Edgar, I'd give you a solid 'C' on that response if it is meant to apply to zen. Maybe that could be higher if what you said was to apply only to Buddhism. I don't know much about that.
You did at first correctly point out the misuse of the word 'ought' in the subject quote, but then you promptly went on to insert your won 'ought' and even 'must' by bringing in the illusory concept of cause-and-effect. You correctly point out that total passivity is not desirable and an active approach is definitively encouraged. You then however go on to imply that this activity has a goal, a purpose: "...working to change the direction of unfolding...". Change is inevitable. You don't have to 'work' to make this happen nor try to steer the 'unfolding' in any certain direction. Just being, which in the case of humans implies activity, is all that's necessary. That's my two-cents! 8>| ...Bill! --- In [email protected], Edgar Owen <edgarowen@...> wrote: > > Here is my response to a post on another group about Zen... > > > RAF, > > That's not quite Buddha's teaching. First of all there is no 'ought', there > is acceptance of what is. The correct interpretation is that everything > unfolds exactly as it does following causal (non deterministic though due to > quantum processes) law, and what is in the moment is absolutely what it is > and cannot be otherwise. Thus what is must be accepted as it is. > > HOWEVER that includes working in the present to make changes in the FUTURE > direction of unfolding. Working to change the unfolding is also part of the > process that Buddha accepts. > > Buddhism is not a passive acceptance. That's an incorrect interpretation. It > also includes acceptance of working to change the direction of unfolding > because that is part of what is in the present... > > Edgar > > > > On Nov 23, 2012, at 11:25 PM, R A F wrote: > > > > I am reminded of the Buddha's teaching that everything is unfolding exactly > > as it ought ... even though life is suffering. > > > > RAF > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
