Search found 1838 matches

by narhwal90
Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:30 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Struggling With Lotus Sutra
Replies: 35
Views: 1023

Re: Struggling With Lotus Sutra

I'd suggest getting familiar with other translations before drawing conclusions, Burton Watson's is only one of them. Each reads differently. It might be the case that your reaction to the sutra is an indication of what you are grasping at and what you project onto it.
by narhwal90
Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:11 am
Forum: Discovering Mahayana Buddhism
Topic: The metaphorical character of the Dhamma.
Replies: 10
Views: 728

Re: The metaphorical character of the Dhamma.

Or not? Is there any obstacle in Buddhist practice in treating rebirth and the six realms as metaphors? Since they are also illusory like the notion of a Self? Are there any losses? Are there any barriers to enlightenment having this interpretation? Thanks. I've done a bit of studying on the occasi...
by narhwal90
Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:35 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: A geometric analogy for understanding emptiness. Is it valid?
Replies: 11
Views: 435

Re: A geometric analogy for understanding emptiness. Is it valid?

I'd say as soon as there are ideas it is no longer emptiness.
by narhwal90
Sat Mar 02, 2024 1:27 pm
Forum: Nyingma
Topic: Prophecies of (Nuclear) World War in 2030 (split)
Replies: 48
Views: 4769

Re: Prophecies of (Nuclear) World War in 2030 (split)

Thats probably enough squabbling. Please message a moderator if there is something substantial to add to the topic.
by narhwal90
Fri Feb 23, 2024 5:58 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Important koans in The Blue Cliff Record
Replies: 8
Views: 866

Re: Important koans in The Blue Cliff Record

Its one thing to look at underlying themes, perhaps they are even tropes, but a different thing entirely when the Roshi looks at you for your reply.
by narhwal90
Thu Feb 22, 2024 1:27 pm
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: English translation collection of basic sutras that has had its language adapted for modern readers
Replies: 29
Views: 1148

Re: English translation collection of basic sutras that has had its language adapted for modern readers

It is interesting to consider how much of one's own reaction to become distracted by. I have 3 or 4 different translations, they each read differently. If its really bothering you then perhaps choose a different sutra and come back to this one later- the Lotus Sutra is pretty hard going sometimes.
by narhwal90
Thu Feb 22, 2024 12:59 pm
Forum: Sūtra Studies
Topic: English translation collection of basic sutras that has had its language adapted for modern readers
Replies: 29
Views: 1148

Re: English translation collection of basic sutras that has had its language adapted for modern readers

You can always skip over the names, I often do. Same with the endless descriptions of the various heavens, intervals of time and so on.
by narhwal90
Tue Feb 20, 2024 4:17 pm
Forum: Soka Gakkai/SGI
Topic: Will SGI issue a new gohonzon how that Ikeda has died?
Replies: 1
Views: 307

Re: Will SGI issue a new gohonzon how that Ikeda has died?

I've not heard any hints about that sort of thing so far. I suppose it wouldn't surprise me if there is some evolution of the new gohonzons given to new members.. .or perhaps there might be opportunites for members to get a newer or larger format gohonzon. In the past I've understood that being to p...
by narhwal90
Sun Feb 18, 2024 2:34 pm
Forum: Discovering Mahayana Buddhism
Topic: Looking to become a Buddhist, but I'm concerned about ideas of Heaven/Hell
Replies: 53
Views: 2402

Re: Looking to become a Buddhist, but I'm concerned about ideas of Heaven/Hell

Hi everyone, I'm very close to embracing Mahāyāna Buddhism, but I am having some difficulties with the concept of Heaven(s) and Hell(s). I already know that some such as Hakuin Ekaku of the Rinzai Japanese Zen Buddhism viewed Heaven(s) and Hell(s) as a state of mind. I've heard the same about the M...
by narhwal90
Tue Feb 13, 2024 3:23 am
Forum: Zen
Topic: What do you personally derive from Zazen meditation?
Replies: 9
Views: 936

Re: What do you personally derive from Zazen meditation?

I find zazen along with engaging with sangha and cultivation of Precepts helps to reduce the tendency to grasp at thought. I prefer that to the alternative. I never had much luck with zazen by itself.
by narhwal90
Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:50 am
Forum: Nichiren
Topic: Any Rissho Kosei-Kai members?
Replies: 24
Views: 5877

Re: Any Rissho Kosei-Kai members?

(Speaking as a mod I'm making an exception to the general forum old post rule and continuing the conversation because of the focused nature of the topic) OTOH as a SGI member, many thanks for coming back :) The Nichiren subforums have been quiet for a while, its always great to see the tradition re...
by narhwal90
Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:25 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: GPT starts nuclear war
Replies: 11
Views: 666

Re: GPT starts nuclear war

Seems mostly like the same sort of hype and vaporing that took place in the 70's.
by narhwal90
Fri Feb 02, 2024 8:04 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Dzogchen and thoughts
Replies: 109
Views: 7412

Re: Dzogchen and thoughts

Thread temporarily locked to halt bickering.
by narhwal90
Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:26 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Buddhist pest control
Replies: 15
Views: 2785

Re: Buddhist pest control

We've been grappling with them for a while too. They showed up in late Nov and had something of a population explosion. We're being very careful with sources of moisture and food (only dry stuff exposed in the trash, nothing left out on counters, sink kept clean, a brief splash of simple green in th...
by narhwal90
Sun Jan 28, 2024 11:13 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: Self-care or just selfishness?
Replies: 80
Views: 5376

Re: Self-care or just selfishness?

Well like the big book says, "Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer." It doesn't mean things have have to be theistic. Personally I try to keep the 4NT and Vows in one hand and the recovery program in the other. Oh yeah the quality of sponsoring and ...
by narhwal90
Sun Jan 28, 2024 8:41 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: Self-care or just selfishness?
Replies: 80
Views: 5376

Re: Self-care or just selfishness?

I personally know folks in 12 step programs who are buddhist (not counting myself), others make their higher power nature itself. I even met one Alanon guy whos stated view of faith was it consisted of hope plus wishful thinking, but he also did the steps and found some relief from the conflict in h...
by narhwal90
Tue Jan 23, 2024 10:10 pm
Forum: Chan
Topic: New book on Ch'an
Replies: 11
Views: 1480

Re: New book on Ch'an

I was amazed by the sheer effrontery of the author of "Free Women" book... and Shambala's complicity.
by narhwal90
Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:09 pm
Forum: Chan
Topic: New book on Ch'an
Replies: 11
Views: 1480

Re: New book on Ch'an

This brings to mind the "The First Free Women: Original Poetry" debacle, also facilitated by Shambala.
by narhwal90
Mon Jan 22, 2024 1:47 pm
Forum: Dying and Death
Topic: Reincarnation cases not following the Buddhist model
Replies: 230
Views: 13673

Re: Reincarnation cases not following the Buddhist model

There is also the possibility that the promises of various powers, rebirth and so on are only an expedient to motivate practice.

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