Quote:
Originally posted by madsenj37
There are also those Buddhists who use Buddhism as a pure philosophy and not a religion. Buddhism was never set up to be a religion, but had become one anyways.
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Thank you for bringing up the fact that the 'religious' aspects of Buddhism were focused on in the earlier post.
To go a bit deeper, the 'rational' aspects of Buddhism can be clear and useful, and do not necessarily put one against the material world or distance one from the things around one every day.
In short the term Buddha means 'Awakened One'. The idea was not that The Buddha was an otherworldly being, but simply a man who woke up to what is going on
right now.
The basics of Buddhism are simple and easily described, but also can be very open to interpretation.
Four Noble Truths:
There is suffering in the world (as distinct from pain)
Suffering comes from our sense of dissatisfaction (attachment and distain, praise and blame, etc.)
There is Freedom from Suffering (the internal state of Nirvana)
The way to Freedom from Suffering consists of the
Eightfold Path:
1. Right View/Understanding
2. Right Intentions/Resolve/Motivation
3. Right Speech/Communication
4. Right Action/Conduct
5. Right Livelihood/Vocation
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness/Attentiveness
8. Right Concentration/Meditation/Presence
The idea behind the Eightfold Path is not a set of commandments one
must follow, but rather a list of things that contribute to one's happiness and reduce the detractions therefrom. As Jack Kornfield said "
...they're suggestions, give 'em a try"