I know this may not be the best place for this topic, but I am seeking for deep thoughts. It is something I am sure we will all search answers to or at least contemplate about in our lifetime, so here goes.

Why is it that pah-inh (god) grants us life and then take it all away with death by suffering? Why do we exist at all when there is no reason for the existence of life. The universe doesn't care if there is life in it - it does not benefit from it. Yet life came about. Now that I am tasting life, experiencing love, laughter, and happiness, I desire forever existence. I love life and I want to hold onto it, but death is all around us. So, what is the real purpose of our existence and our life in this world?

What is Buddhism?

Growing up, I have always been a non-practicing buddist. I go to temples and pray, but I really never understood the practice or teachings of buddha. I am wanting to understand and have a more indepth connection with buddhism. Perhaps understanding and having relationship with the teachings of buddhism will help me comprehend death.

I will of course, do my own research, but I would really like to know your views on this.

I would suggest that you do some research and find out for yourself. Actually, that is one of the teachings of the Buddha is for each and everyone to find out the truth for ourselves not relying on what other people say or what some book or bible say. By going to the temple and pray all the time wont bring you any closer to understanding it either.

I have a better undertsanding of Buddhism now after i've done some research more so than when i was a kid going to the temple all the time. Everything in life and the whole universe is impermanent or always in constant change from one moment to the next, if we can learn to deal, accept and adapt then we wont suffer so much. Another important thing that really sticks in my head from my research is that our greed and attachment will lead us to more suffering as well. Death and birth are just part of natural cycle of life.

Yes, these are the words of the Buddha, as written in the Kalama Sutta:

"Do not believe in anything
simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions
simply because they have been handed
down for many generations.
Do not believe in anything
simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything
simply because it is found written in your
religious books.
Do not believe in anything
merely on the authority of your teachers
and elders.
But when, after observation and analysis,
you find anything that agrees with reason,
and is conducive to the good and benefit
of one and all,
then accept it and live up to it. "

I would add Shyna that one of the main things I had trouble "not believing in" were modern people that claim authority to answer your philosophical questions- there are plenty of people out there like that that would love to 'tell you how it is', a lot of them wearing robes. Some are good people, some just like the power trip. That being said, one of the most famous monks of the Theravada is Ajahn Chah, a Lao monk of Thai nationality, who speaks in a very straightforward and practical manner (often comparing lots of things to animals, a habit I've noticed my isaan gf do, i wonder if it's a Lao thing). Anyway, one of the main answers I would suspect you'd find to your questions is that there is a way out of this decaying life, called Enlightenment, which may be the realization that there was never a self or a life that belonged to us in the first place. -the doctorine of anatman. I think the idea is that "you", in the larger sense, never started nor will ever stop existing: yes, that thing in your head called consciousness will go away when you die, but the foundation or background behind consciousness, that you had before you were born, will remain. But it is just a philosophical idea for now, and requires discipline in meditation to make it real in your heart. Just my take on it. I for one am too caught up in 'market life' to have the discipline... but maybe tomorrow... peace

LOL, i glanced to the thread title it appeared like this to me, " DEEP THROAT'. Sorry, I know that you're seeking for deep thoughts. i'll get back to you soon.

Are u ok my dear?........

( ai go to temple for some other thing, sorry babe...lol )

Why is it that pah-inh (god) grants us life and then take it all away with death by suffering?
Imagine if i don't die and live for ever!!! I will acquire a lot of knowledge, will use my knowledge to argue with god, coup, revolt, surely will piss god off. Giving me death and suffering are ways of keeping me in check and obey god.
Why do we exist at all when there is no reason for the existence of life?
form of punishment or perhaps was my wish

what is the real purpose of our existence and our life in this world?
I have to figure out how the heck i end up here first before i can figure out the purpose. For now, no answer
I love life and I want to hold onto it, but death is all around us ??
Look like this world is our temporary home.

but I really never understood the practice or teachings of buddha !!

Birth, old, sick then die, cycle of life. That how life keep going, isn't ???? If you're able to break free, then what is your next step. Sit around eternally ??
buddhism will help me comprehend death !!!!!
We're going to die eventually. This theory has been proven over and over again. Ready or not it will come.

'shyna' , i'm not expert but based on your words. Look like you're not happy, and have not found what you are looking for.

Just my two cents.

just live and learn through true life experiences.
That's what i did and found my faith.
The Rastafari faith and it has changed my life for the better.

Never heard of it.what religion is that?

Here's the lyrics by Dream Theater that i find are really deep.

"We fabricate our demons
Invite them into our homes
Have supper with the aliens
And fight the war alone
We conjure up our skeletons
Enlist the den of thieves
Frightened from our closets
Then sewn upon our sleeves

In the stream of consciousness
There is a river crying
Living comes much easier

Once we admit
We're dying "

Are you trying to imply that Petrucci is a god? because...well, i can play like him....555

Petrucci is more than just a guitar play, he's a producer and lyricist also. I just think some of lyrics are pretty deep like the ones that i posted.

Death is the one thing in life that is guarantee. So relax and enjoy life.

In America, you have taxes too.

Ai Xonelong, I am fine, thank you.

Buddalove, I'm glad to say that your two cents is just that "two cents". On the contrary, I am happy and appreciate everything that life has offered me. I am just a little bit scared of the unknown. sometimes I wish we are given an option of getting an OTC needle injection to help us go peacefully in our sleep, without having to endure pain and sufferings.

I really do like the teachings of buddhism. In order to achieve enlightment, you must search your own path, not following or limiting to guidelines. It doesn't matter how you get there as long as in the end, you get there; discovering ones own spiritual inner peace.

kop jai everyone (RY12, aithong, Bassak, Buddhalove) for your thoughtful insight regarding this subject. .........Much appreciated...

come to think of it, death might not be such a bad thing. When life no longer provides comfort, love, joy and happiness to the individual, death is a mechanism that completes the cycle of life. Witouth it, life can become a continual agony of sufferings on earth.

Just imagine how wonderful it would be if after death we can all become energy and travel ourselves through different times and universe. I will become energy one day and travel myself to a different galaxy, different space and different time. Combining with other matters in the universe, the birth of life will be reborn where all the essence of my good childhood memories of happiness, love and joy will resurface on the opposite ends of the universe.

For now, I am here on earth and enjoy living. Any single and available men out there? hahahahahah j/j

You cant enjoy life on an empty stomach, can you? so eat alot of lao foods too, ok.

shyna, you sound lonely. I'll be your Pa Eg. I dedicate this song to you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8pNwcJBD9c

nicely done, deejai.
the song got a very nice touch, esp., the line -->> "gotd naig naig" (I will hold you closer) ______

kop jai...peng nee mee kwaam-hak lie nor....the most romantic song anyone has ever dedicated to me.....:-)

bor dai bpiao-jai (lonely) dok, mee moo lai kohn yu, huck bor mee feen suh suh. Yak sa-muck pen "Pa Eg" kong sao bor ai bao?
kuhn yak pen pa eg, ai tong gord nong naen naen, gord nong took wan, horm keem waan waan, hai kwam sun-ya bor tim nong pai. This is my Pa Eg.

thank you...this song is beautiful!!!!!

since you find that it is a beautiful song...
i am compelled to add in addition to deejai's dedication
a female version lol --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-pMgVhd6Ok&NR=1
.

.

why should anyone worry about death,

Death as everyone said is a cycle, it will happen, if u dont find the answers in this life, maybe u will find the answers in the next life.

thats the point of living for ur life now, build up good karma so in the next life, u will be one step closer to finding all ur answers.

point being, take it a step at a time, in our case, a life at a time.

does anyone find spiritual peace and calmness like I do when praying at the temples along with the monks while chanting spiritual prayer in unison? Relaxing in the form of meditation and trying to keep the mind completely "blank" with no thoughts whatsoever helps gain a sense of higher self and serenity. For a few moment, I was able to be free from the thoughts of depression, stress, worries, fears; distractions to the mind. Inner peace can easily be obtained when there is spiritual synergy between the minds of budda, woman, child, man; all the spiritual guidance in one place. Praying has helped me achieve purity to the mind.

These few months alone, I have attended more temples then I ever had in the past years. I know you don't have to attend wat to pray, but I really enjoy going and praying with "ahjarn". I am even slowly learning the language......"na moe tha sart, pa kow wa thoa, a la ha thoa, saum ma, saum poot tha sa" what does that mean? Mastering the buddha chant is not easy. It is a work of art and skills. I am always amaze at anyone who learns the language.

Does anyone believe in reincarnation?

I know you don't come around here anymore, shyna, but your thread reminded me of what's important in life. A friend of mine was killed recently and I just found out about it today. Never in a million years would I imagine someone like him could leave us so soon. I'm still in shock right now. I don't want to believe it. It's true life is full of uncertainties. It's like you're here today and could be gone tomorrow.