Is there a way to marry Positive Atheism and Buddhism?

[Taverner]

That is, those Buddhist principles which adhere to reason?

[Schema Thing]

1. It would have to be a civil union.

[Taverner]

3. LOL

[ContinentalOp]

2. I believe that Buddhism is atheistic.

At least the varieties of it that interest me. There's a lot of writing on Buddhism and atheism.

[Taverner]

4. Any recs?

for reading that is?

[mzteris]

6. here's a quickie version . . .

http://buddhism.about.com/od/basicbuddhistteachings/a/buddhaatheism.htm

[ContinentalOp]

8. I just meant what comes up when you google "buddhism and atheism"

I don't know of any books on the subject although I'm sure there are some.

[ContinentalOp]

11. I think this about sums it up...

"Wikipedia defines atheism as "the disbelief in the existence of any deities. It is contrasted with theism, the belief in a God or gods".

This definition of atheism aligns with the Buddhist teaching that there is no theistic God(s). Buddhism does not deal with the beginning or the end of the universe, either in space or time, let alone the creation of it other than saying there’s no creator. Such discussions are part of the fourteen questions which the Buddha refused to answer. Thus, the Gautama Buddha is known by some to be one of the first atheists of modern time."

http://nidahas.com/2007/02/23/buddhism-vs-atheism/

So, no gods, no creator, no heaven and hell, no judgement. Also there is no faith or belief:

"Buddhism is a path to “waking up,” or being enlightened, to a reality that is not consciously perceived by most of us. In most schools of Buddhism it is understood that enlightenment and nirvana cannot be conceptualized or explained with words. They must be intimately experienced to be understood. Merely “believing in” enlightenment and nirvana is pointless."

http://buddhism.about.com/od/basicbuddhistteachings/a/buddhaatheism.htm

That doesn't mean that all of Buddhism is strictly rational and there are certainly different sects of Buddhism that veer more toward faith and god worship. But there's a strong enough atheistic foundation to Buddhism that I think it's safe to call oneself a Buddhist Atheist.

[Odin2005]

20. here's an article I ran into:

http://www.naturalism.org/buddhism.htm

[mzteris]

5. Buddhism is more philosophy than religion, really.

Those sects that give the appearance of being even MORE so are Ch'an Buddhism and it's more well-known Japanese counterpart - Zen.

[Grey]

7. Poke around in these sites.

http://www.buddhanet.net/

http://www.buddhanet.net/budsas/ebud/ebdha137.htm

They may not have what you are looking for but it is interesting reading .

[lilymidnite]

9. Atheist Buddhist

here ...

so, yeah.

[Imagine My Surprise]

10. Buddhism is non-theistic as opposed to atheistic...

Most of the major Buddhist groups, including Tibetans, do not believe in a "creator God." This ties in with the Buddhist notion of "dependent origination" -- a major concept, along with impermanence and no-soul.

Much too complicated for a sentence or two here, but I'll add that though Buddhism is called by some a philosophy, it is usually not called a philosophy by its adherents. While we do not worship a "God", it is a religion. Though wonderful Buddhist practicing psychiatrists e.g. Mark Epstein (Thoughts Without a Thinker, et al) will cite that it's very much like a psychology, as well.

[ContinentalOp]

12. What is the distinction between atheistic and non-theistic? -nt-

[Taverner]

14. Atheist: "There is no God" or "There probably is no God"

Non-Theist: "It is irrelevant whether God exists or not"

[ContinentalOp]

17. The distinction doesn't seem important here.

If Buddhism is "non-theistic" that means that it can welcome Atheists.

[Taverner]

29. I think - but I dunno

There are some concepts in Buddhism that REALLY appeal to me (basically their definition of suffering, and how life is, in fact, suffering)

Some concepts I just don't get the black and white nature of...(their views on sex and death)

[theoldman]

13. Many Buddhist believe in a higher power.

They do not believe in a Creator or someone who looks like an old man. It is more like a spirit as in Native American religions. Buddhist pray and you have to pray to something. You cannot pray to nothing.

[Taverner]

15. Yes, that would be a problem

Because to me higher power is an irrelevant term. Higher powered to do what???

A Transformer has much more energy than we do, should we pray to it?

[MineralMan]

22. Transformers: Well...my wife and I say incantations to the

one on the pole behind our house during every thunderstorm, in hopes that the electricity will stay on. Does that count?

[Schema Thing]

16. I bet Sienfeld could

[ContinentalOp]

18. Many does not equal all.

Isn't Buddhist prayer more like a meditation practice? Do any Buddhists actually pray to a higher power to ask for favors?

[RaleighNCDUer]

23. You cannot pray to nothing.

Why not?

Billions do that every day.

[Odin2005]

19. Some forms of Theravada (South Asian) Buddhism are compatible with "Atheism" in the...

Western sense, but the "Mahayana" forms of Buddhism dominant in East Asia are stuffed with gobbly-gok. Theravada is mostly a truly atheist philosophy which I have always had a strong degree of sympathy for. Mahayana is a salvationist religion with saint-like figures playing a "Jesus-like" role.

[damntexdem]

21. If there is, the ceremony will probably occur in a Unitarian church.

;-)

[Beetwasher]

24. I'm An Atheist And I Married A Buddhist, Does That Count?

We had a Jewish wedding.

:shrug:

[Taverner]

25. I sure hope the food was Halal and the music Zoastrian

[Beetwasher]

27. We Had A DJ

And karaoke. And lot's of sushi and sake. :evilgrin:

Oh, and I performed a couple of songs on guitar too!

[Beetwasher]

26. delete

[The Night Owl]

28. For me, Buddhism jumped the shark when the alleged incarnation of Vimalamitra recognized...

...actor Steven Seagal as being a reincarnated Tulku.