What do you know about Buddhism?

[Nakosis]

This is a question i have been thinking of for a long time in the forum

I have not seen to many buddhists here, so i was wondering. What do you know about buddhism or what would you ask about buddhism?

I like reading koans. I I read there was a branch of Buddhism that specifically used koans in their teaching process. A student was given a koan to struggle with. Some would struggle as much as 20 years on their first koan to correctly answer the puzzle to their master's satisfaction.

Like "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

 

[Spirit of Light]

Granted, This is why I would only endorse a first hand experience (BTW, we have video of the orbs going wild in the room of her dying mother the night before she passed; it's more amazing than scary).

I have seen orbes, but honestly i do not know what they are. The way i felt or seen what others would call a ghost is like a very foggy person.

But in meditation i did have an experiance i can not fully explain. I was deep in to meditation when i hear a scream like i never hear before (or after) when i saw a red face approching , i can not say if it was a devil or something else, honestly i do not know

 

[metis]

This is a question i have been thinking of for a long time in the forum

I have not seen to many buddhists here, so i was wondering. What do you know about buddhism or what would you ask about buddhism?

A fair amount as I used to teach a comparative religions course many moons ago, plus I had many discussions with Buddhists at another website that no longer exists (BeliefNet).

BTW, my favorite Buddhist theologian is the monk Matthieu Ricard, and I've read several books of his.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Am I correct that Theravada Buddhists don't make the "Great Vow"?

It is nothing stopping us from taking bodisattva vow, but for us we accept the vow to become a future arahant, something i have accepted my self

 

[Spirit of Light]

I like reading koans. I I read there was a branch of Buddhism that specifically used koans in their teaching process. A student was given a koan to struggle with. Some would struggle as much as 20 years on their first koan to correctly answer the puzzle to their master's satisfaction.

Like "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

Personally i do not practice koans

 

[Spirit of Light]

A fair amount as I used to teach a comparative religions course many moons ago, plus I had many discussions with Buddhists at another website that no longer exists (BeliefNet).

BTW, my favorite Buddhist theologian is the monk Matthieu Ricard, and I've read several books of his.

I heard some interviews with him

 

[metis]

But the reason i do not speak open about it or brag about seeing, is because one should be careful with those abilities

I can understand and appreciate that as I went through a series of experiences that simply I cannot explain using any logic whatsoever-- they just happened, and because of my science background I'm not one to jump to imaginary conclusions or superstition.

BTW, note "My Faith Statement" at the bottom of my posts, and I think you'll see that we really ain't very far apart.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I can understand and appreciate that as I went through a series of experiences that simply I cannot explain using any logic whatsoever-- they just happened, and because of my science background I'm not one to jump to imaginary conclusions or superstition.

BTW, note "My Faith Statement" at the bottom of my posts, and I think you'll see that we really ain't very far apart.

A lot of buddhist monks do actually study science even when they are in monastary so buddhism and science can be hand in hand in many situations, but not in all aspects as far i understand

 

[metis]

I heard some interviews with him

Oh, then you simply must read "The Monk and the Philosopher: Father and Son Discuss the Meaning of Life" that Ricard co-wrote with his father Jean Francois Revel.

It is so thought provoking, imo, that I read it word for word twice, and I believe it's the single best theology book I've ever read, and I've read hundreds of them-- literally.

 

[metis]

A lot of buddhist monks do actually study science even when they are in monastary so buddhism and science can be hand in hand in many situations, but not in all aspects as far i understand

Ya, and Ricard was a French research scientist (ph.d) in molecular genetics but left that to become a monk and translator for the Dalai Lama.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Oh, then you simply must read "The Monk and the Philosopher: Father and Son Discuss the Meaning of Life" that Ricard co-wrote with his father Jean Francois Revel.

It is so thought provoking, imo, that I read it word for word twice, and I believe it's the single best theology book I've ever read, and I've read hundreds of them-- literally.

I will look for it and read it

 

[Spirit of Light]

Ya, and Ricard was a French research scientist (ph.d) in molecular genetics but left that to become a monk and translator for the Dalai Lama.

True
A monk who i have listen to a lot is Ajhan Brahm, he is a theravada monk and teacher, if i remember correct he studied theoretical physics

 

[metis]

True
A monk who i have listen to a lot is Ajhan Brahm, he is a theravada monk and teacher, if i remember correct he studied theoretical physics

Has he authored any books by chance? I'm always on the lookout for a good read, especially from a different "raft".

 

[Spirit of Light]

https://www.google.com/search?ei=ca...ws-wiz.....0..0i13j33i160j33i21j0.3OfXyA0nLYM

a google search of his name and books

 

[robocop (actually)]

This is a question i have been thinking of for a long time in the forum

I have not seen to many buddhists here, so i was wondering. What do you know about buddhism or what would you ask about buddhism?

I believe that as a society we fight devils. Sometimes we grow as a society and sometimes we shrink.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I believe that as a society we fight devils. Sometimes we grow as a society and sometimes we shrink.

Not sure i understand what you mean, when you say society fiht devils, who are the devils?

 

[VoidCat]

What do you think of these jokes and which one is your favorite?:
14 Buddhist Jokes to Make you Forget to Take Yourself Seriously.

(number 12 is my favorite)

 

[Spirit of Light]

What do you think of these jokes and which one is your favorite?:
14 Buddhist Jokes to Make you Forget to Take Yourself Seriously.

(number 12 is my favorite)

Both number 3 and 4 is great jokes

 

[VoidCat]

Both number 3 and 4 is great jokes

Know of any good jokes about Buddhism that weren't on the list?

 

[Spirit of Light]

Know of any good jokes about Buddhism that weren't on the list?

I dont looking for this kind of jokes normally but i did read and answer them since you asked