> Hello all.. I just started reading this confrence and am interested in the
 > workings of the Buddhist practices etc.. I have done some reading about it
 > but not sure if I have a clear picture of it.. lemme see if I am right so
 > far

Hi there!  I've been studying Buddhism for about 20 years now, my
practices being in Japanese Pure Land Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu) and
Tibetan Nyingmapa.  I have done some readings in Zen over that time
as well.

 > 1. belives in reincarnation

Reincarnation is something only the very accomplished masters manage
-- folks like the Dalai Lama and Kalu Rimpoche and those of that
calibre who are basically Bodhisattvas putting off their own
parinirvanas in order to remain here in Samsara to act as guideposts
to the rest of us.  For us still- slogging-through-Samsara folks,
Buddhism teaches a process known as "Rebirth" -- in which it is the
karmic potential we all accumulate throughout a lifetime which moves
forward into the next life and *not* an intact "soul" per se.

 > 2. spiritual enlightenment can be reached only through haveing
 > the mind and body as one.

Mind and body already *are* one.  Enlightenment is reached when all
thoughts of "this" and "other" are extinguished.

 > 3.  Non-violent, pacifist standpoint

Yup.  But there's a *reason* for it, not just a requirement for blind
obedience to the concept of non-violence.  Through taming and
understanding the nature of the mind, and through thorough and
painstaking introspection into knowing ourselves without leaning on
illusions, then anger, hostility and violence become non-options.

 > 4. priactiing meditation relieves one of stress and other unwanted things,
 > enabling the mind to focus properly..

One practices meditation because through meditation one both tames
and liberates the mind.  In the process of coming to understand the
nature of existence, stress is naturally relieved.  One also comes to
adopt a very altruistic attitude toward the rest of all existence.

 > Am I close in my understanding so far??

Not bad for a beginner...

Namast‚!

Marlyn


... Since the universe is curved, there can be no truly straight answers.