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Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:03 pm
by GladImhere70
Hello. My name is Shawn. Im honestly completely new to Buddhism and know absolutely nothing about it. Thats why I'm here. So is there anything you'd like to know?

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:31 pm
by GladImhere70
Also I was considering a Buddhist lifestyle. Im just at that age where you have to look for your own way. So is there anything that I need to know? (In adition to the question on what you want to know about me.)

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:35 pm
by Motova
Welcome to Dharmawheel, you should start with the 4 noble truths.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4_Noble_Truths

:twothumbsup:

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:52 pm
by DGA
Hi Shawn,

Welcome to the Board. There's a LOT to explore and to learn in the Buddhist world. It's good you have a positive attitude; that's where you have to start.

Tell me: roughly where in the world are you? I'm asking so that we can help you find resources, teachers, communities, temples and so on. that's really the best way to learn, to see it first hand and participate as best you can.

All the best,
Jikan

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:00 pm
by GladImhere70
I'm in Charlotte, N.C. In the United States. I also think there's a Buddhist Temple up the street. However, just wondering, is Buddhism against people of mixed race? Because I'm mixed between African and Native American and I wanted to know if there's anything wrong with that.

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:22 pm
by DGA
Shawn, there's NOTHING wrong with you. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You're welcome here.

Let me do a little research to see where a good place for you to get started might be. Here's one place I would check out:

http://www.myoshoji.org/

There are probably other good choices. Perhaps some others may be able to chime in and help.

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:33 pm
by GladImhere70
Thats a releif. I was just worried that I might be a little out of place due to the whole not Oriental thing. :smile:

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:38 pm
by DGA
GladImhere70 wrote:Thats a releif. I was just worried that I might be a little out of place due to the whole not Oriental thing. :smile:
Understandable. From what I've seen in the US, some temples are majority Asian, some are a mix of everybody, some a majority White, some a majority Black... Depends on where you go.

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:44 pm
by DNS
Welcome to Dharma Wheel!
GladImhere70 wrote:However, just wondering, is Buddhism against people of mixed race? Because I'm mixed between African and Native American and I wanted to know if there's anything wrong with that.
My kids are bi-racial (African and European-Jewish). Buddhism is "universal" not a teaching for a specific tribe or nationality.

http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?tit ... f_Buddhism
http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?tit ... and_Trivia

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:08 pm
by GladImhere70
Thats great to hear. So.... Without further ado.... Who are the Buddhist gods? (Excluding Buddha himself for I am already familiar with him and some of his teachings.)

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 5:40 pm
by philji
Hi..gladimhere......great first question..the great first answer is " there aren't any"!!!!!! Confused ? you will be.....

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:21 pm
by GladImhere70
...... Mind.... Blown...... So there are absolutely no Buddhist Gods? Just the Buddha himself?.... Confused fits me perfectly right now. Please explain.

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:00 pm
by Paul
GladImhere70 wrote:...... Mind.... Blown...... So there are absolutely no Buddhist Gods? Just the Buddha himself?.... Confused fits me perfectly right now. Please explain.
Buddhists don't believe in a creator god. The Buddhist view is that beings are born and die and are reborn again in endless different universes. There is no fixed start to this and is driven by a confused, grasping mind that does not understand the nature of things & which is dragged around by negative emotions that cause suffering. The aim is to stop this cycle of suffering and confusion.

Buddhanet is a very good website for learning about Buddhism from scratch - it's worth taking a look: http://www.buddhanet.net/

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:01 pm
by DNS
GladImhere70 wrote:...... Mind.... Blown...... So there are absolutely no Buddhist Gods? Just the Buddha himself?.... Confused fits me perfectly right now. Please explain.
Not even the Buddha.

http://goodquestiongoodanswer.net/content.php?CID=3

You need to read some basics of the teachings:

http://goodquestiongoodanswer.net/

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:12 pm
by GladImhere70
Ok now I get it. Thanks. Well I'm going to start reading right away. But first, do you have any questions about me at all?

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 1:42 am
by Hickersonia
GladImhere70 wrote:But first, do you have any questions about me at all?
I think you may share whatever you like with us. :) We don't need to be pushy. :namaste:

Welcome to the forum. I hope you are able to easily find the answers you seek, friend.

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:47 am
by GladImhere70
Well I'm American and I come from a Christian family but I assure you, I dont fit the reputation that has been given to us. (Also I often like to eat meat and I know this is a bit of a problem. I will however, try to cut down on meat.)

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 3:12 am
by lobster
GladImhere70 wrote:Well I'm American and I come from a Christian family but I assure you, I dont fit the reputation that has been given to us. (Also I often like to eat meat and I know this is a bit of a problem. I will however, try to cut down on meat.)
Hi :smile:

The Buddha ate meat after awakening. Some Buddhists are vegans, vegetarians and omnivores etc. Eating your way out of Samsara is not required.
What reputation have you been given? Are you attached to it?

:popcorn:

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:32 am
by GladImhere70
Thats good to hear. I was worried that my yearly tradition would end. As for the stereotypes, Americans are usually depcted as very rich and violent. Like a lord in the Dark Ages. This doesnt usually apply to me. :coffee: This is usually how I act... Minus the coffee.

Re: Hello. Im new and here to learn.

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 1:22 pm
by Hickersonia
GladImhere70 wrote: :coffee: This is usually how I act... Minus the coffee.
More coffee for me, please. I have a giant mug and it requires regular refilling.