Happy Atheist Forum

Hey, guys. I know I haven't been around that much, hopefully I'll fix that in the future. But, as for this topic I would like to announce my de-conversion from atheism to buddhism. Not that there's much difference, since buddhists don't believe in god either(Or rather, believing in god isn't the essence of buddhism). So, why am I converting? Well, because I have reached enlightenment, and thus, am free from suffering. I should note, however, that I am converting only for samsaric practical reasons. I don't need to wear the robes or identify as "BUDDHIST" in order to actually realise liberation. At the same time, however, it would generate unnecessary confusion if, when asked what religion I was, I answered "atheist". So I am changing the title, at least.

Anyways, what's up?

Quote from: "Renegnicat"Anyways, what's up?

That is a question you should ask yourself.
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But seriously, congrats on the enlightenment.

I once drew the dalai lama in high school. It was very good.

Glad to see you back.  So how much about Buddhism do you believe now?  The 4 noble truths?  The pillars of something (I may be getting that confused with Hinduism >.< its been a while since I took my Philosophy of Religion class)?  We'd all be interested in how you came to this ^_^

I love Buddhism. Many aspects of it I feel are true - and a few famous philosophers as well. You'll have to teach us more about it sometime

Quote from: "Sophus"I love Buddhism. Many aspects of it I feel are true - and a few famous philosophers as well. You'll have to teach us more about it sometime

From what i've heard Buddhism is the foundation for agnosticism.

I'm converting too, from the Playstation to the Wii....oh wait...

Buddhism really isn't much as far as an organized religion really.  It's more of a particular philosophy rather than worship of a deity and following of particular rules and regulations set down by that being (or at least the ones people like and ignoring the ones they don't).

There's a lot of paraphernalia and baggage that comes and goes with buddhism, but the essence of it all is pretty simple. You simply have to wake up. The problem with this term, however, is it's not very conducive to awakening. Taken literally, you can only wake up when you are asleep, but the truth is that's exactly how it should be taken, "literally".

For example, what is the essence of "waking up". Or rather, when someone "wakes up" from a dream, how do they go about doing it? Can you determine how you wake up when you are asleep? Of course. You simply do it. There is no fancy robes or rituals or logical device or any method you use to wake up from a dream. You simply do it.

Enlightnenment is like the same way. You can't be taught, or follow precepts, or wear robes, or any of that. You simply wake up.    

Sounds weird, I know. I myself struggled with what the heck that means. But alas, it means precisely what is says.

Sooo ... not to sound like a dick here and if I do I apologize ... but you are saying you just woke up one day and were enlightened and converted to Buddhism?  Please tell me i'm not understanding you correctly.

Hell no. It took years of wrestling with the four noble truths, the sutras, the teachings, etc. However, I will say, once you reach it, it's like: "doh!" and you suddenly "get it". It just clicks into place.

I don't know of anyone who simply "got it" without doing anything.

At the same time, however, it's important for me to say this: If you are enlightened, you won't identify with a buddhist way of thinking. Heck, you won't identify with any way of thinking. So, even though I say I'm "converting" to buddhism, I don't actually think of it in that way. I say it in those words, because it will help reduce confusion, is all.  

I've always imagined enlightenment the way Doc Brown explained it on Back to the Future.

QuoteI was standing on the edge of my toilet hanging a clock, the porcelin was wet, I slippped, hit my head on the edge of the sink. And when I came through i had a revelation, a vision, a picture, a picture in my head. A picture of this. This is what makes time travel possible. The Flux-capacitor!

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When it happened to me, I realized that I wanted to help people for a living.

Quote from: "Renegnicat"Hell no. It took years of wrestling with the four noble truths, the sutras, the teachings, etc. However, I will say, once you reach it, it's like: "doh!" and you suddenly "get it". It just clicks into place.

I don't know of anyone who simply "got it" without doing anything.

At the same time, however, it's important for me to say this: If you are enlightened, you won't identify with a buddhist way of thinking. Heck, you won't identify with any way of thinking. So, even though I say I'm "converting" to buddhism, I don't actually think of it in that way. I say it in those words, because it will help reduce confusion, is all.  

Phew okay you had me worried for a minute...  The 4 noble truths always seemed subjective to me as well as the eightfold path ... I guess thats why I never really got attached to Buddhism.  Anyway quick question ... what is Zen to Buddhism?

Quote from: "Will"I've always imagined enlightenment the way Doc Brown explained it on Back to the Future.

QuoteI was standing on the edge of my toilet hanging a clock, the porcelin was wet, I slippped, hit my head on the edge of the sink. And when I came through i had a revelation, a vision, a picture, a picture in my head. A picture of this. This is what makes time travel possible. The Flux-capacitor!

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpneumaticaddict.files.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fdoc_brown-full-1.jpg&hash=5b28f9622fa2540255403207b6d04b46874bfdeb)

When it happened to me, I realized that I wanted to help people for a living.

I wish you'd have invented the flux capacitor as well.

I know I had a flux capacitor in my junkbox, but it seems to have disappeared....

The reason ive never concerned myself with Buddhism is to me its not typical, Heres what i mean. To reach nirvana or "enlightenment" you have to do a lot of medatation or mind techniques. However in the western way of life this is just not applicable. A working mother barely has time to watch TV for herself. Just dont see her meditating for an hour. Hell, i cant meditate for an hour due to all the things i want to do. Also i just dont think its about human nature as much as it says. What Buddhism and even Christianity consist of the seven deadly sins are to me the seven deadly life sparksd of fun. I enjoy the things that even buddhism forbids. So ive always like the humanist approach.
Also Buddhism is a religion, yuck, organized religion. Another religion with beleive it or not Blood stained through history.


Another thing i dont like about Buddhism is all the suffering, its a religion that talks and talks about the suffering of humanity. With all that suffering talk its amazing they get anything good done for humanity. OH wait a minute, they dont do anything good for humanity, except talk about buddhism and the suffering of humanity.Plus i just can bring myself to be that nice. Plus the Dali Lama calls himself a God prince,in which i must agree agree with Chistopher Hitchens, thats whacked.
Please dont take offence just throwing my two cents.
I just love the whole atheism thing, to me its the true "Enlightenment".

Quote from: "OldGit"I know I had a flux capacitor in my junkbox, but it seems to have disappeared.... :hmm:

Quote from: "haxor"The reason ive never concerned myself with Buddhism is to me its not typical, Heres what i mean. To reach nirvana or "enlightenment" you have to do a lot of medatation or mind techniques. However in the western way of life this is just not applicable. A working mother barely has time to watch TV for herself. Just dont see her meditating for an hour. Hell, i cant meditate for an hour due to all the things i want to do. Also i just dont think its about human nature as much as it says. What Buddhism and even Christianity consist of the seven deadly sins are to me the seven deadly life sparksd of fun. I enjoy the things that even buddhism forbids. So ive always like the humanist approach.
Also Buddhism is a religion, yuck, organized religion. Another religion with beleive it or not Blood stained through history.


Another thing i dont like about Buddhism is all the suffering, its a religion that talks and talks about the suffering of humanity. With all that suffering talk its amazing they get anything good done for humanity. OH wait a minute, they dont do anything good for humanity, except talk about buddhism and the suffering of humanity.Plus i just can bring myself to be that nice. Plus the Dali Lama calls himself a God prince,in which i must agree agree with Chistopher Hitchens, thats whacked.
Please dont take offence just throwing my two cents.
I just love the whole atheism thing, to me its the true "Enlightenment".

Haxor,  your last line:  I just love the whole atheism thing, to me its the true "Enlightenment".  Is right on I 100% understand what you mean by that !!!  It is exactly how I feel.  I do not understand how people can live life otherwise.  

Quote from: "haxor"The reason ive never concerned myself with Buddhism is to me its not typical, Heres what i mean. To reach nirvana or "enlightenment" you have to do a lot of medatation or mind techniques. However in the western way of life this is just not applicable. A working mother barely has time to watch TV for herself. Just dont see her meditating for an hour. Hell, i cant meditate for an hour due to all the things i want to do. Also i just dont think its about human nature as much as it says. What Buddhism and even Christianity consist of the seven deadly sins are to me the seven deadly life sparksd of fun. I enjoy the things that even buddhism forbids. So ive always like the humanist approach.
Also Buddhism is a religion, yuck, organized religion. Another religion with beleive it or not Blood stained through history.


Another thing i dont like about Buddhism is all the suffering, its a religion that talks and talks about the suffering of humanity. With all that suffering talk its amazing they get anything good done for humanity. OH wait a minute, they dont do anything good for humanity, except talk about buddhism and the suffering of humanity.Plus i just can bring myself to be that nice. Plus the Dali Lama calls himself a God prince,in which i must agree agree with Chistopher Hitchens, thats whacked.
Please dont take offence just throwing my two cents.
I just love the whole atheism thing, to me its the true "Enlightenment".

No problem, haxor, what you said makes sense, because the meditation practice came about during a time when there was much time to do so. In today's accelerated world, it can be difficult to find time to sit on the floor and chant buddhist mantras.  ;) For example, you can not sit down to meditate for an hour because of all the things you want to do, yes? All the many whirlwhind activities that flood your brain and thoughts? You want to do this, you want to do that, and so you do it, and then you do something else, and all throughout you are forgetting to attend to just this moment. Instead you are off in lala land, thinking about the things you want to do? Instead of just attending to this moment? Do you see? By your own words, you suggest two of the noble truths right there.  :headbang:

wouldn't an enlightened person no longer see a need to go to war?  From my understanding, enlightenment is basically reaching full detachment from material things and desires in order to also detach from the suffering caused by desire.

Anyway, I don't think someone needs to call themselves a Buddhist in order to understand the value of being contemplative from time to time nor to understand the value of being content with whatever you have rather than always wanting more.

Quotewouldn't an enlightened person no longer see a need to go to war? From my understanding, enlightenment is basically reaching full detachment from material things and desires in order to also detach from the suffering caused by desire.

Anyway, I don't think someone needs to call themselves a Buddhist in order to understand the value of being contemplative from time to time nor to understand the value of being content with whatever you have rather than always wanting more.

You're right about a few things, whitney. Those who are enlightened do not see a need for war. And you're absolutely right that someone doesn't need to call themselves a buddhist in order to be enlightened. I personally, don't identify with being a buddhist at all.

But your understanding of enlightenment as full detachment from material things/the world is incorrect. Those who are enlightened still grasp. they still conceptualize, but they do so with the knowledge that they are grasping/conceptualizing. In other words, they are being mindful of the moment, even as they interact with it.

For one, it's impossible to have full detachment from the universe, and not really desirable. When you let go of all things, what you must do next is pick things back up.  

i meant emotional detachment....obviously they can't magically teleport away from all materials.

Quote from: "Whitney"i meant emotional detachment....obviously they can't magically teleport away from all materials.

Ah, but so did I.  

Do you have to detach your head from your hair?

Quote from: "Will"That is a question you should ask yourself.

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NO!!! I'll crush you with my bare hands!!!

Sorry, I saw you put that and couldn't resist.

Buddhism is pretty cool, it's almost not a religion, isn't it?

If you are now a Buddhist, and yet still don't believe in a God, then aren't you still an Atheist?  :hmm:

Quote from: "atheistlibrary"If you are now a Buddhist, and yet still don't believe in a God, then aren't you still an Atheist?  :hmm:

What God does a Buddhist believe in?

Quote from: "atheistlibrary"If you are now a Buddhist, and yet still don't believe in a God, then aren't you still an Atheist?  :hmm:

Atheist quite literay means without belief. A = without, theist = belief . You can have a religion or be spiritual and remain an Atheist. You just can't believe in a god and remain an atheist.