Current Events > Buddism seems like a very negative religion. Very negative.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Life is suffering. When you die, you usually just get reborn into another life of suffering, sometimes even worse. Activities you enjoy doing are shallow and pointless, and distract from "important" spiritual things. Even a higher tier of life, like the demi-god realm, has quite a lot of suffering.

Wtf. Explain this religion to me as a brief overview, that makes it look positive, or at least, less negative.

---

Because the world is clearly full of suffering, it offers a path to hope and peace.


---

I disagree.

It always seemed less like a religion and more of a spiritual code that embraces the indifference of the universe.

Truth is that our suffering in life is what gives us reference and appreciation for moments of joy that we experience.

---

The references to suffering is about being with peace to life.

It's not about being negative.

---

Buddhism is not a religion. Its mental Yoga.

Anyone can practice it.

Haven't met a negative Buddhist yet. They're just realistic and happy in my experience.

---

I prefer mental gymnastics

---

Rub the belly

---

It's like swimming up the river. Only when you stop trying to swim up the river of pain can you enjoy a peaceful current.

---

It's not negative.

In its very simplest form it says:

Desire causes suffering
Have no desire and the cause of suffering ends.

And it's pretty true.
People these days want new cars, TVs, consoles and holidays. They get depressed and stressed that they can't have them or they work jobs they hate to try and pay for them.
If they didn't want them to begin with, that depression and stress and suffering wouldn't exist.


---

DravenRainrix posted...

It's not negative.

In its very simplest form it says:

Desire causes suffering
Have no desire and the cause of suffering ends.

And it's pretty true.
People these days want new cars, TVs, consoles and holidays. They get depressed and stressed that they can't have them or they work jobs they hate to try and pay for them.
If they didn't want them to begin with, that depression and stress and suffering wouldn't exist.

Well golly gee, if humans didn't desire to live, we could all just die and suffer no more.

---

People replying seriously to Sunhawk are worse than buddhists!

---

BloodMoon7 posted...

Well golly gee, if humans didn't desire to live, we could all just die and suffer no more.

Wants vs Needs, man

You need food, water, etc

You do not need that fancy new TV on top of your 3 girlfriends, your scalped PS5, and fancy new car.

dr_marble posted...

Haven't met a negative Buddhist yet. They're just realistic and happy in my experience.

I have. My old roommate claimed to be a Buddhist. He was not very materialistic and owned little possessions but he was also very selfish and would throw hissyfit tantrums and break things around the house.

Very un-Buddha like.

---

My minor in college was philosophy and religion

Suffering is kind of a mistranslation. It's more like "struggle", and a happy person doesn't struggle against the currents of life, they just go with the flow

If you continue to get upset at petty bullshit you'll be trapped in a cycle of petty bullshit

It's not about having no emotions, it's about not letting your emotions control you. Meditation is a chance to practice observing your emotions but not connecting to that feeling

---

Xethuminra posted...

Wants vs Needs, man

You need food, water, etc

You do not need that fancy new TV on top of your 3 girlfriends, your scalped PS5, and fancy new car.

I would argue that one does not actually need to live. It's not like humans are neccesary. A worm is more worthwhile of an existence when you think about it. Worms are good.

I don't even have any chairs, so it's not like I don't know what is a need is. I don't need chairs so I never buy any.

---

and actually

accepting death or learning to sacrifice one need for another is a very powerful tool

And no, you dont *need* to live

you *need* things to live ofc

Um is this a way of saying your life sucks and you're suffering?

---

Xethuminra posted...

And no, you dont *need* to live

you *need* things to live ofc

Listen you won't hear me arguing my mortality either, I accepted it long ago. But I ain't sacrificing myself for no one, it ain't neccesary. Unlike death, which is obligatory. You may need things to live but only because you desire to live. Maybe you don't need that PS5 but if you want it, that should be enough. If it makes you miserable, well that's life as a human. You can give up anytime you like and if you give up your desires, I'd argue you're already dead.

Source: my own dying desire.

---

BloodMoon7 posted...

I would argue that one does not actually need to live. It's not like humans are neccesary. A worm is more worthwhile of an existence when you think about it. Worms are good.

You do have a point. It's very egotistical to think that humans need to be here. We have no more right to exist than the dinosaurs did. However self-preservation is an instinct and that has to come from somewhere.

Worms lack an ego and survive on instinct alone. That to me equates to a pure existence. Plus they are good for the Earth.

Living beyond your means and having unrealistic desires also goes against instinct and actually can be detrimental to one's own survival.

I think that's what the Buddha aimed to highlight.

---

Another great facet of Life Is Suffering

is how we define suffering

This is to say, Life is not perfect (some things beyond our control~) But you need to figure out where you draw the line for your personal Pain Theres a huge difference between the inevitability of death & the struggles of braving the harsh world, Vs being berated or attacked & maimed. Buddhism has produced many interesting thought experiments, observations, and dogmas which can aid you in creating your own outlook on life.

Wii_Shaker posted...

BloodMoon7 posted...

You do have a point. It's very egotistical to think that humans need to be here. We have no more right to exist than the dinosaurs did. However self-preservation is an instinct and that has to come from somewhere.

Worms lack an ego and survive on instinct alone. That to me equates to a pure existence. Plus they are good for the Earth.

Living beyond your means and having unrealistic desires also goes against instinct and actually can be detrimental to one's own survival.

I think that's what the Buddha aimed to highlight.

Unrealistic desire is the very reason for humanity's survival. We should all still be flinging shit irl instead of online but I'd bet you biscuits very few people want to regress back to that point. Sure maybe it can be self destructive to the individual but that's just the sacrifice we made to live in the world we do today. If it makes you unhappy, well it's not like you can't go hole up in the woods. I know I want that sometimes. But internet is just too good man. So much hentai, like damn bruh.

---

BloodMoon7 posted...

Unrealistic desire is the very reason for humanity's survival. We should all still be flinging shit irl instead of online but I'd bet you biscuits very few people want to regress back to that point. Sure maybe it can be self destructive to the individual but that's just the sacrifice we made to live in the world we do today. If it makes you unhappy, well it's not like you can't go hole up in the woods. I know I want that sometimes. But internet is just too good man. So much hentai, like damn bruh.

Again, I somewhat agree. Wanting beyond our own existence is what paved the way for modern medicine, science, art and technology. It's what pulled us out of the dark ages.

That's also what makes living as a human so full of strife and trials. We simply can't ignore our urges and live our lives to only survive. It's the reason that we even entertain ideas of higher powers such as religion and spirituality.

To be human is to struggle to find a balance. Constantly.

---

Is there such thing as free will?

Xethuminra posted...

Is there such thing as free will?

No but lying to yourself is a sound and tested human survival tactic, alongside eating grass to see if it kills you and chucking pointy sticks at the wildlife.

---

Wii_Shaker posted...

BloodMoon7 posted...

To be human is to struggle to find a balance. Constantly.

I hate this part. I don't even wanna be happy anymore. I don't believe it is a thing. I just want to stop hurting.


---

BloodMoon7 posted...

No but lying to yourself is a sound and tested human survival tactic, alongside eating grass to see if it kills you and chucking pointy sticks at the wildlife.

You have tunnel vision. I suspect if you were such a misanthrope, you wouldnt be posting here, tbqh. However, this is a great example of demonstrative nihilism & an exercise in utilitarian contrarianisms. How to knock people into the beaten path, and what-have-you. I wont burst that bubble.

Enjoy

BloodMoon7 posted...

I hate this part. I don't even wanna be happy anymore. I don't believe it is a thing. I just want to stop hurting.

Seek help man. I wish I could be the one to help you find reasons but I'm just some message board goon.

Life is worth living. Even if you are only suffering now just to discover happiness again.

---

Xethuminra posted...

You have tunnel vision. I suspect if you were such a misanthrope, you wouldnt be posting here, tbqh. However, this is a great example of demonstrative nihilism & an exercise in utilitarian contrarianisms. How to knock people into the beaten path, and what-have-you. I wont burst that bubble.

Enjoy

I don't know these words. Please, explain like I'm an idiot. Cause I legit am.

---

We know what we know.

And we dont know what we dont know.

And we think we know what we think we know.

Keep seeking, seekers

Wait misanthrope just means like anti social? Why not just use that? This is like when they kept trying to sell me biscuits when I wanted cookies.

---

Ana-social and Anti-social are two very different things

as is misanthropy tbqh

Xethuminra posted...

Ana-social and Anti-social are two very different things

as is misanthropy tbqh

My ana social don't want none unless you got buns.

---

Are you intentionally undermining yourself in an attempt to break the thought-chain, or what?

Hope that sort of thing isnt aimed at me, if so.....

That would be [etc]

Xethuminra posted...

Are you intentionally undermining yourself in an attempt to break the thought-chain, or what?

Hope that sort of thing isnt aimed at me, if so.....

That would be [etc]

No it's just 5AM, I'm possibly suffering from dehydration and it sounded stupid in my head but I sent it anyway cause I can't resist.

I mean yes. I'm totally mining my unders. I'm very smartly enough, to do that. The thought chain. I unshackled it and UNLEASHED the thingy.

---

Well, it was very amusing

Inquiry: How can something (the universe) come from nothing without God?

^first mover, origin of time

We actively try and avoid suffering on a daily basis so its not like we see it in any good light

---

*makes a gamblers fallacy*

Better to risk reigning in theoretical heaven than rotting in the fires of a hypothetical hell, is it not?

It is indeed.

Your purpose in life is to find a way to not be born anymore.
If you enjoy your life, you will not achieve that purpose.

Xethuminra posted...

Buddhism is not a religion. Its mental Yoga.

Anyone can practice it.

I'm still baffled on how different Americans and Asians view on Buddhism.

---

Ricemills posted...

I'm still baffled on how different Americans and Asians view on Buddhism.

How else would you like to introduce Buddhism to Christians?

Ricemills posted...

I'm still baffled on how different Americans and Asians view on Buddhism.

It's whatever I want it to be when it is convenient or when it benefits me.

---

Its the same way Buddhism made its way further East.

Veggeta_MAX posted...

It's whatever I want it to be when it is convenient or when it benefits me.

What is religion, Alex?

TheSavageDragon posted...

What is religion, Alex?

Divided by sects

Xethuminra posted...

*makes a gamblers fallacy*

Better to risk reigning in theoretical heaven than rotting in the fires of a hypothetical hell, is it not?

a Gamblers fallacy wont cut it for most religions if I understand them right lol


---

As above, so below

Xethuminra posted...

How else would you like to introduce Buddhism to Christians?

that actually makes sense.
American Buddhist promotes their faith as a lifestyle as a survival strategy. if they were introduced as a full religion that's not in the line of Christianity, they would have been oppressed.

---