.)

Here is a question I am often asked. "Can a Christian be a Buddhist too?" In a sense you are already Buddhists! But I know what you mean - yes, you can be both, or you can be a Buddhist for a time. You can use Buddhism to help you understand your faith in a better and deeper way. Christianity has abandoned meditation. Jesus meditated but the modern Christian (mostly) does not. Buddhism is a religion that does not demand that you give up your God(s). It simply asks you to awaken!! It is a deeply Spiritual practice.

An awakened person is a person at peace. He is not a slave to the baser human emotions because he understands them and chooses not to use them. Not because they are sin, but because they are non-advantageous and do not lead you anywhere. They even ADD to the problem of suffering!!

I heard a saying somewhere. "Religion is for those who are afraid of going to hell. Spirituality is for those who have already been there." Religion worries about things like, "Is there a creation? What is sin? Is there a heaven or hell? What is God like? How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?" It looks outside of the self for answers. Spirituality is not bothered by these questions. In Buddhism they are seldom mentioned. Buddhist believe that all the answers, all the "stuff" you need to live a good life is already in you - you just have to allow them to come to the surface and open up to them. (Jesus to said, "the Kingdom of God is within you.) Spirituality seeks a oneness with God (Whomever you see him/her/it to be.) It also seeks a comfort in the fact of being a human being and all that, that implies.

If anything I have written strikes a cord with you let me know, or simply respond in a post. "I hear you!"

well I hear you...

but I am still left puzzled about religion...i myself dont claim a religion and have many reasons for not doing so...I was born catholic but as I grew up and started looking around me I felt christianity has too many contradictions for me to feel comfortable in it...I will have to reread this and read the article from the website to fully understand buddhaism...you say Buddah is no god, I ask so what god do you pray to? so even being that you are Buddhist, are you also a beleiver of Christianity...what other religion do you follow?

Good to hear from you again. Haitianboy. Let me see if I can answer your posting and may be throw in a few comments.

I am sorry that you don't claim a religion as your own but that is your choice. Yet, I would urge you to "ask around" and find someone who might help you resolve the problems you hare having with the RC Church. Contradictions are to be found in all religions, or should I say, things that appear to be contradictions. Religion is not a subject overly burdened with logic! In fact it seems very illogical at times, "He who is last will be first!" "In order to live we must die!" The list goes on and on but it is speaking a different language, directed to the soul not the mind.

No, Buddha is/was not a God. We don't pray to him or worship him in any way - other than to pay him great respect for his in sites. Your question then, who do the Buddhist pray to, was one of the first questions I asked when I began my studies. (I think, Truthseeker will like this answer!) There is no need to pray to any being as everything you need is already in you. Everything you need, Courage, wisdom, etc., you name it came along with you when you took birth - what is there to ask for? The problem is we think God is in charge of dispensing these gifts and if we "pray" or ask in the right way he will give them to us, "he" already has. There is nothing to ask for only to wake up to what is there. But generally, you could say that Buddhists don't pray as the Christian understands the word. Our "prayer" is meditations used to open the mind and the heart.

Having said that, there are some believers who do pray to God, (myself included) but we pray to him as we might talk to a good friend - not asking, but sharing the experiences of life. Many Buddhists would find this unnecessary, perhaps it is but I began life as a Christian so I still feel that there is a God - perhaps there is a little "need" there too. Sometimes we sit in a profound silence just being there in the moment. Some would say that this is a kind of praying as well.

You asked if I believed in Christianity. I believe in most religions in as much as there are a vehicle to be used for greater understanding. Houston Smith, one of the great writers on religions said that each religion informed a different part of his soul. I think that is true for me as well. Christianity informs my soul on the nature of God. Sorry, there is one of those religious contradictions again! A Buddhist who believes in God!

You also asked what other religions I follow. Well, that depends on where I am at a given stage of my life. I have followed Islam, Judaism, but right now I guess I could be called a person who has (to use college terms) a major in Buddhism with a minor in Christianity! Is there a contradiction here? Only if you see your faith as the only faith there is. I see faith as not "belonging" to anyone person or group. I see faith as.....faith! It is one of those things that came along with you when you took birth. You have faith, you only have to find a 'place' to use it.

CG

Be honest with us. If you had no particular faith or religion, what type of person do you think you wold be? Do you think it is neccesary for people to have a religion/faith or a belief in a higher power. Why? Can you imagine a world without the illogic abstractions and contradictions of religion?

Wow!! Truthseeker, you really make me think! I like that!

You said, "Be honest with us. If you had no particular faith or religion, what type of person do you think you wold be?" I don't know what I would be but I can tell you what I was! Self-centered. Angry. Cruel. Self-indulgent, wandering aimless looking for the next "thrill." I had no idea, or could care less, about the brotherhood of man. I was also a very fearful person - afraid of life and death. I should think that if were I to abandon religion I might drift back. I don't know.

"Do you think it is necessary for people to have a religion/faith or a belief in a higher power. Why? " Necessary? Is it necessary for a man to have two legs? No it is not. A man can get on without legs, but it makes walking, and life, a lot easier when you do have them! Religion, when property understood AND practiced, makes life easier. Some people find that they do not need it, they prefer to "walk without legs" religiously speaking - and some people get on fine that way!

"Can you imagine a world without the illogic abstractions and contradictions of religion?" Yes, I can but I don't know if I would like it. Lets take one at a time. Abstractions. I think I said somewhere on this site that the only thing that is not open to interpretation, or abstraction, is math. 1+1=2. No room for interpretation - even God must obey it and he can't change it. Everything else changes, can become abstract, it meanings blurred or lost. But new ideas spring up, new meanings come in play - we can and should enjoy that, unless our ideas are set in concrete!

Abstraction IS the language of religion because it is talking about things, for the most part we can't see and have not experienced and know not of! For example. If you were to come to my office and I asked you to hand me the statue of Shiva on the shelf, you maybe puzzled as to which it was. I would then use an abstract - "It is the one with the person that looks like he is standing in a ring of fire." There is more to it than that but you know what a person is, you know what a ring of fire is. You would them be able to pickup the statue and hand it to be. If I had been literal in my description, you might have been unable to find the statue among the forest of others.

Contradictions. Life is full of them. Many of us are walking contradictions! Religion is full of them too. Yet, often religious contradictions are not contradictions at all they just appear that way because we are not in possession of all the facts, or there are "bits" missing.

At the same time, as you have already stated, much religion has suffered under the hands of unscrupulous men who have change religious things and concepts to accommodate their agendas. But there is an underlying "Golden Thread" that runs in and through all religions - doing good, loving each other, living an honest life, being fair in our dealings. There are no contradictions here. But when we put conditions on these actions (i.e. Love each other, as long as they are from your tribe) we soon get swamped in contradictions.

I am sorry that you don't claim a religion as your own but that is your choice.
no reason to appoligize, I actually rather it that way...I like to read about the beleifs in different religions and live by what parts of them I do beleive in...Chritianity though I have questioned...and the more I question it the further away I stray...

So for one to say he's a buddist doesn't mean he prays to a god? am I write to make that assumption? I do like the fact that you said all these things we are looking for in god are actually in us...now you pray to a god, but from what I am reading, many buddist dont, so what are you feelings towards people not beleiving or at least worshipping a god?...I have not yet questioned wether there's a god or not, at this point in my life it's not a question I would like to face...

CG one last question for you...what do you think of evolution and where do you see it fitting in the beleifs of christians?...

Thanks for your reply Haitianboy . It is always good to hear from you and your interesting questions. So, here we go! You said "So for one to say he's a Buddhist doesn't mean he prays to a god? am I write to make that assumption?" Yes, you are. Most Buddhists do not.

"I do like the fact that you said all these things we are looking for in god are actually in us...now you pray to a god, but from what I am reading, many Buddhist don't, so what are your feelings towards people not believing or at least worshiping a god?" Buddhist are, mostly, a very tolerant crowd. I like to think I can number myself among the tolerant. If a man wishes to pray to a God there is no problem. Equally, if he does not - no problem. Whenever Buddhism "comes to town" it does not demand you give up your beliefs. It often incorporates Buddhism with the religion of an area. To a Buddhist the important things are to awaken, to practice Brotherly love, and to live in peace with all beings. If Buddhism can get you there, good. If you come to it by another way, that is good to.

"...I have not yet questioned wether there's a god or not, at this point in my life it's not a question I would like to face..." Take your time! But keep an open mind. Buddhist are people that don't like to rush folks into anything. Nothing come before its time. Nothing comes late.

"CG one last question for you...what do you think of evolution and where do you see it fitting in the beleifs of christians?.." Wow! That is a big question! First, evolution. It has problems, but it does seem to be the way we have come to be what we are. Buddhist see not conflict here. Having said that I must say that 99% of Christians would say that evolution is an evil thing. Why? Because if we evolved then there was no Garden of Eden, no fall, and no need for a Savior. Christians would say that you can't believe in evolution and the Bible it just does not fit at all. If that is so, how then how should we read the story of creation?

I wish we had unlimited space on this thread, but we don't so I will try to make is short. The people who wrote the story wanted to let others know how evil came into the world. That is the main thrust of the story. (The evolution story does not deal with the matter of evil.) The writers wrote, in story form - which was the way ideas were communicated in those days - that there is a good "force" and a bad force. They called them God and the Devil. Sorry about this to any women who are reading but here it goes! The evil force used the woman to bring evil into the world. Many religions see women as the "bringers" of evil. They have the babies who do evil and add to the world's ills. (Like men have nothing to do with bring babies into the world!! Ha!!) The story goes on to say that evil will be over come with good. The Christian see that as the Savior. The writers of the story did not seem to make that connection. But it is true, evil is overcome by good. And this good can be fostered in a religious system as laid down in the Scriptures. So, I see the creation story as an evil vs. good story - which is the main thrust of most scriptures.

Hope that was of some help?

P.S. Be careful reading books on religion. There is a lot of junk out there. There are religious books with an axe to grind. If you are reading about religion "X" make sure it is written by someone who practices religion "X."

Also, Louis Armstrong said, (I am paraphrasing) "If all you do is read a book on Jazz you will never understand it!" The same is true of religion. Take the time to visit the religions you are reading about. Worship with them. Learn their ways from them - they welcome that. That is how I did it and I have never regretted it.

Man every reply from you is a lesson of the day...I would really like to know more about Buddism...I will have to do some research to find out where I can go in my area to learn more or maybe even meet someone who is Buddhist...

I have to say though, I am a true beleiver in evolution. I broke away from Christian beleifs a long time ago because I saw it as a religion that is forced onto people...it's a religion based on too many myths that often times have no logical explanation to back them...

I also wanted to know what your feelings and thoughts are on Voodoo...As you know Haiti has a strong voodoo following and being that's where I am from, I take a perticular interest in Voodoo. It's hard to have conversations with anyone about that subject since most people take a closed minded stance towards Haitian Voodoo while look at other nationalities that practice Voodoo as an art form...For instance, Samba is a Voodoo god (this I learned through research)...Brazilians use the world Samba as their national music..they even have an Addidas (could be another sneaker company) that uses Samba as a name brand and sell it in Brazil...yet Samba many people would not know or care to know came from the name of a Voodoo god that is worshiped in all countries that practice Voodoo...Cuba has Santaria which is embraced as an artform to the outside world...but whenever Haiti is brought up in a conversation regarding Voodoo, the feeling is totally different...this is even true when speaking to Haitians about Voodoo

Now my dilema is thinking about voodoo and my ancestors...Christianity was forced onto us, so as I've been asking those Haitians who are afraid of voodoo or think it's evil, were my ancestors evil for their practice? who is to say? what are you feelings of Christians forcing the religion onto people which is something that is happening even today...for example missionaries go throughout the world to help people, but in the process they teach them whatever god or religion they worship is evil...these same missionairies tell Haitian children that voodoo is the worship of Satan and god is the light...I am very not comfortable with that when Voodoo is what aided my ancestors to revolt against the slavery that Christians brought onto them...

I have no problem with any religion, as long as it's not forced onto people...why must you feel that your way should be the only way?? something about that doesn't sit well with me, and that is one of the reasons I can never follow Chritianity and one of the reasons I am stuck confused with the whole concept of religion...

Glad to hear from you again, Haitianboy. You wrote " ...I would really like to know more about Buddhism...I will have to do some research to find out where I can go in my area to learn more or maybe even meet someone who is Buddhist..." Remember, there are many forms of Buddhism as there are many forms (denominations) of Christianity. Find the one that suits your spiritual needs. Buddhists see nothing wrong in a person "shopping around" to find what is the best way for them. I have practiced Tibetan Buddhism as well as Zen and Nichiren Buddhism.

"I have to say though, I am a true believer in evolution...." I am too but as I said, it has a few problems that I have not been able to resolve in my mind. Buddhists are not concerned with how things began. They interest lies in NOW.

You asked, "I also wanted to know what your feelings and thoughts are on Voodoo..." Voodoo, or Vodun as it is classified in religions journals, means spirit. The Voodoo that most of us think about is an invention of the novelists. Real Vodunists do not practice a religion that is anything like the Voodoo of popular myth. If you, or anyone else, would like to read a bit about Vodun click on this link http://www.religioustolerance.org/voodoo.htm Vodun, is not as evil as many people think it is. It would take me to long to write about it. The people at "religious tolerance" do a better job that I could. What do I think of it? I see it as another religious expression. It is open to abuse, evil men and con-artists but then what religion is not?

You went on to say, "...Christianity was forced onto us, so as I've been asking those Haitians who are afraid of voodoo or think it's evil, were my ancestors evil for their practice? who is to say?" The white establishment of the time would have say, yes, they were. Read on for more information. As for Christianity being forced on the Blacks, yes it was. However, the people began to see that it had a value. They saw in the Christian God had many of the same attributes of their Gods in Africa. Also, many African tribes believe that a god rules over a particular place. When you move to a new place, you have to worship the god that rules that land, not the one where you used to live. So, many blacks were willing to make contact with the god, they believed, ruled over the new land they were in.

You asked, "What are your feelings of Christians forcing the religion onto people which is something that is happening even today...I have no problem with any religion, as long as it's not forced onto people...why must you feel that your way should be the only way?" You must remember something about our dear friends who follow the Christ. They firmly believe that he is the only way. That everything else is evil and that you must be saved from that evil and then that evil must be stamped out. They believe that part of their job is to stamp out other religions. The truth is, it is not. Their job is to spread the Gospel by word of mouth - not by the sword, or the boot. I can find no record of Jesus ever forcing his way down anybodies unwilling throat.

Religion is a funny thing. There are masses of people who swear allegiance to a religion and they know little or nothing about that religion - and never learn anything about it.. They bring to their faith all the negative stuff that is in their secular life, domination, hate, greed, war, etc. However, there is no room for those things in (most) religions - particularly Christianity.

I have met Christian people who, once they found out I was Buddhist, refused even to be in the same room with me. I was evil because they thought I did not believe in the Christ. Happily, I have met others who are fascinated by Buddhism and were strong enough in their faith that they were not threatened by my faith. They did not see it as their "job" to stamp out Buddhism. Their job was just to be a light that shines equally on all - how wonderfully Christ like! How Buddha like too!

No, nobody should be forced to believe in anything. Forced belief is not belief. It is capitulation! It serves no one, be he God or man. Keep an open mind. Really understand the religion you are in and the soul will soon find its way - no swords or boots needed!

Something is forgotten by many! Most religion's "fuel" is but one thing - love! From love springs respect, tolerance and care for others and this world in which we live. Religion's job is to teach that love so that we don't kill each other, or sell each other, or cheat each other, or take each others land in the name of any God. How do you think religion is doing in that direction? Silly question! We all know the sad answer. However, we must still work for that love, even if we work alone because that the right thing to do. If you decide to be a Buddhist or anything else, look for that love, that is true spirituality - the true faith, open to all.

I would warn you, and anyone else reading. If you don't see that love where you worship - GET OUT! You may not find 100% love, we are imperfect people, but the love must be greater, in volume, than the hate. The positive greater than the negative. Look for a faith that does things to expand that love and does not just give it lip service. Remember this saying (I cant remember where I heard it) "To know and not to do, is not yet to know!

I cant seem to get the PM working on this site...do you have an email address where you can be contacted? I have some questions for you.

I showed a friend that last peice you wrote about this subject last night during a debate about Christianity, he's a born again Christian and I think the statements about Buddhism were very enlightening...I myself am giving serious thought into getting information on Buddhism and find out where there are some Buddhist nearby that I can maybe speak to...

I cant seem to get the PM working on this site...do you have an email address where you can be contacted? I have some questions for you.

I showed a friend that last peice you wrote about this subject last night during a debate about Christianity, he's a born again Christian and I think the statements about Buddhism were very enlightening...I myself am giving serious thought into getting information on Buddhism and find out where there are some Buddhist nearby that I can maybe speak to...

Good to hear from you again. I think it would be better for us to ask and answer questions on this site. There are others who maybe interested and, if I make a mistake there are folks out there who can correct me! However, I have opened a hotmail account just for those with questions it is buddag11@hotmail.com

Please remember I am not "evangelizing" for Buddhism. My "job" is helping people to see the real gold in their own religion. Buddhism, particularly Buddhist Meditation - which is just meditation really - is good for that.

However, if you really wish to explore Buddhist thought, I hopefully, can steer you away from the charlatans out there that prey on people's religious seekings.