Search found 35 matches

by Ravana
Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:43 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Tantra II
Replies: 25
Views: 8108

Re: Tantra II

From what I understand, Theravada doesn't teach that "everything is empty regardless of how they may appear." - it only teaches that "everything is empty of a self". The difference is? I thought the Madhyamika teaching of Emptiness says that all things are empty of any character...
by Ravana
Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:06 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Tantra II
Replies: 25
Views: 8108

Re: Tantra II

I think the description of Tantra which you provide itself shows why a discussion of Tantra from a Theravada viewpoint will be problematic: Tantra is practiced so practitioners can see everything is empty regardless of how they may appear. From what I understand, Theravada doesn't teach that "e...
by Ravana
Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:54 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Rebirth into Nothingness
Replies: 10
Views: 2991

Re: Rebirth into Nothingness

I can't excatly pin-point as to where I learned it, but I'm pretty sure that you can cross out your first option - it's either the second answer or the third: Does one A) only need to attain the dimension of nothingness once in order for there to be a rebirth there? B) or does it need to be develope...
by Ravana
Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:11 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Replies: 32
Views: 17125

Re: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Those who interpret him as warning that having a view on not-self is counter-productive to practise don't think that he is an eternalist. I also think this is the case. I am not too familiar with the way he teaches, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I've listened to some of his talks, and he seems to...
by Ravana
Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:03 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: A Rare Opportunity
Replies: 11
Views: 4012

Re: A Rare Opportunity

I'm sure you know the sutta about the blind sea turtle who somehow rises up through the yoke floating on the great seas, that is how rare it is, how fortunate, to have achieved human rebirth...if I got that wrong, someone please correct.) I don't remember which Sutta it is, but yes, that's a brilli...
by Ravana
Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:57 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Views and beliefs
Replies: 44
Views: 10040

Re: Views and beliefs

Then isnt this clinging to a teaching? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you should cling to the teaching until you arrive at a certain point of your path before nibbana where you're ready to let go of the teaching. If you let go of the teaching before that point, you probably won't arrive at ni...
by Ravana
Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:27 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: A Rare Opportunity
Replies: 11
Views: 4012

A Rare Opportunity

In the talk What is Wrong with Buddha Nature given by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, he claims that the main goal for the development of the Buddha-nature doctrine is to inspire people to practice - give them the idea that 'anybody can do it' - and he argues that the doctrine of Buddha-nature doesn't really do...
by Ravana
Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:14 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Materialism and Physicalism
Replies: 13
Views: 4013

Re: Materialism and Physicalism

clw_uk wrote:Are Materialism and Physicalism really incompatible with the Dhamma if they are true?
Isn't this going to be basically a repeat of the "Views and Beliefs" thread?
by Ravana
Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:09 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: metta as my main practice
Replies: 54
Views: 15993

Re: metta as my main practice

I really don't see any reason as to why - say, a Hindu yogi, could practice metta, achieve jhana and be reborn in a Brahma realm after death. However, if you take the goal as nibbana rather than jhana (in that case I think it would ultimately be some form of Vipassana that is practiced - not the usu...
by Ravana
Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:41 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: metta as my main practice
Replies: 54
Views: 15993

Re: metta as my main practice

Not really interested in getting into a debate here, but isn't there a sutta where the Buddha tells a Brahmin that the four Brahmaviharas are a way to meet Brahma (i.e. to be reborn in the Brahma-realms through achieving jhana)? Yes, but Buddha clearly states, BUDDHA KNOWS THE PATH TO BRAHMA. Throu...
by Ravana
Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:09 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Views and beliefs
Replies: 44
Views: 10040

Re: Views and beliefs

A person claiming to have a scientific view of the world cannot believe things such as kamma and rebirth unless evidence can be provided to justify these beliefs... Episode 11 - Sajay Samuel How To Think About Science http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/features/science/index.html" onclick="window.op...
by Ravana
Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:28 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Views and beliefs
Replies: 44
Views: 10040

Re: Views and beliefs

I don't see how Russell's teapot applies to questions such as whether mind is just an emergent phenomenon of the brain. That is an open question that has nothing to do with any particular religious of philosophical view. Mike If you go back and read my posts, I was replying Fede's post regarding th...
by Ravana
Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:51 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Views and beliefs
Replies: 44
Views: 10040

Re: Views and beliefs

mikenz66 wrote:
Ravana wrote: Well, then kamma, rebirth, etc should be reconsidered because science brings them into serious question.
I haven't seen any scientific evidence one way or another.
See Russell's teapot
by Ravana
Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:36 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Views and beliefs
Replies: 44
Views: 10040

Re: Views and beliefs

Well first of all i made a mistake, the scientific study of the origins of life is Abiogenesis, Evolution is about how lifeforms change and evolve over time. Exactly. Evolution explains the complexity and diversity of life, not the origin. The Dalai Lama himself has stated that if Science manages t...
by Ravana
Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:06 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Apostasy: A Buddhist View and Response
Replies: 26
Views: 8131

Re: Apostasy: A Buddhist View and Response

"I am a Buddhist" -- when it's fashionable. "I am not a Buddhist" -- how can a Buddhist say either of these things, when there is no self? I don't think it's a problem, if one accepts the two-truths doctrine. Otherwise, we must also wonder how the Buddha could utter phrases like...