Buddhism

[ding]

Siddhartha Gautama (gô"t…-m…, 563-483) founded Buddhism about the time that the people of Judah were exiled (586 B.C.) in Babylon.[60] Approximately, twenty-five hundred years ago Siddhartha wandered through India and was known as Buddha (b›"d…), or "the Enlightened One." Siddhartha lived a sheltered life in the hill country bordering modern-day India and Nepal (n…-pôl"). Sometime after marriage and the birth of a son, he became aware of those who were suffering, sick, and dying. As a result of this encounter with the real world, he left his family and became an ascetic.[61] After six years of this life style, Siddhartha was reduced to skin and bones. During this time, he sat down under the Bo (b½) or Bodhi (Wisdom) tree[62] near the river Gaya (g…-yä"). During this period of meditation, he achieved "Enlightenment" and became known as the Buddha, that is to say, "The Enlightened One" (525 B.C.).[63] Thus, Buddha entered Nirvana (nîr-vä"n…)[64] while still alive. Terry Muck observes:

Buddhism teaches that suffering and existence are inseparable; salvation, or more properly liberation from suffering, comes only from realizing that each person is part of this inseparable connection. That knowledge leads to an inward extinction of self and the senses until it culminates in a state of illumination that is beyond suffering and existence. This final state of illumination is called nirvana.[65]

[60] Dean C. Halverson, "Buddhism," in The Compact Guide to World Religions, general ed. Dean C. Halverson (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1996), 54.

[61] Siddhartha abandoned his family at age 29.

[62] Kenneth Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult (USA: Victor, 96), 31.

[63] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 23.

[64] Nirvana is the final outcome of one's salvation. In other words, the salvation of the soul is absorbed into the one eternal reality.

[65] J. D. Douglas, general editor, New 20th - Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1991), 127, s.v. "Buddhism," by Terry C. Muck.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

 

[ding]

Buddhism versus Hinduism

As stated above, one needs to distinguish between Buddhism and Hinduism. First, Hinduism predates Buddhism at least a thousand years. Second, the two religions differ in that Hinduism is religious pantheism[66] whereas Buddhism is a nonreligious monism,[67] which is closer to atheism.[68] On the other hand, both religions teach reincarnation and karma.[69] Today, there are about 309 million followers of Buddha, with 554,000 in North America. Hinduism has approximately 719 million followers, with 1.26 million in North America.[70]

[66] See Ron Rhodes, New Age Movement (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995), 9 where he says: "Pantheism: (a) Pantheism is the view that God is all and all is God. (b) The word pantheism is based on the Greek words pan ["all"] and theos ["God"]. (c) Benjamin Crème explains that `everything is God. There is nothing else in fact but God.' (d)The New Age pantheistic God is an impersonal, amoral `it.' (e) There is no distinction between the Creator and the creation in pantheism."

[67] See Ron Rhodes, New Age Movement (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995), 9 where he says: "Monism (a) Monism [m½"n¹z"...m]is a theory that sees all reality as a unified whole. (b) The word itself comes from the Greek word monos [`one']. (c) Everything in the universe is viewed as composed of the same substance; all is organically one. As New Ager George Trevelyan puts it, `Life is a Divine Oneness.'" (d) Humanity, God, and the world of nature are likened to waves in a single cosmic ocean. (e) Perceived differences are apparent, not real. (f) Therefore, all of reality is interrelated and interdependent."

[68] Atheism is the belief that there is no God. The final reality is believed to be matter, not spirit. In the words of Carl Sagan, "The cosmos is all there ever was and is, all there will ever be." This quotation is cited in Erwin W. Lutzer & John F. De Vries, Satan's Evangelistic Strategy for This New Age (USA: Victor, 1992), 60.

[69]See Ibid., 76, where they explain: "The doctrine of karma refers to an irrevocable law that everyone gets what he or she deserves."

[70] David Jeremiah with C.C. Carlson, Invasion of Other God: The Seduction of New Age Spirituality (Dallas: Word, 1995), 29.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

 

[yiostheoy]

And ???

 

[ding]

Four Noble Truths

Siddhartha’s approach to religion clashed with Hinduism out of which he was raised. Hinduism had generated into empty philosophical speculations and disputes. Also, polytheism, rituals, magi, and superstition permeated Hinduism. The caste[71] system also dominated this society. Siddhartha rejected the caste system with all its forms of speculation, ritual and occultism. Buddhism is constructed on the Four Noble Truths: (1) "Life is suffering, (2) Suffering is caused by desire, (3) The cessation of desire eliminates suffering, and (4) The stopping of desire comes by following ‘The Middle Way’ between the extremes of sensuousness and asceticism."[72]

[71] k²st

[72] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 23,24.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

 

[ding]

And ???

And nothing. Just sharing.

 

[ding]

Eightfold Path. Life for Buddha was full of pain and suffering (dukkha). This is evident in birth, sickness, decay, and death. For Buddha, suffering is also caused by an insatiable desire for pleasure, existence, and prosperity. If one wishes to overcome suffering, then he or she must eliminate these desires. But how can this be accomplished? Buddha taught that for one to escape suffering, one must follow in the Eightfold Path, also known as "The Middle Way." Kenneth Boa captures well this scheme of remedial treatment when he writes:

The Eightfold Path is a system of therapy designed to develop habits that will release people from the restrictions caused by ignorance and craving. Each follower must join an order (the sangha) and associate with other disciples of Buddha. The Eightfold Path consists of: (1) right knowledge (the Four Noble Truths), (2) right aspirations (intentions), (3) right speech (overcoming falsehood and promoting truth), (4) right conduct, (5) right livelihood (certain occupations must not be followed, such as slave trader, tax collector, or butcher), (6) right effort, (7) right mindfulness (self-analysis), and (8) right meditation (the techniques of Raja Yoga).[73]

Again, this "Eightfold Path" or the "Middle Way" is succinctly stated by Carlson and Decker as (1) Right View, (2) Right Resolve, (3) Right Speech, (4) Right Action,[74] (5) Right Livelihood, (6) Right Effort, (7) Right Concentration, and (8) Right Ecstasy.[75] Right View means that one comprehends the Four Noble Truths. Right Resolve is the determination to obey the Four Noble Truths. If one wishes to avoid suffering, then one must have Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. In addition to the practical aspects, one must also adopt the spiritual aspects, namely, the emptying of the mind (Right Effort), the higher states of the mind and body control (Right Concentration), and cessation of sense experience and receiving universal knowledge (Right Ecstasy).[76]

"The goal of each Buddhist" writes Boa, "is the attainment of the state of nirvana."[77] Again, Boa points out that "Gautama’s original teaching was that nirvana is not God or heaven, for his system has no place for deity."[78] For Gautama (Siddhartha, Buddha) the Absolute is totally impersonal, and salvation is achieved by one’s own labor. He also adopted the Hindu philosophy of transmigration (samsara, s…m-sär"…) and karma into his reasoned doctrine.

Buddha modified the teaching about the transmigration of souls by asserting that men do not have souls. "There is no enduring self or no actual substance (anicca) which goes through rebirth, but only a set of feelings, impressions, and present moments. All external reality is illusion (maya, mä"y…).[79] Buddha also taught that each man is an island unto himself. "Buddha said, ‘If someone is suffering, that is his karma.’ You are not to interfere with another person’s karma because he is purging himself through suffering and reincarnation! Buddha said, ‘You are to be an island unto yourself.’"[80]

[73] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 32.

[74] Right Action, or Right Conduct demands five precepts: (1) forbidding killing, (2) stealing, (3) lying, (4) adultery, and (5) drinking intoxicants.

[75] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 24.

[76] I am especially indebted to Carlson and Decker for this insight.

[77] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 32.

[78] Ibid.

[79] Ibid., 33.

[80] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 29.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

 

[B. Kidd]

Buddhism had three evolvements through three different countries: India, China, Japan. That is why there is well over 200,000 different sects of Buddhism.

 

[ding]

The Two Main Branches. Even before Buddhism reached into other countries, the movement divided into conservative and liberal schools of thought. The conservative form is known as Theravada (thµr"…-vä"d…--The Way of the Elders). This conservative movement is also known by Hinayana (h¶"n…-yä"n…--The Lesser Vehicle) Buddhism. It is also called Southern Buddhism since it is the strongest in Sri Lanka (sr¶ läng "k…), Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia.[81] The liberal school is called Mahayana (mä"h…-yä"n…--The Greater Vehicle) Buddhism. This school is also known as Northern Buddhism. It is strongest in Nepal, China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and Indonesia.[82]

Differences between Theravada and Mahayana:

Theravada holds to the Pali (pä"l¶) cannon and early accounts of Buddha’s teachings. On the other hand, Mahayana is more liberal and emphasizes Buddha’s life.
Theravada is concerned with insight and wisdom (bodhi). On the other hand, Mahayana is concerned with feelings and compassion (karuna).
Theravada teaches that man is his own salvation and that salvation is achieved through one’s own efforts. On the other hand, Mahayana teaches that one’s salvation is dependent on the grace of others.
Theravada is the path of few because it teaches renunciation and the monastic system. This is why it is called The Lesser Vehicle; only a few could hope to achieve nirvana. On the other hand, Mahayana is the path of many. This is why it is called The Greater Vehicle because layman can follow it.
Theravada places emphasis upon the saint; Buddha is a saint (arhat, är"h…t). On the other hand, Mahayana sees Buddha as a savior, not just a saint.
Theravada avoids cosmological speculation; Mahayana introduces graphic portrayals of heavens and hell.
Theravada is in essence atheistic; On the other hand, Mahayana is polytheistic and idolatrous
Theravada employees only Three Baskets (the original Buddhist scriptures); on the other hand, Mahayana added many books to their canon.[83]

[81] Boa, Cults, World Religions, and the Occult, 33.

[82] Ibid., 34.

[83] See Ibid., 34, 35.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

 

[ding]

Buddhism had three evolvements through three different countries: India, China, Japan. That is why there is well over 200,000 different sects of Buddhism.

Please feel free to add to this.

 

[ding]

Comparison between Jesus and Buddha:

Jesus claimed to be the Way by which man receives salvation. Buddha claimed to point to the way.
Jesus taught that the solution to suffering is found not in eliminating desire but in having the right desire. Buddha taught that the way to eliminate suffering was by eliminating desire.
Jesus claimed to have a special relationship with God. Buddha did not claim to have a special relationship with God.
Jesus taught salvation through God’s grace. Buddha taught that the way of salvation is through self-effort
Pastor H. S. Vigeveno of Hollywood captured in a nutshell the basic belief of Buddhism:

Man is his own savior. He achieves enlightenment, eventually. He earns his own rewards, and they will bring him to heaven (Nirvana). So man works his way to God. Grace does not really set him Free.[84]

[84] Cited in Lester Sumrall, Where Was God When Pagan Religions Began (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1980), 103.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

 

[ding]

CONCLUSION

Buddhism. Buddhism is a reform movement within Hinduism. Buddhism arose out of the atheistic strands of Hinduism in the sixth century. Buddha discovered the life of luxury and the life of asceticism. His life of extreme asceticism did not bring spiritual fulfillment. As a result of monastic type life, he proposed the "Middle Way."

Buddhism eventually became a missionary religion. Out of Buddhism developed two main sects: (1) the Therevada school, and (2) the Mahayana school. The Therevada school is the more austere, which flourishes in Sri Lanka, Burma, and southeast Asia. On the other hand, the Mahayana school developed a cosmology and a pantheon of semi-deities, which is found in China, Korea, and Japan.

Salvation and the Afterlife. "Buddhism sees ignorance rather than sin as the roadblock to salvation. That is, the belief that the world and self truly exist keeps the illusory wheel of existence rolling; only destruction of that belief will stop the mad course of the world."[85] Buddha summed up this doctrine in the Four Noble Truths: (1) life is basically suffering; (2) the origin of suffering lies in desire; (3) the end of suffering is through the cessation of desire; and (4) the way to cease suffering and escape continual rebirth is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

Morals. Buddhist laity are to follow the Five Precepts: (1) no killing, including animals; (2) no stealing, (3) no illicit sexual relations; (4) no wrong speech, including gossiping; and (5) no drugs or alcohol. But monks and nuns followed a life of moderate asceticism. The two schools (Theravada and Mahayana) adopted different philosophies in their quest for nirvana. The Theravada school emphasizes meditation and self-denial; on the other hand, the Mahayana teaching stresses "compassion," which involves helping people in every area of life, even though such help does not lead to nirvana. In other words, one school is concerned with insight and wisdom, the other with feelings and compassion.

Worship. For the Buddhist, one shows respect for Buddha when one bows before an image of Buddha. Meditation involves one’s own attitude in which one seeks to rid his mind of all his desires. Kenneth Boa writes: "Gautama’s approach to religion was quite different from the Hinduism out of which he had come. Hinduism had degenerated on the one hand to empty philosophical speculations and disputes, and on the other hand to a crass form of polytheism, rituals, magic, and superstition. Gautama attacked the caste system and rejected all forms of speculation, ritual, and occultism."[86]

God. For Buddha there is no absolute God. Even though Buddha did not deny the existence of God, nevertheless, he encouraged individuals to concentrate on their own spiritual paths, rather than relying on outside help. Buddha did not claim divinity or even claim his teachings from a divine source.

Man and the Universe. Buddha does not explain the ultimate nature of the world. Buddha also maintained that man is simply a fiction: there is really no such thing as "self."

[85] Cory, The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error, "Buddhism."

[86] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 31.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

 

[aris2chat]

Eightfold Path. Life for Buddha was full of pain and suffering (dukkha). This is evident in birth, sickness, decay, and death. For Buddha, suffering is also caused by an insatiable desire for pleasure, existence, and prosperity. If one wishes to overcome suffering, then he or she must eliminate these desires. But how can this be accomplished? Buddha taught that for one to escape suffering, one must follow in the Eightfold Path, also known as "The Middle Way." Kenneth Boa captures well this scheme of remedial treatment when he writes:

The Eightfold Path is a system of therapy designed to develop habits that will release people from the restrictions caused by ignorance and craving. Each follower must join an order (the sangha) and associate with other disciples of Buddha. The Eightfold Path consists of: (1) right knowledge (the Four Noble Truths), (2) right aspirations (intentions), (3) right speech (overcoming falsehood and promoting truth), (4) right conduct, (5) right livelihood (certain occupations must not be followed, such as slave trader, tax collector, or butcher), (6) right effort, (7) right mindfulness (self-analysis), and (8) right meditation (the techniques of Raja Yoga).[73]

Again, this "Eightfold Path" or the "Middle Way" is succinctly stated by Carlson and Decker as (1) Right View, (2) Right Resolve, (3) Right Speech, (4) Right Action,[74] (5) Right Livelihood, (6) Right Effort, (7) Right Concentration, and (8) Right Ecstasy.[75] Right View means that one comprehends the Four Noble Truths. Right Resolve is the determination to obey the Four Noble Truths. If one wishes to avoid suffering, then one must have Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. In addition to the practical aspects, one must also adopt the spiritual aspects, namely, the emptying of the mind (Right Effort), the higher states of the mind and body control (Right Concentration), and cessation of sense experience and receiving universal knowledge (Right Ecstasy).[76]

"The goal of each Buddhist" writes Boa, "is the attainment of the state of nirvana."[77] Again, Boa points out that "Gautama’s original teaching was that nirvana is not God or heaven, for his system has no place for deity."[78] For Gautama (Siddhartha, Buddha) the Absolute is totally impersonal, and salvation is achieved by one’s own labor. He also adopted the Hindu philosophy of transmigration (samsara, s…m-sär"…) and karma into his reasoned doctrine.

Buddha modified the teaching about the transmigration of souls by asserting that men do not have souls. "There is no enduring self or no actual substance (anicca) which goes through rebirth, but only a set of feelings, impressions, and present moments. All external reality is illusion (maya, mä"y…).[79] Buddha also taught that each man is an island unto himself. "Buddha said, ‘If someone is suffering, that is his karma.’ You are not to interfere with another person’s karma because he is purging himself through suffering and reincarnation! Buddha said, ‘You are to be an island unto yourself.’"[80]

[73] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 32.

[74] Right Action, or Right Conduct demands five precepts: (1) forbidding killing, (2) stealing, (3) lying, (4) adultery, and (5) drinking intoxicants.

[75] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 24.

[76] I am especially indebted to Carlson and Decker for this insight.

[77] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 32.

[78] Ibid.

[79] Ibid., 33.

[80] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 29.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

Throws a wet sock at the idea of a need for a god.
A theist cut and pasting on Buddhism?
10% of the present population, and vast population of the last 2000 plus years don't need to believe in a god.
Did you gain some insight in the last couple of days?

 

[B. Kidd]

The basic flaw with Buddhism is that it ignores the fact that the human mind is finite, trapped in a nuero-system made up of the five 'Divers' senses. To be human is to be finite, which is a major natural impairment to 'Godhead realization'.

 

[yiostheoy]

There are a dozen major religions in the world.

Religion is the opiate of the masses (Marx).

 

[ding]

There are a dozen major religions in the world.

Religion is the opiate of the masses (Marx).

That is certainly what some believe, yes. Me? Not so much.

 

[ding]

Eightfold Path. Life for Buddha was full of pain and suffering (dukkha). This is evident in birth, sickness, decay, and death. For Buddha, suffering is also caused by an insatiable desire for pleasure, existence, and prosperity. If one wishes to overcome suffering, then he or she must eliminate these desires. But how can this be accomplished? Buddha taught that for one to escape suffering, one must follow in the Eightfold Path, also known as "The Middle Way." Kenneth Boa captures well this scheme of remedial treatment when he writes:

The Eightfold Path is a system of therapy designed to develop habits that will release people from the restrictions caused by ignorance and craving. Each follower must join an order (the sangha) and associate with other disciples of Buddha. The Eightfold Path consists of: (1) right knowledge (the Four Noble Truths), (2) right aspirations (intentions), (3) right speech (overcoming falsehood and promoting truth), (4) right conduct, (5) right livelihood (certain occupations must not be followed, such as slave trader, tax collector, or butcher), (6) right effort, (7) right mindfulness (self-analysis), and (8) right meditation (the techniques of Raja Yoga).[73]

Again, this "Eightfold Path" or the "Middle Way" is succinctly stated by Carlson and Decker as (1) Right View, (2) Right Resolve, (3) Right Speech, (4) Right Action,[74] (5) Right Livelihood, (6) Right Effort, (7) Right Concentration, and (8) Right Ecstasy.[75] Right View means that one comprehends the Four Noble Truths. Right Resolve is the determination to obey the Four Noble Truths. If one wishes to avoid suffering, then one must have Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. In addition to the practical aspects, one must also adopt the spiritual aspects, namely, the emptying of the mind (Right Effort), the higher states of the mind and body control (Right Concentration), and cessation of sense experience and receiving universal knowledge (Right Ecstasy).[76]

"The goal of each Buddhist" writes Boa, "is the attainment of the state of nirvana."[77] Again, Boa points out that "Gautama’s original teaching was that nirvana is not God or heaven, for his system has no place for deity."[78] For Gautama (Siddhartha, Buddha) the Absolute is totally impersonal, and salvation is achieved by one’s own labor. He also adopted the Hindu philosophy of transmigration (samsara, s…m-sär"…) and karma into his reasoned doctrine.

Buddha modified the teaching about the transmigration of souls by asserting that men do not have souls. "There is no enduring self or no actual substance (anicca) which goes through rebirth, but only a set of feelings, impressions, and present moments. All external reality is illusion (maya, mä"y…).[79] Buddha also taught that each man is an island unto himself. "Buddha said, ‘If someone is suffering, that is his karma.’ You are not to interfere with another person’s karma because he is purging himself through suffering and reincarnation! Buddha said, ‘You are to be an island unto yourself.’"[80]

[73] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 32.

[74] Right Action, or Right Conduct demands five precepts: (1) forbidding killing, (2) stealing, (3) lying, (4) adultery, and (5) drinking intoxicants.

[75] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 24.

[76] I am especially indebted to Carlson and Decker for this insight.

[77] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 32.

[78] Ibid.

[79] Ibid., 33.

[80] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 29.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

Throws a wet sock at the idea of a need for a god.
A theist cut and pasting on Buddhism?
10% of the present population, and vast population of the last 2000 plus years don't need to believe in a god.
Did you gain some insight in the last couple of days?

I have been informed recently that I am more of a deist than a theist. Who knew? Of course, I would have thought someone who lectured on religion, such as yourself, would have known.

I studied all of the major religions when I woke up. When did you walk away from God?

 

[ding]

The basic flaw with Buddhism is that it ignores the fact that the human mind is finite, trapped in a nuero-system made up of the five 'Divers' senses. To be human is to be finite, which is a major natural impairment to 'Godhead realization'.

I prefer to see other religions in their best possible light. I would not expect myself to understand the faith of another as well as they do, but that does not mean I have to fail miserably at it. I just remind myself that they are human beings just like I am and that helps me not fail so miserably.

 

[aris2chat]

Eightfold Path. Life for Buddha was full of pain and suffering (dukkha). This is evident in birth, sickness, decay, and death. For Buddha, suffering is also caused by an insatiable desire for pleasure, existence, and prosperity. If one wishes to overcome suffering, then he or she must eliminate these desires. But how can this be accomplished? Buddha taught that for one to escape suffering, one must follow in the Eightfold Path, also known as "The Middle Way." Kenneth Boa captures well this scheme of remedial treatment when he writes:

The Eightfold Path is a system of therapy designed to develop habits that will release people from the restrictions caused by ignorance and craving. Each follower must join an order (the sangha) and associate with other disciples of Buddha. The Eightfold Path consists of: (1) right knowledge (the Four Noble Truths), (2) right aspirations (intentions), (3) right speech (overcoming falsehood and promoting truth), (4) right conduct, (5) right livelihood (certain occupations must not be followed, such as slave trader, tax collector, or butcher), (6) right effort, (7) right mindfulness (self-analysis), and (8) right meditation (the techniques of Raja Yoga).[73]

Again, this "Eightfold Path" or the "Middle Way" is succinctly stated by Carlson and Decker as (1) Right View, (2) Right Resolve, (3) Right Speech, (4) Right Action,[74] (5) Right Livelihood, (6) Right Effort, (7) Right Concentration, and (8) Right Ecstasy.[75] Right View means that one comprehends the Four Noble Truths. Right Resolve is the determination to obey the Four Noble Truths. If one wishes to avoid suffering, then one must have Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. In addition to the practical aspects, one must also adopt the spiritual aspects, namely, the emptying of the mind (Right Effort), the higher states of the mind and body control (Right Concentration), and cessation of sense experience and receiving universal knowledge (Right Ecstasy).[76]

"The goal of each Buddhist" writes Boa, "is the attainment of the state of nirvana."[77] Again, Boa points out that "Gautama’s original teaching was that nirvana is not God or heaven, for his system has no place for deity."[78] For Gautama (Siddhartha, Buddha) the Absolute is totally impersonal, and salvation is achieved by one’s own labor. He also adopted the Hindu philosophy of transmigration (samsara, s…m-sär"…) and karma into his reasoned doctrine.

Buddha modified the teaching about the transmigration of souls by asserting that men do not have souls. "There is no enduring self or no actual substance (anicca) which goes through rebirth, but only a set of feelings, impressions, and present moments. All external reality is illusion (maya, mä"y…).[79] Buddha also taught that each man is an island unto himself. "Buddha said, ‘If someone is suffering, that is his karma.’ You are not to interfere with another person’s karma because he is purging himself through suffering and reincarnation! Buddha said, ‘You are to be an island unto yourself.’"[80]

[73] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 32.

[74] Right Action, or Right Conduct demands five precepts: (1) forbidding killing, (2) stealing, (3) lying, (4) adultery, and (5) drinking intoxicants.

[75] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 24.

[76] I am especially indebted to Carlson and Decker for this insight.

[77] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 32.

[78] Ibid.

[79] Ibid., 33.

[80] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 29.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

Throws a wet sock at the idea of a need for a god.
A theist cut and pasting on Buddhism?
10% of the present population, and vast population of the last 2000 plus years don't need to believe in a god.
Did you gain some insight in the last couple of days?

I have been informed recently that I am more of a deist than a theist. Who knew? Of course, I would have thought someone who lectured on religion, such as yourself, would have known.

I studied all of the major religions when I woke up. When did you walk away from God?

age 10, I just stopped going with my father and grandmother. I'd had questions since I first remember going to a church.
I took my father when he got older but usually took a book to read while sitting there.

 

[ding]

age 10, I just stopped going with my father and grandmother. I'd had questions since I first remember going to a church.
I took my father when he got older but usually took a book to read while sitting there.

Used to lecture on religious anthropology, a lifetime ago....sometimes seems like two

Then why did you used to lecture on religious anthropology?

 

[aris2chat]

Eightfold Path. Life for Buddha was full of pain and suffering (dukkha). This is evident in birth, sickness, decay, and death. For Buddha, suffering is also caused by an insatiable desire for pleasure, existence, and prosperity. If one wishes to overcome suffering, then he or she must eliminate these desires. But how can this be accomplished? Buddha taught that for one to escape suffering, one must follow in the Eightfold Path, also known as "The Middle Way." Kenneth Boa captures well this scheme of remedial treatment when he writes:

The Eightfold Path is a system of therapy designed to develop habits that will release people from the restrictions caused by ignorance and craving. Each follower must join an order (the sangha) and associate with other disciples of Buddha. The Eightfold Path consists of: (1) right knowledge (the Four Noble Truths), (2) right aspirations (intentions), (3) right speech (overcoming falsehood and promoting truth), (4) right conduct, (5) right livelihood (certain occupations must not be followed, such as slave trader, tax collector, or butcher), (6) right effort, (7) right mindfulness (self-analysis), and (8) right meditation (the techniques of Raja Yoga).[73]

Again, this "Eightfold Path" or the "Middle Way" is succinctly stated by Carlson and Decker as (1) Right View, (2) Right Resolve, (3) Right Speech, (4) Right Action,[74] (5) Right Livelihood, (6) Right Effort, (7) Right Concentration, and (8) Right Ecstasy.[75] Right View means that one comprehends the Four Noble Truths. Right Resolve is the determination to obey the Four Noble Truths. If one wishes to avoid suffering, then one must have Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. In addition to the practical aspects, one must also adopt the spiritual aspects, namely, the emptying of the mind (Right Effort), the higher states of the mind and body control (Right Concentration), and cessation of sense experience and receiving universal knowledge (Right Ecstasy).[76]

"The goal of each Buddhist" writes Boa, "is the attainment of the state of nirvana."[77] Again, Boa points out that "Gautama’s original teaching was that nirvana is not God or heaven, for his system has no place for deity."[78] For Gautama (Siddhartha, Buddha) the Absolute is totally impersonal, and salvation is achieved by one’s own labor. He also adopted the Hindu philosophy of transmigration (samsara, s…m-sär"…) and karma into his reasoned doctrine.

Buddha modified the teaching about the transmigration of souls by asserting that men do not have souls. "There is no enduring self or no actual substance (anicca) which goes through rebirth, but only a set of feelings, impressions, and present moments. All external reality is illusion (maya, mä"y…).[79] Buddha also taught that each man is an island unto himself. "Buddha said, ‘If someone is suffering, that is his karma.’ You are not to interfere with another person’s karma because he is purging himself through suffering and reincarnation! Buddha said, ‘You are to be an island unto yourself.’"[80]

[73] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 32.

[74] Right Action, or Right Conduct demands five precepts: (1) forbidding killing, (2) stealing, (3) lying, (4) adultery, and (5) drinking intoxicants.

[75] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 24.

[76] I am especially indebted to Carlson and Decker for this insight.

[77] Boa, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, 32.

[78] Ibid.

[79] Ibid., 33.

[80] Carlson, Fast Facts on False Teachings, 29.

Sermons and Essays*Buddhism and Hinduism

Throws a wet sock at the idea of a need for a god.
A theist cut and pasting on Buddhism?
10% of the present population, and vast population of the last 2000 plus years don't need to believe in a god.
Did you gain some insight in the last couple of days?

I have been informed recently that I am more of a deist than a theist. Who knew? Of course, I would have thought someone who lectured on religion, such as yourself, would have known.

I studied all of the major religions when I woke up. When did you walk away from God?

Would have known your mind and heart? Only by what you post.

I did not major in mind reading via a message board