aquascoot wrote on Aug 28
th, 2014 at 9:38am:
Buddhism is the answer.
I agree, dear. All the main religions have the personal search for God at their core. Buddhism merely rebrands God as emptiness - the absence of all the conflicting and useless things we use to fill up our minds. Without these things, we discover who we truly are.
This search is at the heart of all religions. Some, however, get caught up in the process of the search - the rules, rituals, laws and hierarchies. Out of this, they create an edifice that abstracts from the search. They create systems of moral justification, good and evil. They enshrine human mediators, and systems of moral absolution.
However, within all the main religions there exist pockets of legitimate truth-seeking. Islam has Sufism, Hinduism has yoga, Judaism the Qabbala, Christianity has schools like the Quakers and different sects have monestaries for service and meditation.
Buddhism is an offshoot of the Vedas, a body of knowledge that later became organised into Hinduism. Buddhism itself is organised into two main schools: the small and large wheels, hinayana and mahayana Buddhism. There's a third if you include the Tibetan Tantric tradition of Vajrayana.
All these religions promote the development of what we, in the West, call the soul. They have different names for this, different prophets and teachers, and different names for God. But they all start with the same goals in mind.
There is, of course, nothing resembling any of this in the so-called Islamic State, as most Muslims will agree. There is nothing resembling any of this in Christian groups who seek religious "crusades", as I think most Christians would also agree. Within India, there are a few nationalist Hindu groups who seek to subdue Muslim populations, and again, this goes against the message of their faith, and the teachings of most Hindu leaders.
On the Buddhist/Muslim conflict in Burma, the teachings of Buddhism are clear. Division between Muslims and Buddhists are against their beliefs. Here is an letter to Burmese Buddhists, signed by world Buddhist leaders and the Dali Lama:
Quote:To Our Brother and Sister Buddhists in Myanmar,
As world Buddhist leaders we send our lovingkindess and concern for the difficulties the people of Myanmar are faced with at this time. While it is a time of great positive change in Myanmar we are concerned about the growing ethnic violence and the targeting of Muslims in Rakhine State and the violence against Muslims and others across the country. The Burmese are a noble people, and Burmese Buddhists carry a long and profound history of upholding the Dharma.
We wish to reaffirm to the world and to support you in practicing the most fundamental Buddhist principles of non-harming, mutual respect and compassion.
These fundamental principles taught by the Buddha are at the core of Buddhist practice:
Buddhist teaching is based on the precepts of refraining from killing and causing harm. Buddhist teaching is based on compassion and mutual care. Buddhist teaching offers respect to all, regardless of class, caste, race or creed.
We are with you for courageously standing up for these Buddhist principles even when others would demonize or harm Muslims or other ethnic groups. It is only through mutual respect, harmony and tolerance that Myanmar can become a modern great nation benefiting all her people and a shining example to the world.
Whether you are a Sayadaw or young monk or nun, or whether you are a lay Buddhist, please, speak out, stand up, reaffirm these Buddhist truths, and support all in Myanmar with the compassion, dignity and respect offered by the Buddha.
We stand with you in the Dharma,
Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Vietnam
Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi President Buddhist Global Relief (world’s foremost translator of the Pali Canon) Sri Lanka/USA
Dr. AT Ariyaratne Founder Nationwide Sarvodaya Movement Ghandi Peace Prize Laureate Sri Lanka
Ven. Chao Khun Raja Sumedhajahn Elder, Ajahn Chah Monasteries Wat Ratanavan, Thailand
Ven. Phra Paisal Visalo Chair Buddhika Network Buddhism and Society Thailand
Ven. Arjia Rinpoche VIII Abbot Tibetan Mongolian Cultural Center Mongolia/USA
Ven. Shodo Harada Roshi Abbot Sogenji Rinzai Zen Monastery Japan
Achariya Professor J Simmer Brown Chairperson Buddhist Studies Naropa Buddhist University USA
Ven. Ajahn Amaro Mahathera Abbot Amaravati Vihara England
Ven. Hozan A Senauke International Network of Engaged Buddhists Worldwide
Younge Khachab Rinpoche VIII Abbot Younge Drodul Ling Canada
Ven. Sr. Thich Nu Chan Kong President Plum Village Zen temples France/Vietnam
Dr. Jack Kornfield Vipassana Achariya Convener Western Buddhist Teachers Council USA
Lama Surya Das Dzogchen Foundation International Vajrayana Tibet/USA
Ven. Zoketsu N. Fischer Soto Roshi Fmr. Abbot largest Zen community in the West USA/Japan
Tulku Sherdor Rinpoche Director BI. Wisdom Institute Canada
Professor Robert Tenzin C. Thurman Center for Buddhist Studies Columbia University USA
HH the XIV Dalai Lama Nobel Laureate Tibet/India