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]I've read so much throughout my life on what the Buddha wrote and taught, [/b]and never have come across the concepts of heaven or hell. You would think that would be a huge part of his teachings if indeed he taught that?
Elimination of human suffering through attachments and ending the cycle of rebirth are some of the main teachings...there is nothing about heaven or hell in any of Buddha's teachings.
Don't believe everything you watch on YouTube...American interpretations of Buddhism are not to be trusted.
I think that's the issue, here; you've read books about Buddhism, but it sounds like you haven't studied the suttas much, IOW, studying the Buddha's words (as close as we can get to them) directly.
As I have learned, it is great to have a monk you can call a friend. But that doesn't mean they have all the right answers.
Trust me I know this! No one has all the RIGHT answeres! No one!
This was his response:
Quote:
I read your both messages. Glad to hear from you, first of all.
Buddhism accepts after-death existence, of course. You mentioned those places in your last message, which is correct. However, the difference, according to Buddhism, is that a person is not doomed to be any of these places for ever. One is reborn in a happy world or a sad place according to one's Karmic energy. Once that karmic energy is over, one will be reborn again at a different place. that is the difference. A heavenly place of existence or a hellish world is not a permanent place for a person.
One roams in the universe like this until one attain Nirvana, which is the final bliss. Nirvana is not a place; rather, it is a mental acquisition by totally eliminating greed, ill-will, and illusion.
Believe I have answered your question briefly.
Then I responded with this:
Quote:
Hi Rahula,
Thank you for the response.
The only issue I see is that humans are also animals. We are an animal species and belong in the Great Apes category. We evolved from a common ancestor of the chimpanzee...a common ancestor.
Additionally the human animal species is the worst of all animal species...you cannot blame any other animal species on the damages and suffering we find on earth...the only species responsible for this is the human animal species. Being an animal is not below being a human animal. I my opinion other animal species are much kinder and much more civil and live in harmony with this earth. Humans have a lot to learn from the other animal species.
I think that's the issue, here; you've read books about Buddhism, but it sounds like you haven't studied the suttas much, IOW, studying the Buddha's words (as close as we can get to them) directly.
Yes and I stand corrected!
What I did was study the philosophies of Buddhism and the practices of meditation, Lucid Dreaming and yoga.
I learned to only hold onto what resonated with me and forget the rest.
Hopefully this clears up my mis-statements on the matter.
What I did was study the philosophies of Buddhism and the practices of meditation, Lucid Dreaming and yoga.
I learned to only hold onto what resonated with me and forget the rest.
Hopefully this clears up my mis-statements on the matter.
I, too, was unaware that the Buddha had taught about 31 realms of existence, and heaven and hell, until roughly 10 years ago, when I joined a Buddhist forum. I'd only read books about the basics (4 Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, practicing compassion, and other concepts, like emptiness, and no-self, etc.) I've learned a lot, just from watching people discuss the sutras, on Buddhist forums. It was eye-opening. Kind of changed my image of Buddhism, to some extent. So I understand your reaction.
Now, I'm interested in questions of the historical development of the canon as it exists now; the Buddha's early teachings vs. his later teachings, some of which contradict some early teachings; the discovery and translation of the Gandhari scrolls, that show that the roots of Mahayana doctrines existed simultaneously with what was then "Hinayana"; and issues of authenticity of some teachings. (Claims that some elements in the Pali canon are the result of Hindu influence). I haven't gone into these matters very deeply, but I find them interesting.
Where is the one in Santa Fe? It didn't come up in an online search, for me.
Santa Fe Vipassana Sangha Address: Santa Fe NM 87502 Tradition: Theravada, Vipassana, Insight Meditation Phone: (505) 989-7610 E-mail:info@santafevipassana.org Website:http://www.santafevipassana.org/ Visiting Teachers:: Eric Kolvig, DaeJa Napier, Jason Siff Notes and Events:
Contact:P.O. Box 4363 Santa Fe NM 87502
Diamond Way Buddhism isn't authentic Tibetan Buddhism. It's Ole Nydahl's highly idiosyncratic and cultic take on TB.
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No one has all the RIGHT answeres! No one!
