Buddhist Faith Schools?

Emo Bear · #1 by **Emo Bear** » Jan 15, 2011 5:39 pm

Do they exist in the western world (especially in England)?

If they do exist, please tell me about them.

If they do not exist, then I think the Buddhists are missing out.
They should start cashing in on this like christians and muslims. :plan:

Nebogipfel · #2 by **Nebogipfel** » Jan 15, 2011 6:03 pm

If there have to be "faith schools", I would rather they where Buddhist than any other kind...

Spearthrower · #3 by **Spearthrower** » Feb 19, 2011 1:23 pm

They're not a proselytising religion, and they don't really have an epic world story, so they have less woo to inculcate and therefore don't need an entire school devoted to doing it.

It's more ritualistic than anything.

Taigu · #4 by **Taigu** » Feb 20, 2011 10:48 am

To me the words "Buddhist" and "faith" are totally contradictory. Loosely speaking I'm Zen Buddhist and I view the word "faith" as a swear word. It implies accepting unproven statements and irrationality as truth. To me Buddhism means seeking the truth - whatever the truth happens to be, without any preconceptions. Science provides the hard facts and rigorous methodology for investigation. Zen provides a means of self enquiry to explore the psychological domain. I will however grant you that in many parts of the World where Buddhism is the endemic religion that it is treated by the general populace as a "faith". Anyone who prays to the Buddha might just as well pray to the flying spaghetti monster. ... If you ever see Buddha walking along the road, kill him. (to paraphrase the old Buddhist saying).

Spearthrower · #5 by **Spearthrower** » Feb 20, 2011 11:12 am

Taigu wrote:I will however grant you that in many parts of the World where Buddhism is the endemic religion that it is treated by the general populace as a "faith".

It's very much a faith here - it just has less baggage than the middle-eastern varieties.