RAF, My take on the Boddhisattva vow is that the best way, in fact the ONLY effective way, to enlighten other beings is to manifest one's own realization in the world as an example...
Edgar On Nov 27, 2012, at 10:55 PM, R A Fonda wrote: > On 11/27/2012 4:40 PM, Joe wrote: > >> Originally, it's: "Life is Dukha". A wagon wheel that is mounted >> eccentrically on an axle is also "dukha", so "Life is Dukha" may mean that >> life is "off-center" as lived by beings who are not quite awake. Such a life >> will always seem unsatisfactory (some translators call that "Suffering"; oh, >> well) to the being. > That is an interesting point: in the original, it might not even mean what we > would think of as suffering. Still, the examples given in context suggest, at > least to me, that 'suffering' is close to the intended meaning. Edgar's > distinction between physical and mental suffering also seems apposite, > though, given that distinction, physical suffering remains an inherent aspect > of physical existence. > >> "Work out your OWN salvation with diligence". > Ironic you should mention that, as it is the very reference I recently cited > to Edgar, as supporting my view that the Bodhisattva Vow is presumptuous and > a dubious doctrine. At any rate, my choice to eschew that vow is why I don't > call myself a Buddhist, in spite of my sincere gratitude for his elucidation > of the Way. > >> "resolution" is that there is no resolution TO BE MADE -- and no resolution >> is Reasonable -- because the two points are observations made from different >> perspectives: the one is from Samsara (the realm of not-awake-ness); and the >> other is from the point of view of someone who is awake. > Thank you for an excellent response. > > RAF > > >
