Buddhist Challenge

[Dancing David]

There are buddhists who ssate that unlike other religions there has never been a war fought over buddhism. They claim that buddhism is free of the evils of other religions: but that is because Buddhism is a philosophy not a religion.

Peace

[LW]

Originally posted by Dancing David
There are buddhists who ssate that unlike other religions there has never been a war fought over buddhism.

Don't know about a war, but at least according to Chambers's Devil's Horsemen Buddhists went on oppressing Muslims in Transoxania in early 13th century. I haven't come across this claim in any other sources, but I haven't been really searching for confirmation, either.

[Underemployed]

Oh Buddhism not a religion eh.

re·li·gion

1.
a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.

2.
The life or condition of a person in a religious order.

3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.

4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

phi·los·o·phy

1.
Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.
2.
Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.
3.
A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry eg the philosophy of Hume.
4.
The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.
5.
The disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology.
6.
The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.
7.
A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory eg an original philosophy of advertising.
8.
A system of values by which one lives eg an unusual philosophy of life

Philosophy has had a lot to do with religion, but the last I saw there were a few more people burning incense for Prince Siddhartha than Heidegger. However, the people who claim no war has ever been fought over Buddhism have clearly never been to Tibet.

[triadboy]

Originally posted by Dancing David
They claim that buddhism is free of the evils of other religions: but that is because Buddhism is a philosophy not a religion.


I agree that Buddhism is the best "religion" out there. But that is because it doesn't require a god.

[Nyarlathotep]

In 16th century Japan, Buddhists of the Shen sect launched a series of uprisings against the governement prompted in part by a schism over religion. So while the Budhists mayhave FEWER wars than Christainity under their belt, they aren't totally free of having blood on their hands.

I have never successfully posted a link on this forum and had it work so I will just give you the URL of a site about it and let you cut and paste it if you want to.

http://www.aasianst.org/absts/1995abst/japan/jses128.htm

[K-W]

Buddhism is definately a religion. As far as the wars fought in its name, I dont think that is a charecteristic of Buddhism. Christianity teaches pacifism. Its more to do with the political situations of its time and place

[Yahzi]

I used to agee with Underemployed that Buddhism was not a relgion because it lacked divine revelation, but every single Bhuddist I have ever met (including the atheistic ones) has adamantly asserted that it is a religion.

Well, ok, then.

[Dancing David]

thank You for your posts.
maybe buddhism is both, hey you got peanut butter in my religion, it seems to partake of both definitions. Maybe it's a philosophy for those who don't follow the five precepts.

What was that about Tibet, was there an armed uprising?

Peace

[Underemployed]

It looks like I will have to go back to language class. I was trying to convey the notion that Buddhism IS a religion. It is ALSO a philosophy! The same can be said of any religion.

But a philosophy (such as Existentialism) is not necessarily a religion.

I hope that is clearer.

DD, try reading Seven Years In Tibet (don't bother with the film). It's an entertaining book and gives a little detail on the history of this fascinating country. Before being annexed by China, it was largely peaceful though by no means free of strife and fighting. But I would stick my neck out and say that no Buddhist state has ever initiated a war against another country.

[TylerD]

I'm not totally sure about Buddhism not having any wars under it's belt, I'm no historian. Whether or not Buddhism is a religion or not depends on what form of Buddhism you're talking about. One could make a decent case that Zen Buddhism is not a religion, while Tibetan Buddhists believe in most (if not all) of the Hindu Gods.

And I wouldn't go so far to say that Buddhism is the best religion. If I were to get religion, I would probably be a Pantheist of the Spinoza variety (if I'm going to be religious, I find it best to look at the cosmos as the ultimate reality). Eastern Religion is just to passive and mystical for me, I prefer a more active and rational approach to life.

[Dancing David]

Buddhism is not passive, the theater of operation just happens to be the mind. The illusion is the notion of self, free yourself of the notion and life is easier. Buddhists are very involved in life.

Peace

[Kullervo]

Originally posted by Underemployed
DD, try reading Seven Years In Tibet (don't bother with the film). It's an entertaining book and gives a little detail on the history of this fascinating country. Before being annexed by China, it was largely peaceful though by no means free of strife and fighting. But I would stick my neck out and say that no Buddhist state has ever initiated a war against another country. I can't speak for Seven Years in Tibet, but the China's committed some truly horrible acts in Tibet - equally as bad as the outrages against its own people. Don't ask how I feel about Randi's visits to China and cosying up to the government there.

As far as Buddhist governments go, this might be helpful:
http://wrc.lingnet.org/earel.htm

Take a look at my avatar. I'm not a Buddhist, but I do support the cause of Tibetan liberation.