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Name: Noodle
Age: 17
Sign: Virgo
Hair: Green, Purple, White and Pink
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 48kg
Eyes: Blue
Born: Sydney, Australia
Currently: Sydney, Australia
Favorite color: White
Favorite Band: The Mars Volta
Favorite Food: Soy nuggets
Favorite Movie: Saw II
Favorite Book: 1984
Hey there I'm Noodle and I'm very new to most of this. Just taking a look around and learning a few things about buddhism, because I seem to strike a few chords with a lot of the teachings... I would appreciate anyone's help with a good place to start! And also anyone who is also from Australia?
No it isnt, its dreadlocks. I put them in my hair to make people smile. I do a lot of volunteer work with children and they all enjoy playing with my rainbow dreads
Just thought I'd eventually get around to introducing myself. While of course Critter is not my real name, it's what everybody calls me, including my mother. Long story about how I got that name and why it stuck, and maybe I'll explain it later.
I'm 27... or I'll be 27 on my next b-day, I lost count. Wait, I'll be 27 on my next b-day.
I live with my two Aunts, not so much for support, but to help them out because one is going back to school to be an RN and the other is disabled. It's a mutually benificial arrangement.
I have one little sister that lives a few miles away, who is pagan and tries her hardest to be the black sheep of the family. My Dad technically lives with us but he drives a semi, so he's only here about once every other week. My Mom lives way out of state like in Washington but I still talk to her all the time via AIM. I also have a daughter that turned 9 years old today.
I listen to all sorts of music, except I'm not partial to country or rap. My favorite would have to be techno industrial, though I am as likely to be found listening to classical as I am to the hard stuff.
I'm into video games, and roleplaying games like D&D and WW games. I make soaps, bath salts, and all sorts of stuff at home and recently started selling it online to better help out my Aunt. I like to watch movies, especially horror movies and anime, though I don't watch much actual TV.
All my life I grew up around a Christian family, but as my Aunt says "going to church doesn't make you Christian, Faith does". My family has always been open minded about me choosing my own beliefs to practice, and for a long time I rode the edges of the pagan community because they seemed most like what I felt was right. I've never called myself anything, not pagan, and certainly not Buddhist. I just knew what my beliefs were from past experience and with each new experience I grew and I learned and added it into my spiritual views.
Then one day out on the back porch of a friend's house, over coffee while most of my gaming friends were still asleep... a good friend who doesn't speak much of his spiritual views got into a discussion with me. We must have talked for hours, and afterwards he said that I seemed a lot like a Buddhist. So, I started looking into what it was all about, just to see.
What I found was a little shocking at first. A lot of the principles and beliefs that I had held onto all my life, yet had no name for had names. I didn't just decide to be a Buddhist, but it finally seemed like what I believed had a name at least. I still don't really call myself anything at all, my beliefs are just that, my own path, made up of all my life experiences.
Anyway, I guess that is pretty much me in a nutshell. It is nice to meet everyone, and I look forward to getting to know you all.
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited December 2005
Well, a double helping of 'welcome' to you Critter, and a very happy Birthday to your daughter, too....
I'm so pleased to have recently found this group. I live in an area where I've yet to find a formal sangha. I wanted to give myself a little time to dive into the literature on the subject of buddhism before making contact. I wanted to form my own opinion. As with many here it seems, I was raised Catholic. I stopped going to church in college after a period of particularly intense attendance. One day, I just looked around and said to myself, "why am I here?", and couldn't come up with an answer other than, "cause you always have".
I'm still not sure this is the beat all end all for me, but it seems to be making one heck of a lot of sense. So I'm eager to test my understanding through some dialogue and learn and share new things with you all.
So - a little about me...
I'm a stay-at-home dad with three kids (two girls and a boy - 7, 4, 1). My wife and I recently moved to Maryland after a stint in Pittsburgh, PA. We worked like dogs there and just decided it was too much for us to sustain with a growing family. My inlaws live here in MD and are able to help with the kids. My wife's income brings in more than I could have hoped for myself (welcome to the 21st century) and I'm actually learning (yes, learning) to enjoy staying at home with the kids. In fact, as I read about how some Buddhist masters teach their students, I am thinking that I have three little masters running around right now...
I find the teachings in buddhism so far immensely comforting. Its one of those things that you feel like you read and just say to yourself, 'yeah - that's what it is'. In most of my conversations with people, it always seems like we would each ignore the facts of one's life that matters and end up talking about subjects that just left me feeling like I missed an opportunity to connect. Reading books on Buddhism just seems like calling a spade a spade - you know - telling it like it is. I just feel like saying to everyone - "this is what we should all be talking about instead".
Anyway, so while I'm into this I still hesitate calling myself a buddhist. I not sure I'll ever go for the idea of reincarnation (maybe metaphorically, a la Mark Epstein or in a 'matter is not ever destroyed' sense a la Einstein). I still plan on visiting the library regularly and heading directly for the eastern religions section and I think I've almost become comfortable telling my wife I'm going to meditate. I think the weird look is more my imagination than anything right now.
Thanks for reading. Turned out longer than I expected.
Thank you all for your welcoming words. I'm so pleased to have found a community here. It seems easy to speak of oneself as a buddhist, but from what I can see here there is a strong commitment to living up to the principles.
but from what I can see here there is a strong commitment to living up to the principles.
You say it like it's a chore.
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited December 2005
In a way, Sangha, for some in the beginning, it is... and unless you have the right motivation and guidance in any discipline, it can seem like an uphill struggle when you "see" how far you have to go.... But if everyone just takes it one day at a time, the journey is easier - and indubitably, if it's travelled with friends, the whole thing is a wonderful experience to share!
Perhaps its just renewing my faith in people. Y'know there's an awful lot of crap out there. In other forums (non-buddhist) I've seen folks just completely berate one another. Its so easy when you're typing to not be concerned about others. Replies here always seem well thought out and considerate, helpful. Its refreshing and inspiring.
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited December 2005
Well, Bryan, it's probably because I keep shovin' the 8Fold path down people's gullets, and bashing their heads against the wall with the Four Noble Truths.... I am a very strict, severe, no-bull Moderator.... Anyone steps out of line here, and I get to deduct Karma points, I'm that powerful..... Ooooh, I am one mean momma....! Even yama's scared of me....:eek2: :crazy:
(Believe all of the above, and you can weave gravy.....! )
Actually, I have to say, it IS a really nice forum here.... and probably just like any other forum, we've attracted some of your more.... 'controversial' posters.... But I think I can say with no fear of contradiction, we've all ended up by "nice-ing" them off the forum.... they've given up of their own accord - !!
Federica,
The doctor says my stitches are healing nicely and my brain should be protected with the huge metal plate in it. Buddhafoot isn't doing as well. We promise to be good next time. Can we have a drink of water now? PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!
0
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited December 2005
Have you already finished the cup I gave you in June?!?
If you ever ask our online sangha a serious question, don't listen to Buddhafoot, he is a very very very very very very very very funny guy, should be a comedian, but not to good with advice giving. lol. JK.
Also zenmonk_genryu has a very clever way of bringing discussions back on topic, so watch out, lol!
If you ever ask our online sangha a serious question, don't listen to Buddhafoot, he is a very very very very very very very very funny guy, should be a comedian, but not to good with advice giving. lol. JK.
Also zenmonk_genryu has a very clever way of bringing discussions back on topic, so watch out, lol!
And watch out for Sangha - he's hormonally challenged! :rolleyesc:uphand::grr:
Good to see another Pratchett fan here (altho' my favourite is Thief of Time, a real Buddhist classic!) Having been blessed with seven offspring, I have sometimes felt like heading for the hills but then one or other of them will smile or cry or just walk into the room and all is better.
Hi, thanks for the welcome & 'ey up' to you :-), thief of time very good also. WOW 7, dont know if thats lucky or not LOL. Well done, you must have a very busy schedule.
Welcome, Darryl! That was a fine story you told, and it hits upon the one essential truth, that life is suffering. It may look different for different people, but it's there all the same, and it's a great teaching because, as you point out, without it there would be no Buddhism. Of course, without it, we wouldn't be in samsara either!
Darry,
It is what you needed to say at the moment. I have a magnet on the fridge that says "Living well is the best revenge". Growing up in an abusive household was tough, but I decided I was going to make it no matter what.
Then at 39, I ended up almost dying myself (36 days in the ICU! It didn't kill me, but the bill, oy vey!). It is what brought me to start practicing Buddhism more seriously. I had dabbled with it but realized after this event that I wanted it more than I realized.
Also, CARL SAGAN ROCKS! I hope that his intelligence went with whatever may have been reincarnated if that happens.
Oh, and before I forgot, vilkommen!
Thought I had better introduce myself as I intend to be aroun the forum on a regular basis. Its by far the most welcoming forum of any kind that ive came across while on the net. May as well stick to the format that has gone before me.
Name: Brian
Age: 25
Sign: Sagittarius
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Green
Height: 5'10
Weight: 160 lbs.
Born: Wiltshire, UK
Currently: Bedford, UK
Favorite color: Dont have one
Favorite band(s): Massive Attack, Portishead, The Prodigy, Bjork (hence the avatar)
Favorite food(s): Spaghetti Bollegnese
Favorite movie(s): Full Metal Jacket, Pulp Fiction, Seven Samurai
Favorite book(s): Buddhism Without Belief - Stephen Batchelor, The Great Casino Heist, at the moment trying to get through 'The Tibetean Book of Living and Dying'
Not much to add really, ive had an interest in Buddhism for the last 3 years after picking up a book (Buddhism without belief) and reading it while working away from home. I tend to go through phases of being very into it and then fading away again. Ive been to a temple in Milton Keynes twice which is fairly close to me but because im fairly shy Ive not been to a group or anything similar yet. Ive been drawn back into Buddhism again in the past 3 months and I intend to take it more seriously this time.
Im completely football mad, I watch football from all over the world but my team is and always has been Liverpool. I work for the low cost airline easyjet and an aircraft engineer and despite it being challenging at times I really enjoy it.
I wouldnt call it all fun and games but ive worked in far worse places. Fortunately the cameras leave the engineers alone. I must say the company has changed a lot as its grown in size. It used to be a lot more friendly and welcoming but thats decreasing as the years go on. I guess thats what happens when the bean-counters are in charge.
Comments
Age: 17
Sign: Virgo
Hair: Green, Purple, White and Pink
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 48kg
Eyes: Blue
Born: Sydney, Australia
Currently: Sydney, Australia
Favorite color: White
Favorite Band: The Mars Volta
Favorite Food: Soy nuggets
Favorite Movie: Saw II
Favorite Book: 1984
Hey there I'm Noodle and I'm very new to most of this. Just taking a look around and learning a few things about buddhism, because I seem to strike a few chords with a lot of the teachings... I would appreciate anyone's help with a good place to start! And also anyone who is also from Australia?
Is the hair colour natural?:crazy:
Welcome....
try looking in the recommended reading Thread, for reference to good books you might like to try....
http://www.newbuddhist.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14
For the 'simple' approach, take a look at this.....
http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/buddhism/buddhism.html
or if you feel you've progressed a bit further than that, try:
http://www.bodhicitta.net/Other%20Buddhist%20Teachings.htm
A warm welcome to you!
Thanks for the sites!
I'm 27... or I'll be 27 on my next b-day, I lost count. Wait, I'll be 27 on my next b-day.
I live with my two Aunts, not so much for support, but to help them out because one is going back to school to be an RN and the other is disabled. It's a mutually benificial arrangement.
I have one little sister that lives a few miles away, who is pagan and tries her hardest to be the black sheep of the family. My Dad technically lives with us but he drives a semi, so he's only here about once every other week. My Mom lives way out of state like in Washington but I still talk to her all the time via AIM. I also have a daughter that turned 9 years old today.
I listen to all sorts of music, except I'm not partial to country or rap. My favorite would have to be techno industrial, though I am as likely to be found listening to classical as I am to the hard stuff.
I'm into video games, and roleplaying games like D&D and WW games. I make soaps, bath salts, and all sorts of stuff at home and recently started selling it online to better help out my Aunt. I like to watch movies, especially horror movies and anime, though I don't watch much actual TV.
All my life I grew up around a Christian family, but as my Aunt says "going to church doesn't make you Christian, Faith does". My family has always been open minded about me choosing my own beliefs to practice, and for a long time I rode the edges of the pagan community because they seemed most like what I felt was right. I've never called myself anything, not pagan, and certainly not Buddhist. I just knew what my beliefs were from past experience and with each new experience I grew and I learned and added it into my spiritual views.
Then one day out on the back porch of a friend's house, over coffee while most of my gaming friends were still asleep... a good friend who doesn't speak much of his spiritual views got into a discussion with me. We must have talked for hours, and afterwards he said that I seemed a lot like a Buddhist. So, I started looking into what it was all about, just to see.
What I found was a little shocking at first. A lot of the principles and beliefs that I had held onto all my life, yet had no name for had names. I didn't just decide to be a Buddhist, but it finally seemed like what I believed had a name at least. I still don't really call myself anything at all, my beliefs are just that, my own path, made up of all my life experiences.
Anyway, I guess that is pretty much me in a nutshell. It is nice to meet everyone, and I look forward to getting to know you all.
I'll get it opn DVD when it's released. I can't go see it in the cinema. Apparently I don't look 18....
Don't even me make me read the titles of such peasently filth hah-hah-hah!
*stops posh voice*
But seriously, the best movie of all time is THE LION KING.
I'm so pleased to have recently found this group. I live in an area where I've yet to find a formal sangha. I wanted to give myself a little time to dive into the literature on the subject of buddhism before making contact.
I'm still not sure this is the beat all end all for me, but it seems to be making one heck of a lot of sense. So I'm eager to test my understanding through some dialogue and learn and share new things with you all.
So - a little about me...
I'm a stay-at-home dad with three kids (two girls and a boy - 7, 4, 1). My wife and I recently moved to Maryland after a stint in Pittsburgh, PA. We worked like dogs there and just decided it was too much for us to sustain with a growing family. My inlaws live here in MD and are able to help with the kids. My wife's income brings in more than I could have hoped for myself (welcome to the 21st century) and I'm actually learning (yes, learning) to enjoy staying at home with the kids. In fact, as I read about how some Buddhist masters teach their students, I am thinking that I have three little masters running around right now...
I find the teachings in buddhism so far immensely comforting. Its one of those things that you feel like you read and just say to yourself, 'yeah - that's what it is'. In most of my conversations with people, it always seems like we would each ignore the facts of one's life that matters and end up talking about subjects that just left me feeling like I missed an opportunity to connect. Reading books on Buddhism just seems like calling a spade a spade - you know - telling it like it is. I just feel like saying to everyone - "this is what we should all be talking about instead".
Anyway, so while I'm into this I still hesitate calling myself a buddhist. I not sure I'll ever go for the idea of reincarnation (maybe metaphorically, a la Mark Epstein or in a 'matter is not ever destroyed' sense a la Einstein). I still plan on visiting the library regularly and heading directly for the eastern religions section and I think I've almost become comfortable telling my wife I'm going to meditate. I think the weird look is more my imagination than anything right now.
Thanks for reading. Turned out longer than I expected.
-Bryan
Or is that not you?
-bf
And, yes, very clever buddhafoot.
You say it like it's a chore.
I must agree with Rev. Genryu. That totally rocks!
Perhaps its just renewing my faith in people. Y'know there's an awful lot of crap out there. In other forums (non-buddhist) I've seen folks just completely berate one another. Its so easy when you're typing to not be concerned about others. Replies here always seem well thought out and considerate, helpful. Its refreshing and inspiring.
(Believe all of the above, and you can weave gravy.....!
Actually, I have to say, it IS a really nice forum here.... and probably just like any other forum, we've attracted some of your more.... 'controversial' posters.... But I think I can say with no fear of contradiction, we've all ended up by "nice-ing" them off the forum.... they've given up of their own accord - !!
The doctor says my stitches are healing nicely and my brain should be protected with the huge metal plate in it. Buddhafoot isn't doing as well. We promise to be good next time. Can we have a drink of water now? PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!
Gender: Female
Age: 22
Sign: Cancer
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Greyish bluish greenish
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 140
Born: Chicago, Illinois
Currently: Dublin, Ireland
Favorite color: Orange
Favorite music: Everything, including some country and rap (imagine that!)
Favorite food: Squid
Favorite movie: Withnail & I
Favorite book: Lavondyss by Robert Holdstock
Hobbies and interests: film, literature, writing, traveling, languages, philosophy, crocheting, swimming, rabbits, life, people.
Howdy folks! :vimp:
I'm sure I will, Federica.
If you ever ask our online sangha a serious question, don't listen to Buddhafoot, he is a very very very very very very very very funny guy, should be a comedian, but not to good with advice giving. lol. JK.
Also zenmonk_genryu has a very clever way of bringing discussions back on topic, so watch out, lol!
And watch out for Sangha - he's hormonally challenged! :rolleyesc:uphand::grr:
I HATE YOU!
*runs out and locks self in bedroom*
lol. I've actually never done that....
Good to see another Pratchett fan here (altho' my favourite is Thief of Time, a real Buddhist classic!) Having been blessed with seven offspring, I have sometimes felt like heading for the hills but then one or other of them will smile or cry or just walk into the room and all is better.
Palzang
It is what you needed to say at the moment. I have a magnet on the fridge that says "Living well is the best revenge". Growing up in an abusive household was tough, but I decided I was going to make it no matter what.
Then at 39, I ended up almost dying myself (36 days in the ICU! It didn't kill me, but the bill, oy vey!). It is what brought me to start practicing Buddhism more seriously. I had dabbled with it but realized after this event that I wanted it more than I realized.
Also, CARL SAGAN ROCKS! I hope that his intelligence went with whatever may have been reincarnated if that happens.
Oh, and before I forgot, vilkommen!
Name: Brian
Age: 25
Sign: Sagittarius
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Green
Height: 5'10
Weight: 160 lbs.
Born: Wiltshire, UK
Currently: Bedford, UK
Favorite color: Dont have one
Favorite band(s): Massive Attack, Portishead, The Prodigy, Bjork (hence the avatar)
Favorite food(s): Spaghetti Bollegnese
Favorite movie(s): Full Metal Jacket, Pulp Fiction, Seven Samurai
Favorite book(s): Buddhism Without Belief - Stephen Batchelor, The Great Casino Heist, at the moment trying to get through 'The Tibetean Book of Living and Dying'
Not much to add really, ive had an interest in Buddhism for the last 3 years after picking up a book (Buddhism without belief) and reading it while working away from home. I tend to go through phases of being very into it and then fading away again. Ive been to a temple in Milton Keynes twice which is fairly close to me but because im fairly shy Ive not been to a group or anything similar yet. Ive been drawn back into Buddhism again in the past 3 months and I intend to take it more seriously this time.
Im completely football mad, I watch football from all over the world but my team is and always has been Liverpool. I work for the low cost airline easyjet and an aircraft engineer and despite it being challenging at times I really enjoy it.
Good to see more of us from the UK and Ireland popping up !
Welcome to NewBuddhist.com where we are all humble and kind and forgiving and did I forget to say deluded! But at least we know it.
Watching 'Airline' on TV at the mo'.... Looks all fun and games....!!
Nice to have you with us!
My name is Craig.
I'm 19, living in Oklahoma.
i'm a poet.
theres just a lot of stuff and i cant think right now O_O