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by danieLion
Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:01 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

Hi hermitwin, I dont think Buddhism can be improved upon. If other Buddhists believed this we'd have no Abhidhamma, commentarial tradition, Visuddhimagga, etc.... We certainly wouldn't have Dhammawheel. We'd have doctrinal solidarity. as a manual for nibbana What do you think is a manual? Kindly, dL
by danieLion
Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:57 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

HI Pesala, "Buddha" means so much more than just “awake.” Perhaps. I was speaking about its etymological root. The best source on the attributes of a Buddha is the Mahāsihanāda Sutta . On his perfection see especially the Four Kinds of Intrepidity. Why not MN 123? Here we have--in these su...
by danieLion
Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:35 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

Hi SDC, ...you can't talk about it experientially but it [nibbana] can be discussed intellectually. Which goes to Right View. I submit: intellectualizing vs. experiencing is a false dichotomy; theory and practice is a dialectic; Right View is an intellect/theory and experience/practice dialectic. Ki...
by danieLion
Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:44 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

I dont think Buddhism can be improved upon. Buddha teaches the way to end dukkha for 40 years. If you wish to widen the appeal of Buddhism, sure there are many creative ways to do it. But as a manual for nibbana, it is all there already. If Buddha was not perfect, then Buddha is a liar. then he is ...
by danieLion
Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:43 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

Damn, I must've came off like a**hole for you to have responded that way. My bad. It was more of a general sentiment on saddha that was not directed at you. My response won't be as preachy I promise. Real quick though, no you can't talk about it experientially but it can be discussed intellectually...
by danieLion
Tue Sep 24, 2013 12:02 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

SDC, You're preaching to the choir on the faith issue (except for the debates regarding it's Buddhist meaning). That's obvious. Re: "awakening"; ok. Begin the discourse. But as Aloka and equilibrium pointed out, how can you talk about something you haven't experienced (back to faith, no?)?...
by danieLion
Mon Sep 23, 2013 11:54 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

PS: I know it's not very Theravadin (whatever that is; that itself is obvioulsy highly contentious) to say the Buddha and arahants aren't perfect, but if being Theravadin means I have to believe every single one of its doctrinal points then I have no interest in Theravada because then it's susceptib...
by danieLion
Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:49 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Where is this story from (The Courtesan Jewel Thief)?
Replies: 3
Views: 2260

Re: Where is this story from (The Courtesan Jewel Thief)?

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:It's from the Vinaya Mahāvagga, the Bhaddavaggiyakathā.

The Group of Thirty Youths
Thanks Pesala,
And this is generally considered canonical?
Kindly,
dL
by danieLion
Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:46 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

Pesala's, Sylvester's, Daverupa's and santa100's posts, are very helpful. Thanks to all of you. I'll dig in some more later, but for now, it seems that (1) there's some redactor "corruption" regarding Devadatta (no big surprise) and (2) the Buddha was skilled at what we moderns might call ...
by danieLion
Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:22 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

I agree that some of my views at times are not typical, but how exactly do you think they're "wierd"? Your spelling is weird too ;) Not all criticism is rooted in anger or aversion. Sometimes, the Buddha spoke words that were true, displeasing to others, but beneficial. Not all speech tha...
by danieLion
Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:46 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

He was fully/perfectly enlightened/awakened by his definition and standards, which in part were derived from his culture. But he was not perfect in all ways. Culture? I'm beginning to question your concept of awakening. Now I'm not saying you are not aware of the finer details, but if you were I do...
by danieLion
Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:42 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

(2) There are several instances in the suttas and vinaya where the Buddha clearly demonstrated anger towards others. You have some weird views. The very definition of an Arahant or Buddha is someone who has eradicated all traces of anger. From the sutta quoted above: How could anger rise in him who...
by danieLion
Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:04 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

Hello all, No need to feel Dosa if people have different perspectives on the Buddha and his Dhamma. One of the most valuable Suttas for me over the years has been the Akkosa Sutta: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn07/sn07.002.wlsh.html With metta, Chris Hi Chris, Very REBT/CBT. But: (1)...
by danieLion
Sat Sep 21, 2013 7:17 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha
Replies: 144
Views: 36502

Re: Improving Buddhism/The Imperfect Buddha

Hi Dan, ...most people here accept that the Buddha was fully enlightened. I accept that, and have said nothing here in opposition to that. He was fully/perfectly enlightened/awakened by his definition and standards, which in part were derived from his culture. But he was not perfect in all ways. Kin...
by danieLion
Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:15 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Louis CK and sadness
Replies: 10
Views: 4080

Re: Louis CK and sadness

thanks bazzaman:
He's a sage. :heart: