Why Create Us?

[Resha Caner]

It would be of value, but of a far lesser degree than meeting Christ himself.

Where is it going? I see many books (Bible included) that are far, far removed from the time of Christ, which means they are of little worth in terms of knowledge, generally speaking.

You seem to state that as a general principle. As such, it seems to say the Buddhism you practice is not the practice of Buddha. In general, knowledge just disappears from the world, then. Why is there any knowledge left?

 

[renniks]

Nope. I'd think that the potential scope of a perfected Human Being is much more than doing no wrong.

Since no one reaches even that goal, I can't imagine what you are referring to.

 

[dlamberth]

Since no one reaches even that goal, I can't imagine what you are referring to.

Well, look at Human Beings. We have senses, awareness, consciousness, thoughts, feelings...all sorts of things that make us Human. Wouldn't those also come into play for a perfected Human Being?

 

[ananda]

You seem to state that as a general principle. As such, it seems to say the Buddhism you practice is not the practice of Buddha.

What is the practice of Buddha, then?

In general, knowledge just disappears from the world, then. Why is there any knowledge left?

Knowledge is ever present in the world & the laws governing the world around us. It is the human communication of information that is flawed.

 

[Resha Caner]

What is the practice of Buddha, then?

No idea. Apparently no one knows.

Knowledge is ever present in the world & the laws governing the world around us.

And you know that … how?

 

[ananda]

No idea. Apparently no one knows.

I follow what I consider the Buddha's practice.

And you know that … how?

Personal experience.

 

[Resha Caner]

I follow what I consider the Buddha's practice.

Personal experience.

So, in the end, it's really just you and what you can do.

 

[ananda]

So, in the end, it's really just you and what you can do.

Is it not the case for all of us?

 

[Resha Caner]

It's the case for all of us.

No. I recognize my limitations and depend upon what others add to my experience. That's why I know your way doesn't work. I tried to do it all myself. It works much better when others are involved.

 

[ananda]

No. I recognize my limitations and depend upon what others add to my experience. That's why I know your way doesn't work. I tried to do it all myself. It works much better when others are involved.

"In the end" don't you yourself decide and judge how others may or may not add to your experience?

 

[Resha Caner]

"In the end" don't you yourself decide and judge how others may or may not add to your experience?

Not always. Before the age of about 13 I never willingly went to church. My father decided for me. So maybe I'm just a brainwashed automaton. Some here would love to establish that as the case.

But I'll not argue your point any further than that because it doesn't matter. The end wouldn't be the same without the existence of others, and so others deserve credit (at least in part) for the end. I acknowledge that.

 

[dlamberth]

No. I recognize my limitations and depend upon what others add to my experience. That's why I know your way doesn't work. I tried to do it all myself. It works much better when others are involved.

Often others provide a mirror that lets us see what we're doing. It's still up to each of us to make the change. No one else can do it for us.

 

[ananda]

Not always. Before the age of about 13 I never willingly went to church. My father decided for me. So maybe I'm just a brainwashed automaton. Some here would love to establish that as the case.

But I'll not argue your point any further than that because it doesn't matter. The end wouldn't be the same without the existence of others, and so others deserve credit (at least in part) for the end. I acknowledge that.

I agree. Where we differ is the degree of importance & influence we place on various sources of information.

 

[Resha Caner]

Often others provide a mirror that lets us see what we're doing. It's still up to each of us to make the change. No one else can do it for us.

That is largely the case, but not always. Another example. I have submitted various aspects of family life to my wife. Others to the government. The outcome in those areas is not at all something I "decide" on - as in weighing the options and choosing what I think best. I do what others decide - in varying degrees. With my wife, there is a sense in which each time I reaffirm my willingness to submit some things to her decision. With the government, not so much. You can make arguments about how I have a choice to go to prison rather than submit, or a choice to die rather than submit, but that would walk us toward the realm of silliness. If you want to go there, I'll not go with you.

As I said, the end would be different without the presence of that "other" - that which is not me.

 

[Resha Caner]

I agree. Where we differ is the degree of importance & influence we place on various sources of information.

Yes, I think it's obvious we do some things differently. Did you ever attend an LCMS church?

 

[ananda]

Yes, I think it's obvious we do some things differently. Did you ever attend an LCMS church?

No, can't say I have.

 

[Resha Caner]

No, can't say I have.

Then I invite you to give it a try. You might encounter some perspectives you're not familiar with.

 

[ananda]

Then I invite you to give it a try. You might encounter some perspectives you're not familiar with.

I'll look into it - I'm not opposed to learning new perspectives. I also invite you to learn more about Forest Theravada Buddhism, if you haven't already.

 

[Resha Caner]

I'll look into it - I'm not opposed to learning new perspectives. I also invite you to learn more about Forest Theravada Buddhism, if you haven't already.

I admittedly have a low tolerance for Buddhist thought. My history studies on India were the most interesting to me in that respect, so if you have a reference along that vein, I'd take a look.

 

[renniks]

Well, look at Human Beings. We have senses, awareness, consciousness, thoughts, feelings...all sorts of things that make us Human. Wouldn't those also come into play for a perfected Human Being?

Of course, and doing no wrong on every level would include thinking no negative thought, experiencing perfect awareness of our surroundings, and so on.