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Is the goal of every religion the same?
Despite superficial differences, it seems that the goal of every religion is essentially freedom from the flesh/world. Buddhists call that state nibanna, others call it heaven. If we accept this, we also have to accept that just about any method would do, and Buddhism is simply one such method. If a guy could attain this end by standing upside down (not to be confused with yoga), that too would be a valid means.
Do you feel this way, or do you feel that means and end are one?
Do you feel this way, or do you feel that means and end are one?
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The best one seems to be Mormonism (if we're after choosing). After you die you get to be a God, you get 100 Celestial virgins and you're own planet to populate with your off-spring from the women you have. And you're God of this planet.
I'm not sure what happens to the Mormon women when they die though? I'll refrain from making a crass joke too.
Buddhism you have salvation (oops I meant liberation) from the 3 poisons.
Similar but very different because you overcome the sin by faith in god and the energy of God goes into you as you are reborn. Awareness of the law creates sin. And having total faith in Jesus liberates you from the law. You wouldn't have been able to follow the law without Jesus, but having total faith and a relationships with Jesus and you are uplifted from bad actions - sin. (I watched a televangelist a coupla weeks ago :hair: )
Whereas Buddhism you practice the eightfold path (when you attain noble view). You attain noble view by pointing out instructions of a guru or else learning on your own from sutras and so forth.
Christian and Jewish contemplatives are attempting a similar unification.
Most Buddhists, like in other religions are rarely gnostics, contemplatives or full time adherents. I think Hinduism and Judaism are best 'born into' as they are so integrated in a lifestyle and culture. The means are very much part of ones heritage.
People who convert say to Tibetan Buddhism are often much more inclined to adopt the irrelevent cultural practices and go into greater depth with quite advanced or obscure practices.
I feel it is important to find and follow a way in depth, if attempting to know what it can achieve. Some paths throw light on others, for example there are aspects of impoverishment in Buddhism, that can be highlighted from other systems. For example the idea of 'work orientated' practice is more developed in Sufism.
The important thing for all of us is to recognize our kin. Get to the far shore and bring as many over as possible. Buddhist or not.
Whether it's the same goal.. They say, there are many paths to the top of the mountain. Is it the same mountain or not, I don't know, but I believe it is. That is, if the path is genuine. The path and religion are not the same things.
Christmas Humphreys once suggested (approximately), "All roads may lead to Rome, but you take your road and I'll take mine. Then, when we get there, we can both laugh." It's the laughter that counts, not some well-oiled hug festival.
All paths do not lead to the top of the mountain.
The path of Buddhism isn't even on the same mountain as Christianity/Islam/Judaism.
The goal of every religion is NOT the same, in my view.
How that is expressed varies even within Buddhism, let alone across the wider spectrum of all religions.
Mormons are awesome! They always look so freakin happy, and then science proved that the "Mormon glow" is a real thing. Basically, you can pick the Mormon out of a group because they have a "glow" that is recognizable even to non Mormons. I don't think I've ever actually met a Mormon, but I think that whole thing is pretty cool.
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That's not a "glow".... that's glassy eyed indoctrination at work.
Talking about the goals of religion as an institution is different from talking about the personal goals the religion contains. Any religion, like any healthy human institution or natural organism, has the overriding goal of surviving. Of perpetuating itself. People forget that. No matter what personal benefits the religion provides to the people who join, it demands in return that you contribute to the survival of the group as a whole. Even if that gets in the way of your personal goals. Loyalty always trumps ethics.
All religions provide answers to the hard questions. It really doesn't matter what the answers the religion provides are, because most religions simply say, "Believe this, and be one of us." and what you believe isn't important, only that you become a believer. Honestly, most Buddhists in the world approach our own religion this way and see no reason or advantage to questioning any of the answers. Religion has served its purpose for them. Who am I to criticize that? Humanity has gotten by with simple devotion for all our history.
Perhaps. With the exception of a few religions, but I would consider them more like cults than a legitimate belief system, it does appear that the goal of each is roughly the same. To achieve "salvation"; whether in this life or next. But then again, is that really a bad thing? Or does it even matter in the end?
We all walk our own Path. They will all, eventually, lead to the same destination.
Perhaps. With the exception of a few religions, but I would consider them more like cults than a legitimate belief system, it does appear that the goal of each is roughly the same. To achieve "salvation"; whether in this life or next. But then again, is that really a bad thing? Or does it even matter in the end?
We all walk our own Path. They will all, eventually, lead to the same destination.
"...to the same destination--to the grave."
Sorry, I couldn't resist ending that with my own particular twist. And really, isn't that the universal bond that holds true, no matter what Path we walk?
BodhisattvaSaadiWhatever path on the silk road we are on,
we all assume we are going forward?
I am not even sure I am in the right country
. . . can not even find the mountain
first there was one
then they lost it
then I thought I might go around it . . .
Only if all the different religions to used the same goal posts.
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Only if all the different religions used the same goal posts.
That is why I consider myself a non-buddhist, I am not prepared to drown. I need a raft, a refuge, a sangha, a teacher, an exemplar
. . . maybe after I get an Android tablet . . . :-/