enlight.lib.ntu.edu.tw
For those who have taken the time to read this excerpt, what are your thoughts or opinions?
As to how this is related: It touches upon perceived similarities between Marxism and Buddhism as well as their noted differences.
There are indeed some points to be contested, but let it be seen what you humans have to say.
If you wish, that is.
Other urls found in this thread:
youtube.com
youtube.com
youtube.com
youtube.com
youtube.com
bookdepository.com
twitter.com
I liked it, haven't really into eastern religion, but maybe it's worth some tough.
It does leave me with some questions, why should I want to be free? If my bondage to material possessions gives me power, influence or enjoyable experiences, why should I seek to free my self from them?
are you a rightist?
no.
To be free.
Why are you a socialist?
i guess because they'll possess you
So being free is good, because freedom is good?
Because I'm not a wealthy man, and I want increased control over my own material conditions. I doubt I would have the same convictions where I rich.
Why should freedom be the highest ideal, and why treat it as an absolute? What does a rich man stand to gain from ridding himself of his possessions?
...
You reply to a human; you are a human.
And why is being possessed bad? We are, by the logic of the text, products of our environment, aren't we then possessed by the world no matter what we do? What difference does it then make if I place value on certain of these objects if it brings me me pleasure to do so? How can the coveted freedom be attained under such conditions?
Bear in mind, my understanding of eastern philosophy is pretty much limited to the text OP posted. I'm not asking to BTFO Buddhism, just to enlighten the parts I don't understand.
bump
This is how I imagine you.
youtube.com
In some respects, this is somewhat true.
You are not the first to make such commentary.
About three years ago I thought of the relation of 'spirituality' in the eastern sense and it's relation to political praxis and science in Marxism, and began writing an essay I left unfinished. At the time I considered the relation as not mutually excluding, but rather as possibly mutually reinforcing.
The insight of the unity of life in spiritual experience, I thought, does not logically lead to a quietism in politics. Being that one would see such truth and have real empathy for their fellow humans, one should naturally inquire as to why most people fail to have any spiritual development and insight. One would, I thought, eventually have to deal with the material conditions for the possibility of enlightenment for the general masses which were so destitute that they only entertained the necessities of life. This material link is what communism would theoretically solve.
But then I read Hegel and realized there is a reason spiritualists by and large are politically apathetic and inactive: mysticism is for the unthinking and those who seek individual salvation from suffering. While they all have universalist pity ethics, they still hold the individual responsible for their ignorance and are abstract idealists.
Person studying Buddhism here. To answer this completely in terms of what the Buddha taught would mean to bring in a whole set of metaphysical thought, which wouldn't really help, since much of Holla Forums despises religion.
However, we can begin by saying that the things that you possess (and by extension, the things that possess you) are ultimately impermanent, along with the pleasure and pain that they bring you. You would want to be free of this to ensure a better rebirth (a different change in state, let's go with mental rebirth in this example): Freeing yourself form your material possessions, or more accurately, freeing yourself from your attachment to material possessions will bring you closer to an equanimous mind.
If you are referring in any sense to the teachings of the buddha then i can now confirm that your whole existance is a display of irony. (Everyone is eventually with their ironic display of ignorance)
Explain the conclusions of your third paragraph.
What is it that you're currently looking at?
The Tripitaka and the Dhammapada.
just leaving some zizek lectures on buddhism here
youtube.com
youtube.com
Wasn't he specifically critiquing the modern form of Zen?
Oh, yes, as translated by whom?
Also, it is a shame there is no populated Dhamma board on this website. Perhaps a monologue will be had on /dharma/ when time permits it.
You know what is being said.
There is much liberal nonsense floating in the West.
It isn't even good enough to be called heresy.
It is time for me to depart, my human subjects.
I shall return in due time to review your accumulated answers. This is but a human thing, as you all know.
Until then, MAGA, fellow humans!
Your attempted imitation of my presence here is met with little more than a yawn, human.
Continue, if you wish, or don't.
Seems this will be a long thread. At least as long as that great wall we are about to build.
...
Could you two please stop? Can't you see how anemic I am at the sight of us not winning anymore?
It's not the one referred to as me you are adressing. My Buddhist non-identity has been clearly compromised. What am I to, fellow human?
You only created a trip-code user, fool.
If it was your intention to imitate the used form of language, it was pitiful.
...
You misunderstand.
Anyway, you are speaking to a layman.
Hmm, still don't get it.
Got any advice on where to begin if I wanted to learn more about Buddhism?
start by buying an iPhone and some vinyl records
Read the Nikaya.
>bookdepository.com
this it?
Jokes on you, I already have plenty of vinyl records.
Then your transformation is nearly complete. Just watch some Alan Watts videos on youtube and congrats, you are a licensed faggot ready to meditate away your problems.
Purchase or download the completed translation of one of the five Nikayas or a thematic collection of them.
Oh, how could you prevent the claws of late capitalism from taking hold of something and ravaging it?
by knowingly countering utility, ofc
Translated by Balangoda Ananda Maitreya, though I check out the other online translations and commentary from websites like accesstoinsight.org too.