| In case you didn't see today's Tiger Woods "press | | | | So how does this all apply to the life that Tiger has |
| conference", it was an interesting event to say the | | | | lived up until this moment of desperation. First and |
| least. Tiger came out and definitely spoke from what | | | | foremost, any discussion of the life that Tiger has |
| appeared to be his heart - that is if we can believe | | | | lived must include his enormous charitable foundation |
| him after his lies of the past. While I've heard that he | | | | and the good work that it does to teach children to |
| followed Buddhism that his mom taught him, today | | | | do the right things - it appears he should have been a |
| was the first time I've heard him bring up the topic | | | | student himself. In terms of Tiger's religion, it appears |
| on his own. Until today, I thought Tiger's religion, or | | | | that Tiger has always renounced traditional living as |
| religions, were golf and making money so this new | | | | very few of us know the lifestyle of private jets, |
| religion was interesting to hear from my perspective. | | | | $100 million yachts, and multiple mansions - his lifestyle |
| Obviously Tiger isn't the first athlete to bring up his | | | | is the ULTRA rich lifestyle which seems a departure |
| religion as a means to remove himself from a difficult | | | | from Buddhism. As for becoming "monastic", this is |
| situation. However, he might be the first US athlete | | | | probably the most outrageous part of the religion as |
| to bring up Buddhism as the means to return to | | | | Tiger has made nearly $1 billion and has never lived |
| being a good person. What is Buddism and why does | | | | the life of giving away his fortune and devoting |
| anyone think Tiger Woods religion be important to his | | | | himself to the teaching of the religion. There are |
| salvation? | | | | many religions that have some forms of similar vows |
| Buddism is largely based on teachings attributed to | | | | of "renouncing worldly goods" but Tiger Woods |
| Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the | | | | religion has been capitalism so this seems like an odd |
| Buddha who was a teacher in India during sometime | | | | time to bring it up unless you are trying to get out of |
| between the 4th and 6th centuries. The foundations | | | | trouble through religion as a "marketing" tool. |
| of Buddhist tradition and practice are the Three | | | | What role does Tiger Woods religion play in his life |
| Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and | | | | from now on? Taking out the obvious ways he will |
| the Sangha (the community). Taking "refuge in the | | | | not be a traditional buddist, it appears the opportunity |
| triple gem" has traditionally been a declaration and | | | | lies within being mindful as well as showing devotion |
| commitment to being on the Buddhist path and in | | | | to his family - wife specifically. Meditation is probably |
| general distinguishes a Buddhist from a non-Buddhist. | | | | something that Tiger has already practiced as |
| Other practices may include renouncing conventional | | | | evidenced by the calm he shows on the golf course |
| living and becoming a monastic, support of the | | | | in pressure situations. What this all comes down to is |
| monastic community, meditation, cultivation of | | | | Tiger sorry for getting caught or will Tiger's religion |
| mindfulness and wisdom, study of scriptures, physical | | | | be a path to becoming a better person. Only time will |
| exercises, devotion and ceremonies. Buddism is | | | | tell, as Tiger's wife told him, so this episode will only |
| estimated to be the world's 4th largest religion behind | | | | be the first chapter of a new life's work and I hope |
| Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. | | | | that he can do the right thing. |