Coffee Shop Religion

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Which means?

Nam

The word nam derives from Sanskrit. A close translation of its meaning is "to devote oneself." Nichiren established the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a means to enable all people to put their lives in harmony or rhythm with the law of life, or Dharma. In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude, and refers therefore to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.

Myoho

Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, which is "invisible" and beyond intellectual understanding. This essence always expresses itself in a tangible form (ho) that can be apprehended by the senses. Phenomena (ho) are changeable, but pervading all such phenomena is a constant reality known as myo.

Renge

Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. The circumstances and quality of our individual lives are determined by the causes and effects, both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "karma." The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo; the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest in time.

The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.

Kyo

Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. Also, the Chinese character for kyo originally meant the warp in a piece of woven cloth, symbolizing the continuity of life throughout past, present and future. In a broad sense, kyo conveys the concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the Mystic Law.

http://www.sgi.org/buddhism/practice/nam-myoho-renge-kyo.html

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
There are as many different schools in Buddhism as there are denominations in Christianity.

All I can speak for is my own. We chant, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Chanting is a practice not a belief.

You know Shaky, it would be a lot more helpful to your argument if you didn't copy and paste all your answers. It makes you look like a Buddhist JIA, and it doesn't lend credibility to your claim to be a tried and true Buddhist if you can't put that last paragraph into your own words and distill it down to a single sentence explanation.

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Chanting is a practice not a belief.

Your point is?

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
You know Shaky, it would be a lot more helpful to your argument if you didn't copy and paste all your answers. It makes you look like a Buddhist JIA, and it doesn't lend credibility to your claim to be a tried and true Buddhist if you can't put that last paragraph into your own words and distill it down to a single sentence explanation.

I posted 8 posts in this thread today, and all of them in my own words. You ask me for a definition and I cut and paste 1 post, and you say I cut and paste all my answers.

You are full of shit.

I'm surprised you don't already expect that kind of sh*t from him, shakya.

Anyway Mota, you asked a question, he provided the answer. Like shakya said, it was one post among countless. Your debating tactics are starting to look more like JIA's, which ironically is what you accused shakya of. You're just a bigot with a litany of hateful opinions, and you enjoy generalizing like it's your job. I sincerely hope you shake away a lot of the intolerance you have for other beliefs.

Btw, when JIA copy/pastes, it's all the time, and it's also with a "you should believe this" tone. What shakya posted, it was a "this is what I believe" tone. Gigantic difference, though subtleties like that must be lost on you.

Originally posted by DigiMark007
I'm surprised you don't already expect that kind of sh*t from him, shakya.

Anyway Mota, you asked a question, he provided the answer. Like shakya said, it was one post among countless. Your debating tactics are starting to look more like JIA's, which ironically is what you accused shakya of. You're just a bigot with a litany of hateful opinions, and you enjoy generalizing like it's your job. I sincerely hope you shake away a lot of the intolerance you have for other beliefs.

Btw, when JIA copy/pastes, it's all the time, and it's also with a "you should believe this" tone. What shakya posted, it was a "this is what I believe" tone. Gigantic difference, though subtleties like that must be lost on you.

I was a little surprised that he went for it so quickly. Most people would have tried to get me to cut and paste more. 😉

Thanks for the support.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
I was a little surprised that he went for it so quickly. Most people would have tried to get me to cut and paste more. 😉

Thanks for the support.

Jesus was right...Satan doesn't divide upon himself. 😉

(I dont think I've posted anything serious today...one of those moods lol)

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Your point is?

Apparently that I have no short term memory, lol.

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Apparently that I have no short term memory, lol.

😆 Been there, done that...

They have Aricept for that... 😛

Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
Is Buddhism becomming a "coffee shop" religion? In the sense that almost everyone these days seems to want to be Buddhist but doesn't want to actually commit themselves to the religion?

You're just a bigot with a litany of hateful opinions, and you enjoy generalizing like it's your job. I sincerely hope you shake away a lot of the intolerance you have for other beliefs.

(Thanks for playing, Urizen.)

Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo
Yes. Buddhism is chic because people think that they're all wicked deep and stuff for searching for enlightenment and meditating and whatnot, but they don't give two rats' asses about anything beyond that.

But the same thing can be said about some Christians. They go to church twice a years and call themselves Christian, "but they don't give two rats' asses about anything beyond that".

When it comes to something important to them, they will act like many people that do not have integrity and do the worst thing, lie, cheat, steal and other things. In the morning, however, they will thank god for forgiving their sins and making a new start, yet again. They have not changed their hearts which is a Bible teaching.

They use the teachings as a "clause."

Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo
Yes. Buddhism is chic because people think that they're all wicked deep and stuff for searching for enlightenment and meditating and whatnot, but they don't give two rats' asses about anything beyond that.

The same can be said about Hindusim in the US. According to government demographic reports, the religion is gaining numbers in the US, not because of Indian immigration, but because of conversion. The vast majority of whom are of European ancestry, who converted from Christianity. In India reincarnation is seen as a curse that someone must overcome. But in the US, its a fad that's considered cool.

The same can be said about a lot of American converts to Buddhism.

Originally posted by Zeal Ex Nihilo

When I read Quiero Mota's posts, the first thing that comes to mind is "hateful bigot."

That's a shame...

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
I posted 8 posts in this thread today, and all of them in my own words. You ask me for a definition and I cut and paste 1 post, and you say I cut and paste all my answers.

You are full of shit.

a Feisty Shaky?

😆 😆 😆

I go to church every Sunday. I hold a position in my church. 10% of all my income goes to my church. I pray everyday, more than once....etc etc etc.

If Shaky does the Buddhist equivalent of the above, isn't he every bit a Buddhist as I am a Christian? Far from "coffee" shop pedigree, imo.

Originally posted by dadudemon
a Feisty Shaky?

😆 😆 😆

I go to church every Sunday. I hold a position in my church. 10% of all my income goes to my church. I pray everyday, more than once....etc etc etc.

If Shaky does the Buddhist equivalent of the above, isn't he every bit a Buddhist as I am a Christian? Far from "coffee" shop pedigree, imo.

😆 I just call them like I see them.

I just give of my time to help the needy and money if I have it. No need to give to the church.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
That's a shame...

Yet true. You know, you could attempt to either explain yourself if there's a misunderstanding, or work toward changing such negative attitudes. Ignoring our words makes it no less true, nor does it make your statements any less hateful.

Originally posted by DigiMark007
Yet true. You know, you could attempt to either explain yourself if there's a misunderstanding, or work toward changing such negative attitudes. Ignoring our words makes it no less true, nor does it make your statements any less hateful.

What are you suggesting? If he thinks that, he thinks that. Not everyone you meet will like you. That's just the nature of group dynamics. Being a people-pleaser is pretty pointless.