| One of the central concepts of Buddhism, especially the Zen variety, and Taoism, and arguably the most difficult concept to put into practice is the concept of "Being". In essence you should live fully in the moment, not attempting to live with too much emphasis on what might be in the future nor belaboring what has happened in the past. Being fully engaged in the Now, which of course changes minute by minute is quite difficult. It leads away from daydreaming, while allowing planning, and away from beating yourself up for past errors, which leads to self-pity.
The concept of God or gods is an attempt to understand and label something beyond our understanding. As the Tao Te Ching points out, the Tao which can be named is not the Tao. Which just means that the word itself is not the thing you are attempting to describe just a useful tool for communicating with others. Most pluralities of "gods" are attempts to label certain characteristics of the overlying unknown "force" which appears to rule life. As has been stated before, acknowledging the existence of these is not the same as worshiping them. I acknowledge the existence of the initiator of this thread but certainly don't worship him.
I do not agree that Buddhism is impractical. The concept of non-attachment does not mean one cannot live a productive life nor even strive to improve it, it just means that one should not live for the idea of "always getting more". Live in the present, enjoy what is here now, if you lose it, acknowledge the loss and the pain it causes and move on. This does not stop you from acquiring something else to replace it nor does it mean that the personal meaning of whatever was lost (be it another person or an inanimate object) stops having meaning in terms of your life, it means you do not become obsessed in the fact it is now gone.
Although the above is more Taoist than Buddhist, I think it fits generally well with both. And neither is "stupid". |