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I have studied some Buddhism and find it a very interesting religion. As with many above, if I had to make a choice about which religion to follow, it would be some creed of this nature. However, I am concerned about the new age adornments that are often attached to modern sects of Buddhism (crystals etc). Similarly, Buddhism also has other tennets or beliefs that are positively antiquated and could be described as superstition. The BBC recently showed a great documentary about the creation of a sand mandala at a hugely important Buddhist festival attended/presided over by the Dalai Lama. I was very impressed by how personal the experience was for those attending, and how open the discussions were on points of scripture and metaphysics. On the flip side, there were people performing ritual prostrations (10,000 or more) in the belief that it would being some kind of spiritual benefit. Similarly, there were people hugging a stone pillar that was said to possess healing powers.
My point is that Buddhism can be a hugely positive force (anyone ever heard of the Buddhist Crusades?) and a benign personal ethical code, but don't tell me that it cannot be compared to evangelical cristian worship or even primative superstition in some respects. Still, I stand by what I have said: I think it's the best of whats out there.
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"Man is a rope, fastened between animal and superman - a rope aver an abyss."
Thus spake Zarathustra
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