Why do you study Buddhism?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism

Why do you study Buddhism?

1) to be happy in this life
3
13%
2) to be happy in the next life
1
4%
3) to be happy this life and the next life or becoming a Sotapanna, Arahant, etc.
9
38%
4) just to pass time
0
No votes
5) To know about life in general and curiosity
1
4%
6) Just a hobby
0
No votes
7) Buddhism is the only religion that makes sense in comparison to other religions
5
21%
8) Other- Please give your reasons
5
21%
9)Just because I was born to Buddhism
0
No votes
10) Just to be part of a common group
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 24

SarathW
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Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by SarathW »

Why do you study Buddhism?
I allowed only two options so we can see only the major reasons.
I voted " to be happy in this life"
I try to observe the five precepts as I see breaking them makes me more unhappy.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
form
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by form »

Only one way. To enter the supramundane.
SteRo
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by SteRo »

I have studied its doctrines and collective appearances in the past but don't study any more at present because I know enough about it.
Cleared. αδόξαστος.
sunnat
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by sunnat »

as a guide and inspiration to practicing meditation
and
to the extent that thinking can be a good action, thinking about The Dhamma is wholesome
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Ceisiwr
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by Ceisiwr »

To put an end to the round.
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
SarathW
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by SarathW »

SteRo wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 1:51 pm I have studied its doctrines and collective appearances in the past but don't study any more at present because I know enough about it.
I feel the same that I know enough but I still can't understand it in full.
I can understand how that can make me happy in this life, but do not understand the rebirth and Nibbana stuff.
I can understand the Nibbana in this very life though.
So I still spend a lot of time listening to monks with the hope I can find something new.
The great thing about this pursuit is I found some monks think the same line of thinking as I am whether we are all right or wrong.
It is a fruitless exercise to understand Buddha Dhamma unless you practice it. As a lay person, I got a lot of roadblocks to get to the final.
:D
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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bodom
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by bodom »

To end all "self" created suffering..greed, hatred and delusion.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
SteRo
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by SteRo »

SarathW wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 2:23 pm
SteRo wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 1:51 pm I have studied its doctrines and collective appearances in the past but don't study any more at present because I know enough about it.
I feel the same that I know enough but I still can't understand it in full.
I understand it because I understand religious thought and social interactions based on it.
Cleared. αδόξαστος.
justindesilva
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by justindesilva »

form wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 1:03 pm Only one way. To enter the supramundane.
First though born as a buddhist , I was only a saddanussati buddhist.Later my aim was to know the purpose of life. Yet later having read the abidamma part and dammaccakkapavatta I realise that by folliwing the aryaashtangamarga , one can achieve nirvana whereas , we will not be entangled with life, then.
form
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by form »

The more you try to study, the worse it is. It is meant to be understood and put to practice.
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JamesTheGiant
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by JamesTheGiant »

I don't study, I practise
SarathW
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by SarathW »

JamesTheGiant wrote: Sun Jan 23, 2022 11:02 pm I don't study, I practise
:twothumbsup:
But I am sure you have done your studies in the past.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
SarathW
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by SarathW »

Perhaps it is important to understand the first option.
To understand what is happiness we should read the Bahuvedaniya Sutta (many kinds of feeling
Whatever feeling you enjoy in this life will be carried over to the next life.
However, the highest happiness in this life is the cessation of perception and feeling which is Nibbana hence we can't speak about the next life.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
thepea
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by thepea »

I chose other option; I don’t study Buddhism and have no idea what Buddhism is, I honestly think it’s a cult that is collapsing along with other belief structured religions.
I practice Dhamma the teachings of the awakened on within. No belief or cultish groups required.
Like the rhinoceros alone in the forest.
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DNS
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Re: Why do you study Buddhism?

Post by DNS »

thepea wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 10:08 pm I chose other option; I don’t study Buddhism and have no idea what Buddhism is
Apparently so, based on your posts in the other thread that you think it's okay for a sotapanna to regularly kill animals.
I honestly think it’s a cult that is collapsing along with other belief structured religions.
I practice Dhamma the teachings of the awakened on within. No belief or cultish groups required.
Like the rhinoceros alone in the forest.
And what is Dhamma? It is the teachings of the Buddha, as found in the Pali Canon and Agamas. Unless you have access to some secret teachings of the Buddha the rest of us don't have.

If you base your ideology on the Pali Canon, Agamas, then that's the scriptures of Buddhism . . . a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
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