Makes sense to be a half-Buddhist, because full-Buddhism is insane. "Life is suffering, the goal is to escape it forever". "Break off all attachments, even to your mother or children" (this happens in a sutra, where a monk son "helps" his nun mother by telling her to fuck off, with her realizing the "meaninglessness" of their bond and therefore attaining liberation). If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him, right?
There's definitely a warmth and exuberance to Christianity that's often lacking in Buddhism - and of course it inspired more missionary zeal than any other religion in history. And yes, even though it's supposed to be the Middle Way there are lots of extreme elements in Buddhism. My blog's tagline is 'Seeking imperfect enlightenment' because I don't think I can, nor do I actually want to, become one of the bulletproof superbeings you read about in the traditions. Not in this body/brain/lifetime/incarnation.
When you're talking about the meaning of life there's always a temptation towards extremism isn't there: this is THE answer, not just for me but for everyone, and anything that doesn't serve the answer must be ruthlessly extinguished. In practice, that attitude just doesn't work for our bodies, our environment or our communities.
Yeah definitely, but at the same time, there is still a right or wrong, an up and down. There probably isn't a one size fits all answer (though I still think any authentic spirituality will have you giving to charity at the minimum), but there is still an upwards direction to aim for.
And in that tension between what you're aiming for and what you actually spend a lot of your time doing, you have - well, the story of humanity. Good read, be interesting to see how it turns out.
Makes sense to be a half-Buddhist, because full-Buddhism is insane. "Life is suffering, the goal is to escape it forever". "Break off all attachments, even to your mother or children" (this happens in a sutra, where a monk son "helps" his nun mother by telling her to fuck off, with her realizing the "meaninglessness" of their bond and therefore attaining liberation). If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him, right?
I prefer Jesus with his promise of eternal life.
There's definitely a warmth and exuberance to Christianity that's often lacking in Buddhism - and of course it inspired more missionary zeal than any other religion in history. And yes, even though it's supposed to be the Middle Way there are lots of extreme elements in Buddhism. My blog's tagline is 'Seeking imperfect enlightenment' because I don't think I can, nor do I actually want to, become one of the bulletproof superbeings you read about in the traditions. Not in this body/brain/lifetime/incarnation.
When you're talking about the meaning of life there's always a temptation towards extremism isn't there: this is THE answer, not just for me but for everyone, and anything that doesn't serve the answer must be ruthlessly extinguished. In practice, that attitude just doesn't work for our bodies, our environment or our communities.
Yeah definitely, but at the same time, there is still a right or wrong, an up and down. There probably isn't a one size fits all answer (though I still think any authentic spirituality will have you giving to charity at the minimum), but there is still an upwards direction to aim for.
And in that tension between what you're aiming for and what you actually spend a lot of your time doing, you have - well, the story of humanity. Good read, be interesting to see how it turns out.
'Chilling out, living in the moment and being good to each other'....good summation. Sounds like you're a practical Buddhist.