Abusing the Buddha

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
lyallben
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Abusing the Buddha

Post by lyallben »

Interesting article in Salon.com
culaavuso
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by culaavuso »

For those who don't wish to search for it: Abusing the Buddha is the article.

It seems to be discussing the phenomenon of mindfulness being applied to achieve worldly goals apart from the eightfold path.
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ihrjordan
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by ihrjordan »

I really don't see it as an issue. What these people are doing is an immoral thing and in the end they will see exploiting a key principle of our religion has made them no more happier and maybe even suffering more. As long as we know what we're doing is noble and pure then nothing else matters it'll pass just the same. Like Dhammapada verse 50 says "na paresaṃ vilomāni, na paresaṃ katākataṃ.
attanova avekkheyya, katāni akatāni ca" "One should not consider the faults of others, nor their doing or not doing good or bad deeds. One should consider only whether one has done or not done good or bad deeds." :anjali:
"Ko imaṃ pathaviṃ vicessati, yamalokañca imaṃ sadevakaṃ.
ko dhammapadaṃ sudesitaṃ, kusalo pupphamiva pacessati"
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Doshin
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by Doshin »

culaavuso wrote:For those who don't wish to search for it: Abusing the Buddha is the article.

It seems to be discussing the phenomenon of mindfulness being applied to achieve worldly goals apart from the eightfold path.
Please correct if I'm wrong, but the picture in the article, I dont' think the figure in the photo is Buddha, but rather Hotei/Budai ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotei
... Many people confuse Budai with Gautama Buddha.
_/\_
Knowing about dhamma, does not imply knowing dhamma
binocular
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by binocular »

ihrjordan wrote:I really don't see it as an issue.
It seems like an issue inasmuch that under the name of Buddhism, they are teaching and doing things that don't seem to be Buddhist.

When one sees others abusing Buddhism - or at least it seems like they are abusing Buddhism - what should one do? Just sit there and take it?
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
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Doshin
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by Doshin »

binocular wrote:
ihrjordan wrote:I really don't see it as an issue.
It seems like an issue inasmuch that under the name of Buddhism, they are teaching and doing things that don't seem to be Buddhist.

When one sees others abusing Buddhism - or at least it seems like they are abusing Buddhism ...
What they produce is "abused Buddhism", and that is not Buddhism.
binocular wrote:... - what should one do? Just sit there and take it?
Take what ? They are offending Buddhism, not you.

_/\_
Knowing about dhamma, does not imply knowing dhamma
binocular
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by binocular »

Doshin wrote:Take what ? They are offending Buddhism, not you.
Depends on how much one identifies with Buddhism or being part of it or considers it relevant.
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
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ihrjordan
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by ihrjordan »

binocular wrote:
Doshin wrote:Take what ? They are offending Buddhism, not you.
Depends on how much one identifies with Buddhism or being part of it or considers it relevant.
yes and depending on your degree of pride and ego that is how much that article and this whole "mindfulness movement" should offend someone
"Ko imaṃ pathaviṃ vicessati, yamalokañca imaṃ sadevakaṃ.
ko dhammapadaṃ sudesitaṃ, kusalo pupphamiva pacessati"
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anatta1
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by anatta1 »

It's a simply colour/visible object...
...
don't go too far....
Just seek in deep Paramattha Dhamma...


Don't let wrong understanding take you away....

stay within sammā-ditthi...

with metta
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with metta
Welcome any questions and discussions for Abidhamma
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Sayargyi U Kyin Shwe's Vipassana Seeker
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Doshin
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by Doshin »

binocular wrote:
Doshin wrote:Take what ? They are offending Buddhism, not you.
Depends on how much one identifies with Buddhism or being part of it or considers it relevant.
I think that the feeling identified with Buddhism, is a good starting-point to work on; does one have his/her own view, or does on have the "Buddhist" view.

I just see "abused Buddhism" as another lineage, it might be right for someone, at their place on their path.

_/\_
Knowing about dhamma, does not imply knowing dhamma
Coyote
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by Coyote »

There is a sutta where the Buddha says that one should not get angry towards those who criticise or misrepresent Buddhism, but calmly explain the Dhamma and move on. Anyone know what this is?
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
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culaavuso
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by culaavuso »

Coyote wrote:There is a sutta where the Buddha says that one should not get angry towards those who criticise or misrepresent Buddhism, but calmly explain the Dhamma and move on. Anyone know what this is?
Perhaps this:
SN 7.2: Akkosa Sutta wrote: In the same way, brahman, that with which you have insulted me, who is not insulting; that with which you have taunted me, who is not taunting; that with which you have berated me, who is not berating: that I don't accept from you. It's all yours, brahman. It's all yours.

Whoever returns insult to one who is insulting, returns taunts to one who is taunting, returns a berating to one who is berating, is said to be eating together, sharing company, with that person. But I am neither eating together nor sharing your company, brahman. It's all yours. It's all yours.
...
You make things worse
when you flare up
at someone who's angry.
Whoever doesn't flare up
at someone who's angry
wins a battle
hard to win.

You live for the good of both
— your own, the other's —
when, knowing the other's provoked,
you mindfully grow calm.
Coyote
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by Coyote »

culaavuso wrote:
Perhaps this:

...

I'm not sure as I have only heard of the sutta, never read it. Think it was in a talk by ven. Thanissaro. Nevertheless, your sutta seems relevant to the topic at hand.
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
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waterchan
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by waterchan »

Coyote wrote:There is a sutta where the Buddha says that one should not get angry towards those who criticise or misrepresent Buddhism, but calmly explain the Dhamma and move on. Anyone know what this is?
I believe you're looking for the panoptic DN 1:
If, bhikkhus, others speak in dispraise of me, or in dispraise of the Dhamma, or in dispraise of the Sangha, you should not give way to resentment, displeasure, or animosity against them in your heart. For if you were to become angry or upset in such a situation, you would only be creating an obstacle for yourselves. If you were to become angry or upset when others speak in dispraise of us, would you be able to recognize whether their statements are rightly or wrongly spoken?”

“Certainly not, Lord.”

“If, bhikkhus, others speak in dispraise of me, or in dispraise of the Dhamma, or in dispraise of the Sangha, you should unravel what is false and point it out as false, saying: ‘For such and such a reason this is false, this is untrue, there is no such thing in us, this is not found among us.’

“And if, bhikkhus, others speak in praise of me, or in praise of the Dhamma, or in praise of the Sangha, you should not give way to jubilation, joy, and exultation in your heart. For if you were to become jubilant, joyful, and exultant in such a situation, you would only be creating an obstacle for yourselves. If others speak in praise of me, or in praise of the Dhamma, or in praise of the Sangha, you should acknowledge what is fact as fact, saying: ‘For such and such a reason this is a fact, this is true, there is such a thing in us, this is found among us.’
And anyway, what is this abuse of Buddhism thing? Is that even possible?
quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur
(Anything in Latin sounds profound.)
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Sokehi
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Re: Abusing the Buddha

Post by Sokehi »

There is food for the body, and people, haven eaten and strengthend themselves enough for another day of samsaric endeavours some might do skillfull ore unskillfull things.

I think it's the same with the Dhamma, or parts of the dhamma. One can take these teachings or practices to act skillfull or use them to gain more power over others etc.

Both is just food and it's only my own body and mind I can (more or less) control how to use the strength gained thanks to such nourishment.

For me personally it's not a situation were I develop much worry about it. To realise the path is very difficult and who knows... some might start with these rather wrong or unskillfull practices but might end up with a more profound interest in the teachings of the blessed one.
Get the wanting out of waiting

What does womanhood matter at all, when the mind is concentrated well, when knowledge flows on steadily as one sees correctly into Dhamma. One to whom it might occur, ‘I am a woman’ or ‘I am a man’ or ‘I’m anything at all’ is fit for Mara to address. – SN 5.2

If they take what's yours, tell yourself that you're making it a gift.
Otherwise there will be no end to the animosity. - Ajahn Fuang Jotiko

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