thelamp: I don’t really understand your intended message. I read your post in full, but don’t really see how it applies to what I’m saying. If the story is true, I’m glad that Salavat and his family received money that they needed. However, that doesn’t prove.. well, anything. As an aside, just as I’m skeptical to believe about dead Buddhist masters sitting up in meditation for three days when the only sources I can find are from Buddhist organizations, I’m also skeptical of that story due to it being quoted from the Voice of Martyrs. Being a Christian organization, they clearly have a desire to make Christianity look good. That’s not an attack, mind you, just a fact that I think most of us would agree on.

Gregnor: Funny you mention that, about Buddhism being a more difficult spiritual practice, because nothing is being handed to you. My mom, a Christian, has actually commented on this. She’s told me many times that she couldn’t be Buddhist, because without God, she’d feel totally helpless. I obviously don’t see things that way, but it’s still an interesting position.

~mt~: I hope you find success in your studies of Buddhism, whatever the end goal is. I’m glad you enjoyed my post!

Thank you for taking the time to share your views, they are well placed.

~mt~

Well thought out position. I agree that there is a huge difference of faith. Not, to say that faith has no role in Buddhism, just that it is a different kind of faith a faith based in having trust for something because you know it works . . .because its philosophy can be applied to your life without the need to “believe” and still reap the rewards.

This of course makes spiritual practice a little more difficult because no one is handing it to you. . .telling you what to think and how to apply the teachings we each have our own role and must strive ourselves.

One of the last things the Buddha said at the time of his death was, “You your self must strive, the awakened ones only point the way.”

It is this self reliant, logical, and irrefutable quality of Buddhism that makes it so remarkable.