Wasn’t there some comment that if you see Buddha walking down the road, kill him. Was it Zen Buddhism? I think the idea of the comment aligns with your post. If we look for Buddha outside of ourselves then we will end up killing the Buddha within us.
If you were to summarize in 1-2 sentences the point of your piece, what would it be? If it's the fact that there's a lot of bullshit out there, yeah sure, you're right, but why would you write about it at such length when you could be using the time to write stuff you've discovered for yourself that's helpful to people?
Don't you feel there's value in trial and error? Doesn't one accumulate forms of knowledge through mistake also? Leave people to go through their journeys and offer them help without insistence so the right information, provided you indeed wield it, for when the time is right.
I can't imagine the existence of spiritual misguidance to be a phenomenon isolated to our times - it's been there throughout history. The Buddha left many tantras as teachings in my understanding, one of which I was able to get my hands on through the very trial-and-error process referenced earlier, which means his words weren't deleted, they're just esoteric, as they've always been.
Buddhism has become a totally corrupted industry in America. If you think the Buddha was enlightened and omniscient then his predictions are to be heeded. Don’t waste your time. He said it not me.
This is exactly the kind of absolutist pronouncement the Buddha would NOT endorse! You focus only on the negative, when actually there is an abundance of amazing lineage holders out there, and the Buddha was very clear that having well-qualified guides on the path is indispensible. One just needs to practice discernment, which is also a key Dharma quality. Sounds like either you have been burned, or you have simply not done your research. I, too, used to have a pronounced spiritual ego where I believed I didn't need teachers - I had books! That was, in retrospect, a profoundly wrong view. After 20 years in the wilderness, I found a well-qualified teacher, and it was like rocket fuel for my practice.
Shambhala is a myth that encodes useful psychological insights. Recommend "The Way to Shambhala" on that topic, by Edward Birnbaum. Unless you're referring to the toxic organization associated with Naropa, which has been thoroughly exposed.
As time passes, those who wear the robe will seek profit, engage in disputes, and abandon the true path. The Dharma will remain only in name, like a lamp running out of oil. Though texts may exist, those who truly understand them will be rare, and the world will be covered in darkness
~Mahāprajñāpāramitā Śāstra
Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.”
All reality follows this pattern. Men are born. The grow strong. They die. Countries bloom, then decline. Organizations bloom and become corrupt. The pattern is everywhere.
While I agree with the thrust of this post, I'd suggest that there's a contemporary middle way that I try to live. We may be in the period of decline that was prophesied, but even so, one can follow the Buddha's teaching to test what we're told through our experience. It takes maturity of practice. I could go on and on about it. I could write a book. Oh, I am.
I agree. If one was insistent on trying according to Buddhist doctrine the only viable option is Pure Land practice. The folks in Asia understand this because they have lived with the corruption for 100s of years. However most Americans, especially of an older generation are still overcome with a dated Orientalist obsession with self help programs. The irony is that the Pure Land path is often the most criticized in the West.
You might be interested in learning that the nuns at Sravasti Abbey have blended Pure Land Buddhism with traditional Gelugpa teachings - in fact, most have become fully ordained nuns in a Pure Land sect, as such is not yet available for nuns in Tibetan lineages (something HHDL is working to change). And again, Buddha would never approve of such absolutist nonsense as "the only viable option." You are spouting ignorance here, and likely doing damage in the process. Check your karma!
Dudjom Rinpoche: "Although hundreds or thousands of explanations are given, there is only one thing to be understood - know the one thing that liberates everything - awareness itself, your true nature."
This is neither true nor not true! You leave out that Padmasambhava prophesied that when Buddhism declined in the East, it would be reborn in the land of the red man when the iron bird flew. You cite to all the charlatanandas (accurately, I might add), and leave out the rebirth doulas, such as the Bikshuni and Abbess Thubten Chodron, founder of Sravasti Abbey in Washington state, an amazing retreat center for Westerners where they are "creating peace in a chaotic world." And Ven. Chodron has also co-authored a 10-volume compendium of Buddhist beliefs and practices with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a significant achievement that will endure for centuries. So don't throw the Buddha out with the dirty bathwater! The takeaway is not complicated: lineage is everything. If you feel drawn to a teacher, check their lineage and observe how they speak about their teachers. Sravasti was named, by HHDL, after the Buddha's first retreat center. He would be quite pleased, as I'm sure Padmasambhava would as well.
Wow, what an enlightened comment! ; ) Philip, I promise in some future life to lead you onto the path, as you have clearly lost your way in this one. My heart breaks for you. As for ego etc., I already copped to my history of spiritual ego. I've become a psychologist since then, as well as a minor Buddhist scholar, meaning that I've done my work in that regard. How about you? Therapy much?
The 84,000 Dhamma doors are a metaphor to basically state that there are innumerable paths to enlightenment. In the Mahayana it is referred to as doors and in the Pali Canon it is referred to as the 84,000 teachings (Khuddaka Nikaya, Theragatha 1024).
Don’t ruin my vibe Phillip! I’m shifting paradigms to assist my in renunciation along with the Dralas. I appreciate the Pali Citation. Yes, I am on the "Oh fuck it all" path.
Wasn’t there some comment that if you see Buddha walking down the road, kill him. Was it Zen Buddhism? I think the idea of the comment aligns with your post. If we look for Buddha outside of ourselves then we will end up killing the Buddha within us.
Indeed
If you were to summarize in 1-2 sentences the point of your piece, what would it be? If it's the fact that there's a lot of bullshit out there, yeah sure, you're right, but why would you write about it at such length when you could be using the time to write stuff you've discovered for yourself that's helpful to people?
Don't you feel there's value in trial and error? Doesn't one accumulate forms of knowledge through mistake also? Leave people to go through their journeys and offer them help without insistence so the right information, provided you indeed wield it, for when the time is right.
I can't imagine the existence of spiritual misguidance to be a phenomenon isolated to our times - it's been there throughout history. The Buddha left many tantras as teachings in my understanding, one of which I was able to get my hands on through the very trial-and-error process referenced earlier, which means his words weren't deleted, they're just esoteric, as they've always been.
Buddhism has become a totally corrupted industry in America. If you think the Buddha was enlightened and omniscient then his predictions are to be heeded. Don’t waste your time. He said it not me.
This is exactly the kind of absolutist pronouncement the Buddha would NOT endorse! You focus only on the negative, when actually there is an abundance of amazing lineage holders out there, and the Buddha was very clear that having well-qualified guides on the path is indispensible. One just needs to practice discernment, which is also a key Dharma quality. Sounds like either you have been burned, or you have simply not done your research. I, too, used to have a pronounced spiritual ego where I believed I didn't need teachers - I had books! That was, in retrospect, a profoundly wrong view. After 20 years in the wilderness, I found a well-qualified teacher, and it was like rocket fuel for my practice.
We are fking with you and it could get better or it could get worse
We having some fun at your expense here
I could wind you up so bad if I cared to just for fun so cool your jets . People here know more than you think. Im 67 years old
Why state the obvious ,you must believe anyone cares what you think
Should we expect the Buddha to endorse your giant ego and lack of skillful Discernment? What’s your opinion of Shambhala ?
Shambhala is a myth that encodes useful psychological insights. Recommend "The Way to Shambhala" on that topic, by Edward Birnbaum. Unless you're referring to the toxic organization associated with Naropa, which has been thoroughly exposed.
I’m rather disabled and in great pain so watch your mouth , no reason to get upset ,just my humour ok
I can be very cruel and if you make smart remarks to me I will take your head off
Don’t believe everything you read here I’m a very hardcore Buddhist troll
I used to troll sham n Reddit for five years, I know the scene very well
That was a good answer
I believe the quote about salary is attributed to Upton Sinclair (it's one of my favorites).
Thank you
As time passes, those who wear the robe will seek profit, engage in disputes, and abandon the true path. The Dharma will remain only in name, like a lamp running out of oil. Though texts may exist, those who truly understand them will be rare, and the world will be covered in darkness
~Mahāprajñāpāramitā Śāstra
Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.”
Eric Hoffer, “The Temper of Our Time”
That’s a fantastic quote. I may file it for future literary events
DON'T YOU DARE STEAL MY QUOTING SOME OTHER GUY OFF THE INTERNET
😘
All reality follows this pattern. Men are born. The grow strong. They die. Countries bloom, then decline. Organizations bloom and become corrupt. The pattern is everywhere.
While I agree with the thrust of this post, I'd suggest that there's a contemporary middle way that I try to live. We may be in the period of decline that was prophesied, but even so, one can follow the Buddha's teaching to test what we're told through our experience. It takes maturity of practice. I could go on and on about it. I could write a book. Oh, I am.
I agree. If one was insistent on trying according to Buddhist doctrine the only viable option is Pure Land practice. The folks in Asia understand this because they have lived with the corruption for 100s of years. However most Americans, especially of an older generation are still overcome with a dated Orientalist obsession with self help programs. The irony is that the Pure Land path is often the most criticized in the West.
You might call my middle way one that employs Vajrayana practices with a Pure Land emphasis.
I see. But then it’s “your” middle way and by definition not the Buddha’s. Which is totally fine in my book.
Correct.
You might be interested in learning that the nuns at Sravasti Abbey have blended Pure Land Buddhism with traditional Gelugpa teachings - in fact, most have become fully ordained nuns in a Pure Land sect, as such is not yet available for nuns in Tibetan lineages (something HHDL is working to change). And again, Buddha would never approve of such absolutist nonsense as "the only viable option." You are spouting ignorance here, and likely doing damage in the process. Check your karma!
There are innumerable realms in which rebirth is possible https://puredhamma.net/tables-and-summaries/31-realms-of-existence/
Dudjom Rinpoche: "Although hundreds or thousands of explanations are given, there is only one thing to be understood - know the one thing that liberates everything - awareness itself, your true nature."
This is neither true nor not true! You leave out that Padmasambhava prophesied that when Buddhism declined in the East, it would be reborn in the land of the red man when the iron bird flew. You cite to all the charlatanandas (accurately, I might add), and leave out the rebirth doulas, such as the Bikshuni and Abbess Thubten Chodron, founder of Sravasti Abbey in Washington state, an amazing retreat center for Westerners where they are "creating peace in a chaotic world." And Ven. Chodron has also co-authored a 10-volume compendium of Buddhist beliefs and practices with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a significant achievement that will endure for centuries. So don't throw the Buddha out with the dirty bathwater! The takeaway is not complicated: lineage is everything. If you feel drawn to a teacher, check their lineage and observe how they speak about their teachers. Sravasti was named, by HHDL, after the Buddha's first retreat center. He would be quite pleased, as I'm sure Padmasambhava would as well.
https://thubtenchodron.org/genre/library-wisdom-compassion/
I bet you crawl and suck up to every teacher you can. Wow cool
Wow, what an enlightened comment! ; ) Philip, I promise in some future life to lead you onto the path, as you have clearly lost your way in this one. My heart breaks for you. As for ego etc., I already copped to my history of spiritual ego. I've become a psychologist since then, as well as a minor Buddhist scholar, meaning that I've done my work in that regard. How about you? Therapy much?
Im glad you found your way, but there is no need to run around sub stack and try to fix people. This post is just a trip.
I need no asshole with pretentions help
Would you like to blow me
Who care what cliche prophecies you mention. That is pretty sad commentary on lack of intelligence
https://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php/84,000_Dhamma_doors?__cf_chl_tk=q5gdeo9Dog4Z4Pqb8uoeJKIQuFdkcpjldLCbl3jybw4-1739933297-1.0.1.1-3PavacRgHP5DsRdE9iuFyPsxshURbuz9HaRIp9au5Zg
The 84,000 Dhamma doors are a metaphor to basically state that there are innumerable paths to enlightenment. In the Mahayana it is referred to as doors and in the Pali Canon it is referred to as the 84,000 teachings (Khuddaka Nikaya, Theragatha 1024).
Spout your jargon all you want but I know of what I speak
Don’t ruin my vibe Phillip! I’m shifting paradigms to assist my in renunciation along with the Dralas. I appreciate the Pali Citation. Yes, I am on the "Oh fuck it all" path.