No Need for God

from JoeUser Forums
With palms together,
Good Evening,

Why must we think there was a beginning or an end to this or any other universe? There is no evidence of such a thing. In fact, all evidence points to an opposite thought, that everything always was and always will be in a constant state of change. Universe explodes in a big bang, countless trillions of trillionrs of years later, it contracts, then explodes again, like some giant respiration, perhaps of God's great body. And why is it we think we need to know whether God exists or not? How useful is that? If God exists, great. If he doesn't exist, great. What's more important to me here right now is how we treat each other.

People have held up the threat of an end to the world or God's existence as a sword over people's heads for millenia. And they've gone on killing and torturing, starving, raping, stealing, plundering, sometimes even in His name! What's up with that?

If we really care about our fellow man we will begin to treat him with respect. Its that simple. Loving our neighbor and our enemy. Feeding the hungry regardless of whether they "deserve" it or not. Care is care. So, in the morning when you get up, say to yourself, "Now that I am awake, may I see clearly and be of assistance to all beings."

In Zen Buddhism, we have three pure precepts:

Stop doing bad stuff..
Do good stuff.
Bring about good for all beings.

No need for long talks with God. No need to check with the Church or Synagogue first. No need to see if the person is worthy or not. Just help. What could be more simple?

I will be leaving for a road trip to Memphis in the morning. I hope to post there or somewhere along the way.

Be well.
religion
2,123 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Question: How do you determine what is good? "Good" is fairly subjective. Religious people have scriptures and doctrines that guide them in the "good" things to do and the "bad" things to avoid.

As a Zen Buddhist, do you have something similar, or do you follow your own intuition regarding your behavior? If the latter, what makes you confident that what you consider to be a "good" and kind or helpful act is not actually harmful or "bad"?
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Even though I essentially agree with Sodaiho on the universe, you, Texaii, bring up a reasonable point that--particularly in the view that the universe is simply is--there is no assurance of an intuitive ethic in individuals and for many religion, or a theos philosophy such as Zen, is necessaary for those wishing to be good to get a handle on right behavior.
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
What is good? Whatever nourishes us. What is bad? Whatever harms us. The thing is, all of everything is "us." It is sometimes a real challenge to discern one from another. We have precepts that act as guides. There are 16 of them in my tradition. They are guides, similar to the decalogue in Judaism. Living within a Zen context means living with an understanding that every action has both a cause and a consequence, but the consequence is not a wrathful judgement of a god. It is an effect, like cooling water reduces the speed of the molecules, eventually freezing them. Or heating water speeds the molecules, leading to evaporation. Action, reaction. Nothing added. We should do naturally what we can to not harm, to assist others, and to create conditions for all creatures to thrive. We should not kill, steal, lie, misuse sex, take in intoxicants,not be greedy, speak ill of others, cut someone down in order to raise us up, become angry, or speak ill of the Three Treasures

Buddhist ethics are relational, but based in one deontological statement: do no harm.

Be well.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ah so you mean peaceful with one another. The world cannot understand peace with one another until they understand peace within themselves. That's where the wisdom of true nourishment can be seen. Not ruling by our tongue.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

If we really care about our fellow man we will begin to treat him with respect. Its that simple. Loving our neighbor and our enemy. Feeding the hungry regardless of whether they "deserve" it or not. Care is care.


The interesting part of this is many religions have this same teaching but yet practice it not. The reason I find is the battle within is not won.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Here is the thing. Do what you can, no more, no less. Each week I volunteer at our local soup kitchen for about 4-5 hours. I cut veggies, set-up trays, serve as people come through the line. I also sit once each week at our Federal Building with a small sign that simply reads, "Peace." If I have a dollar I give it to a beggar on the street. I would rather be the thing than believe the thing, if you get my meaning. Some monks sit zazen in Temples. Some work in soup kitchens. Some conduct lay services. What is important is that we do, that's all. Be well.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
But you have to admit that these things are difficult until the battle inside is one? It would be a mistake to think that some monks just sit zazen in Temples. They all do their part in work. Nature is one of the greatest teachers of living in harmony. Tending a garden does reveal much.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Absolutely. There is no war to wage, Adventure Dude. The task is to not fight, to learn to be with what is there regardless of what it is, fully and completely. In this sense, when gardening, we are Buddha, when sitting we are Buddha, when going to the bathroom we are Buddha. Being Buddha is being present with nothing added and nothing preferred. Be well.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
The only war I see is inside. Not that we are waging war against ourselves but there is an inherent war where peace needs to be made. I am not Buddhist but I do agree with some of their principles because to me they are biblical. I am amazed that I can relate so well with you Sodaiho religions aside. Thanks for taking time and discussing with me.