The Pagan, Buddhist, and Hindu Thread

[Callisto]

If one more person denigrates Paganism because it stems from "ancient beliefs" and they performed human and animal sacrifices. I'm going to ****ing flip.

I'm so ****ing tired of the Christians, Muslims, and Baha'i spratfuxcks, trying to tell me my beliefs are incompatible with modern society.

I'm this "." close to quitting the forum. I hate placing people on ignore, but I've had to ignore 4 seperate people in the last 1.5 days.

You need to stop talking to people who are disingenuous and/or have no idea what they're talking about. LOL

Various examples of animal sacrifice in the Bible. And if you look at the umpteen denominations of these religions that exist, evidently modern-day adherents practice quite differently than ancient adherents. That's what happens as time marches on. All of us, regardless of religion, are different people, in a different society with a different worldview from any ancient adherents.

Of course, you get those who insist their religion is more valid than a modern one because it dates back 2,000+ years. But when you point out polytheistic religions predate theirs, then they revert back to ancient = bad.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

If one more person denigrates Paganism because it stems from "ancient beliefs" and they performed human and animal sacrifices. I'm going to ****ing flip.

I'm so ****ing tired of the Christians, Muslims, and Baha'i spratfuxcks, trying to tell me my beliefs are incompatible with modern society.

I'm this "." close to quitting the forum. I hate placing people on ignore, but I've had to ignore 4 seperate people in the last 1.5 days.

I've only encountered one other member whom I felt was very antagonistic toward my beliefs and made my time here awful, but I was advised to cease talking to them, so I did. I've had a much better time on the forum since I stopped interacting with this person.

 

[JustGeorge]

What are some of your favorite verses from Buddhist, Pagan, or Hindu scriptures?

 

[Ashoka]

What are some of your favorite verses from Buddhist, Pagan, or Hindu scriptures?

So I still dabble in Hinduism a bit (I can't say no to Sri Ganesh, who can?) and I love how many of the Upanishads talk about the "Lord of Love." It's just so beautiful.

 

[JustGeorge]

So I still dabble in Hinduism a bit (I can't say no to Sri Ganesh, who can?) and I love how many of the Upanishads talk about the "Lord of Love." It's just so beautiful.

Its Ganesh Chaturthi today, too!

I might be Hindu now, but I will always have nothing but respect for my Pagan roots.

 

[Ashoka]

Its Ganesh Chaturthi today, too!

Yes! I knew there was a reason why I was thinking about him! Oh, but I have no sweets And I stink at making Modak (but it's soooooo freaking good)

 

[JustGeorge]

Yes! I knew there was a reason why I was thinking about him! Oh, but I have no sweets And I stink at making Modak (but it's soooooo freaking good)

I don't have any molds for modak, but he's never turned up his trunk at my hand pinched ones...

 

[Ashoka]

I don't have any molds for modak, but he's never turned up his trunk at my hand pinched ones...

I love your avatar by the way!

 

[mangalavara]

What are some of your favorite verses from Buddhist, Pagan, or Hindu scriptures?

Therefore, O king! Know this as certain that the Great Goddess moves and enjoys freely according to Her will; She is not dependent on anybody. Therefore it is the duty of everyone to serve and worship, with whole head and heart, that Devī (Devī Bhāgavatam 4.25.73, translated by Swami Vijñanananda).

 

[SalixIncendium]

What are some of your favorite verses from Buddhist, Pagan, or Hindu scriptures?

The Mahavakyas, of course...

• Prajnanam Brahma. (Pure consciousness is Brahman.)
• Ayam Atma Brahma. (This Atman is Brahman.)
• Tat tvam asi. (Thou art that.)
• Aham Brahmasmi. (I am Brahman.)

I can also read the Katha Upanishad over and over again without tiring of doing so.



From outside the Hindu paradigm...

The Wiccan Rede:

• An it harm none, do as you will.

And from the Toltec philosophy...

• Don't make assumptions.
• Be impeccable with your word.
• Don't take anything personally.
• Always do your best.

 

[The Hammer]

Don't take anything personally.

I need to really take this one to heart.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Pagans, Hindus, and Buddhists, I have a question for you all:

What do you think existence is here for, what is the meaning behind its existence and what caused there to be something and not nothingness? Are your gods a part of this spacetime or are they beyond it? And in what way do they exist in an abstract existence sort of way or (if they are outside of spacetime) in another spacetime separate or containing our own?

I suppose the gods part may not apply to Buddhists and some Hindus.

Also please specify your religion

 

[Jainarayan]

Pagans, Hindus, and Buddhists, I have a question for you all:

What do you think existence is here for, what is the meaning behind its existence and what caused there to be something and not nothingness? Are your gods a part of this spacetime or are they beyond it? And in what way do they exist in an abstract existence sort of way or (if they are outside of spacetime) in another spacetime separate or containing our own?

I suppose the gods part may not apply to Buddhists and some Hindus.

Also please specify your religion

I'm Hindu. I think the acharyas and rishis (teachers and sages) have been trying to figure this out for 5,000 years. Lol The Gods are Brahman, as are we. Brahman is transcendent and immanent. No reason for existence other than Brahman creates and manifests. It’s what Brahman does. Brahman can no more not create or manifest than we can stop breathing. These are all manifestations, the leela (play, sport, games) of Brahman. It has no goal, it’s just what happens. It's an end in itself. Why? Does this mean existence is futile and we may as well all just kill ourselves? Of course not ... again, it's the leela, play of Brahman. sarvam khalvidam brahman tajjalān iti shānta upāsita ... "All this [we see] verily is Brahman". - (Chandogya Upanishad III.14.1).

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I'm Hindu. I think the acharyas and rishis (teachers and sages) have been trying to figure this out for 5,000 years. Lol The Gods are Brahman, as are we. Brahman is transcendent and immanent. No reason for existence other than Brahman creates and manifests. It’s what Brahman does. Brahman can no more not create or manifest than we can stop breathing. These are all manifestations, the leela (play, sport, games) of Brahman. It has no goal, it’s just what happens. It's an end in itself. Why? Does this mean existence is futile and we may as well all just kill ourselves? Of course not ... again, it's the leela, play of Brahman. sarvam khalvidam brahman tajjalān iti shānta upāsita ... "All this [we see] verily is Brahman". - (Chandogya Upanishad III.14.1).

Interesting. So "it is because it is" then? How close would you say this view is to existential nihilism? (not to be confused with "we should all just kill ourselves" but just the idea that existence is random with no poetic meaning)

 

[Jainarayan]

What are some of your favorite verses from Buddhist, Pagan, or Hindu scriptures?

“Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead. Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor in the future shall any of us cease to be. That which pervades the entire body, know it to be indestructible. No one is able to destroy that imperishable soul. For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. It does not die when the body dies. That which dwells in the body can never die. The soul does not feel pain or sorrow; it knows nothing of suffering.” - (Bhagavad Gita chapter 2)

"I am the [Supreme Soul] seated in the hearts of all living beings. I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings." - Bhagavad Gita 10.20

"Sarvam khalvidam brahman", "All this (collectively) is Brahman, indeed: what evolves from That, what dissolves in That, what breathes or functions in That ." - (Chandogya Upanishad III.14.1)

"Ekam sadviprah bahudha vadanti", "One Truth the sages know by many names." - Rig Veda 1.164.46

Better a humble house than none.
A man is a master at home.
A pair of goats and a patched roof
Are better than begging. - Hávamál 10

“Thirty spokes share the hub of a wheel;
yet it is its center that makes it useful.
You can mold clay into a vessel;
yet, it is its emptiness that makes it useful.
Cut doors and windows from the walls of a house;
but the ultimate use of the house
will depend on that part where nothing exists.
Therefore, something is shaped into what is;
but its usefulness comes from what is not.” Tao Te Ching

 

[Jainarayan]

Interesting. So "it is because it is" then? How close would you say this view is to existential nihilism? (not to be confused with "we should all just kill ourselves" but just the idea that existence is random with no poetic meaning)

I think that's pretty much it, with karma being part of it. It's almost a "Watchmaker Analogy" kind of ... analogy. Things are set into motion and then proceed on their own. It wasn't a one-and-done though, creation is constantly occurring and taking all kinds of twists and turns.

 

[The Hammer]

What do you think existence is here for, what is the meaning behind its existence and what caused there to be something and not nothingness?

To exist, and to experience. Existence has always been here in one form or the other.

Are your gods a part of this spacetime or are they beyond it?

Both. I find that my Gods are both a part of this reality and seperate from it.

And in what way do they exist in an abstract existence sort of way or (if they are outside of spacetime) in another spacetime separate or containing our own?

They exist on their own plane of existence that is both seperate from ours and interweaved within it.

 

[syo]

Pagans, Hindus, and Buddhists, I have a question for you all:

What do you think existence is here for, what is the meaning behind its existence and what caused there to be something and not nothingness? Are your gods a part of this spacetime or are they beyond it? And in what way do they exist in an abstract existence sort of way or (if they are outside of spacetime) in another spacetime separate or containing our own?

I suppose the gods part may not apply to Buddhists and some Hindus.

Also please specify your religion

Are you asking, why we exist?

Lord Vishnu is the most powerful God. And he dreams us.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Are you asking, why we exist?

Lord Vishnu is the most powerful God. And he dreams us.

Is there a purpose for this dream? Any significant reason it is happening and what will come of it?

 

[Secret Chief]

What do you think existence is here for, what is the meaning behind its existence

Meaning is an individual human construct.

what caused there to be something and not nothingness?

Dunno.

please specify your religion

Soto Zen.