Dharma Wheel

LastLegend wrote: ↑Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:02 am What if one doesn’t have doubt?

It has to be generated.

Great Doubt: Practicing Zen in the World by Boshan Yuanlai
Talks by Jeff Shore on Boshan's text: Part 1 (PDF), Part 2-3 (PDF)
The Chan Whip Anthology by Yunqi Zhuhong

On the practice of huatou/hwadu, that has become the main form of Chan practice since the 12th century, there are some good introductory texts: Essentials of Practice and Enlightenment for Beginners by Hanshan Deqing. The Ch’an Training by Xuyun. Knocking Gently on the Door of Chan (PDF) by Guo Ru. ...

RonBucker wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 5:38 pmCan Chinese Buddhists teach Japanese Buddhists how to meditate or will Chinese people think that the Japanese will disagree with their teachings?

It depends on who teaches whom, not their nationality.

RonBucker wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 4:54 pm This means that there will be no disagreement between Chinese, Japanese and Korean Buddhists if they all come to the same church.

It depends on what sort of disagreement you mean.

So the most popular Buddhism in China, Japan and Korea is Pure Land Buddhism and Chan / Zen? The most popular form of Buddhism in East Asia is Pure Land. It is only in Japan where distinct organisations exist for Pure Land practice, and there they (mainly Jōdo-shū and Jōdo Shinshū ) are the biggest...

RonBucker wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:50 amWhat is the most popular school of Buddhism in China and Japan?

Pure Land.

Are these two schools very similar? For example, Chan Buddhists can teach Zen Buddhists, and Zen Buddhists may teach the practice of Chan Buddhists. Or do Chan Buddhists think Zen Buddhists have a slightly different mindset about practice? The sole unique identifying element of all Chan/Zen groups ...

because of being described subsequent to those [cognitions]. The argument takes aim at the Geluk idea that appearances are derived from conventions themselves. Both Jnanagarbha and Gorampa state that conventional truth include not just words or labels but the whole cognitive process of perception. ...

Satyadvayavibhaṅgavṛitti states: “Mundane conventional designations are engagements of the mundane, that is to say, having the characteristics of cognitions and objects of cognition, but do not have the characteristic of verbalizations because of being described subsequent to those [cognitions].” G...

In brief, conventions do not generate appearances, for example, calling the appearance of sand “water” does not change that appearance into water. First there an appearance, then there is a conventional designation. How is that not like the Abhidharma view that takes dharmas as paramartha, and how ...

Malcolm wrote: ↑Sat Apr 10, 2021 11:59 am Wrong answer.

Which appearance isn't a convention? Which convention isn't an appearance?

Malcolm wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:20 pmDo appearances arise from conventional designations, or are conventional designations made on the basis of appearances?

Without further specifications they are practically synonyms, so one preceding the other is not an option.

Malcolm wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 9:22 pmSo which comes first, appearance or convention?

First for what?

It sounds to me like Astus is following the Gelug view of stating that things exist conventionally. I'd rather put it as: whatever can be called existent is just a convention, a conceptual fabrication. Not because it is ontologically meaningful, but because taking one's ideas to be real is the root...

That is, monks and Chan Buddhism masters can help people cope with their mental disorders, anxiety and stresses? Buddhism and psychology may be somewhat related, but as Chan is not a training to cure mental disorders it follows that those proficient in Chan may not be fit to be considered therapist...

Arnold3000 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 2:27 pmDoes this mean that the practitioner first brings his mind to enlightenment and then helps other minds to come to enlightenment?
Is it like when a psychologist first studies at the university and then helps patients deal with their stress and anxiety?

Sure. How else could it be?

To say something is real, in English, means to have objective, independent existence. Thus, one cannot say conditions are real. I see. I try to keep that in mind. Still, if I look at the definition from Lexico as 'Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed.' ; or fr...

"It would be wonderful if they could read their own minds." what does it mean? Chan Buddhism is about seeing into the mind we use all the time, that is the primary goal. Worrying about the minds of others can only come later. Does Chan Buddhism have telepathy? How is the psychology of Chan Buddhism...

Malcolm wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 12:43 pmYou used the word “real”.

Yes, but "real in the sense of" functional, conditioned, causally relevant, and not as "real in the sense of existing in and of themselves".

Malcolm wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 12:33 pmConventional truths are derived from observing functional appearances. Falsehoods are derived from observing nonfunctional appearances. Example, lake vs. mirage.

And by functional do you mean causally effective? If so, what's wrong with saying that phenomena are conditional?