The Idiot's Guide to Buddhism
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I think the greatest problem facing Taoism today is the lack of orthodoxy. The Buddhist Masters in recent years have done a lot to tackle this problem. Today we see a greater effort in educating Buddhists to the original ideas of Buddhism instead of just superstitious worships. There is greater structure, with several Buddhist organisations spearheading efforts and activities to organise buddhists. The buddhist sangha (the community of monks) played a great part here because someone who practices the Dharma is really different from someone who only preaches, so they are able to command respect and move the community in the right direction. Even though there are many schools and they differ in views towards certain matters, however they are united in their refuge in the Triple Gems, and to a certain extent the belief in the Four Noble Truth.Originally posted by wisely_xu:yup. i am familiar with jing tu zong'. Zen, becos it is self-power, not many ppl can grasp it well.
yup. you are right. orthodoxy is impt in any religion.
Sad to say, this is not happening for Taoism. The taoist community is scattered and unorganised, they do not agree in views to interpretations of the religion, and there is hardly anyone who can command the respect of the crowd. While many Buddhists are now engaged in real practice, meaning meditation and other methods of developing Concentration and Mindfulness, the Taoist crowd simply stops at the incense burning and idol worship stage. How many Taoists have read Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi? How many Taoists follow Zhuang Zi's practice of "listening to the breath"? Facing the onslaught of monotheism (Christianity, Islam) that is sweeping through Asia, Taoism simply stands no chance. For Buddhism, there is still hope. And all taoists leaders can do is whine that Buddhism is snatching their followers away but they don't understand that they are very much to be blamed for their own situation.
Then again, there might be hope, if a wise taoist leader can revive the religion by placing emphasis on youth education, getting people to read Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi, introducing activities like meditation and Taiji, organising the various temples into some form of structure and doing away with so many superstitious practice yet keeping traditions alive. Philosophy may be just empty talk but I think that it is a good way to get more intellectuals interested in knowing more about the religion. In a way, all these things are only in the process of being implemented in Buddhism, Buddhism does not have that much of a headstart, there is still a lot that Buddhism can do. -
I have to agree with you on this.Originally posted by mayhem_sci:I think the greatest problem facing Taoism today is the lack of orthodoxy. The Buddhist Masters in recent years have done a lot to tackle this problem. Today we see a greater effort in educating Buddhists to the original ideas of Buddhism instead of just superstitious worships. There is greater structure, with several Buddhist organisations spearheading efforts and activities to organise buddhists. The buddhist sangha (the community of monks) played a great part here because someone who practices the Dharma is really different from someone who only preaches, so they are able to command respect and move the community in the right direction. Even though there are many schools and they differ in views towards certain matters, however they are united in their refuge in the Triple Gems, and to a certain extent the belief in the Four Noble Truth.
Sad to say, this is not happening for Taoism. The taoist community is scattered and unorganised, they do not agree in views to interpretations of the religion, and there is hardly anyone who can command the respect of the crowd. While many Buddhists are now engaged in real practice, meaning meditation and other methods of developing Concentration and Mindfulness, the Taoist crowd simply stops at the incense burning and idol worship stage. How many Taoists have read Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi? How many Taoists follow Zhuang Zi's practice of "listening to the breath"? Facing the onslaught of monotheism (Christianity, Islam) that is sweeping through Asia, Taoism simply stands no chance. For Buddhism, there is still hope. And all taoists leaders can do is whine that Buddhism is snatching their followers away but they don't understand that they are very much to be blamed for their own situation.
Then again, there might be hope, if a wise taoist leader can revive the religion by placing emphasis on youth education, getting people to read Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi, introducing activities like meditation and Taiji, organising the various temples into some form of structure and doing away with so many superstitious practice yet keeping traditions alive. Philosophy may be just empty talk but I think that it is a good way to get more intellectuals interested in knowing more about the religion. In a way, all these things are only in the process of being implemented in Buddhism, Buddhism does not have that much of a headstart, there is still a lot that Buddhism can do.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
That is why Buddhism is growing very very fast in the western countries.
and yes.. chinese religions MUST preach orthodoxy and remove superstitions in order to survive to the next generations. thats the only way...
Taoism, Hinduism, have such problems, thats obstructing them. Lack of organization, undecided, lack of orthodoxy.
Buddhism will continue to grow at a faster pace in western countries. It's the fastest growing religion in Australia, Canada, and other european countries, and growing rapidly in countries like U.S too. Dalai Lama already became the most popular religious leader in Canada, more popular than the Pope.
Philosophy alone I believe, isn't enough. They must look on the practical side of the teachings. As for Buddhism, Buddhism is a part of life, it's a way of living and we can experience Dharma every moment.
As for the.. "onslaught of monotheism", it is true, Monotheism is going to sweep across the Asian (and African) continent.
On the other hand, it is slowly losing followers in the western countries. There is a cultural, religious exchange. Buddhism is in the process of being transferred to these nations.
It is prophecised that within this century, Buddhism will die out in much of Asia. It is also prophecised however, that Buddhism is going to spread to the west.
"The prophecy further says that during the reign of the 21st. king, Aniruddha (1927-2027), Buddhism and the Kalachakra will have nearly come to an end in Tibet, Mongolia, China and much of Asia. This could certainly be said to be accurate! For example, after the Chinese invasion in Tibet in 1959 and the destruction of nearly all monasteries afterwards, the master Ven. Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche was the only remaining Tibetan master holding a specific lineage of the Vimalaprabha (the 'Stainless Light' commentary); which is one of the only two main Kalachakra texts."
It is true that Buddhism has almost totally died out especially in China with major damage in Tibet after the communist takeover.
And here's the prophecy that Buddhism is going to the west, with Tibetans going exile.
'When the iron bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetans will scatter like ants and Buddhism will return to the land of the red man.'
Very impressive the ancient sages were able to foresee such developments. -
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Main challenges to Hinduism are from fake gurus and self proclaimed prophets, who use magic tricks and illusions on gullible villagers in India. Many fell prey to these than to believe priests of the temples. You should see these on Discovery Channel, very interesting.
Fortunately, there are NGOs like Rationalist International which goes around to arrest the problem, thru exposing fakes, as well as educating the uneducated ones.. -
And Christianity spreading to the East....
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Mainly, I'm talking about Hinduism in the spread to America.
I've read an article on how Hinduism failed in the U.S, and how Buddhism succeeded. -
So far I can say Buddhism doesn't have much of such problems.Originally posted by laurence82:Main challenges to Hinduism are from fake gurus and self proclaimed prophets, who use magic tricks and illusions on gullible villagers in India. Many fell prey to these than to believe priests of the temples. You should see these on Discovery Channel, very interesting.
Fortunately, there are NGOs like Rationalist International which goes around to arrest the problem, thru exposing fakes, as well as educating the uneducated ones..
There are some heretics and cults. But is only a minority. With lots of information revealing them.
One cult is the True Buddha School cult, and Heretic "Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu" is a misleading cult that exist in Singapore.
Anyone heard before?
This is a more complete list of Buddhist cults around the world: www.geocities.com/athens/ithaca/4886/cults.htm -
Hello,
I believe this website is also good to read for a Beginner.
"What Buddhists Believe?"
http://www.saigon.com/~anson/ebud/whatbudbeliev/main.htm
Written by Ph.D holder monk, Venerable Dhammananda. -
i agree with you, that Taoism does lack of a proper structure which will preach the right teachings of the Taoist religions and in the Taoist community, it is not as united.Originally posted by mayhem_sci:I think the greatest problem facing Taoism today is the lack of orthodoxy. The Buddhist Masters in recent years have done a lot to tackle this problem. Today we see a greater effort in educating Buddhists to the original ideas of Buddhism instead of just superstitious worships. There is greater structure, with several Buddhist organisations spearheading efforts and activities to organise buddhists. The buddhist sangha (the community of monks) played a great part here because someone who practices the Dharma is really different from someone who only preaches, so they are able to command respect and move the community in the right direction. Even though there are many schools and they differ in views towards certain matters, however they are united in their refuge in the Triple Gems, and to a certain extent the belief in the Four Noble Truth.
Sad to say, this is not happening for Taoism. The taoist community is scattered and unorganised, they do not agree in views to interpretations of the religion, and there is hardly anyone who can command the respect of the crowd. While many Buddhists are now engaged in real practice, meaning meditation and other methods of developing Concentration and Mindfulness, the Taoist crowd simply stops at the incense burning and idol worship stage. How many Taoists have read Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi? How many Taoists follow Zhuang Zi's practice of "listening to the breath"? Facing the onslaught of monotheism (Christianity, Islam) that is sweeping through Asia, Taoism simply stands no chance. For Buddhism, there is still hope. And all taoists leaders can do is whine that Buddhism is snatching their followers away but they don't understand that they are very much to be blamed for their own situation.
Then again, there might be hope, if a wise taoist leader can revive the religion by placing emphasis on youth education, getting people to read Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi, introducing activities like meditation and Taiji, organising the various temples into some form of structure and doing away with so many superstitious practice yet keeping traditions alive. Philosophy may be just empty talk but I think that it is a good way to get more intellectuals interested in knowing more about the religion. In a way, all these things are only in the process of being implemented in Buddhism, Buddhism does not have that much of a headstart, there is still a lot that Buddhism can do.
However, i do not think that Taoism had 'no chance' of reviving.
Firstly we need to understand that Taoism, is an orthodox religion that also has its own set of teachings.
It can also be practiced in daily lives. In fact, majority of Chinese is practicing Taoist tradition without knowing it. In terms of teachings, the Tao Te Ching is widely translated in different language, it is second to the bible that is so widespread.
Taoist religion is formed and set in a way that follow the way of the Three Pure Ones.(San Qing) - Yuan Shi Tian Zun. Ling Bao Tian Zun and Dao De Tian Zun aka Tai Shang lao jun. Taoist seek refuge in the Three Pure Ones and uphold the Three Treasures - the Tao, the way, the master (dao ,jing, shi)
If we examine taoism, there is not much of a problem. the problem lies on the external. due to the decline of the Taoist religion in the ming-ching period, Taoism suffered alot of setback. our forefathers in Sg did not lay a good foundation and as you said, they only brought in the normal praying rites over, leaving the teachings.
But, in the recent yrs, the Taoist community is doing alot to revive the religion.
Examples are Taoist org in Hk, conducting talks frequently. China Taoist org is trying hard to preseve orthodox taoism too.
malaysia taoist org and sg taoist org are doing alot of work to educate taoist youth.
10 yrs ago, no one, in the papers, in the media will mention the word 'taoism'. at least now, there are ppl, like u and me who know the problems taoism is facing. this is a good sign. it is never too late.
as what the Tao te ching said, a thousand miles begin with the first step. we had taken the first, and we will reach a thousand mile ultimately.
And as what Lu Xun, the great chinese writer said, the root of the chinese are found in the Taoist religion. Taoism is deeply rooted in Chinese heritage and cannot be seperated. Taoism will make use of this advantage to the fullest to ride off superstitious and bring back the true meaning of taosim.
heavenly blessings