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New Buddhism Basics
lobster
Crusty Veteran
No question is too basic here!
Thank God Buddha,
I notice even the basics are occasionally questioned ... 
[Group Hug]
What is the basic question?
For me it would be ... the answer ...
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Comments
Why does the Buddha like lists so much?
Are we sure he wasn't a woman?
Why is the Buddha so hung up on suffering?
Isn’t the middle way that we have a little suffering and a little happiness? What would unrelenting happiness be like, wouldn’t it get really boring after a while?
I am perpetually making lists; this made my H laugh so much he nearly choked on his granary toast and marmalade.
Made my day!
Not really.
Dukkha is inherent in sugar, spice, marmalade and nice
boring, unrelenting appiness (yes they have a hap app for that) and all transitory experience
The middle way transcends self hugging, attachment to Buddha or other sides.
We all knew that ...
https://www.learnreligions.com/life-is-suffering-what-does-that-mean-450094
You need to define happiness @Kerome.
For me, worldly happiness is enjoying sensual pleasure wheras the Buddha taught the removal of greed, anger and ignorance.
Two different things.
Just playing Devil’s Advocate
All for world peace and the removal of greed, anger and ignorance...
Tee Hee. The dark side has its benefits ...
I have a very dark sense of humour. It is a coping mechanism. Because there is indeed some severe ignorance, anger, greed and mal marmalade munchers.
Fortunately there is great wheel turning. This to me is one of the fundamental advocacies of all functioning spiritual paths. How do we turn the tide of our Kleshas?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleshas_(Buddhism)
... and again we find ourselves centred on the Middle Way ...
The 5 precepts. Optional, right? I mean, this number 5 shit ... dope and whisky are my goods to go, they're still legit, tho', yeah?
I came across a YouTube channel full of rabid Trump supporters the other day, it was called And We Know if you feel like paying it a visit and perhaps do a little baiting of the comments section. Be prepared for lots of praying Republicans though. It was slightly scary.
But yes, the klesha’s. I think awareness is the first thing, to know what craving does to you and the forms it takes. And then to focus some effort on letting go.
I think Mara’s Advocate perhaps?
Ooh I’m not sure I’d go that far... being Mara’s advocate seems like you would have to get far too close to greed, avoidance and ignorance and how to generate these in others. Though come to think of it that sounds like a lawyers dream
I read somewhere that the "4 Noble Truths" may have been added to Buddhism only AFTER the Buddha's death. Maybe we should simply discard them?
The 4 Noble Truths are the core teachings of the Buddha IMHO.
Discard them and you may as well discard everything!
Thanks for the tip
Huh. As if. 🙄🤨
'Read somewhere' don't cut the mustard round these here parts. Start jabberin' 'bout reading something somewhere, and your friendly, ever-present resident Moderator* will ask you provide reference and/or link. In other words, "pictures or it didn't happen." Will happily wait for you to provide! 😁
(*that would be me!)
That's how hardcore I am. Dhammawheel ain't got nuthin' on me! Bunch of wimps!
Me thinks someone might be taking the pi55.
who, moi...?!
Haha no. The person who made the 4NT comment
Oh yeah. I knew that. Eventually.
It didn't sink in at first, but then I remembered the thread.
Yes! Me too....
As some Buddha killing zen types know, answers do not have to make sense to serve us and others ... 🤪😳😌
For example I don't believe in Shiva, Ganesh, Chenresig, Allah, Adi Buddha, Dr Who or baby Jesus but I am quite happy to pray to trees, birds, aliens from other dimensions and any passing divas ...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi-Buddha
Crazy? Sure! 🌈🤗🥰😇
Whatever it takes ... 🔓
Yes ......once we're across "Gate gate paragate parasamgate Bodhi Svaha"
"Row, row row your boat, gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily merrily, Life is but a dream!"
The greatest lesson in Buddhism ever written.
Discuss.
Wow! That's heavy.....
I'm going for a lie down.
The rowing is obviously using the dhamma, while you are crossing to the other side. You’ve entered the stream. Then life is but a dream refers to this world, not the life beyond.
Yeah... deep, dude.
I think ‘life is but a dream’ might refer to our unawakened and false perception of reality, that once awakened, we can see reality for what it is.
Or, I might just be spouting off about Zen again 😂
Buddha taught in a time of oral traditions. Things were not written down. It was much easier to memorize lists.
Buddha gave oral? Good job.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Householder_(Buddhism)
... did I deliberately misunderstand ... again 🤭🤗😯
Well I hear he was a cunning linguist...... hides
Nope. I can still see you.
Your slip is showing...