Comments for When This Is, That Is

Comment on Investigating Rebirth by star

star — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:37:15 +0000

Simon, when you said, “I’d add to what you said that another reason to speculate on *my* future rebirths, not to mention to be attached to them, is to put some insulation between me and mortality” were you saying that there is a danger in speculating because of the attachment to life and detachment from mortality? Or were you suggesting it is a useful skill?

In MN 117 the Buddha describes views that are associated with karma and its results as “tainted views” and says that they result in acquisitions (I trust Bhikkhu Bodhi’s reading of this as “another round of the 5 aggregates in the future”). It seems fairly obvious, after a little putting this path into practice, that concerning ourselves with what we will be in the future is a hindrance because it causes us to cling to and try to understand things about how things will be for (some aspect of) us in the future (whether that aspect is a soul, a self, or something unnameable is moot, it is still in some sense myself I am worrying about).

Comment on Investigating Rebirth by Paul

Paul — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:51:32 +0000

When I asked "is it necessary to know?" I see now the question could have two interpretations. Is it necessary to know that there is rebirth as opposed to is it necessary to know what that rebirth is? I go with the former question. In this post I liken rebirth to DNA. Do you believe in DNA? Of course it's a rhetorical question. DNA and its movement through lifetimes happens whether one believes in it or not.

Comment on Investigating Rebirth by Simon

Simon — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:15:44 +0000

Hi Paul. Thanks for the cogent response. I’d add to what you said that another reason to speculate on *my* future rebirths, not to mention to be attached to them, is to put some insulation between me and mortality.

You asked “is it necessary to know?” Exactly: what decisions will we make differently? How will we treat others differently if or if not there are future lifetimes? If we will treat people differently, where is right action, either way?

Comment on Investigating Rebirth by Paul

Paul — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:20:55 +0000

Simon, I agree. Superficiality is not reality. I think much of karma plays out in the mind long before events come into the world. Speculating on how things may play out in the future is a vain exercise—like speculating who will win an election. Someone will win, someone will lose. That’s a fact. But the only reason to speculate is to boost one’s ego if one is right. I still wonder, though, about future lifetimes, what it really means. On the other hand, is it really necessary to know?

Comment on Investigating Rebirth by Simon

Simon — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:59:00 +0000

In looking at karma and its results, I’m wondering if we westerners, in our almost exclusive orientation to externalities, are mistaken in interpreting “karmic results” as “results in the world”. As you mention, much of Buddhism is about “things deep in the mind” and sometimes not so deep. It seems to me that acting from bad intention will always have unhealthy effects in the actors mind and spirit. It may not be necessary to speculate on how these actions play out in the world across lives as the karmic accountant balances the books.

It seems likely to me, looking at myself and others, that the books balance at the act.

Comment on Preferences as Objects of Meditation by Paul

Paul — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:18:56 +0000

Hi Salinya. Thanks for the comment. I agree, being mindful helps as avoid regret. And regret all by itself is a big source of dukkha.

Comment on Preferences as Objects of Meditation by Salinya

Salinya — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:12:50 +0000

Thank you for this post. Indeed preferences can influence whether or not we give in to a certain emotion or decision, but being mindful about it will always be an opportunity to choose whether or not to acknowledge and actually act on that. I love how you can NOT pick up emotions such as anger or disappointment, simply because you see it coming before it has arrived. The realization of an emotion coming helps us avoid any regret that may come after acting hastily about that emotion.

Comment on On the Sadness that Flows from Clinging to Belief by Peter Clothier

Peter Clothier — Mon, 30 May 2011 15:49:05 +0000

Well, there’s always October 21st, the new date! Seriously, though, re: beliefs… I had some thoughts about the political ramifications of beliefs in a recent entry in my new blog, Vote Obama 2012. They contribute, I believe, to the poisoning of the system.

Comment on Judgement Day Scenario – What’s Wrong with this Picture? by Paul

Paul — Mon, 16 May 2011 03:21:20 +0000

This is good stuff, 9999, thanks for the link.

Comment on Judgement Day Scenario – What’s Wrong with this Picture? by 9999nath

9999nath — Mon, 16 May 2011 03:13:32 +0000

Did anyone see the picture of the controversial billboard that was recently put up by another spiritual group near Family Radio’s headquarters? It directly challenges them about May 21. Here is a picture of it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62779138@N08/5708063636