Volconvo Debate Forums - View Single Post

shunyadragon · Apr 17, 2004, 06:07 pm

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Impenitent,)
Siddartha taught a very specific path...

"Why do you think that all authentic Buddhists believe in reincarnation??"

why would the eightfold path lead to enlightenment which is the end of rebirth, the end of reincarnation, if they didn't believe in reincarnation?

It is an either/or situation... Buddhists believe as Buddhists believe, Hindus believe as Hindus believe... they may overlap a bit as all religions do, but they are not the same thing...<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>

Siddartha did not teach a very specific path. He did say not to follow him but to seek the middle way. The end of suffereing and the eight-fold path are not as specific in concept as the ten commandments. Reincarnation is not clear in Buddhist teachings as in Hindu traditions. I do not think there is such a thing as authentic Buddhism from our point of view any more than an authentic Christianity. Too much time, culture and language problems intervene.

Apr 17, 2004, 06:07 pm	#115 (permalink) (top)
shunyadragon Hot Lava Location: Hillsborough, NC Posts: 940	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Impenitent,) Siddartha taught a very specific path... "Why do you think that all authentic Buddhists believe in reincarnation??" why would the eightfold path lead to enlightenment which is the end of rebirth, the end of reincarnation, if they didn't believe in reincarnation? It is an either/or situation... Buddhists believe as Buddhists believe, Hindus believe as Hindus believe... they may overlap a bit as all religions do, but they are not the same thing...<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> Siddartha did not teach a very specific path. He did say not to follow him but to seek the middle way. The end of suffereing and the eight-fold path are not as specific in concept as the ten commandments. Reincarnation is not clear in Buddhist teachings as in Hindu traditions. I do not think there is such a thing as authentic Buddhism from our point of view any more than an authentic Christianity. Too much time, culture and language problems intervene. The empty cup contains the most Frank A Doonan Turn weapons into peace and friendship with gifts of jade-silk www.shunyadragon.com I do not know, therefore I think . . .