Buddism

As i put down to words, my feeling for this moments is joy and excitement. Joy for being able to have looked at things at a new perspective and excited at being able to have a deeper and better understanding of some queries that bothers...

A few days ago, willy introduced to me a website on the buddism and i think i have benefited much from it. I hope he has benefitted from it too and i bet he would have as by doing so, he has brought joy at this very moment to me for he has indirectly enlightened me... i would like to thank him...

People have long thought of religions as old school of thoughts irrelevant to this age of Science and Technology explosion. It is, however, in my opinion that it is precisely in this age of extreme advancement that we cannot do without the very teachings of religions. In this era, we have experienced the Nuclear disasters, Holocaust, Natural disasters, Terrorist(from Checnya to Afganistan to Israel). No matter how Science has advanced and has become, we can never overcome the forces of nature if it is adament in its attempt to punish us. (P.S I say forces of nature not god.) Evidences? The bird flu has scientists over the world prancing up and down at the preposition that the virus, if successfully evolved, and transmission from human to human becomes a norm, it could wipe out 40 million people. As science tries hard to predict the on coming Tsunami and the world meets to discuss on the warning systems, it has already caused damage at such an extensive scale that shakes the very foundation on the lives that we try to build on. Terroist declaring war with the notion of it being ironically "holy" stop the world in its tracks as we saw the huge debris lying in the streets of a busy Washington's morning. Israel Palestine conflict over a seeming scared piece of land unrest the world as a peaceful resolution seems to be mytical. In conclude, we are in trouble. In fact, we are in trouble even with the explosion of science!

In religions, we seek solace but solace closed its doors on us. We begin to preach the absolute truth about the very essence of our own religion and try to convert as many people to our own cause. Christans, buddists, islamists, taoists are mostly trying to preach the absolute truth concept. Such is to miss the point on the concept of religion. Religions aim to resolve human sufferings and conflicts that is the common ideal that is being share by all. It is only in the teachings that may have differed. Let me share a story as taken form the web...

A chinese man calls a cup, "杯". a britain calls it "cup", french calls it "tasse", indonesian calls it "cawan". Every one started arguing and trying to prove their vert point on who has the best descriptions. They all took out their dictionaries and verfied the word they proposed. A buddist walk past and sensing the heated debated, took the cup filled it with water and drank straight from it. "AH!!! How nice for it to have quench my thirst! Do not argue the way in which it is called for as long as it serve it purpose let quench our thirst with it." It is precisely the strong persistance in the preaching of absolute truth in our own religion that is dangerous and that causes much pain to the world. All religions have a lot of similarities if you reached out to them.

Religion for me are more about philosophy rather than supertitious beliefs. I live in the same age as many of you but i an a firm believer about the power of the faith and religions. They do changed people's perspectives and actions. The changes are often than not for the better if a philosophical and critical appoarch is what they follow.

It has been too long my friend, i better stop here... If you are interested here is the site: http://www.buddhanet.net/index.html . I do strongly urge you to look at it...