I hope you will continue to search for answers within yourself
(using suitable Buddhist teachings as your spiritual
guide), in addition to what you can physically observe,
perceive or apparently understand, from any replies here or
elsewhere.
What is my true purpose or life-long goal in learning
or questioning about Buddhism? How will it benefit me
after I have decided that the above conclusion is true or
false for any reason? Will I become a mere religious
cynic or someone's who's anti-religion? Or will I become a
religious extremist, for example? Just some questions to
ask so that we can help keep any of our subtle
negative mental and emotional fluctations in check.
Unlike monotheistic religious teachings which emphasise absolute
ownership rights of a Creator God, Buddhism is always about
understanding the truths within and around us, to use the
wisdom gained from the Buddha's teachings to guide us on
the path towards lasting happiness.
When one does not understand, one is always under the control of
not only others in various ways known or unknown to us, but also
under the control of ignorance, frustration and greed for power
inside our own minds. This applies to me as well.
When talking about 'control', its definition differs from person
to person and is contextual. Is our government controlling us? Are
our parents controlling us? Are our spouses and kids controlling
us? Are our friends, colleagues and bosses controlling us? And vice
versa, are we controlling any one in either groups?
One important question to the suggested relevation
about religious organisations trying to control its
followers might be this, so as to help viewing the matter
from other angles: How can I contribute to a better and
gradual mindset change in such organisations, if I think what
I see or experience is indeed true? Do I want to take the first
step to contribute as much as I can, no matter how little, no
matter how tiring and thankless it may be, to help
bring about what I have understood to be healthy
religious views and attitudes etc? Can I see myself doing this till
the day I breathe my last?
Ultimately, one can only change oneself. We can only lead by
personal example. But take note that even so, others have the
right to choose whether to follow.
I can relate to the above since I have also reflected on
the issue from this angle. What is published and universally
accepted to be 'scientific facts' now, may be challenged
and overturned by later, more in-depth scientific
discoveries.
Science is continuous human exploration of and experimentation
with nature. What we know now will never be perfect or absolutely
complete. Our present scientific knowledge can at best be
considered parts of a humanly inconceivable jigsaw puzzle of
natural or supernatural phenomena.
It is very bad when you quote only a small part of what
I said and then answer that very small part when the whole post of
what I said is relevant. There fore I quote what I said below and
your reply to it above.
That certainly explains a lot, why people outside
of the buddhist organisations can benefit more from buddhist
teachings than buddhists themselves.
"Kalama
Sutra - Angutarra Nikaya 3.65
Teaching
given by the Buddha given to the Kalama people:
Do
not go by revelation;
Do not go by tradition;
Do not go by hearsay;
Do not go on the authority of sacred texts;
Do not go on the grounds of pure logic;
Do not go by a view that seems rational;
Do not go by reflecting on mere appearances;
Do not go along with a considered view because you agree with
it;
Do not go along on the grounds that the person is
competent;
Do not go along because [thinking] 'the recluse is our
teacher'.
Kalamas, when you yourselves know: 'These things are unwholesome,
these things are blameworthy; these things are censured by the
wise; and when undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm
and ill, abandon them...
Kalamas, when you know for yourselves: These are wholesome; these
things are not blameworthy; these things are praised by the wise;
undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and
happiness, having undertaken them, abide in them."
Type A
"Kalamas,
when you yourselves know:" that
is, you memorize what someone tells you ... that is
bad
Type B
"Kalamas,
when you know for yourselves:" that
is, you find out for yourself, work it out for yourself... that is
good.
Then AEN (mr
cut and paste, and I suspect is Type A) confirms what you
said:
Read what
AEN was told: "I do not want
you to have knowledge regarding who is right or wrong and all those
comments and challenges made to other religions and traditions. I
never want you to get into that."
How can AEN
work it out for himself, be Type B if he does not
consider "who is right
or wrong " and
consider "all those
comments and challenges made to other religions and
traditions"?
This is certainly a revelation and solves a major puzzle for me. I
always wondered why buddhists I know never seem to get what
buddhism teaches although they are good at repeating the
doctrines.
If what you say is true, apparently, the buddhist organisation is
just like any other religious organisation. They want to control
instead of liberating their
followers.
see: 01
Jan `10, 7:33PM
