I'm converting...

[Vibecrewangel]

FS - Reincarnation does occur. Mostly do to wants and desires. Buddhism teaches to let go of all wants and desires. Among other things. The more you let go the more self less you are. The more self less you are the more good you do. The more good you do the more good karma you earn. The more Karma you earn the longer you get to stay in a particular heaven. Once Karma is burned off you reincarnate again. The only time you do not reincarnate based on Karma is when you reach Nirvana. You can however choose to reincarnate to come and lead others down the path.

Bennett - Let's try it this way. What Gautama Buddha understood and taught to others was not and is not a religion. Italian Stereotype hit it on the head when he said you can be a Buddhist and a (insert any other religion here) That is how some of the more religious forms of Buddhism have come about. They are a blending of Buddhism and other religions or philosophies. This is because true (I'm using this word only to differentiate between what Gautama Buddha thaught and the blended forms) Buddhism is very difficult to comprehend, and to most people terrifying. Humans tend to desire the divine. It is comforting. A safety net. And in many cases an excuse. In Buddhism there is only the you. And you are the architect of your own success or destruction.
Of course.....you are only a bundle of memories....not a self in the way we are typically taught. There is no imortal soul. Again, one of the aspects of true Buddhism that frightens people. Buddha knew this. However, he believed that eventually, all beings will be unafraid and without desire. Even desire for the divine. Eventually all beings will achive Nirvana. All will become part of the whole.


Now the higher math concept. I'm going to keep it simple for now, but I am going to look up a better example. These are just mine, and I am just starting to understand the mathmatical parts.

Buddhism is about conciousness, matter and time. The singular and the infinite. To get an idea of how this relates to physics, take a look at my post about the grid in the Matrix reloaded thread in the movie forum. The Matrix movies are a super example of Buddhist thought.

Buddhisms most basic tenant is cause and effect. And it is completley personal. What you do causes what happens to you. When you throw a ball at a wall it bounces back. When you expend good energy, you get good energy back. Karma. If you expend bad energy........more Karma.

I know those are very basic, but I think they might suffice. I'll try to find a really good example for you though.