Alex wrote: "The only reason we do Buddhist practice is to eliminate suffering. If the suffering was not experienced, there would be absoutely no need to engage in practice."
This statement is nonsensical. This existence is dualistic; hence has suffering. Therefore we practice to end it -- some practices are more effective than others. To say that IF it wasn't dualistic, THEN (insert pointless speculation here) -- is sophistry (and poor sophistry at that :) Carlos, a lot of effort has been expended on metaphysical ideas -- by definition they will always be approximations to reality, and they rarely have practical application. Further, they will not help your practice, IMHO. This is inquiring about the arrow before allowing it to be withdrawn. I certainly understand asking the question, why do we practice (even if it is an inconsistent idea). Or further, which practice is the most expedient. I enjoy talking about the arrow so much, that I would have even encouraged a debate about whether I *Truly* want the arrow to be withdrawn! If you're like me than any effort wasted on such madness is better redirected at allowing the arrow to be removed. All my best, Rod Scholl -----Original Message----- From: Alex Bunard [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 8:52 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Zen] Knowledge Hi Carlos, I think it helps if we try and keep perspective on our attitude while practising. The only reason we do Buddhist practice is to eliminate suffering. If the suffering was not experienced, there would be absoutely no need to engage in practice. The only way to eliminate suffering is to experience freedom. Awakening, or elinghtenment, is complete freedom. Freedom from what? Freedom from any possiblity of pain, be it gruesome physical pain, or mental anguish, etc. This freedom is non-dual, meaning that it is indeterminate. It cannot be said what this freedom entails. Chandrakirti said: "The Buddha didn't quarell with the world." This means that we can safely leave the world as it is (chopping wood, carrying water). Freedom does not mean freedom from chopping wood and carrying water. It doesn't mean freedom from 'mountains are mountains, rivers are rivers', nor does it mean freedom from 'mountains are not mountains, rivers are not rivers'. Alex ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers. At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/hjtSRD/3MnJAA/i1hLAA/S27xlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Livelihood Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZenForum/ <*> 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/
