Scientists Declare Buddhist Monk The Worlds Happiest Person

Illuminaughty · Dec 8, 2012

I do not doubt the effects of meditation. It might be a better "treatment" than other ways. But, my point is: it does not last and it does not cure the problem. It functions like a pain killer.

People usually don't stay in states of samadhi all day but long term practice of meditation integrates with day to day to life and can have effects even after a person has ceased "mediating" in the formal sense. At least it works that way for a lot of people.

I'm not really a mediation master myself. In fact one of the reasons I was drawn to Pure Land Buddhism was because it's not required. In fact I'm a bit lazy in that regard but even the short practices I've been able to do have helped me beyond the 15 minutes or half hour I've spent doing it. It's kind like exercise. Exercise doesn't just help you while you are doing it it also has a longer term effect. I also don't think it necessarily works in the manner of a pinkiller. Those tend to mask the pain whereas meditating on compassion (like the example in the article) can actually work to dissolve problems/ mental hang ups, lay to rest hatred, and put people on the right track.

juvenissun · Dec 9, 2012

AV1611VET said:
It says in the OP this guy was hooked up to 256 sensors.

If it took that many to find a happy wave, I have to wonder what the other 255 sensors found.

And here's a good question:

How long did this guy wear this gadget? an hour, a YOM, a week (7 YOMs)?

This is a good question. I wonder what would be found in that case. May be at sometime, the saddest signal would be found.

juvenissun · Dec 9, 2012

Illuminaughty said:
People usually don't stay in states of samadhi all day but long term practice of meditation integrates with day to day to life and can have effects even after a person has ceased "mediating" in the formal sense. At least it works that way for a lot of people.

I'm not really a mediation master myself. In fact one of the reasons I was drawn to Pure Land Buddhism was because it's not required. In fact I'm a bit lazy in that regard but even the short practices I've been able to do have helped me beyond the 15 minutes or half hour I've spent doing it. It's kind like exercise. Exercise doesn't just help you while you are doing it it also has a longer term effect. I also don't think it necessarily works in the manner of a pinkiller. Those tend to mask the pain whereas meditating on compassion (like the example in the article) can actually work to dissolve problems/ mental hang ups, lay to rest hatred, and put people on the right track.

I might agree with what you said above. But it is a different message than what the thread title said.

Why doesn't the Pure Land Buddhism emphasize meditation?

Illuminaughty · Dec 9, 2012

But it is a different message than what the thread title said.

I don't see it as in any way contradicting the findings of the research though. I was just responding to a different point.

I also didn't create the title either I just copied it from the article.

Why doesn't the Pure Land Buddhism emphasize meditation?

It emphasizes entrusting in Amida instead. At least the Shin "version" of Pure Land does. Meditation can be effective for those of high capacity but for the average person in the dark age of the Dharma it won't lead to liberation. Pure Land is a way for all people including the least of us. It doesn't require a mastery of meditation. It requires giving up self power and being embraced by other power.

juvenissun · Dec 10, 2012

Illuminaughty said:
I don't see it as in any way contradicting the findings of the research though. I was just responding to a different point.

I also didn't create the title either I just copied it from the article.

It emphasize entrusting in Amida instead. At least the Shin "version" of Pure Land does. Meditation can be effective for those of high capacity but for the average person in the dark age of the Dharma it won't lead to liberation. Pure Land is a way for all people including the least of us. It doesn't require a mastery of meditation. It requires giving up self power and being embraced by other power.

Why do you want to trust Amida more than Buddha?

SavedByChrist94 · Dec 10, 2012

Yet the "buddha" ate his own feces, please leave that man made religion.

you want Truth? Jesus Christ and His Word of The Bible.

Illuminaughty · Dec 10, 2012

juvenissun said:
Why do you want to trust Amida more than Buddha?

Amida is a Buddha.

Illuminaughty · Dec 10, 2012

SavedByChrist94 said:
Yet the "buddha" ate his own feces, please leave that man made religion.

you want Truth? Jesus Christ and His Word of The Bible.

I've never heard that before but rest assured I don't plan on eating feces any time soon.

juvenissun · Dec 10, 2012

Illuminaughty said:
Amida is a Buddha.

If so, how many Buddhas are there?
And, how do you choose?

Illuminaughty · Dec 10, 2012

As many as there are sands in the Ganges is the common expression. Other power draws me to Amida because of his vow to save all sentient beings. Amida is the universal Buddhanature.

juvenissun · Dec 10, 2012

Illuminaughty said:
As many as there are sands in the Ganges is the common expression. Other power draws me to Amida because of his vow to save all sentient beings. Amida is the universal Buddhanature.

If you made to a buddha in the future, would you be a unique buddha? If so, what would you be?

Illuminaughty · Dec 11, 2012

To answer that would be kind of hard without writing page after page of text and totally derailing my own thread. It would require explaining the basics of Buddhism like emptiness, dependent origination, mind only, and Tathagatagarbha. If you want to learn about them just go to good old wikipedia. I've included links.

AV1611VET · Dec 11, 2012

Illuminaughty said:
To answer that would be kind of hard without writing page after page of text and totally derailing my own thread. It would require explaining the basics of Buddhism like emptiness, dependent origination, mind only, and Tathagatagarbha. If you want to learn about them just go to good old wikipedia. I've included links.

I find it hard that Guatama would have achieved all of that; considering what he did.

If I would have been his son, he would have had the imprint of my foot on his behind.

Illuminaughty · Dec 11, 2012

His son became a monk taught by the Buddha himself and attained the state of Arhat. There is no evidence of him being ungrateful for this after he came to understand the Dharma. His son was well taken care of living in a rich royal family while the Buddha was away too. Would you attack a person who left their family to fight a war or do missionary work? Buddha had a duty to fulfill for all of humanity and he didn't forget his son either.

AV1611VET · Dec 11, 2012

Illuminaughty said:
His son became a monk taught by the Buddha himself and attained the state of Arhat.

In spite of his deadbeat dad, or with respect to him.

Illuminaughty said:
There is no evidence of him being ungrateful for this after he came to understand the Dharma.

How about before he came to 'understand the Dharma?'

Illuminaughty said:
His son was well taken care of living in a rich royal family while the Buddha.was away too.

Money isn't the answer for everything. It can't take the place of a walk in the park with good ole dad, or a hug, or any other kind of father-son interaction during the formative years.

Illuminaughty said:
Would you attack a person who left their family to fight a war or do missionary work?

No.

Illuminaughty said:
Buddha had a duty to fulfill for all of humanity and he didn't forget his son either.

Bologna.

In this Christian nation ... years ago ... Guatama would have been put in jail for abandoning his family; but since the days science brought Egypt into this country, its morals have reached a new low.

So I guess today, he may be considered some 'Enlightened One,' but not in my eyes.

Illuminaughty · Dec 11, 2012

Is this a Poe? What does science have to do with bad morals and Egypt?

AV1611VET · Dec 11, 2012

Illuminaughty said:
Is this a Poe?

No.

In the Bible, Egypt, the "Iron Furnace" ...

Deuteronomy 4:20 But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

Jeremiah 11:4 Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God.

... is a type of the world, with Moses being a type of Christ.

Science, with its preoccupation with physical reality, brings "Egypt" into our mindsets; i.e., it brings the world into our ways of thinking.

Illuminaughty said:
What does science have to do with bad morals and.Egypt?

Today's science usurps God from the throne and supplants Him with mother nature.

QV please: Scientism.

I believe scientism to be the official religion of [unregenerate] scientists.

Golden Yak · Dec 11, 2012

Illuminaughty said:
Is this a Poe? What does science have to do with bad morals and.Egypt?

Oh no, this is happening. And I find this exchange fascinating.

Illuminaughty · Dec 11, 2012

Science, with its preoccupation with physical reality, brings "Egypt" into our mindsets; i.e., it brings the world into our ways of thinking.

Science is the study of physical reality. I don't see knowledge of physical reality as being an impediment to morality though. Why would it be an impediment any more than say knowing how to weave a basket or playing soccer?

I believe scientism to be the official religion of [unregenerate] scientists.

These scientists were willing to admit that a religious person was the happiest man in the world is that part of the scientism agenda? Wouldn't they have said an atheist/ materialist was the worlds happiest person if they were trying to push that?

Illuminaughty · Dec 11, 2012

It would be nice if they could develop a pill or maybe a form of electric/magnetic stimulation of the brain that could mimic the neurological effects of meditation. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we figure the processes of the brain out enough to do that. I think that would help people out enormously. I doubt they will ever have an "enlightenment pill" but it should certainly be possible to induce feelings of calm, peace, and compassion.

Scientists Declare Buddhist Monk The Worlds Happiest Person

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