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Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 6:54 pm
by tiltbillings
Peter wrote:
I'm realizing that I cant dedicate myself 100%, as others have. Am I a Unitarian, a Jew, an Advaitan, Zen Buddhist, a bit of each, none of the above?
So don't be a Buddhist. Be someone inspired by Buddhism, someone with an interest in Buddhism, someone studying Buddhism. Who cares? Certainly not I. Certainly not any teacher I've ever met.
The best advice I have seen in awhile.

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:27 pm
by chicka-Dee
Or stated in a nicer sort of way, labels don't really matter. What matters is what you are getting out of your practice and how it affects your life and those around you, imo.

The problem with forums such as this, from what I've seen, is that there are too many who seem to only want to pick apart everything one says, and start an argument. I would doubt that such people do this in face to face interactions to the degree that I see some engaging in this sort of behaviour online. If they did, no one would likely want to talk with them very much (which may be the reason they are here, come to think of it). To me, a sangha (even an online one) should be a supportive environment where one can learn, grow, and feel free to express and explore their ideas, get help with their practice, and such. Not a place where one feels the need to constantly defend what they say. And I do realize we have a choice in how we interact with others and respond, but also a responsibility of sorts.. I think we need to ask ourselves if what we are contributing is constructive to both our own, and others, needs.

Myself, I would refuse to engage very long with anyone who seems to be picking apart every word I say and only seems interested in winning an argument...

Yes, conversation with people (whether private or public) who have a genuine interest in helping, rather than winning, are the best kinds of people to have around on one's journey.

Now I have to go practice some Metta...

Peace.

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:58 pm
by mikenz66
Greeting chicka-Dee,
chicka-Dee wrote:Or stated in a nicer sort of way, labels don't really matter. What matters is what you are getting out of your practice and how it affects your life and those around you, imo.
Of course. However, what some of us have been trying to point out is that we see large contradictions between various traditions, so, though we respect other traditions we feel that it is most useful to take one's main approach from a particular tradition. Preferably a tradition for which one has access to real-life teachers for guidance.
chicka-Dee wrote: The problem with forums such as this, from what I've seen, is that there are too many who seem to only want to pick apart everything one says, and start an argument...
This is a discussion forum that seeks to clarify the teachings of the Buddha, in particular the teachings preserved by the Theravada. If statements are made that, in the opinion of members, appear to contradict those teachings then it seems to me that it is most compassionate to point that out.

That's certainly what I want out of these sort of forums. If I have misunderstood something I want to know about it.

The simplest way to avoid feeling one has to defend everything is to frame posts as questions rather than statements. Then one has no fixed position to defend:
"A seems to be saying that X means Y. What do others think?"

Metta
Mike

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:02 pm
by tiltbillings
Geez, Mike, I was going to make a comment or two chicka-Dee's msg. but you skillfully said what I would ha e tried to say. Thanks.

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:12 pm
by mikenz66
tiltbillings wrote:Geez, Mike, I was going to make a comment or two chicka-Dee's msg. but you skillfully said what I would ha e tried to say. Thanks.
Just learning from the Masters... :bow:

Mike :group:

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:40 pm
by tiltbillings
That's me, a master debater.

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:57 pm
by chicka-Dee
I think I understand what you're saying, Mike.

However, it is difficult to know online what someone's background is, their level of knowledge, expertise in a certain area. "Should I trust what this person says? That just doesn't sound quite right to me.." may be some thoughts one might have. If one is not a teacher, but goes around trying to 'teach' others what they, in their opinion, hold to be 'true' or 'right', who is to say that their understanding is any more 'advanced' than those they are attempting to 'teach'? Just a few thoughts.

And often the 'picking apart' is not about an aspect of the dharma, it's someone's personal opinion. Someone has shared their thoughts, and then someone else comes along who appears to have little respect for that person's opinion, or their feelings for that matter. Perhaps I'm just overly sensitive. Honestly, I can often take it when someone dishes it out to me, but when I see it happening to someone else, it bothers me even more.

It's just that it sometimes appears to be more than simply 'clarifying' the Buddha's teachings... Too many pissing contests for my taste, I guess. :toilet:

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:04 pm
by tiltbillings
Geez louise, chicka-Dee, tell us how you really feel, and since I have been the one "picking" at poor Christopher:::, tell us how you really feel about me. I can take it, or maybe I'll have to go eat worms or something, but rather than dancing around it, let me know directly.

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:49 pm
by chicka-Dee
LOL.. I was trying to abide by the TOS.. :jumping:

Sorry, I guess maybe that full moon is affecting me. But honestly, you peeve the heck outta me!

*Whew* That feels better.

No hard feelings?

:heart:

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:53 pm
by cooran
chicka-Dee wrote:I think I understand what you're saying, Mike.

However, it is difficult to know online what someone's background is, their level of knowledge, expertise in a certain area. "Should I trust what this person says? That just doesn't sound quite right to me.." may be some thoughts one might have. If one is not a teacher, but goes around trying to 'teach' others what they, in their opinion, hold to be 'true' or 'right', who is to say that their understanding is any more 'advanced' than those they are attempting to 'teach'? Just a few thoughts.

And often the 'picking apart' is not about an aspect of the dharma, it's someone's personal opinion. Someone has shared their thoughts, and then someone else comes along who appears to have little respect for that person's opinion, or their feelings for that matter. Perhaps I'm just overly sensitive. Honestly, I can often take it when someone dishes it out to me, but when I see it happening to someone else, it bothers me even more.

It's just that it sometimes appears to be more than simply 'clarifying' the Buddha's teachings... Too many pissing contests for my taste, I guess. :toilet:



Hello chicka-Dee, all,
I agree. On the other hand, what irritates me is that we know the same people on a number of lists and year after year they are putting forward the same views.
After a while, they and their style is so well known that it doesn't matter what they call themselves.
Year after year, it is pointed out to them that this isn't what the Buddha actually taught.
Year after year they try to squash the multivarious religious traditions into a One Size Fits All.
Year after year, they imply that only they are the loving tolerant ones, all those who disagree are intolerant, or can't get the Real Point..
Year after year they are requested to go back to the source. That time is limited, the human birth is incredibly rare, especially when the Dhamma is extant.
Year after year they side-step this request, putting forward their own history .... as if all of us haven't come via other teachings, life-experiences etc.
Many of us feel a little guilty to leave Tilt to gallop into battle, but we're glad he is here.
Image

metta
Chris

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:03 pm
by chicka-Dee
*sigh*

But who is to say whose view is 'right' and whose is 'wrong'? Maybe they're just different, that's all. Variety is the spice of life. We need all sorts of people to make the world go 'round. I see pink and you see fusha. It's still a colour. What difference does the exact shade really make?

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:52 pm
by cooran
*sigh*

The Buddha - who taught yathabhutananadassana ~ things as they really are - not things as we'd like them to be, not a blend of all the nice sounding bits of various religions, not what makes me sound like such a loving chappie when compared with those who follow the dhamma.

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:03 pm
by tiltbillings
chicka-Dee,

And I peeve the heck out you because I am picking on poor totally defenseless, unable to stand up for himself, on the side of the angels, Christopher? If you don't like it, say so directly. This talking around the edges is actually rather nasty.

I don't disagree, in general, with his points about being nice to others, offering respect to others' beliefs, but I have asked him are all religious beliefs are worthy of respect, and I get no answer. It is an important question, unless one wants to stay at a fluffy bunny level of things. We should be nice to others, and support whatever is good in whatever religion\, and I see no point in attacking another's faith or belief, though on a forum such as this, if it is appropriate to the context, offering a Buddhist critique is not inappropriate. This has been the case from the Buddha onwards.

I find the it-is-all-one approach tends to do violence to one or more religions for the simple reason in order to get a fit into the oneness mold, it does not take the one or other religion's own point of view seriously.

You ask: "But who is to say whose view is 'right' and whose is 'wrong'?" There is always the possibility I may be wrong about something (or everything), and I am opened to be shown to be wrong, Shown, not just told, but shown The tradition, from the suttas themselves onwards, has a fair amount to say about a lot of this stuff, and it would be that to which I would point.

Now, mind you, the tradition could be in some sort of objective sense wrong, but what I am talking about is what the tradition - Buddhism - says about itself. One can get a good sense of what Buddhism says about itself, and in response to some of the things Christopher has said, I have tried to point out that the tradition is not in agreement with him, getting really no answer on that. The tradition might be wrong, but it IS wrong to say the tradition says something it does not say, and that is what I have picking on him about. Now, Christopher is articulate, intelligent, and I trust if he feels that he needs to, he’ll respond to what I have said here.

I do not disagree with his assertion that we should support, encourage, and celebrate those things in other religions that promote all the good that we hold to be of value. Buddhism has no monopoly on that. In this context Peter’s msg is worth repeating:
Peter wrote:All teachers from all schools see that Buddhist practice and philosophy can benefit people from all walks of life.
But what does that have to do with the topic of this thread?
Let's do this again...

Saying "Buddhism is only of benefit for Buddhists and no one else" is one extreme.
Saying "All religions bring the same benefits to people" is another extreme.
Neither one represents reality.
I'm realizing that I cant dedicate myself 100%, as others have. Am I a Unitarian, a Jew, an Advaitan, Zen Buddhist, a bit of each, none of the above?
So don't be a Buddhist. Be someone inspired by Buddhism, someone with an interest in Buddhism, someone studying Buddhism. Who cares? Certainly not I. Certainly not any teacher I've ever met.

Saying "If one wants to study Buddhism they must only study that and nothing else" is one extreme.
Saying "It doesn't matter which religion one studies since they are the same" is another extreme.
Neither one represents reality.
If one finds value in Advaita, good, but one needs to be careful, for a number of reasons, about unnecessarily conflating Buddhism and Advaita, and most simply something gets lost in such conflations, something of value.

Now, you may not like what I write or how I write it, which is certainly okay with me, and if you do not like my msgs, you find no value in them, they cause you to get cranky, I would suggest don’t read them. I am not sure what else to say to you. Sorry if you have gotten cranky (if you have), but there are always two sides to a story and mine probably is not a matter of my flexing my ego to beat up on poor Christopher.

tilt

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:10 am
by mikenz66
chicka-Dee wrote:I think I understand what you're saying, Mike.

However, it is difficult to know online what someone's background is, their level of knowledge, expertise in a certain area. "Should I trust what this person says? That just doesn't sound quite right to me.." may be some thoughts one might have. If one is not a teacher, but goes around trying to 'teach' others what they, in their opinion, hold to be 'true' or 'right', who is to say that their understanding is any more 'advanced' than those they are attempting to 'teach'? Just a few thoughts.
I don't claim to be a teacher of Dhamma, just an interested student. So when I express some sort of point of view here I attempt to back it up with either a quote from a Sutta, or a quote from repected teachers/scholars such as Bhikkhu Bodhi (such as the quotation at the start of this thread). That way readers can make up their own minds...

As far as I can tell, what I've said on this thread is mostly repetition of what is contained in one of the pararaphs that Christopher quoted:
Bhikkhu Bodhi wrote:To the extent that a religion proposes sound ethical principles and can promote to some degree the development of wholesome qualities such as love, generosity, detachment and compassion, it will merit in this respect the approbation of Buddhists. These principles advocated by outside religious systems will also conduce to rebirth in the realms of bliss -- the heavens and the divine abodes. Buddhism by no means claims to have unique access to these realms, but holds that the paths that lead to them have been articulated, with varying degrees of clarity, in many of the great spiritual traditions of humanity. While the Buddhist will disagree with the belief structures of other religions to the extent that they deviate from the Buddha's Dhamma, he will respect them to the extent that they enjoin virtues and standards of conduct that promote spiritual development and the harmonious integration of human beings with each other and with the world."
Metta
Mike

Re: Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:41 am
by Prasadachitta
Hi Peeps,

What do we mean if we declare that "Buddhists should be tolerant"? My understanding of the correct approach to Buddhist practice is that it is primarily a matter of cultivation. If we discern a level of aversion or hatred in our relation to particular religious teachings we should strive to cultivate equanimity and kindness. The equanimity might help us see clearly why we feel this way and the kindness might help us to act in an appropriate manner when we see some reason to respond to or interact with a community or individual who espouse these teachings. If the reason for our aversion to these teachings is that we perceive that they are directly supporting the suffering of beings then compassion should spontaneously arise out of our kindness. Then we will do our best to communicate in a way which will make clear our perceptions. This would ideally be done with a keen sensitivity of the value of avoiding setting off animosity in those with which we communicate. The first thing which comes to mind for me is what I think of as the false designation of millions of people as untouchable in India. The religious perspective of many Indians is that there is an intrinsic value (or lack of) to be found in what cast you are born into. How does religious tolerance play into a situation like this? If tolerance is making an effort not to allow aversion to cloud our judgment then I am all for it. If tolerance is being complacent and not making any attempt to help others when we perceive that a false belief is supporting suffering and or holding people back from greater well being then I think it is rather misguided. I leave the quotation of texts and respected teachers to others as it is not my strong suite. I expect and invite all to correct and expand on my perspective and truly look forward to it.

Kindly

Gabe