Simon Paynton

Unseen wrote:
Any religion can generate the occasional inspirational or true statement, but the religion can still be false and, all told, harmful.

Are you saying that Buddhism is false?  Mostly false?

Well, that’s one of the functions of religion – to remind us of eternal truths and help us in life.  To me, Buddhism does the best job out of all of them, with the most reasonable and realistic motivation – happiness: prevention of suffering, for the self and others.

It doesn’t hurt for Buddhism to spread a little more wisdom in the world.  T…[Read more]

According to this article, people who are “good” have more successful lives.

Unseen wrote:
sometimes misdeeds end up smackkng wrongdoers in the face is true, but that’s a trivial truth

It may or may not be a trivial truth, but the real-life results are not trivial.  If we screw up, disaster may ensue.

Davis wrote:
It cannot be divorced from the supernatural karma unless you discuss it in a secular way, in which case it is no longer Buddhist.

It’s an aspect of Buddhism, and Buddhism is an aspect of real life (the non-supernatural parts anyway).

I like some of the things that it says about karma, I find them sensible and rational.  From the…[Read more]

It would be strange if Buddhism were to neglect the everyday aspect of karma.  I agree that it also has reincarnation, but you can have the first perfectly well, without the second.

From Wikipedia:

In the Buddhist tradition, karma refers to actions driven by intention (cetanā), a deed done deliberately through body, speech or mind, which leads t…

[Read more]

As far as I’m aware, karmic actions – those which bring negative consequences for the actor – are “tainted” by the “unwholesome roots”: greed, anger, or ignorance.

Buddhism recognises that some things that happen to us, aren’t our fault, like natural disasters.

As for the “craving for enlightenment” or similar:  some writers recognise “craving”…[Read more]

I think that is a danger with Buddhism – like you say, a lot of people would think that, and sometimes do.  This is not compassionate.

I don’t believe in literal death and rebirth in reincarnation.  But I do believe in everyday, earthly karma where we reap what we sow in life.

As I understand it, working towards a state of enlightenment is to w…[Read more]

I think if there have been problems with the ways that Buddhists have practiced Buddhism, then it’s been for cultural reasons, and it’s possible to take those cultural factors out of the picture, leaving an abstract philosophy and the practice of its knowledge and principles that anyone can use.  The overriding principle is supposed to be…[Read more]

Yes, but anything can get corrupted or misused.  That in itself doesn’t invalidate the original practice.  If Tibet had slaves – that doesn’t mean I have to.  If Buddhists behave badly – that’s their lookout.

I understand that the Buddha invented mindfulness meditation.  I like this.  I’m free to pick and choose what I like from the whole phil…[Read more]

Davis wrote:
Simon could you please tell us, even in outline, what that core is?

Not really.  I don’t know that much about it.  But the bits that I’ve encountered, are analytical and rational, in that they make sense and relate to everyday life.  In short, it’s about promoting long term happiness for the self and others.  Slightly longer, its bas…[Read more]

Reg the Fronkey Farmer wrote:
If Buddhism does have a rational core then how come it is very complicated?

As far as I see, it’s a kind of science of living.  Science is complicated.

Unseen wrote:
To what do you attribute this profound understanding you have of all of these faiths and how they should properly be practices?

I’ll ignore the reference to Sufism, because you should have spotted the word “apparently”.  If you were to buy a book on Sufi saints, you would be as well educated on the subject as me.

As for Buddhism,…[Read more]

Davis wrote:
There is no correct way to be a Christian or Muslim.

Good point.  I agree.  However, some governments insert false texts into the canon, for the purpose of manipulating the populace to hate on some group.  In Iran they have put sections into their Qu’ran saying that Jews are evil (I have heard), and in Burma, the religious au…[Read more]

They don’t reject the senses, but they see them as an illusion, which they are in a way.

I take your point though that there are a lot of practitioners of any religion who don’t understand it properly.

I have a book about Sufi saints.  Apparently, if you’re a Sufi saint, you’re not allowed to want anything for yourself.  But this seems l…[Read more]

That’s kind of weird, but interesting.  Buddhism’s been saying that for 2600 years.

As well as being a religion, it’s also a way of thinking that can be transferred to other areas.  We can think about things in a Buddhism-informed way.

Apparently the Sanskrit root Budh means “awakening”.

When it comes to it, it seems that atheists just don’t l…[Read more]