Buddhism: Curiosity.

[The Imperial Commissar]

I know, another thread about religion. I didn't want to do it since the whole religious debate seems to be the hot topic of the month and I hate myself a little bit more inside for this but I take solace in the fact its not about Muslims or some denomination of Christianity.

I'm a Canadian, a buddy I served with in the Army was a Buddhist, converted by an Asian friend of his. I spent some time on an exercise with him and had some time to discuss it a bit, mainly how he was a member of the infantry and a Buddhist but he originally joined as a naval trade and through the wisdom of the military they gave him a choice of infantry or leave, I digress.

My families protestant but since I joined the Army I sign my religious affiliation as NRE (No Religion) though I've recently been reading into Buddhism, largely due to my buddy but I admit being Atheist the whole Buddhists don't believe in a god ideal has interested me. According to him it also helped with his anger issues, which I admit I have.

Also I'm by no means "officially" Buddhist, though the more I read the more it crosses my mind. I do love my material possessions though =o

Anyone else a Buddhist or done any reading into the subject?

This might be a stretch compared to some threads I've witnessed but lets keep this clean or I'll request a mod to close the thread, much appreciated.

[Non Aligned States]

What exactly do you want to know about it?

[Tubbsalot]

In many ways, I view it as being just as silly as most religion; but its philosophy is far more strongly developed and admirable than any other religion which comes to mind (in fact, I view Buddhism as a philosophy first and a religion second). If I was required to follow a faith, it would be my first choice by far.

[The Imperial Commissar]

Nothing particularly on the subject I was more curious if there were any Buddhists in the NS community.

Though... I'm aware its a predominantly Asian religion (and me being an east coast white guy) thats been brought to the west and gained some popularity (Thanks Richard Gere? No I'm kidding) I've wanted to visit a temple but I'm afraid it would seem a bit odd and wonder how they would receive me.

Not sure if anyone has any experience in this but hey, If you can't ask a question on NS, there's no hope.

EDIT: In response to the gent above me, some reading I've done considers it a philosophy not a religion and it encourages people to question it.

[Svenen (Ancient)]

You could read the religion's/philosophy's books.

[Apertior]

Any variety in particular that you're interested in? Or is just a sort of broad curiosity?

[Allbeama]

Well, if no god was a selling point for Buddhism to you, try this on for size: Taoism doesn't involve reincarnation or gods ( at least they are not required.) If you would like to look into it I recommend the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. As well as The Chuang Tzu by Chuang Tzu.

[Non Aligned States]

Though... I'm aware its a predominantly Asian religion (and me being an east coast white guy) thats been brought to the west and gained some popularity (Thanks Richard Gere? No I'm kidding) I've wanted to visit a temple but I'm afraid it would seem a bit odd and wonder how they would receive me.

They should receive you just fine. There's no restriction on who gets to be a monk, so there's a fair few of them being Caucasian. As long as you don't do anything inherently disrespectful, much the same in any place of worship, they should receive you just fine.

EDIT: In response to the gent above me, some reading I've done considers it a philosophy not a religion and it encourages people to question it.

Don't get your hopes too much on the bolded. From what I've seen, once people have picked a particular faith to believe in seriously, they don't want to question it.

[The Imperial Commissar]

You could read the religion's/philosophy's books.

Good call, thank you.

Any variety in particular that you're interested in? Or is just a sort of broad curiosity?

Its pretty broad though I think the focus is going to lean towards Mahayana since it seems to be more practiced in the area, also I think the other form is more for a devote Buddhist and monk, and I'm not monk material.

Well, if no god was a selling point for Buddhism to you, try this on for size: Taoism doesn't involve reincarnation or gods ( at least they are not required.) If you would like to look into it I recommend the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. As well as The Chuang Tzu by Chuang Tzu.

I've read there were some similarities between the two (I don't know enough about either to list them) and I appreciate the recommendations. Personally I find religion interesting (not just Buddhism) I enjoy reading different aspects about the history like how the Pope had so much power back in the earlier days of England, France, Spain etc and now they have lost a great majority of it (if not all) but Buddhism is the only one I've looked into the actual belief system.

They should receive you just fine. There's no restriction on who gets to be a monk, so there's a fair few of them being Caucasian. As long as you don't do anything inherently disrespectful, much the same in any place of worship, they should receive you just fine.

I kind of figured they would be accepting, I just don't see them being the discriminatory type but again and just me personally I would feel awkward walking into a temple though I also feel the same way about a church, which I've only stepped in twice. There's a rather large temple in British Columbia, which is where my buddy attended, its a couple hours away from where I currently live (Edmonton) but I think I'll take a trip.

I find it hard to learn about religion, probably due to the lack of it in my life to date, reading only gets me so far in understanding.

Though something on my mind, where does serving in an armed forces fit into Buddhism? The first of the 5 precepts;

I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

Does this apply if said person/creature is attacking you? Do you stand there and die? Obviously Buddhism just wouldn't fit with certain trades (such as combat arms) and should probably just avoid it in general but since your a soldier first and tradesman second you never know when you need to defend yourself in a war zone such as Afghanistan.

[Tezdrian]

Well, Buddhism is a Religious-Philosophy. You have the main tenants: The Buddha, founder of the faith, and the Enlightened one. Reincarnation: A cycle of rebirth and suffering. The Sangha: The Brotherhood of Monks and Nuns dedicated to reaching enlightenment. To be a Buddhist is to try to live with compassion, honesty, hard work, and charity to break free from the cycle of enlightenment. To to your Local Temple to find out more.

[Tezdrian]

They should receive you just fine. There's no restriction on who gets to be a monk, so there's a fair few of them being Caucasian. As long as you don't do anything inherently disrespectful, much the same in any place of worship, they should receive you just fine.

I kind of figured they would be accepting, I just don't see them being the discriminatory type but again and just me personally I would feel awkward walking into a temple though I also feel the same way about a church, which I've only stepped in twice. There's a rather large temple in British Columbia, which is where my buddy attended, its a couple hours away from where I currently live (Edmonton) but I think I'll take a trip.

I find it hard to learn about religion, probably due to the lack of it in my life to date, reading only gets me so far in understanding.

Though something on my mind, where does serving in an armed forces fit into Buddhism? The first of the 5 precepts;

I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

Does this apply if said person/creature is attacking you? Do you stand there and die? Obviously Buddhism just wouldn't fit with certain trades (such as combat arms) and should probably just avoid it in general but since your a soldier first and tradesman second you never know when you need to defend yourself in a war zone such as Afghanistan.

I'm 12, and a recently confirmed Buddhist. To go to a Temple is easy, just find one, and walk in and ask a monk for more info. They won't penalize you. Self Defense is okay, but try not to kill the guy. A friend of mine fought in Afghanistan, and then studied, and became a monk. He's in Iraq as a chaplain now, and plans to get in the reserves when he just home.

[NERVUN]

Daistallia 2104, my fellow gaijin-in-residence here in Japan is, IIRC, Buddhist. It being Friday night over here, I can't say if he'll wander over, but he might. While I am not Buddhist, I've picked up a bit living in a Buddhist country and I have never had any issues going to the temples, even being Christian. The monks don't seem to have any problems with welcoming me, though I have ended up giving some impromptu English lessons, but that's Japan for ya.

[Non Aligned States]

I kind of figured they would be accepting, I just don't see them being the discriminatory type but again and just me personally I would feel awkward walking into a temple though I also feel the same way about a church, which I've only stepped in twice. There's a rather large temple in British Columbia, which is where my buddy attended, its a couple hours away from where I currently live (Edmonton) but I think I'll take a trip.

Think of it as an educational tourist visit. It'll feel less awkward that way.

Though something on my mind, where does serving in an armed forces fit into Buddhism? The first of the 5 precepts;

I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

Personally, I'd say that the precepts tend to be guidelines rather than hard and fast rules. If you look at any other religion, you'll find the core tenets being flouted on a regular basis. The precepts operate on the basis of karmic return though, a sort of cosmic Newtonian reaction to your action. The precepts are supposed to lessen negative reactions down the line, but that's about it.

Does this apply if said person/creature is attacking you? Do you stand there and die?

Entirely up to you. One of the core differences between Buddhism and the Abrahmic (sp?) religions is that there's no invisible judge who sits there waiting to go "Ah ha! You screwed up! It's an eternity of torment for you!". In Buddhism, each action supposedly accrues a debt of sorts that you pay off either by doing good things (or conversely, bad things happening to you).

The funny thing is that if you look at the Thai variety of Buddhism, the karmic debt can even be paid off by someone else who has accrued a positive balance of karma, with the monk operating as an exchange agent. Weird, but that's what they believe.

Obviously Buddhism just wouldn't fit with certain trades (such as combat arms) and should probably just avoid it in general but since your a soldier first and tradesman second you never know when you need to defend yourself in a war zone such as Afghanistan.

In general, you'll find that religion at its core and being a professional soldier are paradoxical. But people have to believe in something anyway.