Recycled Universe: Theory Could Solve Cosmic Mystery
-
Furthermore, Buddhism is not God-centered but HUMANITY-centered, in that we are concerned about the real, living problems of humanity, and the Buddha provided a way for all humans to be liberated from all sufferings and vexations in this very lifetime and experience the Highest Bliss of Nirvana.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:What I meant is, godlike is irrelevant at all in regard to Buddha. -
Indeed..Originally posted by neutral_onliner:Buddhism gives due credit to man's intelligence and effort for his achievements rather than to supernatural beings. True religion means faith in the good of man rather than faith in unknown forces. In that respect, The Buddha taught that what man needs for his happiness is not a religion with a mass of dogmas and theories but knowledge of the cosmic nature and its relationship to the law of cause and effect.
Btw we respect Buddha oso cause he free our mind from a curse which has been ensalving our human mind for centuries tat's the illusion that salvation can be obtain by surrendering our dignities as human ,begging ,asking for forgiveness,bribery(be obedience in order to gain something) thru the so-called gods.To us no practice could be more humiliating or degrading to man thru such practises.Such salvation is not any self-respecting man would care to get.
Rather buddha made us reliase that man is supreme, a master of his own destiny, it follows that he must also be responsible for his own action and inaction.
"No one saves us but ourselves,
No one can and no one may.
We ourselves must walk the path,
But Buddhas clearly show the way". -- Dp 165
Pls read Uniqueness of buddhism
http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=185088 -
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Indeed..
Buddhism is a philosophy isn't it.?. just as religious people tried to be
''like Buddha''' so that's still is '''buddha-likeness''' a form of exalted humanity which commanded reverence or respect...I call it ''godlikeness'' or another way of trying to be supernatural by own achievements...
no need to beat around the bush, lah! hehehe!!!
The next time a monk come to me for alms...I will buy him some bowls of good tasting Chinese porridge to bring back.. BTW it's not halal < favored with sweet minced pork.. Do U ever tasted nice porridge be4?
-
In a way it can be considered a science of the mind and we can all follow the Buddha's teachings and directions and see for ourselves - the result of what is known as enlightenment.Originally posted by norey: Buddhism is a philosophy isn't it.?. just as religious people tried to be
''like Buddha''' so that's still is '''buddha-likeness''' a form of exalted humanity which commanded reverence or respect...I call it ''godlikeness'' or another way of trying to be supernatural by own achievements... no need to beat around the bush, lah! hehehe!!! [/quote]
Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy - that is quite a topic of debate but my views is that Buddhism is neither a religion nor a philosophy because Buddhism cannot be rightly put into these two catergories.
I have already explained previously why Buddhism cannot be considered a religion, and now I will explain why Buddhism is also not just a philosophy.Ven. Jue-Hsing
Therefore as you can see Buddhism isn't a bunch of intellectual theories - the truths that Buddha realised is not derived by discursive thoughts and they are not theories - but by clear SEEING what things really are, the nature of existence. The path of awakening may be the best way to describe Buddhism.
A scholar once asked, "Buddhism seems a great theory, and I find it useful. Is Buddhism a Philosophy?"
"Master Shen-Kai once said 'Buddhism is not Philosophy but beyond Philosophy,'" I replied.
"Why so?" The scholar asked.
"Philosophy is a system of thoughts based upon logical reasoning." I answered. "However, Buddhism is about realizing truths while detaching from thoughts."Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
The Perfect One is free from any theory, for the Perfect One has understood what the body is, and how it arises, and passes away. He has understood what feeling is, and how it arises, and passes away. He has understood what perception is, and how it arises, and passes away. He has understood what the mental formations are, and how they arise, and pass away. He has understood what consciousness is, and how it arises, and passes away.
Therefore, I say, the Perfect One has won complete deliverance through the extinction, fading away, disappearance, rejection, and getting rid of all opinions and conjectures, of all inclination to the vainglory of I and mine.
- Majjhima Nikaya, 72
------------------
[quote]The next time a monk come to me for alms...I will buy him some bowls of good tasting Chinese porridge to bring back.. BTW it's not halal < favored with sweet minced pork.. Do U ever tasted nice porridge be4?Hmm... depends on which monks. Thai/sri lankan monks belonging to Theravada traditions will accept your Chinese porridge, but not in Chinese Mahayana tradition who observes a vegetarian diet. -
The goal of Buddhists is not about anything supernatural - but to be liberated from all vexations and sufferings, to achieve the state of pure mind free from all defilements, and to be awakened to the nature of things - to see it as they truely are.Originally posted by norey:I call it ''godlikeness'' or another way of trying to be supernatural by own achievements...
Furthermore another reason why I said that godlike is irrelevant to Buddhism is because, 'godlike' figures usually demand authority and faith and holds a higher status than all other beings who will not be able to achieve what he has achieved:Kalama Sutra
See the full version of the Kalama Sutra which is a very valuable read: http://www.buddhistinformation.com/the_kalama_sutra.htm
"Rely not on the teacher/person, but on the teaching. Rely not on the words of the teaching, but on the
spirit of the words. Rely not on theory, but on experience.Do not believe in anything simply because you
have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do
not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is
written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and
elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is
conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
- the Buddha -
What about the poor monks from Myammar or Tibet?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Hmm... depends on which monks. Thai/sri lankan monks belonging to Theravada traditions will accept your Chinese porridge, but not in Chinese Mahayana tradition who observes a vegetarian diet.
-
Myanmar also belongs to the Theravada tradition so they also do not follow vegetarian diet. Tibet - depends, not too sure, some do follow vegetarian diet while some others don't, I think.Originally posted by norey:What about the poor monks from Myammar or Tibet? -
Initially, it may appear confusing that the Theravada eat meat, the Chinese Mahayanists do not and the Tibetans, who practice the Vajrayana, do. This difference in practice depends on the different emphasis of each tradition: the emphasis of the Theravadin teaching is to eliminate attachment toward sense objects and to cease the discriminating mind that says, "I like this and not that." Thus, when the monks go out on alms round, they are to accept silently and with gratitude whatever is offered to them, be it meat or not. It would not only offend the benefactors but would also harm a monkÂ’s own practice of detachment, if he said, "I cannot eat meat, so give me more of those delicious vegetables." Thus, provided that the meat comes from an animal that the monk neither orders to be killed, nor sees, hears or suspects is killed to give him the meat, he is permitted to eat it. However, it is wise for those who make offerings to remember that the principal premise of Buddhism is not to harm others, and to choose what they offer accordingly.Originally posted by norey:What about the poor monks from Myammar or Tibet?
Upon the foundation of detachment, compassion for other beings is emphasized, especially in the Mahayana tradition. Thus, for such a practitioner it is advisable not to eat meat to avoid inflicting pain on any being and to prevent potential butchers from committing negative actions. Also, because of the vibration of meat, it can impede an ordinary practitioner from developing great compassion. Therefore, vegetarianism is recommended.
The tantric path or Vajrayana has four classes. In the lower classes, external cleanliness and purity are emphasized as a technique for the practitioners to generate internal purity of mind. Therefore, these practitioners do not eat meat, which is regarded as impure. On the other hand, in the highest yoga tantra, on the basis of detachment and compassion, a qualified practitioner does meditation on the subtle nervous system, and for this, oneÂ’s bodily elements need to be very strong. Thus, meat is recommended for such a person. Also, this class of tantra stresses the transformation of ordinary objects through meditation on selflessness. Such a practitioner, by virtue of his/her profound meditation, is not greedily eating meat for his/her own pleasure.
In Tibet, there is an additional factor to consider: due to the high altitude and harsh climate, there is little to eat besides ground barley, dairy products and meat. To stay alive, the people have to eat meat. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has encouraged those Tibetans in exile, who now live in countries where vegetables and fruits are more plentiful, to refrain from eating meat whenever possible. Also, if a practitioner has severe problems with his/her health due to not eating meat, then the master may give permission to take it. Thus, each person must check his/her own level of practice and bodily requirements and eat accordingly.
The fact that there is such variety within the Buddhist doctrine attests to the BuddhaÂ’s skill in being able to guide people according to their dispositions and needs. It is extremely important not to be partial and sectarian, but to have respect for all the traditions and their practitioners. -
== Some people spent ''a lifetime'' to find such answers==
When I was a young fellow of about seven years old I remembered looking into the deep blue skies and wondered about some of the questions our great scientists are still looking for. I am not that smart like Einstein who dreamed of sunbeams traveling into the blue beyond and came out with his mathematical ''mind'' formula ofEnergy equal to the Mass multiply by C, the velocity to the ''square root'' of 2; or The Great Isaac Newton when an lucky apple came down upon his hard head then suddenly he came out with the theory of gravityBTW, What is life ? Does anyone know, yes the true purpose of life, and what's this: expanse or universe they called? Who am I really ME my identity? Moreover, why am I here?
*At the end of his life when the great Einstein had nothing to fall upon and he returned to his old belief in Judaism, a religion too! Newton was a Christian. I am a Christian too, but the story of my faith had been a long road all the way from Singapore to Canada and around the world looking for some of those answers! I went to enrolled with Bible institutions and colleges to study about my faith. I had been very diligent to find those answers myself. I read the fine print too about the Bible and Christianity
*The Great Buddha was a sincere seeker too, and he founded a great religion after his great awakening..however, I reckon he could ''never'' resolve those questions. His great ideas of "rebirth" reincarnation was not unlike the Big Bang theory or Einstein idea of the expanding universe! All of these great thinkers were pantheistic in their philosophy. The Chinese idea of contentment "sacred life" are wonderful [[idea]]s. Still at the conclusion he commented "life is an illusion ''
They said Einstein and Buddha had a lot in common! Check out on the Internet on '''Pantheism'''..
*Confucius was a great thinker, and dealing with the metaphysics he avoided the issue with one statement: ''If you cannot do well in life why wonder with death.. !'' ThatÂ’ll.. Yes Buddha was for a great thinker.
For me I find comfort and rest in the Ultimate authority from the words of God in the Bible and from the only authority who overcomed death with life and that's for me is in terms of eternal reality too!
Jesus: I am the Way,the Truth and the Life, no man cometh to the Father by by Me..and if he just die, the story would be different, but I believe he arose from the death to prove that there is a life herafter.. -
AMiTaBha.
Actually, the Dharma did mention about "Yi4 Shi2 Dun4 Xian4" and other spectacular stuffs, very similar to Big Bang theory, Object technology, IT hardware theory, Newton's law etc.
Only in recent years, I've begin to realise that the Dharma is so complete without boundary. It is indeed "Bo Da Jin Shen".
Also it is perfectly fine for Einstein and other great scientists belonging to other faiths. Afterall, religion is just a label. I do not see any problem with this. Spiritual traditions should be inclusive.
But for me, the I follow this rule - "Bending my faith to fit the facts and not bending the facts to fit my faith". Everyone has the rights to choose what one wants to believe in. -
Originally posted by alien2:
I am not aware of Albert Einstein returning to his old Judaist faith at the end of his life, his idea of God is very different from the usual Christians as I am sure you would have been aware of. His idea of God was along the line of 'Spinoza' and you can say that albert einstein also holds certain pantheistic ideas.
== Some people spent ''a lifetime'' to find such answers==
When I was a young fellow of about seven years old I remembered looking into the deep blue skies and wondered about some of the questions our great scientists are still looking for. I am not that smart like Einstein who dreamed of sunbeams traveling into the blue beyond and came out with his mathematical ''mind'' formula ofEnergy equal to the Mass multiply by C, the velocity to the ''square root'' of 2; or The Great Isaac Newton when an lucky apple came down upon his hard head then suddenly he came out with the theory of gravityBTW, What is life ? Does anyone know, yes the true purpose of life, and what's this: expanse or universe they called? Who am I really ME my identity? Moreover, [b]why am I here?
*At the end of his life when the great Einstein had nothing to fall upon and he returned to his old belief in Judaism, a religion too! Newton was a Christian. I am a Christian too, but the story of my faith had been a long road all the way from Singapore to Canada and around the world looking for some of those answers! I went to enrolled with Bible institutions and colleges to study about my faith. I had been very diligent to find those answers myself. I read the fine print too about the Bible and Christianity
*The Great Buddha was a sincere seeker too, and he founded a great religion after his great awakening..however, I reckon he could ''never'' resolve those questions. His great ideas of "rebirth" reincarnation was not unlike the Big Bang theory or Einstein idea of the expanding universe! All of these great thinkers were pantheistic in their philosophy. The Chinese idea of contentment "sacred life" are wonderful [[idea]]s. Still at the conclusion he commented "life is an illusion ''
They said Einstein and Buddha had a lot in common! Check out on the Internet on '''Pantheism'''..
*Confucius was a great thinker, and dealing with the metaphysics he avoided the issue with one statement: ''If you cannot do well in life why wonder with death.. !'' ThatÂ’ll.. Yes Buddha was for a great thinker.
For me I find comfort and rest in the Ultimate authority from the words of God in the Bible and from the only authority who overcomed death with life and that's for me is in terms of eternal reality too!
Jesus: I am the Way,the Truth and the Life, no man cometh to the Father by by Me..and if he just die, the story would be different, but I believe he arose from the death to prove that there is a life herafter..
[/b]
Also, it is wrong to say Buddhism is pantheistic because pantheism implies equating a particular Deity with the entire universe. In this case, Hinduism would be close to pantheism. Buddhism is not pantheism as we do not worship deities or anyone including the Buddha. A Buddha is simply a great teacher and an example to us, and we all aim to be awakened/enlightened like him. As such, Buddhism isn't considered as a religion in a sense.
And Buddha also explained clearly all the questions you asked.
Also regarding 'life is an illusion', in Buddhism life is LIKE an illusion, not necessarily IS illusion. It is illusory - dream-like - until we have awakened from our ignorance and delusions - and from then, freed from all sufferings, vexations, living in a state of complete and perfect Bliss even in this lifetime.
----
Secondly pls see the post I just replied to norey and also read the Kalama Sutra in full:
The goal of Buddhists is not about anything supernatural - but to be liberated from all vexations and sufferings, to achieve the state of pure mind free from all defilements, and to be awakened to the nature of things - to see it as they truely are.
Furthermore another reason why I said that godlike is irrelevant to Buddhism is because, 'godlike' figures usually demand authority and faith and holds a higher status than all other beings who will not be able to achieve what he has achieved:Kalama Sutra
See the full version of the Kalama Sutra which is a very valuable read: http://www.buddhistinformation.com/the_kalama_sutra.htm
"Rely not on the teacher/person, but on the teaching. Rely not on the words of the teaching, but on the
spirit of the words. Rely not on theory, but on experience.Do not believe in anything simply because you
have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do
not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is
written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and
elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is
conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
- the Buddha -
Originally posted by alien2:
Most Buddhists have a great respect for Jesus Christ and His teachings
== Some people spent ''a lifetime'' to find such answers==
When I was a young fellow of about seven years old I remembered looking into the deep blue skies and wondered about some of the questions our great scientists are still looking for. I am not that smart like Einstein who dreamed of sunbeams traveling into the blue beyond and came out with his mathematical ''mind'' formula ofEnergy equal to the Mass multiply by C, the velocity to the ''square root'' of 2; or The Great Isaac Newton when an lucky apple came down upon his hard head then suddenly he came out with the theory of gravityBTW, What is life ? Does anyone know, yes the true purpose of life, and what's this: expanse or universe they called? Who am I really ME my identity? Moreover, [b]why am I here?
*At the end of his life when the great Einstein had nothing to fall upon and he returned to his old belief in Judaism, a religion too! Newton was a Christian. I am a Christian too, but the story of my faith had been a long road all the way from Singapore to Canada and around the world looking for some of those answers! I went to enrolled with Bible institutions and colleges to study about my faith. I had been very diligent to find those answers myself. I read the fine print too about the Bible and Christianity
*The Great Buddha was a sincere seeker too, and he founded a great religion after his great awakening..however, I reckon he could ''never'' resolve those questions. His great ideas of "rebirth" reincarnation was not unlike the Big Bang theory or Einstein idea of the expanding universe! All of these great thinkers were pantheistic in their philosophy. The Chinese idea of contentment "sacred life" are wonderful [[idea]]s. Still at the conclusion he commented "life is an illusion ''
They said Einstein and Buddha had a lot in common! Check out on the Internet on '''Pantheism'''..
*Confucius was a great thinker, and dealing with the metaphysics he avoided the issue with one statement: ''If you cannot do well in life why wonder with death.. !'' ThatÂ’ll.. Yes Buddha was for a great thinker.
For me I find comfort and rest in the Ultimate authority from the words of God in the Bible and from the only authority who overcomed death with life and that's for me is in terms of eternal reality too!
Jesus: I am the Way,the Truth and the Life, no man cometh to the Father by by Me..and if he just die, the story would be different, but I believe he arose from the death to prove that there is a life herafter..
[/b]
However, one of the main problems that Buddhists find with Christianity is that its philosophical basis is weak. Many of its fundamental tenets, such as the doctrine of Original Sin, have their origins in a literal interpretation of Genesis, and are completely at variance with scientific evidence.
Christianity is thus unable to mount a convincing defense against materialism.In contrast, Buddhism is a robust and consistent philosophical system which does not suffer from internal logical contradictions. Nor does Buddhism make claims which are at variance with biological, geological and cosmological reality.For me I find comfort and rest in the Ultimate authority from the words of God in the Bible and from the only authority who overcomed death with life and that's for me is in terms of eternal reality too!
ok...i'm happy for u -
Thank all my Buddhist friends, and this kind of communication is Great ..I do enjoy it just as much as the pleasure is both ways!
Perhaps it is a great misunderstanding among so many followers of your religion especially when you reminded me of what Buddhism is about in the following statement copied from one the moderators here:
Quote:Also, it is wrong to say Buddhism is pantheistic because pantheism implies equating a particular Deity with the entire universe. In this case, Hinduism would be close to pantheism. Buddhism is not pantheism as we do not worship deities or anyone including the Buddha. .A Buddha is simply a great teacher and an example to us, and we all aim to be awakened/enlightened like him. As such, Buddhism isn't considered as a religion in a sense
Would anyone here agreed and narrowed down
Buddhism to a philosophy as taught by a great Teacher or just another great faith
-
Let me try to give you some insights because the Buddhist here do not seem to understand this themselves.Originally posted by alien2:Thank all my Buddhist friends, and this kind of communication is Great ..I do enjoy it just as much as the pleasure is both ways!
Perhaps it is a great misunderstanding among so many followers of your religion especially when you reminded me of what Buddhism is about in the following statement copied from one the moderators here:
Quote:Also, it is wrong to say Buddhism is pantheistic because pantheism implies equating a particular Deity with the entire universe. In this case, Hinduism would be close to pantheism. Buddhism is not pantheism as we do not worship deities or anyone including the Buddha. .A Buddha is simply a great teacher and an example to us, and we all aim to be awakened/enlightened like him. As such, Buddhism isn't considered as a religion in a sense
Would anyone here agreed and narrowed down
Buddhism to a philosophy as taught by a great Teacher or just another great faith
Do Buddhists believe in Gods? Yes but...
Do Buddhists believe that there is no God? Yes but...
Does Buddha have God-like powers? Yes but...
Is apple an orange? Yes but..
Are apples and oranges different? Yes but...
If you understand what the "buts" in Buddhism refers to; you understand Buddhism.
So your question: and narrowed down Buddhism to a philosophy as taught by a great Teacher or just another great faith
I know that there are 2 different questions in there and for both questions, the answers are both.... YES BUT... -
Originally posted by casino_king:
No, actually it's about 'neither yes or no'. the Middle way.
Let me try to give you some insights because the Buddhist here do not seem to understand this themselves.
Do Buddhists believe in Gods? Yes but...
Do Buddhists believe that there is no God? Yes but...
Does Buddha have God-like powers? Yes but...
Is apple an orange? Yes but..
Are apples and oranges different? Yes but...
If you understand what the "buts" in Buddhism refers to; you understand Buddhism.
So your question: [b]and narrowed down Buddhism to a philosophy as taught by a great Teacher or just another great faith
I know that there are 2 different questions in there and for both questions, the answers are both.... YES BUT...[/b]
/\ -
Most humans want a defininte answer, not neither yes or no.Originally posted by sinweiy:No, actually it's about 'neither yes or no'. the Middle way.
/\
If they cannot get a definite answer, then the next best thing that they can accept is the best of the alternatives.
After so long in BWB today is the first day that I get to hear you talk about "the Middle way." Why is that? -
Yes Buddhists believe that there exist Gods. But the existence of Gods is IRRELAVANT because one can only help oneself.
Yes Buddhist believe that there is no almighty, because if there is one, our world would not be in such a chaotic state. In fact, Karma better describe the world conditions, at least for me.
Buddha cannot help those without the affinity with Him and definitely cannot help those who do not want to help themselves. So in this sense, such a God-like power never exist. If there is REALLY such power, a lot of natural disaster would NOT have happened, a lot of lives would NOT have been lost and victimised by both natural and human errors.
I don't understand you about Apple and Orange?
Lovely.Originally posted by casino_king:
Let me try to give you some insights because the Buddhist here do not seem to understand this themselves.
Do Buddhists believe in Gods? Yes but...
Do Buddhists believe that there is no God? Yes but...
Does Buddha have God-like powers? Yes but...
Is apple an orange? Yes but..
Are apples and oranges different? Yes but...
If you understand what the "buts" in Buddhism refers to; you understand Buddhism.
So your question: [b]and narrowed down Buddhism to a philosophy as taught by a great Teacher or just another great faith
I know that there are 2 different questions in there and for both questions, the answers are both.... YES BUT...[/b] -
The answer it is irrelevant is not a satisfying answer. There is a better answer.Originally posted by concerned_man:Yes Buddhists believe that there exist Gods. But the existence of Gods is IRRELAVANT because one can only help oneself.
Yes Buddhist believe that there is no almighty, because if there is one, our world would not be in such a chaotic state. In fact, Karma better describe the world conditions, at least for me.
Buddha cannot help those without the affinity with Him and definitely cannot help those who do not want to help themselves. So in this sense, such a God-like power never exist. If there is REALLY such power, a lot of natural disaster would NOT have happened, a lot of lives would NOT have been lost and victimised by both natural and human errors.
I don't understand you about Apple and Orange? Lovely.
As for your asking me to explain the apple and orange part; the better way is for you to work it out for yourself, then instead of saying : "
I don't understand you about Apple and Orange?" you say: "Is this what you mean when you talked about apples and oranges?"
You see in Buddhism, nobody teaches anybody and everybody realises it for himself. That is why you mainly have parables and examples instead of answers. Answers are for seekers to guide them while they find the answers for themselves. Those who know the answers ask the questions. -
The Goodness sense in Buddhism, at a higher level, is not the comparative "Good" and bad. It breaks away from the law of opposite polarity.
The world (Samsara) which we are residing now is not in a perfect good state because there exist both opposite polarities in everything we do. Good and bad strikes together.
You can only understand this with deep examination and reflection. Some people in the west, not Buddhist, are also realising about this.Originally posted by casino_king:Most humans want a defininte answer, not neither yes or no.
If they cannot get a definite answer, then the next best thing that they can accept is the best of the alternatives.
After so long in BWB today is the first day that I get to hear you talk about "the Middle way." Why is that? -
The answer is already in other posting and threads.
You have answered your question yourself - "the better way is for you to work it out for yourself, then instead of saying".Originally posted by casino_king:The answer it is irrelevant is not a satisfying answer. There is a better answer.
As for your asking me to explain the apple and orange part; the better way is for you to work it out for yourself, then instead of saying : "
I don't understand you about Apple and Orange?" you say: "Is this what you mean when you talked about apples and oranges?"
You see in Buddhism, nobody teaches anybody and everybody realises it for himself. That is why you mainly have parables and examples instead of answers. Answers are for seekers to guide them while they find the answers for themselves. Those who know the answers ask the questions. -
What does Buddha teach about compassion?Originally posted by concerned_man:The Goodness sense in Buddhism, at a higher level, is not the comparative "Good" and bad. It is breaks away from the law of opposite polarity.
The world (Samsara) which we are residing now is not in a perfect good state because there exist both opposite polarities in everything we do. Good and bad strikes together.
You can only understand this with deep examination and reflection. Some people in the west, not Buddhist, are also realising about this. -
CK asked:What does Buddha teach about compassion?Originally posted by casino_king:What does Buddha teach about compassion?
QUOTEOf course all good Buddhist have great compassion for unquote..
So may I say taht the TRUE buddhist do not eat meat and don't kill..that's is practicising compassion at the BEST for msot people here and those who do will likely be re-born into such lower life.
I am born in the year of the Doggie and I am a faithful door keeper for my familyand jsut for the illustration here:
Sometime I feel like a bird and being all cagey and caged up and cooped in a HDB..ther is so much green open countryside in England, Canada and USA...
Some years ago, I lived like the donkey When I consider the grass was green I wanna go there and then I paused...and think again,
Back in the Orient the grass may not be so green but it's green all year around! Lucky I didn't die of starvation because eventually I came back to live in the great Island of Paradise! hehehehe!
Then I tried to horse around as a driver I mean a Taxicab driver..that was too much work so I quited after they wanna ME to upgrademy brains? heheheh? I e the brains of Frankinstei or Einsten.s why ME again to go back to classes to keep my taxicab driver's license. it really was an insult to my lower IQ and slaughtered my poorer EQ!
i,e. >lowest animal< a doggie LOR> Emotional Quotation...
Then every nite I used to dream awake, literally I meant I can dream and meditate just like when the great Buddha did..so I thought be4 I must have destined to be GREAT! I wanna be born again as a Saint or God at least next life..so I read the Bible for instructions...Plse don't be bored by me...
Buddhism have great compassion for all lives...including my one little soul
lost among a thousand billions of souls!
However just one questionto settle be$ I get re-converted to Buddhism...
Was Buddha a great Man with a oxymoronic mind
Or are we all morons and don't really understand real Buddhism?
Quote from above:Originally posted by casino_king:
oxymoronic mind No, actually it's about 'neither yes or no'. the Middle way.
Let me try to give you some insights because the Buddhist here do not seem to understand this themselves.
Do Buddhists believe in Gods? Yes but...
Do Buddhists believe that there is no God? Yes but...oxymoronic mind <
Does Buddha have God-like powers? Yes but...oxymoronic mind <
Is apple an orange? Yes but..
Are apples and oranges different? Yes but...oxymoronic mind <
If you understand what the "buts" in Buddhism refers to; you understand Buddhism.
So your question: [b]and narrowed down Buddhism to a philosophy as taught by a great Teacher or just another great faith
I know that there are 2 different questions in there and for both questions, the answers are both.... YES BUT...[/b]
/\ -
Originally posted by casino_king:
why?
Most humans want a defininte answer, not neither yes or no.
If they cannot get a definite answer, then the next best thing that they can accept is the best of the alternatives.
After so long in BWB today is the first day that I get to hear you talk about "the Middle way." Why is that?[/b] becos i Am APPLYing the Middle Way. if one can't accept a non-defininte answer, use a defininte answer first. have to treat the illness of the mind accordingly, to lead one into realisation.
the 'middle way' is actually hidden in the texts posted, not shining out only, as one's mind is too focus on a small part of the picture, not seeing the bigger pic.
The Middle Way or Middle Path is the Buddhist philosophy expounded by Gautama Buddha. Sometimes summarised as the practice of non-extremism; a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and opposing self-mortification. It however would be more accurate to see it as another name for the Noble Eightfold Path.
"The middle way discovered by a Perfect One avoids both these extremes; it gives vision, it gives knowledge, and it leads to peace, to direct acquaintance, to discovery, to nibbana. And what is that middle way? It is simply the noble eightfold path, that is to say, right view, right intention; right speech, right action, right livelihood; right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. That is the middle way discovered by a Perfect One, which gives vision, which gives knowledge, and which leads to peace, to direct acquaintance, to discovery, to nibbana." Gautama Buddha from the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_way
/\ -
Originally posted by sinweiy:
I forgot all about the Middle Path teaching I learnt in Thailand until I was comtemplating on the Form is Emptiness statement last night and it came to me that the correct application of the Form is Emptiness teaching is Middle Way! Then coincidently you mentioned it today, of all days.
why? becos i Am APPLYing the Middle Way. if one can't accept a non-defininte answer, use a defininte answer first. have to treat the illness of the mind accordingly, to lead one into realisation.
the 'middle way' is actually hidden in the texts posted, not shining out only, as one's mind is too focus on a small part of the picture, not seeing the bigger pic.
The Middle Way or Middle Path is the Buddhist philosophy expounded by Gautama Buddha. Sometimes summarised as the practice of non-extremism; a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and opposing self-mortification. It however would be more accurate to see it as another name for the[b] Noble Eightfold Path.
"The middle way discovered by a Perfect One avoids both these extremes; it gives vision, it gives knowledge, and it leads to peace, to direct acquaintance, to discovery, to nibbana. And what is that middle way? It is simply the noble eightfold path, that is to say, right view, right intention; right speech, right action, right livelihood; right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. That is the middle way discovered by a Perfect One, which gives vision, which gives knowledge, and which leads to peace, to direct acquaintance, to discovery, to nibbana." Gautama Buddha from the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_way
/\
[/b]
-
Originally posted by sinweiy:
okey I understands..thks
why? becos i Am APPLYing the Middle Way. if one can't accept a non-defininte answer, use a defininte answer first. have to treat the illness of the mind accordingly, to lead one into realisation.
the 'middle way' is actually hidden in the texts posted, not shining out only, as one's mind is too focus on a small part of the picture, not seeing the bigger pic.
The Middle Way or Middle Path is the Buddhist philosophy expounded by Gautama Buddha. Sometimes summarised as the practice of non-extremism; a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and opposing self-mortification. It however would be more accurate to see it as another name for the[b] Noble Eightfold Path.
"The middle way discovered by a Perfect One avoids both these extremes; it gives vision, it gives knowledge, and it leads to peace, to direct acquaintance, to discovery, to nibbana. And what is that middle way? It is simply the noble eightfold path, that is to say, right view, right intention; right speech, right action, right livelihood; right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. That is the middle way discovered by a Perfect One, which gives vision, which gives knowledge, and which leads to peace, to direct acquaintance, to discovery, to nibbana." Gautama Buddha from the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_way
/\
[/b]
No fuzzy logic here, no Madhyamika
>>>>therefore lead to nothingness? non=existence...reality non-reality?
such ideas are great but the
bottomline still
unclear when the Perfect One is God? No-god?
Let's admit beyond the third dimension U don't know! I don't really know for sure either does he the Perfect One?
really He knows? or....>>>>
>>Buddha claimed to know...but does he evidently knows ?
It's all a great belief...as much as reality there is in the Middle Way?
I rest my case, thank your all for attention!
In between two choices two ways
I rest my faith in my Savior Jesus the Lord of life, and my life too, and if he's ever lie to me, he is just isn't really what he claimed to be : God incarnated. the Man who came and was really God in all aspects though human, the Perfect One..God cannot be God and lie...
Let your case rest too, it's being a long discussion, and thanks a lot!
my own article here : http://www.sgwiki.com/wiki/Incarnation