Has Val reconnected with religion? - VGF

Smarmy Vent · 04-15-2008, 10:48 PM

Huh, who would've thought.

Well, after a long time of spiritual uncertainty and trying to attain my own "truth" about life and the world, I have finally unearthed a crutch that may be able to support me through my life. And what is it? Buddhism.

Namely, Mahayana Buddhism.

I like to read. I like to read about history, about politics, and about beliefs. Buddhism has always piqued my interest, but I never quite examined it before. Just to make things clear to y'all... I wasn't looking for a new faith. I wasn't expecting to find parallels in my persoal beliefs with that of a religion. I just like to read about world religion. I don't read up on Greek gods because I'm interested in following the Pantheon.

Anywho, and fleshy rambling aside... as I read into Buddhism, I was really kind of shocked. I mean, everybody knows it as that philosophy where people are peaceful, and meditate, and try to find "Enlightenment", right? I guess I had no idea there was so much more to it than that. I read into the Hinayana, and the Vajrayana, and the Mahayana. I've examined the Eightfold Path, the Noble Truths, the Middle Way. I've read quotes of the Tibetan Dalai Lama. And I was genuinely shocked at how well these principles went along with my own morals, and my own personal journey in life.

So, I've acquired a certain interest in Mahayana Buddhism. Does this mean I've become religious? No. Does this mean I've definitely joined a specific sect of personal belief? No. Does this mean I'm gonna be a saint from now on? Not likely. I'm just letting you all know that I, the Illustrious Valigarmander, has possibly found warmth within a religious body. I don't plan on making any serious life changes immediately, but I do plan on studying the Mahayana doctrine more thoroughly, as I feel it can very well guide me further in life. For now, I'm not going to classify myself as a true Buddhist... but along with my current views on religious science and belief, I'm formally referring to myself as a "Philosophical Buddhist" until I grow closer or depart from this particular sect.

Just informing you all... Plus, I felt like mentioning, since not so long ago I was a critic of religion for its inconvenience and stubborn dogmatism (although I've certainly grown to be less of a callous dick

), I've finally seen the light. Perhaps there's something about the peacefullness and the non-absolutism of Buddhism that pleases me.

That's all for now.

**Crazyswordsman** · 04-15-2008, 10:49 PM

Join the club. Aka you and I. So are you more interested in Madhyamika, Yogacara, Tiantai, Zen, or Pure Land? -CSM

Smarmy Vent · 04-15-2008, 10:55 PM

Wheelll, I haven't gotten that deep into it just yet. I've still got a lot more area to cover. But right now, I seem to identify greater with the Tibetan form of Buddhism, namely, the Nyingma and the Gelug.

From what you've listed, I prefer Zen teachings.

**Booyakasha** · 04-15-2008, 11:11 PM

Good for you.

I don't think I'd self-identify as Buddhist, but most of what I know about Buddhism seems to square with my Platonian/Catholic beliefs (aka the world we see is not the ultimate reality, but rather an illusion to be transcended). Of course, it's possible I'm oversimplifying. And mine is definitely a system of moral absolutes, so that's possibly at odds with Buddhism, as well.

**Crazyswordsman** · 04-15-2008, 11:53 PM

I'm still trying to decide which is right for me. I'm actually leaning more towards Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. -CSM

Bomby · 04-16-2008, 10:59 AM

This reminds me of me a year and a half ago.

***Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds*** · 04-17-2008, 06:49 AM

I'm a Reiki practitioner, which often seems to go hand-on-hand with Buddhism; that's about my extent of compatibility with the belief system, though. Congratulations with finding a new path in your life, though, Val. Good luck on your travels.

**Dylan** · 04-20-2008, 11:26 PM

Look up The Life of Milarepa. You might like it.

**L007 is Undecided** · 04-29-2008, 12:10 PM

Pretty late, but that's a pretty kickass decision, Val. I have never heard a single negative thing about Buddhists and with good reason. They're one of the most respectable religions I can think of.

Metal Man · 04-29-2008, 02:27 PM

From what I know, Buddhism is sort of a philosophy, and not so much a religion.

Whilst the principles of it sound good to me and make logical sense, my issue is that I wish to believe in how the world works directly rather than some common sense which approximates it;

Hence I hope to one day apply scientific instruments to the very topics religion speaks of and discover once and for all what, if anything, happens after death (without dying first), if people and things have souls, the reason for people to think of religion in the first place, why there are so many related things in religions, etc. etc.

But that's the scientist in me rambling again.

04-15-2008, 10:48 PM	#1
Smarmy Vent The night is darkest just before the dawn. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gotham Gender: Posts: 12,623 Thanks: 726 Thanked 1,135 Times in 598 Posts Points: 146.55 Bank: 115,718.15 Total Points: 115,864.70 Donate	Has Val reconnected with religion? Huh, who would've thought. Well, after a long time of spiritual uncertainty and trying to attain my own "truth" about life and the world, I have finally unearthed a crutch that may be able to support me through my life. And what is it? Buddhism. Namely, Mahayana Buddhism. I like to read. I like to read about history, about politics, and about beliefs. Buddhism has always piqued my interest, but I never quite examined it before. Just to make things clear to y'all... I wasn't looking for a new faith. I wasn't expecting to find parallels in my persoal beliefs with that of a religion. I just like to read about world religion. I don't read up on Greek gods because I'm interested in following the Pantheon. Anywho, and fleshy rambling aside... as I read into Buddhism, I was really kind of shocked. I mean, everybody knows it as that philosophy where people are peaceful, and meditate, and try to find "Enlightenment", right? I guess I had no idea there was so much more to it than that. I read into the Hinayana, and the Vajrayana, and the Mahayana. I've examined the Eightfold Path, the Noble Truths, the Middle Way. I've read quotes of the Tibetan Dalai Lama. And I was genuinely shocked at how well these principles went along with my own morals, and my own personal journey in life. So, I've acquired a certain interest in Mahayana Buddhism. Does this mean I've become religious? No. Does this mean I've definitely joined a specific sect of personal belief? No. Does this mean I'm gonna be a saint from now on? Not likely. I'm just letting you all know that I, the Illustrious Valigarmander, has possibly found warmth within a religious body. I don't plan on making any serious life changes immediately, but I do plan on studying the Mahayana doctrine more thoroughly, as I feel it can very well guide me further in life. For now, I'm not going to classify myself as a true Buddhist... but along with my current views on religious science and belief, I'm formally referring to myself as a "Philosophical Buddhist" until I grow closer or depart from this particular sect. Just informing you all... Plus, I felt like mentioning, since not so long ago I was a critic of religion for its inconvenience and stubborn dogmatism (although I've certainly grown to be less of a callous dick ), I've finally seen the light. Perhaps there's something about the peacefullness and the non-absolutism of Buddhism that pleases me. That's all for now.

04-15-2008, 11:11 PM	#4
Booyakasha Mod of War Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wisconsinland Gender: Posts: 6,812 Thanks: 75 Thanked 340 Times in 221 Posts Points: 9,941.64 Bank: 20,637.07 Total Points: 30,578.71 Donate	Good for you. I don't think I'd self-identify as Buddhist, but most of what I know about Buddhism seems to square with my Platonian/Catholic beliefs (aka the world we see is not the ultimate reality, but rather an illusion to be transcended). Of course, it's possible I'm oversimplifying. And mine is definitely a system of moral absolutes, so that's possibly at odds with Buddhism, as well. __________________ Boo--the only dude bad enough to rescue the president

04-15-2008, 10:49 PM	#2
Crazyswordsman RPG Mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 7,979 Thanks: 537 Thanked 373 Times in 256 Posts Points: 126,412.27 Bank: 26,171.80 Total Points: 152,584.07 Donate	Join the club. Aka you and I. So are you more interested in Madhyamika, Yogacara, Tiantai, Zen, or Pure Land? -CSM

04-15-2008, 10:55 PM	#3
Smarmy Vent The night is darkest just before the dawn. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gotham Gender: Posts: 12,623 Thanks: 726 Thanked 1,135 Times in 598 Posts Points: 146.55 Bank: 115,718.15 Total Points: 115,864.70 Donate	Wheelll, I haven't gotten that deep into it just yet. I've still got a lot more area to cover. But right now, I seem to identify greater with the Tibetan form of Buddhism, namely, the Nyingma and the Gelug. From what you've listed, I prefer Zen teachings.

04-15-2008, 11:53 PM	#5
Crazyswordsman RPG Mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 7,979 Thanks: 537 Thanked 373 Times in 256 Posts Points: 126,412.27 Bank: 26,171.80 Total Points: 152,584.07 Donate	I'm still trying to decide which is right for me. I'm actually leaning more towards Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. -CSM

04-16-2008, 10:59 AM	#6
Bomby Needle in the Hay Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: The People's Republic of Madison, WI Gender: Posts: 14,679 Thanks: 202 Thanked 443 Times in 311 Posts Blog Entries: 4 Points: 3,568.64 Bank: 1,932,597.03 Total Points: 1,936,165.67 Donate	This reminds me of me a year and a half ago.

04-17-2008, 06:49 AM	#7
*Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds* Admin "mine.. not yours. NO. MINE." Epic Ladynerd Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Forteresse de Valois Gender: Posts: 23,309 Thanks: 219 Thanked 306 Times in 192 Posts Points: 61,415.17 Bank: 116,298.67 Total Points: 177,713.85 Donate	I'm a Reiki practitioner, which often seems to go hand-on-hand with Buddhism; that's about my extent of compatibility with the belief system, though. Congratulations with finding a new path in your life, though, Val. Good luck on your travels.

04-20-2008, 11:26 PM	#8
Dylan Banned Mod Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Teenage Wasteland Gender: Posts: 6,094 Thanks: 851 Thanked 876 Times in 400 Posts Points: 30,531.19 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 30,531.20 Donate	Look up The Life of Milarepa. You might like it.

04-29-2008, 12:10 PM	#9
L007 is Undecided Axe Shreddin' Mod Join Date: May 2001 Location: Farmerland. Gender: Posts: 7,341 Thanks: 90 Thanked 292 Times in 172 Posts Points: 2,163.54 Bank: 16,278.34 Total Points: 18,441.88 Donate	Pretty late, but that's a pretty kickass decision, Val. I have never heard a single negative thing about Buddhists and with good reason. They're one of the most respectable religions I can think of.

04-29-2008, 02:27 PM	#10
Metal Man Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Gender: Posts: 6,701 Thanks: 74 Thanked 190 Times in 130 Posts Points: 7,984.89 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 7,984.89 Donate	From what I know, Buddhism is sort of a philosophy, and not so much a religion. Whilst the principles of it sound good to me and make logical sense, my issue is that I wish to believe in how the world works directly rather than some common sense which approximates it; Hence I hope to one day apply scientific instruments to the very topics religion speaks of and discover once and for all what, if anything, happens after death (without dying first), if people and things have souls, the reason for people to think of religion in the first place, why there are so many related things in religions, etc. etc. But that's the scientist in me rambling again.