Bruce

Hi altiora, You mentioned that the orthodox church doesn't take such literal interpretations. How is the resurrection viewed in the orthodox church? I'm genuinely interested. Peace

Wow. That's quite a violent reaction. I don't believe anyone ever called you names or insulted you. The man just stated his opinion about the Bible. Had this been a Christian forum, I would agree that it was trolling, but it's not. Why such a reaction?

Since I said that I pretty much felt the same way, I will apologize if you were offended by it. Honestly though, if you said you thought that Buddhism was a load of bollocks it wouldn't bother me at all.

My feelings are pretty much the same, and likely for the same reason.

I read a book by Thomas Merton once. Can't remember what it was called. It seemed to me that he and those in his order of contemplative monks saw Jesus and Christianity in quite a different light than the stereotypical fundamentalist Bible thumper. Merton was a Franciscan monk if I recall. Respect.

I love the symbol. To me it's a simple and effective representation of life's extremes with peace and harmony being in the middle. The middle way. Stay in the middle of the circle. I use it as a reminder.

LOL, are you a lawyer. I think better to not talk so much and practice more. I know nothing.

Useful everyday psychology aside, isn't this essentially the same question as why does maya exist and where does it come from?

I love the Platform Sutra! Just re-read it again the other day. Coincidentally, I started studying the Diamond Sutra again a few nights ago too. I seem to have to take it one thought at a time.

Another eloquent and thoughtful post my friend. I too am grateful for finding Tao Bums. I love the diversity. It's thought provoking.

When you look at a rose, what do you see? Just a rose? Or, do you see the sun, the wind and the rain. Do you see the earth, cow shit, dog piss, and a bumble bee? The rose is all of these things and more. It is everything, as you are. But only when you can see that the rose is not a rose, can you truely call it a rose. That's the illusion. We look at a rose with our preconceived notion of flower and rose, and fail to see everything that it is. One day when the Buddha was addressing the assembly, without a word he held up a flower. Mahakasyapa smiled. He got it. Sorry for another classic Buddhist example. It's just where my head goes.

Are you not really just asking the question of the ages now, the one that every religion has tried to answer?

I love it! Thanks for your answers guys!

All good questions! To my understanding, the beginning of karma is back to "free will", and our "abuse" of it. Of course, all of that is based on ignorance, so back to the original question in a circle.

So, an hour of zazen later and a couple of cups of tea, an answer came to me! From a Buddhist point of view, unless you're enlightened you have ignorance or illusion, whatever you want to call it. If you are born out of dependent origination, ie you don't choose to be born because you're not a Boddhisatva (enlightened to a degree), you have ignorance. Why? Karma! Only the karmic imprints are what keeps you in the cycle of birth and death anyway. So we have ignorance due to inherited karma. Do away with past karma and no more ignorance; no more illusion. Hmmm, this line of reason is making me rethink my recent agnostisism toward rebirth. Does that make sense? It's after 0200 here now. I'm going to bed.

LOL ok

Yep. It's a good question, but like someone said above, it's probably unanswerable. Maybe we just have to go with the obvious: it exists, and there are spiritual paths that address it. You know, we're the lucky ones. At least we've stopped long enough in our confused lives to recognize it and to want to do something about it. I bet most never give it more than a fleeting thought.

That's the theory mate. I'm still looking for mine.

What was your original face before you were born? Sorry, I couldn't resist. I dunno, 'cause we're human?

My take instead of repeating the 4 Noble Truths and all those details (which I'd just have to look up myself, lol). What we see in any given moment is based on our perception, not what's really there. Our perception is based on our conditioning. That's what makes the illusion. Take away the conditioning and all our preconceived notions and we see what really is. There's an old Zen saying: Before practicing, mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. After some practice, mountains are no longer mountains and rivers are no longer rivers. Only after you've seen that they aren't can you say that mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. Understand?

Well predictably, I like the Buddhist explaination of it. Good 'ol ignorance. Pretty much the same as Maya, just called Mara. No need for me to explain it. I think 'ol Buddha did a pretty good job.

Why should there be poverty, war, hatred, and all the other ills of the world? Too bad we're not all Buddhas, eh. So long as there are humans we'll have these things.

A very sincere and honest answer Scotty. Thanks!