The diiference between God and Buddha

[Sky Dancer]

Ok, thank you. So what did Buddha say "love" is?

Buddhists define love as the sincere wish for others to be happy. We define compassion as the sincere wish for others to be free of suffering.

Ok, thank you, and for the link.

While it is noble and good to not want others to suffer, and we can "wish" it - is it reality?

We all suffer in something. How do we console one another when we suffer? For example, if when parents lose their children to a horrific accident, do we say, " I wish you would be "happy" ? Or rather, do we grieve with those who grieve?

Does Buddha teach about why the world is the way it is? Why there is suffering? Why there is chaos? Why we do things wrong and hurt one another, or ourselves?
.

The Buddha taught about virtue and non-virtue. It is virtuous to wish others to be free of suffering and to be happy. It is non-virtuous to wish them harm.

How do we console one another when we're suffering? Great question. We accept the suffering, the truth of the way things truly are and we hold each other in loving presence. The causes of suffering according to the Buddha are ignorance and craving.

We don't make empty wishes to someone who is suffering. We respect the process of grieving.

The Buddha did teach about why there is suffering. He taught that in the Four Noble Truths. The Truth of Suffering, The Truth of the Causes of Suffering, The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering and The Truth of the Path which leads to the Cessation of Suffering,

His teaching is the causes of suffering are not understanding how things truly are. Not understanding impermanence, and creating karma out of that basic ignorance.

Just on a personal level, I really appreciate your sincere questions and respect your choice of path. There are many ways that Christianity and Buddhism meet.

More subtly, there is even a way that God and "Buddha nature" relate. They come together in the place beyond conception.

We might call Buddha nature by many names, including 'the Perfection of Sublime Knowing".

See if this sounds like God to you:

"Indescribable, inconcievable, and inexpressible, the Perfection of Sublime Knowing is unborn and unceasing. The very nature of space. It is the realm of your own self-knowing timeless awareness."

Prajnaparamita

 

[Marie888]

Buddhists define love as the sincere wish for others to be happy. We define compassion as the sincere wish for others to be free of suffering.

Ok, thank you, and for the link.

While it is noble and good to not want others to suffer, and we can "wish" it - is it reality?

We all suffer in something. How do we console one another when we suffer? For example, if when parents lose their children to a horrific accident, do we say, " I wish you would be "happy" ? Or rather, do we grieve with those who grieve?

Does Buddha teach about why the world is the way it is? Why there is suffering? Why there is chaos? Why we do things wrong and hurt one another, or ourselves?
.

The Buddha taught about virtue and non-virtue. It is virtuous to wish others to be free of suffering and to be happy. It is non-virtuous to wish them harm.

How do we console one another when we're suffering? Great question. We accept the suffering, the truth of the way things truly are and we hold each other in loving presence.

We don't make empty wishes to someone who is suffering. We respect the process of grieving.

The Buddha did teach about why there is suffering. It taught that in the Four Noble Truths. His teaching is the causes of suffering are not understanding how things truly are. Not understanding impermanence, and creating karma out of that basic ignorance.

Just on a personal level, I really appreciate your sincere questions and respect your choice of path. There are many ways that Christianity and Buddhism meet.

More subtly, there is even a way that God and "Buddha nature" relate. They come together in the place beyond conception.

We might call Buddha nature by many names, including 'the Perfection of Sublime Knowing".

See if this sounds like God to you:

"Indescribable, inconcievable, and inexpressible, the Perfection of Sublime Knowing is unborn and unceasing. The very nature of space. It is the realm of your own self-knowing timeless awareness."

Prajnaparamita

No, I believe there is a huge contrast between Buddism and the Lord our God.

While on the surface it may "appear" to some that they are similiar, as Buddism claims to come in the name of "peace, compassion, kindness, etc" , there is still the most important thing missing. God Himself.

It is said in the Bible that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
(2 Corinthians 14) Meaning that he doesn't appear as he's depicted so many times, with horns, a red face. But rather, perhaps someone possibly claiming "peace, peace," - when there is no peace. Perhaps someone with a smile on their face and even with outward kindness to others, but in their heart they are not honest, they have an agenda.

It seems rather to me that Buddism is a coping mechanism to try to deal with one's pain or suffering - however, it's still being taught by a "person" who walked the earth.

In the world, in reality, we will suffer. There are diseases, natural disasters that effect us all. We cannot stop most of these things by "human" effort though some may try.

If what you said is achievable....."Indescribable, inconcievable, and inexpressible, the Perfection of Sublime Knowing is unborn and unceasing. The very nature of space. It is the realm of your own self-knowing timeless awareness." - wouldn't the question of whether there is a God or not arise? Why didn't Buddha address it?

Or is it possible that Buddha wanted himself rather to be looked upon as a type of "god"?
Have people follow him, his teachings?

.

 

[Sky Dancer]

Ok, thank you, and for the link.

While it is noble and good to not want others to suffer, and we can "wish" it - is it reality?

We all suffer in something. How do we console one another when we suffer? For example, if when parents lose their children to a horrific accident, do we say, " I wish you would be "happy" ? Or rather, do we grieve with those who grieve?

Does Buddha teach about why the world is the way it is? Why there is suffering? Why there is chaos? Why we do things wrong and hurt one another, or ourselves?
.

The Buddha taught about virtue and non-virtue. It is virtuous to wish others to be free of suffering and to be happy. It is non-virtuous to wish them harm.

How do we console one another when we're suffering? Great question. We accept the suffering, the truth of the way things truly are and we hold each other in loving presence.

We don't make empty wishes to someone who is suffering. We respect the process of grieving.

The Buddha did teach about why there is suffering. It taught that in the Four Noble Truths. His teaching is the causes of suffering are not understanding how things truly are. Not understanding impermanence, and creating karma out of that basic ignorance.

Just on a personal level, I really appreciate your sincere questions and respect your choice of path. There are many ways that Christianity and Buddhism meet.

More subtly, there is even a way that God and "Buddha nature" relate. They come together in the place beyond conception.

We might call Buddha nature by many names, including 'the Perfection of Sublime Knowing".

See if this sounds like God to you:

"Indescribable, inconcievable, and inexpressible, the Perfection of Sublime Knowing is unborn and unceasing. The very nature of space. It is the realm of your own self-knowing timeless awareness."

Prajnaparamita

No, I believe there is a huge contrast between Buddism and the Lord our God.

While on the surface it may "appear" to some that they are similiar, as Buddism claims to come in the name of "peace, compassion, kindness, etc" , there is still the most important thing missing. God Himself.

It is said in the Bible that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
(2 Corinthians 14) Meaning that he doesn't appear as he's depicted so many times, with horns, a red face. But rather, perhaps someone possibly claiming "peace, peace," - when there is no peace. Perhaps someone with a smile on their face and even with outward kindness to others, but in their heart they are not honest, they have an agenda.

It seems rather to me that Buddism is a coping mechanism to try to deal with one's pain or suffering - however, it's still being taught by a "person" who walked the earth.

In the world, in reality, we will suffer. There are diseases, natural disasters that effect us all. We cannot stop most of these things by "human" effort though some may try.

If what you said is achievable....."Indescribable, inconcievable, and inexpressible, the Perfection of Sublime Knowing is unborn and unceasing. The very nature of space. It is the realm of your own self-knowing timeless awareness." - wouldn't the question of whether there is a God or not arise? Why didn't Buddha address it?

Or is it possible that Buddha wanted himself rather to be looked upon as a type of "god"?
Have people follow him, his teachings?

.

People asked the Buddha, are you a God, are you a saint? The Buddha answered; I am awake.

Buddhism is not a coping mechanism. Buddhism is a path to complete freedom.

I was trying to find some common ground with you, but it appears I failed. Let's go back to the OP. Buddha and God are not equivalent.

Buddha was a man, who awakened to enlightenment, just like Jesus was a man and God.

 

[Marie888]

The Buddha taught about virtue and non-virtue. It is virtuous to wish others to be free of suffering and to be happy. It is non-virtuous to wish them harm.

How do we console one another when we're suffering? Great question. We accept the suffering, the truth of the way things truly are and we hold each other in loving presence.

We don't make empty wishes to someone who is suffering. We respect the process of grieving.

The Buddha did teach about why there is suffering. It taught that in the Four Noble Truths. His teaching is the causes of suffering are not understanding how things truly are. Not understanding impermanence, and creating karma out of that basic ignorance.

Just on a personal level, I really appreciate your sincere questions and respect your choice of path. There are many ways that Christianity and Buddhism meet.

More subtly, there is even a way that God and "Buddha nature" relate. They come together in the place beyond conception.

We might call Buddha nature by many names, including 'the Perfection of Sublime Knowing".

See if this sounds like God to you:

"Indescribable, inconcievable, and inexpressible, the Perfection of Sublime Knowing is unborn and unceasing. The very nature of space. It is the realm of your own self-knowing timeless awareness."

Prajnaparamita

No, I believe there is a huge contrast between Buddism and the Lord our God.

While on the surface it may "appear" to some that they are similiar, as Buddism claims to come in the name of "peace, compassion, kindness, etc" , there is still the most important thing missing. God Himself.

It is said in the Bible that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
(2 Corinthians 14) Meaning that he doesn't appear as he's depicted so many times, with horns, a red face. But rather, perhaps someone possibly claiming "peace, peace," - when there is no peace. Perhaps someone with a smile on their face and even with outward kindness to others, but in their heart they are not honest, they have an agenda.

It seems rather to me that Buddism is a coping mechanism to try to deal with one's pain or suffering - however, it's still being taught by a "person" who walked the earth.

In the world, in reality, we will suffer. There are diseases, natural disasters that effect us all. We cannot stop most of these things by "human" effort though some may try.

If what you said is achievable....."Indescribable, inconcievable, and inexpressible, the Perfection of Sublime Knowing is unborn and unceasing. The very nature of space. It is the realm of your own self-knowing timeless awareness." - wouldn't the question of whether there is a God or not arise? Why didn't Buddha address it?

Or is it possible that Buddha wanted himself rather to be looked upon as a type of "god"?
Have people follow him, his teachings?

.

People asked the Buddha, are you a God, are you a saint? The Buddha answered; I am awake.

Buddhism is not a coping mechanism. Buddhism is a path to complete freedom.

I was trying to find some common ground with you, but it appears I failed. Take care.

Hey, no problem at all. Thank you for answering all that you did, and all your time in the discussion and you take care also.



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[konradv]

Dalai Lama’s Nazi Friends

"As depressing as it may be for the Nobel peace prize winner’s followers, there has been continuous contact between the Dalai Lama and the far right wing and former national socialists (Nazis). His close friendship with his German mentor, Heinrich Harrer has become the most well-known of these. It caused a small scandal in 1997-1998 when, after years of research, the Austrian journalist, Gerald Lehner, succeeded in making public Harrer’s “brown-shirt” (i.e., German fascist) past, which the latter had been able to keep secret for many years. Harrer is not just anybody. He is one of the best-known international authors and has sold over four million books in 57 languages (mostly about Tibet and the Fourteenth Dalai Lama)"

Dalai Lama’s Nazi Friends - Buddhism - tribe.net

In the past many people may have had associations or belonged to organizations they're not proud of. That doesn't mean he believed or acted on their philosophy, then or since. Unlike the "religious" leader in the article I cite, who actively recruited followers to serve in the SS!!! Is that a reflection on his religion?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Amin_al-Husayni

 

[Sunni Man]

The Buddha's Last Words

After the conversion of Subhadda, the Buddha spoke again to Venerable Ananda. "It may be, Ananda, that some of you will say, 'without the Buddha, the Sublime Teacher, there is no teacher for us'. No, Ananda, you should not think in this way. Whatever doctrine and discipline taught and made known by me will be your teacher when I am gone."

Then the Buddha, addressing the other monks said, "If any amongst you has any doubts as to the Buddha, the teaching, or the order of monks, ask me now so that afterwards you may have no cause to regret that you did not ask me while I was still with you."

But at these words, none of the monks said anything. None had any questions, and all of them were silent. For the second and third time the Buddha addressed the monks in this way. And for the second and third time, all the monks were silent.

The Buddha said, "Perhaps it may be out of respect for the teacher, that you do not question me. Let a friend, O disciples, tell it to another friend." Still the disciples remained silent.

Then Venerable Ananda spoke to the Buddha, "It is wonderful. It is marvellous, Lord! I do believe that in all this great company of monks there is not a single one who has doubts or questions about the Buddha, the teaching or the order of monks, or the path and the method of training and conduct."

"With you, Ananda," said the Buddha, "this may be a matter of faith and belief. But, Ananda, I know that not one single monk gathered here has any doubt or question about these things. Of all the 500 monks here, Ananda, he who is the most backward is a sotapanna, not subject to fall back to a lower state of existence, but is certain and destined for enlightenment."

Then the Buddha addressed all the monks once more, and these were the very last words he spoke:

"Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation."

Then the Buddha lapsed into the jhana stages, or meditative absorptions. Going from level to level, one after the other, ever deeper and deeper. Then he came out of the meditative absorption for the last time and passed into nirvana, leaving nothing whatever behind that can cause rebirth again in this or any other world.

The passing away, or the final nirvana of the Buddha, occurred in 543 BC on a full-moon day in the month of May, known in the Indian calendar as Vesak.

Life of Buddha: Buddha's Final Words of Advice (Part 2)

 

[Sky Dancer]

There is a difference between the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, and buddha, which is buddha nature, awakening, the state of enlightenment.

The Buddha's last words are 'be a light unto yourself'. Meaning take up the path yourself and become enlightened. There is no other salvation.

 

[Sunni Man]

So my post is incorrect about the Buddha's last words?

 

[Sky Dancer]

What's your point, Sunni Man? I'm not into arguing about Buddhism.

 

[Sunni Man]

enLighten up gal.

I just wondered which was correct.

As to what his last words were.

 

[Sunni Man]

QUESTION: Why can't the Buddha vacuum under the sofa?

ANSWER: Because he has no attachments.

 

[amrchaos]

Those who follow God's teachings do not become God. Those who follow the Buddha's path may become buddhas.

When I saw the title, I was hoping for a little more humor. Or some vast reasoning that actually did a good comparison.

Those that follow gods teachings get to go to heaven. buddist get reincarnated.

You wanna go through life again or you wanna go to heaven?

What is in heaven?

Something tells me, after we get past god, it is a big "I don't know!"

 

[AmericanFirst]

Buddha never murdered millions of innocent people and animals ?

Who you saying did that?

 

[AmericanFirst]

To me, a more apt comparison would be Buddha and Jesus and even then, it's not very good a comparison.

While I am not Buddhist, I understand that the Buddha was a normal man...Prince Siddhartha Gautama who, after many years, became enlightened as to how people can end suffering. Much of what he believed is similar to the Judeo-Christian 10 Commandments but he gives a path to ending that suffering, The 8 Fold Path while the 10 Commandments just say "don't do this".

Buddha was a typical psycho who denied the truth of God so he could fool alot of weak minded people.

 

[AmericanFirst]

Buddha never murdered millions of innocent people and animals ?

That would be it.

God kills.

Buddha don't.

God is God, IF he kills then it is deserved. Buddha was a psycho.

 

[AmericanFirst]

Those who follow God's teachings do not become God. Those who follow the Buddha's path may become buddhas.

When I saw the title, I was hoping for a little more humor. Or some vast reasoning that actually did a good comparison.

Those that follow gods teachings get to go to heaven. buddist get reincarnated.

You wanna go through life again or you wanna go to heaven?

Given a choice between a commie monarchy (heaven) and a redo, I will stick with reincarnation.

I hope you like extreme heat, reincarnation is as false an idea as buddha.

 

[AmericanFirst]

Buddhists don't aspire to go to heaven. We aspire to become enlightened.

Sorry, but being enlightend is falling short of heaven. I would rather go to Heaven believing the truth, Jesus Christ.

 

[AmericanFirst]

I don't want to go to heaven at all. I want to be enlightened in order to benefit sentient beings.

ok

You are aware that living life the way god says to does the exact same thing? Plus you get to go to heaven.

Heaven and enlightenment are not the same thing at all. I'm not in the slightest bit interested in God or going to heaven.

I started this thread primarily to point out a misconception that God and Buddha are equivalent.

You are right, God and buddha are not equal. God is righteous and buddha is dead. I do not want to go where buddha is right now, toooo hot.

 

[AmericanFirst]

The Buddha taught about virtue and non-virtue. It is virtuous to wish others to be free of suffering and to be happy. It is non-virtuous to wish them harm.

How do we console one another when we're suffering? Great question. We accept the suffering, the truth of the way things truly are and we hold each other in loving presence.

We don't make empty wishes to someone who is suffering. We respect the process of grieving.

The Buddha did teach about why there is suffering. It taught that in the Four Noble Truths. His teaching is the causes of suffering are not understanding how things truly are. Not understanding impermanence, and creating karma out of that basic ignorance.

Just on a personal level, I really appreciate your sincere questions and respect your choice of path. There are many ways that Christianity and Buddhism meet.

More subtly, there is even a way that God and "Buddha nature" relate. They come together in the place beyond conception.

We might call Buddha nature by many names, including 'the Perfection of Sublime Knowing".

See if this sounds like God to you:

"Indescribable, inconcievable, and inexpressible, the Perfection of Sublime Knowing is unborn and unceasing. The very nature of space. It is the realm of your own self-knowing timeless awareness."

Prajnaparamita

No, I believe there is a huge contrast between Buddism and the Lord our God.

While on the surface it may "appear" to some that they are similiar, as Buddism claims to come in the name of "peace, compassion, kindness, etc" , there is still the most important thing missing. God Himself.

It is said in the Bible that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
(2 Corinthians 14) Meaning that he doesn't appear as he's depicted so many times, with horns, a red face. But rather, perhaps someone possibly claiming "peace, peace," - when there is no peace. Perhaps someone with a smile on their face and even with outward kindness to others, but in their heart they are not honest, they have an agenda.

It seems rather to me that Buddism is a coping mechanism to try to deal with one's pain or suffering - however, it's still being taught by a "person" who walked the earth.

In the world, in reality, we will suffer. There are diseases, natural disasters that effect us all. We cannot stop most of these things by "human" effort though some may try.

If what you said is achievable....."Indescribable, inconcievable, and inexpressible, the Perfection of Sublime Knowing is unborn and unceasing. The very nature of space. It is the realm of your own self-knowing timeless awareness." - wouldn't the question of whether there is a God or not arise? Why didn't Buddha address it?

Or is it possible that Buddha wanted himself rather to be looked upon as a type of "god"?
Have people follow him, his teachings?

.

People asked the Buddha, are you a God, are you a saint? The Buddha answered; I am awake.

Buddhism is not a coping mechanism. Buddhism is a path to complete freedom.

I was trying to find some common ground with you, but it appears I failed. Let's go back to the OP. Buddha and God are not equivalent.

Buddha was a man, who awakened to enlightenment, just like Jesus was a man and God.

Jesus is the son of God. Buddha was a false teacher. Jesus warned of false prophets, buddha was a perfect example of that.

 

[bodecea]

Buddha never murdered millions of innocent people and animals ?

That would be it.

God kills.

Buddha don't.

God is God, IF he kills then it is deserved. Buddha was a psycho.

Buddha was a peaceful, enlightened person...I suppose that would look "psycho" to you.