Class Discussion

Arjquad

For my sociology class we are in our religion unit. We have been having other students talk about their religion and give a short presentation. Now, I will not give a presentation since it would be awkward (and not many people know and its easier to keep it that way for now). But I asked my teacher today if we were having someone talk about Buddhism and she said that she was going to (she's not Buddhist), then asked if I was Buddhist. I said what I am and how I'm new to it and she said that during the presentation if I had anything to add that I should speak up. I may end up co-teaching from the sidelines, not really sure. But I am just wondering is there anything that I should make sure isn't left out or should mention?

Dakini

Well, the question is more...what are you prepared to explain? Do you understand non-self/emptiness? if you can't explain it, don't try. Mindfulness is good. The teacher will cover the basics, I'm sure (4 Nobles, 8-fold path). If she mentions the precepts, be sure the part about them not being commandments is mentioned; that they're flexible in the sense that they can be broken to serve a higher good. That's provide an interesting contrast to other religions.

Oh, and you could always start a debate about whether Buddhism is a religion or a philosophy, since it's non-theistic. That should be fun, haha! Are you willing to moderate a discussion on that?

Arjquad

I can moderate and I don't think I can explain non-self. I somewhat understand it but not completely.

ThailandTom

the 4 noble truths, 8 fold path, the entire point of buddhism is to end suffering of sentient beings, karma, rebirth maybe, and also it is important to say maybe the first thing you say, that buddhism accepts all religions as good and they all have the ability to turn negativity into positivity.

Arjquad

Thailandtom, I know for sure that I will mention that anyone can be Buddhist even if your Christian or Muslim and that you van still believe in a god(s). Because I find that unique to Buddhism and not many people know that.

ThailandTom

Well, if I am not wrong, there is no god as such. I mean in the sense of some all knowing powerful dude up in heaven, but there are forces which are vastly complex and that we cannot comprehend. I would suggest this is what god is in buddhism, somebody step in and correct me if I am wrong...

My point was that unlike a lot of religions which spend a lot of time fighting, arguing that they own the truth, buddhism accepts that all religions are correct in the sense they own the ability to make a bad person into a good person. They can create compassion

vinlyn

Well, if I am not wrong, there is no god as such. I mean in the sense of some all knowing powerful dude up in heaven, but there are forces which are vastly complex and that we cannot comprehend. I would suggest this is what god is in buddhism, somebody step in and correct me if I am wrong...

My point was that unlike a lot of religions which spend a lot of time fighting, arguing that they own the truth, buddhism accepts that all religions are correct in the sense they own the ability to make a bad person into a good person. They can create compassion

Tom, my personal view that you are wrong. I have had conversations with more than one monk in Thailand that, "You can be a Buddhist and be a Christian, too."

ThailandTom

the buddha said to not take anybodies word for truth, including his own in fact. monks are not carbon copies of each other, there are monks who will probably disagree with this, and there are monks who will simply say, it doesn't matter, which it doesn't really does it

vinlyn

the buddha said to not take anybodies word for truth, including his own in fact. monks are not carbon copies of each other, there are monks who will probably disagree with this, and there are monks who will simply say, it doesn't matter, which it doesn't really does it

You've paraphrased and reduced the Kalama Sutta to a mere shadow of what it actually says.

And if it doesn't matter (your words), then what is your point?

ThailandTom

my point is that why are you so intent on making it known that one can be christian and buddhist, when monks, buddhists and people all have different opinions. are you a preacher? be whatever you want to be, but i personally believe there is no god, it is built into american culture so much that it has some how crept into this. Is there anywhere in the suttas explaining that there is a god? bearing in mind you should not actually take his word for truth

Simonthepilgrim

I would most strongly advise that you avoid ANY discussion about God/gods. If you are going to moderate, rule it outwith the presentation. Look at the Buddha's First Turning of the Wheel - no mention of belief or non-belief in God/gods.

Whoever comes to speak about Buddhism will, inevitably, explain it from their own tradition, point of view and personal beliefs. You may want to explain that there are many different schools and traditions; that there is no central "doctrine" or "deposit of faith".

Do, I beg of you, keep well away from polemic.

Sabre

I'd leave out the more deeper teachings if you don't understand them. Even the 4 noble truths are quite hard to explain and understanding of those develops with the years. But this development is important! Buddhism isn't read and believe, it is a path towards happiness, we have to find out if the teachings are true or not for ourselves. Nobody can tell us what is true. I'd not leave this out personally.

The goal of Buddhism is happiness -in whatever gradation- and the ultimate happiness (enlightenment) can be achieved in this very lifetime. It's about what's here, what we can really see. (not a heaven after death or something like most other religions teach)

You can also say it is a cultivation of wholesome emotions like love, compassion and joy because of others well being. It's a very applied religion.

Cinorjer

Who was the historical Buddha, what was his message, and how it spread first throughout the East and then began to take root in the West starting in the 1950s. A bit about how Buddhism is now a wide variety of practices and beliefs.

Then some of why you decided to call yourself a Buddhist, and maybe answer a few questions if they come up about how you personally feel about the vegetarian and should Buddhists refrain from killing bugs issues that go on.

Arjquad

For the god part I will make sure to mention that you can believe or not to. It's up to you and I'd leave it at that. I would also mention atleast some of the diffrent traditions or atleast the ones I understand the most since I'm guessing alot of people (including myself at one point) in the west when they think of Buddhism they automatically think of a tibetian monastery and monk and that's what it mostly is, and I'd say how that's just a sect of a larger school. I'd also make sure that it's mentioned that you don't need anything special like a Buddha statue or go to a temple, that being Buddhist is all about thinking and those material things are not neccesary.

Arjquad

(just thought of this) if needed and there's time I think I'll describe diffrent types of meditation since most people think that it's only sitting in full lotus and that's the only way to do it.

ThailandTom

you could end up talking for 2 hours lol

Cinorjer

you could end up talking for 2 hours lol

And most of the other students couldn't be less interested in world religions of any type. If you brought in a monk, all they'd really want to know is, what do the monks wear under those robes and how does it feel to have a shaved head.

ThailandTom

well, if they care or not is not the point really. if one person realises one thing, thats great. what i meant by the 2 hour remark is that there can be a hell of a lot to speak about

vinlyn

Personally, I'd do it all differently. As a school principal, I used to have to do a fair amount of speaking. I found there were two different types of "speeches" -- a factual approach OR a "here's what I experienced" approach. So if I had to do what you are being asked to do, I'd prepare a handout with factual stuff and websites where people can go to get the facts. And I'd let my presentation be about what you experienced personally. I actually did this type of this once. First I talked about the solitary visits I had made to Thai Buddhist temples. But then I concentrated on the first time some Thai Buddhist took me to a temple, what they showed me, what I learned. And then went on to describe other experiences I had personally had at temples, and so forth. So, I'd personalize it as much as possible.

Arjquad

All the presentations have been interesting and for the most part everyone has been involved and asking questions.

vinlyn

Administrators in my school system had to participate in a somewhat similar program -- more of sensitivity of culture approach. However, much of it revolved around religion. The Islam presentation got the most attention. But I think we all learned a lot, and for the most part the presentations were by lay people.

Dakini

Arjquad, you might contact (PM) MindGate, who did a report on Buddhism in one of his classes at school.