Also, recommended reading: "Awakening the Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das, and "Jesus and Buddha as Brothers" by Thich Naht Han. Especially the latter, which is a great book about inter-religious acceptace and growth.
Remember, your goal is to be happy, not to worry over your past mistakes and crap. So relax, let go, and try meditating on the positive things you have accomplished so far.
Edit: Feel free to drop me a PM if you want to chat more. Demos fucked around with this message on 08-02-2004 at 11:05 PM.
quote:
Demos thought about the meaning of life:
I too am Buddhist, coming from a Christian background. But one thing you should realize is that you can't change your roots. You can get all pissed about it, but eventually you can learn from it, assimilate it, and improve yourself. There isn't one "perfect" religion, and if Christianity works for your family, you should respect that. Speaking of which, have you told your family?Also, recommended reading: "Awakening the Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das, and "Jesus and Buddha as Brothers" by Thich Naht Han. Especially the latter, which is a great book about inter-religious acceptace and growth.
Remember, your goal is to be happy, not to worry over your past mistakes and crap. So relax, let go, and try meditating on the positive things you have accomplished so far.
Edit: Feel free to drop me a PM if you want to chat more.
Attention Demos, you are not buddist. You claim to be buddist to call attention to yourself. Besides Buddism is a philosophy not a fricking religion. I could care less what god you pray to, but doing so because you think it will attract the ladys is just a little wrong.
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So quoth Y.O.T.C:
Attention Demos, you are not buddist. You claim to be buddist to call attention to yourself. Besides Buddism is a philosophy not a fricking religion. I could care less what god you pray to, but doing so because you think it will attract the ladys is just a little wrong.
just for your info, im not studying this religion for anyone but myself. Ive been really down lately and need to change. Besides my beleif system had alot of similarities with buddhism to begin with; re-incarnation, open mind, etc.
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Y.O.T.C had this to say about Cuba:
I could care less what god you pray to, but doing so because you think it will attract the ladys is just a little wrong.
Even if you're praying to Venus/Aphrodite?
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Manjusri had this to say about (_|_):
just for your info, im not studying this religion for anyone but myself. Ive been really down lately and need to change. Besides my beleif system had alot of similarities with buddhism to begin with; re-incarnation, open mind, etc.
Comment wasnt directed toward you. 
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Alaan had this to say about Punky Brewster:
Comment wasnt directed toward you.
i know, just in case he decided to make a commetn like that to me though
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Manjusri painfully thought these words up:
i know, just in case he decided to make a commetn like that to me though
YOTC knows Demos IRL, unlike you. You should be safe.
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Alaan obviously shouldn't have said:
YOTC knows Demos IRL, unlike you. You should be safe.
Aye, study the buddist if you want, its your life, I'm just beating on demos because hes gona get a HUGE ass reality check when he gets to college.
I can tell you are quite uninformed. "Buddhism is a philosophy and not a fricking religion" you said? Whats the difference, anyway? A belief structure or religion is inherently something philosophical.
I don't know what your problem is, but I've done nothing to warrant your attack. But I forgive you anyway.
Other Waiszlings feel free to chime in. Alaan, have you ever heard me mention it, wether as a "wang-waving attention attempt" or to "woo some ladies"? Waisz? Vise?
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So quoth Demos:
Well John, when have I ever tried to call attention to myself? Ask any of the other waiszlings when the last time I mentioned Buddhism was when we were hanging out. Oh wait, there was no such time. Also, where do you get the idea that I "think it will attract the ladies"?I can tell you are quite uninformed. "Buddhism is a philosophy and not a fricking religion" you said? Whats the difference, anyway? A belief structure or religion is inherently something philosophical.
I don't know what your problem is, but I've done nothing to warrant your attack. But I forgive you anyway.
Other Waiszlings feel free to chime in. Alaan, have you ever heard me mention it, wether as a "wang-waving attention attempt" or to "woo some ladies"? Waisz? Vise?
You always told me you were Atheist. Not giving any sort of a damn about religion. I'm sensing some sort of contrast between the current statements you're making and the ones I've previously heard from you.
I don't know if you're doing this in an effort to gain attention, but somehow I'm doubting your truthfulness on this matter.
Atheist: One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.
Wouldn't all Buddhists be atheists?
I've always said I'm an atheist because I don't wear my beliefs on my sleeve. I let my actions speak.
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Demos had this to say about Punky Brewster:
I've always said I'm an atheist because I don't wear my beliefs on my sleeve. I let my actions speak.
You've always said you're an atheist from a scientifical standpoint. I really have heard nothing of this "speaking actions" stuff you're saying now. 
As for the actions, the reason you don't hear about them is because I don't brag about them 
I've been doing volunteer work for years now, with different youth groups. I regularly go do Habitat for Humanity with a friend's christian Methodist group. Why? Because it doesn't matter what "religion" or "belief system" or "philosophy" you subscribe to - Helping people is the most rewarding thing you can do.
I want to give myself time to grow and mature before I make a commitment.
Now, I'm not saying that it isn't awesome that you're helping the community because it is. More power to you. But I don't think that has anything to do with the matter at hand. Any religion/philosophy/etc. can help people. That's just the right thing to do. It's universal. I'm just curious to what you're doing actually WITH the basic Buddhist principles such as the releasing of desires, meditation, and your thoughts on reincarnation. Just stuff like that.
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Verily, Demos doth proclaim:
As for the actions, the reason you don't hear about them is because I don't brag about them
That's because you too busy boasting whatever you're doing in SWG, or how you won 40 bucks playing poker with your Uncles. 
Wait, isn't like gambling going against a rather large virtue of Buddhism. Janus. fucked around with this message on 08-03-2004 at 03:11 AM.
And I didn't say that helping the community was exclusive to any religion. That was my point was that it was universal. But that aside, I believe in the releasing of obsessive desire as a path to happiness. What causes disappointment? When you build yourself up in anticipation of something unrealistic. I agree. I meditate often. Meditation doesn't mean sitting cross-legged humming mantras. Meditation is focus and awareness that can be done walking, sitting, eating or showering.
As for gambling, Pat, if I let it become obsessive it would be.
Next question.
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Demos had this to say about dark elf butts:
Welcome to 2 years ago Pat. I havn't even mentioned Shayna in over a year, havn't mentioned SWG (havn't played in a while), and I havn't played poker with my uncles in months. Unless you want to criticize me for playing poker online on Yahoo! Games.And I didn't say that helping the community was exclusive to any religion. That was my point was that it was universal. But that aside, I believe in the releasing of obsessive desire as a path to happiness. What causes disappointment? When you build yourself up in anticipation of something unrealistic. I agree. I meditate often. Meditation doesn't mean sitting cross-legged humming mantras. Meditation is focus and awareness that can be done walking, sitting, eating or showering.
As for gambling, Pat, if I let it become obsessive it would be.
Next question.
You can exaggerate the meaning of "obsessive" to fit your needs quite well in a situation such as this. Buddhism is a very open ended philosophy, from what I've read, it seems that Buddhism does not want you to completely eliminate wishing for good things to happen to you that may be unlikely. But in fact, to be able to deal with it if and when it does not. This should even make you stronger and more able to cope with bigger disappointments to come.
Obsessing over one thing is what I'm getting from what you are saying, when the second "Noble Truth" as I am finding is to avoid a "wanting" in general. Always wanting more and more is bad for you and this should be toned down, says the Buddhist philosophy.
And by the way, I never said that meditation had to be in a sitting position with them crazy incense candles as I bet you assume I am imagining when I asked you that question. Please don't think I don't know what I'm talking about as well as yourself. Mr. Gainsborough fucked around with this message on 08-03-2004 at 03:29 AM.
Buddhism doesn't teach a complete lack of "wanting" but more of the elimination of unhealthy wanting, and in a broader sense suffering. Its not about trying to gain something beneficial, but in recognizing the perfection that is already within reach. By recognizing that I already have everything I need to be happy, I've stopped defining myself by unrealistic goals. Do I claim to be enlightened? Not at all. In fact, I'm so far from it I have no idea if I'll ever be enlightened. But hey, I have to start somewhere.
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Demos had this to say about dark elf butts:
I missed the question in that, but I didn't mean to sound condescending, if thats the impression I gave. I apoligize if I did. But honestly, I don't gamble much, just at family events like holidays. Hell, I've never lost more than $5, so I doubt that qualifies as any meaning of obsessive. But the point of the thread isn't to debate degrees of obsession. It was to provide information for Manjusri, before it got hijacked by certain people who felt like slandering people's character.Buddhism doesn't teach a complete lack of "wanting" but more of the elimination of unhealthy wanting, and in a broader sense suffering. Its not about trying to gain something beneficial, but in recognizing the perfection that is already within reach. By recognizing that I already have everything I need to be happy, I've stopped defining myself by unrealistic goals. Do I claim to be enlightened? Not at all. In fact, I'm so far from it I have no idea if I'll ever be enlightened. But hey, I have to start somewhere.
I don't give a damn if you gamble or not, and I don't particularly think Buddhism has anything against it either. The only things I can see that it DOES have against are killing, lying, getting smashed, not accepting gifts that aren't given freely ( 
), and being excessively horny. Hmm, you might wanna cut down on the H-Games for that one buddy. Apparently, you can't reach enlightenment with a hard-on.
Defining yourself by unrealistic goals is never healthy, but you should always aspire to at least a little bit more for yourself. And about the wanting thing, maybe you if you start getting more in tune with the philosophy, you'll have to depend less and less on the need to get more of stuff*.
So far, it seems that you are doing the right things to become a Buddhist, but what I'm getting at is that you shouldn't just say that you are one when you're only just a n00b to it yourself.
*stuff is a very general term Mr. Gainsborough fucked around with this message on 08-03-2004 at 03:51 AM.
I contribute nothing to this conversation other than a faux air of condescention.
*airs his socks out*
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So quoth Vorbis:
I was a semi-stout Buddhist for a while. Now I'm meandering abit more to Hinduism.
I contribute nothing to this conversation other than a faux air of condescention.*airs his socks out*
Your feet stink. 
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Mr. Gainsborough spewed forth this undeniable truth:
Your feet stink.
Stink with the holy Dharma. Don't make me go and transcend your ass!
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Vorbis had this to say about (_|_):
Stink with the holy Dharma. Don't make me go and transcend your ass!
That's what your mom said last night! Oooooohhhh!!!
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This one time, at Fizodeth camp:
I'm staying neutral in the waiszling dickwave, but I will point out that Buddhism is NOT a religion, per se, but a way of life. It's more of how you live your life and not how you worship. You could theoretically be a christian and a buddhist, just not a very good christian.
Fizodeth gets a cookie for being the first person I've seen use "per se" correctly.
Go you.
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
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Bloodsage attempted to be funny by writing:
Fizodeth gets a cookie for being the first person I've seen use "per se" correctly.Go you.
That's only because I never use it. Tarquinn fucked around with this message on 08-03-2004 at 12:13 PM.
It's used too often in message board discussions anyway. Seems to be "hip" at the moment.
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Tarquinn stumbled drunkenly to the keyboard and typed:
That's only because I never use it.
It's used too often in message board discussions anyway. Seems to be "hip" at the moment.
Agree totally. I was gonna have to rampage, though, next time I saw someone write "persay" as seems the common way of trying to sound intellectual without really having any clue what the phrase means.
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
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Demos had this to say about Optimus Prime:
I don't think science at Buddhism are mutually exclusive - both explain circumstance as a matter of cause and affect. The two systems actually fit quite well together, if you look at it with the right perspective.As for the actions, the reason you don't hear about them is because I don't brag about them
I've been doing volunteer work for years now, with different youth groups. I regularly go do Habitat for Humanity with a friend's christian Methodist group. Why? Because it doesn't matter what "religion" or "belief system" or "philosophy" you subscribe to - Helping people is the most rewarding thing you can do.
Unfortunately, this shows how little you understand both science and Buddhism.
Honestly, wtf?
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
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Bloodsage had this to say about Knight Rider:
Agree totally. I was gonna have to rampage, though, next time I saw someone write "persay" as seems the common way of trying to sound intellectual without really having any clue what the phrase means.
Here here!
(That's my pet peeve. When will people learn that it is HEAR HEAR! Gawd, how much I hate that.)
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We were all impressed when Tarquinn wrote:
Here here!(That's my pet peeve. When will people learn that it is HEAR HEAR! Gawd, how much I hate that.)
Absodamnlutely!
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
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Aw, geez, I have Bloodsage all over myself!
Unfortunately, this shows how little you understand both science and Buddhism.Honestly, wtf?
I blame the public school system. Or, if he went to private school, the private school system. Either way, science is one of the most dicked over subjects outside of a university setting.
Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite. - John Kenneth Galbraith
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Karnaj had this to say about Duck Tales:
I blame the public school system. Or, if he went to private school, the private school system. Either way, science is one of the most dicked over subjects outside of a university setting.
And I guess we really can't rule out genetics, come to think of it.
/sigh
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
