I tell my son that even though we are Muslims, integrating Buddhist principles and practices, will bring a healthy perspective into our daily life. Thank you for your insightful videos 🙏
I'm Catholic but love Buddha, love Buddhism. The darhma, teaching is so calm, no forcing and very scientific. It focuses on mankind first, not using God to scare you between heaven and hell. It aims to help to be more self-conscious. Thank you Doug
@@mahendraghonmode292 A Buddhist fedora lord! Lol Is reincarnation a "theological dogma?" All the times Buddha mentions gods, heaven, hell, he was just kidding right? Buddhism used to include such concepts, so if Buddhism doesn't now, where did they go?
Most Vietnamese became Catholics is when the French came to promote and give to the poor and most follow, also when the French took over Vietnam later part of Indochina, prisoners were either freed or reduced sentences if they converted to Catholic, also most people and noble converted so they have a chance to hold higher office. Some do believe in Jesus because Catholics were giving food money and things to the poor so they see that God is actually doing something. So most Vietnamese converted to have a better life, to able to hold higher office etc. This is especially true during the Frent occupation and during the Vietnam War in the south where it's much better to be Catholics than being Buddhist, this lead to Buddhist monk burning himself at a protest. Most Vietnamese whether boy or a girl that gets married with someone Catholics they are forced to abandon Buddhism and converted to Catholics if you don't Catholics family will call off the wedding, even that was your true love but religion got in the way. Stay true to what you really believe in and don't let money and wealth get in the way, but still strive to be successful. The goodness of the heart is the true teachings, don't be scare that other religions say that your religion will go to hell because those who say that might just get a ticket to hell and answers for their sins for saying that. In short most Vietnamese were basically forced to become Catholics in one way or another.
I was born and brought up in a Hindu Brahmin family, but later on I found all the practices that I had been taught to never give me peace of mind, or any answer in particular. That's when I stopped believing in the existence of God as a supreme being. When I felt purposeless and felt my life had reached rock bottom, I had nowhere to go! I was so anxious, and angry. Then during the lockdown, I picked up a book about Buddhism, and I got so interested in it! It's been 2 years since, and I never looked back. Now, when I talk about philosophy with a friend of another faith, I notice that they don't want to accept the very first point of the 4 noble Truths - that suffering will always exist. I just smile, and let them live their lives the way they feel best. And we continue being friends 😊
Theological inconsistencies are what sent me looking for another way to see life. I have slowly but surely, found Buddhism, constantly learning. It's the only system of living that actually works for me. I love friends and family members with beliefs that I do not share. I care for them regardless of their convictions. I respect that they are in my life and in that way I have no worries. We are here. We must try to work to help others in ways in which we are capable without compromising our awareness our existence.
I feel the same way. I have always struggled with the idea of sin and shame that I seem to recall being pushed on me as a kid. I think that's what drove me away from religion in general through my 20s. The idea of Karma makes a lot more sense to me.
Buddha was the most kindest person ever lived on this earth, so kind even to his adversaries. Reason millions worship him without any persuation. Sadhu, Sadhu🙏
most kindest person???i highly doubt that..unless u can give proof or know everyhuman ever.. he is good guy who became a deity n showed the world the simple way of liberation.the easier quick way..there r other masters as well
@@NepalShaman if we go with buddhist teachings buddha.... Buddha isn't a deity, he himself said he's just a normal dude like any other who is just sharing and teaching of what he learned from his awakening
Thanks Doug. I've always loved the Buddhist idea of investigation and enquiry. It's what humans do naturally. I have been having discussions (not debate) with a Christian street evangelist who is horrified at the idea of questioning beliefs. This lovely, caring man suggested that I should accept his faith without question and the answers would follow later. He doesn't agree that genuine enquiry will either strengthen his position or lead to further scrutiny, rather he sees it as a threat. This does not imply that all Christians have the same difficulty.
Thanks for the comment, martynsnan. It's good to open up dialogue with folks from other belief systems if it can be done with kindness, something that isn't always easy! And yes, for many people the notion of inquiry is frightening. All one can do is to point out the possibility.
The Dalai Lama has said to Non-Buddhist who attend his teaching: "it is always better to keep one's old faith but can learn from Buddhism without abandoning your old faith. But warned never to criticize your old faith even if you left it to convert to another religion or become an Atheist as it creates bad air.
Thanks Peta. Well, there are many convert atheists, and nothing wrong with that. The problem though is when one retains ill will towards one’s old faith, and acts out on it in ways that create harm. (Of course in many of those cases they will themselves have been harmed by people within the faith, so ill will is a two edged sword).
@@DougsDharma One thing I like about Thich Nhat Hanh's teaching is to not hold to any views, including Buddhist ones, rigidly. As Thay says, truth is found in life, not in theories or dogmas.
I agree about this but in the case of certain cults (such as Scientology, Jehova's witnesses, etc.) I think that people who manage to leave need to speak out more often.
hey Doug, thanks for your great teachings. Quick videos like this are a nice way to have a cup of coffee and relax in between errands on the weekend. I was impressed with how you dealt with an comment below. That is what has drawn me to Buddhism, it is about the skillfulness in living life and how to deal with yourself and others. Please keep doing the lord's work!
The Buddha had the perfect medicine for those who attacked and tried humiliating him. In the end the mirror would point back at them and make them realize the wisdom of looking inside their inner selves before judging. Many people of all faiths find it hard to reconcile with the wisdom of other faiths. In Meso-American thinking our existence was the material manifestation of the spiritual realm. Hence, all manifestations were accepted as possible and valid. Siddhartha Gautama left a similar line of thinking in that we are more than just our egos and our material manifestation. He went a step further and asked his followers to quiet down the mind and allow for full concentration in order to achieve awakening.
That's right Ivan, thanks! Interesting to hear about Meso-American thinkers, something I don't know much about, though I do love visiting the archaeological sites in Mexico, Central and South America.
It is really surpreising us overhere that there are faraway people who understood this much Dharmma which is not that easy to get (even most of Buddhist overhere don't get it). Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I'm very agree with you. In Kalama Sutta, The Buddha tough us to not believe everything your parent, friends, teachers or even the Buddha himself said. Untill you've already tried it yourself. May Arahatta mind which contains no longer lust, hunger and unknown be with you, your friends and family. I am blessing minds of you and being surrounding you reach peaceful nirvana. Sadthu.
this message hits home for me.I was raise christian.I would like to keep volunteering with christian groups.Im not a buddist are any faith.I do do believe in a higher power.I believe buddist teachings are one of the greatest teachings i ever read.There alot the church teaches that i dont agree with.But it what we have in common that i always want to concentrate on.
This may be the best video I have seen in terms of describing how the Buddha offered a dramatically different approach to dealing with the issues of the world. This video covers a large range of topics such as cancel culture, censorship, investing, wealth, listening, harmony, tolerance and many other things all in about 10 minutes. This video would be a good introduction to Buddhism and what makes it dramatically different from other religions.
Great video Doug. As very new to Buddhism, I have been constantly investigating it and constantly asking myself if it is for me. Hence i have more and more moved towards secular Buddhism rather than any sort of monastic religious leaning as the more i do investigate and learn, the more i am deciding this is the way of life I want to try and achieve. Thanks again Doug as your videos are great and led me to being one of your patreons. Regards Andy Couchman
I think it's really fun that you know the actual literature, and can identify and talk about earliest sources. It's really the first time I've ever really gotten any sense of what Buddha may have actually been like as a person, and within his cultural milieu.
Hi doug, i have this question, are you a buddhist yourself? If you are, what got you in to buddhism? and i also like to extent my gratitude, asbeing a buddhist myself i get to know more new things from your channel!
Thanks so much for your comment! I've done a video on my own views here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yTxKgz8MeWg.html , and on what brought me to Buddhism, you can check out some of my early dharma vlogs: ru-vid.com/group/PL0akoU_OszRgETTJkXqTwpGWR5CxoK4ZJ
Buddhism is greatest gift for human on the earth.Buddhist religion is the oldest religion of the world. Buddha 's teachings teach the world to live in harmony with one another and inculcate scientific temper. The fountainhead of every religion in the world called itself mechanical, but the Buddha pointed out the path of humanity and saved mankind. Buddha 's teachings continue to live in the present even with the intellectual, modern, and tenor of reasoning. The most misleading people in the world are brahmins and they believe that superstition, poverty and hunger are their religion. The hindus never want to become a rational being, for the Buddha has the solution to all problems and in that case the people will stumble with Hinduism. Baba saheb ambedkar left the Hindu religion of inequality and inhumanity on the 14th October 1956. After that in India people are converted to Buddhism rather than Hinduism You all go be buddhist. Namo buddhay
Thanks Doug,very important points ,giving and investigating as the person below me has stated these are human quality's .animals even investigate and cooperate between themselves
Hi Doug. Thank you. I believe God but I can't find a religion that I truly resonate with. Buddhism is such an amazing religion and I do truly resonate with it, but I don't know how to practice it if I still believe in God. Im so grateful for your videos though! so healthy to integrate into our lives:)
Hi Isla, there are many schools of Buddhism, some that are pretty compatible with the idea of God, such as Pure Land Buddhism. I hope you find what you're looking for! 🙏
hi i also believe in God eventhough im buddhist. there no wrong with that. the most important is understanding dhamma, practice it, do follow 5 precepts, do donation, be kinds and no harm to other beings.
When it comes to your problem i think i can refer you a dharma talk buddha said in "karaneeyametta suttra" (matha yatha niyan puththan ayusa eka puththa manu rakkhe ewampi sambha bhuthesu manasan bhawaye aparimanan) meaning - love to the whole universe ( without limited area or people ) just like how much a mother love her "only"child. So you don't have to become a buddhist or you don't have to left your religion to practice buddhas teachings mydear. You just want to do is always try to be openminded and see people and everything just the way they exist and love them for how they are and who they are. And that makes you a good humen rather than a religious person. I believe that buddha wanted good humens rathar than religious people in this world. See buddha as a teacher not a religious leader or any kind of god. Then you can go with your religion and live a better life.
Faith is believe. To have faith is to practice and study. In order to practice and study, you have to continue working on yourself and your environment. However, you also need to read and study from different gurus or from correct teachings. The correct teachings are all sentient beings have a Buddha nature and attaining buddhahood in this lifetime. We just need to have the Buddha eye to see it.
Thanks for the comment Michael. I think if we allow for all of the various schools of Buddhist thought we will find a lot of different “correct teachings”. We have to find which ones resonate with us in our own practice towards awakening. 🙂
Hi Doug! I've found a lot of guidence and knowledge from these videos, and I'd love to share them to more people to spread the news about this wonderful channel. I live in Chile, a spanish-speaking country, and there is no (as far as I know, at least) other channel teaching about Early Buddhism form a secular point of view. Do you think there is a way and a chance to put subtitles in spanish to your videos? I don't feel fully capable of translating your words, because my english is rough and not so fluent. I can help in some other way, if you need it. Thanks in advance for your time and kindness. Have a wonderful day, dear Doug!
In my opinion, if you try to explain this openness to evangelical pentecostals they will still think your religion is wrong and evil and you will be condemned by God 😔
Doug's Dharma I’m hoping that your channel can help me find positivity through Buddhism.. as my spirit is drawn to the teachings and beliefs. It’s all I have left to end my suffering.. I think?
I'm interested in learning more about Buddhism. I come from a christian background. The one thing I think I would struggle with is not praying and asking God for help but rather being responsible for myself. It's something I've never done. I've always relied on God. I'm not sure if Buddhism is the right path for me. I would just like to learn more to see. Are there any books or online resources for those transitioning from Christianity to Buddhism that you know of? Thankyou
I'm not sure about books that would help between Christianity and Buddhism, though I'm sure there must be a few at least. There are many forms of Buddhist belief and practice, some that involve devotion and intercession of other, powerful beings into our practice. Mostly to my knowledge these are Tibetan or Vajrayāna practices, though there are devotional aspects to most all forms of traditional Buddhist practice outside the West. So it kind of depends on what sort of approach you find most congenial.
This sutta is difficult for me, as I was raised in a religious environment that I now believe to be harmful to others. I have no desire to be unpleasant to individuals still following that faith, but I'm certainly not going to give financial or other support to that faith as an institution.
Good point Ron. I think what's assumed in the sutta is that the tradition in question isn't harmful per se. It's a tougher issue if they might put such support to bad use.
Joking aside, the Buddha's 'come & see' amazed me when i learned of it, being from the 'believe or suffer in a lake of fire for eternity' catholic tradition. ❤️
Buddhism is the world's truth. U dont need to convert to look into or follow buddhism. Religion is something you received from your parents U can follow ur religion while learning buddhism. Cause one is not required to do anything to learn buddhism. It is free for all and dont have rules like religions.
I can't really convert because of family issues.... But this makes sense...can you please help me to avoid bitter consequences in afterlife not being a Buddhist but still trying to follow the rituals....
@@jasonjammin8697 according to buddha being worrying about your past is just like a waiving chair. It gives you somthing to do but it doesn't make you goahead. So don't worry about your past. Do good things and gather good and peacefull mind in present. There is no any other way to left behind your bad karmas in buddhism. But you can do good karma and push some of your bad karmas with your good karmas but its not forever.it teaches us about our responsibility. Thats all. Do good things love evryone and gather happiness . Don't worry about bad karmas you have done. They were alredy done and you can not undone them now. Just let them go and follow a good life. Then you will find a good path and relei.because even buddha also had suffered from some of his bad karmas he had done in his past lives and he let them to happened because it was his last life and then he don't suffer from them anymore. Thats why buddha said be enlightened and stop rebirth cycle of samsara and then you are relief
There’s nothing special you need to do to convert to Buddhism. If you practice according to the Eightfold Path that’s enough. I have a playlist on them here: ru-vid.com/group/PL0akoU_OszRjnpcsAhKPho5jAnjIPUvlH
I would say that many Buddhists don't follow all the rules, indeed Buddhists even disagree about what the rules are in some circumstances. And yes, Buddhism can be seen as both a basket of life lessons and a religion. 🙂
I think, if you associate yourself with budhism, or Zen philosophy, you can understand your religion better. Every religion offers the same thing, the connection. But often we become deluded, that religion is to protect us or something supertitious like that. Buddha have tried to break the delusion, and lead us to that connection to the divine.
India's history starts with buddha before goutam buddha there where 27 Buddha's in the past Pali and prakrat are OLDEST languages then sanskrat sanskrat is devlopd by buddhist monks for the students who came from other countries to study dhamma and they want to devlopd a language is simple and easy to understand so they mixed languages which is popular then and made sankrat , but people are don't know the real history 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks for the question William. It depends on which Buddhists we're talking about. Buddhists did have extensive debates with Christians back during the colonial period in SE Asia. And certainly the Buddha discussed and debated with his competitors of the day. For more on this see: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aoxagmtSHI0.html
Thanks David, yes many of their adherents were from Brahminism, though many were from other belief systems too new or inchoate really to be considered "religions" at the time, such as Jainism or Ājīvika. They were more akin to competing philosophical systems, associated with individual teachers, that would eventually become religions. And then there were folks like the Kālāmas that seemed not to know what to believe. So there was a range. 🙂
Please don't call secular buddhism.don't create new word.secular is secular.its nothing to do with religion.its simple means respecting all form of religion including non -believer and promoting love and compassion base on our day to day life experience and common sense not on religion principle..so i think it is totally wrong to say secular buddhism.and beside buddhism never have thought to converting other region into buddhist.buddhist believe that different religion is necessary on this world because different people have different mental disposition.so there is different requirement.so different religion is necessary.please don't create misconception among people.i m buddhist but i never try to convert people into buddhist.its up to them.i hope u should use more precise word.other wise ,it will create misconception to those beginner.
"Secular" isn't a perfect word, but really none works perfectly. At this point though Dawa it's become standardized so I doubt there is any way to really change it.
@@DougsDharma what dalia lama talking about secularism is base on Indian secularism.not base on Oxford and Cambridge dictionary.many of westerner get misconception on secularism.dalia lama has clarify his statement on secularism.if u say secular buddhism ,then it won't be proper way to define secularism.because u have already mix this with particular religion.i respect your great work and initiative but i feel your concept is not so clear.this may lead to misunderstanding among audience.so as responsible human being ,i request u not to talk with half knowledge.this will may create problem among people in future .so i request u to talk with full knowledge about it.little knowledge is very dangerous.sorry for my criticism if u feel bad about it.but i speak with concern for audience well being.
Many people in the west assume that of all of the major religions Christianity is the greatest and if Christianity has flaws then the other religions would have even more flaws. They therefore forego these religions without any research. How many people here have looked into Islam before going into Budhism. I always look at the literature and the Islamic doctrine is by far the most logical and sensible I have seen. There is so much said about Islam that makes people thing it is a crazy religion but it couldn't be further from the truth. Like the man on this video said 'investigate'.
Logical in what sense? Islam is theistic like Christianity and Judaism. There is the creator aka god who does everything and follower should just blindly follow it. Blasphemy laws prove that Islam is not logical or can be debated. Even Non-Muslims have been put to death. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are known for it.
I am sorry, but there is a lot of silly things in the Qur'an like the sun setting in a muddy pool. Also, the earlier teachings by Mohammad were peaceful and inclusive, while the later teachings were rather violent and exclusive. And because the Qur'an itself says that latter teachings supercede the earlier teachings, radical Islamic groups like the IS have no problem justifying their acts of violence against anyone outside their groups.
