Why and how does Buddhism differ
Marcelo,
I know you read the blog and I understand that you are very busy, changing your life.
But let me keep posting some questions and thoughts and maybe attract some questions, comments and thoughts from people reading our blog.
I was asked over the weekend about “Are you a Buddhist” and answered with a classic “Are we not all born Buddhists?” and then decide to worship a (different) god.
Am I a Buddhist, Marcelo? I guess I am. I try very hard to adopt the Buddhist principles, life-style but struggle with a few, e.g. less alcohol, more meditation. However, on both of those as an example I am improving significantly every week.
I chose Buddhism because this “religion” allows to focus more on self development and is not telling you off about how bad you are.
Often I think that the prayer in any “mainstream” Christian Church were, a long long time ago, meant to be meditations. But, we use those words and go through them without anything happening, without a greater benefit for ourselves or others?!
I am not saying everyone is doing that and possibly for some the prayers are still meditation, however, this is based on my experience that the churches I have been to run more of a “ticking the boxes, said the prayer, lets all be good people” events.
Buddhism I find is different. It is about “how can you use medition to be enlightened”, practical advise on how to live, how to treat others and, how to benefit from our prayers and meditation.
I would almost go as far as calling Buddhism a “tool for Personal Development” – would you agree?
Hope you are well, love and kindness from this end of the world.
Volker
