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When I see that I am nothing,  this is wisdom.  When I see that I am everything, this is love. Between those two my life moves

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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Lisa  wrote on the 11 April 2002   
 
Does anyone know of any buddhist practices that teach the Buddha's words without religion?
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Colin  responded on the 12 April 2002   
 
Buddhism is not strictly a religon, Buddhist teachings are about how you (or I) "do" life and indeed death, try any of the Buddhist based retreat centres listed here for more info on teachings. Buddha would probably be very suprised how his teachings have been turned into a semi relegious "system"
Webmaster - Retreat Information.
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Dustin   responded on the 18 May 2002   
 
Read the amazing book by Stephen Batchelor, "Buddhism Without Beliefs." Or anything on the subject by Mr. Alan Watts. They should help point you in a less dogmatic direction. And remember even Bertrand Russell said that of all the religions, he prefered early Buddhism because of its lack of historical persecution.

Webmaster - Book review is here.
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Peter  responded on the 18 July 2002   
 
I could not agree more, Buddhism Without Beliefs is a great guide to Buddhism. It provided me with a grounded understanding of what Buddhism is really about rather than past adopted doctrine.
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
eric  responded on the 01 October 2002   
 
yes, it is about how you define words.
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Ian  responded on the 08 December 2002   
 
There are many types of bhuddist practises taught, however from my experiance Vipassana meditation as taught by SN Goenka makes a point of teanching meditation as the essence of Bhudda's teachings without any reference to religion os sectarian belief. i would recommend reading The Art of Living by William Hart.
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
alex  responded on the 23 April 2003   
 
There is a preserved pure teaching, not based on believe, but on experience, totally free of religion and symbolism

The way or art of living and learning through
oneself

find out by yourself: dhamma.org
alex
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
tiffany  responded on the 04 May 2003   
 
But do you no that jeus is our savior not some idol god! A statue! A thing that dosen't even no u are praying to it! that is soooooo stupid! How could u chant to something that is not listening!Buddha dosen't wake u up in the morning in u're Holy Book Buddha talks all about him! To me Buddha seems like a selfish person!So All that i can say is that ALL BUDDHIST BELIVERS NEED JEUS NO THAT HE IS THE SON OF GOD THAT DIED ON THE CROSS 4 OUR SINS HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL FORGIVE US IF WE KILT SOMEBODY! Buddha never died 4 u! Buddha is just a person that wanted to be holy BUDDHA WOULD HAVE NEVER EVER GAVE UP HIS SON OR FATHER, OR ANYBODY THAT HE LOVED TO DIE 4 THE BUDDHIST BELIVERS! WE ALL NO THE TRUTH BUDDHA WILL NEVER BE BETTER THAN THE GRACE OF GOD! I will pray for you Buddhist belivers and i hope one day that you will turn to JEUS !
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
David  responded on the 08 May 2003   
 
Icons, places and writings form an important part of all belief systems, they offer a "handle" with which to maintain faith, be it Christian, Buddhist or whatever. Buddha was a real person who offered insight and wisdom to those who were interested. Buddha never clamed to be anything other than a man. Hell and damnation are unknowable and invite fear rather than act as an invitation to explore the interconnected nature of being.

It is with sadness that I read the words of Tiffany - no system, faith or religion is better than any other. The true nature of all faiths is very similar, only the way they are interpreted differs.
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Bill  responded on the 02 April 2004   
 
*yawn* If you truly believed what you were saying, you wouldn't need to use so many desperate capitals and exclamation marks, I'm thinking...
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Sue  responded on the 02 April 2004   
 
I assume you refer to the post by "tiffany" - I hadn't thought of it that way it just seems excessive and misguided - the caps and exclamations are a bit of a give away!

S
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Max   responded on the 15 September 2004   
 
A blanket subjectivist "all beliefs are as good as each other" is just sloppy and lazy. If you think Tiffany is wrong, or misguided - tell her why! Don't just fall back on a tired old expression.

ideas about better and worse systems and iseas.


 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Max   responded on the 15 September 2004   
 
I get very worried when I read statements like:
"no system, faith or religion is better than any other"

This sort of mindless subjectivism is perhaps one of the most dangerous aspects of moderm western society.

I am willing to say "Some systems ARE better than others!"
SHOCK! HORROR! BLASPHEMY!
It is not a popular thing to say, but we all (I hope) agree than Nazism is not as good a system as modern democracy. A faith which resppects women's rights is better than one which sees women as a man's property. A system which values freedom for all people is BETTER than one which advocates slavery. Now lets not get into whether it is better in an absolute sense...in an every day sense we all have ideas about better and worse systems and iseas.


 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Marc  responded on the 19 September 2004   
 
Well Max perhaps you are right to worry, then again maybe not. No one person has the monopoly on truth, right and wrong. Come to think of it neither does a mass of people.

The same applies to religions or faiths being better or worse than others. For me the truth lies within what is right for the individual, whilst being mindful (taking the right action) in relation to others.

So I could be a devout Christian and as long as I do not try to persuade or force others to follow the same path as me and I do not harm others IN THIS LIFE then that is fine and dandy. It is when we consider our faith to be superior or inferior to those of others that the trouble starts.
 
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 Agnostic Buddhism
 
Melody  responded on the 22 December 2004   
 
Tiffany

Why are you looking at these forums if you are not interested? - whatever you believe that is your right, but it is not your right to tell everyone else what to do. That is the difference.
 
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Book Recommendations

Books
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Sogyal Rinpoche
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This is fascinating book which provides spiritual guidance and insights for life, and offers a real understanding of death from the Buddhist view. A useful reference book which can act as guide in times of bereavement which is also a considerable help to those who wish to understand Buddhist philosophy.
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Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life
Jon Kabat Zinn
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A very practical, useful and inspiring introduction to Buddhist meditation practice. Reading it brings a sense of calm by showing things in real depth of perspective. This book offers substantial assistance to those seeking to meditate.
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World As Lover, World As Self
Joanna R Macy
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World As Lover, World As Self includes an introduction by Thich Nhat Hanh. It is a book offering a world view, the collective emotional, spiritual and physical "damage" we all carry from past conditioning and a way forward. A holistic Buddhist view without pushing a specific remedy but showing just how collectively damaged the world has become.
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