Buddhism

1.  Does the story of Buddhism early years ring true? Yes it does, I can clearly identify with his parents wanting to protect him.  His desire to be his own person, to find himself. yes it does ring true. 1,  Is it a legend or hearsay: It is mythological, there is no historical evidence that he actually existed.  There were many Buddhas before, during and after his time. 1.  Does it matter?  No, what is important is the message. 2.  What does enlightenment mean to me? It means insight  It means insight.  Buddha was sitting under the Boddhi tree, he said he would not leave until he found answers to aging, suffering and death.  He received an insight of the middle way and he experience liberation, this is enlightenment. 3,  Do I believe that enlightenment is possible? Of course, using my definition anyone can.  Not all will, not all will go through the painful process of taking responsibility and looking at themselves.  It is not a once and for all getting it, it is a life time process.  It will take many insights to grow and grow and grow. 3.  Is there more than one way?  Of course.  Many religious and secular methods of becoming free from bondage and finding liberation. 3.  If so, what?   Therapy, meditation, prayer, journaling, talking.  There are many ways. Rev. Alfred ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Buddhism

1.   Does the early years of Guatama ring true?  The early years do ring of some truth.  His parents wanted him to be safe and secure from the world.  The protected him.  HIs curiosity about life and venturing outot see the world.  His response to aging, suffering and dying all ring true.  His desire to find his own way path in life and trying to find fulfillment are all common themes for all of us.

Is he a legend?  His person and life are myths.  There were many Buddhas during and before the time of Guatama.  Did he exist as an historical figure?  Probably not.  The life and story of Guatama were mythological in nature; to substantiate the divine nature of Buddhism.

Does it matter if it is a story, legend or myth or a combination of all.  No, what is important are the teachings, principals,morality and discipline it engenders.  What are important are the teachings not the teacher.

2,   What does enlightenment mean to me?

This is a very good and open ended question.  Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree and did not want to leave until he found the answers to suffering, pain, aging and death.  While he was sitting there he gained insight into the problems of suffering and pain and how to relate to his problems.  At that moment of insight he gained enlightenment thus leading to a sense of inner freedom.   Enlightenment means gaining insight into one's problems, and at that moment experiencing a sense of freedom.

3.   Do I believe enlightenment is possible? Yes, there is more than one way to gain insight into life's problems. Psychology,  counseling, journaling, reflecting, meditating provide avenues to gain insight into the problems of life.

There are many ways to gain this insight.

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Buddhism

1.  All the guidelines are important.  The Eightfold Path is in essence a performance assessment tool whereby we can measure the rightness or wrongness of any intention. If one could select only one, however,  it would have to be "right action."  The intended result of anything to which we aspire should be measured and weighed first with the qualities of right view, thought, speech, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration before any action (or decision not to act) is taken.  If the intention passes all the other "rights," then it is a "right action."

2.  The unifying concepts of all these guidelines are harmlessness and compassion (relief from suffering for ourselves and all sentient beings.)

3.  Buddha would probably have a lot to say today about "right livelihood," for there are so many types of livelihood that are harmful.  He would see the suffering caused by craving and greed by those who never have enough an the suffering of those who are victims of craving and greed.  Wall street, predatory financial institutions and industry that destroys in order to produce have historically caused suffering of all human beings as well as Mother Earth herself.  We do not need to eat meat, therefore one should avoid employment in slaughter houses, butcher shops and meat markets.  All employment that causes harm to another living being, including Mother Earth, should be avoided.  Any time we harm another we harm ourselves.

Nancy Anderson

aka "Lotus"

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"Imagination is everything.
It is the preview of life's coming attractions."
-- Albert Einstein
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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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Buddhism

1. I think the story of the early life of the Buddha is a mix of legend and truth. That may not matter in the overall scheme of life though. This is because we are more concerned about his teaches after his Enlightenment at the Bodhi tree. I'm sure there have been some embellishments and exaggerations that were added but zealous disciples who most likely had attempted to make the historical Buddha more attractive. 2. To me, enlightenment means attaining recognition of the Truth of all things. This truth would encompass how all things, such as life, death, the universe, time, space, etc, are interconnected. As humans, there seems to be something deep within each of us that desires things to be forever. Personally, my path in Buddhism began when I realized that all things are impermanent. For me, that realization pointed me in a direction in my spiritual life that I had not taken before. 3. I believe that enlightenment is possible, and just as there are many roads to be traveled, I think that the path is different for each person, but that the guidelines are similar. One can not go about murdering humans and then still try to attain enlightenment, for an example. The basic teaches of the Buddha, should be followed. Compassion and an altruistic attitude need to be developed, especially in a world that is primarily narcissistic and self centered. Meditation upon ones own life and attitudes needs to be disciplined. Aside from that, I'm sure that the path could vary. Rev. Mark J. Larose ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar