Search found 99 matches

by JMGinPDX
Wed Jun 19, 2019 10:32 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: If you met the Awakened One
Replies: 18
Views: 3586

Re: If you met the Awakened One

And instantly die and be reborn in the lowest level of hell for a long long long time. Well, sure, if I literally executed the actual living Sakyamuni Buddha physically standing right before me. But as I indicated in my followup, I was joking. And that's not what the Zen parable is about, either - ...
by JMGinPDX
Fri May 17, 2019 8:06 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: If you met the Awakened One
Replies: 18
Views: 3586

Re: If you met the Awakened One

I'm more of a Zen guy, so if I met the Buddha, I would kill the Buddha. :) And instantly die and be reborn in the lowest level of hell for a long long long time. Well, sure, if I literally executed the actual living Sakyamuni Buddha physically standing right before me. But as I indicated in my foll...
by JMGinPDX
Fri May 17, 2019 8:01 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Wouldn't be useful if Arahants reveal their state and achievements?
Replies: 44
Views: 6216

Re: Wouldn't be useful if Arahants reveal their state and achievements?

This is one area where I think the Zen guys have good advice...."cultivate Great Doubt." Question all attainments, don't settle for achievements, keep pushing forward. As soon as you think you've attained the goal, you've lost the goal. Or as I've heard Ajahn Amaro say many times...asking ...
by JMGinPDX
Fri May 17, 2019 7:48 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: If you met the Awakened One
Replies: 18
Views: 3586

Re: If you met the Awakened One

I'm more of a Zen guy, so if I met the Buddha, I would kill the Buddha. :) I know I know I know...that's not what the OP meant. If I could travel back in time and actually come face to face with him, and could speak his language (or more likely he could see my mind well enough to "speak" m...
by JMGinPDX
Mon Jun 18, 2018 7:43 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Questions About the Thai Forest Tradtion
Replies: 13
Views: 3483

Re: Questions About the Thai Forest Tradtion

LuisR wrote: Sat Jun 16, 2018 7:02 am I have seen the Portland Friends of the Dhamma videos on youtube. Including several with Thanissaro Bhikkhu. :namaste:
I'm glad! I personally shot most of those and will look forward to doing so again when he's here again this autumn.
by JMGinPDX
Mon Jun 18, 2018 7:41 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Reading Mahayana books
Replies: 36
Views: 9025

Re: Reading Mahayana books

I think that in general the tendency in the Theravada is for teachers to be assessed on their merits, rather than on fictitious connection to some lineal forebears. And in some defense of the Mahayanists, I think those who believe the "Buddha holds up a flower" story (and the "Nagarj...
by JMGinPDX
Fri Jun 15, 2018 4:47 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Why Westerners can't extend loving kindness to themselves?
Replies: 29
Views: 7768

Re: Why Westerners can't extend loving kindness to themselves?

Despite what Ajahn Chah said, there ARE societal and cultural differences that play into this. I think the more specific answer here is that we are tuned for self-hatred due to our primarily Judeo-Christian background, and the emphasis on sin and guilt that is somewhat unique to the Abrahamic religi...
by JMGinPDX
Fri Jun 15, 2018 4:42 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Reading Mahayana books
Replies: 36
Views: 9025

Re: Reading Mahayana books

Nice. Thanks for the recommendations. I have "Zen Mind, Beginners Mind". I haven't finished reading it yet. :namaste: What scripture does Zen follow? The heart sutra? I don't know a great deal about it, but there are multiple sutras - the Heart Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Platform Sutra, etc. Kee...
by JMGinPDX
Fri Jun 15, 2018 4:00 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Why did the Buddha's monks shave their heads & beards?
Replies: 16
Views: 6123

Re: Why did the Buddha's monks shave their heads & beards?

From my experience, the answers regarding "dropping ego identity and sense of self" are the most accurate - hairstyles, grooming of all sorts helps people create an identity based on physical appearance (e.g. if I as a white male have a flat-top buzzcut, or I have 3-foot long purple-dyed d...
by JMGinPDX
Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:50 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: What is the difference between the Theravada and Mahayana concepts of Buddhahood?
Replies: 39
Views: 8170

Re: What is the difference between the Theravada and Mahayana concepts of Buddhahood?

Grigoris wrote: Thu Jun 14, 2018 1:09 pm "What is the difference between the Theravada and Mahayana concepts of Buddhahood?"

Nothing, they are both concepts and thus essentially empty of meaning.
:goodpost:
by JMGinPDX
Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:45 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Reading Mahayana books
Replies: 36
Views: 9025

Re: Reading Mahayana books

I have tried reading about Mahayana but its hard to know where to start. If you go to the book store they got books about zen, a lot of Tibetan stuff and different sutras. Its hard to get an idea of what Mahayana is, they are all over the place. That's because Mahayana in general IS all over the pl...
by JMGinPDX
Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:35 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The Uposatha, the correct time to do it
Replies: 19
Views: 5110

Re: The Uposatha, the correct time to do it

Regardless. One can do nothing more than to do their best, as often as they can. Sometimes that is great and often, sometimes it is shite and rarely. It is when you stop trying that things go to the dogs. Beating oneself up doesn't help in the slightest. :anjali: ...and if I may be so bold as to ex...
by JMGinPDX
Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:22 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: "Kill your parents, kill your god, kill your teacher." Fake Buddha quote?
Replies: 11
Views: 3862

Re: "Kill your parents, kill your god, kill your teacher." Fake Buddha quote?

From The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-Chi. The full quote :) Followers of the Way [of Zen], if you want to get the kind of understanding that accords with the Dharma, never be misled by others. Whether you're facing inward or facing outward, whatever you meet up with, just kill it! If you meet a bud...
by JMGinPDX
Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:12 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Questions About the Thai Forest Tradtion
Replies: 13
Views: 3483

Re: Questions About the Thai Forest Tradtion

Thanks for the replies. Thanissaro gives a day-long talk on the Thai Forest Tradition that I would highly recommend. https://www.audiodharma.org/series/16/talk/5996/ Thank you for the link. So Thanissaro Bhikkhu teachers the same Meditation as Ajahn Lee Dhammadaro? How would this method differ from...
by JMGinPDX
Fri Jun 08, 2018 5:09 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Reading Mahayana books
Replies: 36
Views: 9025

Re: Reading Mahayana books

What is your view on reading books by authors of the Mahayana tradition, like Thich Nhat Hanh or others? Helpful? Not helpful? Confusing? I think it's useful to develop a sense of the bigger picture. Comparing and contrasting the different assumptions and practices across Buddhist schools can be ve...