The goal of Buddhists is enlightenment, become our own Buddha and get off the endless wheel of life.

Some Christians believe they alone are the suppositories of all wisdom?

Even so, when the master spoke to Nicodemus, and said, verily verily (truly truly) I say unto you to reach unto the Kingdom of heaven, ye must be born again!

And allegedly said by a plain speaking man, who went as far to invent analogies in order to not be misrepresented, or misunderstood, rather than one who spoke in riddles, that could only ever confuse a largely illiterate people!

This being so he could have been speaking about reincarnation.

And again when he replied to his followers, this man was not born blind for his sins or the sins of his father, but so God could work in him.

This suggests that both he and his followers believed in reincarnation, given the premise of the question?

He also said, seek ye first the kingdom of heaven within. And how can that be anything but meditation?

And meditation has so many benefits. One can go into it needing to decide what to do or believe, and come out knowing what to do, as why didn't I think of that!

It can help with PTS, and far far better than booze and or endless self harming rage; or taking it out on the very people who mean the most in the world!

Everyone has the ring of truth within them, (the goose bumps you feel when you hear the most beautiful music, see the most enchanting scene or hear words of absolute truth) Know the truth and the truth will set you free!

And you need to meditate to discover yours; rather than be mislead by people who only want to exercise control?

Try it, it can't hurt, but may well help you all the remaining days of your life, regardless of what creed or conviction you CHOOSE to follow.

If we all learned to meditate, we likely end all war, poverty and disadvantage! I kid you not!
Rhrosty.

What a number of folk tend to overlook is that the Buddha was a teacher of facts which he had uncovered.
For this, he is venerated and followed, much as would be a professor in a university.
Both are respected, not worshipped.

'If we all learned to meditate, we likely end all war, poverty and disadvantage! I kid you not!
Rhrosty.'

largely depends what you meditate on Rhrosty. It has certainly led you to some warped interpretations of Jesus words and actions.

the Buddha taught a practice by which each individual could free him- or herself from suffering. He did not found a religion: Buddhism did not develop in India until about 500 years after the Buddha’s passing, at which time his main teaching had been lost there. The religion in many ways departed from his teaching, because it is not possible to fully understand it without practising as he taught.

You say “For a start, its basis lies in the appreciation and understanding of its tenets of psychology and philosophy … It is an ethical and moral compass to guide an individual's actions.” The Buddha taught neither philosophy nor psychology, nor did he teach any tenets, in the sense of beliefs. He taught a way by which each of us could understand reality at the deepest level through our own efforts. If you practice as he taught, then you do not need a moral compass, you develop wisdom and compassion and live a life which is good for you and good for others. Rules of conduct are for those who have not purified themselves, in whom right behaviour is not inherent.

In the Buddha’s teaching, maintaining good sila (avoiding killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lies and intoxicants) is beneficial in itself, but its main value is in quieting the mind so it can develop samadhi, concentration of the mind, which in turn allows the practice of Vipassana, observation with detachment of reality as it manifests itself within each one of us from moment to moment. It is this practice which purifies us of past conditionings and leads to the development of wisdom, and ultimately enlightenment.

You say that “In Australia this particular group ... has created ways by which our communities can be helped practically by providing Buddhist cultural information about customs, language, by creating and sustaining charities, and assisting the understanding of philosophy, psychology, and spirituality.” Okay, but if you practice Vipassana your base for whatever you do will be much deeper and stronger. The Buddha said “Distribute the Dhamma by making an example of your own pure way of life.”

ConservativeHippie wrote:

"All teachings are there for the taking but not all are suitable for everyone. Each has to pick and choose what makes the most sense to them and then find their own Path."

Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha all subscribe to what I think are delusional systems. They all maintain there is a noumenal world beyond the phenomenal one we can perceive either through our senses or instruments. My Path is to be kind and question all authority. God, gods, the afterlife, heaven and hell are all creations of the human imagination and have no existence other than in the human mind.

Dear Faustino,

It is true that Buddhism as we know it somewhat diverted from the original teachings of the Buddha, but to that extent which it diverted it is no longer a religion, or Dhamma (Dharma), but a culture.

Just because the spiritually-advanced no longer need a moral compass, does not devalue its importance for the masses. While Buddha taught religion to the highest students, there is nothing wrong in also providing beginner classes.

Dear David,

<<They all maintain there is a noumenal world beyond the phenomenal one>>

Another world? No thanks - this world is already one too many!

"Buddha" literally means the "awakened", the one who successfully awoke from the nightmare of this world, who no longer suffers under its spell - not in order to find himself in another!