Sure. I think there is more flexibility on my end than Malcolm's. It might be more appropriate for you to address him.DGA wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:31 pm I think you and Malcolm are closer than you might think. See below, the bolded part:
How is that not "the particular circumstances of the time"?Malcolm wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:10 pmSure it does. Karma is unerring.
One cannot convert people to the Dharma. One can only provide an opportunity for them to hear it, if they so choose. That is all the Buddha did, and that is all we can do as well. If they have the merit to follow the Dharma, they will, and there is virtually nothing we need to do from our side other than make it available.
"First, there seems to be a notion among Buddhists that active propagation is not a Buddhist thing to do. That instead, Buddha dharma should spread passively - like osmosis. I think this is incorrect."
Malcolm came out confirming the propriety of the passive method, stating that it is in fact correct. It's not that I think the passive approach is incorrect, but limiting to the passive approach is incorrect.
For me, providing an opportunity can encompass more engagement, more action. Malcolm has made clear on other occasions that he disagrees.