Do you consider yourself religious/spiritual?

[Simon Attwood]

I never suggested that you personally switched forms of buddhism, nor did i assume that you followed any particular path. I made a comment about Buddhist divinity which was challenged, no specific branch of buddhism was mentioned initially, nor have I ever seen you comment before that you practised exclusively any particular division of Buddhism. Plus the fact that most of the terms you have used previously in describing Buddhist practises use mostly the Tibetan terms rather than the Theravada terms.

 

My "changing the goal posts" comment was rather that, in your challenge of Buddhist Divinity, you never initially specified a limitation to a specific division, the division was applied later on in the argument.

 

PS Isn't "Stopping the buck" slightly in opposition to "Anatta" as well as "Anicca"?

 

 

I never switched.

I was always Theravada.

You made the assumption - as most people do - that if a person is Buddhist, then they must be followers of the Dalai lama and Tibetan Buddhism.

 

Either that, or that the little fat statue of the Laughing Buddha is what we 'worship'.

 

I get both, all the time.

I was even asked once, "Well, if you're really Buddhist, why aren't you bald?".

 

Ho-hum.....

[TaraMaiden]

I never suggested that you personally switched forms of buddhism, nor did i assume that you followed any particular path. I made a comment about Buddhist divinity which was challenged, no specific branch of buddhism was mentioned initially, nor have I ever seen you comment before that you practised exclusively any particular division of Buddhism. Plus the fact that most of the terms you have used previously in describing Buddhist practises use mostly the Tibetan terms rather than the Theravada terms.

That's because this is the school or type of Buddhism most people are familiar with. So I use terms most people are familiar with.

But making a general and non-referenced comment about Buddhist divinity is assuming that any Buddhist you speak to is going to know what you're referring to.

This is a lesson to both of us.

Making assumptions about another person's knowledge or where they stand, is a foolish thing.

 

 

My "changing the goal posts" comment was rather that, in your challenge of Buddhist Divinity, you never initially specified a limitation to a specific division, the division was applied later on in the argument.

Quite, but you never made any specific reference to a Buddhist practice concerning internal divinity, which is why I questioned your stance, as to where you were getting your information form....

 

PS Isn't "Stopping the buck" slightly in opposition to "Anatta" as well as "Anicca"?

 

 

Oh look, it might be... but we'd need to start a new thread.

You and I have basically taken this one over, and I think we've diverted from the original point....don't you?

 

Feel free to start a new thread on Anatta an Anicca and I'll catch up with you.

I have washing up to do.

Meditation in motion.....!

[pureinheart]

Thank you for your response, PiH...

 

I have to say, I find it a lot more open and considered than many responses I have received, from so-called 'solidly-grounded Christians.

And I see what you mean about Religion.

if I might venture to put forward a specific suggestion:

It's not the religion bit you take exception to. It's the interpretation and dogmatic ruling of those purportedly "in charge" that you find difficult to accept.

For example, the Bible makes no reference to Catholic priests having to remain celibate. neither does the bible mention anywhere that it is not right to have women priests.

but the 'men in charge' have decreed it to be so. And they's the ones who make the rules.

(or make the rules up as they go along.....)

I think this may be what you're getting at.

 

The only comment - and it IS the only one - that I would dispute, is that you say that I think God and Man are the same.

I really don't believe that at all.

 

Men are men. (for reasons of simplicity, we're talking about 'women' here, too! )

There are good men, and there are men who do not manifest goodness.

There are men who are good most of the time, and there are those whose goodness it's pretty hard to locate.

There are even men who are described as being 'pure Evil'. Something I really don't subscribe to.

But Godliness doesn't enter the picture for me.

To my mind - the buck stops here.

because if I take your comment at face value - that I think God and men are the same - then it stands to reason that I think Satan and men are the same, too.

And that would be far more accurate.

Because logically, you can't have one without the other.

 

(((((((((((Tara)))))))))))

 

I know this is way off topic, although will resume topic, just want to say I love your profession...I look into the eyes of all of my babies (animals) and I just see such an innocence, such an honesty and unconditional love...you are truly special.

 

Ok, back on topic...lol....

 

I heard a teaching that explained to me things as to why I feel the way I do...most churches teach things I can't stomach in my faith.

 

Please understand that a lot of what is taught is not so much the spoken word, but unspoken on the pulpit. Almost like you'll get infected if you research other faiths, other teachings, hang out with people who don't believe the same and so on.

 

I just have always been unable to buy this...and it is why I said to you earlier that I'm not really accepted in the churches, but go to several of them...lol...hard to hit a moving target.

 

It was like so way cool Tara hearing this because it was validation, and no I am not a hypocrit for wanting to understand, stand in the shoes of another, hang with people of different faiths....wow, how freeing.

 

I can't handle being controlled...I mean this guy said, what type of message is the church sending out...no wonder people don't want anything to do with us or have a bad taste in their mouth....because we are boring!!!! We want to have our little tea parties, be perfect, hang with people that only believe the way we do and so on (not in these exact words).

 

I have loved hearing about other faiths, although almost felt like I was a trader or something....so very torn.

 

There is so much that is missed by being closed minded. That's what I find so fascinating about you...you are not controlled by anything or anyone....I bet a puppy dog could wrap you around their paw though...lol.

 

I can see how you see God and man as the same (now this is just my faith, so will use this wording)...we were made in His image. Now I realise that you might feel differently concerning this terminology, I just don't know how else to word it.

 

You know, it really makes me sad that most of the faiths out there demonstrate more love and hope than mine does at times.

 

God, Holy Spirit, Jesus are like way cool...they love me right now the way I am, with all of my obvious faults, although in some cases this is not what is REALLY taught, it is spoken, yet not followed.

 

Now (I think) most every faith has rules, yet in my own faith I am seeing the "rules" amplified drowning out the truth and love.

[pureinheart]

Satan and men are the same, too.

And that would be far more accurate.

Because logically, you can't have one without the other.

 

Partial Quote by Taramaiden

 

 

I forgot to comment....in my faith Satan is the bad guy right...well what you had to say here made me laugh because of my current situation....definitly not making light or fun concerning how you believe...it's just this rings so true....so Tara, this is in any way not meant to offend you...

 

Oh and thanks for communicating so well what I was trying to explain about my thoughts on religion being man made....communication for me has been difficult lately..lol...glad you have a brain!