Well, I haven't interviewed any lay-Buddhists about what they personally hold to be true. I'm talking about the actual Buddhist philosophy, which I have been studying under a very knowledgeable, respected professor (the texts we used were copies he had translated into english from the sanskrit himself, etc). (the following is not directed at you, Pikachu. I don't know what you believe) There are many professed Christians who maintain heretical views, fully contrary to the teachings of the faith. I'm sure the same is true of all belief systems, including Buddhism. There is also non-heretical disagreement among different sects. But there are fundamental beliefs that all hold to, which unite them in their common faith. One of these in Buddhism is the doctrine of Non-Self. That is, there is no part of 'me' that is 'me.'
I can say more, if you like. Indeed, I'd love to discuss Buddhism with you. I'm curious what the Buddhists on this board believe.
is what you were saying that we are all the one hand, just wearing different gloves, as it were? interesting. That sounds to me (if I understood you correctly) less a Buddhist belief and more one from one of the other Indian schools (I think advaita vedanta) which teaches there is only really the one thing, the Unmanifest, from which we are all 'evolved' (nothing to do with darwinian evolution) as manifestations of.
Side note, this is similar to the system suggested by Baruch Spinoza, a Western Philosopher, who thought there was only the one real substance, God, and we were all simply modes of God.
