Yet ANOTHER reason why r/atheism leaves Buddhism alone. (Debunks Biblical literalism)

nebetsu · 2 months

He specifically says that if anything he says doesn't work for you that you are free to discard the information. Buddhism lets you cherry pick and actually encourages it if it helps you conduct yourself in a way that shows compassion to others. I think it's silly, though, how he's referred to as "his holiness".

10thflrinsanity · 2 months

Most buddhist masters have not read most of the important Buddhist text. It is not important in Buddhism, specifically Zazen (Zen). There are plenty of phony Buddhist teachers out there (albeit probably not as many as the other major religions), but Zen is really not a religion. It's tough to describe, but if you're looking for a great introductory explanation check out Hardcore Zen by Brad Warner, worth the read.

Sinofstupidity · 2 months

I've never met a buddhist that wanted to kill/remove from society/change the will of/prove wrong/hurt, a human being. That is why I personally do not mind their mythology.

Fullerer · 2 months

So, are disabled children being punished for sins in a past life? “Oh yes. Of course.” Suddenly, one of his entourage – dormant until now – leaps up and speaks quickly to the Dalai Lama in Tibetan. He turns to me.

“This is for Buddhists! Only for Buddhists! Last question now, please. We must hurry.”

http://johannhari.com/2004/06/07/johann-interviews-the-dalai-lama/

Just sayin.

jacobhghs43 · 2 months

"In order to discover the sacred authors' intention, the reader must take into account the conditions of their time and culture, the literary genres in use at that time, and the modes of feeling, speaking and narrating then current. 'For the fact is that truth is differently presented and expressed in the various types of historical writing, in prophetical and poetical texts, and in other forms of literary expression.'" Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 110

Oh, Catholicism teaches the same thing? That's odd...

hyperkron · 2 months

If we want to understand a text, we must first understand the language. Now give me kharma...

That guy seriously gets way too much credit for pointing out trivial things.

BugLamentations · 2 months

1 - That picture doesn't debunk anything. It's just one reincarnated god's opinion.

2 - Biblical literalism is confined almost entirely to some sects of American protestantism, and wasn't even an actual thing until a few hundred years ago.

3 - The Dali Lama does nothing to dispel the idea that he is the reincarnation of a buddha.

superbatarrowlantern · 2 months

What if I told you, there are other branches of Buddhism and the coolness of the Dalai Lama doesn't reflect the opinions of every other BUddhist.

elbruce · 2 months

Yes, the current Dalai Lama is a wise and cool dude. So was John Paul II (relatively speaking). That doesn't mean that the institution that he stands at the head of is wise or cool.

I'm kind of sick of seeing pro-religion shit in /r/atheism.

The_False_Prophet · 2 months

I would put the concept of samsara at equal footing with the concept of craziness when discussing foolish religious beliefs

cbebop3 · 2 months

That's called philology.

Arinly · 2 months

Tibeten Theocracy

AgentCoop · 2 months

I know everyone here likes to hop on the hate wagon sometimes, but not all forms of Buddhism even involve any supernatural elements. Obviously, most do, but still...

[deleted] · 2 months

I haven't seen any systematically mocking of Jews or Hindus either. Very rarely do we (r/atheism) mock other religions. It's almost always Christianity, despite Islam, for example, is just as bad and represents an equal threat. r/atheism attacks any religion that is a) widespread in western countries and b) safe to mock. Which pretty much rules out every religion besides Christianity.

nummakayne · 2 months

There's bad apples everywhere. Over the past month, an estimated 90000 Rohingya Muslims have had to flee Myanmar due to what what's being called 'state-sponsored ethnic cleansing' - at least that's what a New York Times Op-Ed columnist called it. Most media outlets have been calling it sectarian violence.

Apparently, Muslim settlers (the Rohingya) aren't considered citizens as per Myanmar's constitution. Amnesty International is currently super unimpressed with how the Buddhist majority has been treating minorities.

So yeah, Buddhists have their fair share of scumbag assholes too.

LeetroyJnkns · 2 months

His "holiness?"

ZeroGSpaceCow · 2 months

-His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

Yup. we should totally leave them alone. It's not like they just chose a child at random to be the next Dalai Lama or something.

sfresh666 · 2 months

Tibet is still a theocracy, i don't understand why any atheist would support that. They believe you are responsible for what your ancestors did, if you suffer any affliction your ancestors must have been guilty of something therefore making you deserving of it, there have been known occasion where religious edict were given to forbid the sale of food to people who had different opinions. I know in western society we like to see the good side of the seemingly peaceful religion thanks to the like of Richard Geere and his gerbil and a lot of people who have a vested interest in making The Dalai Lama and Buddhism look good, but it is just another cult among many others that should vanish from this earth.

Fausto1981 · 2 months

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, i'll be back burning incense to thank one of the 100 spirits and gods of my religion, and i'll ask them to make me born again as a horse, 'cuz i love em horses". His holiness dalai lama.

tompr1997 · 2 months

Also, Buddhism isn't strictly speaking a religion, as there is no deity, only a person who ascended to enlightenment, which any person can attain.


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atheism

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1 - That picture doesn't debunk anything. It's just one reincarnated god's opinion.

2 - Biblical literalism is confined almost entirely to some sects of American protestantism, and wasn't even an actual thing until a few hundred years ago.

3 - The Dali Lama does nothing to dispel the idea that he is the reincarnation of a buddha.

atheism

Help Atheist Organizations!

MODERATORS

1 - That picture doesn't debunk anything. It's just one reincarnated god's opinion.

2 - Biblical literalism is confined almost entirely to some sects of American protestantism, and wasn't even an actual thing until a few hundred years ago.

3 - The Dali Lama does nothing to dispel the idea that he is the reincarnation of a buddha.

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