Existentialism: Absurdity of Sadness

[Jbills]

[/quote]
The concept of 'rebirth' is controversial amongst different Buddhists. Some Buddhists believe in rebirth into future lives, some don't.
The plus point, regardless of which believe of rebirth, within Buddhism there is no calling to kill non-believers.[/quote]

An interesting thought occurred to me while reading this post and although slightly awry from topic, I would still like to discuss. What is the worst stigma associated with Abrahamic religions? For an onlooker, devoid of all attachment to these religions… could it be said, that the relentless attempt at religious conversion through bribery and “this for that” tactics is worse than the practice of killing non-believers?

Eastern mystics and Buddhists seem to have a better suited compilation of goals in order to accomplish religious fulfillment on the personal level.

The drive to convert and maim non believers, leaving destruction in tow from their zealotry, does not hound the Eastern sentiment.

Acknowledging a separation between self and spiritual awareness is the only way to quell the hindrance. This duality is not observed in Abrahamic religions; the people who practice these cannot distinguish themselves from their religion and therefore ostracize, convert and kill others.

[Spectrum]

The concept of 'rebirth' is controversial amongst different Buddhists. Some Buddhists believe in rebirth into future lives, some don't.
The plus point, regardless of which believe of rebirth, within Buddhism there is no calling to kill non-believers.

An interesting thought occurred to me while reading this post and although slightly awry from topic, I would still like to discuss. What is the worst stigma associated with Abrahamic religions? For an onlooker, devoid of all attachment to these religions… could it be said, that the relentless attempt at religious conversion through bribery and “this for that” tactics is worse than the practice of killing non-believers?

Eastern mystics and Buddhists seem to have a better suited compilation of goals in order to accomplish religious fulfillment on the personal level.

The drive to convert and maim non believers, leaving destruction in tow from their zealotry, does not hound the Eastern sentiment.

Acknowledging a separation between self and spiritual awareness is the only way to quell the hindrance. This duality is not observed in Abrahamic religions; the people who practice these cannot distinguish themselves from their religion and therefore ostracize, convert and kill others.

1. The worst stigma of the Abrahamic religions is the "us vs. them" approach, i.e. the good in the religion is only relative by making others worse and evil. That's blowing the candle of others to brighten one's own.
2. This is made worst by the inclusion of a % of verses laden with evil and violent element.
3. In addition, there is naturally a certain % of evil prone people in any large grouping that will feed on 1 and 2.
4. The cocktail of 1 + 2 + 3 is malignant for humanity.

[Discards]

And, Spectrum, what are the results, or what is the result, of following the 4NT and the 8FP?

[Spectrum]

And, Spectrum, what are the results, or what is the result, of following the 4NT and the 8FP?

The 4NT and 8FP is a foolproof and holistic generic problem-solving technique, specifically related to human life.
IF one adopts this 4NT-8FP problem-solving technique and execute the procedures accordingly, then the results from this generic technique will the most optimal to the individual, the situation, and humanity.

[Quotidian]

If we were born from a primordial soup, starting with random arrangements of the most basic elements and creating, over unfathomable stretches of time, a bastion of life in the multitude of space, why are we the only species cursed with the faculties to analyze such things?

Faith is an out dated crutch used by the lazy-minded to grasp their complex environment while atheists appear cynical and make sense of their world through self-richeous assertions.

Is it possible that our species is destined to be in the dark; that we dont have the inherent means to solve the plague of God definitively for as long as we exist?

If 'religion' is reduced to verbal arguments and symbols, it easily become meaningless. When it is drained of meaning, then it appears absurd. But where did the meaning in it originate in the first place? What needs did it answer? These are deep and difficult questions. So don't make the mistake of thinking that they're easy.

As for why existentialism is bleak, it is because it has conscientiously turned itself away from any type of religious or even spiritual view. It deliberately adopts a position that 'life is basically absurd, now let's see what we can make of that'. If you are strong enough to do that properly then you might live a life of great integrity. But it still seems pointless to me.

My view of spirituality has come about through practicing meditation. It does open up perspectives which you don't get by other means. If you say 'what are they', the only answer is 'you have to find out'. But it involves laying aside preconceptions, unbelief as well as belief. You have to be willing to divest yourself of everything like that. It is not quite the same as the European existentialists, though, as it has much more connection with your felt existence and your kinship with nature.

But if you want to go with existentialism, I suggest you learn to enjoy Gauloise cigarettes and strong black coffee.

This duality is not observed in Abrahamic religions; the people who practice these cannot distinguish themselves from their religion and therefore ostracize, convert and kill others.

Have a look at http://veda.wikidot.com/dharma-and-religion

[Discards]

(Nested quote removed.)

The 4NT and 8FP is a foolproof and holistic generic problem-solving technique, specifically related to human life.
IF one adopts this 4NT-8FP problem-solving technique and execute the procedures accordingly, then the results from this generic technique will the most optimal to the individual, the situation, and humanity.

All right. The results are most optimal to the individual etc etc IF one adopts the steps. You still haven't actually said what the results are. What are the results of following the eightfold path?

[Spectrum]

(Nested quote removed.)


All right. The results are most optimal to the individual etc etc IF one adopts the steps. You still haven't actually said what the results are. What are the results of following the eightfold path?

The results would be optimal living and death. One will live and die optimally.

[Spiral Out]

How does one "die optimally"?

[Spectrum]

How does one "die optimally"?

Adopt the 4NT and 8FP accordingly and effectively.

Note, in the Buddha story (myth), the critical point is 'death' as represented by the 'corpse' and all the other points are related to the pains from the subliminal fear of death, i.e. old age and disease (terminal).

[Spiral Out]

So then is it just an optimal death psychologically, as in simple mental preparation for death? Is dying optimally also to be considered dying willingly, or accepting death gracefully?

[Discards]

(Nested quote removed.)

The results would be optimal living and death. One will live and die optimally.

And is optimal living and optimal dying also the "cessation of suffering"?

[Spiral Out]

And is optimal living and optimal dying also the "cessation of suffering"?

Suffering has to do with the desires, yes?

[Discards]

"Craving" would be the accurate translation. Desire for sense contact is one type. Desire for being is a second. And desire for non-existence is the third. But the idea that we "thirst" after these feelings is the gist. That suffering is an addiction to sensuality, being, and non-being brought in by inner cravings fueled by clinging.

In the second noble truth Buddha identifies craving as the cause of suffering and declares the cessation of suffering to be the destruction of that very same craving. The optimal life then must include a destruction of these three addictions, for Spectrums assertion to actually align with the four nobles.

[Spiral Out]

What is life without desire? If there is no desire, especially for being then what is the point? Isn't the death of desires also the death of the person's will and thus the death of the person?

How is one to remove desires and continue living?

[Quotidian]

'Craving' is a bit facile a word. I mean, one has cravings for chocolate or alchohol. I think 'will' in the sense Schopenhauer used the term is more like it - there is a 'will' which propels us manifesting as craving and attachment. 'Renunciation' signifies dissociating from that drive.

This is well away from the main topic, but the Buddha symbolizes a higher state of being, a type of life which is above and beyond the 'vale of tears' which is our ordinary mortal life. The Buddha recognizes the joys of worldly life, family and professional success, and the like. But he points out something higher or more than that. Everything we have, own, cherish, and are attached to, will one day end, die, break, or run out. The Buddha points to something that is imperishable and not subject to decay.