Buddhism and apathy?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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nrose619
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Buddhism and apathy?

Post by nrose619 »

One of my friends studies Buddhism for a world religions class he is taking, and when we were conversing he mentioned Buddhism often pointed to signs of apathy ( lack of feeling or emotion/lack of interest or concern) I said this is not always the case since Buddhism often advocates the virtues of compassion, understanding, and unity. What do you all think of this? :anjali:

many thanks,
-Nick
"A silver bird
flies over the autumn lake.
When it has passed,
the lake's surface does not try
to hold on to the image of the bird."
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Cittasanto
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Re: Buddhism and apathy?

Post by Cittasanto »

there is a difference between apathy and equanimity.
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But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
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SarathW
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Re: Buddhism and apathy?

Post by SarathW »

This is a common criticism due to not understanding Buddhism.
Lots of Buddhist also misinterpret Buddhism as well (I am sometimes).
Some Buddhist criticise other religions without having any appreciation for their teachings.

So all this comes down to ignorance.

By the way non attachment, non anger and Loving kindness etc. (Brahama Vihara) are salient features of Buddhism.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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retrofuturist
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Re: Buddhism and apathy?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings Nick,

The best way to remove unwholesome qualities is through their wholesome opposites...

Replacing ignorance with wisdom, aversion with lovingkindness, and greed with openness and generosity.

To let go of the unwholesome without cultivating the wholesome in response could lead to apathy, but simply aiming to let go of the unwholesome without cultivating the wholesome in its place is not what the Buddha taught. Right Effort involves all four of the following (not just & [ii])...
"And what, monks, is right effort?

"There is the case where a monk generates desire, endeavors, activates persistence, upholds & exerts his intent for the sake of the non-arising of evil, unskillful qualities that have not yet arisen.

[ii] "He generates desire, endeavors, activates persistence, upholds & exerts his intent for the sake of the abandonment of evil, unskillful qualities that have arisen.

[iii] "He generates desire, endeavors, activates persistence, upholds & exerts his intent for the sake of the arising of skillful qualities that have not yet arisen.

[iv] "He generates desire, endeavors, activates persistence, upholds & exerts his intent for the maintenance, non-confusion, increase, plenitude, development, & culmination of skillful qualities that have arisen: This, monks, is called right effort."

— SN 45.8

"Generates desire, endeavors, activates persistence, upholds & exerts his intent " doesn't sound like apathy, does it? :)

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."
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marc108
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Re: Buddhism and apathy?

Post by marc108 »

Cittasanto wrote:there is a difference between apathy and equanimity.
exactly. :anjali:
"It's easy for us to connect with what's wrong with us... and not so easy to feel into, or to allow us, to connect with what's right and what's good in us."
steve19800
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Re: Buddhism and apathy?

Post by steve19800 »

The excitement and all its allies is one of the branch of a tree called party and friends. Someone wants to go beyond this flame of fire therefore they practice Buddhism.
rahul3bds
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Re: Buddhism and apathy?

Post by rahul3bds »

nrose619 wrote:One of my friends studies Buddhism for a world religions class he is taking, and when we were conversing he mentioned Buddhism often pointed to signs of apathy ( lack of feeling or emotion/lack of interest or concern) I said this is not always the case since Buddhism often advocates the virtues of compassion, understanding, and unity. What do you all think of this? :anjali:

many thanks,
-Nick
Actually, it would be Fatalism pointing to the signs of apathy. Remove the last three noble truths from Buddhism and you will get the Fatalistic view.
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