buddhists: New girl with questions..

Kittyx_x (

kittyx_x) wrote in

buddhists,
@ 2008-05-11 15:12:00

New girl with questions..

Hello,

I've just joined this Community & I have a few questions regarding Buddhism. I'm aware that the following questions may seem naive, but I'm here to learn & I'd rather seem foolish for asking a questions, then be foolish for not asking.

*Can you be a Buddhist & be a meat-eater collectively?
*Can you be a Buddhist & not know all of the history?
*Can any tell me the 'rules' of Buddhism? In bullet points? - this isn't meant to be an arrogant question - just that I find it easier to retain information that way.
*With regards to sex, are ther any 'rules'? - that sounds abit weird I know...

Sorry if the above seems strange, I'm just quite shy & sometimes my wording sounds snooty.
Any thoughts?

Thank You &hearts;

(Post a new comment)

	lllolololololol 2008-05-11 02:29 pm UTC (link)
	I'm new to this community/Buddhism too and I ask what I thought was a "silly" question and everyone here was really nice. In regards to meat, I continued to eat meat (though I don't eat a whole lot of it anyway) but found myself eventually not wanting to do it anymore. But thats not really a rule. I'm not sure what the rule is for that one. I don't know that there is one. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	kittyx_x 2008-05-11 02:57 pm UTC (link)
	That was v.helpful, ty ♥ (Reply to this)(Parent)

nakedmen
2008-05-11 02:36 pm UTC (link)

1. yes
2. yes
3. Buddhism is more like a path. There are certain precepts or vows people can take which act as guidelines, but there isn't really a specific type of rule system. We use methods to create self-improvement, not to judge people. The Noble Eightfold Path is a common means of doing this, which can be summarized as
*morality
*concentration (meditation)
*wisdom
in which we use morality to increase concentration, and both to increase wisdom, and wisdom decreases our suffering by improving our minds. I find it's best to just research and put it into practice, http://www.youtube.com/user/BuddhistSocietyWA might be more informative.
4. no

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	kittyx_x 2008-05-11 02:57 pm UTC (link)
	Thank You ♥ (Reply to this)(Parent)

	anomniverse 2008-05-11 08:51 pm UTC (link)
	Good response. I agree with what you've said! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nakedmen 2008-05-11 09:59 pm UTC (link)
	thanks : ) (Reply to this)(Parent)

jasonwentcrazy
2008-05-11 11:43 pm UTC (link)

I agree with this one. Yes you can eat meat and you don't have to 'know all of the history and the rules' and Buddhism is a really simple philosophy. The Buddha summed it all up for us in the Four Noble Truths and the bulk of everything Buddha said could be easily enough written on a 3x5 card. For me at least, I like things simpler and I think that an easier and almost more concise summation of Buddhism could be reduced down to just two words: Practice Mindfulness.

That's it in a nutshell.

[Or maybe: Choose Love. Although I'm not certain that's it.]

For me a really perfect site to start at is www.buddhanet.net and I bet that you'll find everything you need to know right there. And it's an easy to use site and for me has been one of my favorites for years and years.

I'm sending you love right now [to both of you, as I am really replying to two separate people at least] and I think that it's lovely that you took a chance to ask these questions and took the time to respond in turn.

Rockets! -Jason

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	turil 2008-05-11 02:44 pm UTC (link)
	In Buddhism, it's less important what other people think, and more important what works for you to alleviate suffering in yourself and your world. So, given that perspective, what do you think your own answers are? (Reply to this)(Thread)

turil
2008-05-11 02:50 pm UTC (link)

Though if you haven't seen the most basic elements of Buddhist philosophy - the Four Nobel Truths - then it might be useful to check them out:

Four Noble Truths

1. Suffering exists
2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires
3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path

(from Essentials of Buddhism, which also lists the Eightfold Path, referenced here.)

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	kittyx_x 2008-05-11 02:57 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you ♥ (Reply to this)(Parent)

yukontodd
2008-05-11 03:56 pm UTC (link)

Buddhism is full of 2500 year old lists in bullet form. There's the four noble truths, the eightfold noble path, the three (sometimes four) dharma seals, the threefold gem, the five skandhas, the six senses, the twelvefold chain of dependent arising, the five, eight, or ten precepts. And that's just a start. Go do a wikipedia search or google for those, and you can start to fill your brain with bullet point lists to your heart's content.:)

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	kittyx_x 2008-05-11 07:04 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you ♥ (Reply to this)(Parent)

laren
2008-05-11 05:47 pm UTC (link)

This page lists the 10 precepts. Since you'd like them in bullet points, here they are:

I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from ...

1. ...harming living beings.
2. ...taking things not freely given.
3. ...sexual misconduct.
4. ...false speech.
5. ...intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness.
6. ...taking untimely meals.
7. ...dancing, singing, music and watching grotesque mime.
8. ...use of garlands, perfumes and personal adornment.
9. ...use of high seats.
10. ...accepting gold or silver.

"The first five precepts are mandatory for every Buddhist, although the fifth precept is often not observed, because it bans the consumption of alcohol. Precepts no. six to ten are laid out for those in preparation for monastic life and for devoted lay people unattached to families. The eight precepts put together number eight and nine and omit the tenth. Lay people may observe the eight precepts on Buddhist festival days."

This same page also lists The Five Mindfulness Trainings, which are a sort of adaptation of the first five precepts by Thich Nhat Hanh. They are well-written and easy to apply to our daily lives in the modern world, so they're worth looking into.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	kittyx_x 2008-05-11 07:05 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you, do you personally live by all of those? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nakedmen 2008-05-11 07:24 pm UTC (link)
	The 14 Mindfulness Trainings (as laren implied) are very helpful too: http://www.mindfulnessnyc.org/index_files/14mindfulness.HTML (Reply to this)(Parent)

	laren 2008-05-11 08:10 pm UTC (link)
	As a layperson who has no plans to become a monastic, I follow the first four to the best of my ability (I drink on occasion so I didn't take the fifth), although some might say I don't follow the first because I eat meat. :/ (Reply to this)(Parent)

	yukontodd 2008-05-11 08:02 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, and with regards to "rules" surrounding sex, there aren't really rules in Buddhism. There's a precept about sex, but really the precepts are saying something more like "Hey, if you want to avoid having problems and regrets, don't misuse sex," rather than something like "If you misuse sexuality Buddha's going to send you to hell for not following the rules." (Reply to this)

Depends

just_be_hoppy
2008-05-11 08:08 pm UTC (link)

Its all about you and your level of comfort. The are literally hundreds of vows and precepts if you wish to adopt them. They are only there to help, to free us and others from suffering. Through keeping vows you will quickly see that suffering, as well as happiness has causes, change the causes and the results will change.

This being said, you can still be a buddhist while keeping no vows. In fact, thousands of people in Asia consider themselves buddhist and completely ignore most of the precepts but go to the 'temple' once in a while to 'pray'. There are many levels and approaches to this concept we call buddhism.

For me, I think the highest precept you can take is to watch your mindstream, to have mindfullness in whatever you are doing. If you are eating meat, then be aware.If you are breathing in, then be aware. If you are kicking the dog, then be aware. For most people, just living in awareness will slowly weed out the activities that are harmfull to oneself and others without the need for such a rigid list of commandments. I prefer a this softer approach.

I am also a big big fan of Thic nhat hans mindfullness trainings, good good stuff.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	Re: Depends kittyx_x 2008-05-11 08:52 pm UTC (link)
	Could you tell me more about those? (Reply to this)(Parent)

longtail
2008-05-11 08:54 pm UTC (link)

*Can you be a Buddhist & be a meat-eater collectively?

Yes. Many Buddhists are meat eaters. We're not supposed to kill things ourselves (hunting or fishing) because it defeats the purpose of loving kindness. Though our livestock farming practices in this country are incredibly harmful and unbelievably cruel, and our money goes to support it. Many Buddhists simply don't like the idea of eating other beings. So in such a situation, the Buddhist thing to do would be to research as much as possible with an open mind on the subject and making your own decisions.

*Can you be a Buddhist & not know all of the history?
Yes. Buddhism deals with learning to live in the here and now. The history can help a lot and is quite interesting.

*Can any tell me the 'rules' of Buddhism? In bullet points? - this isn't meant to be an arrogant question - just that I find it easier to retain information that way.

There aren't really any rules. Buddhism is by and large a set of teachings about how life works and how to live. So there is a lot of reading and learning and observing that needs to be done of life in general.

* Learn to live in the present moment through meditation

* Learn to live your life mindfully and with an open mind and heart

* Learn to live in joy and compassion

* Do not harm other sentient beings.

*With regards to sex, are there any 'rules'? - that sounds abit weird I know...

The only "rule" really for lay people regarding sex is "Do not commit sexual misconduct." This includes harmful sexual practices like rape, cheating, bestiality, pedophilia, unprotected sex, really anything that would cause harm to yourself or another being.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	ocha_no_hanashi 2008-05-11 11:26 pm UTC (link)
	Many Buddhists simply don't like the idea of eating other beings. Do you know how many little beings you kill every time you brush your teeth? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	longtail 2008-05-11 11:29 pm UTC (link)
	Yes. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	nakedmen 2008-05-11 11:52 pm UTC (link)
	But bacteria aren't sentient beings : ) (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	pewter_wings 2008-05-13 12:41 am UTC (link)
	How do we know? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nakedmen 2008-05-13 01:43 am UTC (link)
	Because they lack sense perception and consciousness, similar to any individual cell, plant or animal. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

mindfulness
2008-05-13 03:39 am UTC (link)

We limit our ideas of perception and consciousness to human experiences and I think doing this severely limits our understanding. There's a lot we don't know and that which we do know doesn't, to me, preclude some tiny sentience within tiny creatures. Occam's Razor is convenient in mental exercises, but it does not reflect reality.

And amusingly, maybe superadvanced aliens regard us like we regard bacteria: non-sentient and primitive biologically.

Whose standards are right? Are any standards? Aren't all standards empty?

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	kittyx_x 2008-05-12 07:17 pm UTC (link)
	Wow, thank you ♥ (Reply to this)(Parent)

calamityjamie
2008-05-12 12:05 am UTC (link)

You may get different answers, because, as with all religions, we all have a different take on things.... and there are many kinds of Buddhism. But generally....

*Can you be a Buddhist & be a meat-eater collectively?
The Buddha died from eating bad pork, so, yes, you can be a meat-eater (I'm not, but the Dalai Lama is).

*Can you be a Buddhist & not know all of the history?

Absolutely. There's gallons of history out there - maybe a lifetime's worth.
*Can any tell me the 'rules' of Buddhism? In bullet points? - this isn't meant to be an arrogant question - just that I find it easier to retain information that way.
There aren't rules per se, but rather "Right action:" Don't steal, murder, use your sexuality to hurt others, gain profit from something that will hurt others (i.e. be a munitions maker, on the most extreme side of things). But they're not commandments.

*With regards to sex, are ther any 'rules'? - that sounds abit weird I know
You should not use your sexuality to harm others - cheat on a spouse, use someone who you know cares for you in a sexual way when you don't feel the same and just want to have a no-strings quick, rape, etc.

Good luck!
Jamie

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	tdiym 2008-05-12 03:39 pm UTC (link)
	I thought the Buddha died from eating mushrooms. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	calamityjamie 2008-05-12 03:41 pm UTC (link)
	Nope. Tainted pork. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	kittyx_x 2008-05-12 07:18 pm UTC (link)
	I've just started reading a Buddhism history so I'll look out for that :) (Reply to this)(Parent)

mindfulness
2008-05-12 12:06 am UTC (link)

There's been some good replies.

As to meat, some traditions do espouse vegetarianism, some don't. The former even have Sutras to support this, but other traditions don't recognise those Sutras. Some temples, particularly in China, have a tradition of vegan food called Temple Cuisine. The Buddha himself is said to have eaten meat, but with a qualification that the animal not be killed for him specifically. (I find that an odd qualification.) He focused on accepting what was given to him.

As to sex, there may be some cultural traditions that have been added to Buddhism in some countries, that have their own perspectives regarding sex, but in Buddhism there's the broad term of avoiding sexual misconduct, as per one of the precepts. That includes avoiding dishonesty and asking for consent. Thich Naht Hanh gave a great talk years ago called "God is a Lesbian" which examines homophobia and homosexuality from a Buddhist perspective, despite him using the word 'god'. That talk is a memory of this community which can be found here - http://community.livejournal.com/buddhists/682684.html

As to rules, there's a quote that might be relevant from the Kalama Sutra, that is often misquoted, but the full version is the following - "...don't go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, 'This contemplative is our teacher.' When you know for yourselves that, 'These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to happiness' -- then you should enter & remain in them." - Kalama Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya III.65

Historical knowledge isn't necessary.

Welcome to the community.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	kittyx_x 2008-05-12 07:18 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you ♥ (Reply to this)(Parent)

snoot snoot snoot

seer0000
2008-05-12 04:40 am UTC (link)

1. often, but you should oppose the suffering of sentient beings
2. often, but as usual the more you know the better you know what you're about
3. wtf up. wake tf up. this means, tame your mind. find a teacher get a method
4. yes. do it well, do it with gusto, do it with extreme love

4a. try to meditate more than you think about sex
4b. 'tantric sex' is often a load of bollocks
4c. be safe, be smart, be compassionate

4d. prefer partners you can have a laugh with on a rainy sunday afternoon

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	Re: snoot snoot snoot kittyx_x 2008-05-12 07:19 pm UTC (link)
	you said bollucks? you must be British?? & thanks for the in-depth sex answer :) (Reply to this)(Parent)

tdiym
2008-05-12 03:39 pm UTC (link)

I would suggest, if you're new to Buddhism, to get and read Walpola Rahula's very concise little book, "What the Buddha Taught". You can find it used on Amazon or Half.com, and it's a very worthwhile investment. It's hard to be a Buddhist without knowing the basics about Buddhist thought, like the Four Noble Truths, for example. You don't have to know ALL the history, but a basic understanding is definitely something you'd want to have if you're thinking you want to be a Buddhist.

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	kittyx_x 2008-05-12 07:20 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks for the tip, I'll seek out that book ♥ (Reply to this)(Parent)

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