Well the last time didn't seem like a request, you don't start cussing just because our views may seem to differ! You already proved your point in your last post. Now religion has become a divisive word. For me love should be the religion; love not worldly kind of emotion or lust. Before I started reading Bible I think that I was spiritually blind. Then worshipping God meant worshipping statues. I remember when I was young going to temples early mornings regularly. Still I would give some coins to the poor by the temples. Now I'm not trying to blow my horn here. My awakening took a different route, yours might have taken another or you could still be spiritually blind, I don't know. I've read the Buddha's word and I liked it, it was full of wisdom. I don't think I have anywhere tried to demean or desecrate Hindu, Buddhist or other religion. Just saying that Idolatry is wrong is not anti hinduism or anti buddhism. With few words that I've read about the Buddha's words I don't see anywhere where the Buddha said to worship him or worship an idol. There are some so called christians who use money to evangalize poor. I don't feel good about that, and I've made it clear last time. Now if the christian do charity for people in need, and while doing so say something good about Bible and they could be spiritually saved then I don't see it gravely wrong. Again Love should be the prime motivating factor. There are several passages in Bible which talks about Love and what true religion should be. So if you keep it civil then we could have a good enlightening discussion or discourse.

ramas · May 29, 2015 6:25 AM

look at your debate your are hiding behind Buddhism to argue. what a cheap shot. you want to know what Buddhism is about go to Myanmar or Sri-Lanka. you will get the answer. you are defending your religion against Buddhism sorry bro am not vocal about it. come on debate with me about Hinduism. Idol worship is that your best shot? i can produce your big so called pastor or father knelling down in front of crucified idol. you are lame as i thought. Hinduism is a way to live. common convince me about Christianity. please don't try to hide behind Buddha thinking some more people with support you.

Many · May 29, 2015 7:17 AM

That name calling was totally uncalled for and so uneducated. I perceived this dialogue where someone is taunting in the name of their religion. Taunting and waging war is what a typical religious mindset does. Spiritual awakening is different than being part of the religion. There was a big gaga over missionaries helping poor in Nepal. They showered love and help but in return all they asked for was to read their bible. And life is all about choice. They've a choice to get converted or not. They're not shoving their mouth up with bible forcibly. I don't know why there is such a uproar when someone is helping those in need. Is it ego of people belonging to other religion that their people in need were being helped by another religion? See, there is a big difference how you take things. Being a spiritual soul that I am, I see no wrong-doing what those Christians are doing there. All am seeing is them sharing food,shelter, etc.. to those in need. In return, they want them to read their bible. Finito. If I was a total brainwashed whack, I would have a big problem when I see them helping ppl that way. I would have been mad down to my toe or possibly enraged to the level, I would have turned myself to hulk with thoughts of murdering them. There is reason why I consider religion is new evil. Being part of it is totally not me. In a bigotry post, if you get 10,000 likes, doesn't make it right. Not being a sheep and using one's full conscience before liking posts as such is what differentiates spiritual souls from religious fanatics. 10,000 likes simply means ppl still waiting to be awakened or totally brainwashed wackos. Ppl are so narrow-minded these days that they instinctively assume anything about anyone. No am not a Christian before you come at me. Helping people is not a crime. Asking to read bible is not a crime either. It is a crime when you kill people in the name of your religion. Before what I wrote above boils your blood, you need to come out of that box to understand what we are and how we feel. If you don't want to come out and stay in there, continue your venom spilling..

bittertruth · May 29, 2015 12:23 PM

@many , i respect all the religion. I do not descriminate or hate people just becuase who belongs to what religion but there are few questions that has been playing arounf in my head. Please help me undertand these and bless my ignorance. 1, Who is god? 2 Does your god help those who comes to him only? 3. Does you god says go buy someone to be christian and i will bless your soul? 3. Does your god says even if you have to descriminate others on this process do not hegitate? 4. Is your gods motto is to increase the population of followers ? I am sure your answer is NO and i Know it too but why are people doing this?? You think if people follow your religion their heart will be pure but why arent those peoples heart pure so they are doing all this activities? Why are they paying to be christian? I was just curious to know, again i dont hate the religion but i hate those who thinks eveyone is wrong but they are right just becuase christian. I had one guy on my village who used to drink a lot and beat his wife and he was educated. 1 2 choti bahira gayera ni aa thiyo . and was Hindu. Overnight he changed his religion becuase he got free drink from those christians who came into my village for advertisement of their religion and now he thinks he is pure(Brainwashed) but wife left him , son doesnt care about him anymore and besides sunday 11:00 to 1:00 ) when he speaks infront of those people comming to church as a father , he has his best friend ( jaad) tyo ni hindu ko ghar ma banako but why? Isnt god supposed to be helping him just like they say he will?? Earthquake gayo becuase christ lai angalena , aaba angala sabai dukha hatchha. Manche ko bhat khane thau sutne thau chaina tyo bela ma christ lai anagal bhanne ho ki ghar banaidine school jane bachha ko haat ma bhagwan le course book kinera deu chai kaile bhandainan? Khali bible matrai deu bhanchhan?? achamma chha ba.. Hindu ni kehi gatilo chaina tara aauta kura chai thokera vanchu, bipat ko bela Geeta baddai chai hiddaina.. Tyo bela ma bhagwan haina manche pyaro hunchha , whoever wantsa to help they will have books for children to read and food to eat and tent to sleep but not geeta to advertise and if they dont want to help they just do whatever the heck they want to . So you have your own beleif and I have my own . its just few things that i think should never happend no matter which religion you are. Be proud but dont be sarcastic or pathetic in a name of religion.

mikel · May 29, 2015 1:35 PM

Most people here do not seem to know Hinduism beyond rituals. Do any of you guys out there understand the old form of Sanskrit language ? I don't either. I have just begun to try to understand some of the earliest Hindu Vedas. To be frank it's hard to understand Vedas beyond literal interpretations from Sanskrit language to more accessible languages. Understanding the old form of Sanskrit is hard enough, challenges of interpreting them as literal meanings as opposed to interpreting them as metaphors, similes, adages etc are even harder. Probably because of lack of translations of these Sanskrit texts into local languages Hinduism is much less likely to be easily understood. Adherents of Buddhism by contrast did something ingenious (at least ingenious for ancient India) by translating texts from Sanskrit (and its older sister language Pali) into many languages foreign to ancient India. You can find Buddhist text in Greek language from the time of the great emperor of India Emperor Ashoka. प्रज्ञा पारमिता हृदय सूत्र (The Heart Sutra) recited in Sanskrit language and the same प्रज्ञा पारमिता हृदय सूत्र recited in Japanese language (bottom video). <> Last edited: 29-May-15 02:20 PM Last edited: 29-May-15 02:21 PM

Khaobaadi · May 29, 2015 2:20 PM

My family in Nepal still worships idols. Do I feel good about it? of course not. But I don't force my views on them either. I love them, but I don't have the right to force my belief on them. I pray for them, and God does the rest. I have spoken to my familly about spiritual things several times, and I can understand why it is difficult to overcome something that one grew up with even though it may not be right thing. Belief becomes a part of who you are, in a sense. So I understand why you get so vile in your discussions. But really I'm not saying anything that is negative to you personally or any religion. But if you are biased and narrow minded, you would feel threatened. Really have you even thought or wondered how could God, who is Almighty or all powerful, be threatened by mere human being? Does God need you to defend Him? What could you add to God who is Perfect? Is is not our pride or ego which feels hurt or threatened? I watched the above video about the Buddha's Heart Sutra. I read the Buddha's Dhammapada, which I really liked it. I'm open to reading Hindu scriptures too, and talking about them. Regligion is constrictive and restrictive, while the Spirit sets you free. I can pray in the Spirit for anyone regardless of whether he/she is a christian, hindu, buddhist, muslim, etc. But if I'm religious then I would feel threatened or even hateful towards those who are of different religion, and thus would be selective in treating others.

ramas · May 29, 2015 3:19 PM

My family in Nepal still worships idols. Do I feel good about it? of course not. But I don't force my views on them either. I love them, but I don't have the right to force my belief on them. I pray for them, and God does the rest. I have spoken to my familly about spiritual things several times, and I can understand why it is difficult to overcome something that one grew up with even though it may not be right thing. Belief becomes a part of who you are, in a sense. So I understand why you get so vile in your discussions. But really I'm not saying anything that is negative to you personally or any religion. But if you are biased and narrow minded, you would feel threatened. Really have you even thought or wondered how could God, who is Almighty or all powerful, be threatened by mere human being? Does God need you to defend Him? What could you add to God who is Perfect? Is is not our pride or ego which feels hurt or threatened? I watched the above video about the Buddha's Heart Sutra. I read the Buddha's Dhammapada, which I really liked it. I'm open to reading Hindu scriptures too, and talking about them. Regligion is constrictive and restrictive, while the Spirit sets you free. I can pray in the Spirit for anyone regardless of whether he/she is a christian, hindu, buddhist, muslim, etc. But if I'm religious then I would feel threatened or even hateful towards those who are of different religion, and thus would be selective in treating others.

ramas · May 29, 2015 3:19 PM

You wont find प्रज्ञा पारमिता हृदय सूत्र (The Heart Sutra) in Dhammapada. It is not found in any texts of Theravada School of Buddhism. प्रज्ञा पारमिता हृदय सूत्र is a part of Mahayana School of Buddhism written by either pandit नागार्जुन or by one of his students. By the time प्रज्ञा पारमिता हृदय सूत्र was written Dhammapada probably had already been around for at least 3 hundred years. Last edited: 29-May-15 04:17 PM

Khaobaadi · May 29, 2015 4:15 PM

@Ramas.... Can you give me some valid reasons why you think idol worship is wrong? Thank you.

ujl · May 29, 2015 9:11 PM

UJL: Yajurveda Chapter 40 verse 9 “They enter darkness those who worship natural things (for e.g. air, water, fire, etc.). They sink deeper in darkness those who worship sambhuti i.e. created things (for e.g. table, chair, car, idol etc.) (Yajurved 40:9) “Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires they worship demigods i.e. idols. (Bhagavad Gita 7:20)

loperthapa · May 29, 2015 9:37 PM

Krishna says in Bhagvad Gita: People worship demigods for the fulfillment of their materialistic desires. But Krishna also says, that "those who worship demigods are actually worshiping me only, though they might get the fruits of their materialistic desires by worshiping demigods but they will continue to be born again and again in Mryityuloka (lower planetary systems) until one chooses to liberate oneself from materialistic desires and achieve Moksha". When one achieves the Moksha, he becomes free from the cycle of birth and death, and he becomes one with the supreme Satchitananda (eternal consciousness bliss) and is never born in the material world. Since there was a selective mentioning of a verse from Yajurveda 40:9, the next two verses from Yajurveda are as following: Mantra-10 अन्य देवाहुः सम्भवादन्यदाहुरसम्भावात् | इति शुश्रुम धीराणां ये नस्तद्विचचक्षिरे ||

loperthapa · May 29, 2015 9:40 PM

“Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures.” [Bhagavad Gita 7:20] “Ekam evadvitiyam” “He is One only without a second.” [Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1]1 “Na casya kascij janita na cadhipah.” “Of Him there are neither parents nor lord.” [Svetasvatara Upanishad 6:9]2 “Na tasya pratima asti” “There is no likeness of Him.” [Svetasvatara Upanishad 4:19]3 “Na samdrse tisthati rupam asya, na caksusa pasyati kas canainam.” “His form is not to be seen; no one sees Him with the eye.” [Svetasvatara Upanishad 4:20]4

loperthapa · May 29, 2015 9:41 PM

“na tasya pratima asti” There is no image of Him.” [Yajurveda 32:3] “shudhama poapvidham” “He is bodyless and pure.” [Yajurveda 40:8] “Andhatama pravishanti ye asambhuti mupaste” “They enter darkness, those who worship the natural elements” (Air, Water, Fire, etc.). “They sink deeper in darkness, those who worship sambhuti.” [Yajurveda 40:9] Sambhuti means created things, for example table, chair, idol, etc. Asambhuti means natural things like Air, Water and fire.

loperthapa · May 29, 2015 9:42 PM

http://www.quora.com/Why-do-pe...

loperthapa · May 29, 2015 9:43 PM

I love Krishna and he can't be wrong: “Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires they worship demigods i.e. idols. (Bhagavad Gita 7:20), how can Bishu vagwan be wrong? This is the real problem of Nepal and Hindu society, some people who call themselves hindus think they can take as much bribe and do all kinds of corruptions and if they do gai daan at the end of the day, they will be clean as holy water. This misconception was created by some greedy people in the past and continues to ruin our society and the thousands of years of conscious hindu culture.

loperthapa · May 29, 2015 9:47 PM

@ loperthapa..... Can you stop copying and pasting things from the internet as if you are a Sanskrit Scholar.

ujl · May 29, 2015 9:49 PM

When you say Being, are you talking about God? If you are, then why don't you say it? The word God has become empty of meaning through thousands of years of misuse. I use it sometimes, but I do so sparingly. By misuse, I mean that people who have never even glimpsed the realm of the sacred, the infinite vastness behind that word, use it with great conviction, as if they knew what they are talking about. Or they argue against it, as if they knew what it is that they are denying. This misuse gives rise to absurd beliefs, assertions, and egoic delusions, such as "My or our God is the only true God, and your God is false," or Nietzsche's famous statement "God is dead." The word God has become a closed concept. The moment the word is uttered, a mental image is created, no longer, perhaps, of an old man with a white beard, but still a mental representation of someone or something outside you, and, yes, almost inevitably a male someone or something. Neither God nor Being nor any other word can define or explain the ineffable reality behind the word, so the only important question is whether the word is a help or a hindrance in enabling you to experience That toward which it points. Does it point beyond itself to that transcendental reality, or does it lend itself too easily to becoming no more than an idea in your head that you believe in, a mental idol? The word Being explains nothing, but nor does God. Being, however, has the advantage that it is an open concept. It does not reduce the infinite invisible to a finite entity. It is impossible to form a mental image of it. Nobody can claim exclusive possession of Being. It is your very essence, and it is immediately accessible to you as the feeling of your own presence, the realization I am that is prior to I am this or I am that. So it is only a small step from the word Being to the experience of Being.

loperthapa · May 29, 2015 9:49 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

GeetMaiJawaafDiu? · May 29, 2015 10:10 PM

there is no god period

divorceguy · May 29, 2015 10:12 PM

they worship d-ick ... I guess...

stallon · May 29, 2015 11:10 PM

@Khaaobaadi - I read Heart Sutra in "Awakening The Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das. The Dhammapada was another book on its own.

ramas · May 30, 2015 8:40 AM

When crafty people starts to loose debate what do they do? They try to divert the topic. Sorry to say but same applies for you Ramas

many · May 30, 2015 6:26 PM

@ramas Lama Surya Das is a great guy. One of few American lamas who could explain things very well. Robert Thurman is yet another American (former) lama who is just as great. By the way, why don't people trust ramas ?

Khaobaadi · May 30, 2015 8:10 PM

I never said here trust me. Trust your inner voice. Just because I quoted some Bible verses, I'm being vilanized in here. This place is called Sajha, which means inclusive or common. But it feels like as long as it suits them, some people are all about freedom of speech, and as soon as someone writes something contratry to their belief, then they are all up and arms about it. It seems "discussion" for some people means verbal WWE or UFC match. If you present your views I will listen to it, but when all you do it name calling, then it becomes harassing.

ramas · May 30, 2015 8:52 PM

Up with arms re. You have your freedom of speech other's don't? I have debated with many people here but no one says we are threatening. Easy to play victim Ramas. Shame on you.

many · May 30, 2015 11:37 PM

@ramas Why should anyone be discouraged from quoting a verse from the Bible at all ? At least I feel no hesitation to quote from वज्रच्छेदिका प्रज्ञा पारमिता सूत्र (The Diamond Sutra) or from Book of Exodus when the prevailing context fits the verse or sayings from either of religious/philosophical traditions. Anyone who do not learn or at least attempt to understand something, if not many things, from outside one's own tradition(s) or value(s) or norm(s) is a colossal and unfortunate missed opportunity for oneself. Aside from awakening to the fact that there are realities outside one's own comforts, as an added bonus, anyone who attempts to and hopefully succeeds in understanding traditions aside from one's own is almost always at a tremendous advantage over those who don't. Or, at least this has been my experience so far. Expand your understanding whenever you have an opportunity. It's a tremendous source of happiness. Happiness is never coated with color of any religion or faith group. At least, I find it pretty ridiculous and absurd for anyone to be unhappy at someone just because someone else does not strictly adhere to a particular line of tradition. It's rather fantastically irrational to make one's own tradition a source of disappointment and unhappiness. By the way, why people do not trust ramas ? Well, Last edited: 31-May-15 12:49 AM Last edited: 31-May-15 01:11 AM

Khaobaadi · May 31, 2015 12:22 AM

For Ramas trust your inner voice means sell your soul to bible. That's it

many · May 31, 2015 12:45 AM

Anyone can quote from any text book such as bible. I do not consider bible as a holy book because it is just what 1500 or given 1800 yrs book. Before bible was written there was a democratic republic society within the region that covers Europe Middle East and upper region of Africa. But look at our culture and religion British couldn't break Hinduism out of India when they were there for 500 years. I know direct rule was only from 1858 but these people were there from long before. Islam couldn't de story it for like what 1000 years give and take but since these Finnish Danish embassy are giving money and taking advantage of these innocent people. The first and only claim they have to convert people is to say look at bahun and Chhetri. They hide what Christians did in U.S. See thanks giving when native welcomed them with open arms they massacred them. Now the natives are in minority. Look at Tasmania Australia not a single native ces from them they were lined up and killed. Why Henry VIII had to disconnect from papal state? So as long as you know the value of your ancestors you wouldn't convert listening to crafty people. Those who leave their culture to adopt the text book such as bible .bible an

many · May 31, 2015 1:31 AM

@many It's quite natural for any particular religion to rise, develop and decline at any particular place in the world. Indonesia had a rich, dominant and colorful life of Hindu and Buddhist past. Indonesia today is left with only the heritage of Hindu and Buddhist past with less than 10 percent people still adhering to these traditions. Americans moving away from religion ? >

Khaobaadi · May 31, 2015 2:07 AM

Khaobadi bro Nah. It's not true. A Christian country cannot be a true liberal. When Obama became president or presidential candidate they were questioning about his religion and the debate was in the national networks. So I do not buy it. I don't know if you have mingled with Indonesian or not though the country is official Muslim the people name their kids taking the name from Sanskrit or Hinduism. I have many friends and all their kids are called with avimanyu Arjun Radha Greta etc. please double check about Indonesia and not only that but when I was working with African Muslim he was my manager 5 years back we use to discuss religion and he used to tell me his culture is destroyed either by Arabs or French they have only Arabic or Christian name. They long forgot what their name would have been if French didn't have invaded their country. Now these country who were colonial are the spokesman for democracy and freedom of speech.

many · May 31, 2015 2:18 AM

@UJL, lu ja daha le marna lagyo, hahaha, ta chahin kun chahin sadhu paris? Hahahaha, @stallon, say it 99 more times....just say it..

Highflyingeagle · May 31, 2015 4:19 AM

@divorceguy, i was right, u r born out of asshole...

Highflyingeagle · May 31, 2015 4:20 AM

@LoperThapa: I realized that you took that passage about the misuse of the word God from "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle ;). BTW I liked reading that book. It is one of the books which inspired me to think outside the box, that is not adhere to one closed concept which a religion would profess. Now with regards to Idol worship,you can basically think that it causes us to be shortsighted or even blind towards God. How would you satisfy God by putting laddu or peda on the mouth of a statue? How would that status hear anything? see anything? God is in you rather and is in the creation, yet when we focus our reverence to an idol we fall into that trap where we seek to please God by bribing God. Now religions as man perceive them fall into this same trap even though they may say they are against idol worship. I have had disagreement with a pastor in this regard. Personally I think love is the tool or vehicle of worshipping God. We can use all the sweet words we want, but if our heart is not quickened by love then our 'worship' becomes futile or in vain.

ramas · May 31, 2015 12:28 PM

What is GOD? Gold Oil Diamonds.

Highflyingeagle · May 31, 2015 12:44 PM

I still LMAO when GOD comes to Moses and says that Moses can only see GOD's back or ASS in Exodus. What kind of GOD shows ass to his bhakta? No wonder, these Popes and the exorcists love ass, from children to old....Oops, Poor Jesus, and his GOD, has to walk around recruiting his followers........

Highflyingeagle · May 31, 2015 12:51 PM

@many You seem to be pointing at a particular strand of Christianity or a particular interpretation of Christianity. In other words, conservative strand (interpretation) of Christianity. Guys from conservative strand tend to be the most vocal and at times the most outrageous like Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, James Dobson, Ben Carson etc. Just because these guys are the most vocal and at times the most outrageous does not mean they are the most convincing. They don't seem to be the most admirable bunch either. I find these guys pretty hilarious at times. Great for entertainment value and not much beyond it. At the end of the day, it all boils down to interpretation by each individual. Anything can be interpreted in any particular way depending on one's own likings or fears or ambitions or depending on one's scope of knowledge or depending on combination of these factors. When one interprets a religion (any religion) in  perverted ways this is what happens. <> Last edited: 31-May-15 01:44 PM Last edited: 31-May-15 01:51 PM

Khaobaadi · May 31, 2015 1:43 PM

I see the Bible as a poem not as a scientific document. It will be rather absurd to interpret poetic illustrations of things in the Bible as literal truths. It will be unfortunate to not be able to differentiate between a poem and a scientific document. A Creationist (people who believe that the earth is only 6000 yeas old based on Biblical interpretation) finds a 60 million year old fossils. - http://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/... <> Last edited: 31-May-15 02:47 PM Last edited: 31-May-15 04:58 PM Last edited: 01-Jun-15 04:12 PM

Khaobaadi · May 31, 2015 2:47 PM

Lol! Loved the above video. Kudos Khaobadi bro

many · May 31, 2015 10:55 PM

Ramas can you come with the opposition debate on upper video. I would love to see it.

many · Jun 1, 2015 2:15 AM

Why do I have to debate on the Young earth (creationist) theory or old earth theory? As the names suggest they are theories and not facts or true. I think you mistake me for a Bible thumping pastor. Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not like that. I'm for the priceless pearls in the scripture. (Matthew 13:45,46 - The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.)

ramas · Jun 1, 2015 9:43 AM

Kingdom of heaven concept is stolen from Hinduism and Hebrew. Selling every possession for one pearl now that is not economics friendly. If you look at the video carefully and listin every words that are spoken maybe you will seek the truth my frien. Earth is 6000 years old what a rubbish. We have Indus Valley civilization that has been dated back to 10,000 years old even if you read Egypt history it takes you to 10,000 years behind.

many · Jun 1, 2015 10:24 PM

@Many - Care to back it up with scripture of what you just said? I was curious, I want to know fact. I'm not saying you are not right, I would like to know the truth. thanks

ramas · Jun 2, 2015 9:04 AM