Religions > Bible > "I used to have a lot of trouble figuring out the value of the Buddhsit precepts."
| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"V" |
| Date: |
14 Jun 2007 12:38:14 PM |
| Object: |
"I used to have a lot of trouble figuring out the value of the Buddhsit precepts." |
(...)
"I used to have a lot of trouble figuring out the value of the
Buddhsit precepts.The precepts are kind of rules or guidelines for
Buddhists. I grew up as a Catholic, and learned the ten commandments
off by heart in school. When I first read the precepts I noticed they
were similar to the ten commandmsnts. The idea behind the precepts is
that they're good guidelines to live by. After a while I realized that
keeping the precepts as best I can is a good way to eliminate a lot of
hassle and problems from my life."
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
V:
Yes, you have come to the right conclusion.
Before I was banned at esangha, I penned quite a few replies to the
perennial favorites of 'how do we know karma and reincarnation are
real' and 'why should I follow the precepts or the eightfold path.'
We do not know if karma and reincarnation are real.
But irrespective of them being real or not, we can test the dogma of
the world's spiritual traditions to help get at the truth.
We can test them for peace promotion or peace destruction.
And anything that can't be tested and has to run on faith is where I
leave off as an agnostic freethinker.
In addition, fear based reasons for doing something are not authentic
and natural actions...so don't base your life on fear...base it on
inner peace.
If you only do something for fear of bad karma or for fear of
hell...does that make you an authentically good person or an
authentically scared and fear based person?
The persons actions are based on negative consequences otherwise they
would not do them.
Is a thief an honest and virtuous man because he does not steal
because the policeman is looking?
Take away the fear of pain of karma or hell and you have a different
person?
A truly virtuous life remains the same irrespective of such fears and
is not based on them.
Align real and authentic actions with peace promotion and you are on
the road to enlightenment.
See:
http://jesusneverexisted.org/jne/forum/index.php?topic=342.0
http://jesusneverexisted.org/jne/forum/index.php?topic=4.0
The Five Precepts
1. Refrain from Killing
2. Refrain from Stealing
3. Refrain from Sexual Misconduct
4. Refrain from False Speech
5. Refrain from the Use of Intoxicants
One practices the 5 precepts, as well as the rest of the dharma for
inner peace and to promote peace within others.
Irrespective of the 'realness' of karma, heaven or hell, the precepts,
the 4 nobles, the eightfold path, etc., these are tools for peace
generation.
But It is up to the individual with how much peace they wish to
generate.
No one can force another to be at peace.
Apply the 'law of opposites' to the precepts and what will you get?
You will get the opposite of peace.
A lying, drunk, thief that murders and rapes?
Buddhism is not complex or mysterious in its message.
It is the ego's of men that has made it complex and mysterious through
'poisoning the well' so to speak. The well that the Buddha left us.
(My thanks to my atheist friend Neil for the wording.)
See:
http://jesusneverexisted.org/jne/forum/index.php?topic=508.0
But, it could be worse for the wannabe Buddhists that think the 5
precepts are too hard to follow.
A fully ordained monk (bhikkhu) observes the 227 rules of the bhikkhu
Patimokkha; a fully ordained nun (bhikkhuni) would observe the 311
rules of the bhikkhuni Patimokkha.
The Ten Precepts:
1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living
creatures.
2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not
given.
3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity.
4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and
drugs which lead to carelessness.
6. I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden
time (i.e., after noon).
7. I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music,
going to see entertainment's.
8. I undertake the precept to refrain from wearing garlands, using
perfumes, and beautifying the body with cosmetics.
9. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or
luxurious sleeping place.
10. I undertake the precept to refrain from accepting gold and silver
(money).
As far as the 10 commandments and other relationship to the 5
precepts?
Well, some wisdom is universal in nature and transcends religious
boundaries.
It has been thought that the 10 commandments evolved for the 42
negative confession that were of Egyptian lineage.
See:
http://www.paganizingfaithofyeshua.netfirms.com/42_negative_confessions.htm
And if we study the Hebrew Torah we can see that Yahweh did not only
give 10 commandments but gave 613 commandments.
See:
http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm
All of these 613 commandments are not peace generators for sure.
This is how we can tell either Yahweh is man made and flavored with
the imperfect ego's of men.
Or Yahweh is not a good and just God, even if Yahweh was real, as
Yahweh does not pass the peace test.
See:
http://jesusneverexisted.org/jne/forum/index.php?topic=318.0
http://jesusneverexisted.org/jne/forum/index.php?topic=133.0
http://jesusneverexisted.org/jne/forum/index.php?topic=26.0
When we put peace first we can see clearly.
Take care,
V (Male)
Agnostic Freethinker
Practical Philosopher
AA#2
.
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