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2500 years and counting....

TheravadaBuddhistTheravadaBuddhist
edited November 2010 in Buddhism Basics
ok...now what? one of the biggest teachings of all major religions is helping the poor and unlearned(?). among other things.
now for the rant. all paths have a way toward peace. doesn't seem like many of them get along with each other. this one doesn't like that one for this and vice versa.
i was doing ok with my studying until i heard a talk where the subject was the decline of morals and society in general. and some of the buddhist counties have the same issues as what was then. other places with other traditions as well. seems if they followed their own traditions, they wouldn't have these problems.
i know wars are fought over religion. i know other not so good thing as well. i have found a great something i can't quite name here, and i want to keep that. but if there are the same issues as there were 2500+ years ago, is this really the answer?

Comments

  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    edited November 2010
    Is it the answer for you? Yes or no? If so, keep going. If not, not.

    Just think how much worse the world would be if there had been no good done at all in the name of religion. Sure, a lot of bad things have been done in the name of religion, but a lot of good things have been done as well. Only now I am watching a news clip about Haiti on TV. Just think if no one had done anything to help those people. What do you suppose motivated those who went and provided help?

    If not, just give up.
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    edited November 2010
    I wish I had a nickel for every time the old "society is losing its morals and values" thing had been tossed out. Counting for the inflation since the first time it was uttered (probably about 5000 years ago), I'd be *extremely* wealthy.
  • TheswingisyellowTheswingisyellow Trying to be open to existence Samsara Veteran
    edited November 2010
    TheravadaBuddhist wrote: »
    ok...now what? one of the biggest teachings of all major religions is helping the poor and unlearned(?). among other things.
    now for the rant. all paths have a way toward peace. doesn't seem like many of them get along with each other. this one doesn't like that one for this and vice versa.
    i was doing ok with my studying until i heard a talk where the subject was the decline of morals and society in general. and some of the buddhist counties have the same issues as what was then. other places with other traditions as well. seems if they followed their own traditions, they wouldn't have these problems.
    i know wars are fought over religion. i know other not so good thing as well. i have found a great something i can't quite name here, and i want to keep that. but if there are the same issues as there were 2500+ years ago, is this really the answer?
    I would suggest on the whole that most people, while identifing with a particular religion seldom put it into practice. One's clinging to an ego with all of it's wants, likes, dislikes, pettiness and constant need to reassert and identify itself is no different if you call yourself a Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, Jewish, or a Muslim. To devote yourself to your practice takes much work and the majority of the population just does not put in the time. Also the idea that mankind has fundamentally changed in 2500 years, I would suggest as wrong. People were plagued by the same issues and problems now as they were 2500 years ago. If you seriously look at the sutras and what the Buddha put forth, I think you will find much truth. Though the world may not change your practice will change you and be of immense benefit to those around you. Or you could just get drunk.
    Yours in the Dhamma,
    Todd
  • Ficus_religiosaFicus_religiosa Veteran
    edited November 2010
    I'd say that because we, as humans, have the same problems as 2500 years ago there's reason to practice Buddhism. We still suffer, some more than others..

    Regarding the help to people in need, I wouldn't give religion the credit but the very human emotion of empathy - which is universal and an important key to our success as a species. Most religions, dividing groups into "us" and "them", in fact becomes a hindrance to compassion
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    edited November 2010
    TheravadaBuddhist wrote: »
    ok...now what? one of the biggest teachings of all major religions is helping the poor and unlearned(?). among other things.
    now for the rant. all paths have a way toward peace. doesn't seem like many of them get along with each other. this one doesn't like that one for this and vice versa.
    i was doing ok with my studying until i heard a talk where the subject was the decline of morals and society in general. and some of the buddhist counties have the same issues as what was then. other places with other traditions as well. seems if they followed their own traditions, they wouldn't have these problems.
    i know wars are fought over religion. i know other not so good thing as well. i have found a great something i can't quite name here, and i want to keep that. but if there are the same issues as there were 2500+ years ago, is this really the answer?

    Hi TheravadaBuddhist
    As long as there is greed, hatred and delusion, then Buddhism is relevant. If you were able to focus on your own, then that link would break in this world, which would be a good thing for our world. There have been and are many so called Noble Ones who have been able to do this and they have been able to benefit our world immeasurably.

    Best wishes,
    Abu
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    edited November 2010
    Ficus_religiosa wrote: »
    Most religions, dividing groups into "us" and "them", in fact becomes a hindrance to compassion

    My teacher extends this non-division to the whole universe. But then again, he is at that level.

    Thanks for your points, Ficus. _/\_
  • cazcaz Veteran United Kingdom Veteran
    edited November 2010
    TheravadaBuddhist wrote: »
    ok...now what? one of the biggest teachings of all major religions is helping the poor and unlearned(?). among other things.
    now for the rant. all paths have a way toward peace. doesn't seem like many of them get along with each other. this one doesn't like that one for this and vice versa.
    i was doing ok with my studying until i heard a talk where the subject was the decline of morals and society in general. and some of the buddhist counties have the same issues as what was then. other places with other traditions as well. seems if they followed their own traditions, they wouldn't have these problems.
    i know wars are fought over religion. i know other not so good thing as well. i have found a great something i can't quite name here, and i want to keep that. but if there are the same issues as there were 2500+ years ago, is this really the answer?

    For as long as people are deluded and dont practise mind training problems will always abound. Rome wasnt built in a day you know :p
  • nanadhajananadhaja Veteran
    edited November 2010
    caz namyaw wrote: »
    . Rome wasnt built in a day you know :p
    Thats coz I wasn't the foreman.:lol:
  • ChrysalidChrysalid Veteran
    edited November 2010
    Ficus_religiosa wrote: »
    Regarding the help to people in need, I wouldn't give religion the credit but the very human emotion of empathy - which is universal and an important key to our success as a species. Most religions, dividing groups into "us" and "them", in fact becomes a hindrance to compassion
    I don't think it's religion that's the problem, but people's attitudes. People are naturally tribalistic, it's ingrained and difficult for some to overcome, but when you look at religions each of them tends to have at it's core something admirable. If people were to look at the good religion does in peoples lives, especially the lives of people of religions different to their own, then religion should never become divisive.
  • cazcaz Veteran United Kingdom Veteran
    edited November 2010
    nanadhaja wrote: »
    Thats coz I wasn't the foreman.:lol:
    Sure Venerable Boss :)
    Kuti Building is something very skilled, How many monks say you need to accomplish a task such as this :lol:
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