Buddha

[Armena]

India, a land of extremes, was at one time very much absorbed in idealism. This reached its greatest heights when Brahmanism gave to the people an idealism, which made them recognize the face of God in man, and experience heaven on earth. And when this had touched its zenith, then came another epoch, and epoch of reaction, and that was the period of Buddha.

 

The mission of Buddha was quite unique in its character, and therefore, it stands quite apart from the many other religions of the world. People sometimes wonder if all religions are one; they can see a similarity between the Hebrew religion and Islam, and also the religion of Christ. But they cannot understand that what the Buddha taught could also be a religion, and that it could be one with all the others. The answer is that the work of all those who have served humanity in the form of religion has been of great importance, firstly because they had to give the same truth which every other servant of humanity has given, and secondly because they had to answer the demand of the time in a form suited to that particular time. In this they differed from their predecessors who had done the work in other ways. When idealism had reached its zenith in India, it did not fall to Buddha to teach an even greater idealism than the people already had. Indeed, in order to bring about a balance, he had to give them a pill of disillusion. And in that way perhaps, at that time or even today, he might appear to be a teacher of quite a different philosophy and of a religion which differs from all other religions which are more idealistic. Yet at the same time no one can show one word in the teaching of Buddha, which is opposed, to any religion. His mission was to bring the birds of idealism flying in the air nearer to the earth, because the food for their bodies belonged to the earth.

 

Buddha, born as a prince, was recognized by the wise of that time as a soul of the finest possible feeling and the greatest depth of heart. Being born in a family where he could be taken good care of, they naturally kept all the sorrows and distress and troubles of life away from him. His parents wanted to give this soul the time to develop without being depressed by worldly troubles. It was not only the love of the parents, but it was the wisdom of destiny that brought up in this manner a soul who was born to sympathize with the world.

 

When after the best education the mind of the Buddha came to maturity, then one day he was allowed to go out and look at the world. This soul, who had not been allowed to see much of the world and who had never known pain and distress and trouble was quite unaware of the experiences of life in the world. So when he went out for the first time and saw an aged man who could only walk with difficulty he asked, 'What is it?' His attendants said, 'It is age.' And he sympathized. And then he saw another person who was downhearted. He said, 'What is the matter?' They answered, 'It is illness.' And he sympathized, saying, 'So that is illness!' There was another man who had lost his money and was in despair and poverty. Buddha asked, 'What is it?' They said, 'It is poverty.' And he sympathized felling this man's condition. In short, this soul whose heart was open to sympathize with everyone felt that life has many limitations and that every limitation has its despair. And the number of limitations that he saw was so great that he wondered what remedy could be found for all these limitations.

 

In the first place he saw that human nature seeks for happiness, not because happiness is outside of man, but because it belongs to him. Then he saw that all these limitations make a barrier for man depriving him of the consciousness of this happiness which is his own. He also saw that even if all the different kinds of distress and all the causes of distress were removed, man would still not be free from distress. It is the nature of man to find happiness. No one in the world is looking for distress, although almost everyone in the world finds distress without seeking for it. But Gautama saw that the removing of these apparent limitations was not sufficient, but that it is the study of life, observation, analysis, that is most necessary. He found in the end that the analysis of life, a thorough analysis, clears one's reason from all darkness, and produces in it its own original light.

 

Man is distressed by looking at distress without having studied it. This is generally the case. Man is afraid of every distress that comes to him, and he partakes of it without first having faced it and studied it analytically. But at the same time Buddha saw that if there was any key to happiness, it came by throwing the light of analysis upon all the different situations of life. This Buddha taught in the form of religion, and today the thinkers of the modern world are beginning to find the same solution, which Buddha found over two thousand years ago. They call it psychoanalysis. It is the beginning of that which had already reached its summit in the highest idealism.

 

Buddha was the title of Gautama. He was called Buddha because his spirit expressed the meaning of the word Buddha, which is the Sanskrit for reason, for the faculty in man, which knows, which sees, and thereby distinguishes and discriminates between things and beings. In Buddhist terminology the Spirit of Guidance is called Bodhisatva, which means the essence of reason. Reason in its essence is of a liquid character; it is the cream of intelligence. When it is crystallized it becomes rigid. Intellectuality very often expresses a knowledge formed by reasons, most of them of rigid character. But the finer reasoning is subtle; the finer the reason, the less it can be explained in words. Therefore people with fine reasoning cannot very well put their reason into words. Reason in its essence is the depth of intelligence. The intelligence knows, not because it has learned; it knows because it knows. In this higher reason the Spirit of Guidance is conceived and from that fountain of reason all the great prophets have drunk.

 

In the teaching of true Buddhism, Buddha has never been considered as an exclusive personality. Buddha has been known to those who have understood his message rightly, as a man who attained the realization of that essence of reason, which is the fulfillment of life's purpose.

 

Worshipping Buddha does not mean that the Buddhist worships the personality of his spiritual master. He only means that if there is any object that most deserves worship, it is a human being. It is the one from whose heart the essence of reason, Buddha, has risen as a spring. By this knowledge he recognized the possibility for every soul, whatever be its grade of evolution, of attaining that bliss, trusting that the innermost being of every soul is divine.

 

Hope is the honey of life. If the knowledge of God does not give hope of attaining that divine bliss which can be attained in life, then that knowledge is of no use. Man may believe in God for years and yet may not be benefited by spiritual bliss, for spiritual bliss is not only in believing in God, but in knowing God.

 

Buddha, which is subtle reasoning, is the path, which leads to the goal, and its absence keeps a person in obscurity. As the sun is the source of light, which shows outward things in life, so Buddha is the inner source of light, which enables man to see life clearly, both inwardly and outwardly. The true aim of the disciples of Buddha has been not only to adhere to Buddha, to his name or his ideal, but by taking Buddha as an example, some day to become Buddha. This same idea is the secret of Sufism.

 

Buddha did not teach his followers to worship his own image, as they do today. In every Buddhist temple and monastery one finds statues of Buddha of all sizes, in gold, silver, brass, and stone — Buddha sitting cross-legged or standing in a mystic posture. No home of a Buddhist, no sacred place, is without his statue. And although the original four scriptures of the Buddhist faith have vanished long ago, yet the fragrance of his philosophy and moral could not be lost. Although it seems to be idolatry, yet his image, as a symbol, inspires not only his devotees but also every thoughtful mind. For it shows the balance, quietude, peace, and the absorption within, purity of character, beauty of personality, gentleness, tenderness, a restful attitude, and perfect wisdom.

 

Just as today in modern civilized countries the statues of heroes, royalties, commanders of armies, politicians, poets, writers, and musicians are set up everywhere, and the statue of Liberty reminds America of national freedom, so to a Buddhist the statue of Buddha speaks of spiritual liberation. Why should it be regarded as being any worse if the Buddhists have the statue of their inspirer before them, whose very image elevates their soul toward the highest ideals, and the life of renunciation and self-denial that their teacher led?

 

Buddhism, being the rival and the child of Brahmanism, could not very well leave out the influence of its parent religion. Although Buddhism denies the belief in all that is not proved by logic, such as God, the soul, mediation, or the hereafter, yet the image-worship of the Brahmins still exists among Buddhists in the worship of Buddha, and Buddhists also believe in reincarnation and the law of Karma.

[Artsakh]

Believe me, the Buddha was a complete moron. I'm just amazed how simple and moronic people from that backward indian society must have been to follow such an idiot. Buddhism is a stupid so called religion whose philosophy is nonsence. Impermance, suffering, etc.... my butt. The only philoposphical question that interests me is how such morons are able to attrack followers?

[Armena]

to follow such an idiot.

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

Who are you to judge a man as an idiot, maybe you yourself is an idiot?

 

''Buddhism teaches followers to perform good and wholesome actions, to avoid bad and harmful actions, and to purify and train the mind.''

So you call the 415 million followers of this religion and their Master all idiots too?

 

Its clear for me now whos the idiot here

[Sasun]

There is no end to bigotry...

[Artsakh]

Who are you to judge a man as an idiot, maybe you yourself is an idiot?

 

''Buddhism teaches followers to perform good and wholesome actions, to avoid bad and harmful actions, and to purify and train the mind.''

So you call the 415 million followers of this religion and their Master all idiots too?

 

Its clear for me now whos the idiot here

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

Its clear to me who THE idiot of all time is. Buddhism is a joke. I mean if they want to renounce the freaking world, why do they create life, which according to them is suffering? They are creating suffering according to their own philospohy. 415 million idiots follow them. Ya, and Islam preaches tolerance too, didn't you know?

[Artsakh]

There is no end to bigotry...

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

bigotry? i didn't say i hate buddhists, i just said that buddhism is a moronic sorry excuse for a religion and it suprises me how dumb millions of people must be to follow such idiotic ideology which contradicts itself.

[Armena]

Its clear to me who THE idiot of all time is.  Buddhism is a joke.  I mean if they want to renounce the freaking world, why do they create life, which according to them is suffering?  They are creating suffering according to their own philospohy.  415 million idiots follow them.  Ya, and Islam preaches tolerance too, didn't you know?

style_images/master/snapback.png

 

I don't think you even know the philosophy of suffring my friend.

Maybe the buddhism ideal is too much for the capacity of your mind.

[phantom22]

There are Armenians who have studied Buddhism. Please don't insult other people's beliefs. Christianity has drifted so far fron Jesus' teachings and way-of-life that it has little resemblance to the essence of Christ. How nauseating it is to hear Southern Whites calling Joshua "Jeeesush." What do these conservatives know about being a true Christian anyway?

[armjan]

buddaism ok, i can understand. very interesting school of thought.

 

now what i don't understand, is those remote parts of japan and asia that worship a fallic symbol. I mean come on, let's put two & two together. You are praying to a penis for help.

 

The sad part is that i am not making this up. They actually pray to penisis.

[phantom22]

Armjan,

 

You can find small sects ANYWHERE in the world that worship odd things. In the US there are numerous satanic sects of teenagers who have killed fellow students in satanic rituals. What in heaven's name does your post have to do with major world religions?

 

If you insist on continuing discussion of religious slurs here, I could begin to criticize many of the pagan practices of the Armenian Church.

[armjan]

Armjan,

 

You can find small sects ANYWHERE in the world that worship odd things. In the US there are numerous satanic sects of teenagers who have killed fellow students in satanic rituals. What in heaven's name does your post have to do with major world religions?

 

If you insist on continuing discussion of religious slurs here,  I could begin to criticize many of the pagan practices of the Armenian Church.

style_images/master/snapback.png

let the quality control ppl worry about quality control issues.

 

i expressed a lack of understanding, you've implied that to be religious slurs.

Edited May 22, 2005 by armjan

[Sasun]

I made some posts invisible, consider that a mild response. Just a reminder, offensive remarks and bigotry to another religion will not be tolerated much longer. Edited May 22, 2005 by Sasun

[Sidd-Dodje]

Armena

//Buddhists also believe in reincarnation and the law of Karma.

There is no reincarnation in buddhism.

[aSoldier]

Christianity has drifted so far fron Jesus' teachings and way-of-life that it has little resemblance to the essence of Christ

 

I don't think so.

[phantom22]

Hey sSebB,

 

Did Jesus live in a palace in Rome? Did Jesus wear fine slken garments? Did Jesus advocate killing leaders of foreign lands that he didn't agree with such as the Venezuelan leader? You think that what these so-called Christians are doing around the world is walking in the steps of Jesus? Perhaps you are seeing the world upside down there in "down under."

[aSoldier]

Hey sSebB,

 

Did Jesus live in a palace in Rome? Did Jesus wear fine slken garments? Did Jesus advocate killing leaders of foreign lands that he didn't agree with such as the Venezuelan leader? You think that what these so-called Christians are doing around the world is walking in the steps of Jesus? Perhaps you are seeing the world upside down there in "down under."

 

lmao nice call with the "down under".

 

Um, if you're accusing Christians of doing all of the above...I dont see what's wrong with living in a palace in Rome, or wearing a fine slken garment.

 

Advocating killings, ok, I don't see true Christians doing that. The Christians you see doing that are not genuine. So don't generalize a whole religion on a few acts that you've seen.

[Eloren]

lmao nice call with the "down under".

 

Um, if you're accusing Christians of doing all of the above...I dont see what's wrong with living in a palace in Rome, or wearing a fine slken garment.

 

Advocating killings, ok, I don't see true Christians doing that. The Christians you see doing that are not genuine. So don't generalize a whole religion on a few acts that you've seen.

 

 

Well, at the same time he was describing only the Head of the Catholic church... The Pope

 

So if The Pope does this..

[aSoldier]

Well, at the same time he was describing only the Head of the Catholic church... The Pope

 

So if The Pope does this..

 

You can't judge Christianity and the state it is in by what the Pope does.

[Vanetsi]

Well, at the same time he was describing only the Head of the Catholic church... The Pope

 

So if The Pope does this..

 

Rule of thumb: you can not realize the essence of Christianity by observing the actions of the administrators of the Church. It's all politics. Every choice they make is influenced by politics. Who is elected into office is influenced by politics. All legislation made by church officials are products of politics. A seat as powerful as the papacy once was is especially influenced by politics. Who do you think the kings of Western Europe were pawns of? The Pope. Do you think buying the forgiveness of your sins is ethical? No. You know what causes it? Money. And what does money go hand in hand with? Politics. It's all about power.

[Zartonk]

Um, if you're accusing Christians of doing all of the above...I dont see what's wrong with living in a palace in Rome, or wearing a fine slken garment.

 

This is not about palaces or fine garments, but about how greed and matrialism contradicts spirituality. There is a reason Jesus preched among fishermen and beggers and not the upper society.

 

 

Let's not conduct this conversation in "Buddha".

[DominO123]

Hey sSebB,

 

Did Jesus live in a palace in Rome? Did Jesus wear fine slken garments? Did Jesus advocate killing leaders of foreign lands that he didn't agree with such as the Venezuelan leader? You think that what these so-called Christians are doing around the world is walking in the steps of Jesus? Perhaps you are seeing the world upside down there in "down under."

 

What the heck? Jesus has many palace, with very powerfull computers his father his paying for him to simulate us and simulate all the obstacles he program to get our lives as mortals miserable.

Edited November 23, 2005 by QueBeceR

[Armat]

Could all this religions be as simple as the fear of dying?

Zen is no religion and knows no fear,no heaven,no hell,no people with wings etc.

Sometimes people justify it as a source for morality.Really?Does someone needs to worship something to be honest?open minded?generous?

[phantom22]

What the heck? Jesus has many palace, with very powerfull computers his father his paying for him to simulate us and simulate all the obstacles he program to get our lives as mortals miserable.

 

 

Domino,

 

Domino you are a genius. I think you have the big answer. You made me remember that I have often wondered if our lives are just an obstacle course set up to see how well we do given the problems we face.

[Eloren]

What the heck? Jesus has many palace, with very powerfull computers his father his paying for him to simulate us and simulate all the obstacles he program to get our lives as mortals miserable.

 

 

There is no spoon

[Zartonk]

Does someone needs to worship something to be honest?open minded?generous?

 

Armat,

 

I salute you.