How do you feel that buddhism plays out on your lifestyle? Have you ever felt that it can be an obstacle within work/school? If you don't come from a family where most members are buddhists, is it difficult for your family to relate to, and has it changed a lot of practical things on how you used to live? Does it in any way limit the way you live, for example within diet, what you do on your spare time etc? I'd really like some replies, as there are some things about buddhism that i'm somewhat pensive about. Buddhism seems in some way so ideal. To my knowledge, there is nothing telling you to dislike homosexuality, nothing that makes you restricted in any way, nothing you have to give up because it doesn't fit in with your belief etc, like not being able to play a football match on sunday, because you're supposed to not do anything as much as possible..lol All views greatly appreciated.
Buddhism is as method used to reach understanding. Once the objective is reached you may discard it. (In my view).
i too was once in the same place. you are a human being of free will, and therefore can believe whatever you want. however, on the gay note, i too was curious about this because it's an issue very dear to me. i only subscribe to buddhism as a philosophy, not as a religion, as a buddhist religion was never intended. anyway, many conservative buddhists in asia are anti gay, but most american buddhists i have found are not (both white and asian). i've never really felt that buddhism has presented any obstacles except for my family. my mom urges me to be religious and either go to her church or a buddhist temple. since my buddhism is strictly a philosophy, i haven't felt the need to go to a temple, however lately i've started thinking that maybe i will go to meet people with similar beliefs. my other family obstacle is my aunt. she is the most conservative right wing religious nut bag ever. she belongs to one of those christian cults. but anyway, she hates it, but still loves me because she was taught forgiveness. so basically, buddhism has helped me in every situation except these two. an example of buddhism helping you is that normally i would become very angry at people for being morons. but i've come to accept the fact that they cannot help it if they're morons, and i should accept them and help them.
I see. Now, I know you said it's only a philosophy for you, but do you know if there is anything you should or should not eat, or anything adjustments in the every day life that have to be made?
Greeneye, What you eat or don't eat really doesn't matter as long as you are aware of what and why you are eating it. Some Buddhist are vegetarians, some not. Some avoid intoxicants, some not. If you are confused as to why some act one way and some another we can go into that some other time. For now check out DarrelKitchens stickies on The Noble Eight Fold Path and The Four Noble Truths at the top of the Buddhist forum. Use these as guides to daily living. No one need know that you are following these ideals, in Buddhism there is no need to proclaim your "faith". You can remain a "closet Buddhist" if you wish. Also check out my stickies FAQs about Buddhism and A Buddhist Bibliography for more info. While I don't claim to be a Buddhist I have read a great deal and agree with most if not all of its tenets. Specifically, I follow the 8 fold path, but don't tell anyone that I do. My wife knows I read a lot of Buddhist literature but is not interested in it so we just live our lives in harmony. There is no need for anyone to know that I agree with Buddhist ideals. If they don't ask (and why would they) I don't tell. I have found it to be a tremendous aid to clear thought and personal relations. My parents and siblings are Roman Catholic. When visiting them I attend their church and any rituals that they attend, such as confirmations, baptisms, etc. I respect their beliefs and very seldom discuss religion with them. I do not attend any church and my children (18 and 23) do not belong to any church; although they may join any religion they choose. As I am a contributing member of society, and have raised a family, my relatives leave me alone. However when first married in 1974 we had a Catholic/Protestant ceremony for the sake of my and my wife's parents. As for gayness, I believe many cultures that contain Buddhism would frown on it, some would not. The "set" rules I know for lay Buddhism in general would be againest sexual misconduct (whatever that would be based on the culture). In addition certain Buddhist sects have specific sexual rules that must be followed to enter. Such as monks and nuns are usually required to be celibate.
Greeneye, you're thread makes me smile, because I had the exact same questions about Buddhism when I first looked into it. When I first took refuge, I was very excited--though that's not really the right word for it; I had been having issues with schoolmates, and I felt like, "Wow, I am finally doing something right" However, on the contrary, as callow as I was (and am), I proceeded to proclaim my religion to all my friends. It was definitely an obstacle, because my original behavior-you could call it arrogrant boasting-only elicited teases and judgments. Fortunately, I realized I was being an idiot, stopped such behavior and I no longer am teased in school about it. I have never told anyone in my family about my philosophical beliefs, religion is an especially awkward topic to speak about with my mother, and the discomfort has caused me to remain silent. I'd say the only changes in the way I live have been internal. Nope. I mean, I could follow all of the Precepts (the secod half only apply to monks), but I only practice what I believe in. Although there might be a very good reason for "abstaining from sleeping in high or large beds", as a high school student I need as much sleep as I can get and the floor isn't going to cut it. In love, Diana
Thank you Meagain, and that pretty much cleared up any question I might have. And the gay thing was just an example of how I'm not too fond of religions that more or less tell you not to like this or that, homosexuality being a prime cause of discrimination. i'm not gay, i didn't mean to give that impression. Though of course it would be perfectly fine if I was...lol
well, greeneyedbaby, im glad you found the answers to your questions. i guess it would make sense not to go about proclaiming your beliefs in order to not be judged. but i always wear my buddha necklace, so i kind of screwed myself there. just remember that you can only change yourself, and not to judge others. peace and love, nikki lou
Buddhism to me is truthfully interacting to the world, truly becoming one woth it. Beeing freed from all self-induced delusions. and just beating with the flow of the universe just as our hearts do.
