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by scns 1060 days ago
There are the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama and there is the religion Buddhism created by his followers. He said: This is my truth, see for yourself if it is true for you too. This is the reason i take him seriously, in contrast to the monotheistic myths that all claim to have the only truth.

> Understanding emptiness

The other points are valid to me, this one belongs in the realm of metaphysics for me.

Buddha said a lot of good things IMHO, but very questionable stuff too. "Monasteries are allowed to own slaves, individual monks not." for example. If you mention that, Buddhists get uneasy and/or defensive.

There is a nice App called Buddha Quotes on F-Droid. I recommend to install it via Foxy Droid:

https://f-droid.org/repo/nya.kitsunyan.foxydroid_4.apk
3 comments
yadingus 1060 days ago
> Understanding emptiness

> The other points are valid to me, this one belongs in the realm of metaphysics for me.

Isn't this something both the Buddha and modern science agree on? Matter if comprised of mostly empty space. It's physics, no meta.

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scns 1057 days ago
That makes sense for me. Thank you.
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toshk 1060 days ago
The metaphysical view of Buddhism is definitely different from Western view.I think both lack empirical evidence, because both are very hard to prove.

But also emptiness as a meditative state (Samatha) can be experienced. Whether or not you end up believing it's the essence of reality, you can experience it as the essence of your experience through meditation.

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scns 1057 days ago
I take Buddha seriously, because he said "This is my truth, look if it is true for you." ie zero dogma.

Buddhism is for me the religion people worshipping him created.

Now i get it! Thank you for explaining it that way!

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mensetmanusman 1060 days ago
Few monotheistic groups claim to have the only truth. E.g. Catholicism highlights facets of truth present in many other spiritual traditions.
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scns 1057 days ago
The three big ones do, are there more?

"I am the Word, the truth and the light. Nobody get's to the father (ie god) then through me." Ascribed to Jesus, whos' life story got written down 40 years later.

> facets of truth

Since Immanuel Kant we "know", that we can never get to the truth, since our senses are easily fooled. The basis of rational science for me. We can only say what is least likely to be wrong.

[Addendum] Socrates knew he knew nothing.

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