Are you able to look through traditions?

[muni]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB5AJbLX ... re=related


Example. "The Buddha did not say to dance like that".

Careful with own limited interpretations; conditioned by preferences, I think.

The path and all its' colorful expressions.


Are you able to look through traditions, through cultures?

[Anders]

I think it's worthwhile to try, but equally dangerous think it is truly possible.

[muni]

I think it's worthwhile to try, but equally dangerous think it is truly possible.

The danger to get completely lost in own created network of interpretations? Yes, careful!
To see own mind's creations is crushing the danger.

[BFS]

The danger to get completely lost in own created network of interpretations? Yes, careful!
To see own mind's creations is crushing the danger.

Hard to see in oneself sometimes, so yes, important to be careful, to check up. Spiritual Materialism in it's subtlest form happens when Dharma is twisted and used to reinforce our own interpretations and views.
One of my teachers said to be careful because we have a cultural heritage of good and bad without any gray inbetween. I guess that heritage of wanting things to be perfect in an absolute way can cause us to become more closed minded.
Thanks, muni.

[mudra]

It's kind of like learning to drive. At first it's better to stick to one type of car until one masters the basics, and is able to handle oneself in various situations. Once one really has got a good sense etc, then it is not confusing to step into another model.

In the meantime while you are driving along learning, looking over at someone else going in the same direction in another car you would be silly not to recognize that they are headed the same way, just in a different kind of vehicle!

[mindyourmind]

I just love experiencing other traditions, in whatever format. When I started out it caused a fair amount of tension at times, but now I just like to learn, to take in more information. And that can happen from taking in the good and the bad.

[muni]

Thank you for the inspiring answers.

[conebeckham]

The Dharma is not a cultural phenomenon, nor a set of conditioned circumstances, or even concepts in one's own mind.

Neither is it different from those.

[muni]

The Dharma is not a cultural phenomenon, nor a set of conditioned circumstances, or even concepts in one's own mind.

Neither is it different from those.

We cannot say their is no cultural background in expression of the teachings, the "paths". The problem is that we often don't take the effort to inform about what is the meaning of another expression.

Of course non fabricated Dharma.

[Astus]

I think in the following way: the Buddha's teaching can be categorised in three parts: ethics, meditation, insight. Things like dances, rituals, songs, ornaments, etc. fall under the category of ethics. Some of them can be considered bad behaviour and some good behaviour, partially dependent upon precepts and mostly on social norms. This way there is virtually no need to think in terms of culture but rather the Dharma.