Buddhism For The Curious Religion or Philosophy - or Both?
In 1990 I watched a tv production of The Power of Myth, a book written by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers, and was fascinated when Joseph Campbell presented his works of a lifetime.
I was hooked on everything he laid open for everyone who was curious.
One of the topics intriqued me so much, I continued a quest I had begun in Vietnam in 1967, but this time I became obsessed with learning everything I could on many different subjects, but primarily World Religions, and one religion at a time I began an in depth study of the diversified and similar global religions.
I have found during this time, during conversations with others about religions, philosophies, etc.; a great deal of fear about even studying the unfamiliar. And yet as I proceeded determined down what others and I have deemed The Rabbit Hole, where you let your curiosity run rampant in a quest for truth and knowledge, a comfort in gaining the knowledge that I sought.
Joseph Campbell found the subject of Buddhism fascinating and as I joined him in that fascination, I began to see the insight of the Buddha and my new teacher, The Dala Lama, who sums Buddhism up very simply in this quote that I find so insightful.
"This then, is my true religion, my simple faith.
In this sense, there is no need for Temple or Church; for Mosque or Synagogue; no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine, or dogma.
Our open heart, our own mind, is the Temple.
The doctrine is Compassion.
Love for others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter who or what they are; ultimately these are all we need.
So long as we practice these in our daily lives, then no matter if we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe in Buddha or God, or follow some other Religion or none at all, as long as we have Compassion for others and conduct ourselves with restraint, out of a sense of responsibility, there is no doubt we will be happy." - His Holiness, The 14th Dalai Lama
My seminar Buddhism For The Curious, is simply a beginner's course into gaining insight and understanding one of the Worlds Great and oldest of religions or philosophies, which only the attendee will be able to discern at the end.
I will point out though that The Dalai Lama is a philosopher, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, and what few people have ever known before, A Quantum Physicist. The Dalai Lama is very familiar with the thing many of us call The Rabbit Hole.
There is no proselytizing in the seminar, nor in Buddhism as far as that goes. But if you are curious, I'm fairly certain, you will not be disappointed in the knowledge you gain from the few hours of lecture.
