AnonOfIbid wrote:Porn in and of itself is not harmful. The harm comes from how we behave in to relation to it.
Arsenic in and of itself is not harmful. The harm comes from how we behave in to relation to it.
Heroin in and of itself is not harmful. The harm comes from how we behave in to relation to it.
Alcohol in and of itself is not harmful. The harm comes from how we behave in to relation to it.
AnonOfIbid wrote:Saying the PRECEPTS forbid illicit sex, and pointing to canonical texts, is a NOT a HELPFUL/SKILLFUL response.
If that's really your view, why are you posting to a Buddhist forum?
AnonOfIbid wrote:Porn in and of itself is not harmful. The harm comes from how we behave in to relation to it.
Arsenic in and of itself is not harmful. The harm comes from how we behave in to relation to it.
Heroin in and of itself is not harmful. The harm comes from how we behave in to relation to it.
Alcohol in and of itself is not harmful. The harm comes from how we behave in to relation to it.
AnonOfIbid wrote:Saying the PRECEPTS forbid illicit sex, and pointing to canonical texts, is a NOT a HELPFUL/SKILLFUL response.
If that's really your view, why are you posting to a Buddhist forum?
Kim
CLINGING to, GRASPING for, CRAVING, DESIRING, etc... porn CAN BE harmful IF one acts on them. You can say, "The porn made me do it!" but would anyone believe you?
Clinging, grasping, craving and desire are the acts themselves .
The objects of clinging etc. are secondary to the act of clinging itself.
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."
[quote="Dan74"]What are you looking for in this thread, Anon? As it progresses it seems more and more likely that retro was right in his initial comment - you have your views and you are looking for support rather than being open to other views.
[quote]
You don't know what my views are. What are you looking for in replying to this thread, Dan?
Last edited by AnonOfIbid on Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
Dan74 wrote:What are you looking for in this thread, Anon?
Are you familiar with the notions of Socratic method for arriving at "truth" the "nature of reality," civil debate, intellectual discussion, where people engage you INTELLECTUALLY without wasting time determining your "motives," "agendas," "reasons," etc.... Is that so much to ask?
Dan74 wrote:What are you looking for in this thread, Anon?
As it progresses it seems more and more likely that retro was right in his initial comment - you have your views and you are looking for support rather than being open to other views.
You don't know what my views are. What are you looking for in replying to this thread, Dan?
I wonder what might be called "non-harmful" about conditioning oneself to attachment and sensual pleasures in the context of the Buddha's way?
From a worldly perspective you may certainly find arguments in favor of pornography like e.g. sexually enriching a boring relationship.
The Socratic method doesn't just mean asking random questions.
The Buddha said many times that his concern was reducing suffering. Many Buddhists' primary concern in their practice is reducing their suffering, and anything unrelated to that goal is simply not a concern.
So in your opinion, how does looking at porn reduce the watcher's suffering?
The second citation is too old to be relevant/useful/helpful. The first citation does not help me personally (i'm married and we do not watch porn as part of lovemaking). I also question the second citation's general utility in light of other comments I've made here.
Dan74 wrote: As to effects, here's some stuff....
Last edited by retrofuturist on Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason:Lengthy verbatim quote of Dan's earlier citations removed
If it's all about your own mind, then it's not about the object or it's images.
The object is the object of your mind. There is no other object that is accessible to you. The way you are perceiving is your mind. It is also volition that causes further effects.