Buddhism
I began to read Buddhist Ethics and Modern Society and Live in a Better Way to begin my journey of soul searching regarding a life philosophy, a religion. Right away I am suspicious; Buddhism (take note that I have only read the beginning pages of each book) seems to revolve around compassion, love, and altruism. It is imperative to treat others (aka sentiment beings) with compassion, compassion in the sense where each being is locked within this cycle of interdependency (so therefore you must treat others with respect because they, too, affect the cycle). Every human being yearns and needs affection. In fact, happiness can only come with the availability of human affection. It cannot be bought nor can it be machine-created. So there is no possibly to which material possessions nor machine-made products that would make you happy, even though they may be "partial sources". I agree with this. We start out in the mother's womb where her body nurtures us and bring us to life- and the few days after birth the infant depends heavily on affection and milk. Negative emotions are absorbed and results in a negative environment. Buddhism emphasizes patience and empathy, both virtues being the pathway to altruism. I also like Buddhism because, unlike Judaism, Christianity, and Hinduism, it does not refer to a God, or an almighty. It just strongly emphasizes Karma and interdependency (which makes compassion and love important).
Right when I thought all was peachy, I started reading about Mahayana and Hinyana Buddhism- which is mainly concerned with your own salvation. I absolutely hate the idea of your own salvation-- it screws up peoples' motives, frankly. People begin acting kindly towards others (which is universal throughout all religions) not because it is others' rights to be happy and to be treated equally and empathetically, but because the idea of nirvana, salvation, or how it will somehow benefit THEM motivates them to do so. This was always my problem with religion. It's as if people need a blissful ending to their lives because they cannot deal with the possibility of simple death. People act accordingly to end up where they WANT to be. I also had a problem with Buddhism's emphasis on "nonviolence"- your actions should benefit others and their well-beings, and if this isn't possible, at least do not do anything to harm them. Buddhism says this is imperative in order to survive. However, I think this goes against all biology and science. What about Darwin's survival of the fittest? I think it is the nature of an animal to participate in some violent action in order to stay alive. To believe otherwise is to fight against the grain and you'll eventually lose. I am going to keep reading, of course, hoping that I might like it enough.
The MAIN thing that bothers me about Buddhism is that it implies that others must convert, or already be Buddhist, in order for its beliefs to be legit. For example, it emphasizes that we harmoniously conduct ourselves around people- accept their sins, their faults, and be compassionate towards them (despite how negative they are towards us) in order to reach altruism, our own salvation, ultimately success. Okay. If a person is going to be a bitch to me, I am not going to thin in my head "you are interdependent, as am I, and we are part of the same cycle" and let them trample over me like a doormat. I am going to fight back, demanding respect. The other person is not a Buddhist, what then? They'll just think you're a pussy. I think you've got to have a little sting to you to truly succeed (then again, it depends on your definition of success). Then again, for Buddhism, success is true mental happiness, a clear and content state of mind, calm meditation. To me, success is material success, the ability to support those you love and yourself. Enough material (or money) in order not worry about it- that is enough for me. Lets face it, we live in America, the country where time is money, and money is at least part of your ability to REACH happienss. The loot of most problems is money- the lack of it, the want-more of it. Now I am going on a rant.
Basically, my bottom line is, I want a religion, or philosophy, that does not fight against society. I want a religion that considers the current mentalities of people. Something more down to earth. Something realistic. Is there a such thing? Or maybe all religions are supposed to be far-fetched in order for it to "transcend".
I guess I've still got some figuring out to do with this whole thing.
Right when I thought all was peachy, I started reading about Mahayana and Hinyana Buddhism- which is mainly concerned with your own salvation. I absolutely hate the idea of your own salvation-- it screws up peoples' motives, frankly. People begin acting kindly towards others (which is universal throughout all religions) not because it is others' rights to be happy and to be treated equally and empathetically, but because the idea of nirvana, salvation, or how it will somehow benefit THEM motivates them to do so. This was always my problem with religion. It's as if people need a blissful ending to their lives because they cannot deal with the possibility of simple death. People act accordingly to end up where they WANT to be. I also had a problem with Buddhism's emphasis on "nonviolence"- your actions should benefit others and their well-beings, and if this isn't possible, at least do not do anything to harm them. Buddhism says this is imperative in order to survive. However, I think this goes against all biology and science. What about Darwin's survival of the fittest? I think it is the nature of an animal to participate in some violent action in order to stay alive. To believe otherwise is to fight against the grain and you'll eventually lose. I am going to keep reading, of course, hoping that I might like it enough.
The MAIN thing that bothers me about Buddhism is that it implies that others must convert, or already be Buddhist, in order for its beliefs to be legit. For example, it emphasizes that we harmoniously conduct ourselves around people- accept their sins, their faults, and be compassionate towards them (despite how negative they are towards us) in order to reach altruism, our own salvation, ultimately success. Okay. If a person is going to be a bitch to me, I am not going to thin in my head "you are interdependent, as am I, and we are part of the same cycle" and let them trample over me like a doormat. I am going to fight back, demanding respect. The other person is not a Buddhist, what then? They'll just think you're a pussy. I think you've got to have a little sting to you to truly succeed (then again, it depends on your definition of success). Then again, for Buddhism, success is true mental happiness, a clear and content state of mind, calm meditation. To me, success is material success, the ability to support those you love and yourself. Enough material (or money) in order not worry about it- that is enough for me. Lets face it, we live in America, the country where time is money, and money is at least part of your ability to REACH happienss. The loot of most problems is money- the lack of it, the want-more of it. Now I am going on a rant.
Basically, my bottom line is, I want a religion, or philosophy, that does not fight against society. I want a religion that considers the current mentalities of people. Something more down to earth. Something realistic. Is there a such thing? Or maybe all religions are supposed to be far-fetched in order for it to "transcend".
I guess I've still got some figuring out to do with this whole thing.