Theravada and Me

I checked out the Theravada Buddhists and what I found was very interesting. It appears that Theravada Buddhism is the oldest surrviving Buddhist school. Older even than Christianity as it was developed in the time of the Third Buddhist Council, around 250 B.C.. As most Buddhist sects, they believe in reincarnation based on karma, and follow the eight-fold path and the Four Noble Truths. They have no real deities other then Buddha, the fully enlightened one. Contrary to western belief Buddha is not a god. He is a man, but a man who has reached the ultimate objective of Theravada Buddhism, which is Nirhvana. As such he is admired and emulated, but not worshipped. The Theravada , translated literally into Elder Ones, agree with science in every respect. They do not have stories that explain things like the origin of the universe or the origin of life.

I agree with much of what they do. I do not believe in an ultimate deity, and I let science explain the origins of the universe. I do believe that Buddha was a great man, however I do not belief in a cycle of reincarnation as the Theravada do. Karma and the eightfold path are just society's way to control the populace. Much of this religions teachings do fit my worldveiw, but they are still just a system used to control the people. You wont find me hanging out at a monastery any time soon.

Spirituality

I took a few of the quizzes at beliefnet.com. I thought it was rather interesting, what they told me. They told me on the first quiz that I was a religious dabbler. I thought this was rather biased as it was a religious website. It would have been more accurate if they said that I avoid religious debates like anthrax. However, when I took they second quiz, I was much more pleased with the results. It gave me a few words for aethiest and then down 4 it told me that I was 85% similar to theravada buddhist. I checked them out and the quiz was right. My own personal beliefs are very similar to those of the Theravada Buddhists. I think I'll put another post about this farther down, so check it out later. Cheers!!

Cultural Bias In History

Based on the information I have collected throughout the years I've decided that it is important to get both sides of any story. A friend of mine was once speaking to his Japanese friend about WWII and he mentioned Pearl Harbor. His friend had never heard of the attack!!! Apparently it is glossed over in Japanese schools. Doesn't that make you wonder what isn't taught in American schools? When we study history, we need to make sure that our sources are cross-cultural, because even facts can become biased.

Asian Geography

I took the quiz at http://www.ilike2learn.com/ilike2learn/asia3.html. It was actually very easy. I got 85%. The only ones I missed were a few of the stans.