Life

[mint]

Life amounts to keeping ourselves occupied until we die.

Some choose to occupy themselves with business, others with social justice, some occupy their time with birdwatching, and others with narcotics, and still others with discussion boards.

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

[Mr. G]

Life amounts to keeping ourselves occupied until we die.

Some choose to occupy themselves with business, others with social justice, some occupy their time with birdwatching, and others with narcotics, and still others with discussion boards.

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

OK. So you've given a non-Buddhist POV on life. And?

[justsit]

C'mon Mint, let's go sit on the porch, have a cup of tea, and enjoy the view.

[Jikan]

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

Yes, if that's the attitude one brings to bear on it.

Even so, it makes for rather mediocre entertainment, no? I like justsit's approach.

[pueraeternus]

Existential crisis?

[Mr. G]

[Nighthawk]

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

True to some extent especially with some members on this forum. I am also guilty of it sometimes but I try not to get distracted too much from what really matters.

[treehuggingoctopus]

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

True to some extent especially with some members on this forum.

Dear Nighthawk, excuse my curiosity, but . . . how the hell do you know that?

Do you know them personally?
Spy on them 24/7?
Have a secret means of ascertaining what they really do with their minds?

Or are you assuming that one's activity "on this forum" is what one's practice boils down to, or is in some way a measure of one's practice?

[Nighthawk]

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

True to some extent especially with some members on this forum.

Dear Nighthawk, excuse my curiosity, but . . . how the hell do you know that?

Do you know them personally?
Spy on them 24/7?
Have a secret means of ascertaining what they really do with their minds?

Or are you assuming that one's activity "on this forum" is what one's practice boils down to, or is in some way a measure of one's practice?

No, stop trying to put words in my mouth and leaving out the rest of what I said. I don't know what you're intention is, but you seem a little angry and immature.

[treehuggingoctopus]

I don't know what you're intention is, but you seem a little angry and immature.

My intention was to find out how come you know that for some people here practicing Dharma is little more than entertainment. The claim is, IMO, totally ungrounded and quite unfair. Unless, as I suggested, you actually know some people here very, very well.

Also, I put nothing in your mouth. Just asked, being flabbergasted.

[mint]

I don't know what you're intention is, but you seem a little angry and immature.

My intention was to find out how come you know that for some people here practicing Dharma is little more than entertainment. The claim is, IMO, totally ungrounded and quite unfair. Unless, as I suggested, you actually know some people here very, very well.

Also, I put nothing in your mouth. Just asked, being flabbergasted.

At least you're being entertained by all of this.

[Indrajala]

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

If done properly the problem of samsara is addressed and the appropriate remedies are applied thus reducing suffering. In that sense Buddhism is not a source of entertainment, but a permanent remedy to suffering.

Entertainment is palliative. Buddhadharma is therapeutic.

[treehuggingoctopus]

I don't know what you're intention is, but you seem a little angry and immature.

My intention was to find out how come you know that for some people here practicing Dharma is little more than entertainment. The claim is, IMO, totally ungrounded and quite unfair. Unless, as I suggested, you actually know some people here very, very well.

Also, I put nothing in your mouth. Just asked, being flabbergasted.

At least you're being entertained by all of this.

Actually, I'm not.

What is exactly your point, Mint?

There's plenty of people here without any doubt committed heart and soul to the practice. That commitment in most cases has probably nothing or very little to do with their activity on the forum - which may or may not provide some entertainment for them. So what?

[dakini_boi]

Life amounts to keeping ourselves occupied until we die.

Some choose to occupy themselves with business, others with social justice, some occupy their time with birdwatching, and others with narcotics, and still others with discussion boards.

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

I'm sure that's the case for many. But I am inspired by those I have seen whose successful dharma practice has made them loving and happy. If you want to be proved wrong, I recommend praying to meet successful dharma teachers and practitioners - who will inspire you and help you accomplish happiness. If those people don't exist, you still have nothing to lose by making that prayer! (well, I guess unless you are very attached to the opinion you expressed!)

[gregkavarnos]

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

I once asked the members of a small meditation group I organise locally why they want to meditate. Most answered: "to relax". "Yeah," I answered "but wouldn't it be easier to relax by buying a six pack of beer, get some friends together and going down to the beach to watch the sunset?" Buddhism for entertainment? Wow! You must have a really f*****g boring life my friend! If I want entertainment I watch a movie, go out for a meal with some friends, listen to some music, etc... Going to a Buddhist centre can be a form of socialisation and entertainment, sure. But sitting in a room by oneself, busting your knees doing prostrations whilst trying to get a glimpse of the essential nature of ones mind is hardly most peoples idea of entertainment.

[Josef]

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

You don't seem to find it very entertaining.
But, then again, I think the only reason you ever started investigating Buddhism was so you could try to get Buddhists to become Christians.

[mint]

Practicing Buddhism is little more than a source of entertainment.

I once asked the members of a small meditation group I organise locally why they want to meditate. Most answered: "to relax". "Yeah," I answered "but wouldn't it be easier to relax by buying a six pack of beer, get some friends together and going down to the beach to watch the sunset?" Buddhism for entertainment? Wow! You must have a really f*****g boring life my friend! If I want entertainment I watch a movie, go out for a meal with some friends, listen to some music, etc... Going to a Buddhist centre can be a form of socialisation and entertainment, sure. But sitting in a room by oneself, busting your knees doing prostrations whilst trying to get a glimpse of the essential nature of ones mind is hardly most peoples idea of entertainment.

You could choose to find meaning through occupying your time with beer, friends and the sunset, but you choose to occupy your time with practicing Buddhism; thus, your practice is fulfilling and is a source of entertainment.

[mint]

But, then again, I think the only reason you ever started investigating Buddhism was so you could try to get Buddhists to become Christians.

Actually, no -

that would involve intense psychotherapy to treat passive aggressive tendencies toward Christians and Christianity which I am unlicensed to provide.

Plus, I've spent too much money with Shang Shung for my purposes to be so fickle.

[gregkavarnos]

You could choose to find meaning through occupying your time with beer, friends and the sunset, but you choose to occupy your time with practicing Buddhism; thus, your practice is fulfilling and is a source of entertainment.

Bzzzzzzzttt... Wrong! I do not practice to entertain myself, nor do I do so to occupy my time. I practice to (hopefully) achieve enlightenment. I do other pointless crap to occupy my time and entertain myself. Like explain myself to you for example.

[mint]

You could choose to find meaning through occupying your time with beer, friends and the sunset, but you choose to occupy your time with practicing Buddhism; thus, your practice is fulfilling and is a source of entertainment.

Bzzzzzzzttt... Wrong! I do not practice to entertain myself, nor do I do so to occupy my time. I practice to (hopefully) achieve enlightenment. I do other pointless crap to occupy my time and entertain myself. Like explain myself to you for example.

Believing to hopefully achieve enlightenment is a good hobby. So is birdwatching.