Search found 15 matches

by edwhys211
Sun Jul 21, 2013 8:13 am
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Differences between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism?
Replies: 1
Views: 1228

Differences between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism?

What are the differences between each school?
by edwhys211
Sun Jul 21, 2013 8:11 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: What is your opinion on rebirth?
Replies: 1
Views: 688

What is your opinion on rebirth?

Do you believe it is literal, metaphoric, or are you agnostic on the idea? Please explain your view.
by edwhys211
Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:40 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Do Zen Buddhists fully believe in Rebirth?
Replies: 10
Views: 8607

Do Zen Buddhists fully believe in Rebirth?

I am an agnostic who is interested in Buddhism. I like meditation, the teachings of The Buddha and Asian culture, but I cannot accept rebirth without skepticism. As an agnostic I cannot be sure or unsure about anything, but I really do not fully believe in rebirth and the realms of rebirth. I view i...
by edwhys211
Wed Dec 12, 2012 7:30 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Is anyone here familiar with Daoism?
Replies: 5
Views: 1963

Is anyone here familiar with Daoism?

I find Buddhism and all Asian religions and cultural subjects interesting, but I am looking for a secular/purely philosophical religion. In Daoism, is there rebirth/karma, or is daoism just more of a philosophy?
by edwhys211
Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:59 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Beliefs in Shingon Buddhism?
Replies: 2
Views: 1912

Beliefs in Shingon Buddhism?

What are the views in Shingon when it comes to:

Rebirth
Karma
Meditation

What else makes it different from other schools of Buddhism?
by edwhys211
Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:51 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Is there a school in Buddhism that fits this view?
Replies: 32
Views: 6328

Re: Is there a school in Buddhism that fits this view?

Is there a school (minor or major) that does not take rebirth and karma literally, but view them as symbolic; or a school that is agnostic about rebirth? No. Karma and rebirth are ubiquitous among all Buddhist schools. Although from what I have learned, many Buddhists are agnostic about it, or just...
by edwhys211
Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:07 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Is there a school in Buddhism that fits this view?
Replies: 32
Views: 6328

Is there a school in Buddhism that fits this view?

Is there a school (minor or major) that does not take rebirth and karma literally, but view them as symbolic; or a school that is agnostic about rebirth?
by edwhys211
Thu Dec 06, 2012 7:43 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Does one have to fully accept all concepts to be a Buddhist?
Replies: 16
Views: 3651

Re: Does one have to fully accept all concepts to be a Buddhist?

So here is my current set of beliefs: I follow the teachings of The Buddha, such as the eight fold path and five precepts, and find his quotes and lessons very inspirational and think they are all great teachings to live by. I also accept karma. I am open to the possibilities. So back to my main qu...
by edwhys211
Thu Dec 06, 2012 7:29 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Does one have to fully accept all concepts to be a Buddhist?
Replies: 16
Views: 3651

Does one have to fully accept all concepts to be a Buddhist?

Sorry for my frequent questions on this board, but I am very interested in Buddhism. So here is my current set of beliefs: I follow the teachings of The Buddha, such as the eight fold path and five precepts, and find his quotes and lessons very inspirational and think they are all great teachings to...
by edwhys211
Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:44 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Question about rebirth?
Replies: 6
Views: 1972

Question about rebirth?

Many people in the west (including me) have trouble differentiating rebirth and reincarnation. In Buddhism, what is rebirth? I have heard many people say it is your consciousness transferring to a new being, but I read on another forum that it is your mind improving and you are being reborn in a dif...
by edwhys211
Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:26 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Is life a bad thing in Buddhism?
Replies: 7
Views: 2399

Is life a bad thing in Buddhism?

We have to learn lessons through numerous lives before reaching nirvana, and life is suffering, according to Buddha. Does that mean life is a bad thing that we must deal with and complete in hopes to escape it, or what? I understand there is much suffering in life, but there is also a lot of good.
by edwhys211
Sun Dec 02, 2012 6:26 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Schools of Buddhism
Replies: 2
Views: 839

Schools of Buddhism

What are the different schools of Buddhism, and what do they believe? What makes each one different than the rest?
by edwhys211
Fri Nov 30, 2012 4:17 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: How do I become a Buddhist?
Replies: 9
Views: 1711

How do I become a Buddhist?

I follow the eight fold path and five precepts, and I am open to the ideas of karma and reincarnation and meditation.

Is there more for me to do, or am I now a Buddhist?

Also, what are the different paths of Buddhism? can you explain them?
by edwhys211
Fri Nov 23, 2012 7:43 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: I have some general questions about Buddhism?
Replies: 4
Views: 2097

I have some general questions about Buddhism?

1. In Buddhism, how did the universe get created, and why does life exist?
2. I understand many Buddhists are also atheists. How can powerful things such as karma and reincarnation exist without some powerful force maintaining them?
3. What happens when you die?
by edwhys211
Tue Nov 20, 2012 5:32 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Am I a Buddhist
Replies: 6
Views: 2330

Am I a Buddhist

Hi, I was raised Christian but it never made much sense to me and I gave up my religion. Anyway, I have been looking into Buddhism for awhile, and I follow the teachings of The Buddha, such as the eight fold path and five precepts, and I am open to the idea of karma and reincarnation. So here is the...