Secrets of Universe

[Vajrasattva]

Lin,

There is a saying I saw or heard somewhere a long time ago, when I thought of getting involved with Buddha,when I had finally untangled myself from the fear of the bible sending me to hell for all eternity.

If you come upon Buddha on the road ,kill him. I would broaden that to say, if you happen upon jesus, mohemed,lao,chuang or any of the pretended masters propelled by their respective governments to god figures, kill them all.The deeper I go into this madness of relegions the more I realize the control and manipulation created by these concepts, all created to seperate us from the here and now and our true nature.

Daoist are taught to not act but perform a certain way rather then respond from the gut honesty of our being.

Christians are taught to turn the other cheek, someone hurts you don't respond, while the government that proclaims this christianity, just kills as it pleases, calling it retribution in the name of their god. Buddha on the other hand says drop out, be a panhandler, the world is a terrible place. Mohamed says when jesus returns he will bring peace, while the christians say when he returns, he will take some of us with him that have been good little boys and girls, the others he will kick their butts for ever.Talk about maddness.

I still contend that all relegions and governments work hand and hand in order to control and manipulate the people. The people on the other hand either submit to the governments and relegions or rebel, those who rebel, seekers of truth find an escape clause through a relegious concept that ultimately is played by the government in two ways, one way," says no way do we want you people to follow these teachings ,(which immediately becomes attractive to the dissidents and they have to followthat particular relegion , because our rebellious nature can't stand anyone telling us "DON'T" the other way says " allow them to do what they want, just keep a close watch on them."This Tao forum is probably monitored by all of the governments for the relegions because it invites all relegions to get involved...................................,opps did I say that.

Am I just a madman ranting, have I been hurt so many times from following these relegions, that my anger is finally found a place to let it go.Today while walking, because of Hagars post about trees, I stopped to look at the trees along "MY WAY", I am fortunate enough my circumstances allows me to live in a neighborhod that has many trees, some very old, their beauty and magnifcence astounded me. The natural world is so so beautiful, full of life and beauty,the human portion is just as beautiful as the rest of NATURE .Even though we hem and haw about what we believe the true way is, look at us we can stand up and walk, we can think, we can talk, we create beautiful music,to dance to,we can embrace loved ones, we can laugh, we cry,breath deeply this awesome aroma we have been gifted to, that our parents before us brought us to and their parents before them, and their parents before them(and the ancients never discussed, and just lived fully and abundantly no matter their circumstance), through the remarkable reproductive process . We are all just children in the playground no matter whether we are 5 or 25 or 65 and we are playing soldier,or cowboy,movie actor,or gardener or..or..or...or..The illusion created outside by medias, is no different then the propaganda of relegious concepts. They take words and they say one thing in one place and in another place say something completely different, they call it a paradox. Know this my friend, a paradox is nothing more than a lie created to confuse the distance between the mind and the heart, and creates dogma and dialogue for more chaos and confusion.I am 68 years old, I look back at my years and the adventure has been fantastic, I played every game, danced every dance,I shot drugs that put me in a stupor, did other drugs that carried me away on the clouds,I loved many and many had their feelings hurt by me as i struggled to find this freedom and truth. Freedom and truth is no more then realizing we all are perfect selves, refuse that you are, and you follow any path that someone says is the way to live your life, and in so doing, we stop feeling and thinking for our selves and become puppets of someone elses path. All are dead ends. My body is crippled up with many diseases caused by the life, I have lived, I wouldn't want it to be any other way. I earned it I am going to live it and enjoy it, even the pain, motivates me ",get up ,get out," it tells me, do something productive ,prune the trees ,clean the shed, take Brandy and Ralph for a walk, Go to the inner harbor with Jeanne, sit at a table, particapate in a sing a long, eat crab cakes and mushrooms(I haven't tried the srooms yet,May be)drink lots of coffe, go out and sit by the water smoke a cigarrete hold hands and walk, in other words , moan and groan because of what we have created for ourselves ,only brings us more chaos, confusion and pain, this dissatisfaction carries us from relegion to relegion to some assholes front door we think is enlightened who will be better at telling how to live then I could ever learn to do myself get up and live life embrace its beauty and ignore the entertainment that just creates the chaos and confusion world wide,relegion.

So what are we here for in this world?

We are all entertainers, we can write our own script or we can act out someone elses the ,choices are always our own.

 

 

Religion & Esoteric Practices within religions are 2 separate things...all religions come from esoteric principles.

[Spirit Ape]

Well is Lao Tzu was only a Boddhisattva according to Brother Lin then Max is also the same as Lao Tzu as he is also a reicarnated Boddhasattva so the story goes?!

 

So is Max (kunlun) as enlightened as Lao Tzu and other Buddhas?

 

Ape

[林愛偉]

Peace Lin, you dishonour youself by becoming mentally flustered with Li Jiong. He has placed himself beyond our words and our advice and thinks of himself as somehow better then all of us. Perhaps just best to let him be and work it out himself.

 

Regards.

 

Amituofo!

 

 

:-)

[Stigweard]

Amituofo!

 

 

:-)

 

 

_/\_

 

[metzu]

Metzu,

 

First I respect your sincerity. Far too often we surpress things which only lead to more knots that will need to be unraveled.

 

I can absolutely relate to your points. I was in a Christian 'church' where the main goal was to 'save others' (aka recruit them so the church could bring in more $$$). I spent my entire teenage years there being controlled and missing out on some of the greatest times of my youth.

 

So that said, I feel where you're coming from and I understand the frustration. People are being sold a pretty packaged with the label "Salvation!" but it's just an empty box. I would call this 'religion' or 'dogma' as it relates to my experiences.

 

BUT these are religious traditions. Traditions are like the telephone game - they start out one way and end up completely different. The leaders of the major religious traditions may have known Truth in it's pure form and wanted to help others find the same. But, to describe Truth using words is not possible. We can try, but it is only an idea about Truth, not Truth itself.

 

So after thousands of years, changes in language, incorrect interpretations (usually symbolism taken literally), greed, lust for power, etc. these teachings have been used to serve many purposes - most not their intended purpose.

 

At the end of the day, religion CAN provide a path to wisdom/Truth but there are much more direct methods - such as the Guru within each of us, the nature of our nature, that if we pay attention to will liberate us, enlighten us, and guide us to Truth.

 

With much respect,

-Nate

Nate,

That is exactly what I was saying, the only trust worthy teacher is nature itself.

Joe

 

 

Nate,

That is exactly what I was saying, the only trust worthy teacher is nature itself.

Joe

Nate,

Except that relegion can lead to a dead end only, it always returns the ball to our court in the end, anmd truth is within each of us when we clear the wreckage of all the other ways that intruded, with their promises of a golden ring on the merrygoround

Joe

[林愛偉]

Well is Lao Tzu was only a Boddhisattva according to Brother Lin then Max is also the same as Lao Tzu as he is also a reicarnated Boddhasattva so the story goes?!

 

So is Max (kunlun) as enlightened as Lao Tzu and other Buddhas?

 

Ape

 

 

Lao Zi is enjoying his time in the Brahma Heavens, cultivating away. Not Lao Zi anymore, but to those who need to see the image he once had as Lao Zi, he will appear as such. He returned to teach the most easy to grasp of teachings to a society that was too dull mentally to understand anything else. To them, then, it was so profound...India already knew about these things, as well as sages and the like in various cultures around the world. It was Chinese society who had the roots to get that information, which then led to the Buddhas teachings (meaning which then prepared people to open their minds to another manner of cultivation)-- :::: Which is how the story goes.

 

A Bodhisattva is one who has the wisdom to teach living beings, be they demons or immortals, and have them reach the wisdom shore as well. They are the Defeater of Mara, Princes of Virtue. They hold no fear and no defiled virtue or moral.

 

Some think it is all too easy... They write books, endlessly, make money, and sell the idea that they have money, and know the secrets of the universe...lol . Really, they just know how to sell, draw in...its called hooking, by getting a niche, and marketing it.

 

 

Peace,

Lin

Edited September 29, 2008 by 林愛偉

[三江源]

.

Edited April 4, 2015 by 三江源

[林愛偉]

This is the funniest phrase, it made me double up with laughter... I never heard it before. My sons will love it.My guess is we will be saying it all the time for the next few days..

 

Forgive me for snipping this one bit out of your brilliant post/s.

And Lin I just want to hug you, for your patience and articulacy and wisdom.

 

I am so glad you are here at taobums, thankyou, both.

 

Both of you have admirable patience and clarity.

 

 

Amituofo!

 

As for Nutella:

I was eating icecream the other night (yes I eat icecream once and a while ) and realized I did in fact run out of Nutella! HAHAHAHAHA None for the icecream

[Vajrasattva]

This is the funniest phrase, it made me double up with laughter... I never heard it before. My sons will love it.My guess is we will be saying it all the time for the next few days..

 

 

It was the 1st image I got when LJ decided to say things with out backing them up properly.

 

glad you enjoyed it.

 

Amituofo!

 

As for Nutella:

I was eating icecream the other night (yes I eat icecream once and a while ) and realized I did in fact run out of Nutella! HAHAHAHAHA None for the icecream

 

'林愛偉', as long as your shorts are not full of Nutella you should be fine ; )

[mat black]

oooh, this might seem off-topic, but maybe someone will see the relevance to what is being discussed here.....................

 

i remember something my Sifu told us once:

 

His mother was a kind and caring person. She was the type of person that, if she saw a bannana skin on the footpath, she would pick it up and put it in the bin, just on the off chance that someone might have otherwise slipped on it and injured themself.

 

She would often do these seemingly insignificant things- gestures of anonimous kindess without drawng any attention to herself.

 

when i heard this story (and there is more to it), a great yet gentle profundity became apparent.................

[Spirit Ape]

Lin,

 

You didnt really answer the Max is a boddhisattva, is he one or not cause his tibetan teacher said he is?!

 

confused!!!

 

Ape

[林愛偉]

It was the 1st image I got when LJ decided to say things with out backing them up properly.

 

glad you enjoyed it.

'林愛偉', as long as your shorts are not full of Nutella you should be fine ; )

 

 

Peace Brother,

Lin

[林愛偉]

Lin,

 

You didnt really answer the Max is a boddhisattva, is he one or not cause his tibetan teacher said he is?!

 

confused!!!

 

Ape

 

I didn't realize it was a question. I thought you were being rhetorical

 

If Max Sifu appears as a Bodhisattva, with virtue and moral complete, to you, then he will be one regardless of which teacher says so.

 

I tend to not believe the words of a Lama, nowadays, when one says so and so is a Bodhisattva. Its best to develop your eyes, and open your wisdom to be able to tell.

 

But, I do hope Max Sifu is a Bodhisattva out to help living beings attain wisdom. But I will never say whether he is one or not. Maybe I can't tell , and or maybe its not important to point the finger .

 

A reason for that is, you publicly point the finger at a Buddha or Bodhisattva, and he will go away. I don't want them to go away. Stay and teach wholesome practices. Since Max is not here on this forum, it is not respectful to state claims of him being this and that.

 

How to tell?

The teacher teaches wisdom. The teachings expounded are in line with the orthodox/proper Buddha Dharma, not one bit, one small smidgen is blemished with desire and lust, ego and greed. Call the teacher a Bodhisattva and he responds as though hearing a foreign language. Call him a Buddha and his response is as though he is deaf to the name.

 

I appreciate the regards to me in answering the question, yet my response to you, though not as direct as you would like, is only in highest respects to you, with no sarcasm what so ever. Whether he is or not, I do not want to poke fingers. Not my place.

 

Peace and Blessings,

Lin

 

 

 

Lin,

There is a saying I saw or heard somewhere a long time ago, when I thought of getting involved with Buddha,when I had finally untangled myself from the fear of the bible sending me to hell for all eternity.

If you come upon Buddha on the road ,kill him. I would broaden that to say, if you happen upon jesus, mohemed,lao,chuang or any of the pretended masters propelled by their respective governments to god figures, kill them all.The deeper I go into this madness of relegions the more I realize the control and manipulation created by these concepts, all created to seperate us from the here and now and our true nature.

Daoist are taught to not act but perform a certain way rather then respond from the gut honesty of our being.

Christians are taught to turn the other cheek, someone hurts you don't respond, while the government that proclaims this christianity, just kills as it pleases, calling it retribution in the name of their god. Buddha on the other hand says drop out, be a panhandler, the world is a terrible place. Mohamed says when jesus returns he will bring peace, while the christians say when he returns, he will take some of us with him that have been good little boys and girls, the others he will kick their butts for ever.Talk about maddness.

I still contend that all relegions and governments work hand and hand in order to control and manipulate the people. The people on the other hand either submit to the governments and relegions or rebel, those who rebel, seekers of truth find an escape clause through a relegious concept that ultimately is played by the government in two ways, one way," says no way do we want you people to follow these teachings ,(which immediately becomes attractive to the dissidents and they have to followthat particular relegion , because our rebellious nature can't stand anyone telling us "DON'T" the other way says " allow them to do what they want, just keep a close watch on them."This Tao forum is probably monitored by all of the governments for the relegions because it invites all relegions to get involved...................................,opps did I say that.

Am I just a madman ranting, have I been hurt so many times from following these relegions, that my anger is finally found a place to let it go.Today while walking, because of Hagars post about trees, I stopped to look at the trees along "MY WAY", I am fortunate enough my circumstances allows me to live in a neighborhod that has many trees, some very old, their beauty and magnifcence astounded me. The natural world is so so beautiful, full of life and beauty,the human portion is just as beautiful as the rest of NATURE .Even though we hem and haw about what we believe the true way is, look at us we can stand up and walk, we can think, we can talk, we create beautiful music,to dance to,we can embrace loved ones, we can laugh, we cry,breath deeply this awesome aroma we have been gifted to, that our parents before us brought us to and their parents before them, and their parents before them(and the ancients never discussed, and just lived fully and abundantly no matter their circumstance), through the remarkable reproductive process . We are all just children in the playground no matter whether we are 5 or 25 or 65 and we are playing soldier,or cowboy,movie actor,or gardener or..or..or...or..The illusion created outside by medias, is no different then the propaganda of relegious concepts. They take words and they say one thing in one place and in another place say something completely different, they call it a paradox. Know this my friend, a paradox is nothing more than a lie created to confuse the distance between the mind and the heart, and creates dogma and dialogue for more chaos and confusion.I am 68 years old, I look back at my years and the adventure has been fantastic, I played every game, danced every dance,I shot drugs that put me in a stupor, did other drugs that carried me away on the clouds,I loved many and many had their feelings hurt by me as i struggled to find this freedom and truth. Freedom and truth is no more then realizing we all are perfect selves, refuse that you are, and you follow any path that someone says is the way to live your life, and in so doing, we stop feeling and thinking for our selves and become puppets of someone elses path. All are dead ends. My body is crippled up with many diseases caused by the life, I have lived, I wouldn't want it to be any other way. I earned it I am going to live it and enjoy it, even the pain, motivates me ",get up ,get out," it tells me, do something productive ,prune the trees ,clean the shed, take Brandy and Ralph for a walk, Go to the inner harbor with Jeanne, sit at a table, particapate in a sing a long, eat crab cakes and mushrooms(I haven't tried the srooms yet,May be)drink lots of coffe, go out and sit by the water smoke a cigarrete hold hands and walk, in other words , moan and groan because of what we have created for ourselves ,only brings us more chaos, confusion and pain, this dissatisfaction carries us from relegion to relegion to some assholes front door we think is enlightened who will be better at telling how to live then I could ever learn to do myself get up and live life embrace its beauty and ignore the entertainment that just creates the chaos and confusion world wide,relegion.

So what are we here for in this world?

We are all entertainers, we can write our own script or we can act out someone elses the ,choices are always our own.

 

 

Metzu ( I know you corrected me already on the name, but this sounds better )

 

..."Kill" the Buddha... this was in regards to states reached during meditation. When in meditation, one may reach states where Buddhas appear. But infact, they may not be actual Buddhas, but demons in disguise trying to sway you into the thought process again, desire and lust.

 

The "killing" was a manner of not following the images, sensations and what not attained during meditation.

 

In regards to how you put it, the reason we are here in the world is not the reason we are here. In fact, any reason you can think of indeed is not the reason. When one is free from reasoning, and even deciding that nothing is worth it... then the need for a reason ends, and you actually taste the freedom that is an existence without existing, without life and without death, without no life and no death.

 

Can't imagine it, but you can attain such a state. Stay in it longer and longer each time in meditation. The mind is cleaner, crisper, wiser...bring that wisdom back and teach us all.

 

When you are free, and see that the "others" are still not, you will ahve such compassion to make the illusion by your own wisdom just to benefit every one else. Come and go as you please...

 

Amituofo!

 

Peace,

Lin

[松永道]

 

Its not about religion and who's best, its about cultivation.

 

 

 

Amen.

 

I swear, one could develop a conspiracy theory as to why different traditions bicker so much. Buddhists, Daoists, Hindus, Sufis, among any and all it's hard to find cultivators anywhere who don't believe every path but their own is mistaken.

 

So what's wrong with us? With some real respect, openness, and cooperation between traditions imagine the results, the research that could be accomplished?

 

"Laozi's a Bodhisattva." "No Laozi taught the Buddha." "Jesus didn't have a rainbow body." You know I respect the stories but they are beside the point. Historical or not, we don't know. So men of learning, don't let historical myths separate us from accomplishing something real, now. We don't need fantastic stories anyway, cultivation produces results. Right paths will produce right results in the body and mind. Does your path produce a clear mind and compassionate heart? Does your path improve and expand physical and mental health and abilities? The proof is in the practice.

 

I think one of the greatest achievements in the West is the scientific theory and academic community. Not everyone agrees but research is explained, refuted, and exchanged openly. Could such a community exist between cultivators too? Of different traditions and religions for the good of all humanity?

 

That's not rhetorical, I'm asking, do you think it could be done?

[林愛偉]

Amen.

 

I swear, one could develop a conspiracy theory as to why different traditions bicker so much. Buddhists, Daoists, Hindus, Sufis, among any and all it's hard to find cultivators anywhere who don't believe every path but their own is mistaken.

 

So what's wrong with us? With some real respect, openness, and cooperation between traditions imagine the results, the research that could be accomplished?

 

"Laozi's a Bodhisattva." "No Laozi taught the Buddha." "Jesus didn't have a rainbow body." You know I respect the stories but they are beside the point. Historical or not, we don't know. So men of learning, don't let historical myths separate us from accomplishing something real, now. We don't need fantastic stories anyway, cultivation produces results. Right paths will produce right results in the body and mind. Does your path produce a clear mind and compassionate heart? Does your path improve and expand physical and mental health and abilities? The proof is in the practice.

 

I think one of the greatest achievements in the West is the scientific theory and academic community. Not everyone agrees but research is explained, refuted, and exchanged openly. Could such a community exist between cultivators too? Of different traditions and religions for the good of all humanity?

 

That's not rhetorical, I'm asking, do you think it could be done?

 

Wonderful post! And quickly to my statement of Lao Zi's Bodhisattva hood... it was just saying so for the sake of argument.

 

It can be done! But it will take people who are there to mold the forum, cut out the arrogant participators, and go forward with the principles of Cultivation only. To sit down, and discuss the functions of the methods of each other's tradition, respect each other for their attainment of wisdom through their methods, and work together to expound those teachings.

 

A school perhaps, of a whole mix of cultivators, respecting each other, and teaching that as a foundation for cultivation. A place where the method is investigated, and then cultivated, and finally taught to eager students who are not chosen because of how much money they have, but because of their humility, honesty, and good roots. No favoritism what so ever.

 

The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Gods and Immortals, Dragons and Asuras do it...well maybe not Asuras, haha, but the point is that high and wise sages gather and discuss the methods that best fit the minds of living beings, and then support each other in the expounding of those teachings.

 

As a reference, check the Shurangama Sutra Volume 5, the World Honroed One asks his disciples:

 

"I ask you, when you first brought forth your resolve and became enlightened to the eighteen realms, which one of these brought you perfect penetration? hrough which expedient did you enter samadhi?

---

 

Many ways to cultivate due to the many minds and their conditions. Which one brings results? People even say how Buddhism is about disregarding the sexual cultivation methods, but in the Shurangama Sutra, they are there...but it isn't dual-cultivation of mixing men and women. It is not masturbation either...haha it is how to transform the desires and lust into essence. I am refering to Fire Head Vajra Bodhisattva.

 

Basically, It would be an awesome time to gather well cultivated ones in one room, discuss and record the whole entire explanations of their methods. What a grand thing.

 

Peace,

Lin

Edited September 30, 2008 by 林愛偉

[Vajrasattva]

Amen.

 

I swear, one could develop a conspiracy theory as to why different traditions bicker so much. Buddhists, Daoists, Hindus, Sufis, among any and all it's hard to find cultivators anywhere who don't believe every path but their own is mistaken.

 

So what's wrong with us? With some real respect, openness, and cooperation between traditions imagine the results, the research that could be accomplished?

 

"Laozi's a Bodhisattva." "No Laozi taught the Buddha." "Jesus didn't have a rainbow body." You know I respect the stories but they are beside the point. Historical or not, we don't know. So men of learning, don't let historical myths separate us from accomplishing something real, now. We don't need fantastic stories anyway, cultivation produces results. Right paths will produce right results in the body and mind. Does your path produce a clear mind and compassionate heart? Does your path improve and expand physical and mental health and abilities? The proof is in the practice.

 

I think one of the greatest achievements in the West is the scientific theory and academic community. Not everyone agrees but research is explained, refuted, and exchanged openly. Could such a community exist between cultivators too? Of different traditions and religions for the good of all humanity?

 

That's not rhetorical, I'm asking, do you think it could be done?

 

 

If the methods work they produce Saints, Buddhas, Boddhisattvas, etc....

 

All the spiritual traditions have produced a few "giants" & "heroes" Not just one PATH.

[Spirit Ape]

Lin,

 

Do you feel that one needs to read the sutras to understand true internal cultivation?

 

Ape

[松永道]

It can be done! But it will take people who are there to mold the forum, cut out the arrogant participators, and go forward with the principles of Cultivation only. To sit down, and discuss the functions of the methods of each other's tradition, respect each other for their attainment of wisdom through their methods, and work together to expound those teachings.

 

A school perhaps, of a whole mix of cultivators, respecting each other, and teaching that as a foundation for cultivation. A place where the method is investigated, and then cultivated, and finally taught to eager students who are not chosen because of how much money they have, but because of their humility, honesty, and good roots. No favoritism what so ever.

 

...

 

Basically, It would be an awesome time to gather well cultivated ones in one room, discuss and record the whole entire explanations of their methods. What a grand thing.

 

 

Good attitude!

 

I've long held such a dream. Great schools like this have existed before but to my knowledge, never have many traditions gathered under one roof.

 

Imagine, the opportunity for masters to study each other's systems, discuss methods, and collaborate. I know many masters have the ability to simply watch a practice and immediately understand its purpose. Put these men and women together to study how their methods are alike and differ and I imagine you could develop a very refined system of cultivation.

 

You bring up a very good point that many different methods exist because many different minds exist. Certainly there is no one way best for everyone. This is where you could also introduce the traditional medical and psychological systems to help guide who should be practicing which methods when. Different bodies and minds have different needs, these differences too could be investigated and cataloged. I know Ayurvedic and TCM are both used to diagnose constitutional conditions and temporary disease patterns. Using these diagnostic techniques cultivation could be further tailored to suit each individual.

 

Use western material diagnostics to study the course of cultivation and within a generation we could have the start of a new tradition of human spiritual technology.

 

 

 

When would you like to start?

[Stigweard]

When would you like to start?

 

errm ... Now?

 

So what's the protocol?

[Li Jiong]

This thread is getting so boring, I really do not welcome those theorists to my thread, they always talk a lot, but nothing helpful.

[Vajrasattva]

This thread is getting so boring, I really do not welcome those theorists to my thread, they always talk a lot, but nothing helpful.

 

 

My friend peace to you but......

 

This is a public THREAD its not "YOURS".

 

You are the one that theorized that Lao tzu attained "better" or "Higher" achievements than any other master. Yet you never answered my questions nor provided real cultivation methods from masters such as Buddha, Jesus, nor Muhammad p.b.u.h. So who is the theorist & the talker???

 

Please enlighten us.

Edited September 30, 2008 by Vajrasattva

[metzu]

Metzu ( I know you corrected me already on the name, but this sounds better )

 

..."Kill" the Buddha... this was in regards to states reached during meditation. When in meditation, one may reach states where Buddhas appear. But infact, they may not be actual Buddhas, but demons in disguise trying to sway you into the thought process again, desire and lust.

 

The "killing" was a manner of not following the images, sensations and what not attained during meditation.

 

In regards to how you put it, the reason we are here in the world is not the reason we are here. In fact, any reason you can think of indeed is not the reason. When one is free from reasoning, and even deciding that nothing is worth it... then the need for a reason ends, and you actually taste the freedom that is an existence without existing, without life and without death, without no life and no death.

 

Can't imagine it, but you can attain such a state. Stay in it longer and longer each time in meditation. The mind is cleaner, crisper, wiser...bring that wisdom back and teach us all.

 

When you are free, and see that the "others" are still not, you will ahve such compassion to make the illusion by your own wisdom just to benefit every one else. Come and go as you please...

 

Amituofo!

 

Peace,

Lin

 

Lin,

I apologize I had missed this post reply from you. I happened on it while I was re-evaluating some of the responses on this topic.

I understand this state of being, and the discontentment that sends us searching and practicing to reach it.

I understand that longing in our hearts for all humankind to love one another and the desire to go deeper than jesus or buddha, or lao, because it sounds so good and feels so good when we are a part of something that we believe can accomplish such a mission. I had been on that same mission at one time and it brings tears to my eyes and heart the suffering and abuse, you have had to indure to remain on this long path. I also know the rewards and the joys.

So I will say no more on the topic.

What does Amituofo, mean>

Peace be with you also,

Joe

[mat black]

This is by no menas a shot at Li Jong, but if you look at the title of this thread says 'secrets of the universe'

When we see the word secrets, it can make our eyes widen and our ears prick up.

When something is described as a 'secret' it can seem so alluring, hinting of something special and exclusive..........and who knows, there are probably many secrets to the universe that we do not know yet.

 

But we humans seem to so quickly forget that which is not secret, but is nonetheless too often ignored:

The foundation of our demenour that is so important, such as how to conduct ourselves according to virtue, eqanimity, compassion, patience. To smile to a stranger, let someone in during busy traffic etc..........

Also to rid our minds of anger, bitterness resentment. Maybe we don't succeed in this regard everyday, but it's always good to try.

 

A Sramana asked the Buddha: "By what method can we attain the knowledge

of how to put a stop to life (in the phenomental sphere) and come

in contact with the Way?" The Buddha answered: "By purifying the mind

preserving the will (to struggle onwards) you can come in contact

with the Way just as, when a mirror is wiped, the dust falls off and

the brightness remains. By eliminating desires and seeking for nothing

(else) you should be able to put a stop to life (in the phenomenal

sphere)".

 

Maybe a one of the best secrets is to first do our best to become good people. I dunno, i'm just guessing.

Edited September 30, 2008 by mat black

[林愛偉]

Lin,

I apologize I had missed this post reply from you. I happened on it while I was re-evaluating some of the responses on this topic.

I understand this state of being, and the discontentment that sends us searching and practicing to reach it.

I understand that longing in our hearts for all humankind to love one another and the desire to go deeper than jesus or buddha, or lao, because it sounds so good and feels so good when we are a part of something that we believe can accomplish such a mission. I had been on that same mission at one time and it brings tears to my eyes and heart the suffering and abuse, you have had to indure to remain on this long path. I also know the rewards and the joys.

So I will say no more on the topic.

What does Amituofo, mean>

Peace be with you also,

Joe

 

Hi Joe,

 

Amituofo is the Chinese pronunciation of Amitabha Buddha.

[YMWong]

Good attitude!

 

I've long held such a dream. Great schools like this have existed before but to my knowledge, never have many traditions gathered under one roof.

 

Absolutely right.

 

I think this 'dream' is a very nice one but one that can hardly materialize.

 

I don't know much, if anything, about other traditions but in Daoism - in history as today in China - when two great masters from different lines meet they both humble each other and immediately the one *more developed* (for lack of a better term) is recognized by the other who becomes "the student".

This is expressed in the Daodejing as the river always flowing toward the sea.

Also just think about the encounter between Confucius and Laozi.

 

When two students from different lines meet they mostly argue about who's school is better

 

I think this depends on the fact that Daoism is very much a "personal" endevour, a solitary and personal path.

The pratictioner is very much concerned in walking up his path of development and sees 'external' knowledge as a disturbance - very much like a student of medicine would not want to loose time talking scholastic/learning issues with a student of engineering.

 

Historically speaking, in Daoism, the relationship is always very much a student/teacher and not a peer-peer one***. Cross pollination is fundamental to growth and this is very common in Daoism of course but that is done again by student/teacher relationship. A student of a certain line, going up his path, often seek assistance, guidance and new material from teachers of other lines - but always as a solitary and personal endevour.

 

Maybe this is something 'western Daoism' can do better than Chinese Daoism ?

 

YM

 

*** peer-peer relationship is common with Shamanism in China