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**violalmina** · 05-22-2011, 03:50 PM

Does it really matter if others consider you a Buddhist or not?

No. I wasn't sure if there were some rules in Buddhism I didn't know about. For example, in Christianity, if you don't believe Jesus shed his blood to redeem you, then most Christians say you're not a Christian. I wasn't sure if Buddhism is this way.

For example, I see reincarnation as only metphorical, in relation to mind, but I've heard a Buddhist say Siddhartha was once a bird and a dolphin, which implies literal reincarnation into other beings. Being I reject this idea of literal reincarnation, I didn't know if I'd be labeled a "heretic" if I said I'm a Buddhist.

The Buddha explicitly advised his disciples

1. Not to speculate about the world/universe (in the SN)
2. Not to speculate about kamma (in the SN)
3. The concepts of spirits and reincarnation are denied in Buddhism which is based on not-self.
4. Rebirth is taught mainly for morality and sila. It has very little relevance for those going forth Can you tell me what "SN" means?

It is best not to strongly believe in anything and just focus on the here and now. IMO the present moment is the only verifiable reality. Yeah, I agree. I think the points I outlined "seem" real for me, in relation to my experience, but I don't know for certain things are exactly this way.

The point of my post, is I'd like to consider myself a Buddhist, as I find Buddhism aids me more than any other faith, but I wasn't sure if I'd be labeled a heretic by other Buddhists if I entertain a few ideas, such as outlined above - ideas I believe to be true.

05-22-2011, 03:50 PM	#5
violalmina Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 365 Senior Member	Does it really matter if others consider you a Buddhist or not? No. I wasn't sure if there were some rules in Buddhism I didn't know about. For example, in Christianity, if you don't believe Jesus shed his blood to redeem you, then most Christians say you're not a Christian. I wasn't sure if Buddhism is this way. For example, I see reincarnation as only metphorical, in relation to mind, but I've heard a Buddhist say Siddhartha was once a bird and a dolphin, which implies literal reincarnation into other beings. Being I reject this idea of literal reincarnation, I didn't know if I'd be labeled a "heretic" if I said I'm a Buddhist. The Buddha explicitly advised his disciples 1. Not to speculate about the world/universe (in the SN) 2. Not to speculate about kamma (in the SN) 3. The concepts of spirits and reincarnation are denied in Buddhism which is based on not-self. 4. Rebirth is taught mainly for morality and sila. It has very little relevance for those going forth Can you tell me what "SN" means? It is best not to strongly believe in anything and just focus on the here and now. IMO the present moment is the only verifiable reality. Yeah, I agree. I think the points I outlined "seem" real for me, in relation to my experience, but I don't know for certain things are exactly this way. The point of my post, is I'd like to consider myself a Buddhist, as I find Buddhism aids me more than any other faith, but I wasn't sure if I'd be labeled a heretic by other Buddhists if I entertain a few ideas, such as outlined above - ideas I believe to be true.
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