Hello Bhante's, Ajaahns and Dhamma Friends
Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:44 pm
I found your forum last fall or winter, and was impressed by the knowledge, intelligence and devotion to the Dhamma of its members. It's the best Theravada interent forum I've seen so far. I particularly enjoy your Dhammic Free-for-All, and am glad others are willing to ask questions I am usually too timid and cautious to myself, and to vicariously engage in such frank discussions.
I have been a Theravadin since age 20, for 30 years. I have gathered on this forum that the term "orthodox" is out of favor among most Theravadins, so I'll describe myself as a "classical" Theravadin, or one with definite classical/orthodox/doctrinal leanings. I believe in literal and physical rebirth and consider this teaching significant in actual practice. It seems to me there are many teachings in the Tipitika that cannot be justified from a strictly rationalist, empiricist, scientific perspective, and at the very least, I take these teachings seriously, and excising or ignoring them seems to lead, for me, to a rather unimpressive teaching and practice. However...
I must give my modernist friends credit for their zeal, discipline and toughness in practicing what the Dhamma as they see it. I could definitely emulate them better in that respect. I still have a massive amount of Dhamma to learn and practice. That's not polite humility, just plain and simple fact. But with all due respect to those who may chide me, I must tighten my own lyre. I'm working on it. Better a crawl than a standstill.
I've recently relocated from California to Washington state, and currently do not have home internet. Partly out of choice, I am thinking of trying to go without it this summer, relying on the public library's. There are many interesting, helpful and wise people on the Web, but I'm afraid it has the tendency to distract me from other important goals I should give more time to. So when I say I may not be conversing with you here very often, it's not meant as a snub. It's just that I don't have the time to do that as much as I'd like to. Also, I don't "think" very well on Net forums----they tend to be too much, too fast for me. I'm a bit slow. I do hope to drop in and contribute now and then.
I publish a very occasional print journal called Dhamma Letters, subtitled: Letters, Essays, Fragments. Critically Orthodox Theravada Buddhist Perspective. Snail mail is usually a much more manageable speed for me. My address: James N. Dawson, P.O. Box 292, Malden, WA 99149.
Does anyone know of any print/postal-mail forums of this one's caliber and analytical depth? One that asks hard questions in the spirit of Milinda Panha? If so, please let me know. Many thanks.
I have been a Theravadin since age 20, for 30 years. I have gathered on this forum that the term "orthodox" is out of favor among most Theravadins, so I'll describe myself as a "classical" Theravadin, or one with definite classical/orthodox/doctrinal leanings. I believe in literal and physical rebirth and consider this teaching significant in actual practice. It seems to me there are many teachings in the Tipitika that cannot be justified from a strictly rationalist, empiricist, scientific perspective, and at the very least, I take these teachings seriously, and excising or ignoring them seems to lead, for me, to a rather unimpressive teaching and practice. However...
I must give my modernist friends credit for their zeal, discipline and toughness in practicing what the Dhamma as they see it. I could definitely emulate them better in that respect. I still have a massive amount of Dhamma to learn and practice. That's not polite humility, just plain and simple fact. But with all due respect to those who may chide me, I must tighten my own lyre. I'm working on it. Better a crawl than a standstill.
I've recently relocated from California to Washington state, and currently do not have home internet. Partly out of choice, I am thinking of trying to go without it this summer, relying on the public library's. There are many interesting, helpful and wise people on the Web, but I'm afraid it has the tendency to distract me from other important goals I should give more time to. So when I say I may not be conversing with you here very often, it's not meant as a snub. It's just that I don't have the time to do that as much as I'd like to. Also, I don't "think" very well on Net forums----they tend to be too much, too fast for me. I'm a bit slow. I do hope to drop in and contribute now and then.
I publish a very occasional print journal called Dhamma Letters, subtitled: Letters, Essays, Fragments. Critically Orthodox Theravada Buddhist Perspective. Snail mail is usually a much more manageable speed for me. My address: James N. Dawson, P.O. Box 292, Malden, WA 99149.
Does anyone know of any print/postal-mail forums of this one's caliber and analytical depth? One that asks hard questions in the spirit of Milinda Panha? If so, please let me know. Many thanks.