DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - 'Buddhism is the new opium of the people'

**Keeriewof** · 04-11-2011, 06:33 AM

So we have two choices... to keep under the culture-less and timeless teachings of the historical Buddha left in the Pali Canon or embrace into one of the many Buddhisms that are at hand at the spiritual marketplace. If we look intuitively the story life of the historical Buddha we can witness the hows and whys of his radical change of lifestyle.

In the part of the United States where I live, there Amish communities clustered here and there. If you are not familiar with the Amish and mennonite people, here is a link:
http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml

They are highly respected for their adherence to a simple way of life, strong sense of community, high moral standards and also for the fact that they have lived in a way that has not changed for hundreds of years. Most do not use any electricity. Buttons on clothing are considered self-glorifying, so they don't use them.

However, in this world very few people can leave their own way of life and be Amish. Likewise, I think that the Buddha's teachings take on whatever form benefits people the most. I doubt that in Europe or America we will ever see a monastic community such as has existed in the east. Yes, there will be a few monks and nuns, maybe thousands. But that is really a small number.

I don't think that Buddha's teachings are tarnished or lose their integrity when what it gives people becomes absorbed into popular culture. Just the opposite - I think this is evidence of what good medicine it is. According to the vajrayana teachings, the dharma is indestructible. And even though he said not to deify him, and at first, symbols such as the wheel or foot prints were used, people started making Buddha images a long time ago.

04-11-2011, 06:33 AM	#8
Keeriewof Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 465 Senior Member	So we have two choices... to keep under the culture-less and timeless teachings of the historical Buddha left in the Pali Canon or embrace into one of the many Buddhisms that are at hand at the spiritual marketplace. If we look intuitively the story life of the historical Buddha we can witness the hows and whys of his radical change of lifestyle. In the part of the United States where I live, there Amish communities clustered here and there. If you are not familiar with the Amish and mennonite people, here is a link: http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml They are highly respected for their adherence to a simple way of life, strong sense of community, high moral standards and also for the fact that they have lived in a way that has not changed for hundreds of years. Most do not use any electricity. Buttons on clothing are considered self-glorifying, so they don't use them. However, in this world very few people can leave their own way of life and be Amish. Likewise, I think that the Buddha's teachings take on whatever form benefits people the most. I doubt that in Europe or America we will ever see a monastic community such as has existed in the east. Yes, there will be a few monks and nuns, maybe thousands. But that is really a small number. I don't think that Buddha's teachings are tarnished or lose their integrity when what it gives people becomes absorbed into popular culture. Just the opposite - I think this is evidence of what good medicine it is. According to the vajrayana teachings, the dharma is indestructible. And even though he said not to deify him, and at first, symbols such as the wheel or foot prints were used, people started making Buddha images a long time ago.
	Quote