“The Whole Shebang” (1997)

“Religious systems are inherently conservative, science inherently progressive.”

Religion and science don’t have to be at war, but we can stop setting them up on blind dates.

“This may be an instance where good walls make good neighbors.” source

Another reason to keep our "Wall of Separation" between church and state.

Coming to terms with terms...

satori

kensho

enlightenment

Satori - understanding - when you have digested some conflict the wave it once made will never crest so high again.

Kensho is the Japanese term for a sudden realization. This is more of a resolution for some conflict than just a general understanding.

Enlightenment - this is what you may get when you die. Gautama, in death, became enlightened - the Buddha.

As I stated before, it has long been my understanding that to ask a monk: "Are you enlightened?" is very closely akin to asking: "Will you die (immediately)?"

A Bodhisattva, for example, is someone on the path to enlightenment or Buddhahood.

So, by definition, a Bodhisattva is not enlightened.

Then I thought about Dhyāna: or the stages of concentration in meditation. The Buddha passed through successive jhanas before he reached enlightenment - that is he even ate the spoiled meat and subsequently died of food poisoning. His consideration was not for his own health or well-being but rather the rudeness he would be showing his host by rejecting an offering of food.

Finally, before passing away, the Buddha said:
"Perishable are all conditioned things, but the Truth will live forever! Work out your Liberation with diligence!" source

Thus, Gautama became the Buddha. In this story, Gautama is spoken of as the Buddha because we are not living in the moments before his death. He is already dead and he will not return. Gautama is, at this moment, the Buddha.

Consider the following fable:

An old monk asked a young monk: "Are you enlightened?"

The young monk responded: "Why, yes!"

The old monk rolled his eyes and asked: "Already?"

Enlightenment is a journey more than it is a destination. The journey ends when the journey ends and not before.
Last night, I was ask: "Do Buddhists believe in an immortal soul?"

I replied: "Although I only speak for myself, as a liability, yes."

It is strong support...

In 133 years of record keeping, this has been the hottest June, July, and August on record in Japan. more The recorded data matches the predicted data for global warming and a runaway greenhouse effect.

Well, it will be an interesting end to our lack of population control.

If you are under 30, don't worry. The odds are it will be the temperature that gets you and not war, terrorism, earthquake, or disease. You might also get swept away by a flood, tornado, or hurricane but unless you live in those effected areas, it will just be high temperatures. It (increased heat deaths) will all come to a close in the next 25 or 3o years... wait and see. (But don't plant a tree!)

“the Faith element.”

There is an issue beyond ignorance and stupidity - it is called militant stupidity. And there is enough militant stupidity to find a home in every corner - even fringe Buddhi$t corners.

We need to lay a foundation by first reading: "Jesus killed Mohammed: The crusade for a Christian military."

Next, before I react further, we need to read the reaction of another, non-Buddhist, commenter. It is here: Among military chaplains, fundamentalism is taking hold

This is a serious matter. The very first amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America guarantees us BOTH the freedom of religion and the freedom from religion.

Recently, a friend returned from Nepal and he brought me this Buddhist Shrine. It is from Tibet where religion is contrary to the law of China. People live in fear of being discovered. Some in Islam (Northern India, Pakistan) demand conversion (to Islam) or death (of the infidel). Here's a picture:



Here is another picture of that same shrine (next to a dime).

Click on picture for bigger view.

Think on this. "Whay is the difference between fundamentalism and militant stupidity?" Is it a big difference? I seriously doubt a difference.

Teabonics - a new Lingo!

Teabonics is a new language. These folks just ain't gonna get it nohow!
Some Politicians go along with these folks!


And the Religious Right-wing nuts are in the mix.

If you think there is an easy way out, I have some bad news: