Buddhism

[Skull]

Probably little interest, even hostility to Buddhism here.  Yet, I will post a little about it.  The Dhammapada is only one among several thousands of Buddha's teachings, but it is better known than most.  So here is how it begins:

1. Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their
chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with an
impure mind a person speaks or acts suffering
follows him like the wheel that follows the foot
of the ox.
2. Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their
chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with a pure
mind a person speaks or acts happiness follows
him like his never-departing shadow.
3. "He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered
me, he robbed me." Those who harbor such
thoughts do not still their hatred.
4. "He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered
me, he robbed me." Those who do not harbor
such thoughts still their hatred.
5. Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this
world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased.
This is a law eternal.
6. There are those who do not realize that one
day we all must die. But those who do realize this
settle their quarrels.
7. Just as a storm throws down a weak tree, so
does Mara overpower the man who lives for the
pursuit of pleasures, who is uncontrolled in his
senses, immoderate in eating, indolent, and
dissipated.
8. Just as a storm cannot prevail against a rocky
mountain, so Mara can never overpower the man
who lives meditating on the impurities, who is
controlled in his senses, moderate in eating, and
filled with faith and earnest effort.

Mara is the Evil One, the personification of the forces antagonistic to enlightenment.

[supsalemgr]

I have no problem with  Buddhism. I must admit I have had little interaction with Buddhists in my life. However, they strike me as a 'live and let live" crowd.

Why would you think there may be hostility here against Buddhists?

[Skull]

Sectarian non-Buddhists can be conservative, but dislike or hate Buddhism.  I will be happy to read no such folk posting here - we shall see what happens.

[Solar]

Sectarian non-Buddhists can be conservative, but dislike or hate Buddhism.  I will be happy to read no such folk posting here - we shall see what happens.

That really didn't make much sense.

[Skull]

Just as well - so forget about my obtuse post - I will.

[Skull]

A bit more from this Dhammapada sampler:

33. Just as a fletcher straightens an arrow shaft,
even so the discerning man straightens his mind
—so fickle and unsteady, so difficult to guard.
34. As a fish when pulled out of water and cast
on land throbs and quivers, even so is this mind
agitated. Hence should one abandon the realm of Mara.
35. Wonderful, indeed, it is to subdue the mind,
so difficult to subdue, ever swift, and seizing
whatever it desires. A tamed mind brings happiness.
36. Let the discerning man guard the mind, so
difficult to detect and extremely subtle, seizing
whatever it desires. A guarded mind brings happiness.
37. Dwelling in the cave (of the heart), the mind,
without form, wanders far and alone. Those who
subdue this mind are liberated from the bonds of Mara.
38. Wisdom never becomes perfect in one whose
mind is not steadfast, who knows not the Good
Teaching and whose faith wavers.
39. There is no fear for an awakened one, whose
mind is not sodden (by lust) nor afflicted (by
hate), and who has gone beyond both merit and demerit.
40. Realizing that this body is as fragile as a clay
pot, and fortifying this mind like a well-fortified
city, fight out Mara with the sword of wisdom.
Then, guarding the conquest, remain unattached.

[Solar]

Buddha was popular in Korea but not nearly as popular as Christianity, while Nam and the Philippines was thick with Buddha.
My brothers stationed in Nam and and the rest of the area would tell me hilarious stories, like taxi drivers making space in the front passenger seat for his figurine as their protector, or a statue on the roof, bicycles. It's all good....

I have no issue with Buddhism or the followers, most I know are very upstanding people, never met a bad one, a few nutty ones, but never bad.

I know more nutty Christians, but odds are, we all do, seeing how it's the predominant religion in the US and growing once again.

[Solar]

That really didn't make much sense.

I just reread it and now it made sense, I was reading it wrong thanks to dyslexia.
Regarding religion, I don't think true Conservatives take issue with much of anything with the exception of destruction in the name of religion.

There was a time just a few years ago that a Conservative was solidly aligned with Statesman, but that changed when the GOP saw us as a threat to their RINO existence.
Now anyone on the Right is considered conservative, even moderates have taken on the moniker.

We are a True Conservative board if that helps clear things up.

[Skull]

Minds and temperaments vary among we humans, so Buddha taught varied things that would appeal & inspire differing minds.  The following excerpt is perhaps the keynote to living as a good person - Buddhist or otherwise:

Four sublime states of mind have been taught by the Buddha:

Love, or loving kindness (mettā)
Compassion (karuṇā)
Sympathetic Joy (muditā)
Equanimity (upekkhā).

In Pali, the language of the Buddhist scriptures, these four
are known as Brahma-vihāra, a term which may be rendered
as excellent, lofty, or sublime states of mind; or
alternatively, as Brahma-like, god-like, or divine abodes.

These four attitudes are said to be excellent or sublime
because they are the right or ideal way of conduct towards
living beings. They provide, in fact, the answer to
all situations arising from social contact. They
are the great removers of tension, the great peace-makers in
social conflict, and the great healers of wounds suffered in
the struggle of existence. They level social barriers, build
harmonious communities, awaken slumbering
magnanimity long forgotten, revive joy and hope long
abandoned, and promote human brotherhood against the
forces of egotism.

How exactly to cultivate these states of mind, so that they transform our conventional self-centered attitudes can be found online or from any Buddhist temple.

[Skull]

Equanimity, which means "even-mindedness," gives to love
an even, unchanging firmness and loyalty. It endows it with
the great virtue of patience. Equanimity furnishes
compassion with an even, unwavering courage and
fearlessness, enabling it to face the awesome abyss of misery
and despair which confront boundless compassion again
and again. To the active side of compassion, equanimity is
the calm and firm hand led by wisdom— indispensable to
those who want to practice the difficult art of helping
others. And here again equanimity means patience, the
patient devotion to the work of compassion.

In these and other ways equanimity may be said to be the
crown and culmination of the other three sublime states.

Nyanaponika on using Equanimity to counteract evil & foster good.

[RV]

It's about as good as any "religion" if that is what you're into. Religion won't make any difference when you die. Dogma won't make any difference when you die. Being "spiritual" won't make any difference when you die. Religiousity won't make any difference when you die. Attending the "right church" won't make any difference when you die. Having the "right" pastor, preacher, clergy, rabbi, priest, reverend, spiritual guide or "medium" won't make any difference either.

[Skull]

It's about as good as any "religion" if that is what you're into. Religion won't make any difference when you die. Dogma won't make any difference when you die. Being "spiritual" won't make any difference when you die. Religiousity won't make any difference when you die. Attending the "right church" won't make any difference when you die. Having the "right" pastor, preacher, clergy, rabbi, priest, reverend, spiritual guide or "medium" won't make any difference either.

Wrong on every point.   

Everything we do, think or say has an effect on our afterlife, not to mention the next incarnation.  If the tendencies of our words, deeds & thoughts are generally good, then a pleasant after-death time.  If we are mostly selfish, mean SOBs then an unpleasant hellish time awaits.  But even that hell will fade away. 

Our real nature is very different from our personal consciousness.

[RV]

Wrong on every point.   

Everything we do, think or say has an effect on our afterlife, not to mention the next incarnation.  If the tendencies of our words, deeds & thoughts are generally good, then a pleasant after-death time.  If we are mostly selfish, mean SOBs then an unpleasant hellish time awaits.  But even that hell will fade away. 

Our real nature is very different from our personal consciousness.

Cool, you can make up and believe whatever you can imagine. I'll stick with scripture!

[Skull]

Cool, you can make up and believe whatever you can imagine. I'll stick with scripture!

Exactly what I was saying. If your thoughts, words & deeds are centered on the Lord and scripture, then your faith will give you what you expect after death.

Same with everyone else.

[RV]

Exactly what I was saying. If your thoughts, words & deeds are centered on the Lord and scripture, then your faith will give you what you expect after death.

Same with everyone else.

Actually, that is NOT what I said at all but, like I said, you are free to believe whatever nonsense you like. As for me, I will still go with what God says in His word.