Does Realistic = Depressing? (Buddhism, hell, verse, religions, Buddhism)

[Willamena]

In reading about Buddhism, I have discovered that its adherents can hold to as "unreal" a philosophy as any other religion. Its teachings do not discourage such, and in fact, once grasped, can encourage it. The way I see it, the reality of 'death' holds as much anticipatory 'hope' as the reality that anticipates an 'afterlife'. Granted, that's my personal view.

Buddhism's symbolism, that I alluded to in post #2, is not readily apparent, and yet it is --it is all about appearances, and those are most readily understood, in allegory and metaphor, looking at the world from a subjective perspective through the 'mirror' of reality as it is presented to us, in mind. Appearances appear to us; the world is apparent to us. The "illusory world" is illusion for our sake. Forget 'objective' reality for a bit, if you want to pursue Buddhism --that's my advice. See the world through your eyes, and you can learn the way in which your eyes are not your own.

[Somkid]

Life is suffering and understanding this first noble truth allows you to learn how to end suffering. There is peace and happiness in non-attachment to worldly things but you have to realize it for yourself. I have been happy since I have been a Buddhist and I don't really suffer anymore except to see others suffering and I am happy with what I have. I don't worry if there is or is not an "after life" because I can not know and it is irreverent the only thing we have is this moment not the past or the future so it is better to live in the "now".

[Bishadi]

Would you say that it is true that the more a religion is based in reality, the more people see it as being depressing or bland?

Like if a religion lacks an afterlife and as such teaches annihilation of the self at death, is that depressing?

Does Buddhism's teachings on life being suffering and peace/happiness being found in non-attachment to worldly things seem depressing or boring?

seems if the priorities are a moving target then as cultures and beliefs evolve; the priorities also change. Just as the representations of ‘gains’ for conforming to each belief. In each case a value is assessed based on the descriptions, the believability and then the accepting ‘crowd.’

So in these to compare with a Buddha kind of view, ‘value’ to the observance is self imposed; suffering.

Well, like you could have a religion that teaches we all go on to live in a happy blissful afterlife, for which there is no evidence - or you could have a religion that says we cease to exist at death, which agrees with what we can observe.

As walking bags of mass with conscious experience (choice), a person with a name, ‘yes’ they pass with time. And that idea seems so permanent and lifeless yet there is more.

Each wake left by a life is there forever.

It is by our experience that we enjoy life. Like a child on their first observation of a butterfly fluttering in the breeze, the awe of experiencing what is occurring is that life of such value.

This is completely understandable.

A religion that suggests the best ‘gain’ based on learned priorities, often retains a needful group. Were in the contrast; in much of Buddhism they try to limit; the usage of identifying things or places or physically derived priorities; to remove the suffering of wanting; such to remove the self as the importance.

It is that splash each leaves during that time of choice that is important. As that wake is your afterlife. Make a baby and live further in the physical, honoring your whole lineage. Teaching is one of the greatest as to contribute knowledge builds Love and quality experiences well past your life. Support life; that is the ‘good’ of each choice to entertain. Think in the lines of each life being a wave, support them waves to continue and you live longer too. It is the combining of waves that offering each ‘one’ longer life!

And just for giggles, them waves that want to jump out of the lake and be of no contribution to existence are what is ‘bad’ a loss to the common. Then the whole lake is affected.

So maybe it is not what religion that is important but how ‘life’ is observed in a true physical sense.

Was that boring?

[Fluffy]

I think an unrealistic attitude is inherently depressing because it focuses on what we do not have but wish we could. Realism, otoh, is positive because it forces us to consider what we do have.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

I think an unrealistic attitude is inherently depressing because it focuses on what we do not have but wish we could. Realism, otoh, is positive because it forces us to consider what we do have.

I guess... In my religion we try to hold two worlds equally in our hearts and minds - the world as it is and the world as it should be, and we try to make the former the latter while still loving the former as it is.

I'm not advocating for "unrealistic" religion, but neither would I want people to not dream about how things could be better (and then act to make it so).

[3.14]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Would you say that it is true that the more a religion is based in reality, the more people see it as being depressing or bland?

Like if a religion lacks an afterlife and as such teaches annihilation of the self at death, is that depressing?

Does Buddhism's teachings on life being suffering and peace/happiness being found in non-attachment to worldly things seem depressing or boring?

nah only thing depressing is is running out of chocolate
there is no good reson to be depressed about being a happyer person with lesser stuf, or to know your not stuck forever it will all end, or ofcourse hearing that there are ways to find relgion in reality not just fiction

[Rolling_Stone]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Would you say that it is true that the more a religion is based in reality, the more people see it as being depressing or bland?

Nope!

Like if a religion lacks an afterlife and as such teaches annihilation of the self at death, is that depressing?

Sure, but it's not based on reality.

Does Buddhism's teachings on life being suffering and peace/happiness being found in non-attachment to worldly things seem depressing or boring?

It seems to be reality-avoidance.

Ultimately, its all in relationship.

[Bishadi]

In my religion we try to hold two worlds equally in our hearts and minds - the world as it is and the world as it should be

Hence the confussion of the worlds children!

This is exactly why many are such rebels. Told to be one way and try and live it, then as soon as they walk into the real world they find what they were taught to believe and how to react is not comparable. So from a clean cut boy/girl to a skin head with piercing on every knook rebelling against the world almost like what the california supreme court did; went against the people because what they see as true is not what they believe as true.

[gnostic]

Originally Posted by halcyon

Sure, but imagine a religion that didn't have an afterlife, would you find that more depressing that one with?

I am in favour of no afterlife.

Am I the only one who favour no afterlife?

The very thought of eternity in either heaven or hell, seemed like an eternity of tediousness. Boredom would drive me up the wall. Boredom in heaven would be worse than any punishment in hell.