What is the Responsibility of Buddhists, In a social context (mystic, choice)

[vandervalley]

Originally Posted by lilithu

But how does achieving Buddhahood help more people? I'm not arguing with you. I wish to understand.

Well; when you become a Buddha you can start and spread Buddha Dharma.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by vandervalley

Well; when you become a Buddha you can start and spread Buddha Dharma.

Do you mean by teaching it, as the Thatagata did, or spreading the Dharma in some other way?

[jtartar]

Originally Posted by MysticSang'ha

My responsibility has always, as a Buddhist, come down to one simple "mission statement", if I may: To achieve enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings.

I know it sounds simplistic, but IMO the answer is really that simple.




Peace,
Mystic

MysticSang"ha,
Exactly what will enlightenment lead you to???
Did the god you worship produce life?? Does he claim to have created the Heaven and the earth?? Does you god claim to be almighty??
The God of the Bible claims to be the Almighty Creator of the Heavens and the earth. He claims to be the source of all life, Ps 36:9, Acts 17:24-28. The God of the Bible, whose name is Jehovah says that He is a jealous God, who will cause all these other NONEXISTENT gods to PERISH, Jere 10:6,10-12. Ps 115:2-8, says these gods of the people have hands, feet, eyes etc, but are really nonexistent, and that anyone worshiping them will become just like them , NONEXISTENT!!!
The God of the Bible sent His son to earth to give his life for all people who have faith in the ransom sacrifice. According to the Bible God has given ONE NAME by which all MUST be saved, JESUS, God's own son, Acts 4:12.
According to God's word the ONLY way for mankind to have a life in the future is by faith in His son, Gal 2:16, Acts 13:38,39.
Since the God of the Bible has made many prophecies that have all come true, it is very wise on everyone's part to look into what this God has said, to make sure, one way or the other. No other god has claimed what this God has claimed, a righreous new world where all the wicked acts of today will be no mere. God even says that DEATH will be no more. What other god can claim this???

[Red Pill]

Please excuse me MysticSan"ha, but I really must respond here.

Originally Posted by jtartar

MysticSang"ha,
Exactly what will enlightenment lead you to???

As I understand it, enlightenment leads to compassion to all living beings, especially other humans. Apparently your God does not lead you to that.

Originally Posted by jtartar

MysticSang"ha,
Did the god you worship produce life?? Does he claim to have created the Heaven and the earth?? Does you god claim to be almighty??
The God of the Bible claims to be the Almighty Creator of the Heavens and the earth.

Fortunately, God is almighty and not limited to your narrow view of God. From birth rate records, it looks like everyones God does create life, everywhere on earth, to all people of every and no faith.

Originally Posted by jtartar

MysticSang"ha,
He claims to be the source of all life, Ps 36:9, Acts 17:24-28. The God of the Bible, whose name is Jehovah says that He is a jealous God, who will cause all these other NONEXISTENT gods to PERISH, Jere 10:6,10-12. Ps 115:2-8, says these gods of the people have hands, feet, eyes etc, but are really nonexistent, and that anyone worshiping them will become just like them , NONEXISTENT!!!

The authors of the Bible make these claims. A small group of homeless nomads ( Old Testament), some men who actually knew Jesus, but neglected to write anything down for decades ( New Testament- gospels), and one guy who never even met Jesus, but sure had a lot to say about how everyone else should live (Paul- New Testament).
Why should we assume this minute percentage of humans have a complete understanding of God, and not only that, have a lock on heaven?

Originally Posted by jtartar

MysticSang"ha,
The God of the Bible sent His son to earth to give his life for all people who have faith in the ransom sacrifice. According to the Bible God has given ONE NAME by which all MUST be saved, JESUS, God's own son, Acts 4:12.
According to God's word the ONLY way for mankind to have a life in the future is by faith in His son, Gal 2:16, Acts 13:38,39.
Since the God of the Bible has made many prophecies that have all come true, it is very wise on everyone's part to look into what this God has said, to make sure, one way or the other. No other god has claimed what this God has claimed, a righreous new world where all the wicked acts of today will be no mere. God even says that DEATH will be no more. What other god can claim this???

Have you actually ever considered the teachings of Jesus? He had compassion for everyone, Jew and Gentile, male and female, non-believer ( centurions daughter) and believer. He actually only had harsh words and condemnation for men who put them selves above other in the teachings of the church. He was a revolutionary in that way- people were more important than church rules.

Ever heard of the story of the 3 blind men and the elephant? We can not comprehend God.
Have a little compassion- get enlightened.

[+Xausted]

sorry but i have to also put my two pennerth worth in here.
Did the god you worship produce life?? Does he claim to have created the Heaven and the earth?? Does you god claim to be almighty??
think you need some basic teaching on buddhism. try something simple like wikipedia for a start. there is no 'god' as such in this religion. they believe that following an ethical path (amonst other stuff) will lead to enlightenement - seeing things as they really are. it is through this enlightenment that one ceases the cyclic rebirth that is suffering. buddhism is primarily a moral/ethical religion that aims to help others,. they are not hung up on escotology and theology and so on....for what good does that do for us since it can not be proven one way or another. The God of the Bible claims to be the Almighty Creator of the Heavens and the earth.
He claims to be the source of all life, Ps 36:9, Acts 17:24-28.
yeah so do most other religion in one way or another.
The God of the Bible, whose name is Jehovah says that He is a jealous God, who will cause all these other NONEXISTENT gods to PERISH, Jere 10:6,10-12. Ps 115:2-8, says these gods of the people have hands, feet, eyes etc, but are really nonexistent, and that anyone worshiping them will become just like them , NONEXISTENT!!!
this is actually funny!!!! buddhist teach extinguision of the Atman - of self/I. in a world so focused on the self we could do a lot to follow the example of the Buddhist. to reliese that we cling to a false sense of self makes us selfish in our actions and desires. to rid ourselves of such a notion would mean that we would no longer be concerned with ourself, but rather with the world and all sentient beings. working together brings harmony.
so the hell , fire and damnation technique that you seem to be implying isnt gonna really work, since they dont believe in a permanant self....is actually a 'goal ' to see themselves as nonexistent

The God of the Bible sent His son to earth to give his life for all people who have faith in the ransom sacrifice. According to the Bible God has given ONE NAME by which all MUST be saved, JESUS, God's own son, Acts 4:12.
why presume the bible is right? not saying it isnt, and never like to knock anyones beliefs, but it is simlpy faith that determines that authenticity of the bible as the word of God. and what about all those people that lived before this event? or those that lived elsewhere and where unaware of your God? wht happens to them? cant really hold them responsible for existing in a time and or place where God did not appear
According to God's word the ONLY way for mankind to have a life in the future is by faith in His son, Gal 2:16, Acts 13:38,39.
Since the God of the Bible has made many prophecies that have all come true,
look up phrophies on a google search...you will find hundreds, nee thousands of many others that have prophised correctly as well
it is very wise on everyone's part to look into what this God has said, to make sure, one way or the other. No other god has claimed what this God has claimed, a righreous new world where all the wicked acts of today will be no mere. God even says that DEATH will be no more. What other god can claim this???[/quote]
i could say that i will rid the world of cockroaches.....doesnt mean it will happen though

this is not meant as a personal attack on you. however i really dont think you have your facts completly straight. qouting the bible does not make something correct. please go away and educate yourself somemore on this topic, it can not harm you only open your eyes to other ways of thinking....i dont even believe in any religious beliefs however would not comment on ones that i know nothing about it.



(any buddhists wanting to correct me on any mistakes feel free)

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by jtartar

Ps 115:2-8, says these gods of the people have hands, feet, eyes etc, but are really nonexistent, and that anyone worshiping them will become just like them, NONEXISTENT!!!

Since the goal of Buddhism is to extinguish karma and the cycle of death and rebirth, and since Buddhism teaches that there is in fact no self, "NONEXISTENT!!!" doesn't seem all that scary.

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by jtartar

MysticSang"ha, Exactly what will enlightenment lead you to???

If you truly want an answer to your question, why not become enlightened? Why not see for yourself?

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by MysticSang'ha

My responsibility has always, as a Buddhist, come down to one simple "mission statement", if I may: To achieve enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings.

I know it sounds simplistic, but IMO the answer is really that simple.




Peace,
Mystic

This answer seems far more meaningful to me than the silly notion the salvation of the world will come about by the agency of a deity whose existence is problematic at best and extremely improbable at worse.

[MysticSang'ha]

Originally Posted by jtartar

MysticSang"ha,
Exactly what will enlightenment lead you to???
Did the god you worship produce life?? Does he claim to have created the Heaven and the earth?? Does you god claim to be almighty??
The God of the Bible claims to be the Almighty Creator of the Heavens and the earth. He claims to be the source of all life, Ps 36:9, Acts 17:24-28. The God of the Bible, whose name is Jehovah says that He is a jealous God, who will cause all these other NONEXISTENT gods to PERISH, Jere 10:6,10-12. Ps 115:2-8, says these gods of the people have hands, feet, eyes etc, but are really nonexistent, and that anyone worshiping them will become just like them , NONEXISTENT!!!
The God of the Bible sent His son to earth to give his life for all people who have faith in the ransom sacrifice. According to the Bible God has given ONE NAME by which all MUST be saved, JESUS, God's own son, Acts 4:12.
According to God's word the ONLY way for mankind to have a life in the future is by faith in His son, Gal 2:16, Acts 13:38,39.
Since the God of the Bible has made many prophecies that have all come true, it is very wise on everyone's part to look into what this God has said, to make sure, one way or the other. No other god has claimed what this God has claimed, a righreous new world where all the wicked acts of today will be no mere. God even says that DEATH will be no more. What other god can claim this???

*ahem*

10. Discuss Individual Religions Forums
The DIR forums are for the express use for discussion by that specific group. They are not to be used for debate by anyone. People of other groups or faiths may post respectful questions to increase their understanding. Questions of a rhetorical or argumentative nature or that counter the beliefs of that DIR are not permitted. Only posts that comply with the tenets or spirit of that Dir are permitted. The DIR forums are strictly moderated and posts are subject to editing or removal.

I prefer not to answer your questions in this forum. You're more than welcome to ask me somewhere else in another thread (i.e. debate forums). And I recommend that we keep this thread on topic about the social responsibility of Buddhists.

Originally Posted by lilithu

Since the goal of Buddhism is to extinguish karma and the cycle of death and rebirth, and since Buddhism teaches that there is in fact no self, "NONEXISTENT!!!" doesn't seem all that scary.

But I can't help but highlight this post. As usual, I defer to the wisdom of lilithu. Thank you my dear!




Peace,
Mystic