@@gibranhenriquedesouza2843 Try the Lord Jesus Christ. I promise you won't regret it. True Christianity isn't religion. It is a Person - Jesus Christ died and shed his blood on the cross for all your sins, past, present, and future. Was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures. God offers Free Salvation as a gift through His Son Jesus Christ. All He requires for you to have eternal life is that you simply BELIEVE IT, my friend.
Being a buddhist, I can clearly say that this is the best video about Buddhism I have ever seen. Very accurate and enjoyable. Thank you very much for it.
When I was a very young kid, I remember being incredibly fascinated by Buddha ever since I saw a movie about two brothers going around the world and staying in a Buddhist monastery, I also had many picture books featuring Asian buildings and Buddha statues. ....because I couldn't read that good, I thought that Buddhists worship both Hindu gods and Buddha by dressing up as asian dragons, and that Buddha statues will make people that do bad things in front of them instantly die.
As a practicing Buddhist - wow! I think you did a very good job giving a 30,000ft view of the practice, easily the best I’ve seen on RUclips (although I do love the “Buddhism is Pretty Out There, Man” video haha) The term religion is indeed pretty funny, and you’re spot on with a lot of westerners being put off by it. I think it is, but my general response to the question is it is mysticism - a unity with all. It really just depends on the practitioner. Only thing I think should’ve been mentioned more was non-self, but I’m sure you will touch on that later. Been very excited for this series, glad you took it up!
@@roshanantony64 No, it's an idea quite different from that. Like Nicholas said, the concept of "no-self" or "anatta" is not easy to grasp, but I'm sure the next few videos in this series will discuss it.
Thank you for the educational & helpful video. I was born into Buddhism, but my family was not active practitioners. My first formal introduction was in college was 37 years ago. Although, I earned my “A,” it was extremely difficult to understand, because the books then were written too formal. I saw a RUclips video in which the Dalai Lama states,” Buddhism has 3 aspects: (1) Religion: is for practicing Buddhists only. Do not try to convert or confuse others. As a philosophy, it complements other religion. (2)Psychology (3)Science: each individual should do their own investigation to seek facts, knowledge, understandings… Ironically the current & modern societies now are still suffering, even more, especially in our children & adults despite we have more advance technology & easier access to resources . There are so much stress, anxiety, and depression. Suicides are rising from students to Billionaires. Perhaps if business corporations & schools introduce Buddhist philosophy & meditation practices, perhaps each persons will have the understanding & skills to be flexible so that he/she can cope with life’s impermanence. The concept of suffering seems so depressing, but No, the Buddha identified the causes of suffering and the way out of suffering. So, it’s a very positive religion / philosophy. Lastly, whether it’s Tibetan, Mahayana, or Theravada, Buddhism teaches compassion. True compassion is the caring of others, especially strangers. But also, an individual has to be happy & understands himself/ herself first, then he will be able to help others.
7:26 interestingly, the english word "Happiness" and it's etymological roots, actually agree with this definition of happiness. "hap" is chance or fortune. It's why, perhaps, mayhap, happiness, happen, happenstance are all related.
Karma should better be understood as: "If you do things, things will happen" (the fruits of our actions are without prejudice for "bad" or "good" - those are mere human constructs). The practice of karma yoga centers around giving up the desire for these fruits of our actions, or for a specific outcome.
Video co-writer here! Thanks for the comment-- I love when RUclips becomes a place for thoughtful exchange! You raise an interesting point about karma, but I do think it's helpful here to point out that while South Asian religions broadly share the idea of karma theory, there are different understandings particular to different religious traditions, or even thinkers within these religious traditions. You're pointing to karma theory as explicated in texts like the Bhagavad Gita, which outlines the practice of karma yoga just as you said, and which emphasizes that we should not be attached to the fruit of our actions. But Buddhism actually has a different theory of karma, one which supports the claims I made in the video script. I'm drawing here on the work of the philosopher Vasubandhu in particular. According to Vasubandhu, karma is determined by intention (centanA), and is morally definable. Actions, and therefore karma, can be good/skillful (kusala), bad/unskillful (akusala), or neutral (avyakrta). They will they produce fruits in accordance with their moral quality. On this basis, Buddhist theory suggests that you should try to do more good actions and less bad actions. For more on this, check out Vasubandhu's Abhidharmakosa, chapter 4.
same as you reap what you sew, all universal truths have places in all "religions" find whats similar find what united us in the divisions of good and bad sift through knowledge and wisdom shows there is no monopoly on love no buddhist no christian no satanist can be in existence without it and all have the same end due to it.
No mention of the 16 breathing exercises/discourse on the full awareness of breathing? That sutra enables one to use conscious breathing to heal mind, body, and leads to enlightenment. I practiced this sutra and healed my panic attacks, my chronic pain became so much easier to bear, that I was able to come off of pain meds I had been on for over 10years. When practiced properly- it's almost magical in it's ability to transform suffering.
Good call, Grimstad. Grimstad is referring to the Satipatthana and Anapanasati Suttas (MN 10 & MN 118, respectively). Both are worth studying and putting into action, and you will find them referred to often throughout the Pali Canon. One of my favorite, but rather text-booky, books on the two suttas is Right Mindfulness, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (It can be ordered free of charge through snail-mail directly from Metta Forest Monastery).
The word "religion" comes from the Latin word meaning "to bind" (I probably learned that here on RFB), as in "the religion binds a group of people together". 12:08 That's *really* works oriented.
As a buddhist myself, well done video. Buddhism is a very simple yet complex tradition. Those seeking intellectual and philosophical material will find that buddhism has a robust metaphysics and very sofisticated means of investigation of reality. Sadly, very often buddhism is simplified to the point it loses a lot of it's complexity. I'm looking foward to the rest of the series.
I grew up Protestant Christian but always felt that it was wrong in my soul. I’ve believed in past lives my entire life as I can remember moments from them. I’ve never found a religion that feels right to me until now. Thank you for this enlightening video. ❤️
A lot of "I'm spiritual, not religious." vibes from describing Buddhism as a philosophy. Particularly in the west where there is want to appreciate it on an "intellectual level". Which is just another form of fetishization. The same can be done for any religion though, you see it all the time with Jesus.
The fetishization of this religion among disgruntled ex-Christians is gross and frightening. Some just people can’t exist without a sky daddy figure telling them what to do. Or a justification for sh*tty actions. Cringetopia.
I think this video is helpful for non-Buddhists who like to learn more about Buddhism. Thank you so much, and may you receive a lot of merits for making this video.
Hey, hi. Could I ask, some say that Buddha was actually a monotheist like at least having some many flavours of abrahamic monotheism rather than a pokytheist or nontheist. What would you say?
@@RandPersonn There are a wide range of divine beings described in the Pali Canon (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_deities), some of the earliest Buddhist writings which recorded the words of the Buddha. There are many references to Brahmā who can be seen as 'creator' of the world, but he is not worshipped like God in the Abrahamic religions and there are many other gods and divine beings spoken of in the Pali Canon, too. So, if I were forced to choose from the categories you gave, I would say that the Buddha's view of the world was closer to pantheism. Certainly not atheistic and not monotheistic. However, the Buddha would say that these types of questions, and the worship of gods, is completely irrelevant as this does not help one achieve liberation. So for him, these types of questions just weren't important at all. However, the largest form of Buddhism in East Asia is called 'Pure Land Buddhism'. This form of Buddhism DOES have a Jesus-like savior Buddha that followers worship and hope to receive 'salvation' from. However, you are interested in knowing about what the Buddha thought and since this form of Buddhism emerged many centuries after the death of the Buddha and represents a large departure from the earliest Buddhist writings in the Pali Canon, I think it's safe to say that Pure Land Buddhism does not reflect the historical Buddha's understanding of the world and its gods.
I heard that some Tibetan monks can meditate to the point that they can go out in the cold when it is -40Celsius wearing nothing but a robe and meditate all day long without freezing to death. Maybe people in Canada and Minnesota should study Tibetan Buddhism.
I always thought the original "Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion" was intended as "Buddhism is a philosophy that inherits the supernatural beliefs of an actual religion whose believers are not all Buddhists", while its modern continuation was an excuse by (especially Western) sincretists who wanted to adopt Buddhist teachings while also keeping another faith, which is easier if you deny they're both religions. I never saw it as "Religion is a bad word to describe stupid people, Buddhists are not sheep", it's quite interesting...
RELIGION MEANING BEFORE IT GOT TAKEN OVER BY THEOLOGY In classic antiquity, religiō broadly meant conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation, or duty to anything.[20] In the ancient and medieval world, the etymological Latin root religiō was understood as an individual virtue of worship in mundane contexts; never as doctrine, practice, or actual source of knowledge.[21][22] In general, religiō referred to broad social obligations towards anything including family, neighbors, rulers, and even towards God.[23] Religiō was most often used by the ancient Romans not in the context of a relation towards gods, but as a range of general emotions which arose from heightened attention in any mundane context such as hesitation, caution, anxiety, or fear, as well as feelings of being bound, restricted, or inhibited.[24] The term was also closely related to other terms like scrupulus (which meant "very precisely"), and some Roman authors related the term superstitio (which meant too much fear or anxiety or shame) to religiō at times.[24] When religiō came into English around the 1200s as religion, it took the meaning of "life bound by monastic vows" or monastic orders.[19][23] The compartmentalized concept of religion, where religious and worldly things were separated, was not used before the 1500s.[23] The concept of religion was first used in the 1500s to distinguish the domain of the church and the domain of civil authorities; the Peace of Augsburg marks such instance,[23] which has been described by Christian Reus-Smit as "the first step on the road toward a European system of sovereign states."[25]
Why doesn’t the definition of religion used include “posits the existence of latent, non-physical realms and agents”? It seems to me by the 4 defining features used that the practice of medicine or law would be a religion.
Mahayana (Greater Vehicle), Therawada or Heenayana (Lesser Vehicle), and Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle). Here vehicle simply means the mode of transport or the way of performing.
This refugee from perpetual sufferings reminds me of Schopenhauer's theories. Except that in his opinion feeling of accomplishment or nirvana in other words, cannot be permanent.
I think it's really important to stress that the word "dukkha" is poorly served by the English word "suffering". As is pointed out here, "unsatisfactoriness" might be a better choice. Better still might be just to just use the original Pali word when referring to the Four Noble Truths, with the understanding that it's not a simplistic concept. That being said, this was an excellent introduction to Buddhism, and I'm looking forward to more in the series.
I am not a declared Buddhist nor do i pretend to be an expert; rather i have held a lifelong feeling of the essential veracity of what i think the Buddha meant. My understanding is that the Buddha sought to teach others what he had learned, that life is suffering and his goal was not to escape it, but to accept it, along with every other facet of real life; plainly to stop struggling and imagining that it's even possible to escape suffering, and to just acknowledge it. Essentially, Buddhism is not a religion because at it's core is not about any other life that the one you're living right now, and it's devoid of the superstitious beliefs, such as the existence of a magical, ethereal creator-god. It may have acquired many typically "magical beliefs" over the centuries, because that's just what people do, but it's really not the essence of Buddhism. It is said that the destination of your path is the very spot you are standing on, that all people inherently have Buddha-nature, the problem is actual just simply "realizing" it. The goal is to stop believing that there is anywhere else where suffering doesn't exist, and simply open your eyes to what life actually is, which involves giving up "attachment" to things you falsely think will make you happy, and accept what actually is. That's why it's called "awakening", because it's inherent to people to think there's a way to actually stop suffering, when t thinking that way only serves to multiply your perception of the inevitable pain of life: yes, you are gonna get sick and die
That's awesome, it's fantastic to see something I follow as the topic for a series of videos! I practice zen buddhism and yeah, it is hard to explain to people that it is kind of a religion, but it has no actual belief in it etc hahahaha. I would like to point out that most of this thought that monks are much ahead of normal people in terms of enlightenment is more of a Theravada way of thinking. Also, in zen (thus part of Mahayana schools), there is usually not much of this "mistical" stuff that, for instance, tibetan buddhism has, so it is much more difficult to see zen buddhism as an actual religion than tibetan buddhism. :) But as it's said on the video: it depends on how you define a religion! I'll be waiting for the next episodes :D nice work, as always!
Look when he said its a philosophy and not a religion he said that because he liked buddhism and that was his personal defense for any christian who had an interest. Thats obvious enough, buddhism definitely has writings and rituals and is clearly a bonified religion lol
depends on the cult of Buddhism some rituals require money to be spent so they function as a means of living for some groups but ultimately buddhism can be practiced for free at any time in any moment no temple structure no statue no sacred object necessary
Is buddhism a religion or not? Simple answer... philosophy it's present everywhere. Some people are more into the emotional relationship with cults, ideas, beliefs.. but when you enter theology of christianity for example, you find people with a very different approach to it. The variation is found even in atheists, some are more fervent than others. In the west Religion is more related to communion. So.. yeah, it's not a question thrown at random, I think buddhism it's very interesting because it's even found strongly in martial arts. These are rhetorical questions to me, is Buddhism a way of life? Way of Thinking? Martial arts? Philosophy? Music? Art? Well, is Christianity being a priest, a believer, a monk, pastor, a way of life? A way of thinking?
There is also the aspect of how release from suffering is viewed. Destruction of the self, to cease to exist, is how I learned the older types of buddhism depict Nirvana. Would you say this description holds up?
Okay, everything was going great until 11:17 , at which point things just kinda slipped into BS territory. Nirvana does not necessarily take multiple lifetimes to achieve and where one is depending on their past life really doesn't decide whether or not they become monastics. That more depends on culture, circumstance, personal piety, etc. At 11:40 there is another misunderstanding: lay people can and do achieve Enlightenment. Plenty of texts speak of it happening in the Mahayana tradition, especially in Zen/Chan/Thi'en/Seon sect. Also, in Zen, practitioners routinely achieve Nirvana while in meditation. The issue is that it is lost once meditation is over. Also, plenty of lay people meditate daily. Tibetans for example will chant a meditation mantra often while they're walking around or going through the day. At 12:30, there is another misconception: not all Buddhist monastics are celibate. In Mahayana there are many cases of householder monastics, especially in Tibetan and Japan. Also, not all shave their heads fully. Some actually grow their hair out, especially in China and Tibet. At 13:18, that is just wrong: all monks will say that everyone should meditate daily. The issue is that meditation isn't always what people in the west think it is. Chanting a mantra can be meditation, as can be prostrations (bowing before a shrine) or even just going about work can be a form of meditation. It is for everyone, aside for some deep esoteric forms. At 14:05, that is not so simple. Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana/Tantrayana aren't as clearly defined as Protestant and Catholic or Shia and Sunni. At a Tibetan Gompa (monastery) I studied at they taught Theravada texts, all Vajrayana is Mahayana in nature, and there is a Thai Theravada monastery in Dharamshala, India where Thai monks mingle with Tibetan Lamas. There really isn't a "beef" between the sects and they're all interact with one another constantly. Also, it isn't uncommon for a monk to study with one sect and then go to another. Also, Tibetan Buddhism isn't the only Vajrayana school. There is also Shingon in Japan.
Sir, while i agree with most of what u said, as he said on the video, there amount of variation in the buddhist traditions is huge, and he seemed to have tried to talk about the more core like aspects of the religion (that seems to gravitate to a more Theravada interpretation in the USA). But yeah, i think he missed the opportunity to show how while really diverse, most buddhist traditions mingle heavily with each other with no conflict, unlike the abrahamic religions.
I love your comment as a therawada buddhist from Sri Lanka. In the pali cannon also says plenty of stories about lay enlighted personals in buddhas life time. And there is no such opinion among us that says only monastics can achieve nirwana. All of us can. Namo buddhaya.
Your version has made the same mistake many in the West has made. The first noble truth is commonly translated as life is suffering, life sucks, life is pain, etc A better translation is that Life can be stressful, life can suck, etc. Not that life always sucks, just that there is stress alongside peace. Dukkha and Sukkha. Dukkha means stress(the best translation) and Sukkha means happiness.
70% of all disease are self imposed. People's minds are so weak because they have cast out the Divine. When one refuses God, God respects that request and then the devil smiles...................Falun Dafa
Buddihsm is the only religion that allowed any people to make questions or even critize about it and will not go to hell for that and not neccessarily need to be seriously religious to go to heaven as well. 😄
@mcgenius1962 re-watch the video. He was quoting someone else and basically negated the statement, saying the man was looking at Buddhism from a purely “Protestant Christian perspective”
Earth was created as a place for mankind to suffer and to redeem themselves to avoid going to Hell. Most people think that we are here to seek fun but that is not the case........................Falun Dafa.
"Life sucks, here's why, you can fix it, here's how" - I LOVE it! Is that original to you or you get it from someone else? Either way, I will be sure to remember and pass that on to my students. Thanks for that succinct and contemporary way of expressing the Four Noble Truths.
Video co-writer here! I heard that phrase from a teacher of mine, and have seen it around several places, but don't know it's original origin. And glad you like it! I love using it to teach as well.
It isn't "life sucks," rather it is life is off kilter. The metaphor used is riding on a cart that has a loose wheel, you are jolted here and there. Life is "suffering" is a limited translation of the Pali word dukkha, which still limited, is better captured with multiple English words such as "stress," "dissatisfaction" etc. as stated in the video. The concept of hedonic adaption or treadmill is helpful here. One cannot understand dukka without understanding impermanence (viparinama-dukkha), conditioned states (samkhara-dukkha), and ordinary suffering (physical, emotional, and mental pain- dukkha-dukkha). The life sucks part focuses on dukkha-dukkha without the understanding that all states, negative and positive are impermanent. One can easily say, "Life is full of joy," or "Life is great," and that will still miss the mark. Joy and happiness are impermanent; therefore, without this understanding one peruses them only to be dissatisfied. The "fixing" part is realizing all of this including the realization that there is no self: it too is impermanent, a process. This is not achieved primarily through the intellect but experientially. One has to know this is the case. Oddly, the video proposes all of this. Hence, the use in the video of "Life suck..." contradicts the accurate statements about dukkha etc. in the video.
@@Rabbithole8 Thank you for the detailed explanation, it was very informative. However, IMO a simple statement that "life sucks" can also encompass external (dukkha), internal( samkhara) and systemic (viparinama) causes for said suckage. It is the explanation of causes, and our interpretation of them, (the 'Here's Why') that is more important to the philosophy and practice of Buddhism, and the lay and academic understanding of Buddhism.
1. Life is good but not good enough, life sucks if it is not as good as it could be (enough) Life sucks Life is bad but not too bad Life rules if it is not as bad as it could be (worst) Life rules. 2. How do we make life rule more than suck? 3. Understand the nature of both adjectives helps us understand the causes 4. and thus helps us control the causes
I am a Sri Lankan Therawada buddhist. This video is accurate at many points but there is one single mistake he has done. He said the enlightenment for lay buddhists is almost unachievable. Thats not true. Even in Buddhas life time Kings, queens and lot of normal people achived nibbana . Being a monk will help one to get in to the path with a speed. But everything depends on the intelligense level and the practice of person. So bright lay peolple have achieved nibbana quickly at some points.
You are correct. Being a lay follower is full of commitmentso and distractions, therefore not many in recorded history attained Enlightenment... but it IS possible. That's why it's easier to do so as a monk or nun.
@@austinhill5825 One can remove themselves from those distractions without becoming a monk. A homesteader living in the countryside, for example, isn't a monastic but they are away from distractions.
I am an Indian Buddhist and is very happy to see this video. You literally summerised all of our Teachings. I go with my parents to Buddhist Monastery and all of them teach is I found in your video. Greetings from India.
I am a Chinese. Even though I am atheist myself, my mom practice some aspect of Buddhism. She has a tea room in the attic with a Buddhist sculpture. She also volunteers for a charity devoted to give free surgery to children with cleft placate and lips. I have plenty of time to observe Buddhism. Some Buddhist monks are just greedy people. My parents used to donate money to a local temple. And they have a monument in the temple dedicated to them. After the divorce and my dad remarried. My mom visited the temple again and found her name on the monument replaced by the new wife. Needless to say that she never visited there again. But there are also Buddhist monk who did truly amazing things. In 2008, there was a devastating earthquake in Sichuan china . A local mother and baby hospital was destroyed. Mothers about to give birth have nowhere to go. The head of hospital ask the head monk of a local temple if they could take refuge there. She was nervous because a temple is supposed to be a clean and serene place. Blood are seen as ominous and animal killings are strictly forbidden. There are monks who voiced their objections. But the head monk said, “ there are many taboos in Buddhism, the biggest one, the biggest one is doing nothing to save people in danger”. The mothers all moved in to the temple. The temple breaks many taboo for them. They put the sculpture away and used the table underneath as make-shift surgery bed. They allow blood in the temple. They even allowed meat to be eaten in the temple by these mothers. Because they needed the protein. All monks in china practice vegetarianism. Some monks in the temple puked at the smell of cooked meat. The head monk went into the kitchen himself to prepare the meat. In the end, 108 kids were born in this temple. And the temple is dedicated to 108 arhats. I don’t believe in Devine powers or miracles. But if any story shows you there are good in religion. It should be this one
The biggest taboo is doing nothing to save people in danger? So the monks are militarized against invaders? No, they aren't. So they established hospitals to care for the sick and the destitute since early in their history? Nope, the Christians brought them those concepts relatively recently. So what did this monk mean? That Christian principles trump Buddhist ones, I guess... *shrug*
"This definition of religion has it's ups and downs" Yeah I think I read a recipe for mac and cheese the other day that qualifies as a religion under that definition.
You have a problem, you don't have mac & cheese We have a solution, you can make mac & cheese Here are the techniques and steps to make mac & cheese Here are others who also know how to make mac & cheese ... yep that fits :D
@@ryledra6372 Is that why I have been tired, listless, and unhappy lately? Because I haven't eaten enough mac and cheese?????! My God, this could be it! I think I'll ditch my catholic faith and join this new cult!
I learned it as: Life sucks, Life sucks cause you want stuff, If you want life to stop sucking stop wanting stuff, follow the eightfold path. A bit more focused on the greed element I suppose but it stuck with me:)
Partially correct. It's more like life sucks because of several reasons like death, aging, sickness which goes around the samsara. If u want this to stop, u try to achieve Nirvana which people usually assume it's the heaven counterpart of Abrahamic religions but it's more of a state. More like getting the first place in an exam. U achieve nirvana, ur samsara ends, no more rebirths, reincarnations, therefore, suffering ends.
Samuel Hill, I just want to correct your comment a little bit. Life sucks not simply because we want stuff. It's that we want things to remain as they are, coz we get attached to them. This is a problem. Why ? Coz it is the nature of things to change. Everything, according to Buddha, is characterized by IMPERMANENCE. So, it is pointless to get attached to anything. So, the solution is NON ATTACHMENT. If we are not attached, we will simply do the right things without identifying with them and therefore, not suffer mentally. That's it ...
I was someone that felt burned by religion for most of my life. Then in by far my darkest hour I stumbled upon a few stories from Buddhism. After becoming a Buddhist I found that I stopped being stressed and angry all the time. I started to accept things as they were. Later I started reading the book of the 5 rings by musashi miyamoto and truly started to learn how the world really worked. I thank you for this video. As the past couple weeks I was in a bad place, this video reminded me of the revelations I'd come to. I suppose that is the wonderful thing about our brains tendency to forget, you get to rediscover wonderful things all over again.
Funny considering Buddhism originated from Hinduism. Buddha himself was a Hindu prince ( born into Hindu family ). But, anything seems to be eXoTiC to un.cultured aWaKeNeD westerners 😂🤡
There's a tendency for Westerners to fetishize Buddhism as some sort of magic Eastern wisdom, but I can kind of see why it happens. Buddhism's basic precepts fit pretty comfortably in our secular, scientific understanding of the world and has enough of a spiritual/community aspect to fill that emotional-social void as well. It's not perfect - no religion or community is - but, even as a non-Buddhist, I totally see why it has so much appeal.
Yes, I am culturally a Hindu, but I think that Buddhist similar to Daoist philosophy are superior and more logical. I might follow a mixed religion between these 3 in future.
How does chanting a buddhas name (such as amita) to get into a magical world after death "fit pretty comfortably in our secular, scientific understanding of the world"?
I hope we will get to learn about Korean Buddhism, it is often forgotten or conflated only in the context of Japanese or Chinese Budddhism, when it has its own rich background and history
Im a Buddhist from Sri Lanka. And I'm curious about Buddhist forms of different cultures and countries. Can you please tell me about Korean Buddhism? Is there any channels about Korean Buddhism please comment. Namo Buddhaya..! 😊😊🙏🙏
I think it’s not too far of a stretch to consider any religion a philosophy And I’m glad you explained dukha in this way. Rarely do I hear it explained so well outside the Buddhist community
I know what causes me to suffer, wondering what is in that case under the pyramids. Every time I watch one of your vids (which are very good and highly informative) I stare at that case thinking "is he gonna show us"
@@Delphink seconding this. My grandparents used to travel and do the flea market circuit, and my folks and I did, too, when I was a kid. We've sold about a billion backgammon cases, and I'm like 85% certain that's what that is. Of course, a backgammon set is basically just a fancy briefcase with some stuff in it... So who knows what's actually in there?
It actually contains the Holy Grail. Andrew is its keeper. If you perform the right rituals to cleanse yourself of sin, a new option appears on his Patreon subscription tiers called the Joseph of Arimathea tier, and one of its rewards is getting to see the Holy Grail.
This channel is of unprecedented value, it makes the history we went trough as humans so much clearer. Thousand years of cultural development, thousand ideas of "why we are here and what should we do", comprehensively explained and showed. Thank you. :-) It gives me hope.
Suffering exists because Adam and Eve fell into sin, and since that time we suffer from rhe effects of living in a fallen world, not all suffering is caused by ourselves
Andrew should certainly do an episode on religion and the web. Things have certainly changed, especially the last few years. I don't think the internet is as secular as people think.
A measured and inspiring note - from yourself. Stay positive - it alone gives strength - in the Light - as one moves through the darkness. Always move - with the Spirit and even laugh - when others throw their 'words' around - in an undisciplined way. You seem to be a being - who thinks for themself. Good luck and fare thee well.
As a Vietnamese Buddhist , you guys did better than most of us here , I know some European monks whose level is higher than most of Vietnamese Buddhists
"If you do good things good things will happen to you" makes it sound like karma is a value judgement. Karma is simply cause and effect, no judgement included (it just so happens that bad causes often lead to bad results.) It also leaves out how by making causes you increase your tendency to create similar causes, which is also part of karma.
@@ramsesclviii2584 Sort of? Imagine the surface of a pond on a windy day. The wind blows across it, causing ripples. The wind is dukkha. The ripples are karma. If there was no wind, and therefore no ripples, then that is nirvana.
Yes it seems as many teachers trying to explain buddhism tend to make it sound very mystical, atleast much more than it should be. As karma in sanskrit literally means action, and whenever there is action, whether physical or an act of the mind that conditions the ego and it’s desires, there is an effect and that effect creates a cause and it is on going as “dependent origination”. It isn’t much of “Do good and you get good” it is more so “Do good, that cause effects one to lose the forceful sense of self interest because when there is compassion there is loss of self interest and hence loss of self rooted suffering. Thus the cause of good action makes good mental clarity which also leads to good action which is good karma which leads to the end of egotism which is suffering :D”.
All the hippies crying about how Buddhism isn't a religion make me laugh. Go to Thailand, Tibet, or Nepal, see how they practice Buddhism. Then tell me it isn't a religion
Because they still wanna believe that religions need to be theistic in order to be one. So according to their logic. If a religion doesn't have god concept in its belief system. Therefore, it cannot be classified as religion to them.
I find that those who insist that Buddhism isn't a religion are indeed coming from the mindset that religion equals blind devotion to a monotheistic deity and the edicts handed down from that deity. But that's a very narrow definition of religion. Religion is a dirty word to a lot of Westerners, and I think many who embrace Buddhism do so as a kind of rejection of what they've been conditioned to perceive as religion. And then they proceed to strip all the religion out of Buddhism until it ends up looking something like Stoicism with extra steps, or, worse, a commodity that makes you feel better about yourself.
Is it just me, or do scholars have a tendency to reserve the title “religion” to Abrahamic spiritual practices? Buddhism has sacred texts, clerics of varying rank and status, numerous denominations, temples, political support groups, and etc. Why is this not enough?
Because idiots will be idiots. Buddhism is a religion plain and simple, and tbh anyone arguing the contrary either has an incomplete understanding of Buddhism or is intentionally muddying the water and arguing semantics.
Simple. No god. And I don't mean god in the monotheistic, abrahamic sense, i mean god in the supernatural being sense. For example, Hinduism is pretty easy to call a religion because they have deities (or one deity, depending on who you talk to) that are worshiped, prayed to, etc. Same with shinto, same with the Mediterranean mythologies. It's the lack of any gods in the core tradition that make it difficult to call Buddhism a religion. The cultural practices and the organization aside, the real separation of religion from self-help or vacuum commercials is the supernatural element, which the definition he uses misses. Sure you can call reincarnation that supernatural element, but it's still a far cry from all the other examples. It's most certainly not the Abrahamic thing. Even scholars from 400 years ago knew that. Buddhism is just... tricky.
The problem is that some of these scholars still wanna believe that god is an essential thing for a religion, because if a religion doesn't contain a god in its belief system. Then, therefore, it cannot be classified as a religion to them. But what they tend to forget to realize is that religion is a lot more complicated than just believing in some deities. Religion is a social organization that involves a unified system of beliefs, and practices. That's what makes a religion. It's an institutionalized system, not a personal practice that you do on your own. It's not just the scholars who wanna believe this. It's also some atheists who still wanna believe this. If you dare to say that you believe in "god without religion". They'll still wanna believe that you're still religious, because according to their logic. Theism is synonymous with religion to them.
@@roshanantony64 some, not every, form of medieval popular buddhist circles were undubitably a cult. One of the clearest examples is the Faqing rebellion (515 circa)... Without mentionig more recent cases such as the White Lotus rebellion (1794-1804) or the Gung Ye uprising in Korea's late Silla (901-918 circa).
You could've used the word "unease" instead of "dis-ease", that way you wouldn't have needed to go off-topic to differentiate the word from "disease", lol.
People also call Taoism a philosophy rather than a religion, especially if you only take the two main canon texts into account, as Taoism by it's very nature is function over form, and denounces ritual and faith in the Tai Te Ching, I believe it says they are the husk of chaos. Therefore, what I would call mystic Taoists often follow very individual paths. But so do atheistic Satanists. These questions really does go to the heart of the question, "What is religion?". I'd argue it's spirituality given structure.
@matchboxmango I agree Taoism is a religion, structureless structure, as I see it, or the structure of no-structure. Meaning one may get up and do Qigong every morning, but may change if a better method were found. As to "spirituality" being a loaded word, I don't see it that way either. An individual may be very spiritual, even if raised by wolves. Famous atheist Sam Harris wrote "Waking Up: a Guide to Spirituality without Religion", though you may see him as muddying the waters. I see spirituality in poetic terms as the space between the body and mind. In an accordion to Hoyle way, I'd say it's a system of emotional self control, reflection, and contemplation of the non material or intangible.
@matchboxmango Let me give it a re-read and think carefully about how I want to word my response. For example, I wasn't insinuating that you didn't think Taoism is a religion, I was merely making my own position clear. I'll respond after a shower to clean my head. Enjoying the conversation.
Not only is Dr. Hartmann helping to democratize religious studies around the world, it has been said that she also knows how to shred a mountain bike trail.
I belong to Bihar state of India. The state gets its name from Viharas(Monasteries). There used to be huge monasteries in ancient and early medieval times like Nalanda(a district of this state) and Vikramshila. This state contains all the major important places pertaining to Lord Buddha like Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Nalanda. Lord Buddha was one of many Buddhas as per Buddhist scriptures. He lived during 6th Century BCE. That time Northern India had 16 strong states(Shodash Mahajanapada). These states stretched from Afghanistan, Pakistan to eastern India. Some states were kingdoms while others were Republics. Lord Buddha Shakyamuni was originally from Shakya republic. His father was chief of this republic- King Sudodhana. They belonged to Ikshavaku clan of Kshatriya warrior caste. It was thought to have come out of Sun god so also called as Solar race. Lord SriRama also belonged to this race of warriors. Lord Buddha's original name was Siddharth Gautam. He was prophesied to become either the emperor(Chakravarti- The carrier of wheel of Dharma) or the great resolute enlightened being(Buddha). His father wanted him to be distracted. But he saw 4 visions of suffering/meditating people and left the palace to know the truth. He found the 4 Arya Satyas(The 4 noble truths) and Ashtang marg(8 limbed ways) to cross the suffering. This was propounded at Sarnath, UP(India) and was referred as the first sermon of Buddha- Dharma Chakra Pravartan Sutra(Sutra of setting the wheel of Dharma in motion). It was propounded to 5 Brahmins of Shakya Republic who were his first disciples/apostles. One of these was his erstwhile master- Ajnat Kaundinya. He was also one of the Brahmin astrologers who by his confidence predicted that the prince will become a Buddha for sure.
Well those things such as rituals and some of the sutras came later. I believe the ritualistic side of buddhism was added to satisfy the people who "needed" some spirituality to be apart of buddhism. The sutras well I mean they needed to write down the Buddhist idea and way.
@@aliciamontero7061 hey coz religion is based on belief.... Rebirth is not something u believe it's a fact..... The reason ppl worship & bow down to the buddha & monk is in respect of teaching the dhamma...
@@NarutoUzumaki-hu2rp Did it? Genuine question. From what I've read (cursory readings), it seems like it thrived in India for a long time, and that most people did not consider it to be a separate religion from Hinduism, but just one of it's forms. And today, depending on who you ask, the Buddha is an avatar of lord Vishnu. I'm just curious as to if it really failed in India, per se, or if it's just yet another of what RFB called "highly localized forms."
@@codyofathens3397 It could be argued that Buddhism didn't so much as "fail" in India as much as it inspired Hinduism to alter its approach and adopt (and thus co-opt) Buddhist ideas. Buddhism was a challenge of sorts to the priests and their Brahmanic traditions, and indeed Hinduism became more successful in India once a more Vedantic tradition arose, one which focused more on liberation ("moksha") which is akin to the concept of "nirvana".
@sheeliekittie9298 the Buddha never condemned meat consumption. He taught to eat whatever is provided by the lay community. The Buddha reportedly died from spoiled pork.
That's not true. Worship of Buddha as a supernatural, all powerful enlightened being is a cornerstone of the faith. It has an atheistic aspect, but is theist in almost every other way.
Sign up for Buddhist Studies Online courses here!: www.buddhiststudiesonline.com/a/2147490400/veXuWE2W
Why did it get popular in the west ?
Hey can you do a video on upanishads and schools of vedanta.
Disciple band with lyrics God of Elijah
I always suffered from anxiety and anguish, some people recommended me to try meditation, but I never tried. Maybe I should?
@@gibranhenriquedesouza2843 Try the Lord Jesus Christ. I promise you won't regret it. True Christianity isn't religion. It is a Person - Jesus Christ died and shed his blood on the cross for all your sins, past, present, and future. Was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures. God offers Free Salvation as a gift through His Son Jesus Christ.
All He requires for you to have eternal life is that you simply BELIEVE IT, my friend.
I devour this stuff it’s so fascinating. I kind of feel bad about how ignorant I am about this topic so I really appreciate this video in particular
Ignorance is ignoring your lack of knowledge. Wisdom is acknowledging lack of knowledge and learning! Godspeed fellow uninformed lad
Ignorant no more...🎍
You should really only ever be ashamed of ignorance if you choose not to learn something
at least you should have mentioned Buddhism! you came here for likes and subs!
@@gyansagari maybe he's not converting. What's wrong with free-thinking and exploring knowledge
I follow Burmese Buddhism and I am happy to be one.
Buddhism's highest school is Falun Dafa, its originator is an enlightened being..................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
For me Buddhism is a method to the learn how you can liberation from painfulness and suffering.
This is the best short summary of buddhism I've found so far. I love your work.
There is an even better summary. Wanna know ?
Fascinating content. I hope you do as many videos as necessary. I'll watch them all. I have so little knowledge on Buddhism. Thanks for the vid!
Being a buddhist, I can clearly say that this is the best video about Buddhism I have ever seen. Very accurate and enjoyable. Thank you very much for it.
Well, there is one channel which is EVEN better than the video above ! Do you want to know which one ??
@@DipayanPyne94 yes, we'd like to know!
@@mariondapsance7803 This : ruclips.net/video/3yU3C-b6hII/видео.html
@@DipayanPyne94 - Troll?
@@MossyMozart Who ? Me ?? Lol. No ...
When I was a very young kid, I remember being incredibly fascinated by Buddha ever since I saw a movie about two brothers going around the world and staying in a Buddhist monastery, I also had many picture books featuring Asian buildings and Buddha statues.
....because I couldn't read that good, I thought that Buddhists worship both Hindu gods and Buddha by dressing up as asian dragons, and that Buddha statues will make people that do bad things in front of them instantly die.
There is a new Buddhist scripture entitled Zhuan Falun that uncovers many of life's mysteries.
Thank you for doing about Buddhism. Love from Nepal🇳🇵❤️
There is a new Buddhist scripture entitled Zhuan Falun that uncovers many of life's mysteries.
Buddhism is about finding peace in chaos and accepting that pain and pleasure are temporary.
There is a new Buddhist scripture entitled Zhuan Falun that uncovers many of life's mysteries.
As a practicing Buddhist - wow! I think you did a very good job giving a 30,000ft view of the practice, easily the best I’ve seen on RUclips (although I do love the “Buddhism is Pretty Out There, Man” video haha)
The term religion is indeed pretty funny, and you’re spot on with a lot of westerners being put off by it. I think it is, but my general response to the question is it is mysticism - a unity with all. It really just depends on the practitioner.
Only thing I think should’ve been mentioned more was non-self, but I’m sure you will touch on that later. Been very excited for this series, glad you took it up!
I think the concept of anātman or anattā is a bit difficult for an introductory video, and also different schools view this teaching in many ways
What's "non-self"? Something along the lines of sacrificing our needs to fulfill others?
@@roshanantony64 No, it's an idea quite different from that. Like Nicholas said, the concept of "no-self" or "anatta" is not easy to grasp, but I'm sure the next few videos in this series will discuss it.
I heard a monk once say "yes, Buddhism is a religion, 100%. And it's a religion for one ancient and profound reason: tax purposes"
@@manakin5 Hey! Do you speak/read greek, or you just figured out my name? 🙂
As a Buddhist I think that was an excellent description of Buddhism! 🙂
There is a new Buddhist scripture entitled Zhuan Falun that uncovers many of life's mysteries.
Thank you for the educational & helpful video. I was born into Buddhism, but my family was not active practitioners. My first formal introduction was in college was 37 years ago. Although, I earned my “A,” it was extremely difficult to understand, because the books then were written too formal.
I saw a RUclips video in which the Dalai Lama states,” Buddhism has 3 aspects:
(1) Religion: is for practicing Buddhists only. Do not try to convert or confuse others. As a philosophy, it complements other religion.
(2)Psychology
(3)Science: each individual should do their own investigation to seek facts, knowledge, understandings…
Ironically the current & modern societies now are still suffering, even more, especially in our children & adults despite we have more advance technology & easier access to resources . There are so much stress, anxiety, and depression. Suicides are rising from students to Billionaires.
Perhaps if business corporations & schools introduce Buddhist philosophy & meditation practices, perhaps each persons will have the understanding & skills to be flexible so that he/she can cope with life’s impermanence.
The concept of suffering seems so depressing, but No, the Buddha identified the causes of suffering and the way out of suffering. So, it’s a very positive religion / philosophy. Lastly, whether it’s Tibetan, Mahayana, or Theravada, Buddhism teaches compassion. True compassion is the caring of others, especially strangers. But also, an individual has to be happy & understands himself/ herself first, then he will be able to help others.
Thank you. I've been practicing for a while and this has cleared up a number of things.
7:26 interestingly, the english word "Happiness" and it's etymological roots, actually agree with this definition of happiness. "hap" is chance or fortune. It's why, perhaps, mayhap, happiness, happen, happenstance are all related.
I wish more people would learn about religion from your channel. I really appreciate your input.
Thank you so much for doing this!!!
👍👍👍👍👍💐💕
#ARAcademyOfficial
Karma should better be understood as:
"If you do things, things will happen" (the fruits of our actions are without prejudice for "bad" or "good" - those are mere human constructs). The practice of karma yoga centers around giving up the desire for these fruits of our actions, or for a specific outcome.
Video co-writer here! Thanks for the comment-- I love when RUclips becomes a place for thoughtful exchange!
You raise an interesting point about karma, but I do think it's helpful here to point out that while South Asian religions broadly share the idea of karma theory, there are different understandings particular to different religious traditions, or even thinkers within these religious traditions. You're pointing to karma theory as explicated in texts like the Bhagavad Gita, which outlines the practice of karma yoga just as you said, and which emphasizes that we should not be attached to the fruit of our actions.
But Buddhism actually has a different theory of karma, one which supports the claims I made in the video script. I'm drawing here on the work of the philosopher Vasubandhu in particular. According to Vasubandhu, karma is determined by intention (centanA), and is morally definable. Actions, and therefore karma, can be good/skillful (kusala), bad/unskillful (akusala), or neutral (avyakrta). They will they produce fruits in accordance with their moral quality. On this basis, Buddhist theory suggests that you should try to do more good actions and less bad actions. For more on this, check out Vasubandhu's Abhidharmakosa, chapter 4.
same as you reap what you sew, all universal truths have places in all "religions" find whats similar find what united us in the divisions of good and bad sift through knowledge and wisdom shows there is no monopoly on love no buddhist no christian no satanist can be in existence without it and all have the same end due to it.
I was just hoping last week you would do a video on Buddhismm thank you so much!
👍👍👍👍👍💐💕
#ARAcademyOfficial
Thank you for this. I can't wait for the other entries in the series.
Best overview of Buddhism I have heard or read. Good job, thanks
No mention of the 16 breathing exercises/discourse on the full awareness of breathing? That sutra enables one to use conscious breathing to heal mind, body, and leads to enlightenment. I practiced this sutra and healed my panic attacks, my chronic pain became so much easier to bear, that I was able to come off of pain meds I had been on for over 10years. When practiced properly- it's almost magical in it's ability to transform suffering.
Good call, Grimstad.
Grimstad is referring to the Satipatthana and Anapanasati Suttas (MN 10 & MN 118, respectively). Both are worth studying and putting into action, and you will find them referred to often throughout the Pali Canon. One of my favorite, but rather text-booky, books on the two suttas is Right Mindfulness, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (It can be ordered free of charge through snail-mail directly from Metta Forest Monastery).
It's a 5 video series. It's probably in one of the upcoming videos.
Life is stressful and is not satisfying in many aspects. This desire for satisfaction can be quenched. One can free themselves from suffering.
Yes, we saw the video too
The word "religion" comes from the Latin word meaning "to bind" (I probably learned that here on RFB), as in "the religion binds a group of people together".
12:08 That's *really* works oriented.
The term religion has been giving to us by the enlightenment.
As a buddhist myself, well done video. Buddhism is a very simple yet complex tradition. Those seeking intellectual and philosophical material will find that buddhism has a robust metaphysics and very sofisticated means of investigation of reality. Sadly, very often buddhism is simplified to the point it loses a lot of it's complexity. I'm looking foward to the rest of the series.
Thanks for sharing ☺️👍, nice video on practicing Buddhism ☺️👍
I grew up Protestant Christian but always felt that it was wrong in my soul. I’ve believed in past lives my entire life as I can remember moments from them. I’ve never found a religion that feels right to me until now. Thank you for this enlightening video. ❤️
The only to heaven is threw Jesus Christ
Only a minute in, but I am so excited to see my own faith tackled by you.
thanks! excited for more videos on buddhism
A lot of "I'm spiritual, not religious." vibes from describing Buddhism as a philosophy. Particularly in the west where there is want to appreciate it on an "intellectual level". Which is just another form of fetishization. The same can be done for any religion though, you see it all the time with Jesus.
The fetishization of this religion among disgruntled ex-Christians is gross and frightening. Some just people can’t exist without a sky daddy figure telling them what to do. Or a justification for sh*tty actions. Cringetopia.
Dude. Not all of them. The spiritual, but not religious crowd are not really a monolithic group that you wanna believe.
The biggest cause of suffering is RUclips ads
I think this video is helpful for non-Buddhists who like to learn more about Buddhism. Thank you so much, and may you receive a lot of merits for making this video.
Nice! I hope there's a video about other Indian religions such as Sikhism or Jainism.
I have published a general explainer on Sikhi. Still haven't published one on Jainism, though it is in the works.
@@ReligionForBreakfast Thanks I just searched the Sikhi video and found it. Looking forward to the Jainism video!
Amazing overview. Thank you very much for you do for us ♥️
Dont mind me just seraching for defensive religious people in the comment
Hey, I am not the only one who does this!!!!
Great video as always. Looking forward to the series.
Amazing video. I love your approach to presenting different religions.
I did a master's in Buddhist Studies and this video was very well researched and balanced.
Hey, hi. Could I ask, some say that Buddha was actually a monotheist like at least having some many flavours of abrahamic monotheism rather than a pokytheist or nontheist. What would you say?
@@RandPersonn There are a wide range of divine beings described in the Pali Canon (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_deities), some of the earliest Buddhist writings which recorded the words of the Buddha. There are many references to Brahmā who can be seen as 'creator' of the world, but he is not worshipped like God in the Abrahamic religions and there are many other gods and divine beings spoken of in the Pali Canon, too. So, if I were forced to choose from the categories you gave, I would say that the Buddha's view of the world was closer to pantheism. Certainly not atheistic and not monotheistic. However, the Buddha would say that these types of questions, and the worship of gods, is completely irrelevant as this does not help one achieve liberation. So for him, these types of questions just weren't important at all.
However, the largest form of Buddhism in East Asia is called 'Pure Land Buddhism'. This form of Buddhism DOES have a Jesus-like savior Buddha that followers worship and hope to receive 'salvation' from. However, you are interested in knowing about what the Buddha thought and since this form of Buddhism emerged many centuries after the death of the Buddha and represents a large departure from the earliest Buddhist writings in the Pali Canon, I think it's safe to say that Pure Land Buddhism does not reflect the historical Buddha's understanding of the world and its gods.
clear explanation. Thank you
buddhism is more than a religion, it's a philosophy and a lifestyle
I heard that some Tibetan monks can meditate to the point that they can go out in the cold when it is -40Celsius wearing nothing but a robe and meditate all day long without freezing to death. Maybe people in Canada and Minnesota should study Tibetan Buddhism.
Or just do the Wim Hof method
12:34 why does this monk drip so hard if he gave up worldly possessions tho?
10 for the video. You explained a lot in detail. Many thanks, greatly appreciate it :)
14:28 “… often wear slightly different robes.” The next dude’s dressed like a fancy rooster.
very nice video thank you
I always thought the original "Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion" was intended as "Buddhism is a philosophy that inherits the supernatural beliefs of an actual religion whose believers are not all Buddhists", while its modern continuation was an excuse by (especially Western) sincretists who wanted to adopt Buddhist teachings while also keeping another faith, which is easier if you deny they're both religions.
I never saw it as "Religion is a bad word to describe stupid people, Buddhists are not sheep", it's quite interesting...
RELIGION MEANING BEFORE IT GOT TAKEN OVER BY THEOLOGY
In classic antiquity, religiō broadly meant conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation, or duty to anything.[20] In the ancient and medieval world, the etymological Latin root religiō was understood as an individual virtue of worship in mundane contexts; never as doctrine, practice, or actual source of knowledge.[21][22] In general, religiō referred to broad social obligations towards anything including family, neighbors, rulers, and even towards God.[23] Religiō was most often used by the ancient Romans not in the context of a relation towards gods, but as a range of general emotions which arose from heightened attention in any mundane context such as hesitation, caution, anxiety, or fear, as well as feelings of being bound, restricted, or inhibited.[24] The term was also closely related to other terms like scrupulus (which meant "very precisely"), and some Roman authors related the term superstitio (which meant too much fear or anxiety or shame) to religiō at times.[24] When religiō came into English around the 1200s as religion, it took the meaning of "life bound by monastic vows" or monastic orders.[19][23] The compartmentalized concept of religion, where religious and worldly things were separated, was not used before the 1500s.[23] The concept of religion was first used in the 1500s to distinguish the domain of the church and the domain of civil authorities; the Peace of Augsburg marks such instance,[23] which has been described by Christian Reus-Smit as "the first step on the road toward a European system of sovereign states."[25]
Why doesn’t the definition of religion used include “posits the existence of latent, non-physical realms and agents”?
It seems to me by the 4 defining features used that the practice of medicine or law would be a religion.
Mahayana (Greater Vehicle), Therawada or Heenayana (Lesser Vehicle), and Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle). Here vehicle simply means the mode of transport or the way of performing.
Greater, Lesser or Diamond doesn't mean that one ways is superior than the other. It should rather be taken as a preferred way.
There is a chinese word that is used that means a religion.
I like how you used a video with a green background. Those are used for green screening lol.
And post more videos about Idolatry please,thank you!!
This refugee from perpetual sufferings reminds me of Schopenhauer's theories. Except that in his opinion feeling of accomplishment or nirvana in other words, cannot be permanent.
I think it's really important to stress that the word "dukkha" is poorly served by the English word "suffering". As is pointed out here, "unsatisfactoriness" might be a better choice. Better still might be just to just use the original Pali word when referring to the Four Noble Truths, with the understanding that it's not a simplistic concept. That being said, this was an excellent introduction to Buddhism, and I'm looking forward to more in the series.
I concur! Especially with the term Dukkha, it is NOT as much as so called suffering or life is such a negative world. You explained it well,
I am not a declared Buddhist nor do i pretend to be an expert; rather i have held a lifelong feeling of the essential veracity of what i think the Buddha meant.
My understanding is that the Buddha sought to teach others what he had learned, that life is suffering and his goal was not to escape it, but to accept it, along with every other facet of real life; plainly to stop struggling and imagining that it's even possible to escape suffering, and to just acknowledge it.
Essentially, Buddhism is not a religion because at it's core is not about any other life that the one you're living right now, and it's devoid of the superstitious beliefs, such as the existence of a magical, ethereal creator-god.
It may have acquired many typically "magical beliefs" over the centuries, because that's just what people do, but it's really not the essence of Buddhism.
It is said that the destination of your path is the very spot you are standing on, that all people inherently have Buddha-nature, the problem is actual just simply "realizing" it.
The goal is to stop believing that there is anywhere else where suffering doesn't exist, and simply open your eyes to what life actually is, which involves giving up "attachment" to things you falsely think will make you happy, and accept what actually is.
That's why it's called "awakening", because it's inherent to people to think there's a way to actually stop suffering, when t thinking that way only serves to multiply your perception of the inevitable pain of life: yes, you are gonna get sick and die
That's awesome, it's fantastic to see something I follow as the topic for a series of videos! I practice zen buddhism and yeah, it is hard to explain to people that it is kind of a religion, but it has no actual belief in it etc hahahaha.
I would like to point out that most of this thought that monks are much ahead of normal people in terms of enlightenment is more of a Theravada way of thinking.
Also, in zen (thus part of Mahayana schools), there is usually not much of this "mistical" stuff that, for instance, tibetan buddhism has, so it is much more difficult to see zen buddhism as an actual religion than tibetan buddhism. :) But as it's said on the video: it depends on how you define a religion! I'll be waiting for the next episodes :D nice work, as always!
The 3 refuges are 1 jewel or a jewel with 3 facets.
You could make a video on Hinduism
I'm a Buddhist and this is just what I needed to continue my learning 💕❤️
Great video.
Look when he said its a philosophy and not a religion he said that because he liked buddhism and that was his personal defense for any christian who had an interest. Thats obvious enough, buddhism definitely has writings and rituals and is clearly a bonified religion lol
depends on the cult of Buddhism some rituals require money to be spent so they function as a means of living for some groups but ultimately buddhism can be practiced for free at any time in any moment no temple structure no statue no sacred object necessary
Is buddhism a religion or not? Simple answer... philosophy it's present everywhere. Some people are more into the emotional relationship with cults, ideas, beliefs.. but when you enter theology of christianity for example, you find people with a very different approach to it. The variation is found even in atheists, some are more fervent than others. In the west Religion is more related to communion. So.. yeah, it's not a question thrown at random, I think buddhism it's very interesting because it's even found strongly in martial arts.
These are rhetorical questions to me, is Buddhism a way of life? Way of Thinking? Martial arts? Philosophy? Music? Art? Well, is Christianity being a priest, a believer, a monk, pastor, a way of life? A way of thinking?
There is also the aspect of how release from suffering is viewed. Destruction of the self, to cease to exist, is how I learned the older types of buddhism depict Nirvana.
Would you say this description holds up?
Okay, everything was going great until 11:17 , at which point things just kinda slipped into BS territory.
Nirvana does not necessarily take multiple lifetimes to achieve and where one is depending on their past life really doesn't decide whether or not they become monastics. That more depends on culture, circumstance, personal piety, etc. At 11:40 there is another misunderstanding: lay people can and do achieve Enlightenment. Plenty of texts speak of it happening in the Mahayana tradition, especially in Zen/Chan/Thi'en/Seon sect. Also, in Zen, practitioners routinely achieve Nirvana while in meditation. The issue is that it is lost once meditation is over.
Also, plenty of lay people meditate daily. Tibetans for example will chant a meditation mantra often while they're walking around or going through the day.
At 12:30, there is another misconception: not all Buddhist monastics are celibate. In Mahayana there are many cases of householder monastics, especially in Tibetan and Japan. Also, not all shave their heads fully. Some actually grow their hair out, especially in China and Tibet.
At 13:18, that is just wrong: all monks will say that everyone should meditate daily. The issue is that meditation isn't always what people in the west think it is. Chanting a mantra can be meditation, as can be prostrations (bowing before a shrine) or even just going about work can be a form of meditation. It is for everyone, aside for some deep esoteric forms.
At 14:05, that is not so simple. Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana/Tantrayana aren't as clearly defined as Protestant and Catholic or Shia and Sunni. At a Tibetan Gompa (monastery) I studied at they taught Theravada texts, all Vajrayana is Mahayana in nature, and there is a Thai Theravada monastery in Dharamshala, India where Thai monks mingle with Tibetan Lamas. There really isn't a "beef" between the sects and they're all interact with one another constantly. Also, it isn't uncommon for a monk to study with one sect and then go to another.
Also, Tibetan Buddhism isn't the only Vajrayana school. There is also Shingon in Japan.
Sir, while i agree with most of what u said, as he said on the video, there amount of variation in the buddhist traditions is huge, and he seemed to have tried to talk about the more core like aspects of the religion (that seems to gravitate to a more Theravada interpretation in the USA). But yeah, i think he missed the opportunity to show how while really diverse, most buddhist traditions mingle heavily with each other with no conflict, unlike the abrahamic religions.
I love your comment as a therawada buddhist from Sri Lanka. In the pali cannon also says plenty of stories about lay enlighted personals in buddhas life time. And there is no such opinion among us that says only monastics can achieve nirwana. All of us can. Namo buddhaya.
The best version of the Four Noble Truths I have ever heard:
1) Life Sucks.
2) Here’s Why.
3) You can fix it.
4) Here’s How
That is brilliant.
haha simple right?
Your version has made the same mistake many in the West has made. The first noble truth is commonly translated as life is suffering, life sucks, life is pain, etc
A better translation is that Life can be stressful, life can suck, etc. Not that life always sucks, just that there is stress alongside peace. Dukkha and Sukkha. Dukkha means stress(the best translation) and Sukkha means happiness.
Memorable tongue in cheek description.
Absolutely.
Unless one understands the cause of suffering, there is nothing one can do about it.
Beautiful. Thanks!
"So much of our suffering results from our own ingrained mental habits". Well said!
Not just so much, rather, all...
@@PaeBabblingDefinitely not all suffering comes from the mind.
Buddhism's highest school is Falun Dafa, its originator is an enlightened being..................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
70% of all disease are self imposed. People's minds are so weak because they have cast out the Divine. When one refuses God, God respects that request and then the devil smiles...................Falun Dafa
Buddihsm is the only religion that allowed any people to make questions or even critize about it and will not go to hell for that and not neccessarily need to be seriously religious to go to heaven as well. 😄
The man literally said “it’s not a religion. It’s a philosophy” right in the beginning.
@mcgenius1962 re-watch the video. He was quoting someone else and basically negated the statement, saying the man was looking at Buddhism from a purely “Protestant Christian perspective”
Earth was created as a place for mankind to suffer and to redeem themselves to avoid going to Hell. Most people think that we are here to seek fun but that is not the case........................Falun Dafa.
"Life sucks, here's why, you can fix it, here's how" - I LOVE it! Is that original to you or you get it from someone else? Either way, I will be sure to remember and pass that on to my students. Thanks for that succinct and contemporary way of expressing the Four Noble Truths.
Video co-writer here! I heard that phrase from a teacher of mine, and have seen it around several places, but don't know it's original origin. And glad you like it! I love using it to teach as well.
It sounds like something one might hear on an Infomercial.
It isn't "life sucks," rather it is life is off kilter. The metaphor used is riding on a cart that has a loose wheel, you are jolted here and there. Life is "suffering" is a limited translation of the Pali word dukkha, which still limited, is better captured with multiple English words such as "stress," "dissatisfaction" etc. as stated in the video.
The concept of hedonic adaption or treadmill is helpful here. One cannot understand dukka without understanding impermanence (viparinama-dukkha), conditioned states (samkhara-dukkha), and ordinary suffering (physical, emotional, and mental pain- dukkha-dukkha). The life sucks part focuses on dukkha-dukkha without the understanding that all states, negative and positive are impermanent. One can easily say, "Life is full of joy," or "Life is great," and that will still miss the mark. Joy and happiness are impermanent; therefore, without this understanding one peruses them only to be dissatisfied. The "fixing" part is realizing all of this including the realization that there is no self: it too is impermanent, a process. This is not achieved primarily through the intellect but experientially. One has to know this is the case. Oddly, the video proposes all of this. Hence, the use in the video of "Life suck..." contradicts the accurate statements about dukkha etc. in the video.
@@Rabbithole8 Thank you for the detailed explanation, it was very informative. However, IMO a simple statement that "life sucks" can also encompass external (dukkha), internal( samkhara) and systemic (viparinama) causes for said suckage. It is the explanation of causes, and our interpretation of them, (the 'Here's Why') that is more important to the philosophy and practice of Buddhism, and the lay and academic understanding of Buddhism.
Well, it's NOT Original. It's just the 4 Noble Truths ...
Life sucks
Here’s why
You can fix it
Here’s how (guitar shredding sounds)
I practice Buddhist meditation while listening to metal, so this is pretty accurate.
@@DanteTorn Might be a reference to the American rock band Nirvana.
1.
Life is good but not good enough,
life sucks if it is not as good as it could be (enough)
Life sucks
Life is bad but not too bad
Life rules if it is not as bad as it could be (worst)
Life rules.
2. How do we make life rule more than suck?
3. Understand the nature of both adjectives helps us understand the causes
4. and thus helps us control the causes
I am a Sri Lankan Therawada buddhist. This video is accurate at many points but there is one single mistake he has done. He said the enlightenment for lay buddhists is almost unachievable. Thats not true. Even in Buddhas life time Kings, queens and lot of normal people achived nibbana . Being a monk will help one to get in to the path with a speed. But everything depends on the intelligense level and the practice of person. So bright lay peolple have achieved nibbana quickly at some points.
You are correct. Being a lay follower is full of commitmentso and distractions, therefore not many in recorded history attained Enlightenment... but it IS possible. That's why it's easier to do so as a monk or nun.
I am Buddhist and I disagree. It's almost impossible for a lay person to become enlightened because we live in a world of distractions.
@@austinhill5825, in your own words, define “ENLIGHTENMENT”. ☝️🤔☝️
@@TheWorldTeacher the 9th jhana
@@austinhill5825 One can remove themselves from those distractions without becoming a monk. A homesteader living in the countryside, for example, isn't a monastic but they are away from distractions.
I am an Indian Buddhist and is very happy to see this video.
You literally summerised all of our Teachings.
I go with my parents to Buddhist Monastery and all of them teach is I found in your video.
Greetings from India.
which sect of buddhism do you follow?
@@coolpanda7132 All of them. Every path is sacred.
In which Indian state do you live? In the monastery where you go, in what language are monks' scriptures or sutras or text? Tibetan or Pali?
You are buddhist or a Bhimta?
Buddhism's highest school is Falun Dafa, its originator is an enlightened being..................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
I am a Chinese. Even though I am atheist myself, my mom practice some aspect of Buddhism. She has a tea room in the attic with a Buddhist sculpture. She also volunteers for a charity devoted to give free surgery to children with cleft placate and lips. I have plenty of time to observe Buddhism. Some Buddhist monks are just greedy people.
My parents used to donate money to a local temple. And they have a monument in the temple dedicated to them. After the divorce and my dad remarried. My mom visited the temple again and found her name on the monument replaced by the new wife. Needless to say that she never visited there again.
But there are also Buddhist monk who did truly amazing things. In 2008, there was a devastating earthquake in Sichuan china . A local mother and baby hospital was destroyed. Mothers about to give birth have nowhere to go. The head of hospital ask the head monk of a local temple if they could take refuge there. She was nervous because a temple is supposed to be a clean and serene place. Blood are seen as ominous and animal killings are strictly forbidden. There are monks who voiced their objections. But the head monk said, “ there are many taboos in Buddhism, the biggest one, the biggest one is doing nothing to save people in danger”.
The mothers all moved in to the temple. The temple breaks many taboo for them. They put the sculpture away and used the table underneath as make-shift surgery bed. They allow blood in the temple. They even allowed meat to be eaten in the temple by these mothers. Because they needed the protein. All monks in china practice vegetarianism. Some monks in the temple puked at the smell of cooked meat. The head monk went into the kitchen himself to prepare the meat.
In the end, 108 kids were born in this temple. And the temple is dedicated to 108 arhats.
I don’t believe in Devine powers or miracles. But if any story shows you there are good in religion. It should be this one
I don’t believe in religions but I believe in good people and certainly that head monk was one.
A helpful person put aside arbitrary religious rules so a bunch of kids were not born in the street. Best religion everrr
i hate abrahamic religion's
I love dharmik religions Hindu buddist Jain folk ext.
important to read a kalama sutta. So u don’t get stuck by formalities. Read it then practice it
The biggest taboo is doing nothing to save people in danger? So the monks are militarized against invaders? No, they aren't. So they established hospitals to care for the sick and the destitute since early in their history? Nope, the Christians brought them those concepts relatively recently. So what did this monk mean? That Christian principles trump Buddhist ones, I guess... *shrug*
"This definition of religion has it's ups and downs" Yeah I think I read a recipe for mac and cheese the other day that qualifies as a religion under that definition.
You have a problem, you don't have mac & cheese
We have a solution, you can make mac & cheese
Here are the techniques and steps to make mac & cheese
Here are others who also know how to make mac & cheese
... yep that fits :D
@@ryledra6372 Is that why I have been tired, listless, and unhappy lately? Because I haven't eaten enough mac and cheese?????! My God, this could be it! I think I'll ditch my catholic faith and join this new cult!
I think this is how the Flying Spaghetti Monster became a thing.
No wait a minute. You might be onto something
One of the avatars of His Noodly Appendage
I learned it as: Life sucks, Life sucks cause you want stuff, If you want life to stop sucking stop wanting stuff, follow the eightfold path. A bit more focused on the greed element I suppose but it stuck with me:)
Partially correct. It's more like life sucks because of several reasons like death, aging, sickness which goes around the samsara. If u want this to stop, u try to achieve Nirvana which people usually assume it's the heaven counterpart of Abrahamic religions but it's more of a state. More like getting the first place in an exam. U achieve nirvana, ur samsara ends, no more rebirths, reincarnations, therefore, suffering ends.
Samuel Hill, I just want to correct your comment a little bit. Life sucks not simply because we want stuff. It's that we want things to remain as they are, coz we get attached to them. This is a problem. Why ? Coz it is the nature of things to change. Everything, according to Buddha, is characterized by IMPERMANENCE. So, it is pointless to get attached to anything. So, the solution is NON ATTACHMENT. If we are not attached, we will simply do the right things without identifying with them and therefore, not suffer mentally. That's it ...
Ramses, there is no Evidence for Rebirth. That's why, we should not worry about it. This life is all that matters ...
@@DipayanPyne94 yea and i own the church and the monastery.
@@ramsesclviii2584 Sarcasm ? Well, if yes, drop it. Look at the Evidence. That's all ...
I was someone that felt burned by religion for most of my life. Then in by far my darkest hour I stumbled upon a few stories from Buddhism. After becoming a Buddhist I found that I stopped being stressed and angry all the time. I started to accept things as they were. Later I started reading the book of the 5 rings by musashi miyamoto and truly started to learn how the world really worked.
I thank you for this video. As the past couple weeks I was in a bad place, this video reminded me of the revelations I'd come to. I suppose that is the wonderful thing about our brains tendency to forget, you get to rediscover wonderful things all over again.
Funny considering Buddhism originated from Hinduism. Buddha himself was a Hindu prince ( born into Hindu family ). But, anything seems to be eXoTiC to un.cultured aWaKeNeD westerners 😂🤡
@@melg6834 Geez who hurt you? Resentment comes flowing out of your every comments.
@@melg6834 your bad person
Your comment is Deirty rasist
What a wonderful testimony, I too embraced Buddhism!
@@CCPJAYLPHAN1994 me too :)
There's a tendency for Westerners to fetishize Buddhism as some sort of magic Eastern wisdom, but I can kind of see why it happens. Buddhism's basic precepts fit pretty comfortably in our secular, scientific understanding of the world and has enough of a spiritual/community aspect to fill that emotional-social void as well. It's not perfect - no religion or community is - but, even as a non-Buddhist, I totally see why it has so much appeal.
Yes, I am culturally a Hindu, but I think that Buddhist similar to Daoist philosophy are superior and more logical. I might follow a mixed religion between these 3 in future.
@@Yash-wm1nj Buddhist similar to Daoist philosophy = Zen
Adherents of the religious would call it perfect.
How does chanting a buddhas name (such as amita) to get into a magical world after death "fit pretty comfortably in our secular, scientific understanding of the world"?
Buddhism says that this world has no existence, except as a dream in our own minds.
I hope we will get to learn about Korean Buddhism, it is often forgotten or conflated only in the context of Japanese or Chinese Budddhism, when it has its own rich background and history
Indeed. Writings of the Korean Son masters need more attention, even beyond Chin Nul.
more interested in korean shamanism. esp korean shamanism and christianity.
@@ramsesclviii2584 The syncretism is incredibly interesting there too! Buddhism had a role to play with all of that as well
Im a Buddhist from Sri Lanka. And I'm curious about Buddhist forms of different cultures and countries. Can you please tell me about Korean Buddhism? Is there any channels about Korean Buddhism please comment. Namo Buddhaya..! 😊😊🙏🙏
What is this?
I think it’s not too far of a stretch to consider any religion a philosophy
And I’m glad you explained dukha in this way. Rarely do I hear it explained so well outside the Buddhist community
It's a very far stretch if you know what philosophy actually is.
There is a new Buddhist scripture entitled Zhuan Falun that uncovers many of life's mysteries.
I know what causes me to suffer, wondering what is in that case under the pyramids. Every time I watch one of your vids (which are very good and highly informative) I stare at that case thinking "is he gonna show us"
It might not be, but to me it REALLY looks like a backgammon case. That's my huess anyways.
@@Delphink seconding this. My grandparents used to travel and do the flea market circuit, and my folks and I did, too, when I was a kid. We've sold about a billion backgammon cases, and I'm like 85% certain that's what that is.
Of course, a backgammon set is basically just a fancy briefcase with some stuff in it... So who knows what's actually in there?
@@Delphink I thought it might be as well, but it bugs me that I can't be sure
It actually contains the Holy Grail. Andrew is its keeper. If you perform the right rituals to cleanse yourself of sin, a new option appears on his Patreon subscription tiers called the Joseph of Arimathea tier, and one of its rewards is getting to see the Holy Grail.
I would enjoy a video where he shows and explains a lot of the books and stuff on the shelf behind him.
This channel is of unprecedented value, it makes the history we went trough as humans so much clearer. Thousand years of cultural development, thousand ideas of "why we are here and what should we do", comprehensively explained and showed. Thank you. :-) It gives me hope.
Suffering exists because Adam and
Eve fell into sin, and since that time
we suffer from rhe effects of living
in a fallen world, not all suffering
is caused by ourselves
Andrew should certainly do an episode on religion and the web. Things have certainly changed, especially the last few years. I don't think the internet is as secular as people think.
A measured and inspiring note - from yourself.
Stay positive - it alone gives strength - in the Light - as one moves through the darkness.
Always move - with the Spirit and even laugh - when others throw their 'words' around - in an undisciplined way.
You seem to be a being - who thinks for themself. Good luck and fare thee well.
There is a new Buddhist scripture entitled Zhuan Falun that uncovers many of life's mysteries.
As a white, western, religious Buddhist, I’m so excited to see you finally doing a series on the Dharma!
I am glad to find a European Buddhist.
Greetings from India.
As a Vietnamese Buddhist , you guys did better than most of us here , I know some European monks whose level is higher than most of Vietnamese Buddhists
Buddhism's highest school is Falun Dafa, its originator is an enlightened being..................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
Buddhas old dharma has lost its power. There is a new Buddhist scripture entitled Zhuan Falun that uncovers many of life's mysteries.
"If you do good things good things will happen to you" makes it sound like karma is a value judgement. Karma is simply cause and effect, no judgement included (it just so happens that bad causes often lead to bad results.) It also leaves out how by making causes you increase your tendency to create similar causes, which is also part of karma.
nirvana and good karma. nirvana and karma are they antithetical
@@ramsesclviii2584 Sort of? Imagine the surface of a pond on a windy day. The wind blows across it, causing ripples. The wind is dukkha. The ripples are karma. If there was no wind, and therefore no ripples, then that is nirvana.
Karma is cause & effect ----> could only be said by aWaKeNeD (?) confused typical Abra.hamic westerners 😂
Nicely put
Yes it seems as many teachers trying to explain buddhism tend to make it sound very mystical, atleast much more than it should be. As karma in sanskrit literally means action, and whenever there is action, whether physical or an act of the mind that conditions the ego and it’s desires, there is an effect and that effect creates a cause and it is on going as “dependent origination”. It isn’t much of “Do good and you get good” it is more so “Do good, that cause effects one to lose the forceful sense of self interest because when there is compassion there is loss of self interest and hence loss of self rooted suffering. Thus the cause of good action makes good mental clarity which also leads to good action which is good karma which leads to the end of egotism which is suffering :D”.
All the hippies crying about how Buddhism isn't a religion make me laugh. Go to Thailand, Tibet, or Nepal, see how they practice Buddhism. Then tell me it isn't a religion
Because they still wanna believe that religions need to be theistic in order to be one. So according to their logic. If a religion doesn't have god concept in its belief system. Therefore, it cannot be classified as religion to them.
I find that those who insist that Buddhism isn't a religion are indeed coming from the mindset that religion equals blind devotion to a monotheistic deity and the edicts handed down from that deity. But that's a very narrow definition of religion. Religion is a dirty word to a lot of Westerners, and I think many who embrace Buddhism do so as a kind of rejection of what they've been conditioned to perceive as religion. And then they proceed to strip all the religion out of Buddhism until it ends up looking something like Stoicism with extra steps, or, worse, a commodity that makes you feel better about yourself.
Is it just me, or do scholars have a tendency to reserve the title “religion” to Abrahamic spiritual practices? Buddhism has sacred texts, clerics of varying rank and status, numerous denominations, temples, political support groups, and etc. Why is this not enough?
Because idiots will be idiots. Buddhism is a religion plain and simple, and tbh anyone arguing the contrary either has an incomplete understanding of Buddhism or is intentionally muddying the water and arguing semantics.
Simple. No god. And I don't mean god in the monotheistic, abrahamic sense, i mean god in the supernatural being sense. For example, Hinduism is pretty easy to call a religion because they have deities (or one deity, depending on who you talk to) that are worshiped, prayed to, etc. Same with shinto, same with the Mediterranean mythologies. It's the lack of any gods in the core tradition that make it difficult to call Buddhism a religion. The cultural practices and the organization aside, the real separation of religion from self-help or vacuum commercials is the supernatural element, which the definition he uses misses. Sure you can call reincarnation that supernatural element, but it's still a far cry from all the other examples.
It's most certainly not the Abrahamic thing. Even scholars from 400 years ago knew that. Buddhism is just... tricky.
Theism is theistic.
@@graysonbaker1744 Are devas, yakshas, nagas, narakas, pretas, and such not supernatural?
The problem is that some of these scholars still wanna believe that god is an essential thing for a religion, because if a religion doesn't contain a god in its belief system. Then, therefore, it cannot be classified as a religion to them.
But what they tend to forget to realize is that religion is a lot more complicated than just believing in some deities.
Religion is a social organization that involves a unified system of beliefs, and practices. That's what makes a religion. It's an institutionalized system, not a personal practice that you do on your own.
It's not just the scholars who wanna believe this. It's also some atheists who still wanna believe this.
If you dare to say that you believe in "god without religion". They'll still wanna believe that you're still religious, because according to their logic. Theism is synonymous with religion to them.
"Dwelling in a dewdrop fallen from a waterfowl’s beak, the image of the moon." -A monk named Dogen
Zen?
There is a new Buddhist scripture entitled Zhuan Falun that uncovers many of life's mysteries.
Is buddhism a religion?
Me, a MF who literaly wrote is master thesis on popular Chinese and Korean (Silla-n) buddhist cults: YES. Period.
Why do you call it a cult??
@@roshanantony64
some, not every, form of medieval popular buddhist circles were undubitably a cult.
One of the clearest examples is the Faqing rebellion (515 circa)...
Without mentionig more recent cases such as the White Lotus rebellion (1794-1804) or the Gung Ye uprising in Korea's late Silla (901-918 circa).
No it is a philosophy
This is a fairly balanced and nuanced description of Buddhism, given that it is a 2500 years tradition with diverse practices and views. Kudos.
You could've used the word "unease" instead of "dis-ease", that way you wouldn't have needed to go off-topic to differentiate the word from "disease", lol.
You're totally right. 10 years in academy is hard to shake off....
But don't the words have different meanings, or do you mean the difference doesn't matter for this usage?
I think dis-ease sound much stronger n more direct to the point than unease thou.
People also call Taoism a philosophy rather than a religion, especially if you only take the two main canon texts into account, as Taoism by it's very nature is function over form, and denounces ritual and faith in the Tai Te Ching, I believe it says they are the husk of chaos. Therefore, what I would call mystic Taoists often follow very individual paths. But so do atheistic Satanists.
These questions really does go to the heart of the question, "What is religion?". I'd argue it's spirituality given structure.
@matchboxmango I agree Taoism is a religion, structureless structure, as I see it, or the structure of no-structure. Meaning one may get up and do Qigong every morning, but may change if a better method were found.
As to "spirituality" being a loaded word, I don't see it that way either. An individual may be very spiritual, even if raised by wolves. Famous atheist Sam Harris wrote "Waking Up: a Guide to Spirituality without Religion", though you may see him as muddying the waters. I see spirituality in poetic terms as the space between the body and mind. In an accordion to Hoyle way, I'd say it's a system of emotional self control, reflection, and contemplation of the non material or intangible.
@matchboxmango Let me give it a re-read and think carefully about how I want to word my response. For example, I wasn't insinuating that you didn't think Taoism is a religion, I was merely making my own position clear. I'll respond after a shower to clean my head. Enjoying the conversation.
Not only is Dr. Hartmann helping to democratize religious studies around the world, it has been said that she also knows how to shred a mountain bike trail.
I belong to Bihar state of India. The state gets its name from Viharas(Monasteries). There used to be huge monasteries in ancient and early medieval times like Nalanda(a district of this state) and Vikramshila. This state contains all the major important places pertaining to Lord Buddha like Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Nalanda.
Lord Buddha was one of many Buddhas as per Buddhist scriptures. He lived during 6th Century BCE. That time Northern India had 16 strong states(Shodash Mahajanapada). These states stretched from Afghanistan, Pakistan to eastern India. Some states were kingdoms while others were Republics.
Lord Buddha Shakyamuni was originally from Shakya republic. His father was chief of this republic- King Sudodhana. They belonged to Ikshavaku clan of Kshatriya warrior caste. It was thought to have come out of Sun god so also called as Solar race. Lord SriRama also belonged to this race of warriors. Lord Buddha's original name was Siddharth Gautam. He was prophesied to become either the emperor(Chakravarti- The carrier of wheel of Dharma) or the great resolute enlightened being(Buddha). His father wanted him to be distracted. But he saw 4 visions of suffering/meditating people and left the palace to know the truth. He found the 4 Arya Satyas(The 4 noble truths) and Ashtang marg(8 limbed ways) to cross the suffering. This was propounded at Sarnath, UP(India) and was referred as the first sermon of Buddha- Dharma Chakra Pravartan Sutra(Sutra of setting the wheel of Dharma in motion). It was propounded to 5 Brahmins of Shakya Republic who were his first disciples/apostles. One of these was his erstwhile master- Ajnat Kaundinya. He was also one of the Brahmin astrologers who by his confidence predicted that the prince will become a Buddha for sure.
There is a new Buddhist scripture entitled Zhuan Falun that uncovers many of life's mysteries.
If Buddhism isn't a religion, then why do we have so much respect for the Sutras, the Precepts, & Ordination?
And why we bow down, have funeral ceremonies, believe in past and future lives? Why we pay respect to monastics? 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Buddhism is not a religion but Buddhism has religion but not like Abraham's religion.
Well those things such as rituals and some of the sutras came later. I believe the ritualistic side of buddhism was added to satisfy the people who "needed" some spirituality to be apart of buddhism. The sutras well I mean they needed to write down the Buddhist idea and way.
@@aliciamontero7061 hey coz religion is based on belief.... Rebirth is not something u believe it's a fact..... The reason ppl worship & bow down to the buddha & monk is in respect of teaching the dhamma...
@@thisulwickramarachchi2380 How is rebirth a fact?
I've been waiting for an episode on Buddhism as I've always been fascinated by its teachings. Thanks for finally uploading one!
same
Yeah Buddhism is good but it failed in india.
@@NarutoUzumaki-hu2rp Did it? Genuine question. From what I've read (cursory readings), it seems like it thrived in India for a long time, and that most people did not consider it to be a separate religion from Hinduism, but just one of it's forms.
And today, depending on who you ask, the Buddha is an avatar of lord Vishnu.
I'm just curious as to if it really failed in India, per se, or if it's just yet another of what RFB called "highly localized forms."
@@codyofathens3397 It could be argued that Buddhism didn't so much as "fail" in India as much as it inspired Hinduism to alter its approach and adopt (and thus co-opt) Buddhist ideas. Buddhism was a challenge of sorts to the priests and their Brahmanic traditions, and indeed Hinduism became more successful in India once a more Vedantic tradition arose, one which focused more on liberation ("moksha") which is akin to the concept of "nirvana".
@@manakin5 I'd love to learn more about Hinduism in the era before Buddhism to see what it was like before it's influence.
Recently become a Buddhist ❤️
👍👍👍👍💐💕 💕
#ARAcademyOfficial
Me too :)
Does buddhism say we must be vegan? Is it enough if we are vegetarian?
@sheeliekittie9298 the Buddha never condemned meat consumption. He taught to eat whatever is provided by the lay community. The Buddha reportedly died from spoiled pork.
❤️
He never asked to be worshipped.
He only talks about how to end suffering.
That's not true. Worship of Buddha as a supernatural, all powerful enlightened being is a cornerstone of the faith. It has an atheistic aspect, but is theist in almost every other way.
@@dunnowy123 that is your own idea.
Make videos on HINDU religion .
Buddhism has helped me deal with the pandemic...🎋
I'm from a Taoist+Buddhist+Confucianism Folk Belief background and I look forward to hear some wacky aspects about this.
The centre of Buddhist and buddhism is Bodh Gaya.....in the state of Bihar..in eastern India....and i love the place..it's so peaceful ....