Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

A place to discuss casual topics amongst spiritual friends.
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retrofuturist
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Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

I have been meaning to update this for a while, but upon noticing that the E-Sangha Beginners Buddhism Library has been shut down (and along with it, the only online version of this document), it seems like an opportune time to do so now.

The purpose of this booklet is to provide an introduction to the Dhamma for those who are naturally of a skeptical disposition. It addresses key Buddhist concepts in a way that they are verifiable for oneself through either logic or personal experience and opens the doors to further investigation of the Buddha's teachings.

Feel free to provide comment, feedback or send to loved ones as you see fit.

Metta,
Retro. :)

( attachment removed: latest version downloadable at http://www.justbegood.net/Downloads.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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Ngawang Drolma.
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by Ngawang Drolma. »

Thanks for this Retro :reading:
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Jechbi
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by Jechbi »

Very cool, thanks. :anjali:

I liked this bit:
One interesting point of note is that the concept of Right View only refers to
views which have a bearing on suffering. Right View is not concerned about
mundane knowledge which is irrelevant to the elimination of suffering. If we
falsely believed that the sun was a flat disc or that spiders have ten legs, it
would neither be “right view” nor “wrong view” with respect to the Noble
Eightfold Path. As far as eliminating suffering goes, such information is
trivial and irrelevant.
One thing: Would it be worthwhile to include a section in there about how the term "right" is used in Buddhism? Lots of skeptics might immediately imagine that we're talking about "right" and "wrong," or "good" and "evil" or something like that. But obviously that's not what "samma" means. For the modern skeptic, a fuller explanation of the notion of "samma" might resonate very well.

:smile:
Rain soddens what is kept wrapped up,
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
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sukhamanveti
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by sukhamanveti »

Well done. :twothumbsup:
Sīlaṃ balaṃ appaṭimaṃ.
Sīlaṃ āvudhamuttamaṃ.
Sīlamābharaṇaṃ seṭṭhaṃ.
Sīlaṃ kavacamabbhutaṃ.


Virtue is a matchless power.
Virtue is the greatest weapon.
Virtue is the best adornment.
Virtue is a wonderful armor.

Theragatha 614


Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ,
kusalassa upasampadā,
Sacittapariyodapanaṃ,
etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ.


Refraining from all wrong-doing,
Undertaking the good,
Purifying the mind,
This is the teaching of the buddhas.

Dhammapada v. 183/14.5
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Fede
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by Fede »

Jechbi wrote:One thing: Would it be worthwhile to include a section in there about how the term "right" is used in Buddhism? Lots of skeptics might immediately imagine that we're talking about "right" and "wrong," or "good" and "evil" or something like that. But obviously that's not what "samma" means. For the modern skeptic, a fuller explanation of the notion of "samma" might resonate very well.

:smile:
I had always understood "Right" to imply 'skilful' as opposed to 'correct'......

I'm about 20 years behind everyone else on Reading and listening..... so I hope I'm on the right track. :hello:
"Samsara: The human condition's heartbreaking inability to sustain contentment." Elizabeth Gilbert, 'Eat, Pray, Love'.

Simplify: 17 into 1 WILL go: Mindfulness!

Quieta movere magna merces videbatur. (Sallust, c.86-c.35 BC)
Translation: Just to stir things up seemed a good reward in itself. ;)

I am sooooo happy - How on earth could I be otherwise?! :D


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Ceisiwr
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by Ceisiwr »

Right View
Right View relates to having a correct understanding of the Four Noble
Truths and understanding the relationship between craving and suffering.
Right View begins with this conceptual framework and is strengthened as we
experience the consequences of the Four Noble Truths personally in our
daily lives.
One interesting point of note is that the concept of Right View only refers to
views which have a bearing on suffering. Right View is not concerned about
mundane knowledge which is irrelevant to the elimination of suffering. If we
falsely believed that the sun was a flat disc or that spiders have ten legs, it
would neither be “right view” nor “wrong view” with respect to the Noble
Eightfold Path. As far as eliminating suffering goes, such information is
trivial and irrelevant.
I like this bit of it, very good explanation of Right View
“The teacher willed that this world appear to me
as impermanent, unstable, insubstantial.
Mind, let me leap into the victor’s teaching,
carry me over the great flood, so hard to pass.”
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appicchato
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by appicchato »

retrofuturist wrote:Feel free to send to loved ones...
Done... :heart:
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Zack
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by Zack »

Thanks Retro
I seem to recall it being a beneficial work, I'll read it again.
I am of nature to decay, I have not gone beyond decay.
I am of the nature to be diseased, I have not gone beyond disease.
I am of the nature to die, I have not done beyond death.
All that is mine, dear and delightful, will change and vanish.
I am the owner of my kamma, heir to my kamma, born of my kamma, related to
my kamma, abide supported by my kamma. Whatever kamma I shall do,
whether good or evil, of that I shall be the heir.
Thus we should frequently recollect.
- Upajjhatthana Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya v.57
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DNS
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by DNS »

Great job, retro!

I just finished reading it the other day and see that this is now hosted on a Buddhist website!

Congratulations!

Just Be Good
http://www.justbegood.net/Downloads.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(Just scroll down to the E-Books section to find it)
Individual
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by Individual »

retrofuturist wrote:Greetings,

I have been meaning to update this for a while, but upon noticing that the E-Sangha Beginners Buddhism Library has been shut down (and along with it, the only online version of this document), it seems like an opportune time to do so now.

The purpose of this booklet is to provide an introduction to the Dhamma for those who are naturally of a skeptical disposition. It addresses key Buddhist concepts in a way that they are verifiable for oneself through either logic or personal experience and opens the doors to further investigation of the Buddha's teachings.

Feel free to provide comment, feedback or send to loved ones as you see fit.

Metta,
Retro. :)
Another sub-forum gone? E-Sangha is like a doctor that amputates a patient's limb when they complain of pain or injury.

Somebody who is clever ought to create a webspider to download e-Sangha's entire forum and have a clone of it uploaded somewhere.
The best things in life aren't things.

The Diamond Sutra
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retrofuturist
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,
Individual wrote:Another sub-forum gone? E-Sangha is like a doctor that amputates a patient's limb when they complain of pain or injury.
To be fair, the libraries had become completely neglected with Ben's departure as an E-Sangha mod/librarian in December 2008. On the other hand, it was a genuinely good resource, and if the view counts (and download counts) were anything to go by, it was valued by members too.

If I recall correctly, I think the earlier copies of Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic that I had posted there was downloaded somewhere in the order of 1000-1500 times, if that's any indication of the earlier traffic there.

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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DNS
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by DNS »

Already at one of my websites too:

http://dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=B ... rn_Skeptic" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'll also put another link at one of my other websites later.
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appicchato
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by appicchato »

retrofuturist wrote:If I recall correctly, I think the earlier copies of Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic that I had posted there was downloaded somewhere in the order of 1000-1500 times, if that's any indication of the earlier traffic there.
Happy...and impressed...to see it at 'Just Be Good'...well done Paul... :thumbsup:
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retrofuturist
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by retrofuturist »

Thanks bhante.

Mr Lee said he has found "the ultra down-to-earth and practical approach" to Buddhism to be beneficial to his readers/users, and said the text was "clear and well-written and it will certainly appeal to the 'skeptics' around us".

Thanks to you, Fede and others who have had a hand in the tinkering and tweaking of the text over the past couple of years.

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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Fede
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Re: Buddhism For The Modern Skeptic

Post by Fede »

And thanks to you for having the confidence in me to not butcher the piece.
It was a pleasure and a privilege.

:namaste:
"Samsara: The human condition's heartbreaking inability to sustain contentment." Elizabeth Gilbert, 'Eat, Pray, Love'.

Simplify: 17 into 1 WILL go: Mindfulness!

Quieta movere magna merces videbatur. (Sallust, c.86-c.35 BC)
Translation: Just to stir things up seemed a good reward in itself. ;)

I am sooooo happy - How on earth could I be otherwise?! :D


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