It is a bit strange, but I think this year may actually be the first in my life-time memory that we will not be having a white Christmas. The bit of snow we received in late November has long-since vanished, and the temperature never seems to get very cold. I'm kind of regretting now that I put my motorcycle away for the season, but it was really impossible for me to believe that I would be able to ride it in mid-December. I suppose everybody will have to settle for a foggy holiday, since that's all we seem to get...
And, speaking of holiday, I'd like to take this opportunity to send out a big bucket of Christmas cheer to the presumptuous ass-clown who emailed me with the thoughtful observation that I am a "G-dless heathen" for not celebrating Christmas. Since it is my mission in life to make everybody happy, I guess I'll just have to go sacrifice a tree and worship Santa Claus so I can fit in with the masses.
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Our snow has also been gone for some time now, but yesterday a couple of millimeters of rain/snow/ice fell. It’s getting a bit colder as well, so I still have hopes for a white christmas…
It’s pretty sad to see that people actually have time to bother about your personal choice of not celebrating christmas. I celebrate christmas (but without any gifts) and I have no problem that a majority of the Earth’s population won’t…
I couldn’t care less what others do unless it in any way hurts me or stops me from doing what I choose to do. I don’t even sacrifice a tree (we use a plastic one). Am I a semi-heathen???
The snow has me very concerned. Without a good snow-pack in the surrounding mountains, we’re in for a drought this summer.
Oh yes… you’re a good 37% heathen! The more I think about it, the more I’m thinking that it might be better if I sacrifice Santa Clause and worship a tree! I just find it interesting that people assume that being a Buddhist automatically precludes a belief in God. Oh well, I should be used to the odd emails by now, and be thankful that this one didn’t include a death threat (like the one I got for the entry here).
And people think you should, for unknown reason to me (that is after reading a few books on Buddhism), a statue of a fat mans belly should be rubbed to reach enlightenment.
I also find it interesting how people refer to Buddhism as a religion, from my understanding, it doesn’t seem to be a religion per se, rather a way of living ones life.
But then I could be wrong. It happens.
I think many would consider Buddhism to be a religion though, as you say, I only use Buddhist teachings as a guide for the way I live my life and am not actually a “true” Buddhist.
As for rubbing Buddha’s Belly… that’s a myth which is supposed to bring good fortune or luck and has absolutely no religious meaning to Buddhists (enlightenment can only come from within). In that, it’s no different than Catholic’s rubbing the foot of the Jesus statue as they enter the Holy Bronze Door at the Vatican (when it is opened for “special” holy days). Many cultures and religions have such things, not all of them with religious implications.
I thought so, although it does give your hand a nice gold sheen.
🙂
READ YOUR BIBLE!!!! : ‘THOU SHALT NOT HAVE ANY OTHER GODS BUT ME’ BUDDA IS A FALSE IDOL AND YOUR DAMNATION!!!!!!!!!
Which bible and which interpretation are you talking about? If you are referring to The Holy Bible, King James version, I have read it very carefully in its entirety (and several sections numerous times in study). I dare say I have a better understanding of scripture than most so-called Christians. To that effect, I think what you are attempting to quote is the First Commandment from the Book of Deuteronomy… “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me.”
Anyway, while I certainly respect your religious beliefs and have made a serious effort to understand them, it is a bit disheartening that you have seen your way to condemn my beliefs without extending me the same courtesy.
If you had taken even a cursory look at Buddhism, you would know that The Buddha is not a god, never claimed to be a god, and is not worshipped as a god. To put it in a context you might better understand, here’s a story for you…
A traveler meets Buddha on the road. Noticing his huge entourage, the traveler asks Buddha…
“Are you a god?”
“No,” Buddha replies.
“Then are you a saint?”
“No,” Buddha answers.
“You must be a prophet, then,” the traveler said.
“No” Buddha replied.
Frustrated the traveler exclaims, “If you’re not a god, or a saint or a prophet – then why are all these people following you?”
“Because I’m awake,” Buddha replies.
as I get older (and probably more cynical 🙂 ) I wonder more and more why non-christians celebrate christmas at all. It just puzzles me..
pity about the snow situation there.. it was dry enough there this year, can imagine it being even worse next year…
Because they get presents and a day off work! 🙂
I find Christmas interesting because it’s based on the old midwinter night traditions. It’s basically a pagan holiday that was co-opted by the early Catholic church. (Ditto Easter.) I like to tease folks by wishing them a “Merry Pagan Holiday”. It’s fun to watch some folks get riled up.
I’m not anti-christmas despite being a non-christian. I just think that it is the most important American cultural event. Can you name another day that is as important culturally to Americans than Christmas? It’s the one day that a good majority of people in this country hold sacred whether they are christian or not. And it’s not the birth of Jesus or the fulfillment of biblical prophecies or even the receiving of gifts that most people celebrate. To me, It simply is a good excuse to spend some time with people you love and try to make someone else happy. Sure we should try to do this everyday, why should we need an excuse? Well some people just do need that excuse.
God what’s wrong with me, I used to be so cynical even about Christmas, now I’m defending it. I’m getting soft in my old age.
One more defense of Christmas…if we didn’t have the Christmas shopping season, can you imagine how bad the economy would go in the crapper? Do you know how much the retail industry is held up by just this past month? The company I work for does 85-90% of our business in December. That’s scary.
I’m not anti-Christmas either, I just choose not to celebrate it. Everybody else should feel free to do as they like, because it certainly doesn’t bother me! Many of the companies I work with have most of their sales during the holiday season… which brings up an interesting point: If there WASN’T a gift-giving season for Christmas, would sales be spread out through the rest of the year, or disappear completely?