is an exercise in tail-chasing. — Wayfarer
Sounds like at least one definition of philosophy. :joke: — Tom Storm
My knowledge is very general. Quite a number of years ago, I read a book called "Buddhism for Beginners" (I forget the author's name), and I've read one and a half of Thich Nhat Hanh's books, given to me by a buddy: all of "The Art of Communicating", and about half of "Living Buddha, Living Christ", before my interest in something else tore me away from it. Also, I have, somewhere, a great looking scolarly book on the ways in which Buddhism was changed as it crossed the Himalayas into China and Tibet. I actually can't remember the title right now, but I think it's from the University of Chicago Press...that tome is somewhere on the reading list... I've gotten my concept of the 'general Buddhist landscape' from the Wikipedia article on Buddhism (colored maps, and all, Wikipedia is awesome, sometimes), and that is where I originally read about Theravada (which I evidently misspelled earlier) Buddhism, it's geographic distribution and it's distinction from better known Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism. I also have a friend who, following his mother, practices Nichiren Buddhism, and have had a few brief conversations with him about that. That's about it, really.What is the source for your understanding of Buddhist doctrine? — baker
I agree with Un. It's not to say that anyone will 'attain Nirvāṇa' just like so, but there's a practical side to Buddhism. Speculating about whether Nirvāṇa is simply non-existence is an exercise in tail-chasing. — Wayfarer
Speculating about whether Nirvāṇa is simply non-existence is an exercise in tail-chasing.
Is Buddhism even concerned about philosophical truth? — Gregory
My knowledge is very general.
/.../ — Michael Zwingli
For me to accept Buddhism as aiming at something desirable, my basic values would have to change.
Based upon my notion that, ultimately, the acceptance of Samsara, of reincarnation, which itself suggests the incorporeal self, the 'spirit' if you will, is necessary to the full realization of Buddhist doctrine, it would seem to myself that my lack of belief in the incorporeal self nearly proscribes participation in the Buddhist enterprise.
To myself, the pursuit of Nirvana without believing in Samsara appears as no more than a masturbatorial exercise, a mere chasing after the good feeling of bliss.
This is alot more information than you asked for, baker, but I figured I'd put it all out there, so people could try to convince, enlighten, shape, and mold me in more pointed ways, should they desire to do so.
Yep, from सम्- ("sam-"), "along with", "together with" + सार ("sara"), "extension", "prolonging", "stretching out". And so literally, "that accompanied by prolongation", or metonymically "aimless wandering".One of the meanings of "samsara" is 'to wander on, aimlessly'. — baker
No, I cannot say that I have. I suppose that a translation would have to be special ordered at the bookstore, allow five weeks for delivery...But have you read anything from the primary Buddhist text, the Pali Canon? — baker
To fill the void left by the lapsed Christian faith. Religion seems important to me, after all.Why would you even think of accepting it? — baker
Did you mean to write "karma"? Please expand upon this when you have time. Does the view of this differ in Mahayana Buddhism, or in Tibetan?From a Theravadan perspective, this is backwards. They would say there is kamma, therefore, there is rebirth. It all starts with kamma. And ends with the ending of it. — baker
But have you read anything from the primary Buddhist text, the Pali Canon? — baker
It doesn't seem to, as the analogy with the handful of leaves illustrates.
https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN56_31.html — baker
But have you read anything from the primary Buddhist text, the Pali Canon?
— baker
No, I cannot say that I have. I suppose that a translation would have to be special ordered at the bookstore, allow five weeks for delivery... — Michael Zwingli
Why would you even think of accepting it?
— baker
To fill the void left by the lapsed Christian faith. Religion seems important to me, after all.
From a Theravadan perspective, this is backwards. They would say there is kamma, therefore, there is rebirth. It all starts with kamma. And ends with the ending of it.
— baker
Did you mean to write "karma"? Please expand upon this when you have time. Does the view of this differ in Mahayana Buddhism, or in Tibetan?
Yes, but only excerpts in textbooks and such. I want find find detailed arguments about philosophy from Buddhists, but maybe they are hard to come by — Gregory
There are dozens of purported pathways of practice to Nirvana. How do you know which one to choose? — baker
It was a more a matter of responding to the speculative questions in the OP. — Wayfarer
I want find find detailed arguments about philosophy from Buddhists — Gregory
:up:For your questions, you may consult
The Truth of Rebirth And Why it Matters for Buddhist Practice
and other writings by the same author. — baker
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.