What is spirituality?

[Smit]

It seems this should be a topic of its own.

To me, the Buddhist outlook on spirituality makes the most sense.

10 Essential Beliefs of Buddhism

10 Essential Beliefs of Buddhism

If you are new to Buddhism or just curious above Buddhist beliefs, then the following ten core beliefs of Buddhism is a great over of Buddhism.

Each belief is linked to more detailed articles if you would liked more information.

1. Buddhists do not depend on the existence of a Creator God, being an eternal omnipresent God who created the world and who can save others. Instead, Buddhists consider salvation from suffering to be an individual affair.

2. Buddhists believe that lasting happiness is possible for anyone. Buddhists believe that enlightenment is available to anyone if they are willing put in the mental practice and effort. The only requirements are to start and to continue.

3. Buddhists believe in the Middle Way, which means that you should live life in a balanced and reasonable manner that avoids extremes. Moderation in all things.

4. Buddhists believe that good morals serve as the foundation of Buddhism. The practice of morality means to intentionally refrain from harmful activities and to engage in helpful, positive pursuits. Morality leads towards inner peace by creating a sense of tranquility and strength.

5. Buddhists believe that they are the owners of their Karma. Buddhists believe that if they intentionally do good deeds, then good will come to them sooner or later. If they intentionally do bad deeds, then bad will come to them sooner or later.

6. Buddhists believe that meditation is essential to practicing Buddhism. Buddhists believe that they should train their minds with daily meditation in order to develop wisdom.

7. Buddhists believe that the only thing constant is change. Buddhists believe that nothing is permanent and that nothing will last forever.

8. Buddhists believe that their greed and anger are the root causes of their unhappiness. Buddhists believe that if they can eliminate their greed and anger, then they will find inner peace.

9. Buddhists believe that generosity, kindness and compassion are the keys to happiness. Buddhists believe that generosity is the antidote to greed and that kindness and compassion are the antidotes to anger.

10. Buddhists believe that Nirvana is the ultimate goal of Buddhism. Buddhists define Nirvana as the state of ultimate happiness and inner peace that arises when they have eliminated all their cravings and desires.

[Rstewart]

This is prime Buddhism

[beej]

It seems this should be a topic of its own.

To me, the Buddhist outlook on spirituality makes the most sense to me.

10 Essential Beliefs of Buddhism

living for something greater than our own whims and desires is a good starting point.

[Bucky Cornstarch]

living for something greater than our own whims and desires is a good starting point.

Which can be done without belief in a deity. I believe in supporting my family, friends, community and society as a whole, yet don't have to rely on a sky fairy for guidance.

[beej]

Which can be done without belief in a deity. I believe in supporting my family, friends, community and society as a whole, yet don't have to rely on a sky fairy for guidance.

yeah, I don't rely on a sky fairy either, so we have that in common. 

[mowens]

When I decided to get sober, I got involved with Alcoholics Anonymous and I was struck by the similarities between their beliefs and eastern religions. Those teachings have helped more than going to church ever did. I asked chatgpt to make a list of the similarities.

Common Ground Between AA and Eastern Religions

Letting go of self / ego

AA: Admitting powerlessness and surrendering the ego to a higher power.

Eastern: Recognizing that the "self" is an illusion (Buddhism) or that ego creates suffering (Hinduism, Taoism).

Surrender and acceptance

AA: "Let go and let God." Accept what you cannot change.

Eastern: Acceptance of reality as it is; surrender to the natural flow (Tao) or karma.

Living one day at a time / mindfulness

AA: Focus on staying sober and centered today — not the past or future.

Eastern: Mindfulness and living in the present moment are central to meditation and spiritual balance.

Meditation and prayer

AA: Step 11 directly encourages meditation and prayer for spiritual connection.

Eastern: Meditation is a core path to awareness, discipline, and inner peace.

Compassion and service

AA: Helping others is essential to recovery; "you can't keep it unless you give it away."

Eastern: Compassion (karuṇā) and service (seva) are key to enlightenment and liberation.

Humility and self-examination

AA: "A searching and fearless moral inventory" — confronting flaws with honesty and humility.

Eastern: Self-reflection and detachment from ego-driven desires are part of the spiritual path.

Faith in a higher power / universal truth

AA: Not tied to any one religion — a "God of your understanding."

Eastern: Faith in universal consciousness, divine order, or interconnectedness — not always personified.

Inner transformation over doctrine

AA: The goal is spiritual awakening and personal change, not belief in dogma.

Eastern: Focus on direct experience and inner realization, not rigid theology.

[beej]

When I decided to get sober, I got involved with Alcoholics Anonymous and I was struck by the similarities between their beliefs and eastern religions. Those teachings have helped more than going to church ever did. I asked chatgpt to make a list of the similarities.

Common Ground Between AA and Eastern Religions

Letting go of self / ego

AA: Admitting powerlessness and surrendering the ego to a higher power.

Eastern: Recognizing that the "self" is an illusion (Buddhism) or that ego creates suffering (Hinduism, Taoism).

Surrender and acceptance

AA: "Let go and let God." Accept what you cannot change.

Eastern: Acceptance of reality as it is; surrender to the natural flow (Tao) or karma.

Living one day at a time / mindfulness

AA: Focus on staying sober and centered today — not the past or future.

Eastern: Mindfulness and living in the present moment are central to meditation and spiritual balance.

Meditation and prayer

AA: Step 11 directly encourages meditation and prayer for spiritual connection.

Eastern: Meditation is a core path to awareness, discipline, and inner peace.

Compassion and service

AA: Helping others is essential to recovery; "you can't keep it unless you give it away."

Eastern: Compassion (karuṇā) and service (seva) are key to enlightenment and liberation.

Humility and self-examination

AA: "A searching and fearless moral inventory" — confronting flaws with honesty and humility.

Eastern: Self-reflection and detachment from ego-driven desires are part of the spiritual path.

Faith in a higher power / universal truth

AA: Not tied to any one religion — a "God of your understanding."

Eastern: Faith in universal consciousness, divine order, or interconnectedness — not always personified.

Inner transformation over doctrine

AA: The goal is spiritual awakening and personal change, not belief in dogma.

Eastern: Focus on direct experience and inner realization, not rigid theology.

There are some good tenants to the eastern religions, but ultimately for me, it depends on if Jesus is who He said he was.

[neurosis]

Does AA, NA, or any of those actually work for people? I feel like most people who go to those either do so because its court ordered, or they're in prison and trying to find programs that improve their chance of good time or parole.

[neurosis]

How do Buddhists feel about abortion!  Or Trans people! Or the gays!

[beej]

Does AA, NA, or any of those actually work for people? I feel like most people who go to those either do so because its court ordered, or they're in prison and trying to find programs that improve their chance of good time or parole.

I know so many people who have been helped by AA. I couldn't begin to count them.

[neurosis]

I know so many people who have been helped by AA. I couldn't begin to count them.

You know that the success rate for AA is pretty low? How many drunks do you know?

[beej]

You know that the success rate for AA is pretty low? How many drunks do you know?

LOL. the nature of some of the Christian ministries I'm involved in seems to lend themselves to people who have reformed their lives to some degree. They hit some low point, they go to AA and then get invited into some of the Christian Renewal programs that I work with. If I had to try and guess, I'd bet I know more than 50 people who have had success with AA. But it could be a lot more.

[neurosis]

Note to self.  Alcoholism is rampant in the Christian community? 

[beej]

Note to self.  Alcoholism is rampant in the Christian community? 

LOL a truer statement is that alcoholism is redeemed in the Christian community.

[Zoffen]

Christian AA is alot better than Muslim AA that's for sure...