S:C

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Posts posted by S:C

  4. Posted

    2 hours ago, Taomeow said:

    time in between in captivity, it loses 100% of that special quality.

     

    That is fascinating! 
     

    And what you wrote about Raja yoga too. It’s not something you can get a hold of at your local yoga studio, I suppose. Sad, but sounds amazing, from what I gather… even while being sure that I ain’t even getting the gist of it…
     

    • Like 1

  6. Posted · Edited by schroedingerscat

    37 minutes ago, Nungali said:

    Individually its about 'your path' ,

    That is a troubling point: how can it be about autonomy if everywhere one‘s moving one steps unintentionally on someone’s toes e.g. causes suffering? Unavoidable!?
     

    What is a correlation or the relationship between autonomy and Dharma?

    Anyone else has a strange feeling of the two being unfitting? It seems immoral to strive for autonomy, no? It‘s like reaching for the Promethean fire or flying to close to Ikarus‘ Sun, grasping for the moon, making the gods envious… will stop because nothing of use will follow, but it is so annoying that I cannot state the problem more clearly, I suppose it is not understandable?

  10. Posted

    On 29.1.2023 at 11:26 PM, Nungali said:

    . Evidenced by  practice , observation and results .   " Let success be thy proof

    What you mean is, you don’t feel the ‚karmic backlash‘, that is experienced on the emotional level (as remorse, different causal chains thereafter, nightmares etc.) as the effects going against the perceived moral precepts? Or am I wrong here?

     

  11. Posted · Edited by schroedingerscat

    On 29.1.2023 at 11:26 PM, Nungali said:

    This is like the idea behind one of my projects ; tracking teachings backwards through history

    If you look for „the secret teachings of all ages“ you might have known that someone from your ‚brotherhood‘ Mr. Hall, I believe, has done that already a few years back, but I cannot comment on the quality,  I stay away of brotherhoods and their papertrails, makes me nervous, but it might be of interest to you.

     

    Still, I wonder how we came there from the question of morals. Strange… probably I just consider „brotherhoods“ and cults immoral, maybe because of the hierarchy of power. and because they seem to always interpret higher laws to their advantage, am I wrong here?

  12. Posted

    On 29.1.2023 at 11:29 PM, Nungali said:

    The you quickly abandon your simple dualistic views  ;) 

    I did, didn’t I? I‘m not sure I understand what I did here.

     

    Once again, thank you, those further two lists were interesting! 
     

    Not aimed at anyone in particular, but what is it that makes a precept moral? 
    Relations to a higher power?

    What is it that gives some decisions the quality of immorality even if they are based on values, like for example autonomy if set as an absolute?

     

     

    And please, could anyone explain „Dharma“ in more detail? @old3bob or anyone? I seem to be missing out on something valuable here…

  14. Posted · Edited by schroedingerscat

    21 minutes ago, old3bob said:

    seeing dharmic principles in action could bring about one's own understanding and variation of same...

    Dharmic principles as in the Indian - rather Hindu - than Buddhist sense of the word? 
     

    From what I gather “dharma” in that sense gives each living being its own set of tasks. And how well the humble individual being solves those with its means given has consequences due cause and effect relations? So the rules apply  not for everyone in the same way but depending on previous karma?   

    Is that what you meant?


    What are the guidelines then or aren’t there any? When would one detect to be on a “slippery slope”?

  16. Posted

    22 minutes ago, old3bob said:

    if one is fully enlightened they are a living precept so to speak and no longer need reminders (by rote) of situationally and time proven ones in writing, while everyone else can still benefit from or need practice with them...

    So what you mean by this is that you try to be in the presence of ‚fully enlightened beings‘ as to see their moral values and copy them? Or did I get that wrong? I am a bit confused now, sorry.

  17. Posted · Edited by schroedingerscat
    Questions

    52 minutes ago, C T said:

    Each strand is equally vital to the holistic development of a sound Buddhist  practitioner. 

     

    Sila, or Virtue, derives from Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. 

     

    Samadhi, meditative equipoise, derives from Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. 

     

    Prajna/panna, wisdom, arises from Right View and Right Intention. 

    This is very complex and interesting. I am still trying to wrap my head around an example, would you have any particular in mind?

    Like is there a text that explains the connection with an example? 
     

    Edit: 

    Deducting from the quote by Ajahn Khamjan:

    So morals then would be virtue/sila, but in considering a decision for an action one would have to ‚detach‘ first from it emotionally to get to a Birds Eye of view and then consider also prajna/wisdom through previous experiences one has lived through or probabilities? Is this getting close or is it far from it? Did he write this in a book with examples maybe?

    • Like 1

  21. Posted · Edited by schroedingerscat

    1 hour ago, Sketch said:

    never gotten beyond the moral and ethical examples my parents set while raising me.

    Thanks, this is interesting! Would you be interested to share those? It’s probably not a list of precepts and therefore hard to precisely tell those? Or are those rather intuitively ,engrained‘ and arising on the current situation?

  22. Posted

    13 minutes ago, Maddie said:

    The pacifism versus self-defense moral dilemma

    This is also interesting, but for the purpose of clarity I‘d like to keep these as two separate problems, because their structure is different.


     

    Quote

    What I am referring to is a situation for example, when the you would be forced to either react against the perpetrator or someone innocent and doing nothing would lead to your own demise? Accept this then I suppose, am I right? But it would be hurting oneself, no?

     

    • Like 1

  24. Posted · Edited by schroedingerscat
    No copyright infringement intended.

    3 hours ago, Wilhelm said:

    ten precepts found in the Dunhuang Manuscripts,

    Thanks for sharing! 
     

    Quote

    There is one rule that is divided into Ten Precepts. That rule is the Tao (or Dao).

     

    1. Don’t harbor hatred or jealousy in your heart.

    Don’t give rise to dark thieving thoughts.

    Be reserved in speech and wary of transgressions.

    Keep your thoughts on the Divine Law.


    2. Maintain a kind heart and do not kill.

    Have pity for and support all living beings.

    Be compassionate and loving.

    Broadly reach out to bring universal redemption to all.


    3. Maintain purity and be withdrawing in your social interactions.

    Be neither lascivious nor thieving, but constantly harbor good thoughts.

    Always take from yourself to aid others.


    4. Don’t set your mind on sexual desire or give rise to passion.

    Be not licentious in your heart but remain pure and behave prudently.

    Make sure your actions are without blemish or stain.


    5. Don’t utter bad words.

    Don’t use flowery and ornate language.

    Be straightforward within and without.

    Don’t commit excesses of speech.


    6. Don’t take liquor or drug.

    Moderate your behavior.

    Regulate and harmonize your energy and inner nature.

    Don’t let your spirit be diminished.

    Don’t commit any of the myriad evils.


    7. Don’t be envious if others are better than yourself.

    Don’t contend for achievement and fame.

    Be retiring and modest in all things.

    Put yourself behind to serve the salvation of others.


    8. Don’t criticize or debate the scriptures and teachings.

    Don’t revile or slander the saintly texts.

    Venerate the Divine Law with all your heart.

    Always act as if you were face to face with the gods and immortals.


    9. Don’t create disturbance through verbal argumentation.

    Don’t criticize any believers, be they monks, nuns, male or female laity,

    or even heavenly beings. Remember, all censure and hate diminishes your spirit and energy.


    10. Be equanimous and of whole heart in all of your actions.

    Make sure that all exchanges between humankind

    and the divine gods are proper and respectful. - taken from the corresponding Wikipedia article https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_precepts_(Taoism)

     

    • Like 2

  25. Posted

    42 minutes ago, Maddie said:

    this question is a bit vague to give a specific answer to. And most hypotheticals like that I would say it's a case-by-case basis.

    Agreed, this question seems constructed and at least very abstract. But for the purpose of clarification, I‘d like it to accompany this thread. 

     

    Quote

     

    1. Don't kill 

    2. Don't steal 

    3. No sexual misconduct

    4. No wrong speech 

    5. No intoxicants 

     

    I think the precepts are the same for all branches 

    Faintly I remember Mahayana having a different view on lies (for the good of others) then the other branches? Can someone verify or deny that? 
     

    Case by case, yes, necessity principle (it’s called in criminal law, I guess (?),  might justify or excuse such an action).

    Just still curious what opinions on this question would be…

     

    How would you react within your precepts or outside of them when someone…

     

    Quote

    would want to force you to do something that you don't believe is morally right? 

    How would your tradition / values solve that problem? Question opened for everyone!