danieLion wrote:Some Buddhists, including some here at Dahmmawheel, come off to me as very anti-intellectual and at times even demonstrate some kind of ingrained provincialism.
Mr Man wrote:I think that is, genrally speaking, a misconception or a non-constructive view.
I wasn't speaking generally, but particularly. What particularly do you find misconceived and non-constructive about it?
danieLion wrote:Yet we find some Buddhists wanting to very much define themselves by partitioning themselves off into camps or clubs.
Mr Man wrote:Isn't this what you are doing?
No! I guess you only read the first half of my post you're quoting? What club or camp do you imagine I want to raise a flag for?
Discussing dhamma intellectually is a very different thing form intellectualism as applied to the dhamma. The former involves the application of scientific iteration and critical thinking to discourse; the latter involves imposing pre-determined yet unverified assumptions onto dialogue.Mr Man wrote:My experience of Dhammawheel is that sometimes the level of intellectualism is very high, almost to the point of being intimidating.
I can see how some individuals would be intimidated by some of the more intellectual individuals here, but even the most shy minds can use the challenge as a tool for growth. Intelligence can be increased, and even the "dumbest" person has the potentioal to become "smart." We naturally avoid things we don't understand, but this is not always healthy or the wisest course of action. Of course, one probably should not go into dark tunnels, especially if one has not been there before when they are illuminated or does not carry with one a way to illuminate the passage. The choice is ultimately personal: do you want to test the veracity of your beliefs, or do you want to stay in the cozy warmth of the light, which is really no true comfort, for even sunny days can exist is the sub zeros.