Search found 53 matches

by Vern Stevens
Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:52 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: What music are you listening to right now?
Replies: 2175
Views: 525274

Re: What music are you listening to right now?

Michael Franti's new album, "All People". Here's "I'm Alive" though "11:59" is one of my favorite tracks (not up yet).

http://youtu.be/vVlJ2RaSycE (Won't post as a video)
by Vern Stevens
Sat Jul 13, 2013 11:26 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Genocide in Burma: Monks and Perpetuation of Violence
Replies: 146
Views: 49060

Re: Genocide in Burma: Monks and Perpetuation of Violence

We learn from history that people will choose to do whatever they want, including violence, and structure their ideology around it for justification. From my limited knowledge, Buddhism is about the least plausible philosophy for justifying the use of violence. But chatter on a forum doesn't matter....
by Vern Stevens
Wed Jul 10, 2013 10:41 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Nine blasts in Bodhgaya this morning: terrorist attack?
Replies: 81
Views: 21335

Re: Nine blasts in Bodhgaya this morning: terror attack?

Martin Po wrote: Because it's a very base of Buddha Dhamma.
Thank you for providing my your conception of the answer.

Metta.
by Vern Stevens
Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:21 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Word Association Game
Replies: 11976
Views: 1541198

Re: Word Association Game

calling
by Vern Stevens
Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:15 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Nine blasts in Bodhgaya this morning: terrorist attack?
Replies: 81
Views: 21335

Re: Nine blasts in Bodhgaya this morning: terror attack?

If there is Triple Gem 4 Noble Truth Noble Eightfold Path Respect of Virtue (Patimokkha and 5-8-10 precepts) So there is Lord Buddha's Teaching. If there is not, so there is not Lord Buddha's Teaching. It's as simple as that. Is this the same criteria everyone uses for such pronouncements, or is th...
by Vern Stevens
Tue Jul 09, 2013 3:12 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Nine blasts in Bodhgaya this morning: terrorist attack?
Replies: 81
Views: 21335

Re: Nine blasts in Bodhgaya this morning: terror attack?

It is not for you to say who is or is not a Buddhist. I'm seeing this a lot on internet forums; people pronouncing who is or isn't a Buddhist. I suppose I cling to certain conceptions in this matter as well. I had hoped to find a forum where such divisive behavior wasn't displayed by "Buddhist...
by Vern Stevens
Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:46 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: the great rebirth debate
Replies: 7539
Views: 1326975

Re: the great rebirth debate

Fallacious notion, and frankly very very unskillful thing to say. To discourage anyone from seeking out the Buddha's own words - That is not a skillful thing to do. To assume that contemporary teachers know the Dhamma just as well as the Buddha did is shoddy thinking. What if a person needs a more ...
by Vern Stevens
Wed Jul 03, 2013 6:52 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Someone gives you something that's downloaded illegally?
Replies: 28
Views: 7129

Re: Someone gives you something that's downloaded illegally?

The television show is only freely given with the condition that you watch the commercials. If you do not watch the commercials, then it was not freely given. If you are making a legal argument, precedence already disagrees with you. Some links you might consider; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_...
by Vern Stevens
Wed Jul 03, 2013 6:22 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Conspiracy nuts, gay marriage, and immigration.
Replies: 42
Views: 6488

Re: Conspiracy nuts, gay marriage, and immigration.

I see the term "Real Buddhists" quite a bit. I was wondering if someone could provide me a definition or explanation as to who is a "Real Buddhist".
by Vern Stevens
Sun Jun 30, 2013 6:41 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Gay Marriage - Yay or Nay?
Replies: 26
Views: 3109

Re: Gay Marriage - Yay or Nay?

In an ideal situation IMO, marriage would be a private institution and have nothing to do with the state. But to deny state benefits to same-sex couples while that isn't the case is just wrong. I think our views are not far apart. However, I do see a legitimate state interest in the sense that a ma...
by Vern Stevens
Sun Jun 30, 2013 5:06 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Gay Marriage - Yay or Nay?
Replies: 26
Views: 3109

Re: Gay Marriage - Yay or Nay?

I would say it should be legally permissible. However, i don't see gay marriage as good or bad as a concept, it really depends on the couple, just as in heterosexual marriages. I just think the government's role in marriages should be very limited. I realize the government has a role in determining ...
by Vern Stevens
Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:05 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Conspiracy nuts, gay marriage, and immigration.
Replies: 42
Views: 6488

Re: Conspiracy nuts, gay marriage, and immigration.

People who obsess on petty things are not real Buddhists. Isn't that obvious? What is obvious is that many, many "Real Buddhists" come with all sorts of problems, imperfections and fetters they have to overcome. Many of them also come with big egos and are often judgmental of other people...
by Vern Stevens
Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:37 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Conspiracy nuts, gay marriage, and immigration.
Replies: 42
Views: 6488

Re: Conspiracy nuts, gay marriage, and immigration.

alan wrote: Real Buddhists have more important things to think about, and certainly don't obsess on petty hatreds.
Right?
Hmm, perhaps I would have reading one of those more important things if I hadn't clicked on this thread. Who determines what "Real Buddhists" are?
by Vern Stevens
Tue Jun 25, 2013 6:59 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: More troubling news
Replies: 80
Views: 21532

Re: More troubling news

Sorry for not specifying, but I meant held accountable in regards to their violations of the monastic code. While they may be human beings, when they made the choice to ordain, didn't they agree to follow a certain code or face the possibility of no longer being a monk? In my opinion, yes. If they ...