so buddha is some dude who is born into the upper crust of society.
.decides it's not the way to go..sets out to "find the way"..then makes "the way" known to others who have "lost the way". .same old story repeated by christ...though with buddha he could always go back to the rich life if looking for "the way" did not pan out...and he lived to a ripe old age! ..however where was christ going to go?...nailed to a cross. .i actually prefer the teachings of christ as he did suffer. .not preach about "oh all life is suffering"..get over it... and search for "the way"... christ/ buddha... both teach... "i am the way" and edgar......... i thought you were hard and fast atheist..? what attracted you to zen buddhism? merle http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm
