over and over and over again

genkaku

Does newbuddhist or any other Buddhist venue need to repeat things again and again and again? Another thread about rebirth? Another thread about compassion? Another thread about what happens after death? Another thread about ... well pick your poison. Do we really need to repeat things over and over again?

My answer is yes. As boring and repetitive and yawn-provoking as it may be for some, each topic is new or newly-confusing or newly-poignant for someone else. If Buddhism were anything other than endless repetition -- if in fact someone could say something once and others would all understand ... well, Buddhism would be a forgotten path, a history lesson on which to take a quiz, a bunch of books full of spiritual encouragements.

Let's try to be a little more patient and a little less 'wise.'

thickpaper

Does newbuddhist or any other Buddhist venue need to repeat things again and again and again? Another thread about rebirth? Another thread about compassion? Another thread about what happens after death? Another thread about ... well pick your poison. Do we really need to repeat things over and over again?

My answer is yes. As boring and repetitive and yawn-provoking as it may be for some, each topic is new or newly-confusing or newly-poignant for someone else. If Buddhism were anything other than endless repetition -- if in fact someone could say something once and others would all understand ... well, Buddhism would be a forgotten path, a history lesson on which to take a quiz, a bunch of books full of spiritual encouragements.

Let's try to be a little more patient and a little less 'wise.'

I agree. In my understanding, grappling with these futile questions is a part of Right View. The important thing is not to get attached to the questions (I have made this mistake many times!)

vinlyn

Thank you Genkaku. There are always new folks to the forum who may have interesting points of view about these timeless concepts.

And, to be frank, whether you're a Buddhist or a Methodist or a Catholic, you're not going to find new and exciting topics because religion is based on century old texts. The only thing new in most religions is interpretation.

Theswingisyellow

To the OP:
"each topic is new or newly-confusing or newly-poignant for someone else"
Good point and good post.

zenff

“If in fact someone could say something once and others would all understand ...”

That’s where I stopped, Genkaku.
And I tried to imagine such a world of perfect communication; what it takes and where it would lead…

Imagine no more countries…it isn’t hard to do…nothing to kill or die for… and no newbuddhist too!

aMatt

Genkaku,

I think you make a great observation, and say it well. I've noticed some get annoyed at seeing similar topics arise, and I wonder why 1) they read them and 2) feel the need to express their agitation.

Breathing is much more repetitive. Even similar message board topics seem more like a repreive from the endless cycle of inhale and exhale.

With warmth,

Matt

santhisouk

There are young people all over the world today torn between the world of the senses with its excitement and boredom and "path of renunciation" about which they are not clear, as it combines a sense of rebellion, escape, mystery, and a search for the exotic East. I am sure the message of the Buddha presents to them a philosophy of life that will combine non-attachment with zest for doing things. This evening, let us turn our minds towards an aspect of this modern predicament, with the hope of discovering a little light in the ancient wisdom of the Buddha, a light that may help us to see clearly the nature of the little world of turmoil that surrounds us.

The Psychology of Emotions in Buddhist Perspective
Sir D. B. Jayatilleke Commemoration Lecture, Colombo, 1976
by Dr. Padmasiri de Silva

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/desilva-p/wheel237.html

federica

All very idealistic.
But just try fielding constant PMs from members along the lines of "MUST we have yet ANOTHER thread on *fill topic in here*..?!?"

Whatever happens, someone is going to be peed off.
And they in turn, will happily pee the Mod's off.......

We can't win.

vinlyn

All very idealistic.
But just try fielding constant PMs from members along the lines of "MUST we have yet ANOTHER thread on *fill topic in here*..?!?"

Whatever happens, someone is going to be peed off.
And they in turn, will happily pee the Mod's off.......

We can't win.

Before retiring I was a middle school principal. Part of my job was doing things that, in general, were positive. But a lot of my time was spent responding to criticisms...of my vice principals, my teachers, my secretaries and custodians, other students, of School Board or state policy (which I had no effect over), even of parents on the PTA. It was my profession, which in general I loved. But I always could have chosen to walk away and do something different.

You've volunteered to be a moderator. It's not an easy job...and somewhat thankless. You have to balance the benefits and pitfalls of the role. The same strategies that you use to have no fear of death, suffering, or incapacitation (mentioned by you in another thread), may be helpful when you feel frustration with the moderator position.

Truly, best wishes!

genkaku

All very idealistic.
But just try fielding constant PMs from members along the lines of "MUST we have yet ANOTHER thread on *fill topic in here*..?!?"

Whatever happens, someone is going to be peed off.
And they in turn, will happily pee the Mod's off.......

We can't win.

Bless your patience, federica. Perhaps you could simply refer those PM's to this thread? Herding cats is a thankless task.

Ric

federica,

You should come up with some "stock" answers. Then you can just copy and paste and be done with it.

federica

More like herding eels!

Thanks to both @vinlyn and @genkaku...

perhapsm before complaining, others could also take note:

The other point is, if you see "yet another thread!" the best way to respond to it, if it truly irks you is - to NOT respond to it!:D

Jeffrey

Good point federica. If nobody responds to a thread it will float on down. If somebody does then that means that particular person is interested in the thread and why should anyone else shut down their thread which they are curious about? If I don't like pizza fine, but I wouldn't walk up to somebody else and tell them pizza again? I see those so often and I am tired of them" I would simply order something else (go to a different thread).

genkaku

perhapsm before complaining, others could also take note:

The other point is, if you see "yet another thread!" the best way to respond to it, if it truly irks you is - to NOT respond to it!:D

You mean I should pay attention and take responsibility????? Surely you jest!!!! My 'wisdom' and 'compassion' are far too compelling for anything that adult! Moreover, complaining is one of my best things. Cut me some slack!

Dakini

Does newbuddhist or any other Buddhist venue need to repeat things again and again and again? Another thread about rebirth? Another thread about compassion? Another thread about what happens after death? Another thread about ... well pick your poison. Do we really need to repeat things over and over again?

My answer is yes. As boring and repetitive and yawn-provoking as it may be for some, each topic is new or newly-confusing or newly-poignant for someone else. If Buddhism were anything other than endless repetition -- if in fact someone could say something once and others would all understand ... well, Buddhism would be a forgotten path, a history lesson on which to take a quiz, a bunch of books full of spiritual encouragements.

Let's try to be a little more patient and a little less 'wise.'

My answer is 'yes', genkaku. Firstly, if we barred repetition, and told the newbies to be satisfied with reading old threads, what would be their motivation for joining in the first place, if they're not allowed to participate on the subjects that are of foremost concern to them?

Secondly, the latest threads on rebirth have been amazing! -zing, -zing. Very amicable (a first!), very informative (I learned a lot that had never come up on previoius rebirth threads), and refreshing.

Thirdly, each time a repeat subject comes up, it's from a fresh angle, new questions are posed in the OP, or phrased in a new way that inspires a fresh trajectory of commentary. If you read these threads, you'll see that they are not repeats of the past. (And they've been so pleasant! Who knew one could discuss rebirth and actually have fun?! :clap: ) And the what-happens-after-death thread went into much more detail than I've ever seen, and was very "enlightening". Miraculously, there was even some agreement between Mahayana and Theravada--perhaps we should start awarding prizes!

Maybe the problem isn't that threads are repetitious (they're not, even if the topic sounds like they would be). Maybe the problem is that some members are jaded, or simply battle-scarred from certain earlier "discussions"--haha! PTSD from thread conflict! Not funny, though really...

I might agree, though, that it would be helpful for newbies to look up the old threads on their chosen topic, to see what's gone before, and to find a way to present the old from a new angle. But that seems to be happening automatically, anyway, even without the research.