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Is it a good thing to have an opinion?
I'm in college and maybe this is why I think this but I notice lots of people have unfounded ideas. For example people seem to have opinions that they came up with on the spot and then share them with the class as if it were a fact they are certain of.
I strongly believe people should make it clear that what they're saying is an opinion of fact.
I strongly believe people should make it clear that what they're saying is an opinion of fact.
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Comments
I think it's the audiences responsibility to tell the difference between fact and opinion.
I think it's great that people can feel free to throw out their opinions in class. Who knows, maybe they're right.
I hope I can be forgiven from doing this when I first joined this forum, debating with other buddhists is quite new to me, especially on the internet, where many different schools and traditions are represented.
Having opinions is neither good or bad. And actually nothing is good or bad.
But having an emotional attachment to ones opinions/understandings can be a hindrance towards seeing everything with an open mind.
Btw, I'm emotionally attached to this understanding, so don't even try to argue against this.
My answer to anyone who puts forward an opinion, is:-
"That's very interesting; why do you say that?"
It's enough to make them stop and think.
If they don't stop and think, and say instead - "because it's a fact" then it's legitimate for you to say, "Really? how so?"
Putting the onus on them to prove it.
But generally (though not always) if someone replies quickly enough that 'it's a fact' - it usually probably is.
It's only people who go on to make some kind of justification, that actually have not a clue whether what they're saying or not - is true.
Then that's just opinion.
This is why I'm a staunch supporter of people on this forum, at least presenting links or references to where they obtained information on the "opinion" they're putting forward.
It doesn't necessarily mean their source is 110% reliable. But it does mean they've done some research and can back up where they got their idea from.
Sutta Nipata(??)
Sutta Nipata(??)"
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The Zen man Ikkyu once said approximately the same thing (can't give the exact quote) about so-called Buddhists wandering around pestering people about Buddhism.
another enlightened mind may have come up with another formula (another opinion), that's true, but it would've been solving for the same problem; leading to the same solution
there are all kinds of opinions that help us, if the buddha spoke of not having opinions, he wasn't refering to all opinions, but useless ones that hinder or destroy our practise.we need to do some reality testing on our statements, and i see a lot of statements here that just plain don't make sense. the buddha said if my statement doesnt make sense, don't believe it(i'm paraphrasing")
if you don't understand the fundamentals of buddhism, and are just familiar with the terms and some quotes, you can make totally nonsensical statements which won't fool the higher practitioners, but make up giberish confusing the firstimers and newcomers here, youre not the buddha, don't try to generate you're own versions sounding like buddha scripture or at least using the big pali words(dhamma are you listening) and stick to logical expressions of your own experience.
Damn it, what am I doing up on this soapbox again, sorry guys and gals
Maybe you meant, uninformed vs. informed opinions? Some people just like to mouth off and sound authoritative--pesky ego! I'm not sure this is a question about having opinions as it is about arrogance and ego....?
"When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you".
When we think, we create opinions and subjectivity. I think this, you think that. Christian thinking, Buddhist thinking, etc.
But before we think, we are one with the universe. The sound of the bird chirping, the dog barking, you listening are all one. Think and you divide. Don't think and just be, you are one.
Always remember this and no problem.
Is this the ladies opinion? It seems logical.
Also it made me think we truly don't think for ourselves - I mean if I was born in a 3rd world country into a Muslim family it would be explained to me why what I currently perceive to be "unfair" is right. In other words I can't control if I get a western education from a school or a middle eastern education from traditions that cause suffering to girls.
it is important to learn to articulate ourselves & at the same time be not attached to our opinions
kind regards
In other words, having nothing to do with something, means having no control over the situation.
I don't know, I think one can argue that those things are simply statements of facts rather than opinions. I saw it quoted as coming from here but I don't know exactly which section. http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/
P
This has it'd limitations tho
See? That's why putting a disclaimer at the end of every sentence doesn't work. It's up to you to assess the credibility of what's being said.
So I suppose the well known - yet oft forgotten - "raft" parable comes into play. Each of us as an individual (dare I say, a "self"?
Anyway, another cut and paste job will offer a few ideas and hints, this from the pen of Nyanaponika Thera.....He speaks of the final goal, of the transcending of the opposites, yet for me this obviously embraces our opinions and just how we should approach them.
"One should, however, know well and constantly bare in mind that the relinquishing of both sides, the transcending of the opposites, is the final goal — a goal which comes at the end of a long journey. Because this journey unavoidably leads through the ups and downs of samsara, the traveler will repeatedly encounter the play of opposites, within which he will have to make his choices and select his values. He must never attempt to soar above the realm of opposites while ill-equipped with feeble wings or else his fate, like that of Icarus, will be a crash landing. For a time, to the best of his knowledge and strength, he must firmly choose the side of the "higher" against the "lower," following what is beneficial from the standpoint of the Dhamma and avoiding what is harmful. But he should regard his choices and values as a raft, not clinging to them for their own sake, always ready to leave them behind to embark on the next phase of the journey. While still on the mundane plane, he must never forget or belittle the presence within himself of the "lower," the dark side of his nature, and he must learn to deal with this wisely, with caution as well as firmness.
To cross the ocean of life and reach "the other shore" safely, skill is needed in navigating its currents and cross-currents. In adapting oneself to those inner and outer currents, however, one must always be watchful. The currents can be powerful at times and one must know when it is necessary to resist them. Sometimes right effort has to be applied to avoid or overcome what is evil and to produce and preserve what is good. At other times it is wise to restrain excessive and impatient zeal and revert to a receptive attitude, allowing the processes of inner growth to mature at their own rate. By wisely directed adaptation we can learn to give full weight to both sides of every situation — to the duality in our own nature and in the objective circumstances we face. Only by confronting and understanding the two sides within one's own experience can one master and finally transcend them."