Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

Related to Ven V's instructions, It happens that I've been listening to this talk today:

• Ajahn Amaro
  2010-05-04 Becoming - why public speaking is more terrifying than worldwide nuclear destruction 67:52
  http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/4/?se ... c+speaking" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At around 27:00 there is a discussion on dealing with things by relaxing the bodily tension. And at 36:50 he mentions smiling as a technique.


Mike

mikenz66 wrote:Related to Ven V's instructions, It happens that I've been listening to this talk today:

• Ajahn Amaro
  2010-05-04 Becoming - why public speaking is more terrifying than worldwide nuclear destruction 67:52
  http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/4/?se ... c+speaking" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At around 27:00 there is a discussion on dealing with things by relaxing the bodily tension. And at 36:50 he mentions smiling as a technique.


Mike

As i said, this nothing new, nor is it unique to Vimalaramsi'. i first heard this sort of instruction in the 70's from Mahasi Sayadaw trained teacher.

Bhante V's meditation and sutta teachings are quite sound. When I started out my understanding of Buddhism was confusing when I thought it was good. When asked questions I found I could not explain things well and often ran into conundrums. Following Bhante V's method and vocabulary definitions has helped me tremendously in linking suttas to meditation and bringing a new found confidence in my understanding. So as a Buddhist teacher he is really quite good despite his quirky personality.

The commentaries which most people start off with push us in a direction that is farther off than translations of suttas. The suttas are the closest thing we have to confirming that our practice is good and true. There are many different "enlightenments" out there that sure do feel good and liberating but the Buddhist goal is total and complete Awakening which the Buddha alone has laid before us (in the suttas). When you have a good confident understanding of the suttas (by knowing and practicing) and how they inter-relate then you can start reading commentaries as a helpful resource. Otherwise you will be left with a dim candle in a house of mirrors.

thelotuseffect wrote:The commentaries which most people start off with push us in a direction that is farther off than translations of suttas.

And Vimalaramsi' alone has it right and all those others are just mindlessly pushing the commentaries and have no clue as to what the suttas say? Is that what you are saying?

... and welcome to the forum.



Metta,
Retro.

tiltbillings wrote:

thelotuseffect wrote:The commentaries which most people start off with push us in a direction that is farther off than translations of suttas.

And Vimalaramsi' alone has it right and all those others are just mindlessly pushing the commentaries and have no clue as to what the suttas say? Is that what you are saying?

Hahaaha, no. I'm sure there are others.

thelotuseffect wrote:

tiltbillings wrote:

thelotuseffect wrote:The commentaries which most people start off with push us in a direction that is farther off than translations of suttas.

And Vimalaramsi' alone has it right and all those others are just mindlessly pushing the commentaries and have no clue as to what the suttas say? Is that what you are saying?

Hahaaha, no. I'm sure there are others.

Have you read through this thread, looked at the links to the other discussions of Vimalaramsi?

I get an odd feeling from watching this video. He seems to be pretending.

No, but having done a retreat with the Venerable I can say it was a helpful experience for me. I do admit he has a bit of an odd character and says things I do not always agree with but his teachings on the suttas and about meditation are the best I've received so far.

Thanks for reviving my thread.

I originally started the thread because I was intrigued by the video and was wondering how the rubber met the road with his teachings. Instead I got a lot of people posting factionalist gripes. I understand why they are offended, but I was curious about the results of that meditation, not the other stuff. You gave what I wanted, some feedback about the method from someone who used it. Thank you.

Jhana4 wrote: Instead I got a lot of people posting factionalist gripes.

factionalist gripes. That is how you would characterize objections to his rather corrosive approach to other teachers and methods?

Jhana4 wrote: I originally started the thread because I was intrigued by the video and was wondering how the rubber met the road with his teachings. Instead I got a lot of people posting factionalist gripes. .

The problem is that it seems to be difficult to discuss Bhante V's teachings without having to contend with factionalistic claims (from him and others) that the rest of the Theravada tradition got it wrong.

It might be an interesting topic of discussion for another thread why a few teachers, and/or their supporters, generate such discord, whereas most don't. I don't recall anyone saying:
"Here's a teaching from Ajahn Chah, who is the only teacher worth listening to...".
Probably because Ajahn Chah (and any number of teachers) completely avoid an abrasive approach.

[By the way, Ajahn Chah is someone I respect but don't pay that much attention to.]


Mike

He seems like a bad cartoon character. Hard to take seriously, and slightly pathetic.
What is a factionalist gripe? I might want to have one of those some day. Could come in handy.

Greetings Mike,

Though I believe Ajahn Chah upset(s) Abhidhammists.

Metta,
Retro.

retrofuturist wrote:Greetings Mike,

Though I believe Ajahn Chah upset(s) Abhidhammists.

Metta,
Retro.

The chicken shit story?

On the other hand, I never heard of Ajahn Chah being repeatedly dismissive of other teachers, stating or implying -- dismissily -- that they got it wrong.