morality does not depend on rebirth
Jun. 11th, 2023 07:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cattasallaThere's a certain species of Buddhist that I run across that reminds me of a certain species of Christian I also run across. These are the ones that insist secular Buddhim is not "real" Buddhism because it lacks a doctrine of rebirth. They generally go on to state that if there is no rebirth, they see no point in the practice, and thus should indulge themselves in worldly, sensual pleasure. This reminds me of those Christians who say the only reason they don't commit murder and rape and other sins is because they're afraid of God, but if God didn't exist they would take all kinds of harmful actions.
What these Buddhists don't understand is that a life lived according to the Noble Eightfold Path--at least as close as a secular Buddhist can get without rebirth in right view--is a better life. A happier life. I've been the hedonist, indulging in as much sensual pleasure as I could, and while it certainly was an enjoyable life, it had drawbacks. I've also been the secular Buddhist, and the more disciplined but not ascetic life was one I liked better. My happiness feels more stable now.
What these Buddhists don't understand is that a life lived according to the Noble Eightfold Path--at least as close as a secular Buddhist can get without rebirth in right view--is a better life. A happier life. I've been the hedonist, indulging in as much sensual pleasure as I could, and while it certainly was an enjoyable life, it had drawbacks. I've also been the secular Buddhist, and the more disciplined but not ascetic life was one I liked better. My happiness feels more stable now.