Buddhism!

[Captain Courageous]

Any off you guys recommend a good book on Buddhism?

 

Yep,  "O Brother Where Art Thou".

[Captain Courageous]

Thanks for your question MunterHunter. By having to think about this, you have made me realize how foolish my life has been.

So thank you.

A really good book which has been made into a Movie,

It is called 'Peace is Every Step' by Thick Nhat Hanh. I would highly recommend this very easy to read book.

I haven't seen the Movie.

 

The Dalai Lama is the Buddhist Equivalent to Buddhism, as the Pope is to Catholicism/Christianity.

I was privileged to meet the Dalai Lama and spend time with him

in Dharamsala India. I also stayed with his brother when I was doing voluntary Medical Work at the Delek Hospital.

 

I can't remember the name of the book that Daniel Coleman wrote.....except for one very good book called 'Emotional Intelligence'.

Here is a link you may find useful https://hbr.org/2015/05/what-the-dalai-lama-taught-daniel-goleman-about-emotional-intelligence

 

Buddhism is a way to live life simply and respectfully.

 

Richard Gere played a very big role in promoting Buddhism in America and in fact bringing the Dalai Lama to 'The West'.

Here is a further link that may be beneficial...http://www.lionsroar.com/richard-gere-my-journey-as-a-buddhist/

 

If you want any info, please PM me.

Cheers,

H888

 

I have a feeling that I met most of those blokes as well..........mind you I would have been drunk at the time so it's bluddy hard to remember when and where.

[Captain Courageous]

Tibetan Buddhism when scrutinized is not at all what you might expect,  Just looking at the state of Buddhism before the Chinese occupation for instance and even looking at the disputes and practices of today's various sects in Tibet will take the shine off of it's artificial luster of peaceful enlightenment.

The Dalai Lama heads the Gelug sect (or school if you prefer) there are 3 other schools (I think, maybe more?)  that have come to blows before now and do not really get along, The Dalai Lama also practices the tradition of consulting Nechung during the New Year festivals (and whenever else he feels like) to "get advice" usually about changing a Buddhist ethic or principle. It has always looked to me as if the Dalai Lama wants to return Tibet to a strict Theocracy, which it was before the Chinese moved in, a very strict, caste ridden, feudal theocracy, very corrupt and not as enlightened as portrayed by the Hollywood adherents, although not as bad as revisionist Chinese would have you believe, probably somewhere in the middle.

 

As with most things in life you should read these teachings with an open mind and place them into context with what your experience and your "heart" says is right for you and your way of living, take what you need but don't believe everything that is said is equally applicable to your own "inherent nature" (some of the past life advice for instance, consequences and affects due to reincarnated personality traits and consequences,etc), that is a fools road to disillusionment.

There is plenty of good to be learned, which is why It resonates with me more than Judaic religious teachings and I find it combines well with my classical philosophers teachings, don't be fussed to much if your left hand is higher than your right or not when meditating, look to the spirit of the thoughts not the stricture of the belief.

 

I can't believe that you overlooked the Browning High Power sect of Buddhism, is Richard Gere aware of it ?  

[happy888]

I have a feeling that I met most of those blokes as well..........mind you I would have been drunk at the time so it's bluddy hard to remember when and where.

Ha Ha CC.

I actually did spend time with the Dalai Lama and his Brother.

As well as time at Mini Lahasa in North Western India.

Really very fascinating.

I also spent time in Lucknow( with Papaji) in India and learnt a great deal from Osho and his teachings (in Pune).

Sometimes alcohol can enhance the feeling of 'Nirvana' .....LoL

Cheers,

H888

[Captain Courageous]

Thanks for the info.

 

There is a buddhist centre near my home. They have a introduction day thing followed by a 1day/6 week course on meditation. Think im gonna go for that also.

 

No need to.

 

Meditation is as simple as spending a few days alone in the wilderness in your own simple camp, and letting the silence seep into your mind.

 

Conversely Mediation is a fucking torment in itself !  55555 

 

About that Mini Lahasa bloke, is he like Mini-Me to Dr Evil in a Buddhist sense of the term ?

[Captain Courageous]

Ha Ha CC.

I actually did spend time with the Dalai Lama and his Brother.

As well as time at Mini Lahasa in North Western India.

Really very fascinating.

I also spent time in Lucknow( with Papaji) in India and learnt a great deal from Osho and his teachings (in Pune).

Sometimes alcohol can enhance the feeling of 'Nirvana' .....LoL

Cheers,

H888

 

And 'ere I was thinkin the Dalia Lama was a Chelsea Florist !

 

Just a thought, does the Dalia Lama have any 30 year old sisters ? 

[happy888]

And 'ere I was thinkin the Dalia Lama was a Chelsea Florist !

 

Just a thought, does the Dalia Lama have any 30 year old sisters ?

 

I think you might be drinking too much CC....lol

Mini Lahasa is where the exiled Tibetans stay in India.

They have their own Parliament there also.

Mindfulness is indeed a state of mind. If we could incorporate this self-awareness into our daily lives, the world would be a much better place.

Unfortunately it's not that simple.

Everything constructive takes discipline.

[sinbad5]

Any off you guys recommend a good book on Buddhism?

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse.

[Captain Courageous]

I think you might be drinking too much CC....lol

Mini Lahasa is where the exiled Tibetans stay in India.

They have their own Parliament there also.

Mindfulness is indeed a state of mind. If we could incorporate this self-awareness into our daily lives, the world would be a much better place.

Unfortunately it's not that simple.

Everything constructive takes discipline.

 

So tell me, why your interest in fucking TG's ?

 

Something about the path to enlightenment doesn't jell here.

[Captain Courageous]

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse.

 

Now I remember, Rudolfs little boy Herman.

 

Syd an Arfur Daley ....."I can be so good for you";   you can't get any more Buddhist than that !  55555

[MunterHunter]

Indeed, I have a now 30 year old Son who almost died at birth (one of twins) and he grew up with a learning disorder.

 

He struggled through schooling but emerged a wonderful young man, very compassionate, well mannered and well liked by everyone that knows him. 

 

So after schooling he started work with the local council and completed an Applied Science Diploma in Horticulture, then decided to try the Private Security Guard industry.

Gets a contract with the State Railways as a night security guard, decides to qualify as a security guard Dog specialist, then buys a young German Shepherd Dog and trains him.  

Meanwhile over the years he works out and build his physique up.

 

A couple of years experience later he applies for a postion with the State Corrections (Prison Guard) department, and gets the job. 

Transitions to Armed Response Team in the system, Dogs, Shotguns and Glocks.  

 

Then he meets a Girl who makes it happen for him, so he decides to pack in the career; gets his heavy Rig Truck license and starts earning $48 an hour driving night shifts.

 

So he and his girlfriend decide to lease a couple of Trucks and go into the overnight Freight business.

 

That was 3 years ago, they now employ 4 drivers full time and have 5 year contract with the Toll corporation, in addition to buying their own House.

 

So much for his learning disability;  FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW.

 

YOU my friend can achieve more than anyone lacking your so called disabilities.

 

Why ?

 

Because you understand and accept the struggle.      

 

Fantastic story. Uplifting

[MunterHunter]

No need to.

 

Meditation is as simple as spending a few days alone in the wilderness in your own simple camp, and letting the silence seep into your mind.

 

Conversely Mediation is a fucking torment in itself !  55555 

 

About that Mini Lahasa bloke, is he like Mini-Me to Dr Evil in a Buddhist sense of the term ?

 

Think part off it is them talking about Buddhism, etc. Not just purely how to meditate.

 

I cant believe i am taking an interest in something like Buddhism? If someone had said 5 years ago i would be doing this i would never have believed them. Its funny how life leads us to a certain path.

[Captain Courageous]

Think part off it is them talking about Buddhism, etc. Not just purely how to meditate.

 

I cant believe i am taking an interest in something like Buddhism? If someone had said 5 years ago i would be doing this i would never have believed them. Its funny how life leads us to a certain path.

 

All jokes aside,  IMO Buddhism probably gets it right as a workable philosophy for the living of one's life.

 

It's all the hierachical nonscence and authoratitive doctrines that I find unneccessary.   

[Dr.Winston]

If I had to choose a religion.....! I think that Buddhism is great in it's introspectiveness, it can really give us an insight into the way our minds work, the root of all unhappiness and things like that. I love the way it spills over into everyday attitudes in Thailand, I've seen relatively uneducated bar girls come out with things so deep and profound and I'm sure that it has come from Buddhism.

 

I think of the forest monks meditating for weeks on their own in the Jungle seeking enlightenment however fleeting it may be...but then I read somewhere that there are two paths to enlightenment, self discovery and action and it definitely strikes me as being more biased towards the self discovery side of things. I think society would probably collapse if everybody became enlightened via that path.

 

I've seen Buddhism abused by those that claim to practise it, just like every other religion. The Thai criminals who think that they can buy their respect in the community back with a token spell at the monastery. I'll never forget on trip to my favourite place in Thailand, a mountain temple near to Bung Kaan in the North East called Wat Phu Thawk (You can see it here). I once went there with a Thai girl who was too scared of heights to climb it, she waited for me by the car. When I returned she was talking to one of the monks. I chatted to him for a couple of minutes before we left, as soon as we'd left she told me that he had asked her how big my dick was! Like all religions it is based upon great premises but the people who maintain it are human.

[happy888]

So tell me, why your interest in fucking TG's ?

 

Something about the path to enlightenment doesn't jell here.

Despite being married to my Thai Lady, we have different needs and wants.

Monogamy is not natural to me.

Having said that, I am finding more contentment being married and my eyes still remain my windows to my soul.

Whilst I can, I will. And that's all fine.

Far from enlightened. But enlightened enough to know 'The Journey is The Goal'.

 

Cheers,

H888

[MunterHunter]

All jokes aside,  IMO Buddhism probably gets it right as a workable philosophy for the living of one's life.

 

It's all the hierachical nonscence and authoratitive doctrines that I find unneccessary.   

 

If i do decide to really get into it i will probably keep it to myself and not really discuss it with family, friends, etc. It tires me how people want to change the world but cant change themselves?. I am thinking this can lead me more down a path to be a better person. I have seen enough now in life to base my decisions on how i have lived my life in comparison to others! Not saying im right or know what's best but it cant see any real negatives in educating myself on Buddhism and making it part off my life.

 

Again thanks to those who have replied to this thread. Its been very interesting. 

[Cropped Shaggy]

It's the closest thing to any religion I've ever subscribed to, but I view it as more of a philosophy with a few superstitions tacked on top (easily removable), varying between schools. I have a lot of respect for what it's supposed to do, but I just can't help but think maybe psychedelics can get one to the same place a lot quicker (not that I'm there myself, far from it). As for whether one method is better than the other, I think it's one of those ones where the jury will likely forever be out.

[MunterHunter]

It's the closest thing to any religion I've ever subscribed to, but I view it as more of a philosophy with a few superstitions tacked on top (easily removable), varying between schools. I have a lot of respect for what it's supposed to do, but I just can't help but think maybe psychedelics can get one to the same place a lot quicker (not that I'm there myself, far from it). As for whether one method is better than the other, I think it's one of those ones where the jury will likely forever be out.

 

Im away to Peru in April. 7 days will be spent in the Jungle doing ayahausca. 

[jed§]

I've got a theory that I'm working on and would appreciate any comments. Here we go: religions, or belief systems, if you like, take root in places and cultures where they are most needed; where the ideas behind them are most lacking. Buddhism is supposed to be about not being obsessed with material possessions, isn't it? Are Thai people obsessed with material possessions? Ok, so you could say, we are as well, although when I talk to most people in the West they say they aren't. They say other things are more important. When I've talked to Thai people, they don't say that. If I'm right, why has Islam taken root in the Middle east, mostly? 

[Cropped Shaggy]

I've got a theory that I'm working on and would appreciate any comments. Here we go: religions, or belief systems, if you like, take root in places and cultures where they are most needed; where the ideas behind them are most lacking. Buddhism is supposed to be about not being obsessed with material possessions, isn't it? Are Thai people obsessed with material possessions? Ok, so you could say, we are as well, although when I talk to most people in the West they say they aren't. They say other things are more important. When I've talked to Thai people, they don't say that. If I'm right, why has Islam taken root in the Middle east, mostly? 

 

Good question. I personally think that organised religion tends to be induced by those in power as a means to control a populous. Why those in power in the Middle East chose Islam as their tool, I'm really not sure.

 

 

Im away to Peru in April. 7 days will be spent in the jungle doing ayahausca. 

 

Nice, hope you get something good out of it

[insider]

I've got a theory that I'm working on and would appreciate any comments. Here we go: religions, or belief systems, if you like, take root in places and cultures where they are most needed; where the ideas behind them are most lacking. Buddhism is supposed to be about not being obsessed with material possessions, isn't it? Are Thai people obsessed with material possessions? Ok, so you could say, we are as well, although when I talk to most people in the West they say they aren't. They say other things are more important. When I've talked to Thai people, they don't say that. If I'm right, why has Islam taken root in the Middle east, mostly? 

My theory is you should go back to the earliest forms of "religion", when ignorance was not bliss but dangerous at every level, where nothing was known, we humans anthropomorphize nature (always have and still do) to give it some familiarity, hence understandable and therefore less fearful and manageable mentally.

Following this we get the storytellers and liars, those who are not as strong or are lazy or resentful or simply afraid their age will see them cast out from the tribe, they tell the comforting story with morals or a lie that makes more sense of natures haphazard and cruel acts, maybe the spirit of the sky is angry, for instance or battles the spirit of the earth to possess the beautiful spirit of the sea who is torn asunder (hence rain and wind and avalanches, etc)  the mind seeks patterns, this is well known, always some chancer will seek to exploit others and the easiest way is to lie, but the lie needs to be good enough and yet simple enough to not be caught out, so each question is kept basic, as is the answer (sacrifice) later as the tribe evolves it all becomes more complex and therefore it needs to be recorded first by shamans and then written and recorded by priests, who are the sole tribal members able to recount the laws of the Gods.

City states arise and stratification occurs and hierarchies form and we get various invaders who influence the shape of the belief that follows, maybe your tribe loses it's cushy little kingdom and has to wander as nomads, your history is reduced to the few stories you carry with you, the tribe becomes insular, sheds unnecessary gods, reshapes whats left to fit the ego of the dispossessed once powerful "holy speakers for God" and bides it's time until circumstance gives it a time and place to once again flourish. Gods spread best during periods of adversity, it's probably why we get the various sayings that boil down  no atheists in the trenches (not true by the way).

When one society becomes decadent and adversity throws the mighty rulers an unexpected curve ball who better to scapegoat than the priests? (after a tonne of sacrifices appears to do nothing more than bankrupt you!) so embrace the new self help philosophy spouted by those you have scorned and yet who still cling to their belief despite their adversity.

Many years later more chancers will appear, cause schisms and new sects will form and thrive or die out or be absorbed or wiped out or takeover based upon facile tongues and gullible disenfranchised (or bigoted) countrymen, some will follow just to get in on the ground floor, of course if you don't have a legitimate male heir those ground floor guys will tear your faith into more sects, causing more schisms, etc.

 

Any of this sound plausible?

[sinbad5]

I've got a theory that I'm working on and would appreciate any comments. Here we go: religions, or belief systems, if you like, take root in places and cultures where they are most needed; where the ideas behind them are most lacking. Buddhism is supposed to be about not being obsessed with material possessions, isn't it? Are Thai people obsessed with material possessions? Ok, so you could say, we are as well, although when I talk to most people in the West they say they aren't. They say other things are more important. When I've talked to Thai people, they don't say that. If I'm right, why has Islam taken root in the Middle east, mostly? 

 

In order to test your theory you would need to go back to the time when Buddhism was introduced into Thailand and see if people were materialistic then.

 

My theory is you should go back to the earliest forms of "religion", when ignorance was not bliss but dangerous at every level, where nothing was known, we humans anthropomorphize nature (always have and still do) to give it some familiarity, hence understandable and therefore less fearful and manageable mentally.

Following this we get the storytellers and liars, those who are not as strong or are lazy or resentful or simply afraid their age will see them cast out from the tribe, they tell the comforting story with morals or a lie that makes more sense of natures haphazard and cruel acts, maybe the spirit of the sky is angry, for instance or battles the spirit of the earth to possess the beautiful spirit of the sea who is torn asunder (hence rain and wind and avalanches, etc)  the mind seeks patterns, this is well known, always some chancer will seek to exploit others and the easiest way is to lie, but the lie needs to be good enough and yet simple enough to not be caught out, so each question is kept basic, as is the answer (sacrifice) later as the tribe evolves it all becomes more complex and therefore it needs to be recorded first by shamans and then written and recorded by priests, who are the sole tribal members able to recount the laws of the Gods.

City states arise and stratification occurs and hierarchies form and we get various invaders who influence the shape of the belief that follows, maybe your tribe loses it's cushy little kingdom and has to wander as nomads, your history is reduced to the few stories you carry with you, the tribe becomes insular, sheds unnecessary gods, reshapes whats left to fit the ego of the dispossessed once powerful "holy speakers for God" and bides it's time until circumstance gives it a time and place to once again flourish. Gods spread best during periods of adversity, it's probably why we get the various sayings that boil down  no atheists in the trenches (not true by the way).

When one society becomes decadent and adversity throws the mighty rulers an unexpected curve ball who better to scapegoat than the priests? (after a tonne of sacrifices appears to do nothing more than bankrupt you!) so embrace the new self help philosophy spouted by those you have scorned and yet who still cling to their belief despite their adversity.

Many years later more chancers will appear, cause schisms and new sects will form and thrive or die out or be absorbed or wiped out or takeover based upon facile tongues and gullible disenfranchised (or bigoted) countrymen, some will follow just to get in on the ground floor, of course if you don't have a legitimate male heir those ground floor guys will tear your faith into more sects, causing more schisms, etc.

 

Any of this sound plausible?

 

No, it sounds like gobbledygook 

[insider]

 

In order to test your theory you would need to go back to the time when Buddhism was introduced into Thailand and see if people were materialistic then.

 

 

No, it sounds like gobbledygook 

Thanks for offering us your usual constructive,  well thought out critique Sinbad

[sinbad5]

Thanks for offering us your usual constructive,  well thought out critique Sinbad

 

You are welcome.

[insider]

Whats next Sinbad, maybe a Sound of Music film review, "I didn't like it, no blame US of A, crap"

Sinbad food reviews " Me not hungry, so must be crap"

Sinbad car review " Engine go broom, broom, wheels turn, Good car me buy!"