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needing a little bit of guidance
Could someone explain the Rebirth and Nirvana to me? I don't know much about the Buddhist philosophy. But I love the compassion, the peacefulness, the nonviolence, and the self discipline. Oh, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. you cant help but love him:) He is truly awesome.
My family are christian, and I was raised in a christian home and values. But now that I am an adult, Im finding that I really don't agree with the christian religion at all. It seems to me that most of them are angry all the time and very judgemental. And anytime I try and talk about Buddhism with any of them, they usually just shake their heads or tell me im going to hell:( without letting me even explain anything. or if I press the subject, it just ends up with them shouting and trying to shove their opinions down my throat.
I live in a small town made up of mostly christians. I have no one I can talk to about this. I don't understand Buddhism very well and would very much like to. Any suggestions on what do.
My family are christian, and I was raised in a christian home and values. But now that I am an adult, Im finding that I really don't agree with the christian religion at all. It seems to me that most of them are angry all the time and very judgemental. And anytime I try and talk about Buddhism with any of them, they usually just shake their heads or tell me im going to hell:( without letting me even explain anything. or if I press the subject, it just ends up with them shouting and trying to shove their opinions down my throat.
I live in a small town made up of mostly christians. I have no one I can talk to about this. I don't understand Buddhism very well and would very much like to. Any suggestions on what do.
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Comments
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to believe in literal rebirth if you don't want to. Just try to avoid active *dis*-belief, because in the end (no pun intended) we can't really know and putting effort into solidifying a belief/disbelief is unskillful.
Nirvana/Nibbana is the end of all mental suffering; the end of all craving. The Arahant (who has achieved Nibbana) no longer has cravings for sense-pleasures (things, ideas, sex, wealth, power, anything) or for eternal life or death. The mind is at complete harmony with life, reality, the way of all things. There is no more striving for this or that; it is the end, the goal, the place of supreme peace. Ignorance of reality has been rooted out, eradicated, completely; unskillful thoughts and actions, of volition (intention), can no longer occur. Some also believe that if rebirth is literal, at this point it can no longer occur; we become free of the round or cycle of suffering that is born of ignorance.
A couple good sites to try for more info also:
http://www.BuddhaNet.net
http://www.AccessToInsight.org
Rebirth is the result of one's actions, like the Christians teach: "Each reaps what they sow".
Nirvana is defined as the end of greed, hatred & delusion in the human mind.
Nirvana is the ending of suffering in the human mind.
Kind regards
DD
Buddhism offers understanding & methods to remedy human suffering & problems and to promote human well-being & happiness.
In Buddhism, the practises of self-discipline, ethics, compassion & non-violence are important because they contribute to freedom from suffering.
The foundations of the Buddhist & Christian religions are different but at least on the moral level they share the same values.
To understand Buddhism it is best to ask questions about it, generally guided by a perception of one's own needs.
There are many varied teachings in Buddhism so one's questions are more important than the answers.
As I said, the goal of Buddhism is to remedy human suffering & to promote human well-being.
Buddhism offers teachings on each level of human need, that is, the economic, social, mental & spiritual.
Buddhism teaches about the laws of nature (rather than the law of God). In Buddhism, all things are nature.
Buddhism is 'scientifc', for human beings who believe in nature (rather than 'God').
Kind regards
DD
It's good that you're reaching out to a greater community. There is so much that Buddhism has to offer and you're already drawn to the peace, the non-violence, the compassion and the self-discipline.
I was drawn to Buddhism because it taught about suffering, and I had lost my father to suicide and needed a non-christian answer. I read alot but what helped me the most was to attend a ten day Vipassana retreat.
There I met other people who practiced meditation. It was years before I actually started to study Buddhism. I was lucky to have some practical experience inform my study.
I think you can't go wrong with any book or tape by Pema Chodron. Venerable Thupten Chodron is quite wonderful and so is Lama Tsering Everest. Three great western women teachers, two of them nuns the other an ordained Lama.
Warmest welcome and I look forward to hearing how your path unfolds.
What you may be discovering is when to talk and when to stay silent. You're freaking your family out. It may be wise to keep your interest in Buddhism on the quiet side until you have more support.
Take care,
sky
I'm right with ya there!
While I'm sure this in itself will come across as judgemental on my part, I would argue that no, they're not Christian. Or rather, they're not following the teachings of Jesus Christ. They're judging you by their own standards, not those of the teachings of Jesus, which in many ways are very similar to those of the Buddha (Eckhart Tolle has interesting thoughts on this similarity). First of all, if you don't believe in the notion of "hell" as the "Christians" see it, then it's no real worry! Second, I believe Jesus taught, "Judge not, lest ye be judged," which pretty much sums up what they're doing. It's things like this that turned me off the "Christian" religions when I was a child.
Mtns