Re: [Zen] Illusions

[Bill!]

Merle,

No!  The human intellect including thinking does not have to be discarded.  It 
the ATTACHEMENT to thinking that must be discarded.  Thinking just has to be 
seen for what it is: delusion.  Once that is realized and accepted then you can 
think all you want, and not form attachments to the thoughts.

...Bill!

--- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote:
>
> 
> 
>  
>  thinking...really bill..must it be discarded full stop?...merle
>   
> Merle!!!  BINGO!!!!
> 
> Buddha taught that 'all sentient beings have Buddha Nature'.
> 
> Humans aren't the only beings that are sentient.
> 
> Merriam-Webster Online defines 'sentient' as:
> 
> "Sentient : able to feel, see, hear, smell, or taste
> 1:  responsive to or conscious of sense impressions <sentient beings>"
> 
> What is important to me in this definition is what is does NOT say is a 
> characteristic of 'sentient'.  It does NOT list any intellectual qualities 
> like logic or reason - basically what we call 'thinking'.
> 
> So...it is now and has been for over 40 years that 'Buddha Nature' refers 
> ONLY to sensual experience, and is not at all dependent upon the human 
> intellect.
> 
> So...back to your question...
> 
> "...what about animals and vegetation... have they true essence too?"
> 
> My answer is YES!  Of course.  Animals and plants that have the ability to 
> experience their environment have 'True Essence" which can also be called 
> "Buddha Nature".
> 
> ...Bill! 
> 
> --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@> wrote:
> >
> > bill..i see..very human type of understanding..... what about animals and 
> > vegetation... have they true essence too?..merle
> > 
> >   
> > Merle,
> > 
> > I believe in zen (and Buddhist) terminology "Buddha Nature" is the same as 
> > "true essence" in the subject graphic.
> > 
> > ...Bill! 
> > 
> > --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@> wrote:
> > >
> > > 
> > > 
> > >  so what is true essence?...merle
> > > 
> > > 
> > >   
> > > I agree with this the way I interpret it ... But I say it a lot more 
> > > clearly in my book...
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Edgar
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > On Sep 11, 2013, at 12:28 AM, Bill! wrote:
> > > 
> > >   
> > > >Here's a nice one posted especially for Edgar for two reasons:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >1.  to see if he's still around
> > > >2.  to get his comment.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >I generally like the message, but could do without everything after 
> > > >"He's saying..." up to the last sentence.  I like the last 
> > > >sentence.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >...Bill! 
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>




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