tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post7508303097875113154..comments2024-03-27T23:37:20.556-07:00Comments on dhamma musings: Lets Talk About AthenaShravasti Dhammikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-83414568432495841502009-04-13T20:24:00.000-07:002009-04-13T20:24:00.000-07:00Venerable, I definitely grok this post. I too am/...Venerable, I definitely grok this post. I too am/was one of those who wanted to believe, but simply could not be convinced. <br /><br />I'm not sure if Buddhas or Bodhisattvas hear prayers addressed to a monotheistic God to find religion, but I am very fortunate that I was able to learn about Buddhism in this life.<br /><br />What I find ironic though is that the more I understand Buddhism, the more tolerant I feel towards the monotheistic faiths that created such inner turmoil for me.<br /><br />I think Ajahn Bram told the story of a Buddhist who donated a kidney to a Christian who went around converting Buddhists. When asked why he/she gave the kidney, the Buddhist replied, "because they need it." What an example of compassion and humility.<br /><br />I appreciated this post. Thank you.Samuelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06102533726798834757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-72965440682399388052009-04-11T23:21:00.000-07:002009-04-11T23:21:00.000-07:00S.M.,It's post likes these that remind me why I li...S.M.,<BR/>It's post likes these that remind me why I like reading your blog so much. You are a voice of reason that I appreciate greatly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-35548670512705466732009-04-11T07:04:00.000-07:002009-04-11T07:04:00.000-07:00"The Dhamma can be relevant to believers, non-beli..."The Dhamma can be relevant to believers, non-believers, not surers or haven’t decided yeters." - Hi Venerable, just so you know, I like this quote from you... It's so... Catchy! haha :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-54280303085431916482009-04-11T01:51:00.000-07:002009-04-11T01:51:00.000-07:00Dear No,Here is, I feel, one of the many advantage...Dear No,<BR/>Here is, I feel, one of the many advantages of a god-free spirituality like Buddhism over the different forms of monotheism. If you can't accept, can't relate to or can't understand the god-idea, monotheism closes the door to you - it's all or nothing. The Dhamma can be relevant to believers, non-believers, not surers or haven’t decided yeters. It is happy to give you its insights and peace until you decide for yourself.Shravasti Dhammikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-68636557180576222322009-04-10T19:46:00.000-07:002009-04-10T19:46:00.000-07:00"But it is also true that many people don’t believ..."But it is also true that many people don’t believe in God despite themselves. They have wanted to believe, they have tried to believe, but they find they just can't; the whole thing remains unconvincing to them. I have met people whose disbelief profoundly upsets them and who would give anything to be able to believe."<BR/><BR/>Venerable, What you have said was exactly what I have experienced in my younger days. It was such a terrible struggle emotionally, for having a disbelieving heart and hence not "saved". Then I decided to make Bertrand Russell my "hero" and tried to be a "rationalist". But it was cut and dry and I realised my very limited "rational ability" makes a mockery of such an approach to life's issues. Thus, I was soon in a "rational" spritual crisis, so to speak. <BR/><BR/>It was indeed the great compassion of the Buddha for having taught His Dhamma, as His teaching has cut my spritual "gordian knot". I realised that many need not necessarily find the problems I faced in religion. They are quite happy being Christians, Hindus, Muslims, etc. Many people's need to believe in God/gods has also turned Buddha or Guanyin into god-like beings. Without their faiths in the divine, many are quite lost as to what is good and needed for self-restraint. From the Buddhist perspective, perhaps that's creating good karma too, I suppose, irrespective of the religion, as long as it brings about wholesome lives.Walterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473139174740412105noreply@blogger.com