Should Buddhists be Tolerant of Other Religions?

[Ben]

Hi Peter

My apologies...
some of us mods have been a little distracted by events in our non-internet lives.
I'm happy to discuss any issues by pm if you wish.
Metta

Ben

[Peter]

it is difficult to know online what someone's background is, their level of knowledge, expertise in a certain area. "Should I trust what this person says? That just doesn't sound quite right to me.." may be some thoughts one might have. If one is not a teacher, but goes around trying to 'teach' others what they, in their opinion, hold to be 'true' or 'right', who is to say that their understanding is any more 'advanced' than those they are attempting to 'teach'?

That's why we back up things with scriptural sources. So we aren't simply replying with opinions.

[christopher:::]

Hi everyone,

As Chris noted, the view i've voiced here is nothing that i had not said before on other forums, in various ways. For many of you my view is "wrong." It might well be! Or its not what Buddha taught, or not the dharma. This too may be true. Half Buddhist, inspired by Buddhism, as Peter said i think, these may be labels that fit. I consider myself a student and practitioner of the dharma, but beyond that i really dont know, and others may feel my practice is misguided or wrong. It definitely has potential to deepen and gain greater clarity.

Thanks chicka-Dee for stepping in, but i think there is a gap of perception here, a gap of view, that just may never be bridged. Or if it is bridged, it will happen naturally, not thru argument. That's okay... This is a discussion forum, we take positions, defend them, present them. I would not be surprised if some of us are actually very different in 3D. No way to know. More and more i am coming to feel that these kinds of discussions limit us, cause of the electronic context here, where we dont face each other, see and hear one another...

I wish you all success with your lives and practice. May all beings be freed from suffering. May we all come to a better understanding of the dharma. There's been no other teaching like it on this planet that i've ever come across, even if my understanding is incomplete, muddled, utopian or overly simplified.

Bottom line, for me, is to be able to helps others and understand how the dharma works, in my life, and in the lives of those i am connected to.

I'm starting to realize that communicating with people you don't really know, in public forums, may not always be a good idea.

It's very rarely a good idea, in my opinion. Private conversation with someone you trust is thousands of times better.

Yep. This is very very very important, to keep in mind.

[tiltbillings]

. I would not be surprised if some of us are actually very different in 3D.

You mean more pleasant, less confrontational, less likely to pick you a part? That sort of thing? Part of the problem, Christopher, is that - in my opinion, which you do not have to share - you have missed and misunderstood a lot of what has been clearly said to you by me and others, but then I am sure I am just being an online butthead for saying that, but I would actually say that to you face-to-face, which makes me an off-line butthead, as well. There is a problem with online communication, but there is also with some, online or face-to-face, an absolute abhorrence, for whatever reason, at looking at religion in any way that might be critical, and that does make for a great deal of misunderstanding all around.

[Jechbi]

I'm an online Beavis.

[Dan74]

One obvious point that may be worth making is that while there may well be reasons for saying that Buddhism is the "best", most "evolved", most
"truthful" religion, there is very little reason to say the same about Buddhists.

So like Christopher, I can say that I too have met many inspirational people who wouldn't know Dharma from a sitcom character. Much in life can be a great practice and a source of inspiration. But depending on our personalities we may confine ourselves to a specific practice and deepen it, or spread ourself over a vast expanse and sincerely appreciate the diversity of beliefs and life in general. The Buddha taught many practices, many medicines for many ills. There is no "one size fits all" and perhaps we can show some respect for each others paths. This tends to inspire us to pursue these paths with renewed vigour, deepening our practice, instead of wasting energy in defending views.

Like chicka-Dee I feel it is a pissing context, this dynamics years after year. At the very least it has borne precious little fruit, since it just keeps repeating itself. So perhaps it is time to try a different approach.




_/|\_

[tiltbillings]

. There is no "one size fits all" and perhaps we can show some respect for each others paths.

No one here has advocated "one size fits all" - far from it. And no one here has advocated disrespect for other paths, though I think a very reasonable argument can be made that it-is-all-one can be very disrespectful. I do not think that disrespect has been intentional. No one here is denying that kindness in our relationships is far more important than expecting other to adhere to a particular doctrine. HOWEVER, there is nothing wrong within a particular context of looking at religion in general and expressions of various religion in particular with a critical eye, and no one is forcing that upon anyone else. If that is not your cup of chai, do not consume it, but why complain about those who do?

Like chicka-Dee I feel it is a pissing context

A bit insulting. I do not think it was either the case for Christopher or me. Sometimes there is failure to communicate, and it is not always obvious why, but to accuse participants of an ego driven "pissing contest" adds no understanding whatsoever.

[mikenz66]

Hi Dan,

There is no "one size fits all" and perhaps we can show some respect for each others paths.

But that's exactly what I've been trying to say. I can not claim to know whether path(s) taught by the Buddha is the "best" or even one of the "correct" paths. I respect different paths.

MN 95:Canki Sutta http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

"If a person has conviction, his statement, 'This is my conviction,' safeguards the truth. But he doesn't yet come to the definite conclusion that 'Only this is true; anything else is worthless.' To this extent, Bharadvaja, there is the safeguarding of the truth. To this extent one safeguards the truth. I describe this as the safeguarding of the truth. But it is not yet an awakening to the truth.

There is no disrespect in pointing out the differences between the Buddha's Dhamma and other paths. On the contrary, in my opinion, insisting that all paths are identical shows a lack of respect for the differences and the depth of the various paths.

Metta
Mike

[tiltbillings]

At this point, I think we need to step back from this thread a bit. The other mods and admins can review this to see if should be reopened. For myself, whatever discomfort or pain caused, my apologies.