Originally posted by casino_king:
[b]
This goes straight to the credibility of Buddhism. What is Buddhism
if not for the supernatural claims? It becomes like
Confusionism.
Wrong. I have respect for Confucianism. It is a great
philosophy. But it only dealt with worldly and moral issues.
Buddhism isn't just about worldly and moral issues, but more
importantly also on attaining the Wisdom of Liberation, the wisdom
into the clear seeing of the nature of reality.
Attain the state of Nibena. That is a supernatural state. What
evidence did the Buddhist produced to show that this supernatural
state is only imaginary and not backed up by evidence? None.
Nirvana is not a supernatural state. In fact it is not even a
state to begin with, because state implies a conditioned mental
phenomena - that which Nirvana is not. There can be an endless list
to what Nirvana is Not, but to assert what Nirvana is, is much more
difficult. It is liberated bliss beyond conditionings, beyond time
and space, etc. In fact it is very very simple - so simple that it
doesn't even make sense to a usual mind!
Time and space is relative and only known in the analytical mind.
In this moment, without any analysis and thoughts, just pure
awareness, you have already transcended time and space.
But have you attained Nirvana? Not yet.... immediately you returned
back to Samsara.
If you can, grab a copy of 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle.
Such concepts will become clearer to you as you read. It is also
very inspiring and transformative. It is not very philosophical and
does not contain much belief systems so people like you should be
able to read it. When you are stressed/depressed you can also read
it. Eckhart Tolle is a mystic however he does not come from the
Buddhist tradition. He does not come from any traditions, in fact.
However he does quote Buddha, Jesus, Bhagavad Gita (Hindu), Tao Te
Ching (Taoist) from time to time.
Eckhart Tolle is emerging as one of the most original and
inspiring spiritual teachers of our time. He travels and teaches
throughout the world.
Eckhart is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition,
but excludes none. His profound yet simple and practical teachings
have helped thousands of people find inner peace and greater
fulfillment in their lives. At the core of his teachings lies the
transformation of individual and collective human consciousness - a
global spiritual awakening.
Eckhart was born in Germany and educated at the Universities of
London and Cambridge. At the age of twenty-nine, a profound
spiritual transformation virtually dissolved his old identity and
radically changed the course of his life. The next few years were
devoted to understanding, integrating and deepening that
transformation and marked the beginning of an intense inward
journey. Later, he began to work with individuals and small groups
as a counselor and spiritual teacher.
Eckhart Tolle is the author of The Power of Now, a #1 New York
Times best-seller which has been widely recognized as one of the
most influential spiritual books of our time. It has been
translated into over 30 languages.
Also see: Eckhart Tolle
I am not a dharma teacher. You need to find an enlightened teacher
to guide you. It is truly possible.
Buddhas, like the Christain God is also in hiding. The Buddhists
claim that they are around but they cannot even produce one for all
to see. At best we see man made statues that Buddhists worship.
All forms are illusions
Like I said, Buddhists do not worship Buddha.
Do you know right now Buddha is not seperate from us? Buddha is not
to be seen as just a person - but its ESSENCE. The Buddha Nature in
us is already complete and perfect, but due to our illusions it is
covered up.
He who sees me (Buddha) in forms
or seeks me in sounds is on a heterodox path and cannot see the
Tathagata (Buddha).
"All forms are but illusions; in
seeing that all forms are illusory, then one sees the Tathagata." -
Diamond Sutra
--
The mind, the Buddha, living
creatures - these are not three different things.
Avatamasaka Sutra
--
In fact even in Christianity, there is a deeper essence of their
teachings, that which is known as Mysticism, although many
Christians have a narrow interpretation of something that is
actually much deeper. And of course in the other gospels known as
the Gnostic gospels like Gospel of Thomas, it has a lot of wisdom
of mysticism which have similarities to the teachings of Buddhism.
Uncountable mystics have already attained the same sort of
realisations - not only in Christian mysticism, but also the Islam
Sufi (islamic mysticism), Taoism, Hindus, New Age etc etc. Lots
more. Have you watched Gospel of Judas on National Geographic?
Reincarnation... any evidence? nope other than some claims that
some children remembers vaguely of having lived previously... these
are not acceptable "evidence" you need to raise your standard a
little. Evidence need to be indpendently verifiable; observed or
reproduced.
You tell me certain things you tell me the proof you tell me how to
reproduce the proof for myself... that is acceptable
evidence.
Not I did this and I did that or somebody did this and did that but
sorry if you do it, you will not get the same results.
Oh well... we discussed this in the previous topic already. I am
not sure how can reincarnation be independantly verifiable,
observed or reproduced. But do look into Ian Stevenson's
research.
Nice chat. I got to go now - let the other forummers reply you
further. My mid year exams are near so I dont have time to discuss
with you for now.
