Buddhism is a theism. This isn’t really up for dispute. — I like sushi
Buddhists believe in a ‘higher plane’ of being and some believe in higher beings. That is a description of theism — I like sushi
You mean buddhists don’t believe in a creator god. Okay, that doesn’t make it NOT theistic in the general meaning of the term theistic. It just doesn’t, sorry. — I like sushi
No creator god, fine. No creation, fine. Those are NOT the sole items that make some doctrine theistic or non-theistic. — I like sushi
baker If you wish to experience ‘bliss’ then I can tell you what to do but the chances are you won’t do it. Basically you need to stress yourself for a prolonged period of time. How much and for how long would be completely dependent upon your physiological makeup.
The triggers for altered states of consciousness are sleep deprivation, fasting, intense concentration, trance dance, hyperventilation and/or prolonged periods of ‘pain’ in some form or another. It won’t be pretty but the chances are if you achieve something like the desired goal you won’t recall half of what really happened anyway (in terms of the negative side of it). A lot of it is about being brutally honest with yourself, getting rid of distractions and facing up to fears. — I like sushi
Meditation - in the philosophical sense - may get you there. Meditation in the buddhist sense won’t. It can give you glimpses though. What you should be doing is what you want to do. The problem is you don’t know that so just live of a little more instinct and exploration if you are seeking some ‘answer’. Never give up, I mean never … if you experience ‘bliss’ you’ll understand why those words are ironic
Worshipping Elvis surely then is theism, as well, and Elvis fans are theists. — baker
Worshipping Elvis surely then is theism, as well, and Elvis fans are theists.
— baker
Why? Is Elvis supernatural? — I like sushi
If you’re here just to act like a dick good for you. — I like sushi
No, you're stereotyping Buddhism by depicting it in the only terms you know, which is 'theism', as understood by WEIRD (Western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic) culture. — Wayfarer
I assume you're buddhist too and don't like it when people say things that are true? Seems strange though.
You can wiki it if you want. Buddhism is theistic but it is not theistic in the same way that most judeo christian practices are (for the majority of buddhist practices).
Wayfarer is just sticking to one narrow definition of theism and seemingly refusing to accept that there are broader meanings beyond belief in 'a creator' or 'deity'. — I like sushi
Wayfarer is just sticking to one narrow definition of theism and seemingly refusing to accept that there are broader meanings beyond belief in 'a creator' or 'deity'. — I like sushi
(in Buddhism) a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism. — Google, aka the CyberGod
So any attempt to answer the op's question is as theoretical as this one, and not based on experience. So there is a jolly little game that goes on of calling each other out over various issues and expertises about stuff that bears some relation to what none of us knows from experience. — unenlightened
In religious doctrines, terms have definitions. — baker
Think you may find that religions argue about definitions all the time and have schisms over them on a regular basis. Philosophers are somewhat inclined to do the same. — unenlightened
If the op wanted a doctrinal definition, a buddhist website would be the place to go for no doubt several lengthy ones.
But what is your beef?
Meanwhile, lighten up dude, I'm not trying to steal your throne.
I want to know whether the Buddha was sourgraping, so I question everyone who claims or implies that he was. — baker
:up: Once upon a wanton youth ... now day to day, moment by moment, as best as I can (my mandala) :death: :flower:I lean more towards the Zen schools and a practical, psychological understanding of an end to the narrative self as a projection from memory to imagination, or past to future, a thought construction of the self that creates desire and suffering. — unenlightened
As I understand Buddhism, the ego is what causes suffering for the reason that suffering means something is claiming identity in the face of sensations. So if the ego dies a consciousness would feel everything there is and there will be a cancelling of good and bad which results in a state of bliss. If the body dies, consciousness can live on because it is nothing without an ego. But how can a state beyond the world be? — Gregory
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