Venerable's question left me dumbfounded...
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Then again, I ask you how difficult is it for a chance to be reborn as a human in this samsaric world just to practice Buddhism?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:I don't see any contradictions.
BTW, Samsara is literally known as the "world of suffering" so how can we find comfort and hope? -
Rare. So we must cherish our opportunity to learn and practice dharma as a human being so that we can liberate from samsara. But this is not the same at all as finding hope and comfort in samsara. If you are too comfortable with samsara, you will not practice.Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:Then again, I ask you how difficult is it for a chance to be reborn as a human in this samsaric world just to practice Buddhism? -
hey AEN, why you even bother to reply??Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Buddhists do NOT find comfort and hope in samsaric rebirth. -
Actually it's very rare to be reborn as a human again and yet have the chance to encounter the dharma. Even after you get the chance to encounter the dharma, you might not be able to believe and practise it.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Rare. So we must cherish our opportunity to learn and practice dharma as a human being so that we can liberate from samsara. But this is not the same at all as finding hope and comfort in samsara. If you are too comfortable with samsara, you will not practice.
The rarity of all this is described by the Buddha, which I shall not quote here, cos I think it's best left unsaid at the moment. -
So AEN finds the view of being damned straight to Avanci Hell for all eternity without recourse, hopeful or comforting? In Buddhism, it is this hopeful and comforting possibility of samsaric rebirth that all beings strive for so all can be lead to enlightenment. It is also a hope and comfort to Buddhists to be able to practice in a samsaric world for it allows them to futher understand the mental state and practice of Buddha. For AEN, please enjoy Avanci Hell if you so like it and thank you for purposefully misundertanding my postings.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Rare. So we must cherish our opportunity to learn and practice dharma as a human being so that we can liberate from samsara. But this is not the same at all as finding hope and comfort in samsara. If you are too comfortable with samsara, you will not practice. -
Yah AEN why bother? All your words will be twisted by the troll anyway... He reads not what you write but what he wishes you to write.Originally posted by jacqn:hey AEN, why you even bother to reply?? -
For the sake of not letting false understandings spread in a public forum.Originally posted by Beyond Religion:Yah AEN why bother? All your words will be twisted by the troll anyway... He reads not what you write but what he wishes you to write. -
Obviously you have not understood what I mean. Samsara can never be a 'comfort zone' for a true practitioner. The body is merely a tool for cultivation. Birth in human realm is important but one must never find 'comfort' (i.e become attached) in any samsara realm -- even the pleasures in heaven. So a Buddhist does not only not find comfort in Avici hell, but he should not get stuck/find comfort even in the pleasures of heaven. Ultimately all Buddhists hope to transcend the influence of samsara.Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:So AEN finds the view of being damned straight to Avanci Hell for all eternity without recourse, hopeful or comforting? In Buddhism, it is this hopeful and comforting possibility of samsaric rebirth that all beings strive for so all can be lead to enlightenment. It is also a hope and comfort to Buddhists to be able to practice in a samsaric world for it allows them to futher understand the mental state and practice of Buddha. For AEN, please enjoy Avanci Hell if you so like it and thank you for purposefully misundertanding my postings. -
Totally agreeOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Obviously you have not understood what I mean. Samsara can never be a 'comfort zone' for a true practitioner. The body is merely a tool for cultivation. Birth in human realm is important but one must never find 'comfort' (i.e become attached) in any samsara realm -- even the pleasures in heaven. So a Buddhist does not only not find comfort in Avici hell, but he should not get stuck/find comfort even in the pleasures of heaven. Ultimately all Buddhists hope to transcend the influence of samsara.
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Who is twisting who's words?Originally posted by Beyond Religion:Yah AEN why bother? All your words will be twisted by the troll anyway... He reads not what you write but what he wishes you to write.
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But AEN claims that samsaric rebirth leaves one in a comfort zone and one must not be attached to comfort and hope in living in this life. However, my statement is that the Buddhist notion of being actually reborned in the samsaric realm and thus able to cultivate one's character and thought processes is both comforting and full of hope. So far, the scientific world at large does not and has not accept that the notion of rebirth as true.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Obviously you have not understood what I mean. Samsara can never be a 'comfort zone' for a true practitioner. The body is merely a tool for cultivation. Birth in human realm is important but one must never find 'comfort' (i.e become attached) in any samsara realm -- even the pleasures in heaven. So a Buddhist does not only not find comfort in Avici hell, but he should not get stuck/find comfort even in the pleasures of heaven. Ultimately all Buddhists hope to transcend the influence of samsara. -
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
There, twisting my words again. I said samsara can NEVER be a comfort zone for a true practitioner.
But AEN claims that samsaric rebirth leaves one in a comfort zone and one must not be attached to comfort and hope in living in this life.However, my statement is that the Buddhist notion of being actually reborned in the samsaric realm and thus able to cultivate one's character and thought processes is both comforting and full of hope. So far, the scientific world at large does not and has not accept that the notion of rebirth as true.
This is not the same at all as finding comfort in samsara. It is only when we are still stuck in samsara, then the best rebirth is human realm because at least we can continue practice. We have 'no choice' so to speak. This has nothing at all to do with finding comfort in rebirth.
Next, majority doesn't accept rebirth doesn't mean the evidence and proof is not out there. Even when proof is out there, few would accept it due to dogmatism and narrow mindedness. -
Actually I enjoy reading AEN replies or rebuttal. Very useful n informative ( at times very humorous as well ).Originally posted by Beyond Religion:Yah AEN why bother? All your words will be twisted by the troll anyway... He reads not what you write but what he wishes you to write.
Tks HZ !
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Then why worry about the practitioner? The practitioner must come to their own realization of not being in a comfort zone. For me, even avanci hell is a comfortable place to practice enlightenment if I do believe in Buddhism.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:There, twisting my words again. I said samsara can NEVER be a comfort zone for a true practitioner. -
Everyone is twisting words becoz "Dharma ending age" is in SINGAPOREOriginally posted by Herzog_Zwei:Who is twisting who's words? 
Face reality and stop selling "sutra" for a living in singapore
edit: icchantika must face reality and stop twisting his words to sell "sutra" for a living here...can -
Huh. no lah. Buddhist also practise on loving-kindness, compassionate, sympathetic joy and equanimity [ the four immeasurables ]Originally posted by Spnw07:I wish to add a point of my own: Difference in manner of interaction among/with fellow religious members.
If you ask a fellow Buddhist to show you love, they will say to you: "Don't be clingy, don't blame others for not showing you love. Your greed for love will lead you to misery. If you want love, go practise loving-metta meditation." After saying that, they will most probably leave you alone to understand/contemplate with your own 'wisdom'.
If you ask a fellow Christian to show you love, they will say to you: "How can I make you feel better, how can I make you feel loved?" They will start by giving you a little hug, expressing their observations of you, listing out both good and bad points, but focuses on your good points.
Don't sterotype all buddhist will behave like this. A buddhist who possess skillful means will explain to u in a way where one will understand. Yeh and we also care too. Probably we lack the skills and wisdom to help u understand too.
There is a difference between Christian and Buddhist metta. Well, i did discuss it with a friend and this is what we conclude: Buddhist's metta does not differentiate anyone. It includes all sentient beings: human, animals, insects, ghosts etc while Christian's metta mostly conveyed to human beings. Btw Christian's metta is definitely strong.
Let me share a story. This story was told by my meditation teacher. There is a story about my teacher's teacher who had also practised metta meditation for years. One day, he was brought to a buddhist bookshop by a layperson.While he was sitting in the bookshop to read the books. A woman stranger came up to him and asked if she can sat with him. The venerable agreed. After an hour, this stranger stood up and thank the venerable. She told the venerable that she hadn't been feeling well and when she saw him, she had felt very comfortable with his presence. After the woman had left, this venerable explained that it is due to his metta meditation practise for years that helped to soothe the woman's mind. Perhaps this might seem unbelievable to some.
There is a reason why metta is one of the immeasurable = cannot be measured cos metta in buddhism does not limit to any sentient beings.. Btw Metta meditation is really good. Did u try it before?? -
I think what attracts young people to christianity is the instant community and sense of belonging that comes from being part of a church. The church provides a way of life that is definite (black and white, good and evil, etc), it tries to give a reason for living/existence, provides comfort and also friends. The whole being saved and going to heaven thing is also a rather atttactive proposition I guess.
My question would be "why do christians still want to convert Catholics?" Hahaha.. no prizes for guessing that I have been a target of many zealous christians who tell me they need to save me. -
Sell sutra? I tell Buddhists not to live in a lie.Originally posted by Ser~pent:Everyone is twisting words becoz "Dharma ending age" is in SINGAPORE
Face reality and stop selling "sutra" for a living in singapore -
I might add that the Christians' metta is directed not to human beings at large, but human beings who are also Christians, or human beings who are potential targets for conversion.Originally posted by Isis:There is a difference between Christian and Buddhist metta. Well, i did discuss it with a friend and this is what we conclude: Buddhist's metta does not differentiate anyone. It includes all sentient beings: human, animals, insects, ghosts etc while Christian's metta mostly conveyed to human beings. Btw Christian's metta is definitely strong. -
Bro, seeing the way you have been twisting AEN's words (or putting words in AEN's mouth outright), I think it is you who live in a lie.Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:Sell sutra? I tell Buddhists not to live in a lie. -
Who is selling "sutra"?Originally posted by Ser~pent:Everyone is twisting words becoz "Dharma ending age" is in SINGAPORE
Face reality and stop selling "sutra" for a living in singapore -
Isnt this a buddhism forum ? Believers of buddhism or interested forumers to learn more just participate in this forum , non-believers why even bother to ' participate ' or write in this forum ? Nothing will result , except frustration that buddhism is ' faulty ' and why do pple still believe in it ?Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:So far, the scientific world at large does not and has not accept that the notion of rebirth as true. -
I am curious why not many pple accept the buddhism version of rebirth ?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Next, majority doesn't accept rebirth doesn't mean the evidence and proof is not out there. Even when proof is out there, few would accept it due to dogmatism and narrow mindedness. -
Bullshi.t. You didn't even spell avici correctly.Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:Then why worry about the practitioner? The practitioner must come to their own realization of not being in a comfort zone. For me, even avanci hell is a comfortable place to practice enlightenment if I do believe in Buddhism. -
As I have mentioned above -- narrow mindedness, dogmatism, being the main reasons. And also not giving a damn.Originally posted by knightlll:I am curious why not many pple accept the buddhism version of rebirth ?