Thread: Taking the Best of Each Religion

Build your own!

Here's my list

From Judaism: The practice of sitting Shiva. This wise practice recognizes the need to grieve and acknowledge loss. I could have used this when my own Mother died and Christianty only offerred me a memorial service.

From Shinto: Intense nationalism. Inspires sacrifice in the hearts of citizens.

From Enlightened Atheism: The understanding that religion is a universal impulse. That impulse is to be respected, even by those who do not believe. We are all more alike than we would dare to believe at first look. Elevates concern for mankind. "All we have is each other. Take care of one another"

From Taoism: Adds the element of passive power and patience to balance other elements.

From Islam and Chrsitianity: Elevates faith to finding a purpose for life and sticking to it.

From Christianity: The doctrine of Love

I'd just stick to 'Hinduism' as it has a combination of:

1. Social distinction.
2. Societal organization.
3. Values and culture.
4. Discipline.
5. Serveral paths to live your life.
6. Respect for life.
7. Deep philosophy
8. Metaphoric yet simplistic - depending on the understanding of follower.
9. Enduring family values.
10. Reverance for authority.
11. Source for all known reincarnation theories (others have plagiarized).
12. Conforming and very tolerant of others (does not preach hatred or 'war' understands it).
13. Believes in reform not punishment.
14. Relative freedom if practiced correctly.
15. You don't go to hell or get damned for rejecting the 'right', 'wrong' God or system.
16. The first religion to conceptualize the dharma and karma processes of human beings (it's funny how such doctrines were plagiarized from Hindu concepts yet we are never given any form of credit).
17. Finally, answers to most of my questions. It works fine for me.
18. The source of Yoga tells us of the understanding of human mind and body.
19. Rich history.
20. No central source/form of control.

I have done a *lot* of research on religions and all of that and found this very very suitable for me. It's ideal.

I must investiagte Hinduism. I studied it briefly as part of a Major Relgions course, but have never had any deep conversations with a practitioner.

Could you clarify it vis a vis Buddhism? If I remember correctly, Buddhism has many heroes it in that are elevated to a kind of savior / guide status?

From Christianity I've learned of the existence of a personal God and the importance of love. From Asatru I've learned the importance of honor, family, and community. From Hinduism I've learned the myriad ways in which deity can be experienced. From Wicca I've learned the importance of reverence for nature and the imminence of God in Nature. From Satanism I've learned the importance of self-reliance, of individual responsibility, and a rejection of the forces which seek to use individuals as puppets. From Discordianism I've come to understand the importance of humor and humility in the face of everything we don't know and can never understand.

But I have also learned to respect the great power of the human mind to understand the material realities of nature and that so much of what we do and are capable of doing are the consequence of our own nature, and that our nature is the result of the environment in which we were bred.

I think you could give it some time. Hindusim basically is a combination of monotheist/polytheist beliefs.

Buddhism was founded by Siddharta, a Prince of a small Kingdom now in Nepal who was a Hindu himself. I wouldn't go into the story (it's well known) but he rejected material desires that, according to him, were the reason of our unhappiness. It is said that his mother was a virgin *but* the way his father engulfed him with earthly pleasures (including erotic pleasures) I doubt his mother was as such. Anyways, there are said to be several sects in Buddhism, each adding it's own derivatives into the mix.

For instance, Buddhism in China is a combination of Taoism whilst the Japanese believe it with Shinto elements. Remember that Shinto itself has said to have started from the imperial family and their household deity - hence it has been conforming and has undergone tremendous localization and standardization. In Southeast Asia, these are in the same platter as well. The principle ideals are heavily derived from Hindu belief in reincarnation and dharma (righteousness - we believe that this differs from person and their predicament, they have a universal standard of right) and karma (action - reaction, cause and effect) - which is historically proven. Many Hindus believe it to be an extension of Hinduism due to similar doctrines and the sharing of deities and their concepts.

In core Buddhism, it is possible for anyone to become the Buddha but some sects - for instance, the Chinese, do not offer such a system of spiritual advancement. They place the Buddha as the chief controller of heavens - though classification has been extended to deities such as The Goddess of Mercy and even the Laughing Buddha (who is an icon for happiness) - core worship still remains. Technically, everyone can become the Buddha and in belief, there isn't any requirement of belief in God. But stringent requirements have been put on monks of today for some reason, that includes memorization of verses written by the various leaders of old in Tibetan Buddhism. Some lamas undergo physical penance in severe conditions as test of their faith - this includes spending the night naked in extremely cold conditions wrapped in a cloth dipped in ice water. Stuff like that. Siddharta *never* did this - I remember reading a case of back pain he suffered. He rejected penances that invoked any form of pain as he left some of his former gurus who were aghori yogis (people who want to attain enlightenment through mastering pain). So people keep on adding to what was written.

In terms of heroes, in Buddhism has a lot. Really a huge number of role models, a personal favourite is Nagarjuna who was taught the ways of Buddhism by the Nagas where he was their guest. Others include real life evangelists such as Emporer Ashoka (referred to as Ashoka the Great by historeans) since his rejection of Hinduism and embracing of Buddhism, he became an icon for Buddhist monarchy. In comparision there are various perspectives on the issues of how Buddhism and Hinduism co-relate. In India, his emblem has become the national icon (three lions). Some Hindu explanations are:

1. Buddha was an incarnation of Vishnu (some refer to him as God himself others a part of the holy trinity). This has been suggested because of he various sepert incidents involving Siddharta and of course, his walking on land with it turning to lotus flowers.

2. Buddhism was a divine attempt to mislead unbelievers and miscreants (Asuras - primary heavenly antagonists) - this is a crazed idea in an obvious attempt to downgrade Buddhism.

3. Buddhism was a result of Shiva's destruction of the trinity of cities called Tripura, his single arrow destroyed all three cities in the heavens, earth and the netherworld and the displaced entities adopted various faiths to counter Vedic influence. There have been various myths of how the Asuras have been anti-vedas and have attempted to destroy them and all that.

More enlightened HIndus simply accept it as a seperate belief but know where they have gotten their references from. Brahma, the chief creator of matter in Hinduism exists in several Buddhist sects. Shiva exists as well, so does Indra (Vedic Zeus) and so forth. Thai Buddhism also borrows Garudas (Eagles of the vedic culture) and other forms of myths. The core issue is one that it lacks proper originality and references. What has happened is plagiarism but then, it's a fine religion due to it's preaching of non-violent principles. I have met certain Buddhist monks who were very nice folks and we into the social causes and all of that.

In South east Asia, Hindu literature such as the Ramayana are very popular in pre-dominantly Buddhist countries such as Thailand. The Ang Kor Wat in Cambodia is a temple dedicated to Vishnu and Bali is one of the few remaining Hindu states in Indonesia. So the connection though intimate, it has evolved over time, depending on the territory.

Fascinating stuff Desi. Thanks for all the effort. We get so much counter point and link quoting around here and it's nice to have some original content.

BG,

You journey sounds slightly like mine. I really went from mainstram protestant to a period of my life where I was associated with a great variety of christian fringe groups and over the past 15 years, I have looking for the common elements in religion that appeal to me. American religions end to have a lot of avenues for big egos. I like the humility of some of the eastern variants and flavors......

So here's to the beneficent boddisatvas (sp?) ......

its kinda retarded to combine religions when they each teach the same thing in diffrent mannors. You just have to be smart enough to recognize and learn through the stories, laws, and teachings.

Originally Posted by AhabtheArab

its kinda retarded to combine religions when they each teach the same thing in diffrent mannors. You just have to be smart enough to recognize and learn through the stories, laws, and teachings.

Religions don't teach the same thing. They teach contradictory things. Each religion has its own unique worldview.

72 Virgins when I die

Sounds kind of tough since it's hard to build one when most religions are thoroughly incoherrent and self contradictory.