Becoming Buddha

Re: # 11, pmishra2:
Gandhiji once said: Those who say politics and religion do not mix, neither know religion nor politics. I totally agree with him. But the crux of the issue is not my agreement/disagreement.

Buddhism is definitely the most democratic religion. Judeo-Christian-Islamic religions as well as Hinduism are not democratic. Each one of them has an unalterable hierarchy. The hereditary caste system with no scope for improvement in Hinduism keeps men and women equal and the though no by-birth caste system exists in Judeo-Christian-Islamic religions, there is a fundamental and unalterable subjugation of women. Buddhism treated all humans as equal. That did create difficulties for its viability in India though it survived in East Asia as it was buttressed and diluted by Confucianism in East Asia.

As for socialism, we need to move away from the limitations of European interpretation of the ``ism.`` There is a more fundamental definition. Socialism in the Buddhistic context implies working for THIS WORLD and not heaven. The very tentative significance of the dogma as indicated in the article above needs to be understood. Buddhism essentially says that we have to non-violently improve this world for all its inhabitants - beyond even humans. That is true socialism. How it can be done is a different question. Though Budha says it CAN be done. No other religion in the world places the same emphasis on THIS WORLD.

pmishra2, would you like to analyze the Sri Lanka developments in the context of Buddhism, a little more explicitly? I will appreciate that.

#12
inquirer sahib
Yes, I am Muslim but I don`t advertise my religion infront of everyone like some Muslims do. I am a big fan of Buddha since my childhood.

Religion for me is a personal choice.

In that context I am also Buddha as well.

Well, speaking about Buddha I did not see any reference that Buddha is saying,``(((``the wise and virtuous human being is nobler, more powerful and greater than even god.``)).........I was merely asking the writer and another interactor to explain their posts which I can`t comprehend based on my knowledge on buddha.............I didn`t mean to intimidate anyone...................

If, these writers are so, fragile to get intimidated with small harmless questions and are unable to take the little heat of the topic at hand then , I feel sorry my time and for their`s as well to write something and then are unable to take the heat of debates. thanks

Well, speaking of Buddha, I always refer myself to ( Wheel of Dharma), which is the translation of the Sanskrit word,``Dharma-cakra.`` Similar to the wheel of a cart that keeps revolving , it symbolizes the Buddha`s teachings as it continues to be spread widely and endlessly. The eight spokes of the wheel represent....

1:right view
2:-right thought
3:-right speech
4:-right behaviour
5:-right livelihood
6:-right effort
7:- right mindfulness
8:-right meditation

And Buddha used these eight spokes of this wheel as the most important ways to practice one`s life in a noble way.

In olden days wheel of dharma was used as an object of worship. Now this wheel is used as a symbol of Buddhism..............................
And also from Teaching of Buddha we are able to recognize the very existence of humans and God.

I myself always mix Budhha and Islam to enlighten my soul.......mind it I am not talking about MULLAHISM..........I am refering to pure and spiritual Islam which is solely for the peace of humanity , just like Buddha`s wheel of dharma..............Thank you

Re: # 2, firestarter:
Even though there is some indication that issue of caste in Islam has no relevance to this thread, I welcome your thoughts on this issue. Let us face it those who have to do unpopular chores in any society due to financial or any other reason are effectively lower caste/class/rank of people. US has its blacks and hispanics, let alone American Indians.

By recognizing a cross-cutting problem and its roots we will not only help in solving the localized problems but would also tend to avoid overstate the differences in the religious arena and that would tend to mitigate the animosities on that score. However, I am with Zeena in desiring to hear more from firestarter or Zeena herself for that matter. I presume both are Muslims.

firestarter, please note Buddha is not against sex, per se, he is only against sexual misconduct. May be this helps you about Buddhist stance on sex.

Re: #3, Zeena: Your volley of questions are very intimidating. Sometimes it is wiser to take one issue at a time.

Re: #4, firestarter: I could not agree more with you we NEED to get involved in a conversation AND carry it out patiently looking for the defined and clarified positions.

Re #6, salim: I appreciate your kindness.

Re: #8 and #10, kalchakra: I will try to get more details on your point. Thanks for the trust.

Re: #10, Zeena: The common point between you and kalchakra regarding the devotee vis a vis god can be understood in this way:

****The fundamental foundation of the concept of g/God rests in human psychology. It would have no existence unless human race existed. Hence, devotee is the very sine qua non. G/god originates in the psyche of the devotee so devotee is greater (specialized definition) than the Ishta Devata (G/god).

Really, this is not unique to Buddhism. The Vedas say: Aham Brahmaasmi (I am God). Kabir said: Guru Govind dono khadre, kaake laagoon panv; Balihaarii Guru Aapkii, Govind diyo dikhaaye. Tulsidas has said the same in Ramcharitmanas: Ram se badre, Ram ke bhagta. The thought is natural in monistic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

In monotheistic religions where there is a separation of God from Humans we find tight separation wall (firewalls!). Thus the Judeo-Christian_Islamic faith adherents have to make some adjustments before they can internalize this conception.****

Great to see indians re-discovering their great personages. Buddha is deeply relevant to us, especially when people want to believe that this or that entity is the greatest lord or only prophet or eternal dharma or whatever.

But PLEASE dont add nonsensical things like: ``No formula as socialist and a democratic...``; it just shows that you dont understand that the primary focus of the buddhist thinking isn`t political, it is much more individual centred. The buddha did not call for a revolution or destruction of the existing order. He asked people to look within to understand the sources of their anxiety and suffering.

Confusing politics, religion and governance is a bad idea. Each has its different role in society. Just look at the buddhist monks of Sri Lanka who have been a great impediment to peace in the name of ``boudha dharma``.

Zeena

We can be sure Bhatnagar ji will quickly give us the proper reference, and immediately remove any doubts anybody might have.

firestarter jii #4

What is the link of barbars, cobblers and other castes and profession with this article or with Buddha? Explain. Why you brought this up? I really wish to know.

#8 kaalchakra

Yes, I agree with you..........I did not get this sentence either.

Dear writer

Please, can you explain with reference of page and chapter (((``the wise and virtuous human being is nobler, more powerful and greater than even god.``)).........Explain. Thanks

Bhatnagar Sahib

It`s a shame that I don`t know as much about Buddhism as I should. Could you please give us the reference to where the Buddha claims that ``the wise and virtuous human being is nobler, more powerful and greater than even god.``

#4
firestarter sahib
You didn`t answer my questions. I am still waiting for you to answer my questions.
Please do . So, that I can discuss all these ideologies with you on the basis of Islam and Bhudda.

Thanks

Sushil Bhatnagar {``Buddhist Way
Five promises of a Buddhist – Panch Sila:
1. I promise not to kill any living being.
2. I will avoid taking what is not willingly given.
3. I will be generous.
4. I will abstain from sexual``}

Sushil,
A very well-written, concise, and extremely useful article about the essential philosophy of Buddhism. I am so glad that ``Thou shalt not kill`` is #1 on the list and not conveniently tucked away as #5 or worse.

Two and a half thousand years after Lord Buddha`s emphasis on the sanctity of life, we are still killing each other with relish.

Thanks for enlightening us about this wonderful man.

firestarter and zeena have started a, potentially, very useful discussion. I look forward to learning from their interactions.

Re: # 3
well cobbler is a profession but in our society these people are considered as a low caste since they are poor...but islam does not discriminate between human beings on the basis of money...i mean if u talk about the rural areas then the caste system is so strong and people are killed on the basis of it....if we say that hinduism has caste system, then i think we are also its victim.

secondly philosophy is your way of interpreting things and you can have yours and i can have mine but when you get involved in discussion only then you can exchange your views

#2
firestarter jii

Howcome buddha is against human nature? Explain

Do you know what human nature is?

Do you know what human being is?

Do you know what humanity is?

Do you know what Islam is?

Do you know cobblers and barbars are just professions?

Please, explain your ideology...............I am really concerned about your post #2.

its a pity that Islam abolished the caste system but it is still practiced in our society. We have mauchis (cobblers), naiyis (barbers) who are of low caste and we can easily shun them look down upon them.

I am not sure whether buddha was against the sexual interaction or not. but it is certainly against the human nature.

Dear writer
Very good article. I myself am great fan of Buddha................

My favourite Buddha`s nature:- I love the following lines from it.......just wanna share.


It is only a temporary mind that momentarily notes changes of lightness and darkness as the sun rises and sets.

It is only a temporary mind that has different feelings from moment to moment with the changing circumstances of life;it is not the real and true mind.The fundamental and true which realizes the lightness and the darkness is the true nature of man.

The temporary feelings of good and evila, love and hatred , that have been aroused surroundings and changing external conditions , are only momentary reactions that have their cause in the defilement accumulated by the human mind.