Hi, I saw you on the theistic satanism community. I love learning about buddhism, can you tell me how it interacts with theistic satanism for you?
Hello, thank you for your question! I will preface this by saying, I am still very much a student of both faiths (and hopefully will continue to see myself as such until the end of my days), but I will do my best to convey how Buddhism and theistic Satanism interact in my life. This is also likely going to be VERY crash-course and simplified.
The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism are that suffering (dukkha) exists in this world. Samudaya is understanding the truth of suffering comes from attachments, whether they be attachments of desire (I want/need this and won't be happy without it) or attachments of rejection (I don't want this and won't be happy until it's gone). Suffering also arises from incorrect mental states (anger, ignorance, and greed) and incorrect actions (killing, stealing, lying, poisoning the body, sexual misconduct). We can end our suffering by eradicating our attachments, and by understanding that all states are transitory and nothing is permanent. We can attain this enlightenment (Nirvana) through following a spiritual path of rigorous self-examination through meditation and mindful living.
Satanism, while deeply personal to all who practice it, generally promotes a life of radical individualism. Some take this to mean they are "free to do whatever they want" under Satan's banner. The way I was taught Buddhism, this is very parallel to the false notion that we are "free" when we pursue the things we think will bring us pleasure and happiness. And these things may bring fulfilment to Satanists who believe this one life is all there is--I am not saying they are wrong to believe this, but as a Buddhist I do not believe death is any more permanent than life. Satanists interpreting "do what thou wilt" to mean "I can do whatever I want, whenever I want" I feel are missing the point. If one's actions create further suffering for others, is that true freedom? I don't believe so.
In a nutshell, Satanism gives me the permission to be my most authentic self, and Buddhism keeps me examining what that authentic self truly is. Satanism taught me that everything I feel is valid, while Buddhism tempered that validation into wisdom that not everything I feel is truth. When I feel anger or sadness, Buddhism helps me examine those emotions to understand where they really come from. For example, I can get extremely angry when I think about the state of the world and my country, but being Buddhist allows me to take a step back and understand that my real anger comes from feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Then Satanism drives me to action; I can temper my anger into something useful, like activism. It may not be much, but it allows me to detach from my anger.
Satanism says "be thyself"; Buddhism says "know thyself".
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