shadowind

theres many possiblilitys why theres similaritys.

god's word put in a different ways for different people

if they were used for control of the masses they could be building off of other systems that worked.

If someone wanted to created effects in the sociaty they saw desirable they may notice that another region has a story they use to teach their kids/adults to act desirable, so they may modifiy it to their own region.

also the story might be just what works, so different people might of came up with them seperatly.

__________________
remember "for mere impulse of appetite is slavery, while obedience to a law which we prescirbe to oursleves is liberty"-rousseau: the concept of the general will "if we can not reconcile all opions, then let us endeavour to unite all hearts."-?"to be is to be perceived"-? "‘We can be as honest as we are ignorant. If we are, when asked what is beyond the horizon of the known, we must say that we do not know’-Robert G. Ingersoll

GX

Vey Interesting!
Several theories posit that Krishna, Buddha and Jesus are the same soul that has reincarnated to those particular individuals. This posting backs up that theory.

AB517

I agree for the most part.

The idea of "the Christ" is the tread of the Holy Spirit through all great people and their teachings. "Christ" and "holy spirit" are just words here. The only reason I did not follow Buddha, well more than one, but one biggie is that he misinterprets the universe's desires as empty. Empty, a trait the ego would devise to explain the nation of helping someone else for no personal gain.

GX

I agree that buddhism has its flaws as does every religion known to man, however, if you can overlook its flaws, it has many positive contributions to give to humanity. Comparitively speaking, it is much more advanced in its thinking than religious christianity. It is my personal opinion as far as religions go that Native American Spirituality is the most advanced religion on earth and the various eastern religions (buddhism etc.) come next.

As far as Krishna consciousness. I believe their followers got one point very wrong. They posit that in order to attain a high level of spirituality, it is required to abstain from sexual intercourse for anything other than procreative purposes. Though Krishna practiced abstinence, I dont feel that this is something that he required, but merely chose for himself. I personally feel that it is possible to attain a high level of spirituality and be able to engage in sexual relations for purposes other than procreation.

These are the reasons I will never choose to be a follower of any particular religion again but choose instead to forge my own unique spiritual path. I do like to study the various religions and uncover the pearls of wisdom they have to offer but will always refuse to buy the farm.

AB517

I agree 100% with ya GX.

In fact I tend to listen to people I do not agree with more closely. I find more about myself sometimes.

Buddha was a great man. I just chose life as filling, not empty. But that is just me and I can (and often am) be wrong. I am RC and always tell people to read the great teachings of other religions.

You are 100 % correct when you say no religion is perfect but they all have something to offer us. When people ask me how I pray I tell them I learned from Buddha and other great mediators. I find that we Christians fall short in the understanding that it all starts with in us; not outside of us. I think Jesus was pretty clear on this.

I love the fool hardies that cling to the all or nothing when dealing with a religion. It just does not make any sense to me. I do not understand people hating a religion because they do not like a part (or parts)of it. And of cousre the converse.

GX

Listening to others we disagree with helps us to define what we are not and thus discover who we really are. Im with you on that. The fool hardies are caught in a trap of unconditionally believing what they have been told and are held there by fear (in the case of christians). I guess as far as people hating religion, Im sure the reasons are many and varied. Im sure alot of it has to do with the feeling of being enslaved by it and then the subsequent contempt for it after throwing off the shackles. Not necessary but understandable. I havent studied Buddhism to the extent that you have. What have you learned from the Buddhists about prayer? Are they prayers of supplication (asking for stuff) or thanks or what?

AB517

Hey GX do you understand this:

God – Country – Religion – me and mine.

This is a general structure that I follow. We can substitute any words here.

I am no expert in Buddhism.
Like any religion, the basic faith statements are straight forward. What you know of them is probably the same as what I know. Jesus had many years of his life missing and with the trade routes and other historic factors I am sure he, at least, studied some Buddhism and other religions at least that is what I would expect a good teacher to do any way. I just fell more in line of Jesus in that that Buddha’s nirvana was ministered by Buddha. That is an arrogant statement on my part. Buddha saw the limits and decided that it meant empty, I just disagree with him and I call it wonderful. This higher power is so old and so misunderstood.

I have learned from them to slow down and pick a focal point and it all starts within me. I like using Zen Buddhist questioning also. The type of prayer is a personal thing. My prayers are of thanks giving. I thank the universe for the day and then my parents and for all those that have gone before us that gave us what we have today. Things like that.

I stopped meditating because the experience is to powerful for me. I was a non-believer for most of my life so the spiritual thing is too powerful for me. It is like an out of body experience. I do not like that transcendent thing. Being suddenly tapped into and part of everything is too much for me. I understand why Buddha came back to put his feet on the ground. In talking to some people around my way about it they said that maybe I just get into that state of mind really fast, they take an hour, I take minutes, so maybe that’s it, I don’t know. I do know this; I can tell those that had it and those that just know the theory. We insane people know each other well.

GX

I guess that this is a structure of culture


From what Ive read. Prayers of thanks for things you have and things you wish to receive are the most powerful. That is how I pray as well

That very interesting that you say that. Meditation is a precursor to an out of body experience. If you feel your body swaying or if you feel vibrations when meditating, that is a sign that your are about to leave your body. I love to meditate and learned to do so inadvertently. When I came back from work tired, I wasnt able to fall asleep so I just decided to lie still, clear my mind and relax which is what meditation is. I feel very refreshed afterwards.

Og

Furthermore, you are one with krishna/yeshua.

Jesus understood this: "I and the Father are One." (John 10:30)

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The self is not a fixed entity but a dynamic process of relationships
You & I, no distinction. - Tat Tvam Asi
Become Who You Are