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Post by maxdprophet on Jan 11, 2017 11:19:06 GMT -5
From another forum, a thread entitled "Who is it who suffers?" - starts out asking: "Is it right to say that the one who suffers is the mentally and emotionally constructed "I"? And if the "I" dissolves then there is no one left to suffer? Also, is it safe to laugh at anyone who is angry with me, knowing it is only their inflamed sense of self that believes it is angry?" So far, it's a one-pager and the next to the last post said something helpful in understanding this stuff to me, anyway: "Understanding emptiness teachings isn't about undermining or denying the world, rather its more about undermining our view of the world. Our innate perception (misperception) of the world and ourselves is that there are solid, independent things. It's like an optical illusion, we can understand intellectually that the illusion is there but we still see the false picture. This misperception is said to be the root of our suffering, so by uprooting it we uproot all our mental afflictions in one fell swoop and without uprooting it our afflictions have a place to grow back from. Often left out of explanations is what is called the object of negation. Like above the object being negated isn't the world, it's our perception of the world." sounds good -- glad to hear you're finding sense somewhere.
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Post by silver on Jan 11, 2017 13:38:39 GMT -5
From another forum, a thread entitled "Who is it who suffers?" - starts out asking: "Is it right to say that the one who suffers is the mentally and emotionally constructed "I"? And if the "I" dissolves then there is no one left to suffer? Also, is it safe to laugh at anyone who is angry with me, knowing it is only their inflamed sense of self that believes it is angry?" So far, it's a one-pager and the next to the last post said something helpful in understanding this stuff to me, anyway: "Understanding emptiness teachings isn't about undermining or denying the world, rather its more about undermining our view of the world. Our innate perception (misperception) of the world and ourselves is that there are solid, independent things. It's like an optical illusion, we can understand intellectually that the illusion is there but we still see the false picture. This misperception is said to be the root of our suffering, so by uprooting it we uproot all our mental afflictions in one fell swoop and without uprooting it our afflictions have a place to grow back from. Often left out of explanations is what is called the object of negation. Like above the object being negated isn't the world, it's our perception of the world." sounds good -- glad to hear you're finding sense somewhere. Detours aren't always the inconvenience they seem like.
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Post by sanghadassa on Jan 24, 2017 4:12:44 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I am adding a reflection on this thread. It is a response to an article in Tricycle Magazine that gave an explanation of 'karma' - as found in the early discourses of the Buddha.>>> It is always an eye opener how the early strata of the teachings varies from later accounts. I once heard a Tibetan teaching on karma where it stated that the killing of an animal would lead to an extended stay in hell - the time period spent suffering varied according to the number of hairs on the animals body. As a deterrent to acts of cruelty it may serve a purpose but it seemed a little strange to me. Who was counting the hairs? The assistants of Yama - the lord of death - I suppose!
I don't really understand the teaching from above: "if they didn’t believe in karma and rebirth, they tended to create bad karma that led to the suffering of bad rebirths." This may go either way as far as I can see? We know from the teachings that the last mind-moment is said to be important. If a state of anxiety arose in the mind-stream just before we cease, if there was a lot of worry about regrettable happenings in our life that we felt guilty about - what then?
If we held a belief in rebirth this may lead to difficulties at the time of death - with unpleasant results. I am not sure that 'fear' of painful repercussions for misdeeds should be used as a goad to good behaviour? I understand how it works in the criminal justice system - with mixed results. This 'carrot and stick' approach could be used as a way to manipulate people - be good or suffer the consequences! That is not a nice thing to do to people who may be struggling to maintain their equilibrium.
I believe we need to make good choices because we see it is the right thing to do. I cannot see how a liberating Dharma could arise through conformity to a norm based on a belief in an afterlife - that is taken on faith and not on direct experience. The Buddha shares with us the way to obtain direct experience of his teachings - including rebirth. The proof of the pudding is in the eating!
When we do honestly understand that we are doing the wrong thing and do it anyway we are inviting trouble. I hope that most of us are sensitive enough to have some insight into skillful and unskillful intentions and actions. Though most of us struggle with the force of habit and difficult circumstances - that requires a lot of patience, kindness and, understanding.
We are not encouraged by the Buddha to accept his teachings blindly - we must question everything in order to understand the sublime and subtle Dharma. The Buddha taught that we should avoid following blindly - teachers and their teaching - this includes the Buddha. We cannot know for sure the realizations of others - when we are still in the process of learning ourselves?
There is no way of fully understanding the deeper aspects of the Dharma until we see (directly) for ourselves? We can have confidence based on direct experience that our practice is of benefit - or otherwise - that is all? If we use this as our inspiration and motivation our peace and clarity should unfold naturally. As a consequence, the validity of the teachings should arise without the need to rely on the reports of authority figures within the Sangha.
I don't see the need for working hypotheses regarding things we are unable to understand through analyzing the data we have at our disposal. I do see the sense in a willful suspension of disbelief as a consequence of knowing what we do not know - for sure! An open mind and a desire to learn are beautiful aspects of the inner life that we need to recognize and treasure. These priceless jewels along with the association of the kind and wise is something to celebrate. What we discover - if it is truly liberating - is always a surprise!
"Therefore, be ye lamps unto yourselves, be a refuge to yourselves. Hold fast to Truth as a lamp; hold fast to the truth as a refuge. Look not for a refuge in anyone beside yourselves. And those, who shall be a lamp unto themselves, shall betake themselves to no external refuge, but holding fast to the Truth as their lamp, and holding fast to the Truth as their refuge, they shall reach the topmost height." - the Buddha
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Post by silver on Mar 3, 2017 14:50:50 GMT -5
It's been a while since posting anything here...haven't forgotten. On another thread of mine I recently said that my son's death is like 'my' koan. When I first thought of that a handful of days ago, I thought well, that fits rather nicely into how I feel about it now. It's not me slipping a cog (well maybe just a little at first); it's not just that 1,000-yard stare. Saying that it's my koan seems spot-on. Happy birthday, my dear Sean.
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Post by silver on Mar 3, 2017 14:53:11 GMT -5
I came here to share this excerpt from an article - so here 'tis. "This is heavy going (deals with abuse): www.tarabrach.com/articles-interviews/trauma/but is the sort of thing that might be useful from a Buddhist therapist ... Within the Theravada Buddhist tradition, mindfulness of the body is the foundation of practice. Various schools of Mahayana Buddhism also place great importance on body consciousness. Several Mahayana scriptures insist that “the body itself is bodhi (awakening).” One tantric song says, “Here in this body are the sacred rivers: here are the sun and moon, as well as all the pilgrimage places. I have not encountered another temple as blissful as my own body.” The Japanese Zen tradition has also stressed the importance of the conscious participation of the body in practice. Zen Master Dogen dissolved the dualism when he wrote that “mindfulness of the body is the body’s mindfulness.” mettarefuge.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/why-buddhist-practice-is-deeply-rooted-in-mindfulness-of-the-body/" I don't always have the time / energy to read all the links, but I consider the source.
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Post by silver on Mar 5, 2017 16:30:37 GMT -5
Someone on another forum said this is what they follow: Chinese Two Truths Doctrine:
"In Chinese Buddhism, the Madhyamaka position is accepted and the two truths refer to two ontological truths. Reality exists of two levels, a relative level and an absolute level.[2] Based on their understanding of the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra, the Chinese supposed that the teaching of the Buddha-nature was, as stated by that sutra, the final Buddhist teaching, and that there is an essential truth above sunyata and the two truths.[3]
The śūnyatā doctrine is an attempt to show that it is neither proper nor strictly justifiable to regard any metaphysical system as absolutely valid. It doesn't lead to nihilism but strikes a middle course between excessive naivete and excessive scepticism.[1]"
Sounds good to me...
From Wikipedia of course.
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Post by silver on Mar 24, 2017 12:12:43 GMT -5
A little yt video for the day (about 15 minutes or so):
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Post by silver on Mar 27, 2017 10:40:14 GMT -5
~ttttttttttttttttt~
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Post by silver on May 7, 2017 16:30:23 GMT -5
UNUNUNU NUNU NUNUNU NUNN UOOO
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Post by stardustpilgrim on May 8, 2017 15:45:03 GMT -5
It's been a while since posting anything here...haven't forgotten. On another thread of mine I recently said that my son's death is like 'my' koan. When I first thought of that a handful of days ago, I thought well, that fits rather nicely into how I feel about it now. It's not me slipping a cog (well maybe just a little at first); it's not just that 1,000-yard stare. Saying that it's my koan seems spot-on. Happy birthday, my dear Sean. My father's death was weird, he died March 18, 2017, he was 88. There were many different factors, 6-8 without counting them up, over three months. (poor circulation, heart, kidneys, bedsore on lower back, bedsore on foot, fluid build-up/congestive heart failure, right leg amputation, that's just off the top of my head. Oh, pain of course, and drugs to stop the pain. Loss of appetite). Any one or two things alone and he would have lived longer. All combined in this short time finally killed him. Previously, I wouldn't think one could will oneself to live (he didn't want to die, especially leave my mother), or then give up and decide to die. I really think one day he was fighting (the 17th) and then next day he gave up fighting, and decided to die. I guess the weirdness is all that happening...
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Post by silver on May 9, 2017 9:54:00 GMT -5
It's been a while since posting anything here...haven't forgotten. On another thread of mine I recently said that my son's death is like 'my' koan. When I first thought of that a handful of days ago, I thought well, that fits rather nicely into how I feel about it now. It's not me slipping a cog (well maybe just a little at first); it's not just that 1,000-yard stare. Saying that it's my koan seems spot-on. Happy birthday, my dear Sean. My father's death was weird, he died March 18, 2017, he was 88. There were many different factors, 6-8 without counting them up, over three months. (poor circulation, heart, kidneys, bedsore on lower back, bedsore on foot, fluid build-up/congestive heart failure, right leg amputation, that's just off the top of my head. Oh, pain of course, and drugs to stop the pain. Loss of appetite). Any one or two things alone and he would have lived longer. All combined in this short time finally killed him. Previously, I wouldn't think one could will oneself to live (he didn't want to die, especially leave my mother), or then give up and decide to die. I really think one day he was fighting (the 17th) and then next day he gave up fighting, and decided to die. I guess the weirdness is all that happening... I was gonna ask why you thought it weird - besides 'all that happening' - Did you feel his death was 'off' because he had been okay for a long time in recent times? I do think it's a matter of how one looks at 'intention' in matters such as this (health and related things). It's clear to me, anyway that no matter our 'will', our physical status can cross over and suck us into the danger zone. Well, no matter - 88 is a ripe old age for anyone - something to be proud of - if that makes any sense.
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Post by stardustpilgrim on May 9, 2017 13:47:52 GMT -5
My father's death was weird, he died March 18, 2017, he was 88. There were many different factors, 6-8 without counting them up, over three months. (poor circulation, heart, kidneys, bedsore on lower back, bedsore on foot, fluid build-up/congestive heart failure, right leg amputation, that's just off the top of my head. Oh, pain of course, and drugs to stop the pain. Loss of appetite). Any one or two things alone and he would have lived longer. All combined in this short time finally killed him. Previously, I wouldn't think one could will oneself to live (he didn't want to die, especially leave my mother), or then give up and decide to die. I really think one day he was fighting (the 17th) and then next day he gave up fighting, and decided to die. I guess the weirdness is all that happening... I was gonna ask why you thought it weird - besides 'all that happening' - Did you feel his death was 'off' because he had been okay for a long time in recent times? I do think it's a matter of how one looks at 'intention' in matters such as this (health and related things). It's clear to me, anyway that no matter our 'will', our physical status can cross over and suck us into the danger zone. Well, no matter - 88 is a ripe old age for anyone - something to be proud of - if that makes any sense. Weird means he didn't have to die. Weird means s**t happens. Weird means that if everybody involved had done their job properly (me and my sister included) he would not have died, yet. But his hospital doctor after seeing him for one day, and reading his history, told me, "Your father will be dead within six months to one year". (That was about two weeks+ before he died). And this doctor did everything he possibly could to help Daddy. But yes, for him, he had a long full life. ....A lot of it too was that he did not take care of his body the last 30 years of his life, and he wouldn't let other people help him take care of his body.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2017 13:55:36 GMT -5
My father's death was weird, he died March 18, 2017, he was 88. There were many different factors, 6-8 without counting them up, over three months. (poor circulation, heart, kidneys, bedsore on lower back, bedsore on foot, fluid build-up/congestive heart failure, right leg amputation, that's just off the top of my head. Oh, pain of course, and drugs to stop the pain. Loss of appetite). Any one or two things alone and he would have lived longer. All combined in this short time finally killed him. Previously, I wouldn't think one could will oneself to live (he didn't want to die, especially leave my mother), or then give up and decide to die. I really think one day he was fighting (the 17th) and then next day he gave up fighting, and decided to die. I guess the weirdness is all that happening... I was gonna ask why you thought it weird - besides 'all that happening' - Did you feel his death was 'off' because he had been okay for a long time in recent times? I do think it's a matter of how one looks at 'intention' in matters such as this (health and related things). It's clear to me, anyway that no matter our 'will', our physical status can cross over and suck us into the danger zone. Well, no matter - 88 is a ripe old age for anyone - something to be proud of - if that makes any sense. Yeah. 88 is a remarkable age. And there would have been very few 88 year olds around when Pilgrim's Daddy was a little boy.
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Post by silver on Jul 11, 2017 11:26:27 GMT -5
Up from the dregs
Love yourself and be awake - Today, tomorrow, always. First establish yourself in the way Then teach others,
And so defeat sorrow. To straighten the crooked You must first do a harder thing - Straighten yourself.
You are your only master. Who else? Subdue yourself, And discover your master.
from the DHAMMAPADA
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Post by silver on Jul 14, 2017 7:22:20 GMT -5
HUOHUOHUO Bodhisattva Prayer for Humanity May I be a guard for those who need protection A guide for those on the path A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood May I be a lamp in the darkness A resting place for the weary A healing medicine for all who are sick A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles And for the boundless multitudes of living beings May I bring sustenance and awakening Enduring like the earth and sky Until all beings are freed from sorrow And all are awakened. Shantideva, Indian Buddhist sage 700 A.D. Prayer performed each morning by His Holiness the Dalai Lama www.worldhealingprayers.com/3.html
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