I want to know if there is anyone on this site who is buddhist.I was raised catholic, but recently I have been very interested in Buddhis teachings. I am having a hard time finding any information on the internet that is not purely factual, or anything for begginers. So if anyone could help I would greatly appreciate it.

just go buy a couple of books, but i wouldn't really compare buhdism to being catholic. kinda 2 different things really buhdism is more of a phylosophy then a religion and you could be both. but thats just my impression of it.

I'm currently reading a book called "A History of Buddhist Philosophy: Continuities and Discontinuities" by David J. Kalupahana. I'm not a Buddhist (I'm actually an atheist), but I would like to learn something about their beliefs.

Well I am not catholic any more. I haven't been since 10th grade, for reasons i wont say because i don't want to turn this into a debate thread. But right now I am just searching for what feels right.

Funny how Catholocism will change people. Im a former Catholic myslef.

Kravynn I know what you mean I went to a Catholic school up untill 8th grade and nothing makes a person less catholic then a catholic school lol.

There are millions of books on buddhism, kind of really depends on what you're looking for? I don't consider myself buddhist but do lean that way, spiritually, it feels more right than anything else. I've studied it off and on for a couple of years.

But, it really is not a religion, it's more a way of living your life to make you the best person you can be and help you live the best life you can. It's very fluid in its structure, what may be right for one is not necessarily right for all. And it's perfectly compatible with many, if not most, religions.

I might suggest, as well, if you have a buddhist temple in your community, they often offer "classes," if you will, on buddhism. They are usually all too willing to speak to interested people.

I hear people say that Buddhism is not a religion. Is that because there is no God in Buddhism. From my deffinition of religion it is a religion. It is a set of teachings that offers a way to live, and offers salvation. But I am not argueing with any one. In fact I really appreciate the help. I am looking for a temple around me, but I don't think that I can find one.

insert a thumbs up emoticon here

everyone

should research till they

find what they feel is right

Thanx it is nice talking to people who understand what I am going threw. I have lived in very very christian areas my whole life and as of yet i haven't found anyone in my position.

well id not know how often you read my posts

but i have been to more christian

religious functions and branches than i can count

but i have yet to find one that

is not hypocritical in one way or another

so i am spiritual not religious

but good luck in your journey

and may your path of enlightenment

be shown to you

Actually, most buddhists do believe in God, it's just that their definition of God is your own definition of God, that's one of the things I meant about it being fluid. It's not some set in stone, God is this, God is that definition. And, if you don't believe in God, buddhism also accomodates that belief. God and organized religion, they are not a necessary component of the buddhist philosophy.

Buddhism is as individual as each person who practises it.

That is one of the reasons that I like Buddhism. There is only an outline of beliefs that can acomidate many different people. Most other religions are not like that. They tell you how to live everyday and what you should and shouldn't believe.

Buddhism..... How to discover more of the philosophies?


Let go.


Just be.


Cause no harm to any sentient being.


Love and compassion for all beings.





Simplicity, is all Buddha offered, and he even suggested, that people not worship him, and his philosophies, for we are all Buddha, within.

yeah, i know a lot of former catholics, including my roommate, who are very anti-religion now because of it.

good going catholic church. sometimes i think you harm people more than you help them.

CraniumDesigns you have no idea how true that is lol

Being Christian i have a big problem with Catholics, and thier teachings.. Just my 2 cents.

You can try get books and audio tapes with dalai lama.

http://rapidshare.com/files/78859681/gqga2.pdf.html

This is a good book.