Buddhism cult

[ignobleone]

Hi,

Someone via pm warned me that this forum is a cult. Maybe some of you have anything to say regarding this claim as well as some other things he also said:
- Most monks are 'clueless', thus you need to cultivate jhana yourself to be an authority
- Since monks are clueless, talking about faith(sadha) in the Sangha is a nonsense

He sent me the pm in response to my comments on jhana related threads. When I ask what clues he has concerning the 1st jhana, I don't see he has some other things beside the jhana factors. I wonder if he has categorized people including himself (into 'clueless' and 'not clueless' category) correctly.

When explaining about jhana, he relates the 1st jhana with stream-entry. This sounds familiar to me. I guess he came from the pragmatic dharma forum out there such as founded by Kenneth Folk, Daniel Ingram, etc, with weird views on jhana.

[David N. Snyder]

I would think it would be pretty hard to be a cult if you are an online forum. It would be kind of hard to control people's behavior when you don't see them, don't meet them, don't even know what many of the people here look like.

[ancientbuddhism]

Hi,

Someone via pm warned me that this forum is a cult. Maybe some of you have anything to say regarding this claim as well as some other things he also said:
- Most monks are 'clueless', thus you need to cultivate jhana yourself to be an authority
- Since monks are clueless, talking about faith(sadha) in the Sangha is a nonsense ...

Sounds rather Elemental

[Cittasanto]

:D

I would think it would be pretty hard to be a cult if you are an online forum. It would be kind of hard to control people's behavior when you don't see them, don't meet them, don't even know what many of the people here look like.

I agree master! what shall we think now?


ok couldn't resist brown nosing the admin... for this thread!

I think there is a diverse group of views and opinions here unlike some places, so maybe it is just projection? who cares what some anonymous person thinks.

[David N. Snyder]

I think there is a diverse group of views and opinions here unlike some places, so maybe it is just projection? who cares what some anonymous person thinks.

I agree master! what shall we think now?

By the way, it's your turn to clean my toilet.

[James the Giant]

I've heard criticism that "People at Dhamma Wheel are fundamentalists because they quote relevant suttas and expect that to be accepted!

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

I've heard criticism that "People at Dhamma Wheel are fundamentalists because they quote relevant suttas and expect that to be accepted!

Well, refuge in the Buddha and the Dhamma is fundamental to being Buddhist.



Metta,
Retro.

[Yana]

Hi,

Someone via pm warned me that this forum is a cult.

Yes actually that someone is doing my homework right now..apparently i brain washed him...? hm strange

[David N. Snyder]

Yes actually that someone is doing my homework right now..apparently i brain washed him...? hm strange

Good job.

I've heard criticism that "People at Dhamma Wheel are fundamentalists because they quote relevant suttas and expect that to be accepted!

Do you have the coordinates of the subversives? We can send a squad car over right away!

[Modus.Ponens]

PS: yes, element is certainly a possibility.

[Cittasanto]

:rofl:

PS: yes, element is certainly a possibility.

it does appear he has been back recently.

[ground]

Hi,

Someone via pm warned me that this forum is a cult.

if consciousness seeks a home then it is the opposite of liberation but actually self-supporting the sense of "I" and "mine". This occurs in different contexts so it may also occur in the context of the internet and its forums. Can such a phenomenon appropriately be called "cult"?

[Monkey Mind]

I'm glad I am not the only one to suspect this. There must be some type of subliminal mind control going on here, why else would I be reading DW when I have important homework to do?

[Yana]

I'm glad I am not the only one to suspect this. There must be some type of subliminal mind control going on here, why else would I be reading DW when I have important homework to do?

That's what i Thought!I am Hooked on reading thread after the thread!

[m0rl0ck]

Hi,

Someone via pm warned me that this forum is a cult. Maybe some of you have anything to say regarding this claim as well as some other things he also said:
- Most monks are 'clueless', thus you need to cultivate jhana yourself to be an authority
- Since monks are clueless, talking about faith(sadha) in the Sangha is a nonsense

He sent me the pm in response to my comments on jhana related threads. When I ask what clues he has concerning the 1st jhana, I don't see he has some other things beside the jhana factors. I wonder if he has categorized people including himself (into 'clueless' and 'not clueless' category) correctly.

When explaining about jhana, he relates the 1st jhana with stream-entry. This sounds familiar to me. I guess he came from the pragmatic dharma forum out there such as founded by Kenneth Folk, Daniel Ingram, etc, with weird views on jhana.

Im not a theravadan buddhist. My experience with this forum is that it is perhaps the sanest, most fairly moderated and tolerant buddhist forum on the internet. Its prudent to be careful who you credit with authority and i would start with the guy that sent you the pm

[nibbuti]

When I ask what clues he has concerning the 1st jhana, I don't see he has some other things beside the jhana factors.

Hi ignobleone

Obviously that's what the Buddha taught.

I wonder if he has categorized people including himself (into 'clueless' and 'not clueless' category) correctly

We're all clueless to certain extent so long as we haven't eradicated all fetters.

A reminder of that is worth gold, as it does not unnecessarily build up false expectations.

The Dhamma practise is not like collecting trick-or-treat candy, but rather like peeling off onion layers.

Should one a man of wisdom meet
who points out faults and gives reproof,
who lays a hidden treasure bare,
with such a sage should one consort.
Consorting so is one enriched
and never in decline. - Dhp verse 76

weird views on jhana.

Most if not all descriptions/views of jhana I've read by respected teachers and good men were weird and not helpful.

There's a reason the Buddha only gave us a short formula in all the 10'000s of suttas, and it's not because "jhana was common back then".

Just practise the Noble Eightful Path thoroughly and you'll see for yourself.

[ignobleone]

Sorry, I have decided not to argue with non-buddhist.

[nibbuti]

Sorry, I have decided not to argue with non-buddhist.

No problem, friend. What is true & beneficial (Dhamma) can be seen by the wise for oneself w/o argueing, denomination or personality view (sakkāya-diṭṭhi).

[Cittasanto]

[porpoise]

Anyway, Buddhists aren't very good at cults because they're always asking questions...