There are so many ‘isms’ in this world (Communism, Islamism, Anarchism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, etc.). I think that those limit our awareness, and freedom? My own view of ‘isms’ is that if you are looking for “self” in an ism then yes, it’s an encumbrance. But like words they can be stepping stones, useful tools.  They are no substitute for experience of the true self. If anything rather much the opposite. It seeks clarity so that when a loved one hugs you, you will be truly aware of it. That when someone helps you up from a fall, you will see the love in it clearly. Without the burden of your notions of self, which are really rather different from an experience of self.

You can try taking the best from each one you learn about? Indeed, this is why China as a culture has its view of religion. They were heavily influenced by Buddhist teaching, and when Christianity was later introduced they treated it the same way.

I seem to remember a Chinese leader saying religion was a poison. Hmm, and the secular government may have said so, but Chinese Communism differed from Soviet Communism in not adopting state interference in religion.

Is it crazy to think if everyone followed Buddha there would be no conflicts? Actually, that is part of why some Buddhist schools teach Buddhism to others. They do support peace and brotherhood in all sentient creatures, and don’t oppose other ‘isms‘.

Why do some people dismiss these ideas as nonsense?  Unknown. You say this has this purpose, and only this purpose, or they seem perhaps to invalidate the authority structure the faith depended on. People want their ‘control’.  Better the devil you know. Some mistake my reason for appearing “demonic” in Second Life. It is just a sense of spiritual affinity. My reason is more to express the truths depicted in the Tibetan “angry gods” than to adopt any reactionary shock persona.

* smiles peacefully as he contemplates the lotus sutra *

Your thoughts are welcome. Be well friends.

Travis Saunders
Dragon Intuitive
~science,mysticism,spirituality~