Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.
Questions on Buddhism from a Questioning Agnostic
Hey everyone. I posted my introductory post in the Introduction thread, so I thought I would make my first [real] post on here relevant to my situation. I've been interests in Buddhism for a few weeks now, however that is such a short time compared to so many of you. I've seen lot's of people who have been interested and exploring for a whole year -- and they are still unsure on a lot of things themselves. I understand that opinions are diverse on many of these issues, but I have a few questions that I would like to ask. Thanks to all of you who take the time to respond. 
I recently came out to my parents as Gay, although I've identified as Gay since Twelve. Before that, well, let's just say I was pretty obviously Gay -- even if I didn't know the exact word or identify. Haha. This is one of the reasons I turned from Christianity, I just couldn't understand the hate, the names, everything, based on 'Love' it's also one of the reasons why I got interested in Buddhism. Even with that being said, I've heard many diverse opinions on the issue of being Gay [even though, even the opponents within Buddhism are much more respectful than those of other religions] within Buddhism. I guess my question is this, do you believe being 'Gay' is compatible with Buddhism? As an expression of love and connection, rather than explicitly in sexual attraction, btw.
What is the Buddhist belief about those of other religions? Obviously, from experience, most Buddhists seem to be much less aggressive in terms of proselytizing. I haven't exactly heard of an equivalent to 'Hell' for people of other religions within Buddhism. My personal opinion on this issue has always been a belief that other people's paths are true for them as mine is for me and certainly to respect diversity here as I would anywhere else. A 'Pluralistic' approach if you will. There really isn't a core question here, I would just like to hear the opinions of others on this issue. Would I still be able to be friends with my Christian/Agnostic/Muslim, etc friends without having to look down at them? [That basically includes 100% of everyone I know, haha.]
I obviously can't be expected to choose a school of thought before I even consider myself a Buddhist. However, I do have a question. Is choosing a school of thought obligatory? My family is all Christian, but within that there are many diverging opinions on issue of denomination. Are Buddhist schools of thought similar to the way in which Christianity is divided into denominations? If not, how are they different? But anyway, within my family I have many people who identify simply as Christian and 'Non-Denominational' believing simply in the core values of Christianity without denominational doctrine. Is this possible within Buddhism? To simply be a 'Non-Denominational' [ even if the term doesn't apply in the Buddhist case ] Buddhist who lives by the core values of Buddhism [ The Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, etc ] without choosing a school of thought? To those whom are firmly rooted in your school of thought, how do you look at people of other Schools? How would you look at someone who doesn't wish to choose a school of thought?
One last question. On the issue of Gods, does Buddhism have a God? I realize after having read a lot about Buddhism for the past while, I'm probably expected to have read about this. But I've seen a few diverging opinions. Is Buddha a god -- or just a prophet? I've heard some 'denominations' [ I apologize for the Christian lingo, haha ] schools of thought, believe that Buddha was visited by Gods or something? I've also read some pieces that say that one of the good points about Buddhism is that it's more of a philosphy than a Religion in that it doesn't have a lot of the 'supernatural' parts that other Religions have. I'll refrain from giving an opinion on this yet, I'm Agnostic for a reason, but wanted to hear those of others.
Those were the four issues really on my mind, although considering I'm still a newbie to the world of Buddhism I will certainly have many more in the future, and hopefully I'll be able to post them here for opinions. Thanks again to everyone who takes the time to read and reply and I apologize for how long this got.
I recently came out to my parents as Gay, although I've identified as Gay since Twelve. Before that, well, let's just say I was pretty obviously Gay -- even if I didn't know the exact word or identify. Haha. This is one of the reasons I turned from Christianity, I just couldn't understand the hate, the names, everything, based on 'Love' it's also one of the reasons why I got interested in Buddhism. Even with that being said, I've heard many diverse opinions on the issue of being Gay [even though, even the opponents within Buddhism are much more respectful than those of other religions] within Buddhism. I guess my question is this, do you believe being 'Gay' is compatible with Buddhism? As an expression of love and connection, rather than explicitly in sexual attraction, btw.
What is the Buddhist belief about those of other religions? Obviously, from experience, most Buddhists seem to be much less aggressive in terms of proselytizing. I haven't exactly heard of an equivalent to 'Hell' for people of other religions within Buddhism. My personal opinion on this issue has always been a belief that other people's paths are true for them as mine is for me and certainly to respect diversity here as I would anywhere else. A 'Pluralistic' approach if you will. There really isn't a core question here, I would just like to hear the opinions of others on this issue. Would I still be able to be friends with my Christian/Agnostic/Muslim, etc friends without having to look down at them? [That basically includes 100% of everyone I know, haha.]
I obviously can't be expected to choose a school of thought before I even consider myself a Buddhist. However, I do have a question. Is choosing a school of thought obligatory? My family is all Christian, but within that there are many diverging opinions on issue of denomination. Are Buddhist schools of thought similar to the way in which Christianity is divided into denominations? If not, how are they different? But anyway, within my family I have many people who identify simply as Christian and 'Non-Denominational' believing simply in the core values of Christianity without denominational doctrine. Is this possible within Buddhism? To simply be a 'Non-Denominational' [ even if the term doesn't apply in the Buddhist case ] Buddhist who lives by the core values of Buddhism [ The Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, etc ] without choosing a school of thought? To those whom are firmly rooted in your school of thought, how do you look at people of other Schools? How would you look at someone who doesn't wish to choose a school of thought?
One last question. On the issue of Gods, does Buddhism have a God? I realize after having read a lot about Buddhism for the past while, I'm probably expected to have read about this. But I've seen a few diverging opinions. Is Buddha a god -- or just a prophet? I've heard some 'denominations' [ I apologize for the Christian lingo, haha ] schools of thought, believe that Buddha was visited by Gods or something? I've also read some pieces that say that one of the good points about Buddhism is that it's more of a philosphy than a Religion in that it doesn't have a lot of the 'supernatural' parts that other Religions have. I'll refrain from giving an opinion on this yet, I'm Agnostic for a reason, but wanted to hear those of others.
Those were the four issues really on my mind, although considering I'm still a newbie to the world of Buddhism I will certainly have many more in the future, and hopefully I'll be able to post them here for opinions. Thanks again to everyone who takes the time to read and reply and I apologize for how long this got.
0
Comments
Absolutely! The "sexual misconduct" precept isn't a moral rule but a guideline for the path, and there is no reason why it would be about gender or sexuality. I guess the only possible area of contention is to do with denial, self delusion and dishonesty... but it doesn't sound like you suffer those:)
>>>What is the Buddhist belief about those of other religions? Obviously, from experience, most Buddhists seem to be much less aggressive in terms of proselytizing.
Its completely tolerant. His Holiness the Dalai Lama writes very well on this, I feel:)
>>>I do have a question. Is choosing a school of thought obligatory?
I would not focus on the schools but the teachings:) Remember the schools didn't start splitting of until about five hundreds years after the death of The Buddha and we have no way of knowing what was around before then. People assume it was some precursor to Therevada, I guess.
My recommendation is first to understand the Four Noble Truths as deeply as you can. That's pretty much all of Buddhism in those four truths:) (But they are much deeper than the first understanding may suggest)
Peace and good luck:)
Mat
There are many gay Buddhists. I think Buddhism is compatible with being gay because Buddhism recognises the diversity in nature.
No.
Yes.
The best kind of 'Buddhist'. These we call the 'Buddhayana school'.
No really. Buddhism says all things are Nature.
Buddha was an enlightened human being who realised and taught natural truth. But he had the full qualities of a 'god', that is, some extra special bits.
In Buddhism, the gods are like angels. They are human beings with say some extra special natural abilities.
Buddhism is a way of life. Some things may be 'supernormal' but never 'supernatural'. Everything is natural.
Welcome
kind regards
DD
I love that line DD:)
Mat
Is right speech a Mahayana only thing these days?
I think I heard in a talk once that in buddhism there may still be some homophobic people. But the difference is that they believe that is 'their' problem (that they are homophobic) rather than the problem of the gay people being gay.
I am unaware of what the scripture says about gay sex.
You would still be able to be friends.
There is a lot of advantages to having a teacher. However before that time you may be a non-denominational buddhist. After you have a teacher its good to stick with their teachings because otherwise you get confused. Some terms in buddhism are even defined differently by different traditions so that it can be confusing. However once you become knowledgeable and have direct experience of what your teacher is pointing out it is easier to see what the other traditions are trying to accomplish in their own methods.
Buddhism doesn't have a creator god. Gods in buddhism are also in samsara (suffering) and they are afflicted with pride, which keeps them bound to samsara. After a gods good karma is exhausted it may be born in another karmic realm such as human or animal for example.
Buddhas and boddhisatvas (AFAIK) have the power to be able to manifest in the world when beings are in need.
You have a beautiful avatar I love flowering trees
You'll find that there are people holding all sorts of views of what Buddhism really is and what "is Buddhist" and what "isn't Buddhist." Even within Christianity, there are all sorts of views, from what "God" really means to whether or not being gay is a sin.
However, the Buddha said that he taught only dukkha (suffering/dis-ease/stress etc.) and how to be free of dukkha. So firstly, I would suggest reading this dhamma talk to get good understanding of what dukkha is, and what Buddhism is about: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/chah/atasteof.html#middle
Sex, of any kind, can be an obstacle when there is attachment/clinging involved. Clinging is clinging - it sees no difference between a va-jay-jay and a poop-shoot. :eek:
And as far as just love goes... again, it is clinging that is the issue. Whether you cling to a person with a taco or a sausage does not make a difference. :eek:
The Buddhist path leads to freedom from clinging, and pure love.
I think this sums things up nicely:
The Buddha taught that only the Middle Way could lead to the cessation of dukkha. Other religions are concerned with other things. Apples and oranges.
No. As far as hell goes, the Buddha taught that we all create our own hell in the here-and-now, constantly throughout our lives, through tainted... perception. This goes back to the origin of dukkha in the article above.
As an evil sinner who will burn in hell for all eternity - but what does it matter how I'd look at you?
The Buddha wasn't concerned with whether or not there is a God.
In the suttas you'll sometimes find references to gods/devas (whether you take this literally or not is your choice), but they are not considered above humans. The god-realms are full of craving and delusion. Nibbana is desirable even to them. They go to the Buddha for teachings.
The Buddha a normal man who realized the truth of suffering and taught a path that led to freedom from it. He was a Super-Dr. Phil who found internal peace.
I would also suggest, as has already been suggested, that you not try to pick a school of Buddhism right away. Look around, read some books, maybe visit some local temples or groups to get a feel of what they offer. If you find one you really like, then examine it and the teacher very carefully. If you still like it, then it is time to think about making a committment. To do so prematurely would be of no benefit.
I don't consider Buddhism a religion. I'd call it a technology, a method for creating permanent happiness and purpose, a way to end suffering in the world. The Buddha never commented on whether there is or isn't a god or gods or how it all began or any such questions as he said they were not relevant to the method he taught. I've known people who called themselves Buddhists who were also devout Christians or Jews or whatever, and others who have no religious affiliation. It's basically up to you. To go along with that, I respect other people's choice as far as their religion (or lack of) go. Like one of my teachers said, nobody got enlightened by pointing fingers.
Hope that helps.
Palzang