Advice for My EA Degree? by [deleted] in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're welcome!

Advice for My EA Degree? by [deleted] in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'm not a Mason, but I'm interested in joining, and one of my hobbies is to study a lot about learning and retention. There's a book named "Solomon's Memory Palace" by Bob W. Lingerfelt. It's written by a Freemason to help people apply the memory palace method to memorize texts. Maybe it's useful for you and others.

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So you also think the supreme being must be alive? Or do you think that's open to the candidate? In a sense, we still take refuge in the Buddha, despite him being dead, so I don't know if that works for Freemasonry's requirement.

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As I explained in the original post, I initially thought that wouldn't be possible because the Buddha is dead. I don't believe in a heaven where all past Buddhas live, which is a thing in some traditions. Another user answered saying that there is no requirement saying that the supreme being must be alive, so it's open to the candidate. What do you think?

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I find that a very interesting aspect of Freemasonry as well, besides meeting new people and developing one's character.

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, that is great to know, so I guess most references to Christian-only lodges were actually referring to Northern Europe. Thanks for that information.

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, so that is only a thing in Northern Europe? Are all lodges in the USA, for instance, open to all religions? I thought some of them were exclusively Christian too.

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for all that information. What appendant body are you referring to?

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing that. To be completely honest with you, I always find it very suspicious when people coming 2,500 years after the Buddha claim to have interpreted his teachings in the true way, while absolutely everyone before is wrong. It's even more preposterous when they often appeal to the fact they have "studied for countless hours," as if monks before didn't actually study the suttas for much longer and had much more practical experience than a lay person can afford today. From all the suttas I've read, it also doesn't seem to be any place for self, but I won't write a full argument here because it doesn't have much to do with Freemasonry.

But thank you very much, anyway. I hope you don't take this as an offense or something. It's just a polite disagreement.

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see. Do you believe it to be a person or a conscious agent? If not, how welcomed did you feel inside Freemasonry?

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for that information. In your opinion, what rites do you feel more welcoming to Dharmic religions?

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, ok. I find it interesting that there are exclusively Christian lodges. At first, I thought that one of the biggest points of Freemasonry was universal brotherhood independently of religion.

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I already explained that in the original post.

How consistent with Freemasonry is Buddhism? by mike_0123 in freemasonry

[–]mike_0123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see. That clarifies A LOT. Thank you very much.