Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
Cults hide their horror in the daylight....
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
Danny,
“Devotion” is of course often misunderstood. I mean that if you get a actual ‘concrete’ taste of the Nature of Mind via what your Lama(s) have shown you; great respect for them will blossom forth naturally, and this is what true devotion would actually entail.
At the same time, if you don’t get that said ‘taste’, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s any fault with your Lama(s).
Simultaneously, you don’t have to fabricate any contrived devotion to them, regardless as to whether or not the fault lies within them or you. Just keep receiving teachings from various Lamas like a bee, until you ‘get it’.
However even if a teacher in question is, in your evaluation not good, at least maintain a modicum of respect for them by not badmouthing them; then just move on.
“Devotion” is of course often misunderstood. I mean that if you get a actual ‘concrete’ taste of the Nature of Mind via what your Lama(s) have shown you; great respect for them will blossom forth naturally, and this is what true devotion would actually entail.
At the same time, if you don’t get that said ‘taste’, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s any fault with your Lama(s).
Simultaneously, you don’t have to fabricate any contrived devotion to them, regardless as to whether or not the fault lies within them or you. Just keep receiving teachings from various Lamas like a bee, until you ‘get it’.
However even if a teacher in question is, in your evaluation not good, at least maintain a modicum of respect for them by not badmouthing them; then just move on.
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Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
This is really just not correct in my opinion. Read about Buddhanussati in the Pali Canon, devotion and emulation of The Buddha has been there from the beginning. We can quibble about what "devotion" means there, and whether the later innovations are valid, and whether they mean "devotion to other" ultimately; but whether it has always existed in Buddhism is a question easily answered, and it has...it's even in the Dhammapada.
And lots more of course........The Dhammapada wrote:
106.Though month after month for a hundred years one should offer sacrifices by the thousands, yet if only for a moment one should worship those of perfected minds that honor is indeed better than a century of sacrifice.
107.Though for a hundred years one should tend the sacrificial fire in the forest, yet if only for a mo-ment one should worship those of perfected minds, that worship is indeed better than a century of sacrifice.
108.Whatever gifts and oblations one seeking merit might offer in this world for a whole year, all that is not worth one fourth of the merit gained by re-vering the Upright Ones, which is truly excellent.
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared
-Khunu Lama
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared
-Khunu Lama
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
And it is central in common Mahayana as well. A great example here is the bodhisattva Sadaprarudita. If anybody had devotion, and exemplified devotion of an intense level few can hope to ever match, it was him. Emulate just a fraction of his attitude in terms of devotion, and people will do really well on the path.Johnny Dangerous wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 11:10 pmThis is really just not correct in my opinion. Read about Buddhanussati in the Pali Canon, devotion and emulation of The Buddha has been there from the beginning. We can quibble about what "devotion" means there, and whether the later innovations are valid, and whether they mean "devotion to other" ultimately; but whether it has always existed in Buddhism is a question easily answered, and it has...it's even in the Dhammapada.
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
The presents of Santa are as real as your monthly or annual salary is to You.PadmaVonSamba wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:21 pmor it could be said that santa is no more real than the presents he delivers.
svaha
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Sarvē mānavāḥ svatantrāḥ samutpannāḥ vartantē api ca, gauravadr̥śā adhikāradr̥śā ca samānāḥ ēva vartantē. Ētē sarvē cētanā-tarka-śaktibhyāṁ susampannāḥ santi. Api ca, sarvē’pi bandhutva-bhāvanayā parasparaṁ vyavaharantu."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1. (in english and sanskrit)
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Sarvē mānavāḥ svatantrāḥ samutpannāḥ vartantē api ca, gauravadr̥śā adhikāradr̥śā ca samānāḥ ēva vartantē. Ētē sarvē cētanā-tarka-śaktibhyāṁ susampannāḥ santi. Api ca, sarvē’pi bandhutva-bhāvanayā parasparaṁ vyavaharantu."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1. (in english and sanskrit)
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
So will you send me your salary Aemilius? ( joking).Aemilius wrote: ↑Tue Jun 15, 2021 9:47 amThe presents of Santa are as real as your monthly or annual salary is to You.PadmaVonSamba wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:21 pmor it could be said that santa is no more real than the presents he delivers.
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
Maybe I could behave like Naropa, who threw away the gold given to him by Marpa, saying that the whole world is gold to him. Also, Zen Roshi Al Rapaport told that his teacher, -a totally unknown japanese guy-, had said that "he owns the whole world", i.e. he does not need anything from Al Rapaport. If you are as confident as that in your own worth or in your possible realization as these guys are, then you can behave like that. If you have done any hitch hiking or the like, where you are vulnerable and dependent on the car drivers' good will, you would also know how it is when you are trusting that world will help you, when you say to the world that you need some assistance from it.Giovanni wrote: ↑Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:58 amSo will you send me your salary Aemilius? ( joking).Aemilius wrote: ↑Tue Jun 15, 2021 9:47 amThe presents of Santa are as real as your monthly or annual salary is to You.PadmaVonSamba wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:21 pm or it could be said that santa is no more real than the presents he delivers.
svaha
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Sarvē mānavāḥ svatantrāḥ samutpannāḥ vartantē api ca, gauravadr̥śā adhikāradr̥śā ca samānāḥ ēva vartantē. Ētē sarvē cētanā-tarka-śaktibhyāṁ susampannāḥ santi. Api ca, sarvē’pi bandhutva-bhāvanayā parasparaṁ vyavaharantu."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1. (in english and sanskrit)
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Sarvē mānavāḥ svatantrāḥ samutpannāḥ vartantē api ca, gauravadr̥śā adhikāradr̥śā ca samānāḥ ēva vartantē. Ētē sarvē cētanā-tarka-śaktibhyāṁ susampannāḥ santi. Api ca, sarvē’pi bandhutva-bhāvanayā parasparaṁ vyavaharantu."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1. (in english and sanskrit)
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
…but you yourself won’t, though?Aemilius wrote: ↑Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:30 pmMaybe I could behave like Naropa, who threw away the gold given to him by Marpa, saying that the whole world is gold to him. Also, Zen Roshi Al Rapaport told that his teacher, -a totally unknown japanese guy-, had said that "he owns the whole world", i.e. he does not need anything from Al Rapaport. If you are as confident as that in your own worth or in your possible realization as these guys are, then you can behave like that. If you have done any hitch hiking or the like, where you are vulnerable and dependent on the car drivers' good will, you would also know how it is when you are trusting that world will help you, when you say to the world that you need some assistance from it.
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
Sure, and generally I am lazy and at ease.Sādhaka wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 10:16 pm Danny,
“Devotion” is of course often misunderstood. I mean that if you get a actual ‘concrete’ taste of the Nature of Mind via what your Lama(s) have shown you; great respect for them will blossom forth naturally, and this is what true devotion would actually entail.
At the same time, if you don’t get that said ‘taste’, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s any fault with your Lama(s).
Simultaneously, you don’t have to fabricate any contrived devotion to them, regardless as to whether or not the fault lies within them or you. Just keep receiving teachings from various Lamas like a bee, until you ‘get it’.
However even if a teacher in question is, in your evaluation not good, at least maintain a modicum of respect for them by not badmouthing them; then just move on.
So these types of things keep rolling along, because the universe really don’t give a doo doo. And I’m cool with that.
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
I just call it manipulation. So really the intent is not the best, the application is not the best and the results are not the best.
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
Dawkins guru of reason is Darwin.
When he applies his gurus teachings and knowledge, then it becomes a thing..
It’s of mediocre interest at best.
When he applies his gurus teachings and knowledge, then it becomes a thing..
It’s of mediocre interest at best.
Re: Richard Dawkins - The Enemies of Reason - Part 1: Slaves to Superstition
I’ll add a caveat here tho.
Malthus is the underlying vibe that permeates a lot of these sciences, and they became twisted into reductionism of the spiritual empathy of humanity, of much that came later, even perfumes the nihilistic politics of the modern era.
Even convinced poets and philosophers..
Malthus is the underlying vibe that permeates a lot of these sciences, and they became twisted into reductionism of the spiritual empathy of humanity, of much that came later, even perfumes the nihilistic politics of the modern era.
Even convinced poets and philosophers..