Buddhism and Violence (Does the Buddhist concept of “emptiness” guarantee a peaceful religion?)

Christian Post ^ | 11/28/2010 | Martin E. Marty

[circlecity]

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."

This verse refers to what the world's reaction to Christ, and by extension Christians, will be. Not how Christians should deal with the world. And, as with everything else, he was absolutely correct.

[caww]

Ask your friend who practices Buddhism why it does not suffer? Answer: Because its texts and traditions breed peace.

Uh? No.....nothing to do with peace. Rather believing they have no end to thier life or eternal consequences before God...Karma rules.

[caww]

...It is also possible to have No God, yet not be “your own God.”

We are designed by our creater to worship...practicing Buddism before various idols is worship...of many Gods. Take your pick but if one does not worship God they are definately going to worship something or someone else. What I see in Buddists is they do become their own God..'it's all about self' enlightenment...me,myself and I. me ,and me.

[caww]

"nothingness” at the center of their life, that is what guides them...

Ridiculous statement. When you look at countries who practice Buddism it's clear their religion does little to advance them or their nation without outside intervention.

[caww]

Dissociation...to the extreme.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

There are no idols in Buddhist worship.

suggestion to you: Take a “basic religions “ course so at least you can understand what you are critizing...

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

the lack of basic knowledge of religions among many Freepers...is astounding!!!

One would think that if you really believed in Christianity, you would at least want to KNOW about other religions. I was thinking I was on a Lib website...the opinions with no knowledge was astounding!

[Soothesayer]

They were Shintoists and Buddhists.

[zadox]

the vow most pertaining the the article is the 1st of the 10 Grave Precepts- not to kill but to nuture life- full list below. IMHO Buddhism is 180 degrees oposite Islam-

Most Buddhist I know have taken these vows:

• THE SIXTEEN BODHISATTVA PRECEPTS Norman Fischer’s version (pretty much a standand and universally accepted list of the 16 precepts)
  
  
• The Threefold Refuges
  
  
• I take refuge in Buddha (the principle of enlightenment within).
• I take refuge in dharma (the enlightened way of understanding and living).
• I take refuge in sangha (the community of beings).
  
  
• Pure Precepts
  
  
• I vow to avoid all action that creates suffering
• I vow to do all action that creates true happiness.
• I vow to act with others always in mind.
  
  
• Grave Precepts
  
  
• Not to kill but to nurture life.
• Not to steal but to receive what is offered as a gift.
• Not to misuse sexuality but to be caring and faithful in intimate relationships.
• Not to lie but to be truthful.
• Not to intoxicate with substances or doctrines but to promote clarity and awareness.
• Not to speak of others’ faults but to speak out of loving-kindness.
• Not to praise self at the expense of others but to be modest.
• Not to be possessive of anything but to be generous.
• Not to harbor anger but to forgive.
• Not to do anything to diminish the Triple Treasure but to support and nurture it.

[TigersEye]

It used to surprise me. In fairness there is a lot to know about any one religion. More than anyone could learn in one lifetime. It does still amaze me how sure some are about the total misinformation they hold to be true. You seem to be more interested in what is true rather than what makes you feel better about yourself. That has to be a good thing IMO.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Wow!!!

no,,, SHAM-WOW!

Great contribution to the discussion....I agree, Buddhism is 180 degrees from Islam...just read below and the differences are obvious!

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

I should apologize to those posters I was so arrogantly snarky with...I try to understand, and seek the truth..However sometimes that puts me in an arrogant, snooty position, just angry that not everyone is “so smart” as I am..ha.

Seeking Truth also can be exhausting and does not create ease in life at times.

[Chieftain]

Like I said, you become your own god.

From the western theist viewpoint, you are correct.

I have been practicing Nichiren Buddhism for the past 35 years. From the Buddhist viewpoint, "Buddha" literally means "awakened one". When one 'awakens' to the ultimate law of life (Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo) and sees the truth within his own life, he reveals his own Buddha nature, or becomes 'the Buddha'.

[TigersEye]

LOL Well, let's not go too far apologizing for actually educating yourself. In fact I kind of overlooked the phrase "basic knowledge" that you used when I mentioned the vastness of things to know within any one religion. Absolute certainty in those who lack even basic knowledge does hold a strong temptation to irritation and anger in it.

Seeking Truth also can be exhausting and does not create ease in life at times.

That's true. If it was easy everyone would be doing it. ;-)

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

HA...thanks for your Compassion...both in the Buddhist and Christian sense.....

But Chieftain is the expert here..by far!