Individual
I think there's plenty of ugliness to go around, Tiltbillings, but one thing I have to add: Of the 62 wrong views of the Brahmajala Sutta, agnostic eel-wriggling (the refusal to take a clear position out of a refusal to admit ignorance) is one of them. And it is mentioned in the context of ascetics who made ambiguous remarks about rebirth & kamma, refusing to either affirm or deny them. Is that what's going on here? I can't say, but it's something worth considering. Not clinging to views doesn't equate with not putting forth any views at all: the latter is the definition of eel-wriggling. And when you think about it, if you can't say there is rebirth or isn't, or what rebirth is like or isn't like, then you don't really know anything about rebirth. Eel-wriggling agnosticism is meant to hide this
So by this understanding this follwing passage is "eel wriggling"
Because entrenchments1 in views
aren't easily overcome
when considering what's grasped
among doctrines,
that's why
a person embraces or rejects a doctrine —
in light of these very
entrenchments.
Now, one who is cleansed2
has no preconceived view
about states of becoming
or not-
anywhere in the world.
Having abandoned conceit3 & illusion,
by what means would he go?4
He isn't involved.
For one who's involved
gets into disputes
over doctrines,
but how — in connection with what — 5
would you argue
with one uninvolved?
He has nothing
embraced or rejected,6
has sloughed off every view
right here — every one.
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and the practice of leaving behind views is eel wriggling so this sutta is wrong practice
"Monks, with the abandoning & destruction of the seven obsessions, the holy life is fulfilled. Which seven? The obsession of sensual passion, the obsession of resistance,
the obsession of views, the obsession of uncertainty, the obsession of conceit, the obsession of passion for becoming, the obsession of ignorance. With the abandoning & destruction of these seven obsessions, the holy life is fulfilled.
"When, for a monk, the obsession of sensual passion has been abandoned, its root destroyed, made like a palmyra stump, deprived of the conditions of development, not destined for future arising; when, for him, the obsession of resistance... the obsession of views... the obsession of uncertainty... the obsession of conceit... the obsession of passion for becoming... the obsession of ignorance
has been abandoned, its root destroyed, made like a palmyra stump, deprived of the conditions of development, not destined for future arising: this is called a monk who has cut through craving, has turned away from the fetter, and — by rightly breaking through conceit — has put an end to suffering & stress."
and this sutta
Monks, there are these seven obsessions.1 Which seven?
"(1) The obsession of sensual passion.
"(2) The obsession of resistance.
"(3)
The obsession of views.
"(4) The obsession of uncertainty.
"(5) The obsession of conceit.
"(6) The obsession of passion for becoming.
"(7) The obsession of ignorance.
"These are the seven obsessions."
the "eel wriggler" position is one that from the outset doesnt take a view about anything at all and gets paralyzed
The Buddha taught views yes, he taught views that are wholesome and leads to wholesome states however he also taught that the teachings are like a raft, so even the views must be left behind
As i understand it views are to be used and then let go of
In relation to myself i dont "eel wriggle" to deny ignorance. There are views here and there is still ignorance here, however (as i understand it) one should work to progressively let go of the grip on views one by one, same with clinging to anything else
metta