Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

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SarathW
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Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by SarathW »

Is there a rabbit in the Moon?
We all know that there is no rabbit in the moon or in the clouds.
We also know there is no rainbow except water droplets reflected by lights.
My question is whether there is a rabbit running in our garden or in the wood?
In other words, are things exist?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Sam Vara
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Re: Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by Sam Vara »

SarathW wrote: Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:25 pm Is there a rabbit in the Moon?
We all know that there is no rabbit in the moon or in the clouds.
We also know there is no rainbow except water droplets reflected by lights.
My question is whether there is a rabbit running in our garden or in the wood?
In other words, are things exist?
Certainly things exist, but it is good to be aware that the labels that we put on them are mere cultural conventions.

Is there a rabbit running in the woods? A few years ago, I was sitting by a stream in the grounds of our monastery in isolated woodland. Suddenly I saw a movement, and there, swimming to the bank of the river, was an otter. These beautiful animals are extremely rare, and I had never before seen one in the wild. I watched it playing for a few minutes. I was so happy.

When I got back to the monastery, I reported this to one of the monks who knew about wildlife. He said "I very much doubt it. You probably just saw a mink. They are really common around here. Nobody has seen an otter for years; but we see mink every day." Mink are vermin, accidentally released into the wild. They are the main reason for otters being so rare, as they have driven all the otters away.

Then, seeing I was a bit disappointed, he said: "Who cares what label we give to what you saw?! You saw wildness, sleekness, wetness, beady-eyedness, playfulness and naturalness!"
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mikenz66
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Re: Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by mikenz66 »

Sam Vara wrote: Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:58 pm"Who cares what label we give to what you saw?! You saw wildness, sleekness, wetness, beady-eyedness, playfulness and naturalness!"
:heart:
SarathW
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Re: Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by SarathW »

Then, seeing I was a bit disappointed, he said: "Who cares what label we give to what you saw?! You saw wildness, sleekness, wetness, beady-eyedness, playfulness and naturalness!"
Agree but Buddha and the rabbit are not the same. Are they?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Sam Vara
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Re: Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by Sam Vara »

SarathW wrote: Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:32 pm
Then, seeing I was a bit disappointed, he said: "Who cares what label we give to what you saw?! You saw wildness, sleekness, wetness, beady-eyedness, playfulness and naturalness!"
Agree but Buddha and the rabbit are not the same. Are they?
They are not. Who sees the Buddha sees the Dhamma. But who sees a rabbit sees, well, a rabbit...
SarathW
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Re: Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by SarathW »

They are not. Who sees the Buddha sees the Dhamma. But who sees a rabbit sees, well, a rabbit...
:rofl:
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
paul
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Re: Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by paul »

This image comes from the Sasa Jataka.
Sweeney
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Re: Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by Sweeney »

Sam Vara wrote: Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:41 pm But who sees a rabbit sees, well, a rabbit...
Or they're looking at the moon!
Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ
Kusalassa upasampadā
Sacittapariyodapanaṃ
Etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ
~ Dhp 183 ~
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seeker242
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Re: Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by seeker242 »

SarathW wrote: Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:25 pm In other words, are things exist?
Not applicable. :)
"The world in general, Kaccaayana, inclines to two views, to existence or to non-existence. But for him who, with the highest wisdom, sees the uprising of the world as it really is, 'non-existence of the world' does not apply, and for him who, with highest wisdom, sees the passing away of the world as it really is, 'existence of the world' does not apply. SN 12.15
Spiny Norman
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Re: Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by Spiny Norman »

SarathW wrote: Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:25 pm In other words, are things exist?
It would be the height of arrogance and egocentricity to assume that the universe and all it's contents depends on you or me for it's existence. :stirthepot:
Buddha save me from new-agers!
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Re: Is there a rabbit in the Moon?

Post by chownah »

Dinsdale wrote: Thu Aug 09, 2018 8:48 am
SarathW wrote: Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:25 pm In other words, are things exist?
It would be the height of arrogance and egocentricity to assume that the universe and all it's contents depends on you or me for it's existence. :stirthepot:
Yep, that would be the delusional self in action.....arrogant, egocentric.....
chownah
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