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I like the way you think. Do you mind if I probe a bit further? You keep saying that:
"This has to be lost because it is completely about physical existence. Ultimately there is no difference between matter (physical existence) and mind (experience). "
I don't subscribe to this dualistic view. Consciousness and form are intertwined. Buddhists believe that even inorganic objects have consciousness.
I think that our "personal agendas" cannot be destroyed. That's why I believe in past life regressions. It's all in our DNA, which in turn is more than just amino acids.
You say rejoice while the pain lasts? why?
Originally posted by DangerDeath
What is not created is knowledge, the force, the metaphysical, nirvana, the incomprehensible - our experience. Think of it as of a "quantum package". It is an energy charge, the only thing that cannot be deconstructed and against which we cannot possibly go, because we would be in denial. This energy package is what is always there and you can attach another physical existence to it, for as long as it lasts - another life. When this life passes, what is left is again this energy package, hopefully enlarged by additional experience.
Once this experience becomes the experience of totality of ourselves, the awakened one (Buddha) or Arahat, is no more a subject to involuntary rebirth. It is all up to him now whether he will stay in the state of nirvana (absolutely detached and unaffected by ideas and emotions) or keep existing in present human form within the boundaries of Samsara.
In Buddhism this latter is the concept of Bodhisattva, the enlightened one who refuses to enter into nirvana because he deems to be obliged to help others to reach enlightenment.
The motivation for Bodhisattva, who is detached by definition, must be provided by those who are in need of help, or else he will stay indifferent.
The concept of Bodhisattva clearly indicates the understanding that we are "all one", that we are interconnected (when I say we I mean all sentient beings, even all living beings). So Bodhisattva has to be around until all Universe is delivered from suffering (ignorance).
Please understand that in Buddhism life is the direct result of ignorance. Buddha is not about saving life (life is not sacred in that respect). Buddha is about saving from life, by saving from ignorance.
Originally posted by DangerDeath
reply to post by Mr Green
Being alone is not the same as being lonely
Lonely is a feeling, and guess what, it is a feeling of self pity
We are all alone, and that's why we are One and the Same
We share everything as the Awakened One.
Originally posted by cindymars
If I am not mistaken...isn't it a goal (so to speak) in Buddhusm to get off the wheel of reincarnation like SS Naga said. To reach the point of NO karma,not bad karma not good karma so you have no reason to reincarnate?
Also to be in the center of the swing in the pendulem.
Like headlightone as I read more and more on the ways of Buddhism I find it has some truth for me. However this goes (I think) in direct opposition to what SS,Naga says, he says we should not re incarnate as this only slows down all reaching the one. I think we are an energy packages, we are not our DNA and we are not our bodies. Ive read before about the Bodhisattva, and find this concept fascinating. To give up so much to bring on others like that is a truely selfless act.
Originally posted by skeptic_al
reply to post by headlightone
If one person believes Jedi is a religeon, they're a nut job
If two people believe Jedi is a religeon, they're crazy
If a Dozen people believe Jedi is a Religeon, that's a cult
If a Million people believe the Jedi thing, it's a religeon
Originally posted by cindymars
If I am not mistaken...isn't it a goal (so to speak) in Buddhusm to get off the wheel of reincarnation like SS Naga said. To reach the point of NO karma,not bad karma not good karma so you have no reason to reincarnate?
Also to be in the center of the swing in the pendulem.
not bad karma not good karma so you have no reason to reincarnate?
Originally posted by Nichiren
reply to post by DangerDeath
I politely disagree with you and I'm not sure you understood what I was trying to get at. But that's my failure ...
I'm a Nichiren Buddhist and have stated that we have many different schools of thought in Buddhism. You seem to know a lot of Buddhist jargon, but I'm always a bit sceptic when somebody tries to speak for all of Buddhism. Which Buddhist school do you follow?
Originally posted by DangerDeath
Originally posted by Nichiren
reply to post by DangerDeath
I politely disagree with you and I'm not sure you understood what I was trying to get at. But that's my failure ...
I'm a Nichiren Buddhist and have stated that we have many different schools of thought in Buddhism. You seem to know a lot of Buddhist jargon, but I'm always a bit sceptic when somebody tries to speak for all of Buddhism. Which Buddhist school do you follow?
Theravada, that is, Orthodox Buddhism relying on original Buddha's Sutras.
I am also familiar with Chan or Zen Buddhism, and especially appreciate Lin Chi and Hui Neng contribution to Buddhism. And Bashoo. And Suzuki. And many others.
You are free to give your own explanation.
Come and see
Theravada (Pāli: थेरवाद theravāda (cf Sanskrit: स्थविरवाद sthaviravāda); literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India. It is relatively conservative, and generally closest to early Buddhism,[1] and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[2]) and most of continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand). It is also practiced by minorities in parts of southwest China (by the Shan and Tai ethnic groups), Vietnam (by the Khmer Krom), Bangladesh (by the ethnic groups of Baruas, Chakma, and Magh), Malaysia and Indonesia, whilst recently gaining popularity in Singapore and the Western World. Today Theravada Buddhists number over 100 million worldwide, and in recent decades Theravada has begun to take root in the West and in the Buddhist revival in India.
Originally posted by skeptic_al
If one person believes Jedi is a religion, they're a nut job
If two people believe Jedi is a religion, they're crazy
If a dozen people believe Jedi is a religion, that's a cult
If a million people believe the Jedi thing, it's a religion
Once you reach the religion status the organization doesn't have to
pay tax. The problem is going from 12 to a million.
reply to post by headlightone
If one person believes Jedi is a religeon, they're a nut job
If two people believe Jedi is a religeon, they're crazy
If a Dozen people believe Jedi is a Religeon, that's a cult
If a Million people believe the Jedi thing, it's a religeon
Once you reach the Religeon status the Organisation doesn't have to
pay tax. The problem is going from 12 to a million.
Originally posted by violet
Some are able to leave but won't leave out of fear that's been instilled in them. It's like an inivisible fence, the followers are taught not to go outside of the boundaries. I recall watching a documentary, and journalists joined a group under cover to secretly tape what was going on, and at one point the journalist was finding it difficult to stay on task. She admitted she was beginning to fall for all that the leader was preaching.
[edit on 4-3-2009 by violet]