What Are Your Beliefs?

[Feed the Monkey]

Hey Amanda. Sorry for the late reply, been away.

Just thought I'd clear up some points.

Many Buddhist schools originated in roughly the 12th century in Japan. It was a great religious revolution in some respects.

Regarding Kamikazes: I think you'll find that your information is slightly incorrect. The kamikaze pilots in the second world war were Shinto believers (they worshipped the sun) as it was the official state religion at the time. Religious freedom was not alllowed and in fact the idea that a pilot in the air force was anything other than a shinto beleiver could have been considered heretical. Many Buddhist temples were forced by the government during this period to contain Shinto talismans against their will, hence the general confusion. Buddhism and shinto are NOT the same relgion at all. It's a very important point. Shinto was being forced onto the japanese polpulation as it was the religion of the emperor who believed that he was the divine incarnation of the sun.

In regards to Samurai - The Zen School of Buddhism was adopted by many samurai as a way to perfect fighting techniques from the 12th century onwards. While I personally don't agree with the Zen school precepts, I admit that in some cases, Zen mediation can lead to greater self awareness and peace. It is a shame that these schools were used to perfect fighting technique, but in a feudal system like japan had become during at that time I think it was probabaly inevitable. Like I say, not my school.

With regards to the attrocities that have taken place among the sinhala Buddhists. I agree, this is a tragic demonstration of 'religion gone bad'. There is an awful lot of confusion among people about the difference between Buddhist schools. One Buddhist schol can vary greatly in practices and attitudes. I suppose a western equivalant would be protestants and catholics. Perhaps I should have been more specific in my wording. I meant that in MY Buddhist school there is no lack of tolerance, no lack of desire for peace, no lack of desire for continual self imporovement and no lack of wanting happiness and peace for all mankind. I also think you will find this in the majority of buddhist schools. The taking of any form of life by another is truly the worst cause imaginable, and I personally find the idea that someone would do this in the name of religion abhorrent.

Buddhist schools are split into Hinyana and Mahayana. The Hinyana Buddhists base their beliefs on older teachings, and have often become intertwined with Hindu beliefs, while the Mahayana teachings (the ones that seem to have spread east more) take the later teachings of the Buddha. My school is of a Mahayana belief system, and I've really gained a lot of wisdom and insight into my own life and the workings of my environment from being a member. Our group really believes in peace, culture and education for all mankind.

I hope that's cleared up any thing you may have had problems with in my post.

Best regards,

FTM