There’s one aspect of Zen philosophy that I follow without much effort – and that is ‘following the stream’.

@ Sheeba: You’re being a bit too generous with your words Thanks anyway! We’ll keep in touch.
@ ilbrutto: Good one. The best piece of zen is ‘here and now’. Simple to understand and difficult to master. It can bring absolute joy to one’s life.
@ Prithvi: How do you conclude then? You are religious or irreligious? Which religion do you follow?

Vijay…
This Topic would have been more interesting if the post is filled with Religion, Spirituality, God, Divinity Realization & Mukthi…
Well, our discussion should go beyond Religion & God. I believe ‘Religion’ is only a Start/Commencement to attain Mukthi. It exists just to cultivate us in verbal & behavioral actions. End of Religion is Start of Spirituality, End of Spirituality is Start of Realization, End of Realization within is Reaching/bonding with ‘Ultimate Divine Power’ – I understand it as “Mukthi”. Till you attain or realize that, one will be born, reborn again and again in various forms based on our karma’s in the present life.
I believe who ever realized to reach that “Ultimate Divine Power” – Started their own paths/way called religion (Including our own God’s). Buddhism started from Hinduism after Budda (Who born in Hindu Family) influenced by Hindu religion (after his marriage) started realizing to union with ‘Divine Power’. Christianity started from Judaism after Jesus Christ who born in Jews family, influenced by Jews religion started his own way of union with ‘Diving Power’& since then many of their followers believed & influenced their paths/footsteps and preaching them as God or following their own way of realization. That’s why all the religious holy books says the same thing on how to cultivate us within for the Mukthi. There are many ways in preaching one can understand it better if we read books on ‘Karma Yoga’, ‘Bakthi Yoga,’ ‘Dhyana yoga’, ‘Gnana yoga’ & ‘Raja Yoga’. You can get all from these “Ramakrishna Ashram” to know more. We can proudly say that INDIA is the only country who has rich holy history and great Spiritual knowledge on all these.
Its like every river (religion) & its origin is unique from others having their own passage/channel but all lead/objective/flow to reach one place – Ocean (Divinity/Mukthi). As well said by Lord Krishna in Bhagavath geetha, – 1000 ppl will preach me 100 will realize me and only 1 will reach me.

Vj,
I think it is good to know what a religion says. May be we do know it already but tend to forget sayings that don’t impress us or we aren’t working to learn it by following it blindly. But knowing a religion might have have an impact either way, positive or negative. There is a possibility that someone might also tend to dislike his religion or stop following after he comes across certain teachings that is not of his flavour! I believe the essence is knowing to the extent you need it!
As you know I don’t prefer reading books (I am working on it though) But I did learn from someone what religion says and I am now a person who believe in good morals of each & every religion. For instance I learnt Christianity only after watching the movie ” The Passion of Christ”. Lord Jesus Christ’s passion to stand against wrong doings for the sake of His people! That’s my understanding of Christianity! Wouldn’t like to learn anything more!
I like the saying “Yella Pugazhum Iraivanukey” of Muslim. Submitting your success and failures to the feet of God. May be there are many more beautiful sayings in ‘Quran’ but this saying sums my belief of that religion.
I got an opportunity of learning Zen from you during my testing times. So very gentle and simple thought process. Perfection isn’t found in everything going right rather in accepting what’s imperfect! I like it a lot! I follow Zen as well!
What Hinduism tells me is, “Hope is still alive”, “It is within yourselves”. Is this from ‘Bhagavat Geeta’! I don’t know. But I feel better after I go to a temple during my testing times every now and then. Before examinations especially. Someone says I am there and you go ahead! Nothing will happen. I will take care. Well! who is that someone talking to me? That’s my belief on God from that religion.
As you say it is always important to know what a religion says in papers! Someone might like to turn papers and explore only when they feel there is a need to turn! I think may be that’s what is being renamed as blind belief

My mom says that Hinduism is a way of life, not just a religion. I’m not sure whether we are living in the Hinduism way. I don’t believe in religion, I just believe in God. I’m not religious either.

Adwait sir,
That was a ambitious circumstance & may be “yes” ) I would grab this oppurtunity with both my hands
Nevertheles, on religion,
Sir , how many of our common people think about their religion before they speak. Most of them follow becasue they ought to. Very few people take time, to think on religion.
Probably, these stalwarts, would bring religion as an underlying security & trade it in “Badla ” market , build derivatives, interplay with options & finally covert it in terms of “Commodities”.
Present a good business case to SEBI, then make it a legitimate product in exchange where all corporate gurus predict it’s angelic moments & statistiacla trends )
As you rightly mentioned , anyone & everyone has a view, which is the easiest on earth. However to think, use intellect . . .I think not all use it!
I would like to summarize this topic by mentioning that, Religion is currently used as a strategic tool to
a) win elections
b) gain voters confidence,
c) Hide insecurity,
d) hurt other people emotions & feelings
e) Attain financial freedom etc, excetra & etc . . .

Hi Unicorn,
I like your idea of comparing it with a football club! May be that’s how people take it rather. I believe that a truly religious person would know to respect and agree the differences between every religion. Foot ball clubs don’t, they just compete!
Unfortunately I studied in a school that criticized my religion in an idea to preach it’s own religion. End result – negative! Certainly religious sayings do have differences that infact openly criticise each other. Those sayings never reached my soul. I am like a swan, taking milk alone! I could hear you smile! I cannot be a swan right I mean I believe it is better to take what’s right by one own self consciousness.
Unless and until the football clubs mind their own businesses they can never make champion players! Respect on a religious saying is dependent on who is saying it and what they are saying! Certainly religions say a lot!

Prithivi,
God sake you aren’t a trader Oof I haven’t seen such a complex strategy so far! May be that’s how they build religious thoughts! But tell me one thing, What we think, believe and follow, does it anyway depend on what others do! I mean the fact that someone else is misusing religions for their pockets does that mean you are irreligious? I think as a talented individual you do have your own opinions right? You certainly know what your religion says don’t you? Or let me put it the other way, You certainly believe in spiritual sayings right?

Quite interesting conversation and thought provoking. I believe i am a free thinker, although born as hindu , I have naturally developed the interest to adopt to different religious ideas which are good. I believe in forming my own religion and it neednot be hindiusm or budhism or zen, may be mixture of more than these things love towards another human being , every act of kindness, and highest/purest thoughts about onself and others is basis of my religion.

………….Link – Websites Blogs ………………Embed – Websites Blogs …..prefont size 2KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN lyrics SISTER 7 fontHey man come on over here ..Let me play some of nothin for your ears…Well I sat down and listened to him ..Say love keeps getting in the way…How many times will I fall in love with a girl that was my friend ..You see love is a hole in the middle of my heart..Like a well that has no end..And I said……. Chorus ..Oh yeah I know what you mean ..Cause a friend in love is a friend in need ..Theres a soul out there that yours wants to find..Set your spirit free and I said..Oh yeah I know what you mean….Cause a friend in love is a friend in need..She said hey man come on lets go ..Let me tell you about something that you dont know…Well I paced the floor and listened to her say ..Love keeps getting in the way. ..He said what are we gonna do weve lost our way ..And love keeps gettin in the way.