Islam and Buddhism

Salaam To:ALL

Varshaken has already started the topic on Islam and Buddhism and I feel it is necessary for muslims to get basic understanding of Buddhism before lengthy discussios starts.

Muslims involved in comparative analysis must acquaint themselves with 'Buddhist Mindset'. There is no point quoting literal Quranic text when we have not established a common theme. We as muslims always tend to asserts our righteousness at the expense of the other.

Remember literal quotation from Quran will not satisfy a Buddhist Mind because they are deeply Meditative and Philisophical people. Some muslims tend to shy away from Meditative and Philosophical discussions. Every religion has set of Ideas and Muslims must make an effort to understand from a comparative analysis point of view.

Varshaken is from Sri lanka ( I presume). So here is a bit of Background on Buddhism:

Buddhism A brief Synopsis

Buddhism has been divided into two major branches which have in turn been subdivided into numerous sects. Today one may find in this one family of religions nearly every form of religious belief and expression on the planet.

Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle) or Theravada Buddhism concentrated in Southeast Asia ( Main form of religion in SRiLanka )is conservative and more closely follows the original teachings of Buddha. It sees man as entirely dependent on self-effort, teaches wisdom as the key virtue and regards religion as a full-time job, primarily for monks. They regard Buddha as a saint, eschew metaphysics and ritual, and limit prayer to meditation. Their ideal is arhat (sainthood).

Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) Buddhism has spread throughout the world and rests on the principle that Buddha taught many things in secret to the elect who could properly interpret them. It sees man as involved with others and saved by grace. It teaches compassion as the key virtue and believes its religion is relevant to life in the world; therefore, it is a religion for laymen as well as monks.

. The Mahayana branch sees Buddha as a savior, welcomes metaphysics and ritual, and engages in petitionary prayer. Their ideal is the Bodhisattva--a mortal who has achieved enlightenment and after death postpones Nirvana attainment to serve in heaven answering prayers. Their ideal is the Bodhisattva--a mortal who has achieved enlightenment and after death postpones Nirvana attainment to serve in heaven answering prayers and helping mortals who are in need.

Mahayana Buddhism regards Buddha as a divine savior--pre-existent, planfully incarnate, supernaturally conceived, miraculously born, sinless, with a redemptive purpose, all knowing, and everlasting.

Hope this intro will kick start the discussuion on Buddhism now:

Regards

Fuhad

Thankyou very much my dear brother Fuhad for formally starting the topic, though it was exhaustively being dicussed elsewhere and hopefully, now someone among the administrator may bring that discussion to this thread. BTW where were you uptill this time. Your short introduction on Buddhaism was badly needed once I started discussing it with Bro Varshaken long time ago. Nevertheless, its still good to foramlize the discussion.

Now coming to general understanding of true Buddhaism, I not sure how one can still find an original authentic version (teachings) of Buddhaism taught by Gotama, especially once it is said "Today one may find in this one family of religions nearly every form of religious belief and expression on the planet." Hope to hear some good discussion on it from brothers like Varshaken and others from Buddhaism.

amlhabibi2000 wrote: I was impressed about Buddism when I learned Buddha said that everyone could attain enlightenment. ie. state of Buddha

Kindly do let me know which Buddha said this as there were numerous Buddha from time immorial to present day, the living Buddha. How do you find that it is the right Buddhaism and not one of those who got mixed up their true values with other cultural impressions or beliefs etc and is highly improbable to discern right from the false? 

Salaam To: Anne

Welcome to the forum.

Since there is dogmatic legitimism in Shia version of Islam and Subtle dogmas and some rituals in Sunni version if Islam. Dont you think it would have been better not to put your belief in concepts of heaven , hell, dogmas of Imams ( in the case Shia version ), then submitting to one book i.e Koran, whereas Buddhism is doesn't require all these creedal beliefs. Buddhism is paragmatic as well, it doesn't send people to hell as in the case of Islam.

I was thinking why did you choose Islam instead of Buddhism. What are the Physical and Spiritual significance of Islam compared to Buddhism from your own experience.

Regards

Fuhad