Where do the buddhists go?

Hello again, all.I'd like to dig this thread up for a moment so that I can ask a question.While doing research for my Anthropology of Religion class, I came across this little page: http://home.btclick.com/scimah/memes.htmWhat it does is explain religions through the concept of a meme. (And from my understanding of what religions are, it seems pretty accurate, if not harsh.)Strangely enough, Buddhism is brought up and compared to traditional religions about halfway through the page. It was while reading these comparisons that I realised without doubt that the Buddhist philosophy is nearly perfect for me.I understand that it is not a religion, but a philosophy; a technology of the mind. As far as I know, there is no Bible, like regular religions have.I want to subscribe to this way of thinking, but I don't know where to begin.Shh, I'm not familiar with Taoism and so I can't know if I'd agree with it. But if you have any resources that help me learn Buddhism as it is described in my link, I would love to look over it.Sorry, mods, I know this is getting a bit off topic.EDIT:The page has an interesting bit on exclusivism which reinforces what I was saying earlier:

quote:

---

Unfortunately, in Christianity exclusivism went to extreme lengths with many denominations (at one time) claiming that they were the one true faith and the other denominations of Christianity were corrupt (or even in league with anti-Christ)

​

However this does raise an interesting scenario. Presumably, a Salvation Army officer who devoted her life to rescuing drug addicts and alcoholics would be regarded as damned for all eternity by traditional Catholic theologians. A Buddhist, on the other hand, would regard such a person as an advanced spiritual practitioner
...
So, taken to its logical conclusion, Christian exclusivism would require one Christian to regard a fellow Christian as damned, while a Buddhist would recognise her as a saint.

---

Edited by Drewsky, : For relevance.

You can find an excellent all-round introduction to Buddhism here:

Buddhanet
BuddhaNet - Worldwide Buddhist Information and Education Network

​

A good first stop would be the 'Basic Buddhism Guide'
BuddhaNet's Buddhist Studies: A Basic Buddhism Guide

For Taoism a good place to begin investigations is here:

Taoism Information Page
http://www.religiousworlds.com/taoism/index.html

Note the distinction between Tao Jia ('philosophical Taoism') and Tao Jio ('religious Taoism'). The first, based on the ideas of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, travels easily. The second incorporates a vast number of traditional beliefs and rituals that hold appeal mainly within Asia.Enjoy your explorations.___Edited by Archer Opterix, : URL.

---

ArcherAll species are transitional.

I originally posted this at the Humor topic, but then decided it deserved a little discussion.Thus I found this topic as a seemingly good place. Got it hereI think I originally interpreted the cartoon to mean that there are no wrong religions. Thus nobody in line at the "wrong religion" entrance.I later came to think that maybe there are indeed "wrong religions". Thus there is a "wrong religion" entrance, but nobody makes it there.Is there some sort of paradox (or something) happening in the cartoon?Moose

To me there were two immediate implications in the cartoon:1. All religions, right ot wrong, get you to the same place.2. Nobody thinks their religion is wrong, even if it is.

But what is "the joke" that the angel is referring to?Is it that people will stand in line and wait to get into heaven just to be a part of the right religion when they could've just walked right in instead?

Something like that, I guess. I also find it funny that nobody seems to notice that the other people in line are from different religions.(Faith doesn't seem surprised that she's standing behind you.)

The joke is that everybody believes that theirs is the right religion and that everybody else's is the wrong religion. But the real joke is that that does not matter one bit.Actually every religion is wrong and almost every religion is right. They all get a lot of things wrong, but at the same time they all (likely with a few exceptions) get a lot of things right. So they are all wrong and they are also right.

I'll go with Paul in his letter to the Romans where he say this

quote:

---

1 Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself ; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God ? 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance ? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS : 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life ; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. 12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law ; 13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

---

We are made right with God by having loving hearts not because we got our theology right. At least that is how Paul saw it and I believe he's right.As we can see in my signature the prophet Micah would agree as well.

I'd forgotten this exchange, but it is important.I saw an interview with the current Dali Lama where he was asked what he would do if evidence was presented that there was no God or any form of afterlife or rebirth. His answer was "I'd have to spend a lot of time saying 'I guess we were wrong' ".Edited by jar, : take out kitty post