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This thread reminded me of those t-shirts that say "I have the body of a god... too bad it's Buddha". Never mind the fact that Buddha wasn't a god, and nor was he fat. :P
This thread reminded me of those t-shirts that say "I have the body of a god... too bad it's Buddha". Never mind the fact that Buddha wasn't a god, and nor was he fat. :P
Your avatar image reminds me of Edward Monkton's work. Have you seen it?
Jeez, just saw the "zendough" ad on TV. It is actually kind of blasphemous, in a weird way. Not that there is anything Holy to be blasphemous about .....he he.
You know, someone could probably make a stellar argument about how little most Americans know about Christianity besides the standard Sunday fables (for those that even attend church), let alone minority religions.
The fact is, despite our best efforts, unless we become some kind of super-religion with free beer and hookers for everyone that listens to an hour of dharma talk, nobody's going to learn the deeper aspects of Buddhism. Except, maybe, through an ABC special, where some people will likely absorb "Oh, the Buddha's actually from India" and that's it. Simple truth, at the moment.
So I'll have to go with all those who say, let's at least be happy our image is positive. Goodness knows that, even among an accepting liberal crowd, you're much better off noting you're a Buddhist than... well, a Muslim, as this thread has shown.
You're quite right, Mr. Dude, but I also think it doesn't matter so much. Some people like Buddhists, some people don't. Just look at the crazy guy on Faux News dissing Buddhism when talking about how he thought Tiger Woods should clean up his act. There is, of course, a lot of misinformation about Buddhism floating around popular culture. There is also, unfortunately, a whole lot of misinformation floating around about Christianity. I say unfortunate because much of that misinformation is found in so-called Christian churches and coming out of so-called Christian ministers!'
The Buddha's from India? I thought he was from Belgium...
I bet you some people want the super-religion now LOL :rolleyes:
When people like some religions and dislike others it can be offensive, so I try to understand religion's point of view on how things should be done, (not the actual raw belief though- well because that's their religion and I don't not-understand in the first place), but stuff like christening I don't fully understand, and I don't like religions that are sexist ext... I like reading about religion anyway, so I can make a fair argument in why I agree/disagree or try to stick up for it and explain the wars and stuff, because lets face it, a rule on any religion I've heard of say: 'though shalt blow thyself up in the London Undergound trying to take as many lives as possible' do they?
Actually when the Buddha lived there was no such thing as India. Where the Buddha was born and grew up is now called Nepal. Of course, he taught mostly in what is now called India.
The notion that blowing up innocent people is a religious act is about as twisted and degenerate as you can get. No religion would ever teach such a perverted view. And anyway, Buddhism isn't a religion.
I know religions don't tell you to blow people up, but powerfull religious leaders twist it their way. Anyway, as to if Buddhism is a religion it depends who you ask...
I know religions don't tell you to blow people up, but powerfull religious leaders twist it their way. Anyway, as to if Buddhism is a religion it depends who you ask...
Well, you should ask me cuz I know everything. Oh, btw, my teacher doesn't call it a religion either. But you can call it whatever you like!
As for the leaders who twist religions to their own ends, I have to go with P.T. Barnum. There's a sucker born every minute. It's always dangerous to let someone else think for you.
Comments
Love & Peace
Joe
I hope...
Love & Peace
Joe
Palzang
you're right, what was I thinking about?:D I'm an American, my only goal in life is to get rich.
Your avatar image reminds me of Edward Monkton's work. Have you seen it?
[img][/img]http://www.optimiced.com/wp-uploads/2007/07/edward-monkton-04-dog.jpg
[img][/img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TLOvU1qno-0/RvCRzlQt7kI/AAAAAAAAAJE/qu0XP-eFi6s/s1600/penquin.jpg
edit: images not working ??
Yeah, I really like Edward Monkton. My avatar might be one of his pictures, I can't actually remember.
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Love & Peace
Jellybean
The fact is, despite our best efforts, unless we become some kind of super-religion with free beer and hookers for everyone that listens to an hour of dharma talk, nobody's going to learn the deeper aspects of Buddhism. Except, maybe, through an ABC special, where some people will likely absorb "Oh, the Buddha's actually from India" and that's it. Simple truth, at the moment.
So I'll have to go with all those who say, let's at least be happy our image is positive. Goodness knows that, even among an accepting liberal crowd, you're much better off noting you're a Buddhist than... well, a Muslim, as this thread has shown.
Palzang
I bet you some people want the super-religion now LOL :rolleyes:
When people like some religions and dislike others it can be offensive, so I try to understand religion's point of view on how things should be done, (not the actual raw belief though- well because that's their religion and I don't not-understand in the first place), but stuff like christening I don't fully understand, and I don't like religions that are sexist ext... I like reading about religion anyway, so I can make a fair argument in why I agree/disagree or try to stick up for it and explain the wars and stuff, because lets face it, a rule on any religion I've heard of say: 'though shalt blow thyself up in the London Undergound trying to take as many lives as possible' do they?
Love & Peace
Jellybean
The notion that blowing up innocent people is a religious act is about as twisted and degenerate as you can get. No religion would ever teach such a perverted view. And anyway, Buddhism isn't a religion.
Palzang
Love & Peace
Jellybean
Venerable sir, I think you have just made an awesome.
I'm sorry, I promise to wipe it up before I leave...
I have to be honest, I didn't make it up.
Palzang
Well, you should ask me cuz I know everything. Oh, btw, my teacher doesn't call it a religion either. But you can call it whatever you like!
As for the leaders who twist religions to their own ends, I have to go with P.T. Barnum. There's a sucker born every minute. It's always dangerous to let someone else think for you.
Palzang
The student: Venerable sir, is the Dhamma a religion, or a philosophy?
The teacher: Friend, the Dhamma is not a religion.
The Dhamma is not not a religion.
The Dhamma is not a philosophy.
The Dhamma is not not a philosophy.
The Dhamma is neither a religion and a philosophy.
The Dhamma is neither a not-religion and a not-philosophy.
The student: ...then what is it, venerable sir?
The teacher: The way, friend.
Wow, I love that.
Thank you!
Too bad we don't have a smiley for añjali.