Originally posted by King Burgerbecause having a book that was written eons ago by some men who claimed to be inspired is not enough proof. Science has given us many clues to show that an intelligence lies within nature. Blind faith has brought us nothing but strife against one another, wars. If it wasn't for the modern world and a seperation of church and state, Christians would still be burning us at the stakes on a weekly basis. I can't wait till scientists find life on other planets so all the Christians will commit suicide when they realize that they are not the center of the universe. Science is the way, not petty prayers to a splintered cross. Thou shall not bow before any graven image, right?
How can Deists believe in God, or "a supreme intelligence that
created the universe", yet reject the possiblity that such a Being
would have certain sets of laws and commandmants that He/It
wants followed; and/or such a Being would contact a human to
spread word of His/It's existance and laws (that is, prophets)?The point is, by believing in God, one should be open to the belief
in the various monotheistic religions (or even maybe gods, like
those of Hinduism for example).
Originally posted by lil bitchinessNirvana can't be reach without a strict regimen of meditation( sitting and focusing on a mantra, breathing, breath counting). Look it up. The mind the way it is without meditation is considered by Buddist's to be misguided and bombarded by the self/ego. Only through meditation can you break through the shell of ignorance and find the true you. It takes years of meditation, not lifetimes of talking. Then again thats up to the person. Either you decide or nature does it for you( like making you a dog, or the manager of Burger King or something)NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!jawdrop
However, reaching Nirvana doesnt consist of torturing yourself to death - Buddhist encourage pleasure, but warn that overindulgence will cause you to suffer more in this life - you dont sin if you enjoy yourself, but in order for you to not suffer you need to understand that such thing is not permanent.Basically Buddhist say -
We all love to have good food, and every toy possible and good company, but the problem is that most of us are not satisfied with having good food and good company and all the toys - because once the food is eaten, and once the company has been enjoyed and once the toys have been broken, we are sinking in depression - in order for us to be happy, we need to have more and more and more of the same stuff.
And sometimes in order for us to get the means for that, people resort to crime or even violence.There is nothing wrong with enjoying, if you have self control, you
can enjoy it and then be happy you had it, and move on.Attachment to material things is what brings the problems for us - we want more and more of the material things and we are never satisfied with what we have. Once we can enjoy what we have, and always be satisfied, never ever desire more - we are that much closer to Nirvana.
They dont believe there should be too much of anything - but thats not the matter of forbidding, its the matter of self control. Forbidding doesnt work, because if you are forbidden, then you want it more - its about self discovery and will.
Basically -
Nothing lasts forever. Understand this and be not attached to what you are experiencing, otherwise you will experience suffering. When you experience happiness know that it is a reaction to circumstance and it is not a permanent state. Conversely, when you are suffering know that it shall not be eternal.
Craving sensory stimulation, craving existence, and craving non-existence give rise to the continuity of being, and with it its attendant suffering. To end this cycle of being, attaining a state of non-craving should be part of your daily effort.
One can end eternal suffering by ending the craving that leads to the continuation of suffering.
Ending the craving that leads to the continuation of suffering is brought about through living by the ideals of the Noble Eightfold Path. The Path avoids two extremes--the pursuit of complete and ultimate sensory pleasure, or the pursuit of utter self-denial
^^ I just like that idea, because I can see the ultimate truth in it.
Originally posted by Darth Odious
because having a book that was written eons ago by some men who claimed to be inspired is not enough proof. Science has given us many clues to show that an intelligence lies within nature. Blind faith has brought us nothing but strife against one another, wars. If it wasn't for the modern world and a seperation of church and state, Christians would still be burning us at the stakes on a weekly basis. I can't wait till scientists find life on other planets so all the Christians will commit suicide when they realize that they are not the center of the universe. Science is the way, not petty prayers to a splintered cross. Thou shall not bow before any graven image, right?
✅ 👆 ✅
Originally posted by Darth Odious
Nirvana can't be reach without a strict regimen of meditation( sitting and focusing on a mantra, breathing, breath counting). Look it up. The mind the way it is without meditation is considered by Buddist's to be misguided and bombarded by the self/ego. Only through meditation can you break through the shell of ignorance and find the true you. It takes years of meditation, not lifetimes of talking. Then again thats up to the person. Either you decide or nature does it for you( like making you a dog, or the manager of Burger King or something)NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!jawdrop
Maybe you should look up the difference between the Enlightenment and Nirvana, how about it 😉
Nirvana - The end of suffering. The end of cycle - the free way out of Samsara.
Enlightenment - The Wisdom of Emptiness - The wisdom that arises from the direct experience of all phenomena being empty of independent existence.
Enlightenment is usually reached through self experience.
You cannot reach Nirvana based on meditation only.
Some Zen and Mahayana texts people didn’t want Nirvana, yet they still meditate. Meditation is ESSENTIAL in Zen practices, no?
Meditation is part of Buddhism, I never claimed it was not - I was marely explaining the ideas of Buddhism, if you care to read all of my replies.
Perhaps the way you percive and practice Buddhism, if you do, differs from mine, either way, I have ''looked up'' a great deal for what I chose to believe. Different Buddhists practice their religion in different ways - meditation is a means of helping you achieve enlightment, but it is not the sole kay to Nirvana.
Walking meditation anyone? Im getting more into it - fabulous!
Originally posted by Darth Odious
because having a book that was written eons ago by some men who claimed to be inspired is not enough proof. Science has given us many clues to show that an intelligence lies within nature. Blind faith has brought us nothing but strife against one another, wars.
Re-read my post. I didn't say "have to", I said "open to" the
idea of God's words being indeed written in the Holy Books.
Originally posted by Darth Odious
Blind faith has brought us nothing but strife against one another, wars.If it wasn't for the modern world and a seperation of church and state, Christians would still be burning us at the stakes on a weekly basis.
Bulls***! The most warlike nations in the world today is the US
and its lap-dog the UK, both "secular" nations.
Oh, and please don't bring up President Bush and the Christian
Fundementalists of todays America. American presidents have
been bombing countries since before Bush Jr. was even born.
When Napolean began his crusade to bring his version of
"Liberté Egalité Fraternité" to the rest of Europe, it wasn't at
the head of a "christian" nation, but rather at the head of a
new "republic" where Christianity was no longer a power-player
in politics.
The nations of WWI and WWII were either secular or athiest
(later includes Japan).
Originally posted by Darth Odious
I can't wait till scientists find life on other planets so all the Christians will commit suicide when they realize that they are not the center of the universe. Science is the way, not petty prayers to a splintered cross. Thou shall not bow before any graven image, right?
I have a response ot that, but I don't want to get banned.