tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post3945568207115322648..comments2024-03-15T16:22:02.806-07:00Comments on dhamma musings: Was The Buddha Really A Businessman?Shravasti Dhammikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-30214393250059222212010-02-27T07:04:36.394-08:002010-02-27T07:04:36.394-08:00Wasn't sure where to post this question so I&#...Wasn't sure where to post this question so I'm just taking it on to the most recent post: wondered if you'd seen this post (http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?264459) and what your reactions were to it. It looks like a fascinating book (Stephen Batchelor, "Confessions of a Buddhist Atheist"). Also wondered what your take was on the article/book.<br /><br />Also wanted to say how much I enjoy your blogs. I always look forward to your new posts.Hiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13781971306466266748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-24602584354414646252010-02-09T05:58:53.450-08:002010-02-09T05:58:53.450-08:00I seriously disagree with your basic assumption th...I seriously disagree with your basic assumption that the Thing described in those pali texts that you deem to be "the oldest strata" is really what you call "the original thing", ie "the buddhism-thing". I think the truth is really far removed from that.<br /> If you want to say something about this issue you you have to base your views on the existing textual material, it seems.<br /> Therefore I want to point out the following probable course of events: Buddha did in fact turn three distinct Wheels of Dharma, as the Northern tradition maintains. What we call the Sthaviravada-branch accepted only the first of the three Dharmachakras, but these Three were well known in India during the first 200... 300 years of buddhism, and this is why the existing Theravada canon says that the teaching of the Four Noble truths constitutes the Three Turnings!! This claim does not make sense at all, but it proves that the Three Turnings did in fact take place during the Buddha's life time.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18167608291735766377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-31419358278418316562010-02-09T00:55:00.742-08:002010-02-09T00:55:00.742-08:00Dear MB,
Thanks for the comment. I went back and...Dear MB, <br />Thanks for the comment. I went back and looked at the last 30 posts I’ve done. Only four – January 11th, 18th, 19th and 29th – do not directly mention Buddhism and two of these are an attempt to give a better understanding of another religion. I honestly think that’s quite okay. Whether the others deal with subjects that are only ‘superficially’ related to Buddhism is, I think, related to how you see Buddhism. I see it as a multifaceted phenomena encompassing philosophy, ethics, the arts, psychological training, history, monasticism and many other aspects of life, and I try to deal with all of these subjects from time to time. And of course, if you find my posts unrelated to your particular vision of the Dhamma I’m sure a quick scan of the internet will turn up something that is of value to you.Shravasti Dhammikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-89000630064891506452010-02-08T13:48:10.374-08:002010-02-08T13:48:10.374-08:00Dear Shravasti Dhammika,
In your blog you are wri...Dear Shravasti Dhammika,<br /><br />In your blog you are writing about many things which are only superficially connected with Buddhism.<br /><br />Wouldn't it be more beneficial putting effort in offering guidance and support in Buddhist training?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-26789324801405042762010-02-04T00:37:17.557-08:002010-02-04T00:37:17.557-08:00Dear Peter,
Your question is not at all clear to m...Dear Peter,<br />Your question is not at all clear to me. Please rephrase it, give me an example of what I have said that you disagree with, submit it and I will do my best to answer it.Shravasti Dhammikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-84429781228633881532010-02-03T16:16:36.360-08:002010-02-03T16:16:36.360-08:00Who's teachings are you following? Mostly I li...Who's teachings are you following? Mostly I like your blog. But more and more you style it tends to become what one definitely can define as delusion of the buddhadhamma. Is that your purpose?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-66013807703388245042010-02-03T03:48:00.507-08:002010-02-03T03:48:00.507-08:00Please delete earlier post if it's too long! I...Please delete earlier post if it's too long! I should have previewed first.Ken and Visakhahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16713910044241151429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-24264585485166067912010-02-03T03:44:41.131-08:002010-02-03T03:44:41.131-08:00The Maniculaka Sutta comes to mind:
On one occasi...The Maniculaka Sutta comes to mind:<br /><br />On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrel Sanctuary. Now on that occasion the members of the king’s retinue had assembled in the royal palace and were sitting together when the following conversation arose: “Gold and silver are allowable for the ascetics following the Sakyan son; the ascetics following the Sakyan son consent to gold and silver; the ascetics following the Sakyan son accept gold and silver.”<br /><br />Now on that occasion Maniculaka the headman was sitting in that - assembly. Then Maniculaka the headman said to that assembly: “Do not speak thus, masters. Gold and silver are not allowable for the ascetics following the Sakyan son; the ascetics following the Sakyan son do not consent to gold and silver; the ascetics following the Sakyan son do not accept gold and silver. They have renounced jewellery and gold; they have given up the use of gold and silver.” And Maniculaka was able to convince that assembly.<br /><br />Then Maniculaka approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, he reported to the Blessed One all that had happened, adding: “I hope, venerable sir, that when I answered thus I stated what has been said by the Blessed One and did not misrepresent him with what is contrary to fact; that I explained in accordance with the Dhamma, and that no reasonable consequence of my statement gives ground for criticism.”<br /><br />“For sure, headman, when you answered thus you stated what has been said by me and did not misrepresent me with what is contrary to fact; you explained in accordance with the Dhamma, and no reasonable consequence of your statement gives ground for criticism. For, headman, gold and silver are not allowable for the ascetics following the Sakyan son; the ascetics following the Sakyan son do not consent to gold and silver; the ascetics following the Sakyan son do not accept gold and silver. They have renounced jewellery and gold; they have given up the use of gold and silver. If gold and silver are allowable for anyone, the five cords of sensual pleasure are allowable for him. If the five cords of sensual pleasure are allowable for anyone, you can definitely consider him to be one who does not have the character of an ascetic or of a follower of the Sakyan son.<br /><br />“Further, headman, I say this: <br />‘Straw may be sought by one needing straw; timber may be sought by one needing timber; a cart may be sought by one needing a cart; a workman may be sought by one needing a workman.’ But I do not say that there is any method by which gold and silver may be consented to or sought.”<br /> – Samyutta Nikaya IV 10Ken and Visakhahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16713910044241151429noreply@blogger.com