A question for Buddhists.

[Ironbear]

What is Buddhism exactly? What does it mean to be a Buddhist? As a person who has been involved in martial arts for a long time I have only witnessed and heard about Buddhism through names of various martial arts techniques I.E "Bowing to Buddha" and "Ring of Karma".

I know little of Buddhism and would like to more about it. I would also like to know why Buddhism and martial arts seems to be so intertwined (I know it originated in shoalin temples) and how Buddhism would impact a martial artist.

[sunsoul]

Buddhism originated in India when a man called Siddhartha Gautama became enlightened in the 6th century BCE and was known as Buddha. The religion spread far and wide - to Nepal, Tibet, China, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, and on to Korea and Japan. In the 20th century Buddhism spread to the west and modern Buddhists often speak of this as the fourth turning of the wheel of dharma.

I would recommend buying an introduction to Buddhism textbook. There are many on the market/Amazon. Well known ones have been written by Damien Keown, Peter Harvey, Klaus Klostermaier, Christmas Humphreys, and Steve Hagen.

For a more practical approach, I can recommend books by Thich Nhat Hahn, Dalai Lama, Pema Chodron, Ayya Khema and Jack Kornfield.

[Silver]

While I don't believe in any thing in a zealous fashion, I've been reading about the Buddha and Buddhism for about a year's time, and I participate in a Buddhist forum.

What I can tell you for sure, I got a ton of understanding of him and what he taught by reading the book by Master Thich Nhat Hahn called Old Path White Clouds, which is a biography about Buddha.

[sunsoul]

Originally Posted by Silver

What I can tell you for sure, I got a ton of understanding of him and what he taught by reading the book by Master Thich Nhat Hahn called Old Path White Clouds, which is a biography about Buddha.

Yes, a good book.

Specific titles that I recommend are:

Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hahn
Being Nobody, Going Nowhere by Ayya Khema
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron

Any of those above books would give you a real insight into Buddhist practice in everyday life..

[Shaunc]

If you go to a Buddhist temple often they'll have booklets / pamphlets outlining the basic principles of Buddhism.
Sunsoul also posted about this in this forum if you do a bit of back tracking.

[Serrao]

Originally Posted by Ironbear

What is Buddhism exactly?

In my understanding Buddhism is a philosophy to end suffering, created by Siddhartha Gautama Shakyamuni around 2500 years ago. He attained Enlightenment by practicing his philosophy and was called Buddha afterwards.

Originally Posted by Ironbear

What does it mean to be a Buddhist?

To be a Buddhist means to live according to Buddha's teaching.

[Ironbear]

There is a Buddhist temple here in town apparently, I would have never guess. This town is so full of bible thumping conservatives I would have thought they ran them out. I have no issue with Christians, just certain stupid ones like any organized religion.

This Buddhist temple seems to be made of only japanese so i may not fit in. I will go ask some questions but I doubt I will ever join. I don't see Buddhism as a faith I want to claim but more something I am interested in learning more about.

[sunsoul]

There are lots of meditation centres in the states. You may have to travel to a bigger town but you can certainly do some weekend retreats somewhere if you check the internet. Perhaps google 'meditation retreats USA'?

[Nature Grows]

Sunsoul is a great buddha!!!

[sunsoul]

Originally Posted by Nature Grows

Sunsoul is a great buddha!!!

Your all-seeing Buddha nature grows...