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Being a Hindu and a Buddhist?
DaftChris
Spiritually conflicted. Not of this world. Veteran
There are a ton of threads about "Can I be a Buddhist and a Christian/Muslim/etc." and, of course, it is entirely possible.
However, what about being a Hindu and a Buddhist? It may seem like an obvious answer of "yes", but there are many similarities between the two. So much to the point that many beliefs and ideas overlap one another (karma, rebirth, consciousness, etc.). Also, at least in my experience, many Hindus don't like Buddhists.
However, what about being a Hindu and a Buddhist? It may seem like an obvious answer of "yes", but there are many similarities between the two. So much to the point that many beliefs and ideas overlap one another (karma, rebirth, consciousness, etc.). Also, at least in my experience, many Hindus don't like Buddhists.
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The thing about buddhism is that its not much of a belief system. In essence it is all about suffering and the cessation of suffering. Everything other than that is the skillful path.
So though we pick up buddhism or whatever "ism" we must really understand this.
We must do what works. If its from the hindusm then use it. If its buddhism then use it. Practicality over beliefs.
Unless its just about taking up a new belief system by bastardizing buddhism plus another religion. Which imo is disrespectful to other religions. If thats your thing which i am not saying it is then you're missing the whole point of buddhism.
It is not my intention to "bastardize" anything. I'm still new to this and I'm trying to find my own path. I know Buddhism, in and of itself, is not a religion; that's why it is so compatible with other philosophies and faiths. So far I know that Buddhism itself is about finding the ending of ones suffering and finding enlightenment (if one finds such a thing on this lifetime).
I'm researching Hinduism and I like what I'm finding do far. I don't believe the gods are literally real, but they are representations of nature and the universe. And through them, the universe and nature are worthy of our amazement and worship. Almost like "pantheistic Hinduism", so to speak.
Not ranting, just trying to make a personal point.
you can continue practising any religion you like, and incorporate every aspect of Buddhism.
but you cannot practise Buddhism and incorporate every aspect of another religion.
At one point or another - given that every single other religion looks to an omnipotent and all-powerful god - you may find yourself at odds in your practice.
this happened to me when i was a practising Catholic.
in 40 years, I obviously never got it right, because ultimately, here I am.......
You're of course free to do whatever the heck you want. You could try reconciling Scientology with Buddhism if you were so inclined. Try it and, if it doesn't work out, you know where to crawl back to.
When it comes to Hinduism and Buddhism, on the one hand I feel it would be much easier, but then Hinduism is really an umbrella term so it depends really on what you believe.
Imo, the less you cling to some dogma and call yourself Buddhist or Hindu or whatever, the easier it is. I myself am very isnpired by some Vedanta teachers.
But Hinduism is not monolithic, as I've said before.
If I were to lean towards Hinduism whilst incorporating Buddhist practices, I would choose an atheistic Hindu sect. There are many Indian Hindus who worship the gods, but don't believe they actually exist. They are representations of the natural world. Since there would be no "greater god" or "soul", I don't think it would conflict with any Buddhist beliefs.
Explore and see whether the two can fit together. If you are attracted to gods/deities and also to Buddhism, maybe you can look into Buddhist tantra which incorporates them in practice.
Why? Explain.
And yes I've ventured into Hinduism, etc.
What you need to find is your true condition. Its what everyone wants, yet doesn't know how to or even that they want it. It is beyond religion, race, culture, etc. This true condition of everything is beyond Buddhism or any belief structure.
At the end of the day you're going to have to commit to one or the other. Shopping around and getting our toes wet is important in the beginning. But these religions have been around for a long time. When we are ready to humble ourselves to go head on then the religion that speaks to us will express itself in our lives.
But fundamentally what we seek is beyond religion. Thus any belief structure is missing the path. If its not helping you lead a more peaceful and ethical life then drop it.
Until then call yourself hindu or buddhist, etc.
But sooner or later all of it has to be cast aside.
I truly mean no offense. Just a casual sharing.
But I also think it's possible to draw wisdom from various religions and incorporate those aspects into your life.
Ideas of self or Atman lead to becoming which then conditions rebirth and suffering.
I am sure there are a variety of practices and ideals that are wonderful in the Vedic religion and may be quite complimentary to Buddhism and vice-versa but can one reconcile their core tenets without losing their meaning and purpose?
But if you want to believe there is only 1 "right" religion, then be prepared if it turns out yours is not that "right" one.
Basically the experience is correct but the "inherent" view is what causes the reification of awareness/presence as a thing.
And this leads to becoming and suffering like you said.
So on the surface level they appear to be the same conclusion. But in actuality Buddhism goes further by deconstructing this Atman. Anatta is a seal in Buddhism, there never was any entity in both self and other. Thus bringing everything into awareness/presence as an entity is not Buddhism and cannot be reconciled or overlooked.
It is good idea to practice & experience both Buddhism & Hinduism simultaneously. I am Hinduism follower & i have learnt from teaching of Buddha. And on another hand, i gobble an infinite amount of bliss & energy from chanting Vedic mantras like Gayatri Mantra etc. Regular contemplation on these Mantras & reading their commentaries have provided me significant amount of wisdom. Both these Dharmic religions are pure & having deep insight in it, they sooth thirst of real truth seeker.
Depends on what is meant by 'entity'.
a. Go to hell
b. Fly off the face of the earth
c. Be punished by Caznamyaw
?
nothing like that. just no progression on the path to the cessation of suffering.
taking refuge in the dharma is taking refuge on dependent origination.
dependent origination cuts the notion of god at its core.
Dependently arising suchness is not an entity. Is it even one thing? See all designations fall apart. Its the full exertion of the whole universe of conditions coming together in this instant.
I like the analogy of bubbles or foam.
Can you clarify?
It is as incorrect to call it 'not an entity' as to call 'it' an entity, or even a process. It is incorrect to speak of it in any terms. It it it...
But it can be skillful to do so.
I suggest, humbly, because I am sure you are at least as well-read as I, reading some Nagarjuna, particularly on the subject of cause and effect.
The subtle teachings are for people like you and I, who are too clever by half.
I can see a problem in believing the world was created by Jehova and we are all sinners and must take Christ as saviour. Where is Buddha in that picture? You kind of end up making your own religion.
Making your own religion is not necessarily a bad thing. As Trungpa said 'your guess is as good as mine.'
See how that works?
All that arises is suffering. All that ceases is suffering. The Buddha taught only suffering and the path to the end of suffering.
Here, take a read:
Dependant Arising:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/depend.htm
Buddha taught the path to end suffering if people wish to end suffering permanently and attain the bliss of full enlightenment certain things need to be abandoned.
Quite contrary to expectations, Upali, at the end of the discussion, was convinced that the views of the Buddha were right and those of his master were wrong. So he begged the Buddha to accept him as one of his lay disciples (Vpasaka). But the Buddha asked him to reconsider it, and not to be in a hurry, for 'considering carefully is good for well known men like you'. When Upali expressed his desire again, the Buddha requested him to continue to respect and support his old religious teachers as he used to.
And yes, Buddha "taught the path to end suffering". And he did it well. But, suffering and not suffering are not the only things involved with life.
Even emptiness is empty. That's why it's a teaching, a strategy, not an explanation. http://www.integralscience.org/sacredscience/SS_sunyata.html
The only difference is that candy is a partial, temporary distraction; dissatisfaction will arise again from its roots, and the baby will cry again later. Buddhist practice, however, focuses every shred of our being, and eventually, when both the object of our focus and even the focusing itself are seen to be empty - http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.044.than.html
Buddhism, afterall sprang from Siddharthas understanding of Brahmanism which became Hinduism (if I'm not mistaken) and Zen is a mixture of Buddhism and Taoism...
If something resonates with me, I won't disregard it simply because it doesn't resonate with other Buddhists.
My beliefs about God (even as I have no faith in them) have been formed from introspection, meditation, dharma lessons, Taoism and yep, even a dash of Hinduism.
What do I consider myself to be? A temporary wave upon the water... A unique aspect of the universe. But we are also the water... We are also the entire universe unfolding before our very eyes. Does the universe percieve?
Through us we do.
Oh no! That shouldn't make sense to me! What will the neighbors think?
As they approach me, so I receive them.
All paths, Arjuna, lead to me.
(The Bhadavad Gita)
On another forum, I messaged a guy who considers himself a "Hinduddhist": A Hindu-Buddhist. I messaged him on how he reconciled the two and here is a snippet of his response. What do you think of this?
I would say, in my limited knowledge of Vedic philosophy beyond Buddhism, that in Hinduism all things are Brahman. This is non-duality. However, I'd say that because Brahman (the Universal Atman) depends on individual atmans; it has no inherent existence. Because it has no inherent existence we could say that the universal self is anatman, non-self. In the end, these terms are merely used to point us a long the path. If Atman and Brahman work for you, then by all means keep on practicing in this manner.
Hope this helps