Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Bare Essentials of Buddhism: A Guide for Westerners
The Prometheus Institute ^ | 3/26/2008 | Justin Hartfield

Posted on 03/26/2008 8:45:03 AM PDT by tang0r

There is much confusion in the Western world over the basic tenants of Buddhism. Many Westerners believe that Buddhism is -- a) a religion circulating around the worship of a portly Asian sage (often gilded or bronzed and meditating near the door of your favorite Chinese restaurant holding the mints and toothpicks), b) involving a lot of sitting in uncomfortable positions, and c) coldly atheistic or fancifully pantheistic (depending on which section of Wikipedia you consult)

Of course, when inspected closer, these stereotypes and inadequate attempts of pigeonholing a religion that has neither formal creed nor “divine” teachings is absolutely useless.

At least in the Judeo-Christian sense, Buddhism is not a religion. Instead, Buddhism is more like a collection of insightful observations centered on a single principle- the study of what is. A Buddhist isn't interested in what might or what should be- he is simply interested in analyzing reality as it is, without undue romanticism or abstraction.

(Excerpt) Read more at theprometheusinstitute.org ...


TOPICS: Religion
KEYWORDS: buddhism; tenant; tenet
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-43 last
To: ARridgerunner

Lha gyalo!


41 posted on 04/06/2008 7:14:51 PM PDT by TigersEye (Beijing 2008 - Berlin 1936. Olympics staged for murdering tyrant regimes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: TigersEye
They will be found when the builder of the tabernacle is seen and caught. Sakyamuni is victorious.

Blessing and Prayer: "Accept me, my Lord, accept me for this while. Let those orphaned days that passed without thee be forgotten. Only spread this little moment wide across thy lap, holding it under thy light.

I have wandered in pursuit of voices that drew me yet led me nowhere. Now let me sit in peace and listen to thy words in the soul of my silence. Do not turn away thy face from my heart's dark secrets, but burn them till they are alight with thy fire." (Tagore)

Karuna.

42 posted on 04/07/2008 8:11:54 AM PDT by ARridgerunner
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: ARridgerunner
Compelling verses.

Homage to all the victorious ones.

43 posted on 04/07/2008 7:33:12 PM PDT by TigersEye (Berlin 1936. Beijing 2008. Olympic Games for murdering regimes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-43 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson