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What I mean is, do we penetrate meaning or does it penetrate us?
Doesn't it follow that the more autonomous we are the more we would find our own meaning. And conversely, the more we rely on the meaning which is spoon fed to us the more that meaning would be consumed by us.
Although we are social animals, all advancements in society have been from us suppressing our primal nature. Our ability to act counter to animal nature, counter to monkey mind... that makes us human. At least that's my opinion.
Although we are social animals, all advancements in society have been from us suppressing our primal nature. Our ability to act counter to animal nature, counter to monkey mind... that makes us human. At least that's my opinion.
"When the irrational is banished from consciousness, it's not destroyed, rather, it becomes exceedingly dangerous." ~ George Hansen
People teach people, people created the internet, the internet can teach people, I learn on the internet from other people, it is my teacher. Not my sole source of knowledge, however.
The internet and computers exist for a reason, it makes life more convenient and expedient. Business as we knew it has changed, life as we knew it has changed.
There are those would have the old days back, however living in the past never did anyone any good, but improving upon it did.
Buddha of old is just that, frozen in time. Mankind however is not, and we have to accept that...remember the impermanence he spoke of? I learned that on the internet, and from something they call books. Squares of paper glued together.
Ultimately you are your own teacher... knowledge from whatever source is valuable - a community / teacher / formal guidance is helpful and reassuring but it is not necessary unless yuor aim is to preserve that tradition...
If I can throw in my two cents? (Be gentle; I'm new!) In an ideal situation, I think one would be able to benefit from both. Access to a live, in-person teacher would provide wonderful support to a person's practice and opportunities to engage in different ways. Access to blogs, forums, e-books, etc, provide opportunities to discuss with people you would otherwise never meet.
Personally, attending classes would be wonderful but currently not really an option. The internet has some shortcomings, but for people like me, it's still a great way to be part of a community. Perhaps in the future I will be able to attend classes and be part of an in-person community, but if not, I still believe in what I'm doing.
The other thing I'd like to add is that even with an in-person teacher, a student should always be careful. Human beings are imperfect; even the most well-meaning teacher can still mislead a student or bring his/her own biases into the learning space. It's important to take all information with a grain of sand, whether it is on the internet or in a physical learning space.
Without the internet, practicing Buddhism in the Bible Belt of America would be especially hard. I think Sid would "approve" of my practice tactics.
Exactly. Not everyone has easy access to a physical space. It would be unkind (and, I think, incorrect) to say that someone's practice is less earnest because they do not have the opportunity to study in person.
Internet on dharma is liken to an exegesis of dharma masters sharing the experiences/truth of sutra / sutta. It's a pointer, very useful pointers. some dharma masters use internet to share dharma realization. it's more convenient in today busy schedule as most people do not have the patient/time to personally attend dharma talks in the monastery. Moreover, dharma masters may be travelling. In practical aspect, pureland method do not need personal guidance from master as it relies on buddha vow within them. unlike other methods, it does not requires practitioners to be in extreme deep meditativeness that usually in this state of awareness, "subtle demon of bliss" will appear that is advisable for master to be around. In pureland, there will be no room for demon unless the buddha appearing is not Amitabha/goddess of mercy. amitabha
As some of you may know, Tantric practice is far different than it was in pre-1950's Tibet. Nowadays, anyone can show up, give a donation, and get the empowerment. In the old days, Tantric practice was for monks and Lamas, and most Tibetan lay people did not practice Tantra. How much longer until the giving of an empowerment becomes even less strict?
The Dalai Lama has encouraged Tantric texts to be published for anyone to read - rather than let them be lost forever. Some are upset by this, but most see the wisdom.
Lineage transmissions and initiations are being done by phone and video by some Lamas. In fact, the lineage transmission will probably be the first to be abandoned since their purpose is no longer necessary.
Religion HAS to keep up with the times, or it will die.
When a Lama gives a video teaching, is there a major difference between that and being there in person? Not really.
Comments
Doesn't it follow that the more autonomous we are the more we would find our own meaning. And conversely, the more we rely on the meaning which is spoon fed to us the more that meaning would be consumed by us.
Just thinking out loud...
Trungpa Rinpoche
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chögyam_Trungpa
Osel Tendzin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ösel_Tendzin
lol
Methinks I saw ya a stirrin' on another forum recently :cool:
Well in that case, a warm WELCOME p / g etc old friend ! :clap:
Namaste.
_/\_
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Gassho old friend.
The internet and computers exist for a reason, it makes life more convenient and expedient. Business as we knew it has changed, life as we knew it has changed.
There are those would have the old days back, however living in the past never did anyone any good, but improving upon it did.
Buddha of old is just that, frozen in time. Mankind however is not, and we have to accept that...remember the impermanence he spoke of? I learned that on the internet, and from something they call books. Squares of paper glued together.
Personally, attending classes would be wonderful but currently not really an option. The internet has some shortcomings, but for people like me, it's still a great way to be part of a community. Perhaps in the future I will be able to attend classes and be part of an in-person community, but if not, I still believe in what I'm doing.
The other thing I'd like to add is that even with an in-person teacher, a student should always be careful. Human beings are imperfect; even the most well-meaning teacher can still mislead a student or bring his/her own biases into the learning space. It's important to take all information with a grain of sand, whether it is on the internet or in a physical learning space.
As some of you may know, Tantric practice is far different than it was in pre-1950's Tibet. Nowadays, anyone can show up, give a donation, and get the empowerment. In the old days, Tantric practice was for monks and Lamas, and most Tibetan lay people did not practice Tantra. How much longer until the giving of an empowerment becomes even less strict?
The Dalai Lama has encouraged Tantric texts to be published for anyone to read - rather than let them be lost forever. Some are upset by this, but most see the wisdom.
Lineage transmissions and initiations are being done by phone and video by some Lamas. In fact, the lineage transmission will probably be the first to be abandoned since their purpose is no longer necessary.
Religion HAS to keep up with the times, or it will die.
When a Lama gives a video teaching, is there a major difference between that and being there in person? Not really.
and ozmonaut training
In the words of the Buddha