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| 1 year ago :: Feb 14, 2012 - 6:08AM #1 | |
allen-uk
Posts: 25
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Like many people, I am drawn to Buddhism by what I perceive is its simple, uncomplicated nature. And then like many people, I start hearing Buddhists talking about the supernatural - whether it's just being reborn, or whether it's reverence for some man or other (usually a budding Buddha), and sometimes even talk of gods or angels.
But I thought the Buddha himself was against all this claptrap. Was he? And are there any 'back to basics' Buddhist sects which would suit a modern atheist? Allen, London. |
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| 1 year ago :: Feb 15, 2012 - 12:41AM #2 | |
Bob0
Posts: 458
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But I thought the Buddha himself was against all this claptrap. Was he? Who knows? You can find all sorts of mystical teachings attributed to Gautama Sakyamuni, The Buddha. Various sects have acquired local folkways and legends as they moved from one area to the next. But divisions of beliefs have grown since the first schism when Devadatta split the original Sangha. The Northerners and the Southerners developed distinct and different Buddhisms. So I suggest a tolerance of those that are sincere Buddhists but differ from you or I. The big umbrella of Buddhism covers a lot of conflicting beliefs. Over the years I've found Buddhism to be an impermanent, interdependent practice. Those teachings that help you subdue your cravings and desires are probably beneficial. Those that don't help accomplish this are likely, of little value. You can't go wrong with the Four Nobel Truths and the Eight Fold Path. But......one persons claptrap is another's precious wisdom on the sliding scale of duality. Wishing you small tranquil days, Bob
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| 1 year ago :: Feb 25, 2012 - 6:35AM #3 | |
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allen-uk
Posts: 25
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Thanks Bob. I have been reading What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula, and it is beginning to answer some of my questions. Allen |
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| 1 year ago :: Feb 25, 2012 - 12:18PM #4 | |
Ferretling
Posts: 242
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I'd also chime in here that there are many different sects of Buddhism, and while they all share a common core, the exteriors can be expressed quite differently. Some have more a belief in the supernatural than others. No god-belief is actually required to be a Buddhist. I would suggest checking out individual sects and getting their differing take on things. |
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| 1 year ago :: Feb 25, 2012 - 2:43PM #5 | |
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Bob0
Posts: 458
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What the Buddha Taught Excellent book as I remember. Also helpful were Buddhism, Plain and Simple by Steven Hagen, Food for the Heart, the collected teachings of Ajahn Chah and Not always so, Practicing the true spirit of Zen by Shunryu Suzuki. None of these lean to the mystical or esoteric but are meat and potatoes approaches by wise practical Buddhists. Wishing you small tranquil days, Bob
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