ClumsyMonkey.net

I am seriously considering becoming a Buddhist. I've been reading up on it for a philosophy project, and everything just seems to make sense to me right now. I think I'm at a place in my life in which I could decide to try out Buddhism and see if it's for me.

If it do ya fine, check out this handy "Five Minute Guide to Buddhism":
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/5minbud.htm
It very quickly answered some of my general questions about it. I'm going to take some more time to read about Buddhism, and hopefully soon I will start trying to practice it.

by ancestory and my parents im catholic, but i havent really been brought up with a religion, its something im going to look into later in life, deciding my religion that is.

Yeah, i think that's awesome Rob. I did a huge project on that last year and I found Buddhism to be very interesting. It's a very unique religion

im intruiged

yeah but you have to give up material possesions

No. I would have to not covet material things. That doesn't mean I'd have to live in a hut with nothing. Buddhism is a way of life that conforms to apply to any society.

Hmm... I think (for now at least), I'm not going to become a full Buddhist, but I think I will start to follow some general teachings...

I have a friend who claims to be a buddhist. Its actually just so he can make a small army of those buddha statues.

I want a buddhist statue!

Err, back on topic...

I'm personally a Christian, but I do have an interest in the Buddhist principles. Kudos, bro.

i'm very intrigued by this. I know i've talked about being raised with strong morals, after reading that i realized i was largely raised a Buddist without even knowing it, nor my parents knowing it. The morals he teaches come very close to my own ideology. I may also look more into this axtech. Plus if i find another more rock solid religion i would like to follow, i can still keep my Buddhist beliefs. I might also look into other Asian religions, i found them interesting as well.

If you could call me anything, it would probably be Buddhist, but I do not claim it as my religion because I don't like to label myself with a religion when there's a possibility that thinking for myself will lead me to a state of mind that conflicts with that set ideology. Really, what good does it do to label yourself like that? Some people seem to call themselves Buddhists so others will think, "Oooh, exotic" or "Oh, what a forward thinking, diverse, and open minded individual". I'm not suggesting that about you, Axtech. I can see that you're actually more interested in studying it than claiming the title of Buddhist, but I would warn that as with all titles, when you claim it, you're letting people get a cartain impression about you without neccessarily knowing you.

That aside, I felt quite the same when I did my own studies on Buddhism and I actually found that same site. It is definitely an interesting subject and I think it promotes personal growth and having a sense of self rather than trying to shroud you in a set of predetermined beliefs.

exactly

I feel the same way. I've found a few things about Buddhism that just don't rub me quite the right way. I enjoy most of the philosophy, so I'll probably start practicing what I like from it. But as a whole, the religion is a little too, well, religious for me. I can definately see paying respect to someone as wise as the Buddha, but I don't agree with the Buddhists' traditional ways of worshiping him. He was, though an extraordinary man, just a man. I agree with living life within his philosophy, but the worship goes a little far for me. In many traditional Asian cultures, the worship-like practices are essentially a part of life. But it just doesn't work for me.

i'm becoming a samurai. so i'm a buddhist too.

yep. samurai kick ass.

i always prefered the Ninja myself

I want to be a jedi knight.
its the fastest growing religion in the world.

I found out that my friend Brian is getting me a Buddha statue for Christmas. Now to think of something equally (or at least close to) as cool for him.

I'm thinking something in a Dragon, the Chinese symbol for prosperity and good fortune.

Samurai > Ninja.

i want to get back into studying wicca .. now that religion is tres interesting