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I've always considered Buddhism to be a philosophy and way of life. It's got a lot of great value to offer.
All religions have within them philosophy and instructions for way of living. Siddhartha did not start from nothing to realize his wisdom, his Bodha. He was grounded in Vedanta and the Upanishads, which conditioned his thinking and his practice, the goal of ending of suffering and liberation from the cycle of death and birth.
Where he departs from Vedanta is that he does not talk about the Uncreated Self that is the Witness. His teaching was not about liberation which is the knowledge of the Self, but the ending of suffering. The means to both, liberation and dukkha are the same: Mindfulness, let go of hankering, live like a monk by dispossessing, and practice kindness and empathy. His teachings were for his students who followed him, mostly monks. And for the poorest of the poor, those who were already dispossessed.
When Buddhism spread it took the main principles with it but also got shaped by the culture in which it got grounded, including the west and its own values.
It seems odd to me for people to take it that way, with no deity involved. That would be a pretty big stretch. But there have always been people doing odd things, you know?
Yes. When I go to Buddhist temples in Thailand and see the rituals that some people go through...it seems to me that is where it gets into a religion. And as a side note -- and I've talked about this with at least one monk -- another distraction from it being a philosophy is the degree that cultural-historical animism has crept into Buddhism.
Yes. When I go to Buddhist temples in Thailand and see the rituals that some people go through...it seems to me that is where it gets into a religion. And as a side note -- and I've talked about this with at least one monk -- another distraction from it being a philosophy is the degree that cultural-historical animism has crept into Buddhism.
That must be an amazing experience, going there, being in those special locations. Such a different world there than the US. I wish I could travel the world. I'd appreciate and soak up every moment.
That must be an amazing experience, going there, being in those special locations. Such a different world there than the US. I wish I could travel the world. I'd appreciate and soak up every moment.
Yes...in 22 years I spent 20 summers in Thailand (usually 7 weeks at a time), and then moved there after retirement for a couple of years. Aside from the temple environment itself, the welcoming attitude of the Thais was special, too. For example, one year early on I was visiting an upcountry temple, but when I went into the wiharn (the building for common people to meditate, etc.), there was a ceremony going on, so I stopped short and began to walk away. A woman came out after me and welcomed me back in to join in the ceremony. I wasn't sure what the ceremony was, but afterwards learned it was a family funeral. But I was till welcome.
Yes...in 22 years I spent 20 summers in Thailand (usually 7 weeks at a time), and then moved there after retirement for a couple of years. Aside from the temple environment itself, the welcoming attitude of the Thais was special, too. For example, one year early on I was visiting an upcountry temple, but when I went into the wiharn (the building for common people to meditate, etc.), there was a ceremony going on, so I stopped short and began to walk away. A woman came out after me and welcomed me back in to join in the ceremony. I wasn't sure what the ceremony was, but afterwards learned it was a family funeral. But I was till welcome.
I'd imagine that it would be a bit difficult and disappointing to return to the US, after that welcoming peace, generosity, depth, and genuineness.
Last edited by Thoreau424; 03-30-2023 at 03:57 PM..
It's not nice here at all, and going farther in the crapper each day. I try to stay positive and separate from it as much as possible, but it's still so disappointing. So many changes and degradations since, say, even the 1960s-70s, when I was kid. It's hard to even recognize humanity in so many around us these days.
I do hope you can get to a better place. You've lived overseas before, maybe it can happen again.
It's not nice here at all, and going farther in the crapper each day. I try to stay positive and separate from it as much as possible, but it's still so disappointing. So many changes and degradations since, say, even the 1960s-70s, when I was kid. It's hard to even recognize humanity in so many around us these days.
I do hope you can get to a better place. You've lived overseas before, maybe it can happen again.
Too old to go through all that is required again. But thanks for the thought.
How about an area in the US with a larger Asian population, like Seattle?
Good suggestion, but I've moved too often as it is.
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I'd imagine that it would be a bit difficult and disappointing to return to the US, after that welcoming peace, generosity, depth, and genuineness.
