Bob Thurman: Becoming Buddha -- on the Web

http://www.ted.com In our hyperlinked world, we can know anything, anytime. And this mass enlightenment, says Buddhist scholar Bob Thurman, is our first step toward Buddha nature.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers are invited to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes -- including speakers such as Jill Bolte Taylor, Sir Ken Robinson, Hans Rosling, Al Gore and Arthur Benjamin. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, politics and the arts. Watch the Top 10 TEDTalks on TED.com, at
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

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[funnystarchild]

@hrantnano Jesus was a buddhist.

[jacksawild]

I do not view buddhism as a religion but as a means of intuitive learning. I do not call myself a buddhist but it isn't entirely wrong to call me one. Same goes with Taoism, it shouldn't be a way of defining yourself but rather an idea to explore. Being skeptical, I have to view the mysticism as a means of explanation in lieu of evidence in the same way we use pictures to represent objects. Life should be enjoyed.

[jeffdkillman]

This guy really does speak just plain truth

[mnemoniccourier]

@funnystarchild Yes I know. Ive done alot of studying and thinking on that subject. Jesus was a buddhist for sure. He was educated in India for 18 years and then started a religious revolution in Israel by complaining about Judaism. The jews didnt like it and got Jesus killed. But his words lived on. So in a sence. Christianity is a combination of Judaism and Buddhism. The violent nature comes from Judaism. The love and compassion comes from Buddhism. Buddhism is the only real truth for me.

[HIHIMIII56]

@crudhousefull Sounds like you were forcing yourself into something very unnatural. For me, I found that it´s when I go quite far on doing something, live your life in a pushing myself, that´s when things starts to happen. If you live your life in a route nothing will happen to yo, nothing will change.

In meditation, the more I let go the thinking, the more awere I get.

Also, I´m of the opposite procedée; I try to not believe in anything and thereby precondition la destination.

[crudhousefull]

@HIHIMIII56 Also, if you're interested, emptying your mind is necessary for reaching enlightenment. But even this to an extreme is harmful. I remember in my younger days I abused my thought strains to such a degree through meditating in the wrong manner that my thoughts became very limited, and circulated around ideas that were very dull and unenlightened. From then on I emphasize observation of all phenomena with the intent of understanding.

[HIHIMIII56]

@JamesonMary "In order to truly find the truth behind all of this information, energy talk and meditation, first you have to totally change the way you look at life in general, you have to change your preconceived idea of reality, if you don't do that, no matter how much you know about chakras, kundalini and energy matrices you won't really feel any significant change."

TheHiddenSpirit

[HIHIMIII56]

@crudhousefull Thanks for your respons. I was surprised to read Sota-Zen master Yasutani-Roshi say faith is necessary to reach Enlightment since in Zen"-meditation" you should empty your mind completely free from any presumption. Also when learning you should approach without any preconception.

But I understand your & Yasutani-Roshi´s point of view; since the way to Satori and understanding Dhamma can be so long & strenuous; without belief you won´t stand the long journey if not making progress.

[crudhousefull]

The comments are so impressive btw. Who knew so many people understood the connection between all religions and the core precepts. Wow

[crudhousefull]

@HIHIMIII56 Faith is also a part of it. Not many people say this, but it's important. I meditate regularly and each time I do I observe and continue to observe, which is Vipassana meditation. Each time I sit down to meditate though, there is doubt whether there is progress. Knowledge, insight, concentration, loving-kindness, wisdom and faith are all part of achieving Nirvana. Faith keeps you on the path when your understanding is diluted. Some religions take it to extremes though

[crudhousefull]

I love to see what Buddha explained re-explained, but it's a little disappointing that this guy has a pretty sizeable ego and doesn't really reflect the real teaching of Buddha. Meditation is the key to understanding any of Buddha's teaching. If someone hasn't meditated they only understand a small percentage of what was taught, and there is considerable doubt, which shows when he or she speaks.

[crudhousefull]

@stoicsunshine There no embrace lol. Death is considered one of the main reasons for trying to reach Nirvana, which is supposed to be the end of suffering. Definitely no embrace there. Though when you meditate regularly, which is the main tool for investigation used, you do lose your fear of death