I am really enjoying reading Buddhist Legends, by Eugene Watson Burlingame. It's the origin stories of the verses of the Dhammapada.
But I find I am reading it more for entertainment than for wholesome reasons. The stories are really interesting, clever, and yes I must admit, wise. There's suspense, surprise, battles, fights, love, tragedy, and a very colourful metaphysics.
Is this okay? I felt a bit guilty when I realised I was treating it as entertainment rather than a profound spiritual teaching.
Maybe that's just my judaeo-christian upbringing... I think I have some silly idea that if it's good for me, I should not be enjoying it. Or that if I am enjoying it, I should be treating a sacred text more seriously and soberly.
But I should snap out of it and just enjoy the stories, right?
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Reading dhamma for fun, not wisdom... is okay?
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Reading dhamma for fun, not wisdom... is okay?
by James the Giant » Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:23 pm
Then,
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
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James the Giant - Posts: 641
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Re: Reading dhamma for fun, not wisdom... is okay?
by DAWN » Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:40 pm
Is the same for me 
Sabbe dhamma anatta
We are not concurents...
I'am sorry for my english
We are not concurents...
I'am sorry for my english
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DAWN - Posts: 801
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Re: Reading dhamma for fun, not wisdom... is okay?
by tiltbillings » Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:46 pm
It is a sad thing to make one's practice grim/ Enjoy them.James the Giant wrote: I think I have some silly idea that if it's good for me, I should not be enjoying it. Or that if I am enjoying it, I should be treating a sacred text more seriously and soberly.
But I should snap out of it and just enjoy the stories, right?
What is the use of his knowledge
pertaining to the number of insects in the whole world?
Rather, inquire into his knowledge of
that which is to be practised by us
-- Dharmakirti
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond.
SN I, 38.
Níl sa saol seo ach ceo
There is naught in this life but mist
Is ní bheimid beo ach seal beag gearr.
And we will not be alive but a short hard time.
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tiltbillings - Posts: 16730
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Re: Reading dhamma for fun, not wisdom... is okay?
by marc108 » Sun Sep 02, 2012 5:10 pm
what tilt said..
maintaining consistent long term practice is ALL about enjoying the practice! the more you learn to LOVE the Dhamma the better of you will be. so yes, you're right... thinking you should not be enjoying it because its good is very silly. I personally think that incorporating Dhammic themes into recreational activities, reading, art, music, etc is extremely wise as it's likely you'll absorb some wisdom from the fun stuff as well.
maintaining consistent long term practice is ALL about enjoying the practice! the more you learn to LOVE the Dhamma the better of you will be. so yes, you're right... thinking you should not be enjoying it because its good is very silly. I personally think that incorporating Dhammic themes into recreational activities, reading, art, music, etc is extremely wise as it's likely you'll absorb some wisdom from the fun stuff as well.
“The unawakened mind tends to make war against the way things are. To follow a path with heart, we must understand the whole process of making war within ourselves and without, how it begins and how it ends."
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marc108 - Posts: 425
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Re: Reading dhamma for fun, not wisdom... is okay?
by Ben » Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:59 am
JAMES...
relax!
relax!
...he wondered whether there was any love between human beings that did not rest upon some sort of self-delusion.
-- John le Carré, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar)
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e: ben.dhammawheel@gmail.com
-- John le Carré, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar)
Buddhist Global Relief
UNHCR Somali Emergency Relief Appeal
e: ben.dhammawheel@gmail.com
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Ben - Site Admin
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Re: Reading dhamma for fun, not wisdom... is okay?
by pegembara » Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:39 am
Enjoy the menu but just don't forget to taste the food too.
And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter: This is called right speech.
- pegembara
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Re: Reading dhamma for fun, not wisdom... is okay?
by James the Giant » Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:56 am
That's pretty unanimous then. Ta!
Then,
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
-
James the Giant - Posts: 641
- Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:41 am
- Location: Perth, Australia
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