One Post per Day?

[Silent Bob]

I notice that certain regulars here in the Tibetan forum habitually adopt an adversarial tone and are very quick to find fault with others' comments. IMHO, this cheapens the the flow of useful dialogue and may discourage some from posting. It wasn't so long ago that I facilitated another Dharma forum and had similar issues over the same few people always grabbing the mike and being generally disrespectful of others' views. Our solution there, and I believe it's worked, was to limit *everyone* to one post per day. That may seem extreme, but in this case it might be a good remedy to selectively apply just to those few who aren't able to play nicely, as an interim measure short of banning entirely. Personally?...I don't care to have some character on the other side of the earth remarking about whether I'm keeping my samaya, especially if he doesn't know me, or my teacher, or anything about our relationship.

Chris

[Mr. G]

I notice that certain regulars here in the Tibetan forum habitually adopt an adversarial tone and are very quick to find fault with others' comments.

Chris

Hi Chris,

I don't see anything out of the ordinary in the Tibetan Buddhism forum, and there have been no reports made recently against any members regarding rule violations in reference to this forum's TOS.

[Silent Bob]

I notice that certain regulars here in the Tibetan forum habitually adopt an adversarial tone and are very quick to find fault with others' comments.

Chris

Hi Chris,

I don't see anything out of the ordinary in the Tibetan Buddhism forum, and there have been no reports made recently against any members regarding rule violations in reference to this forum's TOS.

"Reports"? no, just nasty adversarial vibes that stink up the place, but if it's ok with you, far be it from me to to protest.

Chris

[Mr. G]

HI Chris,

If there is something specific you'd like to discuss, please feel free to PM me or any other mods/admins. We would like to help and address any issues you have.

[Adamantine]

I think I know what he's talking about... too often, I've got sucked in.

[Paul]

I think I know what he's talking about... too often, I've got sucked in.

Me too. Although I now just use the ignore feature and avoid getting wound up.

[Sönam]

It's a feeling I can share too ...

Sönam

[Mr. G]

We all get sucked in at one point or another. I wouldn't take things too seriously on the internet.

[gregkavarnos]

Our solution there, and I believe it's worked, was to limit *everyone* to one post per day.

You do realise that you have already "broken" the "rule" that you just proposed? Maybe it's not actually a solution after all?

[conebeckham]

I feel ya, Chris...
Mindfullness and right speech sometimes seem in short supply on Dharma forums....

But it's all just part of the display......

[Silent Bob]

I think I know what he's talking about... too often, I've got sucked in.

Me too. Although I now just use the ignore feature and avoid getting wound up.

"ignore". what a great feature--thanks for mentioning it!

[Adamantine]

I think I know what he's talking about... too often, I've got sucked in.

Me too. Although I now just use the ignore feature and avoid getting wound up.

How do you activate that? Is it related to the
"friend" or "foe" buttons?

[Blue Garuda]

I'd love a link to click on to ignore 'my self'.

I am not alone.

[catmoon]

I think I know what he's talking about... too often, I've got sucked in.

Me too. Although I now just use the ignore feature and avoid getting wound up.

How do you activate that? Is it related to the
"friend" or "foe" buttons?

yep. you put someone on the foe list, they are ignored.

[Blue Garuda]

yep. you put someone on the foe list, they are ignored.

'Foe' seems a bit harsh on a Buddhist forum, especially when the 'Foe Destroyers' description is not about other people.

Is there a way to change the label from 'Foe' to 'Ignore' ?

[gregkavarnos]

Ignoring people that do not agree with you. Now that is an incredibly mature attitude!

And what happens if at some point they happen to agree with you? Or say something intelligent and relevant? Or request your assistance? You make them friends again?

So instead of looking at our own minds and our reactions ,we just throw the blame onto those surrounding us??? Am I missing something here? Is this a new Buddhist method?

I wonder what would have happened if all the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas ignored the ignorant rantings (cries of suffering and pain) of sentient beings? Practiced discrimination on the basis of like or dislike? Friend or foe?

Up until now I have found that all the "arguments" that I have had with people here, have been based on a misunderstanding of what was written or the intention behind the statements, rather than any real or solid disgreement. And this, normally, after a flurry of PM with the "aggravating" party. There has not been a single occasion where dialogue has not solved an apparent problem. Not one occasion.

It's amazing what a bit of direct and sincere communication can clear up.

[plwk]

Ignoring people that do not agree with you. Now that is an incredibly mature attitude!

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .nymo.html
"Bhikkhus, there are these five ways of removing annoyance, by which annoyance can be entirely removed by a bhikkhu when it arises in him.
What are the five?

"Loving-kindness... "Compassion... "Onlooking equanimity...
"The forgetting and ignoring of a person with whom you are annoyed can be practiced; this too is how annoyance with him can be removed.
"Ownership of deeds in a person with whom you are annoyed can be concentrated upon thus:
'This good person is owner of his deeds, heir to his deeds, his deeds are the womb from which he is born, his deeds are his kin for whom he is responsible, his deeds are his refuge, he is heir to his deeds, be they good or bad.' This too is how annoyance with him can be removed.

"These are the five ways of removing annoyance, by which annoyance can be entirely removed in a bhikkhu when it arises in him."

[gregkavarnos]

I stand corrected! Thank you plwk!

Now should I be the devils advocate and make comments about Bodhisattva versus Arhat approaches?
Nah!!! I'll stick with standing corrected!

PS I still believe that intelligent and in depth personal dialogue solves most issues.

[Blue Garuda]

It's amazing what a bit of direct and sincere communication can clear up.

Ah, the answer to that is to 'smite' the person giving such clear communication if it offends you. Yes, some forums have this function too! Some also enable you to build up 'merits' or 'varrots' which other people give to you - pumping up your ego or pricking your pride. It's similar to 'Like' on Facebook where if you don't click on 'Like' every damn time someone posts they may get upset.

The forum templates just aren't written with Buddhists in mind!

I can see a niche in the market for a forum template with such tools as 'Practice Patience' , Exercise Compassion' , 'Give Dharma' etc. I'd even let Christians use it too! LOL

[plwk]

Now should I be the devils advocate and make comments about Bodhisattva versus Arhat approaches?

Really? As I see it, there's nothing 'Arhat/Bodhisattva' about it.
If one notices, note that the first three approaches are maitri, karuna and upeksha...which is telling me that my first three approaches/options are to take on the immeasurable mind first...

Failing that, human that plwk is, his mind oft chooses the self cherishing and easier one, that is to ignore as first option instead of the above three...but then again, the Lord never said that this approach is to go on forever, perhaps until I can subdue myself first?

I was just reminded of what I read in the Lotus Sutra, Atisa's 'Heart Advice' and just last night, Je Gampopa's 'A Precious Garland for the Supreme Path' which seem to speak of avoiding/practicing caution with certain groups/individuals and circumstances at initial stages due to one's weak mind and resolution, until one can train oneself to a stable level...

Heard of noble silence? To me, it's could be ...
1. a strategy to tame oneself
2. perhaps a cooling off period for all parties involved?
3. as a disciplinary measure for spiritual advancement/training?

Just some thoughts...