Pornography

[AnonOfIbid]

Can one "use" it non-harmfully?

[daverupa]

I'm of the opinion it breaches Right Livelihood via trade in humans. It also negatively affects one's ability to practice brahmaviharas. It is an indulgence in sensual gratification without seeing the danger or the escape.

[AnonOfIbid]

...it breaches Right Livelihood via trade in humans....

How?

It also negatively affects one's ability to practice brahmaviharas.

How?

It is an indulgence in sensual gratification without seeing the danger or the escape.

For everyone?

[retrofuturist]

Greetings AnonOfIbid,

Someone is going to say it, so I may as well try to get in first and do it politely...

Within a few minutes, you've just started topics on the following subjects...

- Cannabis
- Pharmaceutical Antidepressants
- Pornography

Is it possible, that you are seeking justifications for your cravings? The following might be worth a read...

Craving: tanha
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dham ... tanha.html

"Monk, if you cling to anything, you are in bondage to Mara. If you do not cling, you are free of the Evil One."

Learning to release clinging involves seeing the danger and unsatisfactoriness in all formations. I would suggest that you follow this angle, rather than attempting to find loopholes to satisfy pre-existing cravings and defilements.

Metta,
Retro.

[AnonOfIbid]

Is it possible, that you are seeking justifications for your cravings? )

no...get off your high horse...i want answers NOT justifications

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

That's fine... just have a serious look at what prompted your reaction just then. Don't rely on me to tell you - look within.

Metta,
Retro.

[AnonOfIbid]

Greetings AnonOfIbid,

Someone is going to say it, so I may as well try to get in first and do it politely...

Within a few minutes, you've just started topics on the following subjects...

- Cannabis
- Pharmaceutical Antidepressants
- Pornography

Is it possible, that you are seeking justifications for your cravings? The following might be worth a read...

I know what tanha is. Not new to ANY of this. There is no necessary connection between craving and and cannabis or porn use. NEVER HEARD anyone talk about pharmaceutical antidepressants in terms of tanha, upadana, etc.... Maybe the craving to address here is your craving to avoid quality discussions about important topics.

[AnonOfIbid]

... just have a serious look at what prompted your reaction just then. Don't rely on me to tell you - look within.

Wouldn't have posted without having done this already.

[AnonOfIbid]

Greetings AnonOfIbid,

Someone is going to say it, so I may as well try to get in first and do it politely...

Within a few minutes, you've just started topics on the following subjects...

- Cannabis
- Pharmaceutical Antidepressants
- Pornography

Is it possible, that you are seeking justifications for your cravings? The following might be worth a read...

Why can't you just say "maybe," or does your clinging to views prevent that?

[retrofuturist]

Greetings AnonOfIbid,

There is no necessary connection between craving and and cannabis or porn use.

Well, provide us with as example then... bearing in mind the following.

Extract from Iti 50
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... ml#iti-058

"There are these three cravings. Which three? Craving for sensuality, craving for becoming, craving for non-becoming. These are the three cravings."

Metta,
Retro.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

Why can't you just say "maybe," or does your clinging to views prevent that?

"Maybe" what, exactly? These were questions and possibilities raised, not certainties...

Is it possible, that you are seeking justifications for your cravings? The following might be worth a read...

Metta,
Retro.

[AnonOfIbid]

How does this not amount to an ad hominem attack? Isn't there a rule for such things? If not, there should be.

Greetings AnonOfIbid,

Someone is going to say it, so I may as well try to get in first and do it politely...

Within a few minutes, you've just started topics on the following subjects...

- Cannabis
- Pharmaceutical Antidepressants
- Pornography

Is it possible, that you are seeking justifications for your cravings? The following might be worth a read... )

[AnonOfIbid]

Example: Q. Can one use porn non-harmfully? A. Maybe.
instead of the typical "well what do the texts say...?" i know what the canon and commentaries say...i want to know what THE LIVING Buddhas, dhamma & sangha have to say....the texts are only as good as their applicability and relevance to DAILY LIVING...

Greetings,

Why can't you just say "maybe," or does your clinging to views prevent that?

"Maybe" what, exactly? These were questions and possibilities raised, not certainties...

Is it possible, that you are seeking justifications for your cravings? The following might be worth a read...

Metta,
Retro.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings AnonOfIbid,

How does this not amount to an ad hominem attack? Isn't there a rule for such things? If not, there should be.

There is a rule, yes. Report the post if you like, and a moderator (not me) will independently have a look at it.

For all your defensiveness about it, I still stand by it being worthwhile advice, worth considering, even if it doesn't meet with your fancy.

Metta,
Retro.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings AnonOfIbid,

Example: Q. Can one use porn non-harmfully? A. Maybe.

That's hardly an example though, is it? It's just saying maybe.

"There are these three cravings. Which three? Craving for sensuality, craving for becoming, craving for non-becoming. These are the three cravings."

How can one "use porn" without engaging in craving?

Metta,
Retro.

[AnonOfIbid]

How can one "use porn" without engaging in craving?

. How can one breathe, eat, make love, etc... without craving? Why preceptually single out porn?

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

How can one breathe... without craving?

MN 118: Anapanasati Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

How can one eat... without craving?

SN 12.63: Puttamansa Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

Metta,
Retro.

[AnonOfIbid]

For all your defensiveness about it

You've inferred this from...? Not once have I felt "defensive" or intended "defensiveness."

[AnonOfIbid]

is this how YOU eat and breathe?

Greetings,

How can one breathe... without craving?

MN 118: Anapanasati Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

How can one eat... without craving?

SN 12.63: Puttamansa Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

Metta,
Retro.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

You've inferred this from...? Not once have I felt "defensive" or intended "defensiveness."

You interpreted something that clearly wasn't an ad-hominem attack, as an ad-hominem attack.

is this how YOU eat and breathe?

When I do so mindfully, yes.

When I do so unmindfully, no.

Unless eating, breathing and craving have fundamentally changed over the past 2500 or so years, the Buddha's instructions are as good as they ever were.

Metta,
Retro.