Faux Buddhist

I'm a faux Buddhist. There are many elements of Buddhism I accept and respect. However, being a deeply devout Buddhist just doesn't seem realistic to me. To help you understand Buddhism I did my research and focused on those things I believe are the core of what Buddhism is all about. 

The two main goals of Buddhism are getting to know ourselves and learning the Buddha's teachings. To know who we are, we need to understand that we have two natures. One is called our ordinary nature, which is made up of unpleasant feelings such as fear, anger, and jealousy. The other is our true nature, the part of us that is pure, wise, and perfect. In Buddhism, it is called the Buddha nature. The only difference between us and the Buddha is that we have not awakened to our true nature.
BASIC TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHA
THE THREE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS   1. Nothing is lost in the universe. The first truth is that nothing is lost in the universe. Matter turns into energy, energy turns into matter. A dead leaf turns into soil. A seed sprouts and becomes a new plant. Old solar systems disintegrate and turn into cosmic rays. We are born of our parents, our children are born of us. We are the same as plants, as trees, as other people, as the rain that falls. We consist of that which is around us, we are the same as everything. If we destroy something around us, we destroy ourselves. If we cheat another, we cheat ourselves. Understanding this truth, the Buddha and his disciples never killed any animal.

2. Everything Changes. The second universal truth of the Buddha is that everything is continuously changing. Life is like a river flowing on and on, ever-changing. Sometimes it flows slowly and sometimes swiftly. It is smooth and gentle in some places, but later on snags and rocks crop up out of nowhere. As soon as we think we are safe, something unexpected happens. Once dinosaurs, mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers roamed this earth. They all died out, yet this was not the end of life. Other life forms like smaller mammals appeared, and eventually humans, too. Now we can even see the Earth from space and understand the changes that have taken place on this planet. Our ideas about life also change. People once believed that the world was flat, but now we know that it is round.

3. Law of Cause and Effect The third universal truth explained by the Buddha is that there is continuous changes due to the law of cause and effect. This is the same law of cause and effect found in every modern science textbook. In this way, science and Buddhism are alike. The law of cause and effect is known as karma. Nothing ever happens to us unless we deserve it. We receive exactly what we earn, whether it is good or bad. We are the way we are now due to the things we have done in the past. Our thoughts and actions determine the kind of life we can have. If we do good things, in the future good things will happen to us. If we do bad things, in the future bad things will happen to us. Every moment we create new karma by what we say, do, and think. If we understand this, we do not need to fear karma. It becomes our friend. It teaches us to create a bright future.


As you can see there is a lot to like about Buddhism. I believe most of what's said about "Nothing is lost in the universe." However, the extreme of being a Buddhist by saying we are the same as everything is way out there to me. Yes, from a basic DNA structure we are the same as animals, plants, stars, etc., but we all have different finger prints. We all have different personalities. We all have different upbringings that have shaped who we are and what we are about to become.

We have the power to do good and we have the power to do bad. We have the power to create a happy life and we have the power to live a miserable life. It seems the Buddha is saying we should live our lives as one. In my opinion, that would take the fun out of life.

Lastly, Buddhists don't kill animals. Does that mean that don't eat meat? If everything is the same then they shouldn't eat anything. Taking away my twice a month hamburger doesn't make me happy.  Are pure Buddhists happy - I'm not so sure?

One of the best truths is "If we cheat another, we cheat ourselves." We should all live by that motto.


I like almost everything about truth two "Everything Changes."  Accepting, embracing, and even enjoying the fact that change is going to happen whether we like it or not is the best way to live your life and make yourself happy. Change is a good thing. Change can be an exciting thing. Change can also be a negative thing, however, getting the most out of life is living through the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Just getting through life is not getting the most out of life.

If you really want to get the most out of life, create change. If you eat Cheerios every morning, go wild and change to Lucky Charms twice a week. Yes, even the little things we change can be interesting and enhance your life and your happiness. Now if you really want to get on this type rope of life, make a big change in your life. You just have to trust yourself enough that the big change will be for the better over time.


Truth three is really why I'm a faux Buddhist. The "Law of Cause and Effect " revolves around this thing called Karma. The Buddha defines Karma as:

"Nothing ever happens to us unless we deserve it. We receive exactly what we earn, whether it is good or bad. We are the way we are now due to the things we have done in the past. Our thoughts and actions determine the kind of life we can have. If we do good things, in the future good things will happen to us. If we do bad things, in the future bad things will happen to us. Every moment we create new karma by what we say, do, and think."

I just have a hard time completely believing in Karma. I wish it were true, but it's not. Bad people have good things happen to them. Doing good things all the time doesn't always guarantee good things will happen back to you. I believe doing good things is a great way to run your life, but believing that because I always do good things my life will be better just doesn't always happen.

Counting on good Karma is a bad life strategy. You're not going to hit the lottery because you have good Karma. You're not going to have fabulous children because you have great Karma. You're not going to have a happy marriage because you have fantastic Karma.

You're going to have a great and happy life because you take the necessary steps to create your happy life. Divorce is not good Karma, but it could create a happier life for you in the future. Start with believing you're good enough, you love and respect yourself and you deserve to be happy. If that's your starting point you have a great chance of creating a happy life.

Counting on Karma to hurt your enemies is just wrong. Counting on Karma to make you a happier person is also wrong.

Karma is YOU. Count on YOU!