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Shooter’s Interest In Buddhism Prompts Debate About Stereotype Of Peaceful Faith
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See the stories of Myanmar about Buddhists attacking the Muslim minorities in their communities. I was shocked to learn of Buddhists using violence, of any kind, against anyone. Myanmar and this despicable act of cowardice and terror are clear indicators that any religious or reverential way of life can, and will, have its share of fundamentalists and fanatics.
I found that when I questioned Buddhists about specifics of their belief systems, it was just as weird as any other religion.
That's really the point, though, Jimmy. Buddhism is NOT a religion, it is "merely" a way of life. Yes, there are temples, etc... but they aren't like church's or mosques or synagogues; they're simply places intended for group meditation and meetings of like individuals.Buddhists are also not evangelistic nor do they proselytize their beliefs.
In Vietnam, the Buddhists I met spoke of it as a religion. They all held supernatural beliefs. In America, the Buddhists I have met also spoke of supernatural concepts such as reincarnation. They told me about how it was a way of life, but the details were not so. I have attended meetings at Buddhist centers in New Hampshire. Again, nowhere so far have I found any indication of a group which does not hold supernatural beliefs.
I have also had some Buddhist friends who tried to encourage me to join up.
You've got me, Jimmy. I never had opportunity to speak to anyone outside my unit, much less Buddhists while in Nam. I've never talked to any Buddhists in the U.S., either. I know well, however, how it seems that everything in the States needs to be organized.The Buddhists that I have had opportunity to talk, study and meditate with in Europe, have never indicated to me that Buddhism is a religion nor do they have any inclinations toward organizing into a religion.
Granted, a belief in something supernatural (reincarnation, creationism, etc) are "requirements" for the foundation of a religion, but they need not be. In particular, reincarnation is a belief shared by many non-religious beliefs, Indian tribes, sects and spiritualists. In fact, Christianity, in its purest form held a belief in reincarnation. I'm talking about reincarnation not resurrection.
I think there is a huge difference in a Buddhist suggesting to someone the benefits of meditation or the teachings of Buddha and the door knockin' Jehovah Witness, with their "armies" of young, brain washed missionaries. Or even the Mormons who go out on their mandatory missions of evangelism. Especially, annoying are the Christians that throw verses from the "Word of God" like a shield against reality and the ups and downs of everyday life.
I don't necessarily think that Buddhism is a religion for all the Buddhists I have met, but it definitely is for many of them. But I also wouldn't refer to it as a way of life. Once you start adding in souls and spirits and reincarnation, it leaves the realm of a way of life for me. Life is about this world.
I also want to add that all of those Buddhists were pretty wonderful people.
Fully understand your stand point, Jimmy, and thanks for the discussion, short though it has been... ;o).
the point is that Aaron Alexis's actions had nothing to do with his affiliation with buddhism. He was no longer practicing -- hadn't been active since at least 2011. he was hearing voices, which means he was having some kind of mental problems. i really don't understand why the media is paying so much attention to the fact that he was a buddhist at one point. (to say nothing of the fact that they are really ignorant of the many different schools of buddhism.)(this isn't like those so-called christians that kill abortion doctors because of their religious beliefs.)
As we can see from Sri Lanka, when it comes down to it, Buddhism is just as good an excuse for killing your neighbours as any other religion.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/s...