Thread replies: 6
Thread images: 1
Anonymous
Buddhism General
2016-04-08 17:45:42 Post No. 17561779
[Report]
Image search:
[Google]
Buddhism General
Anonymous
2016-04-08 17:45:42
Post No. 17561779
[Report]
Let's try another one of these. Discuss anything Buddhism and Buddhist meditation related. Ask questions or let us know how your practice is going. If anyone has books they'd recommend, have at it. Try not to shitpost.
Pre-emptive FAQ to prevent said shitposting:
>buddhism is X / not X
There are a LOT of different schools of Buddhism. They don't all share the same outlook on everything. In the most general sense, the purpose of Buddhism is to aid the individual in eliminating the poisons of greed, anger and ignorance. This is because it's stressful holding onto those in this world. Only people who agree with that premise should find value in the practice. How it is done depends on the school, variations on the Noble eightfold path are most prevalent.
>Buddhism is nihilistic
Nihilism was common in the Buddha's day and was refuted from the start. Emptiness is the state of mind without ordinary conceptions and discriminatory thinking (I versus you, this versus that) disappear, seeing the world without judgment or mental boundaries. It is a very peaceful and joyful state but it's not "nothingness". It's called emptiness because no labels really apply.
The first noble truth states that there is suffering, not that all life is suffering. If all life were suffering, liberation would not be possible.
>desiring not to desire is an oxymoron
There are different types of desire in Buddhist terminology. Taṇhā is material desire and leads to suffering. Chanda is spiritual ambition and leads to liberation.
>how does rebirth work
Nobody really knows, but early texts say it's an impersonal process governed by karma. People have their own reasons for believing in it. Some Buddhists don't believe in reincarnation, and it's not a prerequisite for practicing.
>how do i into buddha
Contact a teacher/sangha in person and start practicing. There may be obstacles for you doing so - transcending those are part of the practice.
Namo Buddhaya