| Feb 25 @ 8:52 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning
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BandTMom
Posts: 26,627
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Our last Buddhist thread ended with this comment from Knotty.
Mom, its all conceptual. In truth there are three ways of transmission of dharma 
Of course when I am ignorant of something, I have to research and find out what it means. This is what I found.
The Buddhist view is taught with three methods of teaching ' debate and reflection, direct experience, and meditation. >>Cllick<<
I haven't had a chance to read the whole article, but it looked interesting and I shall go back to it.
So we have three methods of Dharma transmission:
1. Debate and reflection
 Debate  But debate does not have to mean arguing.. A debate
should be a civil discussion on a given topic. And then with Dharma debating,
there should be a period of reflection on what was discussed.
2. Direct experience
I think this means personal direct experiences with the Dharma in our lives
whether it is something we have come to know as thruth ourselves, or taught
to us by a teacher or Master.
3. Meditation
Self explanatory.
This is just something I have come up with. I'm sure there are different views on this.
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| Feb 25 @ 8:58 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning |
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12knots
Posts: 6,404
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mom. 
also to recieve dharma...
Oral transmissions, symbolic transmissions and directly from a Master.
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| Feb 25 @ 9:04 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning
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BandTMom
Posts: 26,627
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Yes, Tht's what I was looking for when I found the other.
I knew oral transmission was one of them, but I couldn't remember the others, if I knew in the first place.
The Glimpse of the Day will begin again tomorrow.
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| Feb 26 @ 11:32 AM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning |
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yashaenka
Posts: 4,006
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This can be obtained only through direct transmission by a realised master who himself has travelled the path. The teachings include oral instructions and initiation into tantra and its practices. The link you provided was a Mahayana link.
Many pathways too enlightenment do lead.
Any debate is not with others but a inner fight with conceptions of self.
Direct experience is intuitively grasping that which the conceptual and intellectual mind cannot grasp.
The meditative step is not simply sitting in meditation or a reflection in a contemplative study of self. It is walking the walk in the here and now from moment to moment. In truth we all meditate and/or contemplate with every step, breath and heart beat we take.
But that is so Ordinary we simply pay it no mind because our lives and sensations in daily living focus on the extraordinary.
Does Buddhism - A New Beginning mean there is a new ending? 
[Edited on 2/26/2008 11:42 AM]
[Edited on 2/26/2008 11:43 AM]
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| Feb 26 @ 6:10 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning
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BandTMom
Posts: 26,627
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Yes, I knew it was Mahayana.
And remember, there is no ending except to our samsaric existence.
[Edited on 2/26/2008 6:18 PM]
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| Feb 26 @ 6:16 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning |
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BandTMom
Posts: 26,627
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The Glimpse of the Day
February 26
In the Dzogchen teachings it is said that your View and your posture should be like a mountain.
Your View is the summation of your whole understanding and insight into the nature of mind, which you bring to your meditation. So your View translates into and inspires your posture, expressing the core of your being in the way you sit.
Sit, then, as if you were a mountain, with all its unshakable, steadfast majesty. A mountain is completely relaxed and at ease with itself, however strong the winds that batter it, however thick the dark clouds that swirl around its peak.
Sitting like a mountain, let your mind rise and fly and soar.
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| Feb 27 @ 11:15 AM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning
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yashaenka
Posts: 4,006
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Mountains are not stationary they are always in constant movement and in a constant state of flux, just as everything is.
All the same it is a good parable.  
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| Feb 27 @ 11:18 AM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning |
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yashaenka
Posts: 4,006
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samsara - (Hinduism and Buddhism) the endless cycle of birth and suffering and death and rebirth
Hindooism, Hinduism - a body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and based on a caste system; it is characterized by a belief in reincarnation, by a belief in a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils
Buddhism - the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth
cycle - a periodically repeated sequence of events; "a cycle of reprisal and retaliation" For those who do not know what the term means or implies. Samsara: The endless cycle of reincarnation; transmigration. Literally means to move about continuously. From the Buddhism, Taoism and Zen Glossary in the forum...
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| Feb 27 @ 12:23 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning
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12knots
Posts: 6,404
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Many mistakes in that glossary
So, "Samsara" according to the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, means "cyclic existence": The state of existence experienced by sentient beings due to their ignorance, in which suffering is the predominant characteristic.
Samsara according to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche on Patrul Rinpoche, the cycle of existence in which one is endlessly propelled by negative emotions and the karmic force of one's actions from one state of rebirth to another.
Samsara; cyclic existence. The state of existence, experienced by sentient beings due to their ignorance, in which suffering is the predominant experience. (Aspiration of Samantabhadra)
Samsara: "Journeying." The vicious cycle of transmigratory existence. It arises out of ignorance and is characterized by suffering. (The Path is the Goal)
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| Feb 27 @ 1:56 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning |
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yashaenka
Posts: 4,006
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Many different interpretations about the same word. The top definition was from a online dictionary the bottom one from the Glossary which I myself put together to be more generalized to try to not step on anyones toes, is it my fault you have big feet! 
Picky, picky in general form Samsara: The endless cycle of reincarnation; transmigration. Literally means to move about continuously. The Glossaries are not meant for the likes of you! But as a generalized reference for those who do not have a clue about terms used in Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism [in general independent of sects] Taoism and Zen....The last 3 are in one glossary for efficiency since they all in some ways point to one another in actual practice.
[Edited on 2/27/2008 2:20 PM]
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| Feb 27 @ 2:17 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning
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12knots
Posts: 6,404
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Key words:
ignorance, suffering, cyclic existence, karmic force, karmic action
Provided each one has a definition of samsara with a key word removing any one of the key words above ceases samsara.
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| Feb 27 @ 2:26 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning |
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yashaenka
Posts: 4,006
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12 in creating the Glossaries the intent was to tantalize so hopefully they can get some idea of generalized terms. In that it was hoped they would explore further either within the forums, books or the internet or simply by asking questions. For every person in the forums as you know there are countless viewers that never post or very seldom post.
In the old Buddhism thread there were 1,272 posts and 10,255 viewers in other threads the ratio was much higher. Why?
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| Feb 27 @ 2:53 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning
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12knots
Posts: 6,404
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Entertainment value.
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| Feb 27 @ 2:56 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning |
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yashaenka
Posts: 4,006
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  Yes isn't everything?
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| Feb 27 @ 5:25 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning
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BandTMom
Posts: 26,627
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Of course it is entertainment value.
That is why the threads that are peaceful and actually have a topic to discuss often die out.
All three of us posting in tis thread right now have started several potentially good thread only to have them die out because no one is fighting.
The other Buddhism thread and hopefully this one have remained because we are genuinely interested in the subject and have done a pretty good job of keeping the trolls at bay.
 February 27Ask yourself these two questions: Do I remember at every moment that I am dying, and that everyone and everything else is, and so treat all beings at all times with compassion? Has my understanding of death and impermanence become so keen and so urgent that I am devoting every second to the pursuit of enlightenment? If you can answer “yes” to both of these, then you really understand impermanence.
I can answer most of the time to these two questions. My compassion of my patients has increased significantly since I started following the teachings of the Buddha. I'm not bragging here. This has been a great personal accomplishment for there are people who are really difficult to treat with compassion.
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| Feb 28 @ 7:29 AM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning |
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12knots
Posts: 6,404
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The essence of Buddhism is recognizing that everything isnt in a state of flux. It "appears" to be so. But this implies that something has a continuousness, a new direction.
Everything is born for the moment and dies in the moment. What you grasp as "now", this moment, has just become history. Its gone! Dead! It has ceased to be.
When that moment has just died a new one is born. The whole nature of phenomena is this nature.
In the whole essence of Buddhism is to recognise the gap between the moment being born and the moment it has gone. This is where pristine awareness lays.
Often people think it is all about being good, doing good, meditating, learning, etcetera, etcetera. But that is all well and good, nothing wrong with all that but it is ways to recognizing the basic condition we wish to get too. Getting to recognizing this moment between life and death of a moment.
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| Feb 28 @ 7:39 AM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning
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eastham
Posts: 6,020
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Debate and reflection is a teaching method, which Buddhism shares with other spiritual and philosophical practice such as torah study. "Study is necessary in order to teach," is an instruction from the Talmud.
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| Feb 28 @ 7:58 AM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning |
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yashaenka
Posts: 4,006
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The essence of Buddhism is recognizing that everything isnt in a state of flux. It "appears" to be so. But this implies that something has a continuousness, a new direction.
Everything is born for the moment and dies in the moment. What you grasp as "now", this moment, has just become history. Its gone! Dead! It has ceased to be.
Mom excellent post today!
12 The essence of Buddhism is recognizing that everything isnt in a state of flux. It "appears" to be so. If your saying this based on what we consider mortal time I agree, but if there is no time line, given all things change [even us in form, I am not sure that will hold.
It seems the only way to Experience a Now moment is either by Intuition or during a meditative state while being in the zone. I have come close to dying several times and they were all Now moments.
But still I agree with this in general. But this implies that something has a continuousness, a new direction. That rises the question is there anything that only has a singular state. Or does a positive become a negative "life or death" being neither exist but flow one into the other and back again.
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| Feb 28 @ 9:22 PM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning
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BandTMom
Posts: 26,627
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Thanks, Yash.
Today's Glimpse of the Day
February 28
The whole point of Dzogchen meditation practice is to strengthen and stabilize Rigpa and allow it to grow to full maturity. The ordinary, habitual mind with its projections is extremely powerful. It keeps returning, and takes hold of us easily when we are inattentive or distracted.
As Dudjom Rinpoche used to say: “At present our Rigpa is like a little baby, stranded on the battlefield of strong arising thoughts.” I like to say that we have to begin by babysitting our Rigpa, in the secure environment of meditation.
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| Feb 29 @ 9:44 AM |
Buddhism - A New Beginning |
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Martin666
Posts: 2,142
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In any discussion of an “instant” of consciousness—which is what a conversation about the “present moment” is-- there are three things to keep in mind:
1) Nothing (no instant of consciousness) “arises” from a single cause.
2) Nothing (no instant of consciousness) exists or moves under its own power
3) Nothing (no instant of consciousness) “arises” singly.
Too often, analysis of the “present moment” starts—or pretends to start—by selecting single objects ( instants of consciousness) that exist in the sector of time called “the present.” But this is illusory on a number of grounds: the object of analysis, when it is selected, already belongs to the past, has already come and gone. The arising, continuing, and ceasing of a thought can not be known by the same thought; it can only be known by the thought that succeeds it. But even the thought that succeeds it can only be known by the thought that succeeds it, and so forth on down the line. So to say “I see this thought arising in the present moment” is a metaphysical nicety and a conceptual tool that allows us to (fictitiously) arrest an individual moment of consciousness for analysis, but not actually descriptive of anything other than a metaphysical construct called "the present.". This is a simplified way of viewing the "insubstantiability" of the present moment, but there are many, many others (consider this in relation to #'s 1,2, and 3 above).
As a temporary expedient, we come up with two aspects of the “present.” The first is called the “momentary present” (khanapaccuppanna) and the other the “serial present” (santatipaccuppanna). The momentary present is the concept of examining a “single instant of consciousness in the present” as we’ve already looked at and seen is largely fiction. The “serial present” is the very common teaching technique of helping people visualize the “present” as made up of a series of rapidly flowing “momentary presents” that—when viewed in rapid sequence—produce a certain “cinematic” effect that we mistake as a continuity of consciousness (and hence, an “I”). The common perception is that it is the underlying “moments” that make up the cinema that are real, and that it’s the “cinema” flow that is created when a great number of these individual static frames are substituted quickly enough to create in the observer the illusion of continuous movement that is illusory. Just like when we watch a movie.
But for the Buddha, it was actually the opposite that was true: it’s the perception of a static and substantial nature as existing in the underlying individual frames that is illusory. In other words, that the underlying components of reality are in a constant state of flux, and that perceiving them as fixed, static elements that have beginnings,middles, endings, and “gaps” is to give them an individual, static existence that is fictional, a conceptual quirk of the way we grasp and perceive objects for analytic purposes. Such a perception focuses artificially on the analytic aspect of the constituents of consciousness and misses the synthetic aspects shown in #1, 2, and 3 above. It also ignores the element of time…but that’s all another post.
Things can not be "empty of nature" and "empty of self" if they exist as objects in a state of non-flux. In seeing this lies the first understanding of the deeper nature of sunnata (voidness) and anatta (no self) in all conditioned objects.
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