[propolo]

I recently wished to consider myself a Buddhist. But I have some personal beliefs I don't wish to change. Is it alright to consider myself a Buddhist with these personal beliefs, and would other Buddhists consider me a Buddhist?

I agree with the Buddha on the Fourfold Noble Truths.

My personal beliefs are these:


1. - The Universe

This universe was not designed by a god.
By nature the universe just comes into being.
No god controls or interferes with the phsyical universe.
From an incomprehensible nondual source duality arises.
This source is pure awareness.
Where there is duality there is impermanence.

2. - Metaphorical Reincarnation

There is no literal reincarnation of individuals.
The source incarnates into psychical universes, over and over again.
If I live in burning worldly passions, I incarnate, in the mind, as a hungry demon.
If I live in sexual lust, I incarnate, in the mind, as a beast.
The mind is always dissolving and reincarnating into illusory entities.
Reincarnation (Samsara) is only in the mind.

3. - After Death

Upon the death of the phsyical body, consciousness enters a state of woe or bliss.
In the state of woe one repents of the evils done.
After repentance the one in woe joins others in a Pureland.
In the Pureland all reach Nirvana.
Upon Nirvana the illusory individual dissolves into the nondual source.
Where there is duality there is impermanence.

4. - The Pure Spirit

Buddha-nature, apart from delusions of the egoic mind, is holy and pure awareness.
This holy awareness manifests as Buddha's for those who draw upon it.
The holy awareness dwells unaffected, but manifests to the needs of the one who is drawing upon it.
This holy awareness pours out compassion in response to suffering.
Where suffering arises it is met with the compassion of the holy Buddha-nature.
This nature, apart from manifestation, dwells as nondual pure potentiality.
Beings, like bodhisattvas, draw upon this holy source in relation to the needs of those in ignorance.

5. - Karma

Karma dissolves upon Nirvana.
All past things are forgotten and dissolve upon Nirvana.
Karma from one universe does not affect the next universe that manifests.


Again, is it acceptable to believe these things and be counted a Buddhist?

[clapsoewmred]

You can come to Buddhism believing anything you want, but if you're of a mind that you don't want your beliefs to be challenged and don't want to find out the true nature of reality through the Buddha's teachings, this will only be a hindrance.

Unless of course all you want is more stuff to believe in, rather than to alleviate suffering and what-not.

[TubOppomo]

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

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

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.

[kilibry]

3. - After Death

Upon the death of the phsyical body, consciousness enters a state of woe or bliss.
In the state of woe one repents of the evils done.
After repentance the one in woe joins others in a Pureland.
In the Pureland all reach Nirvana.
Upon Nirvana the illusory individual dissolves into the nondual source.
Where there is duality there is impermanence.

wow, from where did you pick this up? Consciousness is taught in Buddhism as the initial cognition which arises based on six types of sense bases. So consciousness is of six types.

Eye- Consciousness
Ear-Consciousness
tongue-
nose-
body-
mind-

Consciousness is not taught as a single entity which "enters". Personally I have not yet come across any sutta which states that consciousness remains after death. I do not understand how consciousness or sensory cognition arises without the physical body

[violalmina]

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.

[flienianO]

Hi amida, I am sorry I thought you knew. SN stands for Samyutta Nikaya . However the sutta I was referring to is in AN not in SN. AN is Anguttara Nikaya. You can check the four Nikayas where Buddhists suttas are stated here: http://www.metta.lk/tipitaka/

I am not too sure which sutta in AN specifically states the four unthinkables. I will search and let you know

[embefuri]

wow, from where did you pick this up?

Here and there and everywhere!

I take into account all sorts of things, like Near Death Experiences, and other experiences I've had.


Consciousness is not taught as a single entity which "enters". Personally I have not yet come across any sutta which states that consciousness remains after death. I do not understand how consciousness or sensory cognition arises without the physical body. I don't understand how sensory cognition could arise out of the physical body either, but based on a few experiences I've had, I do believe there can be consciousness outside of the body. But that consciousness would not be permanent.

[tuszit]

Hi Amida,

It might be helpful for you to check out the pinned topics 'What is Buddhism' and 'the 4 Noble Truths' at the beginning of the topic list in this Beginners forum...

Here's 'What is Buddhism' - and you can listen to it too if you want.

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...at-is-Buddhism

with kind wishes,

A-D

[G8whlTAe]

OK here you go

The four unthinkables
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit....077.than.html

[GeorgeEckland]

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.

This website accepts people who choose to reject rebirth/reincarnation as well as those who believe in them, so don't worry !

[GypeFeeshyTes]

This website accepts people who choose to reject rebirth/reincarnation as well as those who believe in them, so don't worry !

Do the ones who reject rebirth/reincarnation call themselves Buddhists?

[viepedorlella]

Do the ones who reject rebirth/reincarnation call themselves Buddhists?

Yes. One doesn't have to believe in rebirth/reincarnation to understand and practice the Buddha's teachings of The Four Noble Truths.

[maxsobq]

Hi Amida, as a Buddh-ist you can believe in whatever you want; also in goddesses like the Green Tara of the Tibetan Religion. As the kind of believes you hold and want to keep with you, Tibetan Religion or Tibetan-ism can fit well or the Pure Land Buddhism too...

Another thing is to understand and practice the teachings of the Buddha that are about the understanding of Dukkha and its cessation through the accomplishment of anatta and thus the unsatisfactory nature of all things and ideas we cling to. For this you should have to give up and be free from believes and just practice and getting the confidence given through it.

[JAMES PIETERSE]

Thanks, Everyone. Your comments have been helpful. Aloka-D, thanks for the link. I listened to the mp3 and followed the text and gained a lot from it.

When I say these are my personal beliefs, I mean I entertain them in relation to my personal experiences, but I don't cling to them with absolute certainty.

My highest view is: There is what is. I am open to whatever that is. By remaining open and not placing faith in mental concepts, I possess all there is to possess, by letting it be.

I think it's best not to cling to labels, like "Buddhist" or another, but to wear them as garments when the need arises. I guess one can wear the garment "Buddhist" or "Christian" when trying to point to where they are on this journey, but the label itself is empty.

So, I guess, as the need arises I'll incarnate as a label form, point, and then dissolve back into emptiness, which is the true state. When one becomes nothing, they are free to be all things, as the need arises.