It's Fading Away

[catmoon]

It seems to me that less and less of the content on Dharma Wheel makes any sense at all. Is it just me or is the board going generally wacko?

I am considering joining the order of the Foaming Monks. At least they know they are nuts.

[Karma Dondrup Tashi]

Mebbe you are approaching realization of emptiness.

[catmoon]

It's getting worse. Today I read through the board, and I saw self righteous crowing, sectarian propagandizing, various forms of one upmanship... I may even have added to it a little. The Dalai Lama is good, the Dalai Lama is bad. Dzogchen is it, Dzogchen isn't it. Madhayamaka is the main path, compassion is the main path, the four noble truths are the main path, dependent origination is the main path.


AAAaaargh.

[KeithBC]

Unfortunately, I think you may be right.

Om mani padme hum
Keith

[plwk]

I hear ya catty but I still try my best to apply what one Mod from a now defunct forum told me:
'Believe it or not, one is not punished for not reading what is not pleasing to oneself'

But I do agree, from what and how this forum was built up by myself and other pioneers (some who have left already) since I was here in its formation under another nick and now, with the new crowd, it has lost the 'Shangri-la-ness' and fellowship that it had and now has turned into a...

Change is good they say, no catty?

[Paul]

I think it's faded away.

[ronnewmexico]

It's the demons...

In a ultimate sense demons and ourselves do not exist. In a conventional sense exteriorily and intereiorily perceived demons exist.
Deomons of both sorts act in covert and overt manners.
DEmons of both sorts hate most that which threatens them the most...the notion they do not exist, it causes them great pain.
Buddhism contains that kernal..self and thusly demon.... do not exist.
So it is always a threat and about it always a demon will be found.

A pristine pure mountain lake may be befouled by one single drop of oil. If a scietiest were to examine the water of that lake in great detain he could find that speck of oil in it however small. That pure thing could then be called a impure thing,. (ULtimately nothing is pure nor impure but that is another matter).


A demon of both sorts would exclaim when we examine closely, close enough, nothing is found to be pure. The truth of this conventional thing is nothing is pure, we need only to examine a thing more closely. A person of the spirit may state the truth...this shows only a pure thing may be easily befouled, it says nothing on how much is pure or befouled nor how much of any things we may find are pure or befourled.
There may be many lakes of purity or none, oil in one proves nothing.

DEmons of both sorts I say to you (and have before)....eat me, and all..... I and many others are of nothing comprised and we and all offer this great feast of I to you.
See if it may satisfy you.
I must first be found so you may feast...but freely it is given. It lies for only you to do the finding.

Eat away this thing of I if you may.

[Tilopa]

It seems to me that less and less of the content on Dharma Wheel makes any sense at all. Is it just me or is the board going generally wacko? .

It's changed but that's inevitable and for the most part it's still possible to have a coherent, respectful and friendly exchange with other members. There's a lot of useful information shared here and it's almost entirely free of the rancorous sectarian drivel that so often creeps into Buddhist forums. It may not be perfect but it's not completely whacko either.

[catmoon]

Actually, it may not be fading away at all. It turns out that the appearance of a board is dependent on the threads and forums one inhabits. I recently started monitoring the entire board, and found there is much more decent, friendly, informative stuff than I had previously thought.

So today it appears to be fading in, maybe tomorrow it will look like it's fading out again. Appearances can be sooo variable.

[Caz]

Impure appearances come from an Impure mind. Of course thats not to say that some people arent conventionally bat shit crazy

[catmoon]

Impure appearances come from an Impure mind. Of course thats not to say that some people arent conventionally bat shit crazy

Why is it I feel like I've just been insulted? Surely my dear and cherished dharma brother would never insult me. It must be the impurity of my own mind. Hmmm. I know. I will start a three year retreat immediately! Start sending in those Snickers bars, I'm gonna need a three year supply. And TP, I'll need lots of that too I suppose. Let's see what else, computer, 3-year satellite internet contract, an RV I guess, personal defense system, ammo, water skis, scuba gear, better take the barbecue, hmm hmm hmmm.... Ya this is gonna be great!

[edearl]

From my novice point of view, this board is a good place to learn about the three jewels, especially Sangha since I am home bound. The Dharma Wheel part of the greater Sangha is diverse; thus, the greater Sangha must be even more diverse. I have not studied the Dharma enough to know much, but the fact that there are a number of different schools of Buddhism seems to mean the Dharma is diverse, too. In addition, the Right Way means each individual has a path from novice to enlightenment; thus, each person may have a different understanding of the three jewels--more diversity.

Members of this board have given good advice and good links to Buddhist literature. This board may not be as it was, nor as anyone wants it to be, but it is a vehicle for experienced Buddhist to help the less experienced.

In every age, elders complain of youth being unruly and unwise. But, children grow to be elders, and some learn to be wise.

[ground]

May be another good occasion for this one

"Monks, I will teach you the All. Listen & pay close attention. I will speak."

"As you say, lord," the monks responded.

The Blessed One said, "What is the All? Simply the eye & forms, ear & sounds, nose & aromas, tongue & flavors, body & tactile sensations, intellect & ideas. This, monks, is called the All. [1] Anyone who would say, 'Repudiating this All, I will describe another,' if questioned on what exactly might be the grounds for his statement, would be unable to explain, and furthermore, would be put to grief. Why? Because it lies beyond range."

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

Kind regards

[edearl]

May be another good occasion for this one

"Monks, I will teach you the All. Listen & pay close attention. I will speak."

"As you say, lord," the monks responded.

The Blessed One said, "What is the All? Simply the eye & forms, ear & sounds, nose & aromas, tongue & flavors, body & tactile sensations, intellect & ideas. This, monks, is called the All. [1] Anyone who would say, 'Repudiating this All, I will describe another,' if questioned on what exactly might be the grounds for his statement, would be unable to explain, and furthermore, would be put to grief. Why? Because it lies beyond range."

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

Kind regards

for the great link

[gnegirl]

Just grab some popcorn and watch the drama....

[ground]

Just grab some popcorn and watch the drama....

Good occasion to watch people who cannot sit still but always need some "doing" ... often its eating and tasting.


Kind regards

[White Lotus]

still some good stuff here: and some very enlightened postings. patience is required, waiting for inspiration to appear on the boards. its still there. just to mention three members that still grace these boards with inspiration... Ven. Hui Feng, Astus and Muni... there are others too, but these people in my opinion are well worth reading.

some people have no access to a physical teacher, but here on these boards, they meet with enlightenment.

best wishes, Tom.

[White Lotus]

still some good stuff here: and some very enlightened postings. patience is required, waiting for inspiration to appear on the boards. its still there. just to mention three members that still grace these boards with inspiration... Ven. Hui Feng, Astus and Muni... there are others too, but these people in my opinion are well worth reading.

some people have no access to a physical teacher, but here on these boards, they meet with enlightenment.

best wishes, Tom.

[Ogyen]

It's ok baby. I'm back. What don't kill ya makes ya stranger.


D. Ogyen

[Epistemes]

Quit talking about me in public.