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Accurate understanding by whose definition? Have you perfect understanding of the Dharma? Who has perfect understanding of the Dharma, please hands up. By definition, any attempt to separate what is right and what is not is to fall into error. The Buddha never said that all he taught was right. Only fools argue that way. The Buddha gave a set of possibilities, and within this set of possibilities there are uncountable number of variables. Within this uncountable number of variables (numbering more than grains of sands on the banks of the river Ganges) there are the forces of karma at play. And, you, my friend, are arguing that one has to adhere strictly to code. Are you being naive here, i wonder.

it has to do with status symbols, oi think. Without these, peace will reign supreme. Then there is no need to label anything. No labels, no judgements. More labels, more judgements. like calling someone a buddha, for example. then you want to kill the label, the construct in your mind. kinda waste of energy, dont you think?

how did you determine it was intentional? An environment conducive to perfect learning should be able to hold both wisdom and ignorance, allowing for room where the generation and growth of one naturally, and not forcefully, lead to a lessening of the other. By adherence to noble guiding principles, we can learn to ensure that what is lessened will be ignorance, and this is achieved by keeping a correct motivation, not so much by sticking to what others instruct us as right and accurate. Then we become blinded by too much right, and will fail to see the way forward. When we suddenly realize we are standing on the edge of the canyon, and about to lose balance, the most objective analyses wont be of much help. The motivation to live more than likely will.

The taoist path does not seek states, eh? Hmm... have to think bout that one.

sometimes more can be learnt from the inaccuracies of life and the things in it. wanting everything to be accurate and arguing vehemently for it is another form of clinging. its like pouring cement into an empty drum with you standing inside.

a well-worded question deserves attention.

Good point. There are many, many accounts (or stories) in the Tibetan tradition of how devotion develops between disciple and master. If we were to discuss a subject pertaining to, say, loving kindness and compassion, would it not make more sense to draw from more appropriated accounts, of which there are scores and scores of them, rather than pick one that is, on the surface, completely in contradistinction to the subject matter, and then.... and then, as if seizing a perfect opportunity, go, "Hah! suck that, dude. I stumped you!!" Alternatively, if someone wants to highlight that not all Tibetan masters, or buddhist teachers in general, demonstrate wisdom and compassion in ways we can fully comprehend, or expect, and the reasons why this is so (which is pretty obvious, btw), then i would be quite open to understanding why such an observation was made, and may even be able to engage such a line of questioning. In modern day living, Loving kindness and compassion are very active principles in which the primary objectives are targeted at dissolving ego-clinging, not so much for baby-sitting and spending hours listening to students' woes or answering begrudging emails telling of the difficulties and challenges since the day they began to take refuge with the guru. Guru yoga is a practice only few Westerners will want to engage in. But without it, a very fundamental aspect of Vajrayana will be missing. However, its not that massive an issue. There are other traditions to discover, where this factor of the practice is less emphasized, or not at all. There is no need for everyone to enjoy the same flavours, the same dishes, the same desserts. Is that fair enough for you?

Did you not detect the condescending tone in his opening? A sincere dialog does not begin by assuming the person already has all their concepts neatly boxed up. Since such a presumption has already been made, is further engagement necessary, or simply a waste of time? you can draw your own conclusions however you please.

lovely dialog happening! nice.

its always something mind-enticing projections booby-trapping us...

its difficult to respond to disingenuous posters.

Even funnier when on some other thread people argue over 'consistency'!!! HAHAHA!!!!!

yes, it does appear so!

Excellent! And so it is, so it is. then we can burst out laughing! All the silly games we play with time, with notions of self, of suffering, and all the wastage of energy spent grasping at illusions, at constructs we create in the mind and then label, 'this is real ~ this is 'me'.' And when this construct begin to breath a life of its own, goes places where we are not happy going, we cry 'foul' and further complicate matters by creating even more constructs to try and neutralize/compensate, with a hope of regaining that which was never lost. Its an on-going battle which most people enjoy fighting in.

I have a customer who suffers from depression. Chronic case. He is also a very successful stand-up comedian. Go figure!

i dont recall ever making such a declaration.

Sure, one has to be consistent in keeping to one's principles and values, that's a given. But 'consistence' as a basis for how things are, on a macro/micro level, is an illusion. Everything is changing, every millisecond. If consistency is prevalent, there is no need for adaptation. If there is no need for adaptation, you and i are already perfect. Why waste time here, talking nonsense?

if common sense is such a reliable yardstick, this world would be paradise now.

Really? If consistency is real, you cannot even have a basis to draw such a conclusion.

Thank you for continuing to share your feelings openly, Oildrops. Despite the present level of palpable confusion, enabling yourself to remain aware of even fleeting moments which brings a smile or ignite small hopes in your heart, thru very simple, uncomplicated connections with nature, with people, can be one of a few positive ways to help with rediscovering your bearings. I'm rooting for your growing strength in becoming less dependent on intoxicants. This is heart-warming to read, and the best wishes to you on this sometimes difficult road. Try to dwell in a spacious attitude of grateful awareness as much as possible. Find little blessings to be thankful for. Sure, the pressing stuff will be around for a while, but to surrender to them completely is to give them overpowering dominance ~ some say befriending our demons can turn them into our greatest allies ~ this could work, but demands much analytical energy, so it wont be a method i favour. I'd rather encourage cultivating a spirit of grateful awareness, and slowly build on that foundation. Its a higher road, a more joyous road, one which brings assurance that once we get flowing with the present, there will be less debris to steer around. I hope these words can help a little with your current process. Blessings!

consistency does not exist. its a mind-trap.

Over 9 hours of helpful teachings for training the mind to recognize its own essence. Full of practical content, and no frilly mumbo jumbo. https://archive.org/details/VenerableRobinaCourtinKarmaAndEmptiness Its not Dzogchenday. Its Wednesday.

Tashi deleg !

Truck? lol