Hi all, since this is one of the most active board for nepalease people, I thought I would ask a question regarding how many people who use this site are buddhist? I grew up in Nepal for 12 years before I came to United States, and as I grew up I knew nothing about Buddhism. They tried to introduce the subject matter when we were a kid, back then but that was it. No one knew anything about it. Part of the reason could be that I went to Notre Dame school that was established by christian missionaries. They didn't teach us anything about christianity either. We did however got breaks for christmas and things, but buddhism for sure wasn't there. My theory on this, is that even though Buddhism started in Nepal, it got pushed aside because of Hinduism. Even in India today, Buddhism is not very prevalent. The home of Gautama Buddha (Nepal) is 99% Hindus. The real Buddhist teachings however went to Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, China and other eastern countries. I discovered Buddhism here in the US. Eversince I got into it I've found it as the most fascinating philosophy I've ever known. It deals with Spirituality and at the same time it is Scientific. The core teachings are in accord with modern scientific laws and theories. It emphasizes meditation which is far more superior than simply going to temple and ask things from God. Not saying that everyone does this, but only few are looking into their own minds and bodies for conflict resolution, weather it is with the relationship or the world in General. I still consider myself hindu in terms of keeping some family traditions, but it is only a tradition, It doesn't help me in looking into who I am. What do people say about this. I'm sure some of you are still going through, the spiritual phase where one looks for some answers on things, like what the heck is this? Why am I here and so fourth. I'd like to hear some things from nepali people. Oh by the way please be respectful of people's opinion. Thanks.

Buddhism and science: A colaboration at University of Wisconsin at Madison
Check this out at:
www.news.wisc.edu/6205.html

investigating the mind: Exchanges between Buddhism and Bio-behavioral science:

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/11/03_minds.shtml

six strings, b4 i answer your question, let me tell you something i have already metioned -- I am not a PRO on these matter.

First question - If you have watched or read ramayan you will learn that Ram really loved Sita ( that is why there was a ramayan war :P) and never wanted to leave her, but, Ram was also a King, and it was his duty as a King was to fullfill his janta's desire. So he abandoned the love of his life, only to serve his people and bring peace. IMagine, if any Nepali Leader learned that lesson from Ram ( to sacrifice something for the sake of ppl)..would that have brought peace? Isnt that a great lesson to learn?

Now on a personal level, it wasnt right, but if we look at it on a broader view, it bought peace to ayodhya, then yes Ram acted as a great King, giving up all his emotions, giving the love of his life, which is ofcourse the hardest thing to do. You sud know, if you are a student here in usa living away from your parents.

How can you reach the ultimate truth and break out the cycle of life when there is no equality among people and sexes?

This one i do not have the answer for, because i have not yet reached any ulimate truth thru any medium, but what they say on those texts is by performing several vipasanas' and yogas', clearing your mind (material things) you will have unity with bramhna, and on Budhisim, you reach the state of sunyata.( read waht neta jii has written down ) :)

Now talking abt equality among sexes, you tell me, which major religion in this world, that is in practice right now, has female dieties..Hmm..very few..and yes Hindusim is one of them. And i dont even think, i have to mention this point, but anyway, here it is, my fren the world is dominated by men, and most of the religious texts that were written were also written by men.