--- Rod Scholl <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 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 arrow before allowing it to be withdrawn.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 *Truly* want the arrow to be withdrawn!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. Once again Rod couldn't resist to go ad hominem on me (this is great, this man hates me so much that I find him irresistible!)
As I've already explained in an earlier thread, nothing I ever say on this list stems from my own private ideas. Everything is based on the authentic Buddhist teaching, as propounded by Shakyamuni Buddha, Nagarjuna, Chandrakirti et al. Here is what Chandrakirti had to say on this: "If ordinary perception yielded true and valid knowledge, Suchness would be seen by common folk. What need for Aryas then? What need for noble paths? It's wrong to take the foolish mind as validly cognizing." (Chandrakirti, Madhyamkavatara, Ground Six, Clearly Manifest, 30) Chandrakirti then goes on to say: "In every aspect, ordinary experience has no validity, The ultimate, therefore, is not thereby refuted. Empirical phenomena consensus will approve, And all denial of them consensus will negate." As you can see, suchness (or, absence of any possibility of pain) is something that foolish mind (i.e. ordinary, untutored perception) cannot see. It can only be attained via the noble path treaded under the instructions of Aryas. That is what I was saying -- only keep an eye on the nature of your practice. Don't take the foolish mind as validly cognizing; tread the noble path. Forget about the impossibility of something not being dualistic -- this is the misconception of Rod's foolish mind. Alex ===== No karma was produced during the composition of this letter __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------ 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/
