No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
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Hanzze
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No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by Hanzze »

A dispute about spirituality has arose:

the one side means:
There is very little about spirituality that is outside the bonds of belief. And its an extraordinarily rare spiritual experience that is some kind of 'seeing truth'
I would not say that there are not "spiritual experiences" out there that are not of value to those that have them, but I'd say that what the Buddha taught points to something a bit beyond anything else.
Real spiritual!-->Then you do not need Buddhism at all?
The quotes do not refer to persons or opinion and are chosen accidental.

the other side means:
Religion is an organization with doctrine, and discipline, ritual and liturgy etc.
Spirituality is about deep and meaningful experiences, which can be achieved without any of the above.
Real spiritual!
The quotes do not refer to persons or opinion and are chosen accidental.

spirituality form a wikipedia view:
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or immaterial reality;
[1] an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of their being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.”
[2] Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop an individual's inner life; such practices often lead to an experience of connectedness with a larger reality, yielding a more comprehensive self; with other individuals or the human community; with nature or the cosmos; or with the divine realm.
[3] Spirituality is often experienced as a source of inspiration or orientation in life.
[4] It can encompass belief in immaterial realities or experiences of the immanent or transcendent nature of the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituality
lat. spiritus ,germ. Geist (engl. mind), breath‘ / spiro ,I breath‘ – also oldgreek. ψύχω or ψυχή, look psyche
spirituality and pali:
translation of spirit, spiritual and spirituality --> please share

The question:
Has the Buddhadhamma (please not from a religious/believe view) no place for spirituality? To be spiritual (active/employed with once/the spirit) contra productive on the path of the Buddhadhamma?
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
Sanghamitta
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by Sanghamitta »

I think that you are going to have to define your terms a bit better Hanzze,
The going for refuge is the door of entrance to the teachings of the Buddha.

Bhikku Bodhi.
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Hanzze
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by Hanzze »

_/\_
Last edited by Hanzze on Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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andre9999
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by andre9999 »

I'm going to suggest different definitions. They're simpler and I think more clear:

Spirituality: of, relating to, or affecting aspects other than the physical self
Religion: a system, doctrine, or beliefs relating to spirituality or god(s)
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andre9999
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by andre9999 »

I think I was just watching the same thread you were. Im new here, but I often wonder why the threads often fall into semantic arguments. I'm actually surprised to see how passionate people get about certain aspects of Buddhism, and frankly (and probably wrongly) it strikes me as clinging.
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Hanzze
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by Hanzze »

_/\_
Last edited by Hanzze on Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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Spiny O'Norman
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by Spiny O'Norman »

andrer9999 wrote:Spirituality: of, relating to, or affecting aspects other than the physical self
It's a start, but then we'd need to define "physical" and "self" in a way that everybody could agree on. To be honest I'm not convinced it's worth the effort, and for that reason I tend to avoid words like "spiritual" these days.

Spiny
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Hanzze
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by Hanzze »

_/\_
Last edited by Hanzze on Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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andre9999
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by andre9999 »

Spiny O'Norman wrote:It's a start, but then we'd need to define "physical" and "self" in a way that everybody could agree on. To be honest I'm not convinced it's worth the effort, and for that reason I tend to avoid words like "spiritual" these days.
I don't disagree in the least if we're just talking about Buddhism. But if we're looking for something a little more comprehensive that stretches beyond just Buddhism, I think it covers the general concept.

Still, arguing over whether saying the word "spiritual" covers what we do is semantics if you ask me. Maybe it isn't the perfect word to use in discussions amongst ourselves, but it's a word that newcomers or non-Buddhists can understand in order to get the general idea.

And yes, I understand that I'm being a hypocrite, so I'll shut up now.
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Hanzze
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by Hanzze »

_/\_
Last edited by Hanzze on Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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tiltbillings
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by tiltbillings »

This question makes no sense.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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Peril
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by Peril »

Tricks are "magic" until you understand them, then they're just tricks.

Experiences are "spiritual" until you understand them, then they're just experiences.

I think Buddhism defeats spirituality.
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tiltbillings
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by tiltbillings »

Peril wrote:Tricks are "magic" until you understand them, then they're just tricks.

Experiences are "spiritual" until you understand them, then they're just experiences.

I think Buddhism defeats spirituality.
That's reasonable.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Laurens
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by Laurens »

Peril wrote:Tricks are "magic" until you understand them, then they're just tricks.

Experiences are "spiritual" until you understand them, then they're just experiences.

I think Buddhism defeats spirituality.
Words are just noises and squiggles, but they're useful. I used the word spiritual because it helped describe what I was getting at. I know it was just an experience, but I used the word spiritual to help you, the reader gain some understanding of what kind of experience I had, and how those experiences can be achieved without the trappings of religiosity.
Last edited by Laurens on Sat Nov 13, 2010 1:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
"If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?"

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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Hanzze
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Re: No place for spirituality in Theravada?

Post by Hanzze »

_/\_
Last edited by Hanzze on Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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