if you could ask the Buddha one question

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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retrofuturist
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

Whilst I don't think it's necessarily anyone's place to speculate how others would react in such a situation, I believe clw_uk would listen to the Buddha and believe what was said.

We all have different approaches to trying to piece together for ourselves what the Buddha actually taught... I'm sure no two approaches are entirely the same. No matter how confident that we may be that we understand the Buddha's teachings, we should never be complacent and never think we have a monopoly on their interpretation.

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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Ceisiwr
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by Ceisiwr »

Ben wrote:
clw_uk wrote:
Oh, gawd; what would you do if he said that the three life version was correct?

lol, then i would accept it
Somehow, I don't think you would.

Hey Ben

Of course i would :)

If i didnt follow what the Buddha told me was benefical to ending dukkha then i wouldnt be a follower of Buddhadhamma, i wouldnt be taking refuge


Can i put a question to you (and others). If he said that D.O. wasnt three lives and that rebirth wasnt part of his teachings would you listen and still practice buddhadhamma?
metta
“The teacher willed that this world appear to me
as impermanent, unstable, insubstantial.
Mind, let me leap into the victor’s teaching,
carry me over the great flood, so hard to pass.”
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tiltbillings
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by tiltbillings »

If he said that D.O. wasnt three lives and that rebirth wasnt part of his teachings would you listen and still practice buddhadhamma?
I simply respond with: If you are dead and gone, nothing left, what is the point? He would not be much of a Buddha.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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Ceisiwr
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by Ceisiwr »

tiltbillings wrote:
If he said that D.O. wasnt three lives and that rebirth wasnt part of his teachings would you listen and still practice buddhadhamma?
I simply respond with: If you are dead and gone, nothing left, what is the point? He would not be much of a Buddha.
Well thats assuming he would say that (he wouldnt actually since thats a specualtive view that leads to dukkha), my view is that he would most likely say that its irrelevant


just because someone says rebirth isnt in buddhadhamma doesn automatically mean "dead and gone forever"

Thats no different to a xtian saying "dont believe in god then there is nothing after death"

They are both false Dichotomies


perhaps the question simply doesnt matter

so if he said "it doesnt matter" or that its unhelpful speculation, what would you say?
“The teacher willed that this world appear to me
as impermanent, unstable, insubstantial.
Mind, let me leap into the victor’s teaching,
carry me over the great flood, so hard to pass.”
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tiltbillings
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by tiltbillings »

clw_uk wrote:
tiltbillings wrote:
If he said that D.O. wasnt three lives and that rebirth wasnt part of his teachings would you listen and still practice buddhadhamma?
I simply respond with: If you are dead and gone, nothing left, what is the point? He would not be much of a Buddha.
Well thats assuming he would say that (he wouldnt actually since thats a specualtive view that leads to dukkha), my view is that he would most likely say that its irrelevant
Gawd almighty, its a joke, son, a joke. Time for you to give it a rest. You toot a one note horn, and its gone a bit flat.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Mawkish1983
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by Mawkish1983 »

:focus: I'd probably ask him "Am I practicing right". That's often my primary concern. I often feel drawn to the pretty colours, fun music and mind-bending philosophy of some Hindu sects, only to reflect on why I was drawn to them and to come back to the Buddhadhamma (as best as I understand it presently). It would be really nice for the Buddha to either say "Yes, you are practicing well, keep going" or "No, you are cultivating wrong-view [or whatever], try this instead...".

I suppose with the absence of the Buddha as a person I'll have to keep pestering you lot :)
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Ceisiwr
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by Ceisiwr »

Gawd almighty, its a joke, son, a joke. Time for you to give it a rest. You toot a one note horn, and its gone a bit flat.

Oh sorry tilt :embarassed:

Damm internet. hard to tell if people are joking or not lol


metta :)
“The teacher willed that this world appear to me
as impermanent, unstable, insubstantial.
Mind, let me leap into the victor’s teaching,
carry me over the great flood, so hard to pass.”
vitellius
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by vitellius »

"How should I practice?"
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Ben
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by Ben »

Hi Mawk
Mawkish1983 wrote:I suppose with the absence of the Buddha as a person I'll have to keep pestering you lot :)
Please don't forget that in the absence of the Buddha, you still have access to the Tipitaka, the vast commentarial literature as well as the works of modern day scholars and the efforts of our teachers and Dhamma friends. Everyone has worked tirelessly, not only for their own liberation, but also to preserve the Dhamma and expound it for the benefit of future and present generations.
Remember the words of the master:
"Enough, Vakkali! What is there to see in this vile body? He who sees Dhamma, Vakkali, sees me; he who sees me sees Dhamma. Truly seeing Dhamma, one sees me; seeing me one sees Dhamma."

— SN 22.87
Metta

Ben
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Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
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rowyourboat
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by rowyourboat »

I would ask 'what do I do now?'
With Metta

Karuna
Mudita
& Upekkha
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imagemarie
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by imagemarie »

Er..I'd hold up a flower. Am I on the wrong forum ? :jumping:
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Spiny O'Norman
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by Spiny O'Norman »

If I get enlightened in this lifetime, what happens when I die?

Rick

( alright, so it's a big "if"! :jumping: )
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kc2dpt
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by kc2dpt »

The truth is a person so attached to their views would, when confronted by the Buddha himself, sooner question whether that was really the Buddha than change their views.

"You didn't give me the answer I wanted. How do I know you are really the Buddha?"
- Peter

Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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kc2dpt
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by kc2dpt »

The OP prolly needs changing to "If you met the Buddha and somehow knew that it was in fact the Buddha..."
- Peter

Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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retrofuturist
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Re: if you could ask the Buddha one question

Post by retrofuturist »

imagemarie wrote:Er..I'd hold up a flower. Am I on the wrong forum ? :jumping:
:rofl:

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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