h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Buddhists manage with five precepts:

The five precepts are (1) to refrain from killing, (2) to refrain from stealing, (3) to refrain from lying, (4) to refrain from sexual misconduct, and (5) to refrain from using intoxicants. They constitute the most basic rules of Buddhist ethics.

Killing includes not only murder but killing of animals.

Sexual misconduct is dependent on circumstances. It is always wrong to have sex with children, but it is not an infraction for two adults to have sex if they are not married. For monks and nuns, any sexual conduct is an infraction.

They also practice 'meta' which is 'loving kindness' - both in practical terms and in meditation.

a reincarnation called Ben

Buddhism is endlessly fascinating - it's rejection of dogma, no creator god etc etc. But some concepts I find it a bit difficult to get my head round - hungry ghosts, for instance, or reincarnation. There are some things in the Dharma that *everyone* should be aware of - the idea of perfect charity, for instance... Now that would make the world a better place.


Thou shalt not change the topic?



DG

I just think an atheistic religion is SOOOOOOOO Cool!

is

a topic-drifter called Ben

Is Buddhism a religion, or a philosophy? Or is it a religion in the East, and more of a philosophy in the West?


DG, who's not sure if he's following Ben around, or if Ben is stalking him...

You can stalk me anytime you like Dr G. (Can you introduce me to your relation on the Muppets?)

I think the answer to your question may be 'all of the above'; it certainly fills the religious shaped hole in the human psyche; but it is MUCH more practical than western religions. You learn HOW TO practice 'meta' and not just that it is A Good Thing.

Gyah! I am not a muppet! In fact - wait there...

*changes preferences*

There! Now go read the footnote on my personal space. And ignore the bad grammar.



DG

Didn't say you were, Doctor. Said could you introduce you to your relation, the muppet!

*off to read the footnote*



a muppet-fan called Ben

*sorry about the topic drift.... again.....*

(If I say I really, really like Tom Wolfe, will you talk to me again?)
(***B)

I've never read Tom Wolfe - I've heard of him, of course. Any recommendations of books I should read?

If your thinking "never read Tom Wolfe???", remember, I'm fairly new to Journalism. I was doing Chemistry up until a couple of years ago (My Highers are in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths, and my CSYSs in Maths, Pure Maths, and Chemistry). It's great, though - it's like my eyes have opened up to a world I never knew (although I haven't learned to avoid cliches )

DG

*taking the discussion into DrG's personal space*
***B

Well, the definition of a religion is worshipping an omnipotent deity. So I guess technically Buddhism isn´t a religion. But then again people also call atheism a religion.

AGCB: For an atheist religion, try looking up something on scientific pantheism.

ism, now there is a "true" religion::

11: Do not drink anothers .

Fishisms, I love those. Him and Ling are great.

Fish, Psalms:
because a fish is more comfortable than a bottle.

11: Do not judge in ignorance.

Thou shalt not park at the side of the road and use your hazard warning lights foolishly. If thou doesest so, and thy nearside light become obscureth by another parked vehicle, it looketh like thou ist attempting to pull out into the traffic and I nearly always try to lettest thou out. But then thou ist not in thy damn van and I feeleth a fool.

PP

Mandagora, you are a genius!

'Judge not, that ye be not judged.' Matthew 7:2

For me that is definitely the 11th commandment and one I have tried to live by for a very long time.

***B

Xanatic - thanks for the suggestion, what I have found on Scientific Pantheism so far is very interesting.

***B

Thou shall not post on H2G2 when thou should be writting your Thesis, eating, sleeping, working, drinking, smoking, f******, playing Guitar, Traveling, exercising, exocising. et. etc. etc. etc.

no, on second thoughts I am not too sure about that one; what was it "they" said about rules only being there to be broken?

When thou should be exorcising!

What interesting lives h2g2 researchers lead. (Not me - *sigh*)

***B

When thou replyest, thou shalt have something worthwhile to add...

DG