why should anybody become a buddist ?.. and what's with all this chanting ? (10)

what do buddist people really believe in ..does anybody know ?

don't know much about buddism, but if you want to know, google buddist!

live and let live. if you dont like something, no one is forcing you to take part!

I don't know much about it really save to say I believe they are teetotal, vegetarian and are against killing any living creature even if by accident. That is why the Buddist monks sweep the path ahead of them to save treading on critters and killing them.

I have respect for someone's beliefs. Just because they are not mine, makes them different but not wrong!!

heres some details for you mate??
Buddhism is a dharmic religion and a philosophy. Buddhism is also known as Buddha Dharma or Dhamma, which means the "teachings of the Awakened One" in Sanskrit and Pali, languages of ancient Buddhist texts. Buddhism was founded around the fifth century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, hereafter referred to as "the Buddha
so basically the worship the founder not a god!

thats interesting glenbo why do they worship a founder then ?

read the statement i sent ya me mate!!

I might be able to help a little, having been a practisng Buddhist for several years now.

The philosophy of Buddhism originates through the learning and awareness of Siddhartha (The Buddha) while seeking pure enlightenment through meditation. (rather than via 'synthetic' means such as drugs or alcohol).

There are various schools of Buddhism, because the Buddhas teachings (courtesy of 'awareness') were adapted by many of those who learned from him, such as Sages and Gurus, and took the lessons far beyond northern India and Nepal, to throughout South East Asia. A similair scenario originated with Christ, as his followers travelled with his lessons through the middle east and europe.

There are fundamentalist schools of Buddhism just as ther are fundamentalist schools of Christianity or Islam for example. And like all fundamentalists they claim to 'KNOW', beyond question,any question, THE 'truth'.

There are others, (lowly ones like me!) who strive daily to recognise, accept, and adjust their own human and spiritual failings. The path to enabling this insight is through meditation, discussion, reflection, support, and most importantly, the daily CHOICE and PRACTISE at being the very true Essence of the human we really can be. The basis of this is in practising kindness, humility, and gratitude.

It's unlikely many of us ever reach the Nirvana we seek, but by trying to be a living example of what is most important in human existence i.e. awareness of ourselves and others, we can at least know we were oon the right path. The practise of Buddhist philosophy is known as The Path to Enlightenment.

We're not all tetotallers or vegetarian, - it might be disapproved of by some Buddhists if I admitted to enjoying wine, but 'I' know it's a choice I make in full awareness of the consequences (effects), and a decision not made without questioning it myself first. So long as I'm harming no-one, not even myself given the little I take, nor even my ability to practise being a sincere human being, then it's OK with me, and I pay no attention to anyone (of anyorder) who may choose to criticise.

As for chanting, this is all part of ritual, but is also well known as a natural opiate (drug like) which creates a mindful place - not unlike those repetative 'house' (or is it 'garage') tunes - or even hymn singing!, - almost a hynotic or trance like state which enables you to cut out external distractions and concentrate on whatever thought you choose. Very potent.

Buddhism is a choice of a happy, fullfilled style of living. Simplicity is the key, kindness the door, and ourself the maker.

Thich Nhat Hahn said " When we live in awareness, - it is easy to see miracles...everywhere".

boy thanks yaya248 that was fantastic ! you're evry good at explaining things and very patient love ! thanks foe enlightening me because i met a buddist woman at a party saturday that started talking about but got pissed before she finnished explaing to me all about it ( god bless her )!
..alright i was only joking lol ! you know what i find interesting is the symbolism of all the budda's reclining budda etc what do they all mean ?

Ah well, there's only the one Buddha, though represented in different forms depending on the origins, such as China, Thailand etc. However, I think you refer to the Bodhisattvas, which are the Disciples or even 'Angels' if you like, which each have a different aspect of the Buddhas teachings to pass on. Each Bodhisattva will have an individual representation, - which highlights their role and teaching.

There are too many to mention here, but it might be worth noting that many Buddhists adopt a Bodhisattva as a personal role model, to help them practise the aspect of their own life which needs the most work, or because it's an aspect they wish to emulate the most.

A favourite of mine is Green Tara. Bodhisattvas are neither male or female, but are often related to as one or the other. Tara is something of an 'Earth Mother', - she is associated with a Ferry or Raft and the crossing of the river of Samsara, - the journey between life and death. Quite simply, her role is about helping others to help themselves on this journey.

Seriously, there is an abundance of material that is easily accessible, and it needn't be complicated with lots of academic referencing. Hope this helps.

with Metta, (loving kindness),
Karen.