why is buddhism a "trendy" religion? (quote, believe, philosophy)

[imcurious]

Originally Posted by purehuman

Buddhists do not worship an image expecting worldly or spiritual favors.No matter how much you pray to Buddha, you can not be saved, there are no favors granted by Buddha to thoses that pray.In Buddhism there is not an Almighty God th be obeyed and feared.......some people would not call Buddhism a religion...but a philosophy.....Buddhism recognizes the infinite possibilities of man, and teaches that man can gain deliverance from suffering by his OWN efforts...independant of "devine" help....or mediating priests.

Buddhism is a religion.

[chielgirl]

Originally Posted by mermaid825

I'm genuinely wondering about this. Why is buddhism such a "trendy" religion? Yoga, "free tibet" and its tremendous celebrity support? As far as I know Paris Hilton has never been concerned about the plight of Coptic or Iraqi Christians, but many celebrities are quite vocal about the plight of Tibetan buddhists?

I don't mean to underscore the very real suffering monks and nuns have suffered at the hands of chinese authorities, but I am puzzled why it has become a cause celebre, compared to the persecution of other religious groups. Buddhism is a very strict religion for those who study it seriously, in terms of sexual morality, avoiding alcohol & drugs, exercising self control and practicing meditation, so it's not necessarily an "easy" religion (so I don't think that is the appeal?).

Is there something special or different about buddhism that attracts the concern and attention of the secular & western world? If so, what?

Might want to pick up a book on Buddhism, since you know so very little about it.
All buddhists are not Tibetan or Zen; yoga was neither founded in nor practiced in buddhism. There are buddhist sects from the mahayana and hinayana schools.

Cause celebre?
Ummm, people are being gunned down because they're Tibetan. Maybe we think that a government shouldn't be slaughtering people because of where they live.

Originally Posted by PanTerra

I believe it's practioners purport themselves to be more "enlightend."

Some buddhists talk about the rising and falling of states of mind, or being. Things come and things go, they don't remain the same; except for the state of ignorance.
It's awfully nice to know something about a subject than simply dismiss it because you fear or don't understand it.

[PanTerra]

Originally Posted by chielgirl

Some buddhists talk about the rising and falling of states of mind, or being. Things come and things go, they don't remain the same; except for the state of ignorance.
It's awfully nice to know something about a subject than simply dismiss it because you fear or don't understand it.

M'kay.... That doesn't really explain it's trendiness, which is what I was doing. In that context only, what Buddhism is or is not, is not relavant. But thanks anyway.

[chielgirl]

Originally Posted by PanTerra

M'kay.... That doesn't really explain it's trendiness, which is what I was doing. In that context only, what Buddhism is or is not, is not relavant. But thanks anyway.

You're doing a pretty bad job of trying to explain something that you clearly do not understand.
How's that trick work in real life?

[EinsteinsGhost]

Originally Posted by PanTerra

M'kay.... That doesn't really explain it's trendiness, which is what I was doing. In that context only, what Buddhism is or is not, is not relavant. But thanks anyway.

Have you missed the post that brought up origins and spreading of the religion? If you have not, tell me why you feel it is more trendy now than it was 2000-2400 years ago?

[PanTerra]

Originally Posted by chielgirl

You're doing a pretty bad job of trying to explain something that you clearly do not understand.
How's that trick work in real life?

Again, you aren't understanding my impetus, I'm not attempting to explain Buddhism.

[PanTerra]

Originally Posted by EinsteinsGhost

Have you missed the post that brought up origins and spreading of the religion? If you have not, tell me why you feel it is more trendy now than it was 2000-2400 years ago?

Do you not think that there are instances of people getting involved in Buddhism becasue they perceive it to be "trendy?" While the OP was trying to understand why Buddhism is trendy, I think it is better understood as why certain people perceive it to be "trendy?"

[EinsteinsGhost]

Originally Posted by PanTerra

Do you not think that there are instances of people getting involved in Buddhism becasue they perceive it to be "trendy?" While the OP was trying to understand why Buddhism is trendy, I think it is better understood as why certain people perceive it to be "trendy?"

No I don't. As I have shown earlier the religion appealed to many, attracted these people solely on its strengths (without even going to them) and led to getting the word out in the region. And that was 2000+ years ago.

Also look at the fact that, of all places, Buddhism would have a strong presence in India, its birth place, and it being an offshoot of the majority religion (Hinduism). Yet, it really gained ground earlier in the 20th century with people denouncing Hinduism and adopting Buddhism. That was several decades ago.

So, if you say Buddhism is trendy only now, well, then you're not looking at its 2000+ year old history.

[PanTerra]

Originally Posted by EinsteinsGhost

No I don't. As I have shown earlier the religion appealed to many, attracted these people solely on its strengths (without even going to them) and led to getting the word out in the region. And that was 2000+ years ago.

Also look at the fact that, of all places, Buddhism would have a strong presence in India, its birth place, and it being an offshoot of the majority religion (Hinduism). Yet, it really gained ground earlier in the 20th century with people denouncing Hinduism and adopting Buddhism. That was several decades ago.

So, if you say Buddhism is trendy only now, well, then you're not looking at its 2000+ year old history.

Are you not reading, because you have completely missed my point.

[EinsteinsGhost]

Originally Posted by PanTerra

Are you not reading, because you have completely missed my point.

Not quite. Lack of knowledge, or perspective, comes to mind for such perceptions.