Buddhism, an exercise in escapism?

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Originally posted by Alliance
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😱 😱 Not the bunny.... 😱

barker

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
I know what you are talking about now.
Buddhism is divided into two major groups, Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. What you are describing is Theravada, however I am Mahayana.

Ah. Thanks for clearing that up. Ill look more into your Mahayana Buddhism, before I make a judgment on it.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
You should read the writings of Nichiren Daishonin, a man who was tortured and band to a desolate island.

http://www.sgi-usa.org/buddhism/library/Nichiren/wnd/

Please in the future, know something about what you are talking about, it will keep you from looking like a complete idiot.

I agree with shaky,being one of my favorite religions because of it's deep philosophy. try meditating and see how hard it is.

Originally posted by Great Vengeance
Ah. Thanks for clearing that up. Ill look more into your Mahayana Buddhism, before I make a judgment on it.

If you wish to know more about my personal religion read about the Lotus sutra. The Lotus sutra in my "holy book", so to speak.

Originally posted by Great Vengeance
Perhaps one of the forum Buddhists can answer this for me, what seperates Buddhism from simply being an exercise in escapism(similar to drugs or entertainment). I mean...Buddhist principles could give you happiness in theory, but the problem is that you can never fully escape reality while you still live, and so you cannot just focus on the internal because the external is always present. An example: Do you think Buddhist principles would bring peace to a man, who is being held up in a torture camp, and feels intense physical pain every moment of his life? etc. etc. I know that it was an extreme example, but you get the point.

It's the other way round - Buddhism is all about being awake - Not on drugs or entertainment), about facing reality and seeing it for what it really is, Not to escape it, but to be aware of it and to embrace it without becomming attached to it.

Originally posted by Great Vengeance
Ah. Thanks for clearing that up. Ill look more into your Mahayana Buddhism, before I make a judgment on it.

"Buddhism exists to enable people to realize personal growth and to improve their lives. Buddhism is always rooted in the reality of life. It is the wellspring of wisdom for bringing harmony and happiness to our families, communities and society at large."— Daisaku Ikeda

Kindly take a look this links:

http://www.middlewaypress.com/

http://www.ikedabooks.org/index.html

Originally posted by Regret
From my understanding Buddhism is the attempt to reach a state of contentment. A state where one understands the unimportance of the physical, the understanding of the consequences of ones own action, as well as the actions of others. This understanding allows one to not ignore or escape reality, but instead see the happiness that good actions bring and joy in them. While at the same time seeing the suffering that inflicting suffering on others causes that individual, and sorrowing for their state.

Ultimately self is of less consequence, and everything outside the self is more important, or at least of equal importance.

I could be wrong though, that is merely my observation from some small reading and experience with a few Buddhists.

You seem have a great comprehension of Buddhism. Its very rare that people do these days (ie the thread starter)

Originally posted by mahasattva
"Buddhism exists to enable people to realize personal growth and to improve their lives. Buddhism is always rooted in the reality of life. It is the wellspring of wisdom for bringing harmony and happiness to our families, communities and society at large."— Daisaku Ikeda

Kindly take a look this links:

http://www.middlewaypress.com/

http://www.ikedabooks.org/index.html

Thank you mahasattva for the links.

Buddhism, is it actually a religion? 😄

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Originally posted by Alliance
Buddhism, is it actually a religion? 😄

Please define religion.

"...no single definition will suffice to encompass the varied sets of traditions, practices, and ideas which constitute different religions."

So then what is your point ?

We could just as soon have a debate on what a religon is than whether or not Buddhism is actually a religion.

Originally posted by Alliance
We could just as soon have a debate on what a religon is than whether or not Buddhism is actually a religion.

That sounds like the debate that must come first.

Is Christianity a religion? 😆

Originally posted by Lord Urizen
Is Christianity a religion? 😆

Unfortunately YES. 🙁

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