Buddhism

[Silicon]

I follow the fictional teachings of Jojii!


Jojiism is a made-up philosophy from a video game called Asheron's Call.

It's kind of a humanist Buddhism. I like it quite a bit. It's based on four principles, Discipline, Detatchment, Compassion and Humility.

Finding balance between those "four stones", is the key to Jojiism.

It made for some great roleplaying in the massively multiplayer video game. We had an order of monks who wandered the videogame world spreading wisdom.

In a videogame where not much roleplaying happened, we spent much of our time having our own adventures in this world we shared with thousands of other players.

Totally freaked out some players, who thought we were pre-scripted automotons. Hehehe.

But we developed a cool philosophy, and wrote up an elaborate mythology around it.

I like videogames where I can play a wandering philosopher monk.

 

[triadboy]

Then why would anyone bother with understanding, purpose, speech, conduct, vocation, effort, mindfulness & meditation?

You don't have to stop living to be a Buddhist.

 

[hammegk]

You don't have to stop living to have little "purpose", & lack "mindfulness", for example. Which has the probability of allowing a more satisfying and fruitful life?

 

[Atlas]

Hamme and Triadboy,

Is your disagreement about Triad's assertion that the 8-fold path promises nothing?

When done just right one is positioned at the threshold of Transcendent attainment. But no promise of enlightenment is made. Only that if one follows the way one may attain enlightenment.

Sorry to get in the middle but I wonder what is at the center of the disagreement

[Edit]
Just to add, I do believe that Buddhism assumes that people would prefer to attain enlightenment and if that is their goal Buddhism shows the way.

There is an implied threat too. But the threat is not Hell, it's Karma. And Karma seems closer to justice than Hell does to me.

That is, Hell seems like a sword at your neck helping you to choose the light. Karma is like the load you carry, it can bend you over with it's weight or be made lighter so that you can stand up again and feel the sun on your face.
[/Edit]

 

[triadboy]

Originally posted by triadboy

But the 8-Fold Path are just guidelines for life. They do nothing other than instruct. They promise nothing.

Then why would anyone bother with understanding, purpose, speech, conduct, vocation, effort, mindfulness & meditation?

Maybe I'm reading this wrong - but is that a strange response?

 

[Igopogo]

I believe that any philosophy can be practiced as a religion or vice-versa. It all depends on how you approach it:

Philosophy - A way of thinking about how things are.

Religion - Following rigid rules on how you believe things are.

Even when I was still a practicing Christian, I only ever embraced it as a philosophy, (yes, such a thing is possible). Nowadays my outlook seems similar to Buddhism, though I’ll admit I know or look-up much about it.

I think degree of religiousness it has to do with a person’s character. For instance I've never been able to follow anything totally, not even atheism or scientific methodology – so I doubt I’ll be buying into a religion any time soon.

 

[Kevin_Lowe]

This question involves one of the less-used logical Fallacies which I've half-forgotten the name of. Fallacy of composition?

Anyway, the point is that Buddhism aint Buddhism. The actual teachings of the Tathagata buddha, that the whole shebang is supposedly based on, or of Nagarjuna (who IMNSHO "got it") contain absolutely no supernatural claims that I'm aware of. They were philosophers.

Buddhism as it is currently practised with uniforms (robes etc), rituals, spiritual claims about karma and all that jazz goes by the same name, but it has about as much in common with the original teachings as the "Christianity" of GW Bush has to do with the actual teachings attributed to Christ in the Gospels.

 

[!Xx+-Rational-+xX!]

Meditation isn't real!

 

[hammegk]

... The actual teachings of the Tathagata buddha, that the whole shebang is supposedly based on, or of Nagarjuna (who IMNSHO "got it") contain absolutely no supernatural claims that I'm aware of.

Buddhists make few claims, but supernatural is a concept for materialists. IMO, Buddhism is ~materialism.

Which moves? Wind, flag, or mind?

They were philosophers.

Who isn't?

Originally posted by triadboy

Maybe I'm reading this wrong - but is that a strange response?

You name the 8-Fold Path, yet don't know it's precepts?



!Xx: Of course meditation does not work. Western religions tend to name the practice 'prayer'.

 

[Atlas]

Meditation isn't real!

As in... Humans aren't real? Thinking isn't real? Thought isn't real?

Or did you mean as Hamme suggests that it doesn't work? In that case what's is it supposed to do that it doesn't?

 

[Atlas]

You name the 8-Fold Path, yet don't know it's precepts?

I thought it a little strange too Hamme. You have a knack for coming at a topic sideways.

Triadboy said that the 8-fold path is an instruction on life. But it doesn't promise anything. Then you question why bother with it's precepts?

It sounded funny like. why bother teaching a toddler to walk and talk. There's no afterlife in it. What's th point?

 

[Atlas]

Buddhists make few claims, but supernatural is a concept for materialists. IMO, Buddhism is ~materialism.

Buddhism is a Middle Way. It recognizes the objective world as real but an illusion. I think it would smile at the idealists too.

Which moves? Wind, flag, or mind?

Surely the wind and the flag move, but the question blows my mind.

 

[hammegk]

Buddhism is a Middle Way. It recognizes the objective world as real but an illusion. I think it would smile at the idealists too.

mu

 

[Atlas]

mu

You teach me Hamme. I'm embarrassed to say I did not know that word.

Mu (–³) is a Japanese word meaning "null", "nothing", "emptiness", "vacuum", "void". It is used as a response to certain koans and other philosophical questions in Zen Buddhism, with the meaning, "Your question is inherently nonsensical and irrelevant."

 

[Atlas]

Hamme,

I had to run out for a bit but I did want to expand my thought in hopes of getting more than a 'mu' response. I said... <blockquote>Buddhism is a Middle Way. It recognizes the objective world as real but an illusion. I think it would smile at the idealists too. </blockquote> I know that on the face of it that sounds a bit daft. Maybe I can cover myself a little by adding a few more words.

I don't believe that Buddhists are solipsist.

Science sees the objective world as real but an illusion as well. That is, solid matter is mostly space but we perceive it as solid. Science has a focus on the reality of reality if you will. Buddhism comes down on the idealistic side of the illusion.

But it presents practical ways to get along in the world. And it hopes to explain and alleviate the human condition. I think it would smile at the subjective idealist who denies the world as it is. The world is what it is. Life is an experience of it and life is an aspect of it - but one can transcend the world of opposites one perceives.

Enlighten me, my terse friend.

 

[Dancing David]

Mushi-mushi!

Kevin Lowe; There are many who follow the teachings of the buddha and try to live by the precepts, so what was your statement about?
There are the secular trappings in buddhism, there are the religous trappings in buddhism, but Thich Naht Hahn and the dalai lamma both teach the dharma. So ifeel that the dharma lives and continues.

 

[hammegk]

I don't believe that Buddhists are solipsist.

Solipsism: unprovable one way or the other, and for a terran human a rediculous assumption with that human being The Solipsist (should such exist).

Science sees the objective world as real but an illusion as well.

Objective Idealists agree the objective world exists. Illusion? I don't think so.

That is, solid matter is mostly space but we perceive it as solid. Science has a focus on the reality of reality if you will. Buddhism comes down on the idealistic side of the illusion.

In the sense they are likely objective idealists, although they may not recognize it, perhaps.

But it presents practical ways to get along in the world. And it hopes to explain and alleviate the human condition. I think it would smile at the subjective idealist who denies the world as it is. The world is what it is.

Of course. That's why I'm not a subjective idealist.

Life is an experience of it and life is an aspect of it - but one can transcend the world of opposites one perceives.

Opposites are not possible unless you are a dualist.

Enlighten me, my terse friend.

!

 

[triadboy]

I thought it a little strange too Hamme. You have a knack for coming at a topic sideways.

Triadboy said that the 8-fold path is an instruction on life. But it doesn't promise anything. Then you question why bother with it's precepts?

It sounded funny like. why bother teaching a toddler to walk and talk. There's no afterlife in it. What's th point?

That's what threw me.

 

[triadboy]

!Xx: Of course meditation does not work. Western religions tend to name the practice 'prayer'.

Meditation looks to the inner god - prayer appeals to an outer god

 

[hammegk]

You have faith there is a difference?