Posted by smokeymadison on December 2, 2004, at 19:01:19
In reply to Lou's response to smokeymadison-bugd » smokeymadison, posted by Lou Pilder on December 2, 2004, at 18:41:31
i consider Buddhism to be more of a philosophy than a religion, and as such, not as concerned with how the world was created. from what i know (which really isn't that much) there is no "God" in Buddhism like there is in Christianity. i have heard one account of a follower of the Buddha who asked how the world was created and the Buddha basically said that such ponderings would not get him any closer to enlightenment and were therefore trivial.
my dilemma is, is that i believe in some sort of higher power (which puts me closer to Christianity) but at the same time i also believe that i am whole just as i am, without the need of redemption to wash away my "sins" Like i said, i don't believe in the concept of sin either.
so where is the need for a higher power in my life if i am whole just as i am? i don't believe that this higher power and myself are totally separate entities.
What is most important in Buddhism is the Dharma, the Truth. once one realizes this truth, one is free. i consider the Dharma to be something like the ultimate design, the script by which we live and die. Sorry to be so vague, i am going on gut feelings and those aren't easily translated into words.
hope this helps, some, if any Lou.
poster:smokeymadison
thread:423488
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20041120/msgs/423502.html