I am starting this thread to explore the flaws of Buddhism, as I have noticed a lot of criticism and knocking it. One person said that even the Four Noble Truths are flawed, and that it goes forward from there. I am interested in knowing what you all feel the flaws are. Keep in mind that there are many different sects of Buddhism, but that they all rely on the basic precepts which are;
The Four Noble Truths;
1. Life means suffering.
Due to human nature not being perfect, nor the world we live in being perfect, we live with suffering. Given the circumstances, we inevitably will have to endure physical suffering. In our lives, we will experience pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually death. There is also the mental suffering like sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, and depression. While there are many degrees of suffering in our lives, there are often positive experiences in life. Joy, ease, comfort and happiness all exist, but there is not a life or journey without suffering. Our lives are in constant state of flux, and because of our imperfect nature and the imperfect nature of the world it creates impermanence. All things will pass, both the positive and the suffering during the time where the cycle begins again.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
The underlying cause of suffering are our ties to the material, or transient world. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas, and all things which we percieve (as oppose to that which is real). Often this is mistranslated as detachment, but it is most closely aligned with the word non-attachment. Suffering arises when we have desires, passion, ardor, pursue of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity. This is more defined in a basic way of a craving or clinging to that which is impermanent. The loss of that which is transient is inevitable, thus suffering will surely follow when one is attached to the object of the attachement be it an idea, a perception, material or physical wealth. The idea of "self" is also an object of attachment because it is merely a delusion. There is no abiding "self", as it is just an imagined entity in a the greater chaos of the universe.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
You can begin to stop suffering buy accepting that craving and conceptual attachement are the causes of suffering itself. When we refuse the ignorance of attachement and craving, it becomes clear that we are free of that which ties us down. The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion or non-attachement. The word Nirodha is used to describe that which extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. Suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing these causes of suffering. That which we call Nirvana, is what ultimately results when we attain freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is often not comprehensible for those who have not attained it. And certainly it is a state that most people will not attain.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering.
By following the Eightfold Path, which I will describe in the next paragraph, we begin the gradual movement towards self-improvement. It is the middle path between the two extremes of excessive self-indulgence or hedonism if you will, and excessive self-mortification or asceticism; Most people throughout their lives will wander the wheel of becoming, and are subject to karmic conditioning in their cycle of rebirth. It is important to understand that the path to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, when there is no final object to be achieved. All the things that cause us suffering; craving, ignorance, delusions, and its effects will eventually disappear as you travel and make progress on the middle path to becoming.
The Noble Eightfold Path is a ethical and mental guideline to end suffering. It is also referred to as Buddha's first discourse.
These are;
Right view is an understanding of the Four Noble Truths.
Right aspiration, or intention, is having caring thoughts and intent for all living things.
Right speech is to speak kindly, truthfully, and without bad language.
Right action is to follow the Moral Precepts. Either Five or Ten depending on the school of Buddhism
Right livelihood is work that will harm nothing living.
Right endeavour, or effort, is to practise meditation and work at stopping bad thoughts.
Right mindfulness is to give full and relaxed attention to what one is doing, and to do it to the best of one's ability.
Right concentration leads to enlightenment
Also know as the "middle way", it is the path that leads to the end of suffering.
Most Buddhists have no belief in a God or Gods, and only some believe in reincarnation. Buddha was a great teacher, and not a God.
I am interested in knowing what you feel all the flaws are, and how you view Buddhism as a Religion or Philosophy. Lately, it seems like most Buddhists I meet feel that Buddhism is more a Philosophy than a religion. It is a way to live, more than it is a decision what to believe.
The Four Noble Truths;
1. Life means suffering.
Due to human nature not being perfect, nor the world we live in being perfect, we live with suffering. Given the circumstances, we inevitably will have to endure physical suffering. In our lives, we will experience pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually death. There is also the mental suffering like sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, and depression. While there are many degrees of suffering in our lives, there are often positive experiences in life. Joy, ease, comfort and happiness all exist, but there is not a life or journey without suffering. Our lives are in constant state of flux, and because of our imperfect nature and the imperfect nature of the world it creates impermanence. All things will pass, both the positive and the suffering during the time where the cycle begins again.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
The underlying cause of suffering are our ties to the material, or transient world. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas, and all things which we percieve (as oppose to that which is real). Often this is mistranslated as detachment, but it is most closely aligned with the word non-attachment. Suffering arises when we have desires, passion, ardor, pursue of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity. This is more defined in a basic way of a craving or clinging to that which is impermanent. The loss of that which is transient is inevitable, thus suffering will surely follow when one is attached to the object of the attachement be it an idea, a perception, material or physical wealth. The idea of "self" is also an object of attachment because it is merely a delusion. There is no abiding "self", as it is just an imagined entity in a the greater chaos of the universe.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
You can begin to stop suffering buy accepting that craving and conceptual attachement are the causes of suffering itself. When we refuse the ignorance of attachement and craving, it becomes clear that we are free of that which ties us down. The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion or non-attachement. The word Nirodha is used to describe that which extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. Suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing these causes of suffering. That which we call Nirvana, is what ultimately results when we attain freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is often not comprehensible for those who have not attained it. And certainly it is a state that most people will not attain.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering.
By following the Eightfold Path, which I will describe in the next paragraph, we begin the gradual movement towards self-improvement. It is the middle path between the two extremes of excessive self-indulgence or hedonism if you will, and excessive self-mortification or asceticism; Most people throughout their lives will wander the wheel of becoming, and are subject to karmic conditioning in their cycle of rebirth. It is important to understand that the path to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, when there is no final object to be achieved. All the things that cause us suffering; craving, ignorance, delusions, and its effects will eventually disappear as you travel and make progress on the middle path to becoming.
The Noble Eightfold Path is a ethical and mental guideline to end suffering. It is also referred to as Buddha's first discourse.
These are;
Right view is an understanding of the Four Noble Truths.
Right aspiration, or intention, is having caring thoughts and intent for all living things.
Right speech is to speak kindly, truthfully, and without bad language.
Right action is to follow the Moral Precepts. Either Five or Ten depending on the school of Buddhism
Right livelihood is work that will harm nothing living.
Right endeavour, or effort, is to practise meditation and work at stopping bad thoughts.
Right mindfulness is to give full and relaxed attention to what one is doing, and to do it to the best of one's ability.
Right concentration leads to enlightenment
Also know as the "middle way", it is the path that leads to the end of suffering.
Most Buddhists have no belief in a God or Gods, and only some believe in reincarnation. Buddha was a great teacher, and not a God.
I am interested in knowing what you feel all the flaws are, and how you view Buddhism as a Religion or Philosophy. Lately, it seems like most Buddhists I meet feel that Buddhism is more a Philosophy than a religion. It is a way to live, more than it is a decision what to believe.