What is Buddhism?

1st Mini Interview with Brad Warner: What is Buddhism?
In a series of mini interviews Brad Warner answers basic questions about Buddhism, Zen and Dogen.
More info at:
http://www.dogensanghalosangeles.org
http://hardcorezen.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=150520184973552
Filmed by Jan Becker, www.bluetreeproductions.com

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Brad Warner
• Buddhism
• What is Buddhism
• Dogen
• Interview
• Dogen Sangha Los Angeles
• Blue Tree Productions
• Jan Becker
• Meditation
• Zazen

[Tokagawa89]

@NiWiPe36 Depends on what sect you look at. The Tibetan Buddhist in their story of Buddha actually talks about encounters with dieties but not G-d per se. While zen and other traditions look more within and leave it to yourself to whatever answers that may arise within. There are plenty of atheist and non-atheist alike that approach Buddhism. Its up to yourself on how you want to approach it.

[Tokagawa89]

@Juanster23 I completely understand what your trying to say in a transcendental manner. Lao Tzu once said that a spiritually mature person doesn't resort to tradition or religion to become (enlightened, one with the universe or whatever it may be) but search within one self to attain the defragmentation of the mind from concepts and structures because it only fragments it from its true nature and from nature.

[pixusbubblejet]

@Juanster23, yes of course you resort to the god. LOL

[Juanster23]

@pixusbubblejet You dont know me.... you're not god... whoAH. You're not God. You dont know who has a soul and who doesnt!

[pixusbubblejet]

@Juanster23. you dont create unity by purposefully ignoring divisions. like you are doing. you dont speak for me. you dont know me. so go preach to yourself.

[Juanster23]

@pixusbubblejet If you call yourself a buddhist then it creates a divide between you and another. And if there is any sort of psychological divide, there has to be conflict in some way or another. Real religion is the understanding that these conceptual distinctions we make like Buddhist, Christian, Hindu are all big fat illusions created by our particular culture, upbringing and mind. A truly religious mind in the deepst sense is understands that there is no real divison between you and me.

[Juanster23]

I think its funny when people call Buddhism a way of life. Because if you actually see it, you'll see that all things are a way of life. To be a Christian is a way of life, to be a politician is a way of life, to be a criminal is a way of life. To say you're nothing is way of life . Sayin Buddhism is a way of life is like saying everything is energy. Well duh everything is energy. But Buddha Dharma at its most fundamental core transcends notions of life or death. Dharma transcends biology.

[pixusbubblejet]

im a buddhist, but i think buddhism is definitely a religion, in fact buddhism is all of the above. so its also not a religion. the issues buddhism deals with are expressed through religious means because organizations, rituals and worship is a natural occurance of human society for thousands of years. while the buddha clearly opposed idols, rituals, formalized worship, it became part of buddhism. you accept these weeds, not ignore their existence. buddhism looks contradictory, but really isnt.

[neuroglejak]

Thank you, very interesting.