Ignorance

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
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ignobleone
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Ignorance

Post by ignobleone »

How do you deal with ignorance if even the authority is ignorant?
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ground
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Re: Ignorance

Post by ground »

Whatever arises, just don't touch. :sage:
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Sam Vara
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Re: Ignorance

Post by Sam Vara »

ignobleone wrote:How do you deal with ignorance if even the authority is ignorant?
Could you clarify this a bit, and maybe give a concrete example of what you mean?

Do you mean how to deal with the ignorance of those who are supposed to be "authorities"? If I believe them to be ignorant, then to that extent I don't treat them as an "authority". I just assume that they don't have anything to offer me at that moment, perhaps because I don't understand them.

I have enough trouble with my own ignorance, never mind the supposed ignorance of others.
Lombardi4
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Re: Ignorance

Post by Lombardi4 »

SN 35.80 wrote:"Lord, is there any one thing with whose abandoning in a monk ignorance is abandoned and clear knowing arises?"

"Yes monk, there is one thing with whose abandoning in a monk ignorance is abandoned and clear knowing arises."

"What is that one thing?"

"Ignorance, monk, is the one thing with whose abandoning in a monk ignorance is abandoned and clear knowing arises."

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
ignobleone
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Re: Ignorance

Post by ignobleone »

Sam Vara wrote:
ignobleone wrote:How do you deal with ignorance if even the authority is ignorant?
Could you clarify this a bit, and maybe give a concrete example of what you mean?

Do you mean how to deal with the ignorance of those who are supposed to be "authorities"? If I believe them to be ignorant, then to that extent I don't treat them as an "authority". I just assume that they don't have anything to offer me at that moment, perhaps because I don't understand them.

I have enough trouble with my own ignorance, never mind the supposed ignorance of others.
If you don't treat them as an authority, you will get fined or jailed or etc. It's more to social issue than spiritual.
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ground
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Re: Ignorance

Post by ground »

ignobleone wrote:If you don't treat them as an authority, you will get fined or jailed or etc.
No issue if there is sufficient conviction in dhamma and sangha. Only if worldly concerns prevail there is an issue. :sage:
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Cittasanto
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Re: Ignorance

Post by Cittasanto »

ground wrote:
ignobleone wrote:If you don't treat them as an authority, you will get fined or jailed or etc.
No issue if there is sufficient conviction in dhamma and sangha. Only if worldly concerns prevail there is an issue. :sage:
sure, yet there are ways in which a community/society operate. These should be respected as failure to do so when it is not against the Dhamma leads to decline and ruin.
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Sam Vara
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Re: Ignorance

Post by Sam Vara »

ignobleone wrote:
Sam Vara wrote:
ignobleone wrote:How do you deal with ignorance if even the authority is ignorant?
Could you clarify this a bit, and maybe give a concrete example of what you mean?

Do you mean how to deal with the ignorance of those who are supposed to be "authorities"? If I believe them to be ignorant, then to that extent I don't treat them as an "authority". I just assume that they don't have anything to offer me at that moment, perhaps because I don't understand them.

I have enough trouble with my own ignorance, never mind the supposed ignorance of others.
If you don't treat them as an authority, you will get fined or jailed or etc. It's more to social issue than spiritual.
Ah, I see - this is about obeying the law?

I think Cittasanto's advice is good. Unless the law specifically forces one to break precepts, etc., then it makes a lot of sense to obey the law of the land. The same applies to commercial and institutional/organisational rules, and lots of benign social conventions. Failing to do as these prescribe can run you into a lot of trouble with other people and leads to conflict. Luckily, I live in a part of the world where I can "fit in" quite well and still practice the Dhamma.
ignobleone
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Re: Ignorance

Post by ignobleone »

- Ignorance is contagious.
- Ignorance = blindness
- Even a Buddha cannot remove one's ignorance
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Ben
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Re: Ignorance

Post by Ben »

If I am not mistaken this thread is metadiscussion, thinly disguised.
I think that is a reasonable interpretation but I am hoping that ignobleone can correct me if I am wrong.
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ground
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Re: Ignorance

Post by ground »

Cittasanto wrote:
ground wrote:
ignobleone wrote:If you don't treat them as an authority, you will get fined or jailed or etc.
No issue if there is sufficient conviction in dhamma and sangha. Only if worldly concerns prevail there is an issue. :sage:
sure, yet there are ways in which a community/society operate.
No issue. Ways are just ways.
Cittasanto wrote: These should be respected as failure to do so when it is not against the Dhamma leads to decline and ruin.
This is the view of the fearful "I"/self which may be helpful for some, yes.
Actually acting in harmony with conditions is just this: Acting in harmony with conditions. :sage:
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