Re: Dana

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: : : : : 
: : : : : While my beloved alter Doc M sleeps it off under the pool
: : : : : table at Bumppo's, after being unceremoniously being
: : : : : ejected from the House of HooHa, I'd love to get in
: : : : : on this thread since I missed it the last time. I am
: : : : : more drawn to certain concepts of Eastern religious
: : : : : thought. I am NO expert, having just begun reading 
: : : : : and thinking seriously on the subject. Something I
: : : : : came across recently fits in perfectly here, I
: : : : : think. Truth vs Goodness according to Buddhist thought:

: : : : : 1. Do not take anything as true under any condition

: : : : : 2. Understand what is good, rather than what is true

: : : : : 3) Use your own judgement. Scripture is only an aid to
: : : : :    thinking.

: : : : : 4) Good acts result from a good state of mind, which means
: : : : :    that cultivation of a good state of mind is the way
: : : : :    to the good life.

: : : : : 5) One who cultivates the mind this way does not have to 
: : : : :    worry about the next world, or depend on external
: : : : :    powers.

: : : : : According to Buddhism, truth and falsehood are concepts
: : : : : derived from logical thinking. Though what is logical
: : : : : is considered "true", we tend to decide our beliefs are
: : : : : true based on something other than logic. Often we take
: : : : : a statement to be true not because we know it is true,
: : : : : but because we like it, or our family believes it, 
: : : : : or because it's in a holy book -- not for any "logical"
: : : : : reasons. We become emotionally attached to our beliefs
: : : : : first, then use logic to justify them. 

: : : : : When we personalize beliefs this way, the result is
: : : : : conflict and disharmony. When we cling to a viewpoint
: : : : : and say "This is my viewpoint, this is truth," we are
: : : : : in conflict with those who do not believe it, leading
: : : : : to disharmony and quarreling. This is why the Buddha
: : : : : advises his followers not to accept anything as "true."
: : : : : Instead of seeking truth, seek goodness.

: : : : : Thoughts anyone?

: : : : : Doctorate Mary

: : : : ********************

: : : : Okay, Doc M.  First impression...I don't like it.  I can't tell you why, but I'm thinkin' on it.  Maybe it's because I've spent the last forty-eight hours thinking about Truth, and this guy says forget truth, go with goodness.  It makes my eye twitch, ya know?  While I'm thinking, what is "goodness", anyway? 

: : : : Dana S.

: : yeah, I'm with you Dana.  Hard enough to strive for truth, how do you strive for goodness.  And according to who's terms?  I mean, if truth has varied perspectives, then surely goodness has even MORE interpretations.  It would seem.  But......wait.....
: : not having worn my orange pointy hat for very long I may be wrong but I thought in striving for goodness the budhists hoped to reach "enlightenment" i.e. truth?

: : *kapoing!  oops!  did I step on Doc's widdle tamboriney-thingy?
: : So sorry.  Hey, at least it wasn't a fly, mighta been Doc's grammy!*

: : : answering the ancient zen koan "What is the sound of one
: : : hand clapping?"

: : Oh!  Oh!  I know this one!  It's the sound of a thief in Iran!!

: : GnomeDome


: I will now give you an answer from my state of perfect
: enlightenment....*BBRRRAAAACKKK!* (sticking tongue out,
: thumbs in ears, and wiggling fingers!)

: Doc M


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