C T

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Everything posted by C T

  1. From The Buddhist Path, by Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal & Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoches. "Taming the mind does not mean eliminating outer objects or suppressing inner thoughts. It means revealing and maintaining the natural state of the mind. Taming the mind has nothing to do with cultivating certain thoughts; it is simply keeping the mind in its fundamental state, where its clarity and wisdom are revealed. The true nature of the mind is calm and clear and full of compassion and love and wisdom. We do not always experience the mind in this way because ignorance obscures our awareness of the mind’s true nature. However, the wisdom nature is always there, and it can shine through and guide us in our lives. Even foolish people have wisdom and can exhibit beautiful qualities because this basic goodness is found equally in all beings. Not only human beings, but all sentient beings have the same nature and potential for enlightenment. The problem is that temporary obscurations cover and distort the essential nature of the mind. When we completely remove the ignorance and reveal the mind’s true nature, we are enlightened. It is important to remember that our true nature is only temporarily hidden. When we know that, we can work with courage and joy to remove the ignorance and let the essence of the mind shine forth. It is important for our diligence to be based on a joyful attitude, because without joyful effort we cannot reveal this true nature. We need to exert ourselves now because this opportunity will not last forever. We must remember impermanence and the changing stages of life and death. Thinking about death and impermanence is often unpleasant — we usually do not like to acknowledge that everything, including ourselves, is subject to the law of incessant change. But change has good aspects as well, because without change there is no growth or improvement. With the right techniques, skills, and effort, we can learn and make positive changes. By understanding impermanence and causality we can work toward enlightenment and make the most of this human life." ************************************************************************************** Wishing all a blessed 2015 and beyond. May all beings continue to find the causes of lasting peace and happiness.
  2. Greetings to all friends, old and new. Trust all of you are well, and present. I was absent, though lol Who has gone thru transformation and changed their handle? Forestofemptiness > Forestofclarity? Just curious. And btw, thank you for keeping alive the spirit of this thread, regardless if its part 2, or 3, or 4 ○○○•°○ can't believe it began in 2014 😊 Silent Thunder, BES, Apech, Steve, M. Foote, Manitou, Taomeow, and all the rest of the TDB vintagers - thank you for remaining steadfast torch bearers. The world needs more folks like y'all. May peace guide your every step. Take care, everyone 🌈💌
  3. CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU RINPOCHE Karma “But karma is not in fact a material accumulation, and does not depend on externals; rather its power to condition us depends on the obstacles that impede our knowledge. If we compare our karma and the ignorance that creates it to a dark room, knowledge of the primordial state would be like a lamp, which, when lit in the room, at once causes the darkness to disappear, enlightening everything. In the same way, if one has the presence of the primordial state, one can overcome all hindrances in an instant.” ~ Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State
  4. Hammer, nail, screwdriver... know them as mere labels. Labels do not have intrinsic reality. A melted substance is still a substance. While it may have altered its form, its potential remains valid and cannot be said to be formless. The -ness aspect is always present, regardless of what it transforms out of or in to. The thusness of things makes allowance for expansive non-dual insights to arise. This insight is a prerequisite to gnow beyond fabrications of subject/object separations. Without it, we are stuck within a paradigm where superficial appearances are regarded as permanent and unchanging, which in effect is a type of delusion because the assumption is that we bums at least acknowledge the truth of change permeating all of existence.
  5. No probs. I didn't find your objections meaningful either. A reiteration: the label 'hammer' is a conventional designate. As are all labels for the myriad things in existence. It's impossible to argue about a thing's existence/non existence and logical positions based on labels alone. A hammer contains numerous non-hammer properties. A conglomeration process needs to happen; various other things needs to come together for a hammer to materialise. No magic involved. So a hammer is a hammer only by convention. On an absolute basis, it can only be said to have a certain 'hammer-ness' about it. Say it were to be melted and returned to its base property. This in no way negates its hammer-ness.

  6. Unpopular Opinions

    C T replied to Apech's topic in General Discussion

    Like something you'd see at an Austin Powers partay "Shyqedelic, babyy"

  8. Unpopular Opinions

    C T replied to Apech's topic in General Discussion

    I believe they are natural, though in today's world, it will come as no surprise that some (most?) commercially sourced fruits, including both the yellow and red melons, may indeed be exposed to some form of tinkering or other. (Unpopular opinion?) Some interesting watermelon trivia https://www.thespruceeats.com/types-of-watermelon-1807870#:~:text=We are most familiar with,%2C and yellow-orange fleshed. Apparently the earliest cultivated melons were of the yellow variety.

  9. Unpopular Opinions

    C T replied to Apech's topic in General Discussion

    Did you enjoy it? Any noticeable difference in taste? Where I am, both red and yellow-fleshed watermelons are readily available, but I think the red is more popular.
  10. Thank you for the question, Daniel. A hammer has conventional designates. Depending on the user, really, a hammer can also 'be' many other things. Is a hammer still a hammer when it's used as a door-stop? What is it when it's lying in the toolbox? One who employs the hammer as a tool to hit nails with and another who uses it as a doorstop could well have an endless debate over nothing because ultimately, there's really only expressions of various applications of this particular object. But human tendencies and habits often gets in the way of validating the nuances and the limitless potential of the essence behind the mere appearance of an object (in this case, the hammer). So it can be said that a hammer is both a hammer (conventional truth) and not a hammer (ultimate truth) simultaneously. To go beyond... means when it's no longer in use, we must know to put it away. This is crucial. We mustn't make the common mistake of assigning more importance to anything than is necessary. Then a tool ends up being a burden or an obstacle. Or worse, we falsely identify with and make assertions over what is basically something that possesses nothing other than a mere label. "My label is more accurately assigned than your label." Ridiculous, isn't it?

  11. Unpopular Opinions

    C T replied to Apech's topic in General Discussion

    That's correct, because I am of the view this bliss spoken of... it transcends the limits of the body-mind, a transpersonal entry into the Christian-equivalent of a "peace beyond (*mundane*) understanding." (Philippians 4:7). **my emphasis
  13. Thanks I guess, for proving my earlier point about having a convoluted understanding around the notion of perpetual bliss from a Buddhist perspective. Your refusal to accept this shortcoming is most telling, but don't worry, you're not the first on TDB, and rest assured won't be the last. I think you're more interested in your own perceived though very much unfounded 'brilliance' at twirling words (see your replies to Daniel and Mark) to dress them up daintily in a vain attempt to hide your ignorance.
  14. Too bad. You could've learnt something useful. Cest la vie.
  15. Whenever the notion of "not self/non-self/no self" arises per discussions within a Buddhist context, it is imperative to support/enhance the convo by including at least a basic understanding of the Two Truths as propounded by Nagarjuna. https://www.learnreligions.com/doctrine-of-the-two-truths-450002 @Daniel

  16. Haiku Chain

    C T replied to Stigweard's topic in General Discussion

    Hogweed-ridden heart the tea lady from Hogwarts Peter Pan's cousin
  17. Quite certain that avoidance and suppression are regarded as obstacles on the Buddhist path. Misunderstandings are rife, even among Buddhists. Especially on the subject of suffering and bliss. People tend to equate bliss as a certain state that one aspires to, or an end point after many months or years of cultivation and practicing various austerities. Sure, doing these things may produce varying degrees of well-being, some of which may indeed produce bliss-like sensations, but the way I see it, the Bliss associated with nirvana is a direct consequence of realising the sweet spot between the extremes of views that lead ultimately to eternalistic or nihilistic conclusions. So resting in the space between Is and Is Not is imperative. Analogous to dwelling constantly in anticipation of reaching a climax without actually succumbing to it... Those who are passionate about something... be it a hobby, art, spiritual practice, a mundane or exalted calling... anything... find inexpressible joy in involvement with their passion, both in activity and out of it. This joy cascades as a proleptic process, not just in a culmination of effort. Take angling as a simplistic example. Any ardent, devoted angler will take great pleasure and anticipation in the whole game of fishing, from chatting and exchanging stories with fellow anglers, organising their kit, scouting for new fishing marks, preparing appropriate transportation, weather and tide reports, ensuring enough supply of bait, making sure the cat has sufficient food and water while he's away for probably an extended period, the arrival, setting up camp, and everything else... down to the finest details. In fact, landing a prized specimen isn't even the sole motivation - what ignites the passion and keeps it burning is the thrill of the potential of landing the catch of a lifetime. In this analogy, its clear there is a type of bliss happening, one where an exact starting and ending point cannot be ascertained since the process that keeps this passion alive doesn't have a beginning, and as long as the angler remains enthused, the fire will keep burning. There's a perpetuity. Spiritual practice that is suffused with bliss is imbued with a similar dynamic. Anyone who's got a passion for something, even meditation, will hopefully find this relatable. (Apologies for the drawn-out, wordy reply... a horrid habit that resurfaces from time to time)
  18. What advice do you have for those who do not ascribe to this notion of grace? What's your personal experience of it?
  19. You can't even if you wanted because your hypothesis (within the context of Buddhism) is so very flawed. Matey.
  20. @galen_burnett"Buddhists say the ultimate is to merge one’s Consciousness with that Formlessness..." The above, among other "Buddhists say..." statements you uttered, are a mix bag of hearsay and presumptions, none of which hold any water. What Buddhists assert is that form and emptiness are inseparable. Within form is emptiness; within emptiness... form. (if interested, please enlighten yourself on The TwoTruths; the Prajnaparamita Sutra, and various accepted commentaries pertaining to.) The whole premise of your hypothesis, therefore, is flawed due to your misconceptions and quasi- knowledge of Buddhism's take on perpetual bliss. Debating further is futile. Not to mention your incessant need to resort to put-downs. It's like talking close to someone with bad breath.
  21. Fragile ego. So much for logic & dry rationality, the very stuff that keeps one bound to an insistence that bliss means great happiness. Because the dictionary said so.
  22. Couldn't agree more. As always, pleasure and hedonism isn't the cause of malaise; its the hankering for more (and more and more...) post experience that stumbles a person.
  23. Well, the gist of your OP rests on the question whether perpetual bliss is possible. That's fine, except you have not clued readers in as to your own definition of bliss, or if you did, I must have missed it. This being the case, I'm not actually requesting that you repeat or redefine the concept per your understanding.
  25. Interesting enough to initiate a common ground or consensus as to what "perpetual bliss" means? For most enlightened Buddhists, chopping wood & carrying water can be construed as a blissful activity that, among other things, perpetuates inner bliss. But then, so is not chopping wood and not carrying water. This subject was put forward to a Vajrayana master. I was in the audience. He said, "Bliss? When sleeping, sleep. When eating, eat. When grieving, grieve." Sounds simple, right? But actually, not that simple to put into practice because we are often controlled by layers of habitual tendencies. Personally, I think bliss is the default state when the "I" drops away. "There is bliss" as opposed to "I am blissful". The latter produces a very limited taste of what transcendent bliss is in its truest manifestation. Maybe manifestation doesn't even convey the meaning properly.