Search found 985 matches

by Kenshou
Fri Feb 01, 2013 8:45 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The causes for wisdom
Replies: 1255
Views: 291214

Re: The causes for wisdom

Would it be rude to say, without implicating any specific individuals, that this Sujin approach seems suspiciously and conveniently well crafted to allow a dhamma that allows one to not actually put in any real effort or do any real practice. Beyond I suppose, study and sila at most, as far as I can...
by Kenshou
Sat Jan 19, 2013 1:00 am
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: would learning jhana solely from sutta be possible?
Replies: 40
Views: 15309

Re: would learning jhana solely from sutta be possible?

Well, you could also say "how are you to empty your mind and let it be still if you're remembering what a teacher told you you ought to be doing?" That's also a potential source of non-productive distracting thoughts. A certain finesse is required, regardless of the origin of one's meditat...
by Kenshou
Thu Dec 06, 2012 4:19 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: the great rebirth debate
Replies: 7541
Views: 1330926

Re: Is hell and hungry ghost realm to be taken literally?

At any rate, in a single lifetime scenario there's no reason to disengage from any hedonistic pleasures as long as one is not causing harm and can rationalize the pleasure to pain ratio in a cost-benefit analysis. Having lived much of my life under this mindset, I believe that this gives the benefi...
by Kenshou
Sun Nov 11, 2012 7:41 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddha's advice on Brushing Teeth
Replies: 29
Views: 13009

Re: Buddha's advice on Brushing Teeth

I allow tooth wood eight fingerbreadths long at most. And novices are not to be flicked with it.
Ha!
by Kenshou
Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:22 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: can consciousness witness it's own dissolution?
Replies: 27
Views: 6969

Re: can consciousness witness it's own dissolution?

I'm sitting in meditation and can perceive feelings arise and pass away. No problem - feelings are not self. I can perceive how thoughts appear and disappear (not with perfect clarity - rather murkily - but enough to know that thoughts do come and go), I can perceive how states of mind can change, ...
by Kenshou
Tue Jul 10, 2012 10:09 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Exposing Buddhism???
Replies: 15
Views: 3738

Re: Exposing Buddhism???

I dunno about you folks but I think I might be a christian now. Dang.
by Kenshou
Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:23 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism as a "rational" religion.
Replies: 60
Views: 12327

Re: Buddhism as a "rational" religion.

It also definitely has a 'transcendent' component... I'm not out to get engaged in a debate, but, this very much depends on who you ask. The range of perspectives on this is wide, even within only Theravada. Some which might fit into a scientific understanding, some which wouldn't, and some that wo...
by Kenshou
Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:41 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Buddhism as a "rational" religion.
Replies: 60
Views: 12327

Re: Buddhism as a "rational" religion.

...that we are simply pond slime made good, there is not much of a basis for 'rationality', in the end, is there? Says who? From "slime" to more complex organisms and eventually ones cognizant enough to think more rationally, and maybe find themselves an "over-arching raison d'etre&q...
by Kenshou
Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:28 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: When a person is coming to the end of his life...
Replies: 15
Views: 5060

Re: When a person is coming to the end of his life...

Ben wrote: http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Living_With_Cobra1.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This is a very good little talk, how have I missed this? A deceptively large amount of wisdom in that short letter.
by Kenshou
Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:17 pm
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Bhante Sujato resigns as Abbot of Santi Forest Monastery
Replies: 9
Views: 5513

Re: Bhante Sujato resigns as Abbot of Santi Forest Monastery

I don’t want to run a community or to look after a large property. Now, my heart leaps forward at the thought of having nothing and making no plans.
Sadhu to that, and luck to him.
by Kenshou
Fri May 11, 2012 11:24 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Enlightenment...Nirvana...I am arahat
Replies: 155
Views: 26113

Re: Enlightenment...Nirvana...I am arahat

I would like to make use of my 1000th post to say,

:roll:
by Kenshou
Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:20 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Path and Nibbana
Replies: 42
Views: 8939

Re: Path and Nibbana

Depends how you interpret it, I guess. It seems to me that going with nibbana as some thing that exists out there somehow raises far more questions than it addresses. "Nibbana" is a singular noun, but that noun refers to some specific events, none of which require such a transcendent thing...
by Kenshou
Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:18 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Path and Nibbana
Replies: 42
Views: 8939

Re: Path and Nibbana

I figure, nibbana is what happens when we stop creating. When a flame goes out do we say that non-flameness has been created? That would be rather backwards.
by Kenshou
Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:26 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: The Evolution Debate
Replies: 86
Views: 18282

Re: The Evolution Debate

robertk wrote:various quotes
It sort of looks like you are conflating "purposeless" with "non-random". These do not necessarily carry the same implications.
by Kenshou
Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:27 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: The dissolution of the mind and the delaying of Parinibbana
Replies: 11
Views: 2248

Re: The dissolution of the mind and the delaying of Parinibbana

I think it makes sense enough if we don't assume that all mental activity in the present moment and the ability to keep functioning is dependent on craving. Without craving to drive it the mind doesn't need to just up and die right then, perhaps it can just be, unmolested by the grasping impulse. Bu...