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  • February 3, 2021 at 8:08 pm #374021
    Yalunda
    Participant

    Hello Everyone,

    I’m taking a World Religion class and I’ve learned so much about the Buddhist religion I did not know.  One of the things I read earlier in life was that Buddhist don’t believe in God, but I found out that is not true for all who practice the religion.  If possible, I’d like to interview someone about a few things I learned and am curious about.

    1.  Do you believe in God?  If so, one god or many gods?

    2.  Are there rituals or other forms of ceremonies that are not widely known you could elaborate upon?

    3.  In what ways do you feel the practice of Buddhism has changed over the past couple decades?

    4.  Are you the first in your family to practice Buddhism or has it always been practiced in your family?

    5.  What form of Buddhism do you practice?  Please elaborate.

    Thank You So Much,

    Yalunda

    February 4, 2021 at 2:49 pm #374054
    Peter
    Participant

    Hi Yalunda

    Great questions
    I’ve read a great deal about Buddhism and haven’t found a definitive answer to the question ‘What is Buddhsim’. Is it a religion a  philosophy, a practice…?

    Buddhist teachings challenges the practitioner to confront the problem of opposites and doing so a realization of the opposites devolving into each other where language becomes unhelpful.  Take the following form Allan Watts

    Imagine you’re climbing a mountain path that will lead you to a paradise where all your needs are met and your questions answered. What do you find when you reach the top? A mirror. This is the great cosmic game, reveals Alan Watts—that everything you’re seeking through meditation, self-improvement, or spiritual practice is always hiding inside of you. You’re It!

    Watts will latter laugh and let you know your not that either.

    In the Tibetan book of the dead when you confront the gods the gods are holding a mirror and so you confront yourself which isn’t you… The gods a reflection of you and you  a reflections of them. You are It! The question of “believing in God” dissolves

    I come from a Christion up bringing where God is often thought of as a Being. At least that language used appears to suggest that God is a Being that lives somewhere above watching, judging, rewarding, punishing.

    If in my opinion one looks at the teaching closer one realizes it is a error to relate to God as a Being. That the words used to point to the experience of G_d are transparent to the transcendent. In the Jewish traditions the name of G_d is not spoken. In Islam making a image of God is forbidden. In early Christianity a  practice of unsaying everything said about G_d. Words and images define and G_d cannot be defined.  Every wisdom tradition confronting its practitioner with the problem of duality, the problem of opposites. One does not “believe in G_d” but experiences G_d in all things. The All, the Void, Oum.. silence.

    February 4, 2021 at 8:01 pm #374085
    Yalunda
    Participant

    Hi Peter,

    Thanks so much!  Yeah, I’ve read through a few books now and I’m learning so much about Buddhism, its practices, and beliefs.  Its amazing what you can learn when you take the time to go more in depth.  I really appreciate your feedback.  I always want to be respectful of all religions.  I think sometimes people look at other religions through their own, which is completely unfair.  I think its important to always talk to someone in the faith and show respect instead of making assumptions.

    Yalunda

    February 5, 2021 at 6:26 am #374091
    Peter
    Participant

    Well said Yalunda

    Their is so much we can learn.  It interesting that many wisdom traditions the sacred texts are meant to be sung. The words experienced as poetry, transparent to what is being pointed to.

    “Mythology may, in a real sense, be defined as other people’s religion. And religion may, in a sense, be understood as popular misunderstanding of mythology. ” ― Joseph Campbell, Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor

    Best wishes in your studies

    February 5, 2021 at 7:12 pm #374178
    Yalunda
    Participant

    Thank You very much Peter!

    Yalunda

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