[ARridgerunner]

As for the Eastern Religions, coming from an Eastern Background originally — I can tell you that most of the Eastern Religions are self centered spirituality and are heavily works based (on your self).

So, what did the Buddha discover under the Bodhi tree? Self, or no self?

In the interest of truth, the Buddha never told anyone to trust him. In fact, he said just the opposite.

Buddhism in contrast teaches us that the entire Universe is Eternal (impossible thanks to the 2nd law of thermodynamics) and is basically an illusion. Okay. Then you have that reincarnation thing — where you keep coming back even though you have no clue what you did wrong in your last life. That’s kind of messed up.

Buddhism teaches the illusion of time, of a past and future that does not exist in reality but are mental constructs. In reality only now exists. One sees or one doesn't, and it isn't that hard to see.

The Western version of Buddhism has strayed very far from its roots. Christianity as well.

[rom]

This is precisely why Buddhism has the inability to deal with the real world ;)