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Yorick · 05-08-2001, 10:10 AM

I wrote a little treatise about my thoughts on Buddhism. I'll see if I can dig it up for you and send it. In the meantime:

I have actually read a fair bit on Buddhism which initially seems attractive, but in depth appears to me as a very very bleak outlook, denying the joys of life in an effort to avoid the negatives of life, with the reward being the souls obliteration (eternal unlife) to get out of the Karmic cycle. It is all based on Buddhas observation that "Life is suffering". Not that it contains it, but that it is it.

My philosophy is almost the opposite in every area of Buddhism. I believe life to be filled with positivity that gets blurred over because of it's frequency. It's often only when we lose the ability to do things that we stop taking it for granted. I try and notice all the little things while I have/can do them for example.

Thus I believe the negatives create a yardstick for comparison, and actually create the positives (tiredness makes a bed REALLY comfortable, and hunger makes food REALLY tasty

)

There is a sayig that a wise person learns to embrace pain, as much more can be learned from the situation than avoiding it. These aren't my words. I think living without pain would be bliss myself

but I can see the wisdom in the remark and so attempt maximise learning from negative experiences. (Thus actually making it a positive experience in the long term I suppose)

As an Annhialationist (a Christian who believes hell is a plave where the souls of those who don't want to be with God are obliterated) my 'hell' is the Buddhist 'Nirvana' in a sense. I'm seeking to avoid the Buddhist reward.

Mind you only Monks can attain Nirvana anyhow.

Also isn't desiring no desire a desire?

The other interesting thing, is that Buddhism is becoming popular in the West. Christians aren't converting in droves though, it is mainly the disaffected and dissatisfied rather than commited practicing Christians.

However, while I was in Singapore the Church I was teaching for had a huge Easter multimedia production where the entire congregation (12,000 members) met in the National stadium. 80% of the members are converts from Buddhism/Taoism.

My jaw dropped when I saw hundreds pile down the front at the end of the night to give their lives to Y'shua.

1756 in total. There is something Buddhism isn't supplying these long term practicioners of the faith.

What you tink?

Hey all the best with your finals BTW!

------------------
I am the walrus!.... er, no hang on....

A fair dinkum laughing Hyena!

[This message has been edited by Yorick (edited 05-08-2001).]

05-08-2001, 10:10 AM	#3
Yorick Very Mad Bird Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Breukelen (over the river from New Amsterdam) Age: 53 Posts: 9,246	I wrote a little treatise about my thoughts on Buddhism. I'll see if I can dig it up for you and send it. In the meantime: I have actually read a fair bit on Buddhism which initially seems attractive, but in depth appears to me as a very very bleak outlook, denying the joys of life in an effort to avoid the negatives of life, with the reward being the souls obliteration (eternal unlife) to get out of the Karmic cycle. It is all based on Buddhas observation that "Life is suffering". Not that it contains it, but that it is it. My philosophy is almost the opposite in every area of Buddhism. I believe life to be filled with positivity that gets blurred over because of it's frequency. It's often only when we lose the ability to do things that we stop taking it for granted. I try and notice all the little things while I have/can do them for example. Thus I believe the negatives create a yardstick for comparison, and actually create the positives (tiredness makes a bed REALLY comfortable, and hunger makes food REALLY tasty ) There is a sayig that a wise person learns to embrace pain, as much more can be learned from the situation than avoiding it. These aren't my words. I think living without pain would be bliss myself but I can see the wisdom in the remark and so attempt maximise learning from negative experiences. (Thus actually making it a positive experience in the long term I suppose) As an Annhialationist (a Christian who believes hell is a plave where the souls of those who don't want to be with God are obliterated) my 'hell' is the Buddhist 'Nirvana' in a sense. I'm seeking to avoid the Buddhist reward. Mind you only Monks can attain Nirvana anyhow. Also isn't desiring no desire a desire? The other interesting thing, is that Buddhism is becoming popular in the West. Christians aren't converting in droves though, it is mainly the disaffected and dissatisfied rather than commited practicing Christians. However, while I was in Singapore the Church I was teaching for had a huge Easter multimedia production where the entire congregation (12,000 members) met in the National stadium. 80% of the members are converts from Buddhism/Taoism. My jaw dropped when I saw hundreds pile down the front at the end of the night to give their lives to Y'shua. 1756 in total. There is something Buddhism isn't supplying these long term practicioners of the faith. What you tink? Hey all the best with your finals BTW! ------------------ I am the walrus!.... er, no hang on.... A fair dinkum laughing Hyena! [This message has been edited by Yorick (edited 05-08-2001).]