Ignorance

[ignobleone]

How do you deal with ignorance if even the authority is ignorant?

[ground]

Whatever arises, just don't touch.

[Sam Vara]

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.

[Stephen K]

"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

[ignobleone]

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.

[ground]

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.

[Cittasanto]

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.

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.

[Sam Vara]

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]

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

[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.

[ground]

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.

sure, yet there are ways in which a community/society operate.

No issue. Ways are just ways.

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.