catmoon wrote:Yeah but does anyone even care if he is a Buddhist or not? The Pope is Catholic, that's not a problem. Desmond Tutu is an Anglican, that's not a problem. Tolle is not a Buddhist, why is that a problem? A dog is not a horse, does that mean we should shoot all the dogs?
These statements were made:
"Dharma is Dharma expressed through any form, Why do you guys always want to put dead guys on such unreachable pedestles and ignore the living enlightened ones who can exemplify the path?"
"Once you familiarise yourself with Tolle's language, which I understand can be a barrier for some especially if English is a second language, I'm certain you will find his teachings in line with the Buddha's."
"The Buddhas teachings were not meant to be "owned" by one religious group, as I've stated Sidarth Gotama was not a Buddhist, he was just a man who rediscovered this truth.
Hmmm.. so did Eckhart, maybe he's a living Bud..."
"Yes Tolle teaching focuses on these points (Dharma Seals).this is in complete accord with what he is saying." (which is kind of back to front logic, it would be more correct to say that Tolles words are in accord with the Dharma Seals, since they predate Tolle by a couple of millenia)
So for me it seems logical to establish whether his teachings are in line with the four seals thus making them Dharma (which a couple of people claim they are) and whether he satisifes the "credentials" of being a Buddhist (just to clarify what sort of Dharma he is teaching). Where is the problem in that?
I would say that his use of the term "Being" as a for synonym for "God" may be contrary to the first of the four Dharma Seals. since belief in God (regardless of whether it is in a dualistic relationship or not) normally entails a form of eternalism .
And anyway, this is a Buddhist forum so why does it seem strange to you if people compare what Tolle teahes to Buddhism?
PS I've alway wondered what sort of reception New Agers get on Abrahamic forums, I mean do they only congregate on Hindu and Buddhist forums since they figure they won't get their asses kicked?