Buddhism

ace175

Just wondering if there's anyone out there who practices the Buddhist ways? I'm rather new to it (about 1 year), my boyfriend introduced me to it (he's been practicing for about 6 years) and we had the amazing opportunity to see and listen to the Dalai Lama and it really opened my eyes. Just wondering

kayemme

i am.

wanitalilly

I've read a couple books by the Dalai Lama and Pema Chodron and I loved them. I am not practicing, though I have been able to apply lessons I learned in those books to my life and I try to live compassionatly.

Wraiythe

I am not a practicing Buddhist but I am interested in it. I am trying to "find" the right religion for me so I guess I'm searching. i'd love to chat with you about it if you're interested.

kayemme

i meditate semi-regularly, but practice the precepts of buddhism almost daily. (the only one i fail sometimes is to not kill because i sometimes eat meat or participate in activities that use animal by-product).

but in the overall, i'd say i follow it about as closely as a layperson can get.

ace175

I am not a practicing Buddhist but I am interested in it. I am trying to "find" the right religion for me so I guess I'm searching. i'd love to chat with you about it if you're interested.

I feel the same-- my mom was raised Catholic and my dad was sort of raised in a church, but they allowed my siblings and I to decide what we wanted to do as we got older. I've looked into many religions, went to churches, church camps, etc. but to me, it is hard to believe in a "supreme being" and in a heaven and hell. So I kind of wrote off all religions. Then when I met my boyfriend, he taught me many different things, and what Buddhism is about, is a lot easier for me to believe in.
Friend request sent!

chelsifina

I practice in the Tibetan tradition and happen to lately be very involved in the Tibetan community. I've had the honor of meeting the Karmapa and having supper with Ngari Rinpoche, the brother of the Dalai Lama, at his home with his wife! I definitely got a unique perspective of the dharma from him. He's hilarious. Feel free to add me /message me to chat if you like. I'm certainly no scholar, though

audjrey

I practice the 8 noble truths and am striving to become enlightened as taught by Gotama (the enlightened one = Buddha) but don't belong to the actual Buddhist religion - yes there is a difference. If you would like to know more about the actual Gotama teachings and practice, I urge you to google Vipassana.com and download the dharma talks from iTunes. You can find the free podcasts in iTunes under 'Dharma Seed'. And if you ever have the courage to sit for 3, 7, or 10 days in meditation, I strongly urge you to attend the free meditation offered by Vipassana. Very enlightening. I went on a 10-day retreat last month. It was truly a life changing experience!

By the way, when you practice Vipassana meditation and experience the actual dharma, you do not need to convert your religion. You do not need to become Buddhist to practice Vipassana or dharma.

Hope this clears up any misunderstandings you have about Buddhist religion and dharma.

sacchariine

I'm also looking to get into Buddhism. I was raised Catholic, (even though my household consists of a Presbyterian and Jehovah's Witness. Go figure.) but that's just not cutting it for me. From what I've read of the Buddhists it seems so very enlightening. I even recently got a tibetan tattoo of 1 of the immeasurables. I know that's not acceptable by some buddhist practices, but it was really spiritual for me. Seems like a worthy faith. Good luck on your journey!

ace175

I practice in the Tibetan tradition and happen to lately be very involved in the Tibetan community. I've had the honor of meeting the Karmapa and having supper with Ngari Rinpoche, the brother of the Dalai Lama, at his home with his wife! I definitely got a unique perspective of the dharma from him. He's hilarious. Feel free to add me /message me to chat if you like. I'm certainly no scholar, though

My boyfriend and I practice Tibetan tradition.... there is a center by my school that we have gone to a few times and in September we will be going to see Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
I'm still learning a lot, and reading a lot, but I actually read an article on Huffington Post that discussed if Buddhism isn't a religion or a way of life... what do you guys feel about that?

ace175

I'm also looking to get into Buddhism. I was raised Catholic, (even though my household consists of a Presbyterian and Jehovah's Witness. Go figure.) but that's just not cutting it for me. From what I've read of the Buddhists it seems so very enlightening. I even recently got a tibetan tattoo of 1 of the immeasurables. I know that's not acceptable by some buddhist practices, but it was really spiritual for me. Seems like a worthy faith. Good luck on your journey!

What is your tattoo of?

sacchariine

I'm also looking to get into Buddhism. I was raised Catholic, (even though my household consists of a Presbyterian and Jehovah's Witness. Go figure.) but that's just not cutting it for me. From what I've read of the Buddhists it seems so very enlightening. I even recently got a tibetan tattoo of 1 of the immeasurables. I know that's not acceptable by some buddhist practices, but it was really spiritual for me. Seems like a worthy faith. Good luck on your journey!

What is your tattoo of?

It is in tibetan script and it means "Equanimity." Beside it is a lotus flower.

This site is about the 4 immeasurables:
http://viewonbuddhism.org/immeasurables_love_compassion_equanimity_rejoicing.html

And it's funny you ask about it being a religion because when I was typing this post I made sure not to say it is a "worthy religion." I don't feel as if Buddhism is a religion, but maybe I'm biased because the word religion has a lot of negative connotations for me. I do think Buddhism is a way of life, which is why I could never call myself a buddhist, because I know there are a lot of things in my life I would have to change, and I don't know if I'm up to it. And if you're mind is not up to it, then you are lost, because Buddhism to me is about the body, mind and soul. I still like to TRY practicing their truths though.

ace175

I'm also looking to get into Buddhism. I was raised Catholic, (even though my household consists of a Presbyterian and Jehovah's Witness. Go figure.) but that's just not cutting it for me. From what I've read of the Buddhists it seems so very enlightening. I even recently got a tibetan tattoo of 1 of the immeasurables. I know that's not acceptable by some buddhist practices, but it was really spiritual for me. Seems like a worthy faith. Good luck on your journey!

What is your tattoo of?

It is in tibetan script and it means "Equanimity." Beside it is a lotus flower.

This site is about the 4 immeasurables:
http://viewonbuddhism.org/immeasurables_love_compassion_equanimity_rejoicing.html

And it's funny you ask about it being a religion because when I was typing this post I made sure not to say it is a "worthy religion." I don't feel as if Buddhism is a religion, but maybe I'm biased because the word religion has a lot of negative connotations for me. I do think Buddhism is a way of life, which is why I could never call myself a buddhist, because I know there are a lot of things in my life I would have to change, and I don't know if I'm up to it. And if you're mind is not up to it, then you are lost, because Buddhism to me is about the body, mind and soul. I still like to TRY practicing their truths though.

Exactly, I love what you just said!

kayemme

my bf & i study & practice Theravada Buddhism (though I lean a little closer to Zen/ Mahayana) and I practice insight / vipassana meditation. I know a lot of people don't consider Buddhism a religion, but it really is - I mean, there are monks, after all I think that qualifies it.

Because the word religion has a negative connotation for you is exactly why it would be a good idea to meditate on it. Very serious Christians are on the same level as very serious Buddhists. The problem is we rarely see the truly peaceful because of all the extremists that beg for our attention. Luckily, when you start to see things for what they really are, you can see past all that and recognize the beauty that exists everywhere, even in the most "unsavory" scenarios.

It doesn't matter which road you take, they all lead to the same fountain.

There's a great website http://diydharma.org/about-us which has many great resources such as meditation timers, lectures and dhamma talks.

HTH,
k

kayemme

And if you ever have the courage to sit for 3, 7, or 10 days in meditation, I strongly urge you to attend the free meditation offered by Vipassana. Very enlightening. I went on a 10-day retreat last month. It was truly a life changing experience!

true dat! i sat a 10 day and served a 10 day. both were incredibly profound experiences. which center did you visit?

SamMommy

I am doing a lot of reading on buddhism, and love the book "buddhism for mothers", and "peace in every step"...I try to pratice as mush as I can, but with 3 kids and 3 dogs. But those moments where I am "completely" in the moment are amazing!

returntorural

I recently started a group for Buddhists on MFP. We're called MFP Buddhists. Everyone is welcome to join us. We're just starting out.