Interesting book about rebirth.

cook99

I came across this book recently. Do you agree with the arguments made in this book?
Thanks in advance.

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/dietolive.pdf

federica

Greetings and welcome, @cook99‌
Could you please expand a bit on your question?

What is the book about? What is its core message? What aspect of the book are you wishing to discuss? What is your primary opinion?

Your initial question is too vague and general for us to give a considered opinion, particularly as you seem to be assuming we have even read it.

Thanks.

Jason

Interesting, but I take it all with a grain of salt. Personally, I think that the Abhidhamma Pitaka is essentially a systematization of certain concepts and terms found throughout the Sutta Pitaka — with additional concepts and terms added in for logical consistency — that was possibly intended to act as a pedagogical tool, as well as an attempt to describe the ultimate nature of reality. Many scholars also agree that the Abhidhamma Pitaka was a later addition to the original teachings that gradual developed over several centuries. This is not only evident from the fact that the Abhidhamma utilizes words that are found nowhere else in the Canon, but also from the fact that each school had their own version (some even rejecting it altogether). As such, I don't think that the Abhidhamma Pitaka as we know it today was taught by the Buddha — although I do think that parts of it may have been — so I tend to take a more skeptical attitude of things that are primarily based upon Abhidhammic concepts.

federica

OK, well, someone has obviously read it.... but I would still suggest a more broad opener and comments designed to engender discussion, rather than short, nondescript questions!

Thanks @Jason, that makes me look like a total bonehead! .

Jason

@federica said:
OK, well, someone has obviously read it.... but I would still suggest a more broad opener and comments designed to engender discussion, rather than short, nondescript questions!

I only read part of it. And I agree, a more broad opener and comments designed to engender discussion, rather than short, nondescript questions is preferable.

federica

@Jason, thanks for coming back....! .

Your input is insightful, even if you only part-read it.
Your scholarly knowledge-base is greater than mine, so I tend to take note of what you say.
Besides, there are several lessons within the Abhidhamma that I find difficult to digest or even agree with... therein lies some controversy, and it leaves me uncomfortable. To the extent that some parts of it, i would discard and ignore completely.

federica

I actually downloaded this book (The Truth About Rebirth) from Accesstoinsight today. It's slightly heavy going, but it speaks of the Buddha's teachings on rebirth and how it is a definite 'phenomenon, and how it is inextricably linked to kamma. I'm steadly ploughing my way through it; I may have to read parts of it again, and even the whole thing more than once to truly absorb its teaching.
if anyone would 'care to join me' in reading it, feel free....

lobster

@federica said:
if anyone would 'care to join me' in reading it, feel free....

Maybe in my next life . . . .

anataman

Based on the above comments- I feel compelled to read it. I'm in reading mode at the moment...

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2 pages in and what fun - whatever your intention for posting it I will make no comment unless you declare your interest and motive for posting it @cook99‌ - I don't do my kids homework unless they do it with me peering over their shoulder, and I certainly won't do yours unless we engage in it together.

sova

Looking at the document now, although I have not studied Abhidharma very much, I do enjoy the parts of chapter four which talk about the sheer potential of ones last thought(s) and reflection(s).

An Ex-hunter’s Death
This story took place in Sri Lanka during the heyday of
Theravada Buddhism, when there were reputedly many
arahants still around. One such arahant was a Thera or
senior monk. His father was a hunter who later
renounced the world and joined the Sangha at a late
age. Towards the end of his life, he became delirious.
His face was contorted with fear as he tried to fend off
an invisible foe.
“What’s wrong, father?” the Venerable Thera asked.
“A black dog! A fierce black dog is attacking me!” his
father answered excitedly.
The Venerable Thera knew that the unwholesome
livelihood of his father had created this vision. Quickly
he instructed his sàmaõeras [novices] to collect flowers
and arrange them neatly at the base of the monastery’s
pagoda. Then they transported the Venerable Thera’s
father on his deathbed to the vicinity of the pagoda.
“Look, father,” the Venerable Thera said, pointing
to the flowers at the pagoda, “We have made an offering
of flowers to the pagoda on your behalf. Rejoice, father.”
His father opened his eyes and smiled in joyful
appreciation. Then he closed his eyes again and was calm
and peaceful as he breathed his last breath.
This story holds a good lesson for all of us. If the Venerable
Thera had not intervened, but had stood there passively watching
his father dying a fearful death, the latter would have been reborn
in a woeful state. But because of his timely and creative
intervention, he gave his father a crucial opportunity to generate
a wholesome mental state at the very last moment before his
death—a wholesome mental state rooted in generosity (alobha)
and accompanied by joy—that was potent enough to cause a good
rebirth.

fun thing i just learned about the original language: lobha is attachment and alobha is generosity.

Will keep reading through the pdf and update ya..