and these are only two obvious examples out of many. isn't it all the same thing, but with different details, suited to the person's mental frameworks? traditional christian prayer would likely have no use to a buddhist monk. meditation would be equally useless to a person that only knows how prayer works. and yet, these two things seem to be paralell to each other in purpose and intent. i say that different religions are basically metaphors for the same inexpressible idea. even science. in it's own way, it is trying to answer the same questions as any other system of beliefs.
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So Buddhism and Christianity by definition are different religions, and one should be careful when trying to "mix" them. For example, Buddhism does not believe in a "creator-God" who controls the world and similarly, Christianity does not believe in karma or rebirth. \nOn the other hand, it may not be a bad idea to look at what we can learn from each other: the beautiful Christian practice of helping others in need is just as useful to Buddhists, as Buddhist meditation techniques can help Christians.\n\nmeditation (there's nothing 'spiritual' or 'buddhism' about it):\nThe practice of meditation basically complements the inherent nature of your mind. The negative patterns that we talked about--aggression and anger--are not inherent characteristics of the mind. So when you practice meditation and begin to relate to the inherent state of the mind, these enlightened qualities can surface, and the intensity and frequency of the habitual patterns are subdued. Then you can discover such potential qualities as compassion and loving-kindness.\n\nprayer in buddhism:\nBuddhists don’t pray to a Creator God, but they do have devotional meditation practices which could be compared to praying. Radiating loving-kindness to all living beings is a practice which is believed to benefit those beings.\n\nin buddhism: chanting mantra (prayer) & meditation compliment each other.\n\nin christianity: prayer is a communication with god. meditation is a stress relieving method (like yoga). they don't compliment each other by most christian denominations.\n\nin buddhism:\nUnlike other religions, it does not even attempt to answer questions like 'What is the purpose of life, the universe and everything?' . Buddhism regards such questions as at best unanswerable and probably intrinsically meaningless. The only purpose of life is what we personally give to our own lives. Buddha suggested that the most meaningful use of life was to seek liberation from ignorance, suffering and the cycle of samsaric rebirth, both for one's self and others. But this 'meaning' does not reside 'in the sky' or in any way outside of the individual, and it cannot be imposed, but must be freely chosen.\nMost other religions go further than Buddhism, and if asked 'What is the purpose of life, the universe and everything?' will usually come up with an answer along the lines of 'To fulfil the will of God.' \nThis invites the further question of 'What is the will of God', which usually brings forth an answer to the effect that 'God's will is to create life, the universe and everything'.
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My Dear Friends, \n\nEverything in the above that you have mentioned is totally valid and I commend you by placing my palms together in a prayer action; this is the way that Buddhists greet each other - it represents the utmost respect and trust to the recipient.  However, if I was a non-Buddhist and read these comments, I would feel very critical and believe that Buddhism is about belittling other religions.  Please permit me to give you some of my humble insight on what makes Buddhism a much favoured religion.  But please keep in mind that the points made below are all made in different points of view; due to the different lineages and traditions, different schools focus on different teachings.  I will present you a mix.\n\nWhen introducing a religion we must speak of both the positive and negatives aspects; as most of you know there are few of the latter in this religion, but nonetheless I am obliged to raise them.  In Buddhism there are no disagreements, but rather I would like to call it a problem with viewpoint.  For example, a student in Grade 1 says "1+1=2, but we cannot have 0-1=?" It is not they are lesser or inferior, but merely they do not have the teaching, and only when we get to Grade 4, we can say "1+1=2, 0-1=-1, but you cannot have letters like 2xy".  Now, in Grade 8 the students will think that those students below are foolish, but once again it is not because they are incapable, but merely they do not have the textbook - in this case sutra.  So the main arguments or disharmony in this religion are usually due to difference in teaching.\n\nWAIT! STOP! HALT! I can hear people calling me "LIAR" and at the same time ask "how can they be different teachings if they are all from the Lord Buddha?  That must mean there are fake Buddhisms out there."  Cleverly spoken, I would reply.  However, remember that the Lord Buddha taught us, "disseminate the Dharma according to the circumstances." Although Buddha's disciples were all of great caliber, I can say after 2550 years (after His birth), that no single person is identical; thus the understanding of the Dharma and the actual Dharma taught would obviously be different.  If I have made this too complex, just look at the above example about Maths in School - see what I mean now?  After the Lord Buddha pir-nirvana, His disciples congregated to write out the Sutras, which would become part of the Tripitaka (three ways that the Lord Buddha's teachings were recorded - if interested in the other two, and then some ASK about it.  I'll answer separately.)  Of course, the followers were of great achievements, but none of the present had actually attained Buddhahood (this is in the perspective of the Theravada); hence some arguments occurred, even the expulsion of the Lord Buddha's closest aide - Ananda.\n\nBUT - this is a big BUT - there is the unanimous opinion that Buddhism, in all, is about the Universe.  Due to this Universal attitude to all things, Buddhism also respects all other religions; even acknowledging the founder of each religion a holy deity.  The Lord Buddha Himself even proclaimed that Buddhist Dharma is about the Universe and not about Him - He is merely a tool used by the Universe to show how one should behave, speak and think when on the path to liberation.  Once again, depending on tradition you can find different methods to walk the Bodhi path; for some reason everyone has the stereotypical theory that all Buddhist live in mountains, away from the populous and only hope to save themselves - this is Theravada (Hinayana).  Just for the interest of you my friends, in Mahayana they mingle with the populous with the aim of saving others before fully attaining Buddhahood themselves; then of course there comes the Tantrayana (Vajrayana).  \n\nTo do justice to the religion, I will not go on any further, because in the end of the day we must have the attitude of a 1:9 ratio.  What would that be?  1 he
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You make good points. My problem with organized religion is that it has WAY too strong a grasp on some people. A lot of times I see questions here that ask, "What do you guys think about (insert any topic related to spirituality)?" -- and all too often, the answers you get are this: "Nope, I don't like it, because it's not in the Bible."\n\nThat's the mindset that people have. If it's not in the Bible, it has no value whatsoever. The truth is limited to that ONE holy book and all other holy books which may have different interpretations are totally worthless. -- I just don't think that's a healthy mindset to have. There's a lot of great stuff out there and people are missing it when they just delve right into one religion and never bother to look anywhere else. A lot of those Eastern religions and belief systems have some really valuable teachings, but nope... if it's not in the Bible, forget it. I just wish some people opened up a bit more.
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OK. You say you're a pagan and a witch. I'm not sure if by witch you mean Wiccan, some make a point of it being two different thing while others don't. Anyway, I think I know where you're coming from. I'm Native American, and walk Red Road. I think that qualifies me as pagan. Shamans, or medicine men/women conjure, cast "spells", work with herbs to heal, etc. & etc. From just that short description I think you'll see we have things in common. MY experience with the same question you ask ... Christian belief is based on ancient texts that have been mistranslated and so changed over the hundreds of years they've existed as to, in all probability, have very little resembelance to any original documents. That, plus the fact that these are read within cultural contexts altogether foriegn to those of the original authors coupled with dire ignorance of the culture & etc. OF the authors makes for a totally misunderstood, and perhaps totally "misunderstandable", book. But its all they know. They never really study other faiths. And when they do they almost never go to the source, but rather read books by Christians ABOUT other faiths. Which thing is biased, because nearly all of those books seek out whats WRONG with the other faith, from a "Christian" perspective, rather than highlighting whats good or pointing out any common ground. The result of all this? Ignorance. Both of their own faith, and the faiths of others. Now, add this ... Scriptural quotes such as ... "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." And add to THAT sort of thing an over powering desire to see the other poor devil (pun intended) saved from eternal hell fire! The result of all THIS? Everything from witch burning to strong arm evangelization. I know its un-cool. But ... It just is what it is. The current version of Christianism simply fosters the sort of thing your question describes. Happily not all segments of "Churchanity" fall into this trap, and neither do all Christians. But enough of them do that, well, I know exactly how you feel. Its ignorance and bigotry, I sincerely believe, based primarily on the above. A simple come back might be, if you're in a situation where you feel safe in doing this, to reply to such hatred with ... "I'll pray to the Goddess that your soul be saved from hateful depravity." Smile, and walk away ... Real fast. ;-) ~ Peace & Blessings ~
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Yes, I'v read all the classics of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism, etc. etc. etc. Some very nice stuff in there. Most of it is lost on the average American or European reader, owing to translation and differences in fundamental worldviews. Quite frankly, you are no scholar. You are a new age looney who has read some yoga manuals and arrogantly thinks he knows as much as Patanjali (who did not, by any stretch of the imagination, live 3000 years B.C. and he's the closest to an "inventor" of yoga as you will find). Your pettiness, antagonism, and self-righteous attitude are utterly deplorable and would be frowned upon by all the great thinkers whose works you bastardize in your frilly new age syncretism. \n\nAnd you clearly have only an extremely superficial and inadequate understanding of Pauline theology.
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Yes, I feel we should reinterpret if it makes no sense.  This is not to say we should change the meaning in order to rationalize our behavior.  If our behavior doesn't agree with spiritual teachings, that's ok.  But we should accept that they are different, and not try to make them "match".\n\nI don't feel one has to view religion/spirituality with an "all or nothing" approach.  If I like 3 things about religion X, and 4 things about religion Y, it's ok for me to believe in both.  (I realize there are people who will disagree with me, but this is how I see it for myself.)
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If you ask a Protestant, a Catholic, and a Hindu Yogi, "what is meditation?", you would get 3 different answers. What Christian's call meditation, is thinking about something. That does not sound to be what you are interested in.\n\nThere is a Christian type of prayer, called Centering Prayer, that would accomplish what you want to do. The best author on this is Thomas Keating.\n\nThe simplest way to accomplish what you want, is to sit in a firm chair in a relaxed but erect posture. Take 5 minutes to place your attention on your breathing. When your mind wanders off, gently bring it back.\n\nThen, choose a word. It can be any word that does not bring up emotions. Gently repeat this word over and over for 20 minutes. When other thoughts come into your mind, ignore them and gently keep your attention on mentally repeating the word. If your mind completely wanders off of what you are doing,and it will, just gently bring your attention back to gently repeating the word.\n\nYou may have noticed that I said, "gently", a lot. There should be no forcing of anything during this time. You can use any word for this but if the word you use either helps you to relax or calms your fears, the process will be easier. \n\nYou must use the same word during the 20 minutes you do this for. If you do this 20 min. twice a day, you will progress at the best rate for you. There is no time table as every one is different.\nWhile you are repeating the word, you are not to think of the meaning of the word. The idea is to not think at all.\n\nSome people will call what I have described "meditation", some will not, but the exercise I have given you will accomplish your goals. This method has no connection to any religion.\n\nYou ask what the effects of this will be. Over time you will have trained your mind to not wander all over the place as it does when it is left to do whatever it wants to. You will realise that your mind is not you; that it is like your arm or leg but has a different perpose. Like an arm it can be trained to do what you want it to. \n\nYou will be more peaceful during the day because over time, you will realize that it is you thoughts that produce your emotions and that left on it's own, your mind will come up with all kinds of thoughts that are stressful but have nothing to do with your life.\n\nYou will also have a method that you can use when you are worried about something, to help you stop worrying and regain your peace.
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It's odd because i am always helping people understand wicca by explaining that spell casting is essentially the same process as prayer.  Different words for the same spiritual process imho.  But words are the only way we have to communicate here so we have to talk about what they mean and come to some agreement.  But it's not productive to argue over what words mean too much.  Better to try to really UNDERSTAND others.
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everyone has their own respective view on spirituality and it should be viewed with compassion, respect, and acceptance.  Is that not what most religions state?\n\nI am not an Atheist, but I think they are no more in need of prayer than a judgmental person is.
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For many of us, tradition, morality, religion and superstition and sometimes even patriotism is all a jumble.  Everything is all tangled up together in an old  incomprehensible dusty mess of stuff we were told to do.  That's my impression of religion-- a human construct for socio-cultural purposes.\n\nSpiritual geniuses like Buddha, Mohammed and Jesus all came across the same immutable truths that we need to follow.  These truths sound simple at first-- don't kill each other, you're all interconnected, think about what your're doing, etc.\n\nOver they centuries the efforts at explaining and simplifying this have done quite the opposite, sadly, and have even been used as platforms for political agenda, prejudice and hatred.\n\nI like to tell people that I belong to the Church of the Good Person (just made that name up), which stresses not whom you believe in, but how kindly and fairly you treat each other.
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You've just pointed out the biggest contradiction in a belief in god.  Religious people answer this (it isn't really an answer) by usually saying, "we can't understand god's will" or some such response.  But the truth is, it's contradictory and illogical.  Same thing for prayer -- if god's got a plan and it's already all laid out, why bother to pray to him for anything, since he's apparently already decided if you'll get it or not? \n\nAnd, apparently, if god has a plan, then me not believing in him is all part of his plan, and I'm just fulfilling his wishes by not believing in him -- so christians, stop trying to convert me!\n\n:)
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Well i seriously  would have to argue the whole hinduism buddhism thing. But none the less... Christains spread there relegeon not only because  they feel the need to share the truth with people. but also scripture teachs that if you love Christ you will feed his sheep which is to say share his word with those who do not know him.I pray someday you too will come to know Jesus. May God bless you
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Mosi hit the nail on the head. You've either misunderstood what you've heard or the legislators in Missouri are all bone-headed. I suspect the former.\n\nThere's probably some talk going around about letting people exercise their right to practice their religion. This is often interpreted by anti-Christians to mean what you describe.\n\nAlso, Buddhists aren't supposed to worry about these kinds of things, anyway.
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If I am not mistaken, I don't think this was a generalization made that all non-beilievers are mean spirited and cruel.  (At least I hope not)  I think that each religion gets misunderstood at one time by those not of that religion, and some people just don't know how to address what they don't understand. There are those that do.  They respect the fact that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.  I am a Christian, I believe, but i do not force my beliefs on anyone. i may share something about God, but I cannot judge anyone if they do not believe--and I don't think we should judge and ridicule each other.
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well I was a catholic ,then a Christain ,then an atheist and now I do agree with a lot of buddhist beliefs.Buddhism alwyas will put experience over scripture.Buddha was an enlightened person.nothing more.\n Buddhism accepts that science and spirtuality can coexist.......are in fact facets of the same "godhead"
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And herein you hit upon one of the biggest problems with religion. The idea that god is all knowing, all powerful etc, but also it matters what humans do. Why does anyone need to pray if a god knows they will do it - surely the god can decide to perform whatever action the prayer would have solicited without the need to actually hear the prayer - as you say, the god knows it's coming.\n\nThe idea that "god exists out of time" is an answer so devoid of meaning that it beggars belief.\n\nAlthough an Atheist myself, I'm not sure if your subtitle to this message (about "stupid Christian") really helps, even if it is meant ironically - it's unlikely to tease out the most interesting responses.
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haha.  it could either be making fun of karmic and dogmatic beliefs, or in a literal sense it could mean that the person's karmic beliefs are more important than dogmatic beliefs.\n\nThe person may have switched from a very strict practice to something like Buddhism.