Why so few Buddhists?

[ravenscape]

Could you answer my question then Ravenscape?

Sorry, I didn't see your post earlier when I replied to Hydra. I can give you my general impression, but other people may have a different view. Particularly people who've been around longer than a year.

I joined last December and for the first few months I posted in this forum I felt there was a good mix of thread topics. There were always a few threads where people attacked other members and other religions, but there were also threads where people discussed the nitty-gritty of what they believe and why.

In April or May, that changed, and the discussion threads nearly disappared completely, leaving page after page of threads where people argue and attack each other personally, not really bothering to debate their positions. I seldom post in the NCR forum anymore, though I have a great curiosity about other religions. A forum where people of several different major world faiths post would ordinarily be a banquet to me. Right now, too many of the threads in this forum are filled with verbal poison.

Things do seem to be almost imperceptibly improving over the last month or so. Some days and in some threads it's as bad as ever. But, as new people join CF, the dynamic of each forum here constantly changes. Sometimes many small changes reveal themselves in an overall improvement.

So, I haven't entirely given up hope just yet.

 

[Q2004]

Yeah. Well everything's a pendulum.

 

[ravenscape]

I've found that metaphor a little overworked. Especially in a relatively small pool of people engaged in personal interaction, whether online or in real life. In actuality, a handful of members arriving or leaving can have a huge impact on discourse. Specifically how they may change discourse has very little to do with movement toward and away from polar extremes.

 

[ericf]

There are Buddhists here. Personally, and I can only speak for myself, I don't want to argue about things. I don't mind talking about ideas and concepts with people but when it becomes personal, attacking, or just acrimonious... I don't bother to even consider posting.

I have no agenda to push. So nothing urges me to post against my better judgement. I tend to read a lot more than post and frequently come here and decide against posting completely. For a while this area devolved into what seemed to be an Islam/Christianity debate 24/7... so I left for several weeks without bothering to return at all.

I guess it does have a lot to do with the atmosphere, as many have said before me in this thread.

 

[Q2004]

Well Said ericf.

 

[Cabbages]

I've just joined, so I can't comment on recent topic trends. However, in all my reading and topic-skimming, this is the first thread where I've encountered other Buddhists. The topics around here don't seem too bad; certainly nothing that can't be fixed with a little patience.

 

[vajradhara]

Namaste all,


actually... we have a fairly good group of Buddha Dharma adherents that post on this forum...

some of us were on retreat this past week

to be frank... the NCR section is a fairly dynamic place.. in some months, there is little in the way of discussion and sharing of knowledge and more in the way of slander and personal attacks. in those instances, i tend to find the Dharma traditions aren't all that active.

other times, there seems to be a geninue sense of curiousity and interest in understanding another point of view. it is my impression that those sorts of threads tend to bring out the Dharma adherents responeses more frequently.

if you have some questions, you can always check out this "Ask the Buddhist thread" :

http://www.christianforums.com/t996060-ask-the-buddhist.html

metta,

~v

 

[Zen_Woof]

Hello.

A teaching of Buddhism is right speech:

"And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter: This is called right speech."

— SN XLV.8

I've been paying attention to this and am trying to avoid divisive, abusive, or idle speech as much as I can. So ... I avoid this forum unless I feel my input would be useful in some way. That could be why there are not many active Buddhist posters, although there are a good number of Buddhists registered.

I don't find the constant arguing to be much fun. I prefer conversations about spiritual things instead of bash-fests. So, I haven't been around as much. I've even thought about stopping coming altogether. Constantly immersing myself in a negative arena has a negative impact, you know?

Anyway, just my views and experiences. I hope it helps!

Metta,
ZW

 

[LienShen]

We are here, but not in any great numbers.

It seems that most of us just want to teach our compassion and our love, so you may not see many of us getting into debates with others on a regular basis. Most of us just like to give our input and let it be done.

I try to avoid the forum a bit too, as it is very hard to close your eyes to the ignorance and lack of compassion in some cases. I even fail sometimes.

 

[bmoynihan]

Im Here...

Hello

 

[Ilikeairconditioning]

quite frankly the majority of buddhists I've known(I've spent several years in eastern countries) only do it because its their tradition. I would say its more of a cultural thing then any deep seated faith they have in the doctrine. the thinking is "do good things and thats enough".

 

[peepnklown]

Why do you think that is?

Our enlightened brethren do not see the point in debating?

 

[guysmy]

This is a christian forum. A part is for people of all faiths but its obviously geared towards christians. Maybe the buddhists found another forum that suits them better.

 

[Cabbages]

A Buddhist forum? Ah, no fun. An opposing view is always healthy.

 

[Gentle]

I don't see how they have to contradict, it's not a religion and I've practiced it for years. It made it all the easier with a clear disciplined mind to understand Christ, its mental, spiritual exercise and only adds to my faith in Christ.

peace, God bless
Andrew

 

[LienShen]

'He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.' ~Buddha

 

[Gracchus]

'He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.' ~Buddha

Also bear in mind, many interpret truth as a personal attack. If what I say offends you, ask yourself why you take offense.

Real Buddhism is not about worship. It is not meant to be a lifestyle. It is a tool to obtain enlightenment. It is a finger pointing at the moon. Once you have discovered the moon, you can use the finger for ... picking your nose. The moon doesn't care.

 

[vajradhara]

Namaste Gentle,

thank you for the post.

I don't see how they have to contradict, it's not a religion and I've practiced it for years.

you are correct... Buddhas teachings are rightly referred to as Dharma, Buddha dharmas to be precise.

however, Buddhism and Christianity, despite they're agreement on certain moral and ethical issues, are not compatible at the doctrinal level. there really isn't any means to reconcile the Christian view of an eternally existing, unchanging soul with the Buddhist teaching of Impermenance and selflessness.

i'm aware that there are many beings which have become aware of Buddha Shakyamunis philosophical teachings and, having tested them, find them to be correct and accurate, leading to the happiness of all beings. however, Buddha Dharma is more than a philosophy, it is a Dharma, as our Muslim friends like to say "it is a complete way of life."

metta,

~v

 

[Zen_Woof]

A Buddhist forum? Ah, no fun. An opposing view is always healthy.

Hello.

Check out e-sangha sometime. It can be just as contentious as things around here, but in a different way. It seems folks are rife with opposing views no matter what group they belong to...

Metta,
ZW

 

[RufusTheRevelator]

how dare you say buddhism isnt a religion!
who are you to belittle other peoples beliefs?
you are just tageting buddhist as they are an easy target.
you should be ashamed