Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

A place to discuss casual topics amongst spiritual friends.
User avatar
kirk5a
Posts: 1959
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 1:51 pm

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by kirk5a »

Alex123 wrote: Who care about short lasting results (which might not even be achieved) in this short life if afterwards one will eternally burn in hell? Maybe the results (if they even exist) are from the devil (or God) to tempt us away from Christianity.
I don't feel like getting far into a discussion about Chrisitanity, but consider the actual text.
Matthew 7:15-23 wrote: By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
"When one thing is practiced & pursued, ignorance is abandoned, clear knowing arises, the conceit 'I am' is abandoned, latent tendencies are uprooted, fetters are abandoned. Which one thing? Mindfulness immersed in the body." -AN 1.230
Buckwheat
Posts: 970
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:39 am
Location: California USA

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by Buckwheat »

Kare wrote:
Buckwheat wrote: Based on this review,
I would never base anything on a review which is so obviously prejudiced as that one ... unless, of course, if it supports my own prejudices.

A golden rule: If you wish to discuss a book, read the book.
Not gonna happen, so I will have to bow out. :anjali:
Sotthī hontu nirantaraṃ - May you forever be well.
User avatar
Ben
Posts: 18438
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:49 am
Location: kanamaluka

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by Ben »

binocular wrote:
Ben wrote:What I see here in this thread, and elsewhere on the forum, is a lack of self-reflexive analysis or discussion about one's own distorted vision.
Too often do we see "I've got it right, this other approach (or your approach) is wrong"
It may be that; but sometimes it is also due to one's particular communication skills that one misinterprets something as an ego-contest when it fact it isn't.

For example, my experience is that people who don't have formal training in college-level philosophy tend to find college-level philosophizing offensive. Also, people who aren't trained to recognize and to use different communication styles (assertive, aggressive, passive, passive aggressive) also tend to take offense at the assertive style.
No, I don't think I am misinterpreting anything at all, nor is Ajahn Thanissaro nor many others who have made the same observations. Personally, I am a veteran of approx ten years on various Buddhist discussion boards and a practitioner of nearly 30 years experience.
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725

Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global ReliefUNHCR

e: [email protected]..
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by tiltbillings »

binocular wrote:
It may be that; but sometimes it is also due to one's particular communication skills that one misinterprets something as an ego-contest when it fact it isn't.

For example, my experience is that people who don't have formal training in college-level philosophy tend to find college-level philosophizing offensive.
The problem is that very little of that is going in this thread.
>> 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
Spiny Norman
Posts: 10170
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:32 am
Location: Andromeda looks nice

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by Spiny Norman »

kirk5a wrote:
Alex123 wrote:Based on what do you pick one faith over another faith?
One in which there can be observable beneficial results here and now, not solely about results after death. The Kalama sutta provides guidance on that question.
Though I suspect people from all religions would claim beneficial results in the here and now.
Buddha save me from new-agers!
User avatar
Ben
Posts: 18438
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:49 am
Location: kanamaluka

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by Ben »

kirk5a wrote:
Alex123 wrote:Based on what do you pick one faith over another faith?
One in which there can be observable beneficial results here and now, not solely about results after death. The Kalama sutta provides guidance on that question.
Kirk,
I urge you to read the article by Thanissaro Bhikkhu that I linked to earlier.
The message given to the Kalamas seems to be very subtle and not well understood.
kind regards,

Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725

Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global ReliefUNHCR

e: [email protected]..
binocular
Posts: 8292
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:13 pm

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by binocular »

Ben wrote:No, I don't think I am misinterpreting anything at all, nor is Ajahn Thanissaro nor many others who have made the same observations. Personally, I am a veteran of approx ten years on various Buddhist discussion boards and a practitioner of nearly 30 years experience.
tiltbillings wrote:The problem is that very little of that is going in this thread.
You're being cryptic.
Could you direct your criticism at the person you actually intend it for, and over what exactly?

Ben wrote:I urge you to read the article by Thanissaro Bhikkhu that I linked to earlier.
The message given to the Kalamas seems to be very subtle and not well understood.
Could you present the message of the Kalama sutta, as you see it?


And yes, I've read the article, already soon after it was published.
I hope all here are aware of Thanissaro Bhikkhu's somewhat controversial stance on the issue of anatta, the meaning of "mindfulness" and a number of other issues.
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
binocular
Posts: 8292
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:13 pm

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by binocular »

Kare wrote:
binocular wrote:It takes a good amount of pride and egotism to insist in investing effort despite the belief that this one lifetime is all there is and despite the awareness that death could come at any time and cut one's efforts short.
Pride and egotism?
What else can keep a person going in the face of what they believe to be certain and unpredictable death?
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
binocular
Posts: 8292
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:13 pm

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by binocular »

Alex123 wrote:Who care about short lasting results (which might not even be achieved) in this short life if afterwards one will eternally burn in hell? Maybe the results (if they even exist) are from the devil (or God) to tempt us away from Christianity.
Alex123 wrote:Based on what do you pick one faith over another faith?
Heh. I feel like a kid in a candy store, seeing the problems you present!
This kind of problems are just my area of interest.

I used to have many sleepless nights over questions such as "Which religion is the right one?" and the like. And this for years, even for a couple of decades.
At risk of sounding patronizing or assuming too much advancement, I dare say though that those concerns and sleepless nights can go away. It has taken me a lot of time and effort, and the effort of some other people, a lot of reading and discussing and journaling, and trying this and that.

I think I can relate to the state you are in and to how you phrase your issues. Even though now, your state may seem as very solid and lasting, it might change.
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
User avatar
Alex123
Posts: 4035
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:32 pm

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by Alex123 »

binocular wrote:
Kare wrote:
binocular wrote:It takes a good amount of pride and egotism to insist in investing effort despite the belief that this one lifetime is all there is and despite the awareness that death could come at any time and cut one's efforts short.
Pride and egotism?
What else can keep a person going in the face of what they believe to be certain and unpredictable death?

Why isn't it pride to say that "I do know for certain what is going to happen after death"?

Personally, I don't know for certain. I have some reasons to question certain beliefs, but I believe that I don't know everything, I am not Omniscient.
User avatar
kirk5a
Posts: 1959
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 1:51 pm

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by kirk5a »

Ben wrote:
kirk5a wrote:
Alex123 wrote:Based on what do you pick one faith over another faith?
One in which there can be observable beneficial results here and now, not solely about results after death. The Kalama sutta provides guidance on that question.
Kirk,
I urge you to read the article by Thanissaro Bhikkhu that I linked to earlier.
The message given to the Kalamas seems to be very subtle and not well understood.
kind regards,

Ben
I did, thank you. Am I misrepresenting something about the Kalama sutta?
"When one thing is practiced & pursued, ignorance is abandoned, clear knowing arises, the conceit 'I am' is abandoned, latent tendencies are uprooted, fetters are abandoned. Which one thing? Mindfulness immersed in the body." -AN 1.230
binocular
Posts: 8292
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:13 pm

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by binocular »

Alex123 wrote:Why isn't it pride to say that "I do know for certain what is going to happen after death"?
Not sure how this relates to what we're talking about ...

Some people may indeed know for a fact what is going to happen after death. In that case, them stating so isn't pride.

My point was that I think it is eventually impossible to invest into spiritual (or materialistic) efforts, if one believes that this one lifetime is all there is and is aware that death could come at any time.
I'd love for someone to show otherwise, but so far, I have yet to meet such a person.


In Start Trek (2008), Spock says about the test that Kirk cheated on:
The purpose [of the test] is to experience fear, fear in the face of certain death, to accept that fear, and maintain control of oneself and one's crew. This is a quality expected in every Starfleet captain.
But this is an ideal from a sci-fi film, and it is probably an ideal for many people. But unless one is a Vulcan or a Starfleet captain - who can really do it?
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
User avatar
Alex123
Posts: 4035
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:32 pm

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by Alex123 »

binocular wrote:Some people may indeed know for a fact what is going to happen after death. In that case, them stating so isn't pride.
And some people "know" that Jesus is the Lord who answers their prayers. How do we know that a person isn't hallucinating or imagining? Hallucinations and dreams can appear quite real and I don't doubt sincerity and honesty of those people who had those hallucinations.
binocular wrote:My point was that I think it is eventually impossible to invest into spiritual (or materialistic) efforts, if one believes that this one lifetime is all there is and is aware that death could come at any time.
I agree. Though one could say that being a monk and daily experiencing pleasure of jhāna + insight afterwards is worth it, even if there is one life.
binocular
Posts: 8292
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:13 pm

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by binocular »

Alex123 wrote:And some people "know" that Jesus is the Lord who answers their prayers. How do we know that a person isn't hallucinating or imagining? Hallucinations and dreams can appear quite real and I don't doubt sincerity and honesty of those people who had those hallucinations.
Why does it matter what other people may know or not know? Why does it matter whether they are hallucinating or not?

binocular wrote:My point was that I think it is eventually impossible to invest into spiritual (or materialistic) efforts, if one believes that this one lifetime is all there is and is aware that death could come at any time.
I agree. Though one could say that being a monk and daily experiencing pleasure of jhāna + insight afterwards is worth it, even if there is one life.
Although the question is, whether one can come to the point of practicing jhana with the outlook that this one lifetime is all there is.
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
User avatar
Aloka
Posts: 7797
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:51 pm

Re: Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist

Post by Aloka »

binocular wrote:
Although the question is, whether one can come to the point of practicing jhana with the outlook that this one lifetime is all there is.
That doesn't make any sense because this lifetime is the only one there is in terms of a person called "binocular"

I like this comment from Ajahn Amaro (who's talks at Amaravati monastery I have had the good fortune to attend) in the book " The Good Heart"

“What is reborn ?"

" From the Theravada Buddhist perspective there is no fixed position.
The Buddha described the process of rebirth quite clearly, but he also said that all knowledge is based on personal experience. So when he talks about the idea of death and rebirth in a different realm of existence, this is like a map that he laid out. It is not handed out as something that we as individuals must believe, but more as a pattern that can help describe our experience of reality.

Generally speaking, what is reborn are our habits. That is the essence of it. Whatever the mind holds onto is reborn: what we love, hate, fear, adore, and have opinions about. Our identification with these aspects of the mind has a momentum behind it. Attachment is like a flywheel. Enlightenment is the ending of rebirth, enlightenment is really the natural condition of the mind when its not confused, identified, or caught up with any internal or external object. "
....Ooh look .....we're getting caught up with plenty of opinions in this thread ! I don't know about anyone else but I'm hoping to aim for Nibanna, not rebirth, lol !

:twothumbsup:
Last edited by Aloka on Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:29 am, edited 2 times in total.
Locked