Gamblers are certain because of ignorance and craving and dogmatism.Originally posted by casino_king:If I put a video camera and record down what I am doing, there is evidence. As for past and future lives, there is no evidence but you still believe.
You see, when I studied gambling and gamblers, I realise that gambling and religion are 2 sides of the same coin.
You should listen to the way gamblers talk. They are so certain about certain things even though there is simply no evidence for it. You try to tell them about probabilities and the mathematical certainty of losing to the casino but do they listen? No, they trust their own beliefs. Sounds familiar?
Evident scientifically? Well let me tell you, if there is strong evidence against reincarnation and karma, which there ISNT yet, then Buddhists should stop believing in reincarnation and karma, that is according to the Dalai Lama.Originally posted by casino_king:Like I said many times, if what you say is evident, then there will be much evidence for it and there is no need to argue about it. Nobody educated and in their right mind will argue that the sun revolves around the earth and it is quite pointless to pray to the moon.
Same as above.Originally posted by casino_king:This is what I mean. There is no evidence of past and future lives but you make decisions based on the beliefs anyway. Why not just make your decisions based on reality? Once you start making decisions based not on logic and reality, then you go off tangent without even knowing it.
If you are illiterate and uneducated, I can see that because you cannot make good decisions, it might be better to based your decisions on beliefs rather than logic. But you people here are sufficiently educated and yet you cling on to beliefs systems that was developed all those years ago when life was completely different from today.
Originally posted by casino_king:you get both positive AND negative result if the cause actions are both positive and negative. given one thing for sure, it don't just dissappear forever.
[b]
Where is the evidence that there is a Law according to Karma? Who makes the decision as to what "punishment" is fair? Who is to judge that my actions deserves punishment or reward? What if I did something and I did not know that my action caused somebody harm but at the same time it did somebody else good.
Well then do I get punished or rewarded for the same action? Who decides? When? This life? Next life? One's children? One's descendents?
Very good you are preaching the dangers of casino gambling. Gambling is condemned by the Buddha. Karma works whether the person believe or not. But it is important not to do good deeds for the sake of getting karma.Originally posted by casino_king:yes cause and effect but not cause and effect that extended from past lives into future lives. There are random occurances that happen and there is no need to attribute it to past lives and previous goodness. Just because somebody wins TOTO does not in anyway reflect on what he has done in his past lives... there is simply no evidence for that and so we discard the concept. Neither will I make decisions in life based on how it will affect my future lives.
That does not mean that I will not try to do good while in this life and die happy. I call myself casino_king because I have taken the chellenge to "preach" the dangers of casino gambling. There is no need to believe that by so doing I will have good karma or go to heaven or whatever.
http://www.jenchen.org.sg/understa.htm
Real merits
Merits are consequences of the non-orignation and non-cessation of the mind. During the Tang Dynasty in ancient China, Emperor Liang Wu-Ti asked the patriarch Bodhidharma, "Venerable One, I have built many monasteries for the well being of the Sangha and I have also performed many virtuous deeds. What merits have I accumulated? Bodhidharma answered, "You have no merits." Why is that so? It is because when Emperor Liang Wu-Ti performed those acts of giving, he was attached to them. Thus, even though he had performed many virtuous deeds, because he had not cultivated the purity of his mind, he did not attain "non-origination and non-cessation". Therefore, his actions can only be considered as cultivation of blessings, not merits. Without liberation there are no merits. On the other hand, when there is liberation, all virtuous deeds will reap merits.
There is also no evidence that there are no aliens; big foot; lockness monster; santa claus; Jesus Christ; God; Johor jungle man; the world will end in 2008... so what do you think?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Evident scientifically? Well let me tell you, if there is strong evidence against reincarnation and karma, which there ISNT yet, then Buddhists should stop believing in reincarnation and karma, that is according to the Dalai Lama.
But the thing is not only is there no scientific evidence against Buddhist tenets, but rather, it often proves what Buddha said, or there is not yet evidences to support what he said.
And finally, Buddha and countless other enlightened saints are prove of the truths that Buddha taught. And you yourself can do that experiment in which the result is called Enlightenment.
Everybody hopes that bad people will get their just desserts. That does not make it so. Anyway everybody dies in the end whether you are good or bad.Originally posted by sinweiy:you get both positive AND negative result if the cause actions are both positive and negative. given one thing for sure, it don't just dissappear forever.
if study science and physic, any energy generated into the surrounding don't just disappear. it goes around and comes around like ripples. for every 'action' there's an opposite and equal reaction.
karma is very complicated flow of mental energy.
it's nature's law. it just IS. nobody created it. we found many formulas in maths. they are also part of this nature's law. not even god or Buddha can over power the nature's law of karma.
this punishment and reward is all in ones minds, sub-consciously. That's why it's very accurate in the punished and reward. when you make people happy , you will also have this feeling of happiness. but if you harm another, you'll have this feeling of guilt. this is a basic understanding of how karma work.
people reap what they sow.
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I do not know how long you have been cultivating so if you have the evidence, please show us!!!!!Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Same as above.
Evident in cultivator's realisations.
Not necessarily scientific evidence.
I believe there was Jesus Christ, of course, he lived 2000 years ago and there is historical prove. I also believe that it is possible to have aliens, I dont know about Johor jungle man, but I do not believe the world will end in 2008 because it is unfounded and unproven or impossible to prove. I dont see uncountable people reach that kind of realisations through meditation.Originally posted by casino_king:There is also no evidence that there are no aliens; big foot; lockness monster; santa claus; Jesus Christ; God; Johor jungle man; the world will end in 2008... so what do you think?
Since there is no evidence that the world will not end in 2008, then lets sell all our posessions and quit our jobs and just enjoy life for the next couple of years before we die?
You do not make decisions based on "there is no evidence" but based on "evidence" and reality.
All these people who claim to be enlightened; you look at them and you see that they are no different from you and me.
Not me. I am still a beginner to Buddhism. But some of the forummers are highly realised. Dont think they will be able to show 'evidences' here or are they willing to. Maybe you have to look for a Buddhist teacher to speak to.Originally posted by casino_king:I do not know how long you have been cultivating so if you have the evidence, please show us!!!!!
Originally posted by casino_king:Yes, I agree, many things can be understood easily in Buddhism. Truths need not be hard to understand... except to those illusioned, like gamblers. But all of us are still illusioned to certain extents.
[b]Some things, many things in Buddhism can be explained using simple logic. There is no need to believe in things where there are no evidence of.
Like the Buddhist concept of "illusions." That glambling is a social event and you spend money to "enjoy" the games is reality. That you can develop techniques and skill to consistently make money from the casino is "illusion."
The reality is that you will most certainly lose all your money to the casino as long as you continue playing, is reality. That you can make a living by winning the casino's money is illusion.Again, Buddhism isn't about superstitions, but its aim is to be liberated and realise the true nature of reality and therefore attain the highest bliss and wisdom.
All these can be calculated and can be logically concluded. To calculate and think through logically is much more superior than to "cultivate" oneself.
Pathological gamblers have chemical imbalances in their brains. It is so much more superior to know that, so one can help the gambler, than to say "good" or "evil" based on 2500 year old teachings.
If you are not educated, well ok since you are incapable of deriving the answer for yourself, but otherwise, it is better that you find it out for yourself based on reality rather than to trust superstitions.
I do not know about you but you seem willing to proceed even without having the required evidence to form the basis for your beliefs.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Again, Buddhism isn't about superstitions, but its aim is to be liberated and realise the true nature of reality and therefore attain the highest bliss and wisdom.
As I have said, Buddhism is not about beliefs and none of it is baseless. Science is proven by experiments, Buddhism is also proven by experiments, only different methods bcos it concerns different aspects. Science is mostly discovering material things out there while Buddhism is more towards discovering our nature of consciousness and nature of reality.Originally posted by casino_king:I do not know about you but you seem willing to proceed even without having the required evidence to form the basis for your beliefs.
I just want to remind you that gamblers especially the problematic ones also have beliefs, very strong beliefs, that are baseless.
I do not see a problem when people choose to do good because of Buddhist beliefs or Christian beliefs as long as they are doing good.
The problem comes when they find difficulties in their own lives or the lives of their loved ones and make decisions on fallacies and imaginations bringing themselves and their loved ones more harm than good. So as for me, I prefer to make my decisions based on reality and educated reasoning.
Do not try to deceive yourself and if you do find the evidence for yourself and not dependent on what your priest or monks or pastor says, do let me know.
Many of my friends have reached certain realisations/enlightenment too. There are just too many people who have attained certain levels of enlightenment and realisation. As I said you can search the net for articles by various practitioners and contemplatives.Originally posted by casino_king:Do not try to deceive yourself and if you do find the evidence for yourself and not dependent on what your priest or monks or pastor says, do let me know.
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
[b]No fanaticism
Of Buddhism alone can it be affirmed it is free from all fanaticism. Its aim being to produce in every man a thorough internal transforming by self-conquest, how can it have recourse to might or money or even persuasion for effecting conversion? The Buddha has only shown the way to salvation, and it is left to each individual to decide for himself if he would follow it.
- Prof. Lakshmi Narasu, "The Essence of Buddhism"[/b]
Fair enough, but you think that you are progressing towards something? What is that something?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Many of my friends have reached certain realisations/enlightenment too. There are just too many people who have attained certain levels of enlightenment and realisation. As I said you can search the net for articles by various practitioners and contemplatives.
Although I have not become enlightened, I also had certain meditative experiences. But these are nothing compared to spiritual enlightenment. And I do not speak of such experiences.
When you realise emptiness and buddha nature, you do not see that you have gained anything at all, because it always IS. If we have expectations and try very hard to reach certain goals, then enlightenment is still very far away. We simply cultivate the dharma, be in the moment, there is no need to seek something. Part of purpose of practise and meditation is to lose our 'wanting' or 'seeking' something. Enlightenment will come naturally.Originally posted by casino_king:Fair enough, but you think that you are progressing towards something? What is that something?
That comes about because you do what exactly? Who decides what is Good conduct or bad conduct?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:When you realise emptiness and buddha nature, you do not see that you have gained anything at all, because it always IS. If we have expectations and try very hard to reach certain goals, then enlightenment is still very far away. We simply cultivate the dharma, be in the moment, there is no need to seek something. Part of purpose of practise and meditation is to lose our 'wanting' or 'seeking' something. Enlightenment will come naturally.
The purpose of learning Buddhism is Â…
1. To distance from suffering and attain happiness.
2. To remove the weeds of in mind and so as to unfold our wisdom and brightness.
3. To unfold our wisdom, seek liberation, practise the Bodhisattva Path and eventually to attain the Supreme Buddhahood.
4. To eradicate our undesirable conduct, maintain our good conduct, and to follow the Bodhisattva path in emulating the practices of the Bodhisattvas.
If it harms no one including yourself it shouldnt be a bad conduct.Originally posted by casino_king:That comes about because you do what exactly? Who decides what is Good conduct or bad conduct?
Very basically:Originally posted by casino_king:That comes about because you do what exactly?
So Buddhists makes up their own mind what is good and what is bad?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:If it harms no one including yourself it shouldnt be a bad conduct.
We should make utmost effort to keep 5 precepts.Originally posted by casino_king:So Buddhists makes up their own mind what is good and what is bad?
Well if it is up to oneself, the answer to the question: What will happen to people who don't believe in Buddhism?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:We should make utmost effort to keep 5 precepts.
But in some cases we must use our wisdom to deal with things.
Buddha calls this Skillful Means.