rocala

It is an engraving not a painting, but it is great art - Albrecht Durer

Thanks for the tip Jeff. I have been reading this for a few days now. It is really first class.

What a beautiful and inspiring story. Thank you for posting this.

I frequently read that Buddhism does not accept the idea of a soul. Usually this is explained as an unchanging soul or unchanging eternal essence. The emphasis seems to be on 'unchanging'. Does this mean that a changing essence might be more acceptable.

@joeblast I had never heard of Marvin Heermeyer before your post. Obviously I am not privy to all the details and opposing opinions but I really feel for him and am truly sorry that he took his own life. I strongly suspect that the run up to this affair could have been better handled by the city authorities.

Does anybody remember wonderful Marty Feldman

As the years have gone by, music seems to have played an ever decreasing role in my life. I have been reading "Why Dylan Matters" and it has rekindled something in me . I have just bought five Bob Dylan CD's and am enjoying myself.

Do you know who the artist is @silent thunder ?

To be honest, as soon as I saw the stupid picture I lost all interest.

Back in the seventies I was present at a seance. At one time the 'communication' was with a young woman who had died about ten years before. I cannot recall what the question was but a part of her answer was that not all people have souls. I have not since come across this concept, until this post.

Mariana

I don't know what this is, only that it is from Cornwall. I found it on Facebook.

Actually that was my description of East London. You would need more than one carefully selected picture to capture that. Still what do I know, I have only lived there for 63 years.

I think the eco village idea was just right. I don't know about "no electricity" maybe just start off gently. The Findhorn Foundation in Scotland may well be a great place to start. Tons of info on the web if you are not familiar with it. I have spent quite a bit of time there so feel free to ask questions.

I was interested by her "grooming". She has mentioned videos showing "one big family". I can understand the pull of this sort of thing. It was this idea of a united people, working together, which inspired my very revolutionary left thinking as a young man. Rehabilitation seems to be the 'civilised' way forward for her. I do not envy those given the task. She will be, I am sure, restored to her Bethnal Green home area. It is a part of a dung heap called East London. The prospect of more kids awaits her, and of course trips to the supermarket using vastly overcrowded and under funded public transport and medical services. And when the kids are grown up she might get a job in the same hideous system. Have nice day.

Hi @lino thanks for your reply. It however raises lots more questions. Please elaborate. "The skandhas are not what you think." Well I never said what I think they are, but I would like to know your interpretation. Secondly we have the "something" which is injected. Again some info would be great. Third we have the "person" who becomes a "baby". Very interesting. I suspect that this refers to a spiritual state perhaps? Please write more Lino.

If I have understood this correctly, at the point of death, the skandhas leave the deceased and in some way influence a new life form from it's very beginning. Many introductions to Buddhism have something like this and then move forward. I find this raises a few questions though. Do the skandhas know what they are looking for, or is something drawing them? Or is it entirely random? If rebirth can occur in multiple worlds eg gods or hungry ghosts, do the skandhas exist multi-dimensionally or is one level pre-set (presumably by kharma). I have not come across anything which tackles these issues, any ideas anyone?

Perhaps it should be a requirement if you are going to respond to a members post?

Hi, I do not like ignore functions as a rule, I like to know what is going on. I am extremely angry that the post was taken over by, in the first instance a probable ISIS supporting troll and secondly (if it is a different person, which I have some doubts about) a troll who had no intention of anything other than trouble making. I ask again "is there anybody moderating this site".

Hi Patrick, I do not think there is any point carrying on. Trolls are taking over the site and there is no sign of any moderation.