From: Dickey, Michael F (michael_f_dickey@groton.pfizer.com)
Date: Fri Jul 19 2002 - 09:35:25 MDT
Buddhism, as I understand it, holds the Four Noble truths to be
1) life is suffering
2) suffering has a cause
3) if it has a cause, it has a cure
4) that cure is through the eightfold path to enlightenment
that eightfold path contains such things as
1. Right View Wisdom
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech Ethical Conduct
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort Mental Development
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
The fundamental core of Buddhism is to end suffering, and this, on is
taught, is achieved by basically ending desire. If you desire nothing, you
suffer not to live without it. Buddhism has many strong qualities, and this
is one I agree with *to an extent* I will not suffer by not having a sports
car if I do not desire one.
"The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things and the ignorance
thereof. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that
surround us, but also ideas, and -in a greater sense- all objects of our
perception. Ignorance is the lack of understanding of how our mind is
attached to impermanent things. The reasons for suffering are desire,
passion, ardor, pursue of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and
popularity, or in short: craving and clinging. "
from - http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/fourtruths.html
I have used this similiar philosophy of not desiring as much to live a more
minimalist lifestyle, and not obsess or be concerned with mundance trivial
things, abstract social conventions, or pointless banter. The ultimate goal
in buddhism is to achieve a state of 'nirvana' which is essentially a state
of no desire. If you desire nothing, you have no suffering, thus you are in
'bliss' But drawn to a logical extent this lack of desire includes being
alive. I will not ever choose to NOT desire a minimial list of things,
which are the following (in order of importance)
1) to be alive and healthy
2) that my loved ones are alive and healthy
3) that all people are alive and healthy
Buddhists achieve nirvana by not only not desiring things that are often
seen as moral weakness, but by not desiring *anything* which includes such
simple things as desiring to eat and desiring to even be alive. This is
also why Siddharta Guatama taught that Nirvana can not be permamently
achieved (you must eat) unless you are dead, which is why people confuse
nirvana with an afterlife. In reality, nirvana is the absence of desire, and
thus the absence of suffering. To me this is like a goal of being a
non-sentient being or not existing at all.
I do have a special appreciate for buddhism for many many reasons,
especially as a philosophy and its difference from mainstream religions, but
I will never attempt to attain a total lack of desire.
(Excerpts from a paper I wrote entitled "The Sociological Advantageous
Nature of Buddhism")
Siddharta Gautama was born in 563 B.C.E. to a luxurious upbringing.
Sheltered at his father's insistence from external horrors, Siddharta
married at age 16 a neighboring princess and had one son. Having thus far
been kept ignorant of suffering in the world, around his twenties Siddharta
journeyed from the palace, the order of his father's to clean the streets
from the old, sick and dead had been neglected this once. Siddharta came
across what is now known as The Four Passing Sights. Siddharta saw an old
man, weak and leaning on a staff. He saw a sickly body racked with disease.
Finally he saw a corpse on the street. On another day, Siddharta cam across
a monk with a shaved head, heaving been exposed to death, aging, disease,
and a path that renounces the world, he despaired finding fulfillment on a
physical level. Six years later, after nearly dying from fasting, it is said
that he came to rest at the base of a tree which came to be known as the
enlightenment tree, or Bo tree for short. There, Siddharta discovered what
came to be known as The Four Noble Truths. First, that life was dukkha, or
suffering. Second, that desire, or tanha causes this suffereing as he noted
"Tis thy self by which we suffer". Third, that if suffering has a cause,
then it logically has a cure, and that cure lies in the overcoming of tanha,
or craving. The Fourth Noble Truth is the methodology by which one may
overcome tanha and likewise dukkha. The method has become known as The
Eightfold Path. Siddharta later became known as Buddha, which literally
means "enlightened one"
Buddhism is a religion devoid of authority. As Buddha stated "Do not accept
what you hear by report, do not accept tradition, do not accept a statement
because it is found in our books, nor because it is in accord with your
belief, nor because it is the saying of your teacher....Be ye lamps unto
yourselves." In Buddhism there are no prescribed rituals. Buddha thought
that observance of rites and prayers to the gods is hopeless, and that one
should focus attention on the here and now. Buddhism denied both the
efficacy of Vedic ritual and the validity of the caste system. Buddhism
intentionally avoids matters of speculation and issues of philosophy. On
such questions, Buddha maintained a silence, for, as he put it "opinions
tend not to edification". Siddharta encouraged his listeners not to follow
any traditions dictated to them "Do not go by what is handed down, nor by
the authority of traditional teachings." he said "When you know of
yourselves 'these teachings are good or not good' only then accept or reject
them" There is no grace from God in Buddhism, in fact, there is no God at
all in Buddhism. One must, as Buddha said "Work out your own salvation with
diligence." Buddha further encourages self effort suggesting that "Those who
rely upon themselves only, not looking to assistance by anyone besides
themselves, it is they who reach the topmost height."
Buddhism focuses on freedom from human suffering without resorting to
supernatural or authoritative mechanisms. It is merely a suggested means to
achieving a life without suffering, more of a methodology then an ideology.
It is the only major world religion focusing on the people of the religion
and not a god of the religion. This grounds peoples actions to the here and
now, worrying about this life and some other alleged life. This ultimate
goal of Buddhism is far different from those of Christianity and Islam. The
focus is on the personnel attachment with god, and the acceptance of god
with a reward. Hinduism acknowledges human pursuits but works them around
the institution of God. Buddhism has since separated into a few different
sects, the northern and the southern Buddhists being the primary
classifications. Northern Buddhists have primarily adopted a blend of
Hinduism and Buddhism, while southern Buddhists stay closest to the original
teachings of Buddha."
Michael Dickey
-----Original Message-----
From: Brian D Williams [mailto:talon57@well.com]
Sent: Friday, July 19, 2002 10:10 AM
To: extropians@extropy.org
Subject: Re: My Experience with Buddhism
>From: Party of Citizens <citizens@vcn.bc.ca>
>Am I correct that the word "budh" means "awake"? Can someone then
>be a buddhist and be a Christian or Muslim or whatever at the same
>time? POC
Yes, Buddha means the "awakened" or "enlightened" one. You can be
a Buddhist and be almost anything else according to Buddhists.
The essence of Buddhism is that the problems we have in life stem
from not living in the moment, not understanding how the universe
really is, having an ego that forms attachments, and engaging in
practices that cause harm. It proposes an eightfold path to correct
this.
The part I always liked best was that the Buddha said not to take
anyones word on this, not even his, but to try it and see if it
works for you.
I'm more of a Zen/Buddhist.
Brian
Member:
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