The Pagan, Buddhist, and Hindu Thread

[firedragon]

As a note KarunaVirus | Responding with Compassion has an "about" page which includes this:

It's the Sanskrit word for compassion.

Good news, uplifting stories, goose-bump-raising videos, inspiring ideas. Scientists call it cognitive reframing, but we just call it love. A new story.

The intent behind KarunaVirus.org is to amplify the voice of our collective compassion -- by featuring news of everyday people choosing love over fear. We feel that the acts of courageous kindness we're seeing all over the world will far outlive the virus, and if enough of us keep it front and center of our consciousness, it could well bring new possibilities for our future.

Is that a news website?

Anyway, in this regard, you can read the Mettha Suttha. But, for a nice reading, read the Attha Katha or the Mettha Suttha Vannana which is like a "praise of the Meththa Suttha". You will find it amazing. Guaranteed.

 

[crossfire]

As a note KarunaVirus | Responding with Compassion has an "about" page which includes this:

It's the Sanskrit word for compassion.

Good news, uplifting stories, goose-bump-raising videos, inspiring ideas. Scientists call it cognitive reframing, but we just call it love. A new story.

The intent behind KarunaVirus.org is to amplify the voice of our collective compassion -- by featuring news of everyday people choosing love over fear. We feel that the acts of courageous kindness we're seeing all over the world will far outlive the virus, and if enough of us keep it front and center of our consciousness, it could well bring new possibilities for our future.

It's interesting how the Four Sublime States are interrelated. My first impression of cognitive reframing would be to call it part of the upekkha tool box, but on closer examination I see that metta (looking for and accepting the good in each scenario) is actually the steering mechanism behind it.

 

[Aupmanyav]

This is why I try to talk with the Polytheistic Hindus here. It gives me a chance to look at a Polytheistic practice and see how that works, so that I can use insights gathered in order to flesh out my own views.

Works wonderfully with us, never a problem. Thousands of Gods and Goddesses, many villages have their own deities and protectors.

This is Kullu (a city in Himalayas). It is a celebration of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana (October/November). Nearly 250 deities come on that date to pay obeisance to Lord Rama who is the chief among Gods. The bannered palanquins with flags that you see belong to them. It is also the time when the lesser deities acknowledge each other and stay together for a week before they go back to their own villages.

https://www.facebook.com/pahadifore...usiasm-music-dance-and-cultu/795947347865664/

See the Gods too are enjoying music:

 

[JustGeorge]

Why do you feel like that? Hindu members respond energetically in topics here. Of course, since the majority of members are Christians, there will be more topics about Abrahamic religions.
Yes, Buddhist and Sikh participation has dwindled and there is hardly any about Jainism.

I think, in my time here, I've noticed that there is a tendency for all discussions/debates to fall back into Abrahamic concepts, and I'll be honest, it gets old. A thread can go a few pages with meaningful content, but eventually someone comes on quoting Abrahamic scripture(or something like that), and it delves into a debate about the nature of the Abrahamic god. There also seems to be a general unwillingness to understand religious concepts outside of those faiths from some members that I find tiresome. I thought this thread could be a break from that. It is true that there are more Abrahamic members, and therefor will be more Abrahamic speech, its just the refusal from some to honor other ways of thinking that has me feeling a bit under the rug some days.

I don't think I've seen a Sikh or Jain on here at all. Honestly, I've never seen a Jain, anywhere. I'd love to converse with someone from either religion.

When was the last time you hoovered under this rug?

That's your job. Didn't anyone tell you?

It depends on what area of the country you're in.

In Illinois, where I grew up, it was called a "vacuum," and we "vacuumed the floor."

In Ohio and West Virginia, it's a "sweeper," and we "run the sweeper."

The only think we can think of that is generally called by a brand name is Kleenex. Unless you go down south, where all soft drinks are "Coke." If you order a Coke down there, they'll ask you what flavor.

My husband and his brother sought out grocery stores like tourist attractions when they moved here so they could see 'pop' written on the isle signs.

But, where is concern from any religion? Do I see any post about the homeless from any religion? The Christian religion is supposed to tend to the homeless, and their churches are not supposed to lock their doors to the homeless (but they do). What about the other religions....how do they deal with it?


Are all religions about us? About how we can make it into heaven? About how we can improve our karma?--And, somehow forget that our karma could improve if we help others.

You're going to find many Hindus, Pagans, and Buddhists all trying to alleviate human suffering... quietly. On their own. Most do not look for a pat on the back, and often do it individually, not needing to team up and do it as a group. Many temples feed the hungry with the prasad that is served after a puja.

You're not going to find Hindus, Buddhists and Pagans worrying about getting into Heaven, sorry. Most strive to be better people... so they can be better people.

The package, properly put together, should sell itself, without marketing. Sealed into the package is peace and compassion...both compelling comodities in a world of war and torture camps and ignored homeless camps.

True. I was sold without a package. Hell, I was sold without realizing I was buying! I found as I grew as a person, these were the paths on which I was headed.

I've been heavy into the eastern religions for a few decades now, so I'm game. Going by the number of posts already, seems that I'm a Johnny-Come-Lately though.

Seems like this should be an interesting thread, and I'll try and get caught up later today.

I can't believe how many posts had been added when my sorry butt crawled out of bed...

 

[metis]

I think, in my time here, I've noticed that there is a tendency for all discussions/debates to fall back into Abrahamic concepts, and I'll be honest, it gets old

I hear ya, especially since there are so many who take the "my way or the highway" approach.

I can't believe how many posts had been added when my sorry butt crawled out of bed...

Maybe you shouldn't have gotten out of bed???

BTW, my favorite "theology" book is "The Monk and the Philosopher: A Father and Son Discuss the Meaning of Life" by [philosopher] Jean-Francois Revel and [Tibetan Buddhist monk] Matthieu Ricard.

Also, I can't even tell you how many books on Gandhi that I have read.

 

[sun rise]

This is a political/economic problem. Religion cannot do much about it, at least in India, since the other people also find it difficult to manage the requirements of their life. A few rich people cannot take care of all homeless in India. Here, homelessness is because of unemployment. People come to cities to earn something, the cost of a house in cities is beyond their reach. That is why they live in slums or even on streets. With India's millions, the problem will take time, especially since India had dynasty rule for 55 years. Things are now moving in right direction.

In my trips to India from 1974 to 2012, I noticed that movement in a positive material sense. In 1974 I remember seeing people living on the street who clearly had only the clothes on their back and some that did not have even a rough tent over their heads. That abject poverty clearly was not as bad in my subsequent trips.

 

[JustGeorge]

Maybe you shouldn't have gotten out of bed???

You have made my day...

I have waited my whole life for someone to say that...

(I'm a late sleeper, and that's not always well accepted.)

BTW, my favorite "theology" book is "The Monk and the Philosopher: A Father and Son Discuss the Meaning of Life" by [philosopher] Jean-Francois Revel and [Tibetan Buddhist monk] Matthieu Ricard.

I'll have to add that to my 'to read' list.

 

[sun rise]

You're going to find many Hindus, Pagans, and Buddhists all trying to alleviate human suffering... quietly. On their own. Most do not look for a pat on the back, and often do it individually, not needing to team up and do it as a group. Many temples feed the hungry with the prasad that is served after a puja.

In an early trip to India some westerners and I were eating a meal with some local residents. One westerner put more food on the plate then they wound up eating and that caused a ruckus I remember decades later. We were told in no uncertain terms that we were taking the food out of hungry mouths if we did that.

In another case I had been eating a sandwich and could not finish half of it. The person in the car said something like "we'll drive slowly by a beggar so you can place the food in his hand and we will drive off quickly before a crowd gathers".

I also learned that in that dharmic culture, people who did good deeds from personal motives had the intent of securing a better rebirth in their next life. With a belief in reincarnation and karma, the question is not really heaven or hell but what happens in future lives.

 

[sun rise]

Is that a news website?

Anyway, in this regard, you can read the Mettha Suttha. But, for a nice reading, read the Attha Katha or the Mettha Suttha Vannana which is like a "praise of the Meththa Suttha". You will find it amazing. Guaranteed.

Yes, it's a "good news" web site that publishes links to positive stories.

 

[JustGeorge]

In an early trip to India some westerners and I were eating a meal with some local residents. One westerner put more food on the plate then they wound up eating and that caused a ruckus I remember decades later. We were told in no uncertain terms that we were taking the food out of hungry mouths if we did that.

In another case I had been eating a sandwich and could not finish half of it. The person in the car said something like "we'll drive slowly by a beggar so you can place the food in his hand and we will drive off quickly before a crowd gathers".

I think in Dharmic and Pagan religions, oftentimes mundane behavior itself is a testimony of beliefs. Rather than there being a set 'religious' and 'mundane', it all mixes. The way one choses to eat, as illustrated by your experiences regarding waste, becomes a moral issue rather than it being a mindless activity. I think there's a lot of focus on 'vegetarian or not' in the limelight, but it goes deeper than that. What does one do to avoid waste? How should one eat? Where should the food come from?

I see often in Hindu scriptures the importance of sharing food with guests, and reflecting on the culture in which these scriptures came from, it makes good sense.

 

[crossfire]

<...>

I see often in Hindu scriptures the importance of sharing food with guests, and reflecting on the culture in which these scriptures came from, it makes good sense.

If you don't share with needy travelers, they just might steal it (and whatever else) from you out of need. Voluntarily sharing makes much more sense in light of the alternative.

 

[Clara Tea]

In another thread, I told someone I feel that us Buddhists, Pagans, and Hindus get swept under the rug around here.

So, I'm making a thread devoted to these three(very vast) worldviews. Any and all may participate, but this thread may not delve into discussions of Abrahamic viewpoints, scriptures, or their God.

Anyone have anything interesting to share or ask?

The last time that all 9 planets (including Pluto...the planetessimal) aligned, was 1249 AD, which, in the Coptic calendar is the year 666.

Here's when all 8 planets in our solar system will align | wusa9.com

According to the website above, the last time that 8 of the planets aligned was 2002 AD (during the W. Bush administration). Events of 2002 were:

1. Defining the Axis of Evil
2. First prisoners at the Camp X-ray torture camp in Guantanamo, Cuba
3. War in the Philippines (Operation Enlduring Freedom) to fight the al Qaeda
4. Yucca Mountain is suitable for nuclear waste (later Nevada objected to the transportation of waste across their state)
5. War in Afghanistan
6. Bobby Cherry (KKK member) convictied of killing four girls.
7. Lightning ignited the Sour Biscuit fire in Oregon
8. Corporate takeovers change kid TV
9. Dot Com crash
10. Godless Americans March on Washington....2,000 people in mile long parade in National Mall
11. 7.9 Denali quake
12. Resolution 1441 (Saddam final chance to cooperate)
13. Homeland Security created
14. Milton Berle and Rosmary Clooney died

 

[Samael_Khan]

As I understand it, good and evil are still concepts, but how the views on how good and evil impact people and the world around them differ, because eastern views have more to do with causality than reward and punishment.

That is what I like about Eastern religions. They focus on solving the cause and not the judgement.

I'm not sure I understand the question. I think it's a rare occasion where you'll find a follower of an eastern religion trying to validate their worldview to another that doesn't follow an eastern religion.

So what I am trying to say is, that in the west we hold rationalization of ideas in high regard. It has to make rational sense. Is this held in the same regard in Eastern religions or is rationalization considered too focused on the material world and derived from an unenlightened state?

 

[Samael_Khan]

Hindus do not have a concept of Satan. Evil is because of ignorance. Remove the ignorance and every thing is good. What exists is to follow our duty and engage in righteous conduct (that is dharma, an in my opinion, the most important thing in Hinduism and Buddhism). You can arrive at morality by study of mythology, history. Belief in God/Gods/Goddesses promotes it. With knowledge, wisdom, evil will turn into good, God or no God, that is your choice (since I am an atheist).

So how does mythology, history and belief in God/Gods/Godesses promote morality? Is the power in the narrative?

 

[Samael_Khan]

There is no right answer to these general questions, as the dharmic faiths have many sects and variations. We can only guess as to what fits generally, usually biased by our own opinions, and sure to be called out by someone saying 'I don't believe in that'. The vastness is likened to a large university with many faculties. Does the beginning student try to learn it all, or does he enter a single faculty?

I am aware of this, which is why they are so fun to explore. The variety stimulates intellect.

I think that generally morality is seen as gray, not as black and white or good/bad in eastern faiths. There is always overlap between good and bad, within action.

Interesting. Could you provide an example please?

Rationality really varies, but from what I've seen, it's mostly a scholarly pursuit. Many dharmic faiths have scholars, and they can have right at the analysing, debating, hypothesizing, etc. But the general populace ... nope. Their approach is more of good conduct, intuition, improvement of character, and that sort of thing.

Thanks. What do the spiritual leaders focus on and what do they think of rationalizing religious teachings?

 

[Samael_Khan]

I think the focus (in Buddhism) is on the causes of our behaviours and so we can then possibly address the unwholesome / unskilful ones. The main roots of these are considered to be ignorance, greed and hatred.

That last sentence is definitely food for thought.

Rationality certainly has a role to play. For example, the Four Noble Truths are offered as a rational assessment of dukkha (usually translated as suffering) and Buddhism accepts the role and value of science. Rationality is not the be all and end all of the lived human experience though, which is what Buddhism essentially tries to address. Humans are very much oftentimes irrational!

Yes. Humans are rational and irrational as well. It could be that the west focuses too much on the material realm, and an over reliance on rational thought is very materialistic. So I would agree that it isn't the be all and end all of lived human experience and not of truth either.

 

[Secret Chief]

It could be that the west focuses too much on the material realm, and an over reliance on rational thought is very materialistic.

Totally agree.

 

[Secret Chief]

I'll have to add that to my 'to read' list.

I read it because of @metis and found it interesting. Heck, I even started a thread on it. The monk in question is Matthieu Ricard, a Tibetan* monk (and ex-scientist).
* as in the tradition he follows; he was born in France.

 

[Aupmanyav]

So how does mythology, history and belief in God/Gods/Godesses promote morality? Is the power in the narrative?

Mythology is basically fables. Do not Aesop's fables, happenings in history teach us things? The idea that there is a judge, rewards and punishment, carrot and sword (even if imaginary), induces many people to engage in good deed and keep away from evil (however, there are side-effects in this scheme).

 

[Valjean]

I actually have a real Hindu question: Has the Kumbh Mela outlived it's purpose? I have the sense that the old tradition of yogis coming down from ashrams in the hills and forests is not what it used to be in modern India.

The Kumbh mela has become problematic. Indian society, like all societies, has changed. Old traditions are no longer what they were.