PhilosopherStoned is correct to direct everyone to the Four Noble Truths, as the Buddha Sakyamuni frequently said they are the whole of his teachings, and no, nothing in them necessarily conflicts with Christianity. I'll just address some specific misconceptions:
Originally Posted by stormcrow
There are no gods in Buddhism so you are clear on that one.
Originally Posted by Jeff777
Buddhism is Atheism with icing on the cake.
False. Traditional Buddhism recognizes 31 planes of existence, often simplified to the six realms of deities, demigods, humans, animals, ghosts and demons. Vajrayana Buddhism also employs an array of meditation deities, and many Buddhists are also Universalists.
My approach is that gods exist every bit as much as you, me, the sun, or my desk chair: somewhat, but not particularly.
Originally Posted by stormcrow
Buddhism also teaches the importance of a vegetarian diet which will benefit you morally as well as keeping you healthy so that is a plus.
False. The Buddha advised his followers not to kill animals or cause them to be killed, but held firmly, in the face of strong criticism, that obtaining meat already butchered simply does not involve one karmically in the animal's death. Causality doesn't flow backwards. Some Buddhists and even whole sanghas may adopt vegetarianism voluntarily, but excessive emphasis upon it is a spiritual red herring.
Originally Posted by stormcrow
If feel as though many people misrepresent Buddhism when really it is much more nihilistic than people realize. The goal is not to be "connected" but instead to disconnect with reality(which they believe to be an illusion ie. maya), from social relations, customs, and habitually thinking, all of which are the causes of suffering.
I can see where you're getting these ideas, but there are so many things wrong with what you just said. The goal is absolutely to be in touch with reality, just not reality as we normally perceive it. The OP's vague idea that "everything is connected somehow" is considerably more on point than terming Buddhism "nihilist." The idea of dependent origination (a.k.a. interdependent co-arising) of all phenomena was Sakyamuni's chief reformation of the Brahmanic approach to karma and rebirth.
Yes, he taught renunciation for his monks and nuns, and certainly emphasized monasticism for anyone serious about liberation, but he did also provide teachings for laity which did not include running away from home. If the Buddha's awakening was "nihilist," he would simply have popped out of existence under the bodhi tree, not walked the length and breadth of northern India for fifty years engaging the people.
|
|
Bookmarks