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buddha
July 2008 
When Teachings Become Too Old
Posted on Jul 1st, 2008
by 
wanderer7
wanderer7
am I Buddhist? am I Christian?
no, I am not.
why so, wanderer, why aren't you fraternal and social, and join one of these groups, partake in the communion of souls, why do you insist on trekking it out alone, with knottled staff in hand, bearing the brunt of a cold headwind, never ceasing in your travels, constantly confronting obstacles and the settled order? Why sir, do you insist on this hard path?
I do, because the Truth has to be living, and has to be lived. The problem with doctrines and theosophy is that they are ancient and unreliable.
The Buddha lived, the Jesus lived. They lived, and they influenced. But what did they write? Nothing. Not that survives.
So what did they teach? What did Buddha and the Jesus teach mankind? Nothing. Not directly.
everything we know of 'Buddhism' and 'Christianity' is based on someone else's hearsay. Granted, they may have been close followers, and trusted disciples, but it is their word that we are going by. And it wasn't even in English!!
so, it was written and rewritten throughout the centuries ... over vast spans of time ... over many parchments and continents. The word was spread; by hand, by foot, by boat, to the wider world.
How much of these scriptures should we trust? Zero. Zero per cent. It is not the word of Buddha or the Jesus; it is the word of someone else. Interpreted, translated, massaged.
So what's the point?
the one saving grace is that the Truth is Universal. If there is anything of value in the so-called teachings of the Buddha or the Jesus, then it should be amenable to independent and multiple confirmations. Belief should NOT be an issue. Validity SHOULD.
so, the Truth is in YOUR HANDS. Test it out, give it a run.
SEE FOR YOURSELF.
love and light,
wanderer7
Access: Public
The Truth is Universal … belief should NOT be an issue. Validity SHOULD — yes! yes! yes!
the real meaning of Catholic is UNIVERSAL…some people in robes forming an organisation forget this. clouded by dogmas and insecurities.
i wish you well on your journey to find the real Guru…in ourselves.
Exactly!
I've long since decided to resist labeling myself as anything. It is too limiting, especially in a community where it's expected that all members believe the exact same thing. How is that even possible for a group of people to believe the exact same thing? I'm one person and there are times when I believe two or more seeming conflicting ideas at the same time! :)
Complete agreement from me Wanderer. More people should come to these conclusions that and be their own person.
And nothing is older than something we think is ancient. Though if I read a book for myself, the meanings I give it or it gives me are my own, and in the now… as usual, wanderer, you have touched upon something universal and unique.
Why do we think that an energy like Jesus or Buddha is in the past and has said all they had to say? They spoke to others; and now they speak to us.
yikes……sounds like a some free radicals took hold here… hmmmm..hope that they are not cancerous……better Watch out!! lol
I retract my earlier statement. I was not completely clear with what I was agreeing with exactly. My apologies. I was more in agreement with Joey and his views on not labeling yourself as a specific kind of believer. He is right when he says that everyone has their own unique outlook on things. It is not good to conform to the majority way of thinking just for the sake of keeping the peace. There are other ways to coexist with others who have beliefs contradictory to yours. Such as learning from each other's differences and agreeing to disagree.
Everyone has their own voice, and it is important that they use it. With an open mind, everyone can learn from everyone else without neccessarily pressing their views upon others. An open minded person does not get easily offended by someone else's view, they concede that that person's view is in place for their own reasons and that it is simply what they think on the matter.
I love it you ol' pot stirrer you! Meenakshi's got a good grasp of this topic i feel! Now that we have your written word, W7, can we please just believe it's what you said 2000 years from now and move on with our paths? We can argue this in a thousand or so years but we're all going to do and believe what feels best to each of us as individuals.
Walking the path alone is one proven way to Universal Truth. I'm going to believe my way of surrounding myself with every creature on earth, especially the human ones, is the perfect way to discover mine. Give me interpreted, translated, massaged, wisdom and kindness from anyone anyday! Or straight from the Wanderer's mouth! That works well for me too!
Smiles!
amber