In New Zealand the indigeneous peoples, the Maori, avoid using rest homes and will make great sacrifices to look after their elderly rather than pop them in a rest home. Are their cultural differences between African-Americans, Latinos, an
Yeah. We have a mixed population and most foreign citizens take care of their family. Its rare that I see anyone other than city American put their loved one in a home. Its very sad listening to their stories.
I had been thinking about the schism between the Protestants and Catholics and wondered if there was anything similar in Buddhist, say like between Theraveda and Mahayana? Any idea how it plays out in politics. Its interesting that so many Buddhist countries became emeshed with communist regimes like Veitnam, Korea, Cambodia, and China. I wonder what thats all about?
The only I know more of is the Nichiren shoshu/SGI since I was directly involved. Online, I noticed theravada separate themselves as the "true" school (literally school of the elders) and somewhat displace Mahayana as non buddhist. Mahayana many depend on the pali canon but have other books based on them such as the Pure Land you reading, a commentary, Lotus Sutra, Diamond Sutra.
Its said many westerners are more pulled to the Mahayana. Probably because many schools have mystics that are misinterpreted as spirit-ual experiences, things from god given christian background converts, and lack of culture involvement.
China and Vietnam has problems. Vietnamese mainly buddhist traditions that practice tantra. The Dali Lama practices from the Golong school. The kadampa tradition which I attend their temple now separated from the Golong because of what the Dali Lama said against it. I have to look it up again. For some reason schools and traditions are going against each other. Some more modern sects are seen as less buddhist than older ones.
If you have wise people and exemplifying Buddha's Teaching then I see how that could work well.
Yes. Similar to Hinduism if not the same (so learned on this thread) given the similar cultures.
I don't have the experience of Buddhist to say first hand that Buddhists have become out of touch with the teachings of Buddha. It will be
Its nice to have a practice-idea of the suttas to see how your belief compares and contrasts to your own. We see it as black and white me especially since I was christian. To each his own. Shrugs.
Evangelical Christainity has certainly lost connection with the Teachings of Christ. There's all sort of reasons for that, but with the passing of time it has become less clear what Christ really taught and there has been man made doctrines that have been
I think this is a huge reason why there are so much division. Everyone says the other doesnt have the "true" teachings of christ. Christians say it. Now I know hat bahai says it. Id say the Othorodox are probably the closest since they are in line with the apostles. I wouldnt right them of as not knowing.
Bahaullah is very recent so Id question his knowledge too. There are different opinions even on this board so I dont see how bahai are an exception to division. What I find is more of a telephone game.
Unless of course you can describe how spiritualism stopped between 1890 and today, Im totally unconvienced.
