Alex writes: The 'eventing' you've mentioned above was denied by the Buddha. His radical wisdom teaching proclaims that nowhere has any event ever taken place. It's all just a dream.
I think you are so enamored with your realization that materialism is incorrect (that things do not have an independent inherent existence), that you stand misty-eyed gazing at some idea that this life is only a dream, and is therefore less experienced. Its silly to deny what is before you. Call it dream or reality, it is here... A rose is a rose... And as far as tire-kickers, X-treme practitioners, 1's and 2's, and all the other labels you toss about to others -- You who claims no insight or wisdom, and only the ability to parrot sutras, should be the last one casting judgement of whom is whom... Besides, what 1 doesn't think they are 2? Betcha you think you fall into the 2 / X-treme practitioner category. You should tatoo "No Fear" on your robes and look for a Nike endorsement. Rod -----Original Message----- From: Alex Bunard [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 8:35 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Zen] Nihilism vs. Nirvana --- Rod Scholl <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 'Arising' is what I label the indescribable and unconcludable eventing > to which I am constantly witness. It may help to keep in mind that the Buddha essentially taught two distinct teachings: 1. The conventional one, aimed at practitioners with limited range (i.e. the Shravakas and Pratyekabuddhas who attain nirvana) 2. The radical wisdom, aimed at fearless practitioners who have the stamina to go all the way to the bitter end Nirvana is the concept taught to the beings with limited range. This concept was introduced as an imaginary oasis, a pit stop if you will, on the road to buddhahood. >From the vantage point of the radical wisdom, nirvana is merely another extreme that needs to be steered clear from. Seeing how nirvana and samsara are diametrically opposed extremes, the fearless practitioners do not fall into either. The 'eventing' you've mentioned above was denied by the Buddha. His radical wisdom teaching proclaims that nowhere has any event ever taken place. It's all just a dream. Yes, I know, that's an outrageous claim, the one that is extremely hard to stomach by all but the most fearless practitioners. Such is the power of the radical wisdom. > So although I can't 'know' reality exists absolutely, it is only my > dualistic mind that would grasp for the alternative that 'nothing > exists'. The effort it takes to sustain this ridiculous idea is so > painfully motivated... Early Buddhist practitioners (i.e. Sthaviravadins, Theravadins and Sarvastivadins) held knowledge (jnana) in the highest esteem. Their ultimate goal was to fully master the Buddha's teaching on the matrix of reality (i.e. the Abhidharma). But the radical wisdom followers discard knowledge (jnana), and replace it with wisdom (prajna). The word Prajna consist of a combination of two words: 'pra', which is the prefix meaning 'before' (as in pre-historic times), and 'jna', meaning 'to know'. Thus, wisdom is the mind before knowing. So, there isn't anything to know. Alex No karma was produced during the composition of this letter __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Livelihood Yahoo! Groups Links ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Would you Help a Child in need? It is easier than you think. Click Here to meet a Child you can help. http://us.click.yahoo.com/0Z9NuA/I_qJAA/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/
