Anthony,
None of the below. Karma is a fairy tale for adults who are suffering
in this life, telling them things will be better in the next if they
behave themselves and don't cause problems in this one. Same as the
Christian view of heaven keeps all the exploited and suffering and
poor in line in this life to accept their condition. As Marx said,
religion is the opiate of the people. That includes both karma and
Christian heaven.
Edgar
On Nov 24, 2008, at 5:14 AM, Anthony Wu wrote:
Hi,
Since everybody is lurking waiting to be excited. Here is a
multiple choice to think about. The samurai code quoted by Edgar is
a perfect example of the 'present' moment. How about the past and
the future? What is the position of karma in zen?
A. Karma is a universal law nobody can escape from. It is the
essence of Buddhism and also of some schools of zen.
B. Karma relates to the past and the future, so it is nothing to
do with zen. Whether or not it represents the truth we don't care.
C. Karma is a fairy tale. You need something to scare kids, so
they behave themselves.
Regards,
Anthony
--- On Sun, 23/11/08, Edgar Owen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
From: Edgar Owen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: TEST
To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, 23 November, 2008, 11:48 PM
Bill,
The samurai code especially emphasizes that Zen is living our lives
in the moment in the constant presence of death. Thus do we gain an
immense appreciation for every transient moment of life and live it
to the fullest.
Best,
Edgar
On Nov 23, 2008, at 10:28 AM, Bill Smart wrote:
--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED] ps.com, Edgar Owen <[EMAIL PROTECTED] ..> wrote:
>
> ANYONE STILL HERE?
>
> Edgar
>
Edgar et al,
I'm stll here lurking only. My father was very ill and I had to fly
to the US to be with him. Unfortnutaely he died when I was somewhere
over the Pacific Ocean flying out of Tokyo. I was informed of his
death when I turned on my mobile phone upon arriving in Detroit.
I was a good death for him. He had been fighting lymphoma (cancer of
the lymph nodes) for 4 or 5 years and has been in severe discomfort
for at least the last serveral months. He died on 05 Nov, just 3
days short of what would have been his 91st birthday.
I am now residing in my father's apartment in a retirement home which
is connected to the nursing home which houses my mother who is 89 and
has Alhzheimer's. I have the opportunity to bring my mom up to the
apartment every day,and to interact not only with her but with all
the other Alhzheimer patients. It you want to see Buddha Nature
unfettered and unadulterated you should spend time with some elderly
people such as these. They are such an inspiration! No clever games
or silly posturing. It is true WYSIWYG (what you see is what you
get), and that is what I call Buddha Nature - Just THIS!
I have been and will continue to be very busy trying to sort out all
the financial arrangements with will allow my mother to receive all
the benefits to which she is entitled and allow her to live the rest
of her life in comfort and with secutity. Much of that is dealing
with truts and lawyers and brokers and bankers. Also there was the
mountain of mail which accumulated over the past several months full
of bills and medical insurance jargon that I still haven't been able
to fully penetrate. ALso there is of course the arrangements with
Social Secutiy, my dad's pension and health insurance and hopfully
some VA surviving spouse benefits. The last part of this is planning
and accompanying her on a to northern California to a facility near
two of my daughters - Castro Valley or Santa Rosa areas.
I will continue to lurk, but don't expect much in the way of postings
for probably through the first of the year.
With deep appreciation. ...Bill!
New Email names for you!
Get the Email name you've always wanted on the new @ymail and
@rocketmail.
Hurry before someone else does!
