Buddhism thread

Fukyo Bossatsu

A thread to gather buddhist devotees from all over the world. Theravadins, Mahayanas and Vajrayanas welcome.

What denomination are you part of or would you like to be part of? I've been a member of a traditional Nichiren buddhist temple for around 4 months but i never met any believer outside my denomination.

gingermilk

Fukyo Bossatsu I used to be the asshole atheist when I was a kid who pointed middle finger to buddha and bodhisattva statues whenever my family took me to a temple. after those early memories I have read some basic doctrines preached by buddhism， The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and Siddhartha, but never found any of the teachings echoing with my belief. I would say that my understanding of buddhism is rather shallow and limited, so I won't reject learning more about it.

sungen

I've had a hard time choosing which denomination to follow, I just want to follow in the Buddha's and the Boddhisattvas' footsteps to be as mindful and compassionate as I can, I want to be a beacon of empathy for all living things. Ya know? I've read quite a bit into Zen Buddhism, the connection and appreciation with nature seems nice but I wouldn't know enough to differentiate between the major denominations.

Fukyo Bossatsu

sungen I want to be a beacon of empathy for all living things. Ya know? I've read quite a bit into Zen Buddhism, the connection and appreciation

If that's what you're looking for, Nichiren Buddhism is oriented towards empathy and community more than any other denomination. Nichiren Daishonin says the followers of the Law are only allowed to go on retreat when the Dharma is no longer threatened, while Zen places emphasis on solitary meditation or monasticism. I'd advise you to stay away from lay political movements like Soka Gakkai if you ever want to join a Nichiren temple.

Lumeinshin I don't think there's a book which can provide you with an extensive description of all the current denominations, you can start from the Dalai Lama's introduction to buddhism which lists the universal precepts of all buddhist denominations, but you'll have to find introductions to the single denominations either online or on textbooks.

Lumeinshin

The only thing I know/interacted with regarding Buddhism is the book Siddhartha

Its probably one of my favourite shorter reads but it didnt exactly inform me on that faith/ideology. I will keep an eye on the thread though because I think its very interesting. do you guys have any books or the like that you would recommend if i wanted to learn more about Buddhism and its variants?

SplendorSolis

I still haven't done anything real so calling myself a Buddhist would be a larp, but I really want to get initiated in Vajrayana. After some years of doubt with spirituality I found that Buddhism convinces me; Vajrayana in particular because it is a complete esoteric tradition with quite easily available masters.
Lumeinshin Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism is a really good book, it teaches some basics of Buddhism and warns against using spiritual practice as a way to satisfy the desires of the ego, which can happen in subtle ways.

sungen

Fukyo Bossatsu Nichiren? Thanks for the advice, I'll look into it. Also thanks for the heads up, though personally it seems funny to have a Buddhist political party of any type, seems like it's counterproductive what with the bureaucratic nature of politics, dukkha and what not.

Fukyo Bossatsu

sungen There's no rule against politics in Buddhism, but Soka Gakkai is a lay community with no monastic orders and is actively financed by Japanese politicians. On top of that they tampered with the translation of the Lotus Sutra to downplay the words of the Buddha on the ten realms and the punishments in hell, so they're frowned upon my more orthodox communities.

sungen

Fukyo Bossatsu Oh I didn't mean that there were officially mandated rules against politics in Buddhist, it just seems funny to have Buddhist politics given the hassles and impersonality of politics. Though that's definitely some shifty behavior.

fvyyvyt

When you actually study Buddhism you find out it hates women and isn't all peace and love like the west describes it. Here's some quotes:

"It is impossible, it cannot be, that a woman should arrive at the full enlightenment of a Buddha, or become a universal sovereign." (Majjh.115, Angut. 1.20)

"Women are continually in the power of the senses. Saturated with an impure and inexorable burning, they resemble fire which consumes all." (Jakata 61)

"Women are insatiable in respect of two things: sex and motherhood, so insatiable that they cannot free themselves from these cravings before death." (Angutt, 2.6.10)

sungen

fvyyvyt Funny you mention that, I actually watched a video about feudal Japan wondering what to do about the whole "female buddhist" issue, Sexism aside, mindfulness and mental wellbeing does typically lead to empathy and compassion for all living things, compassion and respect for the life of all living things being a staple in most denominations of Buddhism that I've found, so it's not like "peace and love" isn't a key aspect nowadays. What's your opinion on the Ikko Ikki movement?

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