Search found 14 matches

by Arjan Dirkse
Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:52 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Socrates, a Paccekabuddha?
Replies: 55
Views: 8989

Re: Socrates, a Paccekabuddha?

There's a lot of wisdom in Socrates, but it is somewhat different from Buddhism. For me, stoics like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, and also the Epicureans, are more enlightened thinkers, although they're also quite different from Buddhism in their own right. I'm very averse to Socrates's thoughts o...
by Arjan Dirkse
Mon Nov 17, 2014 6:05 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Ritual and language in Theravada
Replies: 3
Views: 1610

Ritual and language in Theravada

A question to the Theravadins...how much traditional ritual, and chanting in Pali/Sanskrit is there in Western Theravada traditions? One of the things that scared me away from Mahayana (except Zen) was how alien it was to me. I just can't get into the long mantras, chanting, and Sanskrit/Tibetan sad...
by Arjan Dirkse
Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:01 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Sensual Desires and Aversions (Advice)
Replies: 20
Views: 4841

Re: Sensual Desires and Aversions (Advice)

My attitude towards things like sex, or sensations such as from drugs, alcohol or marihuana is that it doesn't hurt - until it starts hurting. It can be a profound joy and panacea to the troubles of daily life. When you can indulge in things without becoming attached, and without causing problems fo...
by Arjan Dirkse
Thu Apr 10, 2014 2:41 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Is there really a point in practicing Buddhism?
Replies: 56
Views: 8878

Re: Is there really a point in practicing Buddhism?

The point of Buddhism is that there isn't a point to Buddhism.

You don't have to practice Buddhism, but it couldn't hurt.
by Arjan Dirkse
Sat Jul 13, 2013 11:31 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Dhamma Ending Age
Replies: 49
Views: 10922

Re: Dhamma Ending Age

Whether 'wrong View Dhamma' or 'counterfeit Dhamma' or Dhamma lite - it is all rooted in Wrong View. And as fundamentalist as it may appear, there is only 'one valid interpretation' - that of Buddha. See this old thread on Wrong View: http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=16691 He als...
by Arjan Dirkse
Fri Jul 12, 2013 11:05 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Dhamma Ending Age
Replies: 49
Views: 10922

Re: Dhamma Ending Age

He also said in A 1 (sutta 318) that 'There is nothing worse than wrong view'. Really? Well then he's wrong. :tongue: Your argument is an appeal to authority. People are so quick to assume that literally everything the Big Guy is supposed to have said according to their own scriptures must be liter...
by Arjan Dirkse
Fri Jul 12, 2013 1:17 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Dhamma Ending Age
Replies: 49
Views: 10922

Re: Dhamma Ending Age

One example of fake Dhamma, are the Dhamma lite followers. They classify rebirth & deva realms as cultural trappings and simply toss them aside. That makes them adherents of wrong view - but they probably will find a way rationalize their notions as correct and the tradition (which they also ar...
by Arjan Dirkse
Thu Jul 11, 2013 6:13 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?
Replies: 39
Views: 13433

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Yes. No. Maybe.

I think life doesn't come equipped with pre-determined purpose. Purpose is something you need to give it, now that you have this life, what do you do with it?
by Arjan Dirkse
Wed Jul 10, 2013 10:40 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Dhamma Ending Age
Replies: 49
Views: 10922

Re: Dhamma Ending Age

If getting rid of superstitious trappings you don't believe in, while embracing a Buddhist practice you feel is helpful and beneficial to yourself and others, is a sign of the dhamma ending age, then please let the dhamma end today. :tongue: We get terribly hung up on definitions and doctrinal delin...
by Arjan Dirkse
Wed Jul 10, 2013 5:23 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Fwd: Franz Kafka 130's birthday
Replies: 19
Views: 5514

Re: Fwd: Franz Kafka 130's birthday

Yes, I did. He lived only about 100 meters from my old university where I walked every day. So I kind of sensed why he chose the symbol of the castle towering above. Are you from Prague? I studied Czech language and literature, it's such an inspiring place. It feels like my second home. About Kafka...
by Arjan Dirkse
Fri Nov 02, 2012 4:54 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Theravada and Buddha nature
Replies: 18
Views: 7423

Re: Theravada and Buddha nature

I would appreciate any reading tips...so far the only Theravada book I have read is "In the Buddha's Words" by Bhikkhu Bodhi, and I really liked it. Thanks. This book has been mentioned above, and represents teachings from the Theravada perspective by one of its foremost and respected mon...
by Arjan Dirkse
Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:26 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Theravada and Buddha nature
Replies: 18
Views: 7423

Re: Theravada and Buddha nature

Thanks for all the answers.
by Arjan Dirkse
Thu Nov 01, 2012 4:35 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Theravada and Buddha nature
Replies: 18
Views: 7423

Theravada and Buddha nature

Hello, I am interested in exploring Theravada... I was wondering about a few things, is Nagarjuna and the Mulamadhyakakarika (one of my favorite books) considered part of Theravada? Or is that only Mahayana? Are there things in there that Theravada disagree with? And also "Buddha nature", ...
by Arjan Dirkse
Thu Nov 01, 2012 3:02 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?
Replies: 113
Views: 28926

Re: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?

Well I did quickly notice this quote in the original article: "Although I considered myself a faithful Christian"...

So yeah, I remain skeptical. ;)

That said, he seems very happy to find an affirmation for his beliefs. So good for him.