GENIUS FORUMS

Some doctors prescribe this medicine, some doctors prescribe that medicine. This medicine works for these people, that medicine works for those people. Why go on about such a simple matter? clyde Medicines are tailored to specific diseases. They won't work if they don't address the disease that is ...

maestro; I wrote "work", not "feeling better".

maestro;

There are "quacks", but even placebos work, as long as the 'medicine' does no harm . . .

Some doctors prescribe this medicine, some doctors prescribe that medicine.

This medicine works for these people, that medicine works for those people.

Why go on about such a simple matter?

clyde

Kevin; I am not familiar with the phrase “like chalk and cheese”, but I think I get your point. I acknowledge that I prefer the simple and direct approach of Chan/Zen, but that is a preference based on my personality and style. Others may find different approaches more suited to their personality an...

Yes.

Bookstores are one way to judge the dominant culture. What about the biggest tv networks, most distributed newspapers, most often-watched movies, most widely broadcast radio shows? What are they telling you about the form of Buddhism most dominant in America? Your questions made me realize how 'out...

I disagree with your view that there is a path without a shadow; even the path to truth or enlightenment has a shadow. Of course, it is easier to see the shadow of another's path than our own. Well, it all depends whether you're talking quality or quantity. All other paths have countless, endless s...

Perhaps our locations explain some of our different experiences. My experience here in California and from what I can judge in the U.S. is that Tibetan Buddhism is growing in popularity, but is not the dominant form. I would say that for Western Buddhists in the U.S. (not including those Asian Amer...

Kelly; Perhaps our locations explain some of our different experiences. My experience here in California and from what I can judge in the U.S. is that Tibetan Buddhism is growing in popularity, but is not the dominant form. I would say that for Western Buddhists in the U.S. (not including those Asia...

I think 'westerners' clasp hold of Buddhism when they've suffered a lot in life, and want a totally different culture to escape to. They clasp hold of these otherworldly fundamentalist teachings, in order to block out thinking and suffering. So they are very wary and defensive of anyone who thinks ...

Loki; In the religious arena, all reject the values and virtues of the physical world. Virtually all religions preach the submission of man's physical gratification for mental or otherworldly benefits. Even Buddhism, which I have praised many times, preaches an ideology of privation for the entire w...

Ryan; OK, I understand that you are a rationalist, not a humanitarian. Can a rationalist, while strictly maintaining rationalism, be financially successful? And if so, are there rationalists who are financial successful? Finally, what is the rationale for others (rationalists and/or non-rationalists...

Ryan;

Sorry, I mistook you for a humanitarian.

clyde

Ryan; To return to your question, I understand how donating to charities that provide food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and shelter to the homeless relieves suffering; I also understand how donating to teachers who promote wise living benefits human beings; but how would setting up a fund to...

If, as you write, an appearance is a cause of a thing and a thing is an appearance, then it follows that: An appearance is a cause of an appearance; i.e. A is a cause of A! When I say that "appearance is a cause of a thing" I am implying that the causes of appearance , such as senses, min...

Appearance (where its boundaries are) is one of the main causes of a thing. Isn’t it more accurate to say that the appearance of a thing is the appearance of a thing (You know, A=A.) and that one can say that the appearance of a thing exists. A thing is actually an appearance. Kevin; If, as you wri...

Kevin; Due to Fujaro, my attention was drawn to this, A thing is said to "exist" when it is observed or imagined. We can imagine a category which contains all unknown things (ie, all things not as yet consciously experienced). In this manner, all the things that we are not consciously awar...

Kevin; Due to Carl, my attention was drawn to this, Logic never says "the boy is outside", but rather "That which appears to be a boy, appears to be outside" (which may be shortened for convenience). Science too, when it is logical (which happens rarely), only says "That whi...

In any case, there is no entering or exiting that emptiness. To the degree that one doesn't fully realize in all facets of one's being - intellectually, psychologically and emotionally - the lack of inherent existence of all things, one hasn't entered into emptiness. One is still being taken in by ...

One is on the brink of TRUTH when one realizes, fully and completely, that all things lack an objective essence. David, when one realizes, fully and completely, that all things lack an objective essence, it renders "one is on the brink of TRUTH" empty. That emptiness is the Truth. It is a...

David Quinn wrote:One is on the brink of TRUTH when one realizes, fully and completely, that all things lack an objective essence.

David, when one realizes, fully and completely, that all things lack an objective essence, it renders "one is on the brink of TRUTH" empty.

Oh, I see. Since you’re still quite vague, allow me to goad this line of reasoning along a little more. So, you’re saying that a pink elephant is similar to an inherently (self) existing thing with an objective essence and that truth and an apple aren’t, being merely (somehow, someway, some other) ...

Leyla;

An "objective essence" is similar to a pink elephant.

clyde

What the he-l-l-l-l are you talking about, clyde?? An appearance of truth is TRUTH, not a flippen apple! Perhaps you only have the right conditions in your life for maybes to present an appearance, making you unable to discern truth? Leyla; The point is: the appearance of truth is the appearance of...