Intro to Traditional Buddhism
"What is accepted by the majority of people ~ does not mean it is Real" ~ The Buddha ~ 500 BC
"One easily made, very common mistake is to think that 'your reality’ is THE reality. You must always be prepared to leave your reality for a greater one." ~ Amaji Meera
"Mindfully Awakening the Compassionate-Insight Naturally Deep Within Us All"
"If we approach the wildness of our mind
like a skilled horse-whisperer ~
using gentleness, compassion, and kindness -
we return to our wise natural state
of calm expansiveness
that is always available to us."
~ Pema Chodron
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q(~?~)p
THE LAUGHING BUDDHA SANGHA
nourishing an iconoclast intelligence
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But First ~ A Big Round Buddhist Tall Tale
"Vir Rotundo Est"
The Man is Round
" In All the Infinite Fullness that 'Creation' has to offer,
The Abundant 'Hotei Bu-Dai' is the very most Satisfied of All
and he can generously offer you the Design of your own Desires
through The Practices of Non-Attached Joy ! " Ask about this Program
HOTEI ( Ho-Tay ) The Laughing Buddha, for a thousand years,
a very visible, popular folk-image in Chinese Buddhism – where Hotei
is often called Bu-Dai ( pronounced Pu-Tai ) - dubbed The Kind-Hearted
One or The Loving One or The Friendly One. Bu-Dai or "The Laughing
Buddha" has become so fully incorporated into Asian Buddhist culture –
and he seems to be based on a real, eccentric Chinese Chan Zen monk
living in the time of the Liang Dynasty of 908 AD. Reminds us to be Happy !
Wherever one goes on the modern globe, Hotei's ever-present image
as little or big statues, paintings or necklace amulets – grace magnificent
Asian temples, and also very ordinary businesses & homes. Most Chinese
gift shops have a full stock of Buddha-statues - not the silent yoga-seated
'Meditative Buddha' - but the storekeeper will lead you to a large section
full of ceramic statues - stout, laughing, shaven-headed fat men in monk's
robes with a large, exposed, pot belly symbolic of satisfaction, abundance
and good luck ! The abdomen is considered the Seat of the Soul, 'Hara'
or 'Chi' in Chinese mythology - and so the large tummy can be taken as
a metaphor expressing Budai's very complete, contented soul - allowing
his wisdom, generosity and open kind-heartedness to freely flow.
please wait for image to load... hold your breath ~
A world-wide, popular folklore belief about Budai is – that if a person rubs Hotei-Budai's belly – it can bring forth
sure happiness and prosperity for them. You can actually see the finger-rubbings on most of the old statues of him.
He is usually shown with a huge cloth sack over his shoulder – smiling or laughing uproariously, thus his nickname
"The Laughing Buddha". He has 'realized' the Truth of Non-Attachment & Generosity and now Laughs. Yet he
carries a simple monk's begging bowl to still represent his truly simple Buddha-nature – a wandering monk who
goes around and takes away the sadness from all the people of this world – swept away off into his tiny bowl.
Yet Hotei Bu-Dai carries that awesomely huge cloth sack which never empties – that he keeps full with picked up
bits of meaningless rubbish that magically turn into many precious items that he gladly gives away to those in need
of nourishment or good cheer – finely grown rice plants to the poor promising wealth, sweets and little cakes for
unhappy children, food for the hungry, small pet animals for the lonely – and especially healing potions & medicines
for all the woes of the world. Sometimes his miraculous sack can even be filled with little children, that have crawled
out and across his huge belly – as children are seen as some of the most precious of creations. As the Patron Saint
of the weak, the abused, mothers & children – in his wanderings, Budai is said to be always giving free food to poor
people and Zen monks – and only asking a single penny from devoted Buddhist lay practitioners he meets. One fine
day a monk walks up to Budai and asks, "What is the real meaning of Zen?" Budai suddenly drops his big bag on
the ground. "And how does one actually realize Zen?" the monk further asks. Without a word, Budai then suddenly
hoists up his gargantuan big bag again - and just silently walks on his way... Bring a Hotei Budai home sometime.
Budai's welcome & friendly presence has become a 'Symbolic Deity' of generosity, wise contentment & wholesome
abundance – a bit like Saint Francis or Ganesh the Elephant for Hindus – as he nurtures the realization of Tolerance,
he helps humans to heal & bring Heaven to Earth. Symbolic-images often touch an immediate chord beyond words.
Some say of the Laughing Buddha – of Hotei's such benevolent nature, that he is to be fully regarded as an actual
incarnation of the evolving Bodhisattva that is predicted to develop into The Buddha Maitreya ( The Coming Buddha
of The Far Future ). But all claims are only symbolically metaphorical. None of these beliefs form any part of any
traditional Buddhist doctrines, but are more of an inspirational folk-practice. Ancient "positive affirmation-work"
in pictures, icons and stories for us on the Way. Funny how it really does work ! Break the Silence with Laughter...
. . . and now with inspiring fat 'fairy-tales' for Good Luck set aside
NOW . . .
The Real Main SITE starts right here ~
. . . on absolutely the wrong foot !
we go right into Iconoclasm: The Dreaded "Path of The Non-Believer" !
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"The ICONOCLASTS" – the mavericks, innovators,
rebels, rule-breakers, heretics and ground shakers –
an 'Iconoclastic-tone' always flavored Buddhist Wisdom.
ICON ~ an Icon or Image & CLASTIC ~ To Break
* Definition: a 'view-opposing' to the ordinary accepted:
one who challenges or 'breaks-with' traditional 'beliefs',
customs, rituals, religious practices, icons, dogma or Deity.
Maybe a new healthy mind-set or paradigm is working.
"To Break" ( and to make Paradigms )
So, here's an 'Image-Breaking' INTRODUCTION
to "Buddhism" that may turn-off some seekers, scare
away or discourage others ~or~ maybe find a ready-mind.
REBEL SAINTS: Buddhism can be an Iconoclast's Path*
Yet within 'Buddhism' there are gentler, softer, sweeter, devotional pathways also... ask us about this program
Buddha as a pioneering "Iconoclast": an angelic troublemaker
– QUESTION EVERYTHING !
– BELIEVE NOTHING !
– You'll KNOW When You KNOW !
– Be Undemanding about 'Knowing'
"Buddha's Awakening Caused a Paradigm Shift" – "What's a Paradigm" – I always hear this word?
Since the late 1960s, the word Paradigm ( Greek: para-dime - "to show as a whole pattern" ) has referred
to the prevailing thought pattern – a 'Mindset' – a 'conceptual prototype' – in any scientific, organizational,
or philosophical discipline or as even an unconscious cultural mind-set – that is still a working through a
theoretical framework ( a dharma ) of that particular school of thought withinthat frame - which theories,
laws, and the 'experiments' performed ( meditation or advanced yogas ) in support of them are formulated.
Buddhism is a paradigm, Christianity is a paradigm. Jew. The world is full of all sorts of 'prevailing' pradigms.
A Good American, Democrat, Republican, Science, Islam, Mormon. They do not abide in peace. That's obvious.
" What is accepted by the majority of people
– does not mean it is Real " ~ The Buddha – 500 BC.
" It is still up to you to choose
to join with ‘truth’ or with ‘illusion’.
But remember – that to choose one,
is to let go of the other !" ~ The Tao
Paradigm is "a whole pattern or model". A currently accepted 'paradigm' of thinking would be the standard model
of physics. A Paradigm Shift is a sociology of knowledge: like when Einstein's radical physics first became the
hot 'New Physics' of what is to be observed, the kind of questions & probings for answers. Now, today, the most
current model of physics has now included, and yet eclipsed Einstein, for an even 'newer' current paradigm we
use today. An important point: a Paradigm is "a whole pattern or model" – An Absolutist WHOLE WORLD VIEW.
Like when the whole world view of indigenous tribal people was totally INTACT and had its powers potent before
'first contact' with a radically different peoples such as Europeans. With a broken paradigm their powers diminished.
We must always know that a 'new paradigm' which replaces an 'old paradigm' is certainly not necessarily better –
because the criteria of judgement is solely WITHIN the 'whole operational-context' of that particular paradigm itself.
Paradigms like religions & politics have so much 'within-ness' within them. It comes down to what's working for you?
Simple common analogy: a paradigm is a 'habit of reasoning' or, The Box in the commonly over-used phrase
"thinking outside the box". Thinking inside The Box encompasses the thinking of normal science and thus inside
the Box is analogous with a paradigm. Now, "Thinking outside the box" would be called 'revolutionary science'.
Revolutionary science is usually unsuccessful, and only rarely leads to new paradigms. Yet when they really are
'proven' successful, they lead to large scale paradigm shifts in the scientific, philosophical or cultural world-view.
Buddha was the first religious teacher ever to declare that everything bar none was impermanent including Self,
Soul and even God. This is still quite heretical & revolutionary (especially today). Yet a new paradigm's happening!
~ some parts of this are from Wikipedia, some not ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradigm ~ read more on your own
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yet in all good healthy, heady philosophy we always must remember that we are simply 'people' also
A Path with Heart
Keep me away
from the wisdom
which does not cry,
the philosophy
which does not laugh,
and the greatness
which does not bow
before little children
~ Kahlil Gibran
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some more
Welcoming Words ...
"Everyone has the 'possibility', the ‘potential’
to peacefully shape the future of humanity –
Absolutely Everyone !
Everyone has some ‘potential’ to create
a more peaceful & compassionate world,
by creating a more peaceful
and compassionate inner-world –
Each within themselves ! "
~ The 14th Dalai Lama
“Be not afraid of absurdity –
do not shrink from the fantastic !
Within a dilemma –
Choose the most unheard-of,
the most audacious solution !
De l'audace! De l'audace!
Et encore de l'audace ! Be audacious !“
"Be not afraid of absurdity –
do not shrink from the fantastic !
De l'audace! Be audacious!"
~ Karen Blixen, author of "Out of Africa"
audacious [ aw day shuss ] Latin: audax "bold", "to dare" – daring,
bold or fearless, especially in challenging assumptions or conventions
synonyms: brave, courageous, risky, impudent, cheeky, even foolhardy ...
"Our deepest fears are like dragons
guarding our deepest treasure."
~ Rainier Rilke
“A spiritual warrior chooses 'A Path with Heart' and follows it.
He 'knows', because he 'sees' – he sees that his life will be over
altogether too soon. He really knows that nothing is more important
than anything else is. It all is. And then he rejoices and laughs.
A path is only a 'path' - and there is no affront, to oneself or to others,
in dropping it - if that is what your heart tells you. Look at every path
closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary.
Then ask yourself, and yourself alone, one question –
“ Does this Path have a Heart? ”
If it does, the path is good - If it doesn't - It is of no use.”
Mucho Gracias ~ Grateful Thanks to Don Carlos Castaneda & Mike at The Phoenix.
The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge – First Edition (1968)
and simply just consider . . .
"Even tho' the Buddhist Practice Path is really always
all about a truly Uncompromised 'Awakening' –
either all at once – or as a gradual Awakening over time –
yet you certainly CAN do this !
. . . or WHY would The Buddha ever even have taught it
– If it couldn’t be done? Duh ?"
~ Bhante Kassapa – Rockhill Hermitage, Sri Lanka ~
"Duh?" was learned from his years of teaching Westerners
All sentient beings are essentially Buddhas.
As with water and ice, there is no ice without water.
Apart from conscious beings, there are no Buddhas.
Not knowing how close the truth really, really is,
we struggle to seek it so far away ~
You yourself are Buddha-mind !
Buddha is here now.
~ Hakuin Ekaku Zenji
♦ With strong regard for individual spiritual-experiences,
an open heart and free thought and creative expression,
The Laughing Buddha Sangha strives to be both erudite,
enlightening and entertaining in it's relation to the "illusory".
"If you're going to tell people the Truth –
you better make them Laugh – or they'll kill you!" ~ George Bernard Shaw / Oscar Wilde
click for TABLE of CONTENTS
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REBEL~SAINTS !
Way before the music group & way
before the Quaker religious groups
. . . even way before Dharma Punx . . .
"Buddhism" is an Iconoclastic Spiritual Path –
untemptable, unseducible, uncompromising –
about buying in or selling out the integrity of Truth.
A true Iconoclasm is gradually and mindfully cultivated
from the heart of a concerned, compassionate, courageous Heart.
"The ICONOCLASTS" - Mavericks & the cultural revolutions they've led:
The innovators, rule-breakers and ground shakers – independent-minded
individuals of singular vision - bold, uncompromising, some even irreverent.
Through freedom of expression and their passions - those who have fully
lived by their own 'heretical' rules and transformed the cultural landscape."
~ Robert Redford, from the Sundance documentary interview series
" Every community needs a group of angelic troublemakers "
~ Bayard Rustin, black activist social reformer
DEFINITIONS :: iconoclast: image-breaker; to break the mold
The Buddha was a pioneering "Iconoclast" • Definition: one who challenges
or 'breaks-with' traditional 'beliefs', customs or religion - de-constructing blind 'faith-based'
religious practices, Deity or dogma - “an image-breaker” from Greek: Icon + klan, to break;
"A-theist": without Theos - 'God-less'; "A-gnostic": without proven 'knowledge' of - (Gnosis);
"Heretic or Heterodox": an Opposite - a 'view-opposing' to the accepted; "Radical": 'the edge':
cutting-edge, far out, extreme fringe, essential, at the root of, uncompromising, revolutionary.
“Dharma Teachings” keep Waking Up the true Iconoclast within -
Be it Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist, Secularist, Rebel or the true Heretic still fast asleep within us,
or maybe only semi-conscious now inside some of us – offering it needed 'legitimacy' & courage
to really guiltlessly thrive well. It's totally OK not to 'believe' in God – the Buddha didn't.
Thinking very differently is scary. The historical Gautama The Buddha was an Atheist.
"A-theist": without Theos – a 'God-less' person - Without 'Belief' in God or the Divine or
even an Intelligent Design(er) as just NOT a necessary component of his Practice Path.
( betcha' didn't know that, did ya' ) God is simply not necessary. It’s really totally up to you.
In Asia, more advanced-levels of Buddhist practice have simply known that for millennia –
Here in the West we just found that out last Tuesday. For some, Deity can be irrelevant.
QUESTION EVERYTHING ! – BELIEVE NOTHING ! – WHEN YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW !
Historically, Buddhism publicly touched gently on the Deity issue – lightly & lovingly.
For those who did need a God – there were always plenty of God(s) & Goddesses –
but for those who were dedicated students of 'non-self' inquiry & 'emptiness' – and they
just did not need this Deity-relationship, there was the freedom of a non-dependent mind.
To take up or take on "Buddhism" is to have a 'relationship' with a whole Civilization.
In fact, a whole series of philosophical civilizations, which have so influenced the lives
of myriads of human beings in so many lands. Buddhism was never 'Jihad' or imperialist.
Buddhism never proselytized or was coercive or conversionary. It's missionaries simply
taught people the Dharma – with a full understanding that the 'spiritual realizations' or
rewards were yours alone to experience. Here we hope to offer you a deep core.
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And, if you do not wish to contact us at this time, or not inquire any further into
any programs we offer – we hope you'll still make good use of the enclosed
learning-quotes to further your own journey inwards. Practice wise and kindly.
As we often say, these 'Words' could be all you'll ever need to Awaken.
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Here are some chewy pieces to begin to set the necessary ‘iconoclastic-tone’ that
often flavors Buddhist Wisdom – supporting a maturely functioning, skillful Compassion.
Buddhism’s Big Disclaimers
2000 BC: The early Hebrew iconoclasts ( image-breakers ) were known
for abandoning 'accepted beliefs' in the many Desert Gods & carved idols -
each with their own separate attributes & powers – distilling them down
to ONE invisible, indivisible, all-purpose Creator-God named J'Yahweh.
500 BC: The Buddha, a pioneering iconoclast ( an image-breaker ), known
for abandoning the many, many Hindu Gods, rituals - and even cutting loose
from the invisible ONE indivisible Creator God named Brahma – empirically,
pragmatically, but lovingly deconstructed & fully dismantled by the Buddha ~
"Buddha's advanced-level of spiritual practice
is absolutely not a search for God or the Divine."
~ Buddhist author Henri Van Zeyst
It is a totally 'humanistic' path – totally in one's own hands, wise head & warm heart.
With the Buddha's Enlightenment, a great spiritual-revolutionary was awakened !
He became an authentically liberated, free person entirely thru his very own efforts.
"No God(s), No Soul & No Self". Nothing 'There' -or- 'Here'. A Good, Sacred, Holy Life
is entirely possible without Deity. Humanistically: Humankind can certainly Enlighten
itself by itself - without Divine Intervention, reliance or relevancy – was one of the
Buddha's most noteworthy & useful contributions to Existential Humanistic History.
Today: Life, lovingly fully attentive to the Present-Moment. It’s pretty full as it is.
We’ve had a pretty full ‘Past’-tense that ‘Was’ but still has us captured as if it IS.
But it Ain’t. All there is, IS the 'Present Moment' and Buddha suggests we Wake Up
to that fact of Reality. By the use of wise selected ‘memory’ we can utilize the 'Past',
but not take it for Real anymore. Memory is so flawed. We need the Clarity-energy
just to be here in the ever-present Moment. Welcome to Now. Discover some peace.
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Uncompromisingly – we are again reminded that . . . .
" Buddhist meditation has 'Nothing' to offer you –
other than what is in THIS very moment. That’s all.
God(s), Goddesses, religion and the ego-self can
certainly tempt you with so, so, so much more! "
~ Henri Van Zeyst
" I tore myself away from
the safe comfort of ‘certainties’
only through my love for Truth –
and Truth rewarded me."
~ Simone de Beauvoir
" It is still up to you to choose
to join with ‘truth’ or with ‘illusion’.
But remember that to choose one
is to let go of the other!
Can you bear the loss? "
~ The Tao
Down in Section # 9 - and also in the Archive on 'Great Doubt' –
there is more discussion about what keeps Buddhism 'kosher',
clear and honest, non-authoritive, non-hierarchical, non-coercive,
non-proselytizing, very iconoclastic & radical, peacefully anarchistic,
selflessly-individualistic, gentle, kind and universally compassionate.
click for TABLE of CONTENTS
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AND, “You can’t just become “A Buddhist” – because that’s just
a ‘label’ or a ‘name’ - a big identity-‘concept’ held in the 'relative mind'.
Most spiritual teachings or rituals are like that: very useful good ‘words’.
A ‘name’ and a ‘form’ ( nama-rupa ). Very convenient ‘labels’ & ‘beliefs’.
The Truth: ‘You’ simply Are as you are – present – for this very moment.
Now, living in Peace with this ‘moment’ is still not becoming a ‘Buddhist’
either – but truly becoming a living Buddha ! Instantly.
For just this present moment. How long is a ‘moment’ ? “
~ Bhante Ananda Maitreya - “Buddha of The Moment “
Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a 'Buddhist'
– instead, use it to be a better "Whatever-you-already-Are"
~ His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
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"EHI-PASSI-KO"
buddhism & good ole western 'empiricism'
In India’s ancient Pali language Ehi.pass.iko
means 'come and take a good close look'
Basically as humans – 'Words', are our main symbols of meaning
–– and are all that we human beings really ‘have’ ! It’s all we got.
( Body Gestures, Tones, Spoken & Written Word, Music & The Arts )
Looking around to choose a 'Spiritual Path' you can settle into and sincerely
'practice' for awhile, and learn about yourself, your mind ? The Buddha offered
an open invitation to empirically inspect, question, fully scrutinize, and even
to openly criticize – totally everything he said - to arrive at the Heart of Truth.
The 'Words' in this quite odd Buddhist-site come from many true
and authentic sources – and just May Be ALL You'll Ever Really Need
to 'Awaken' & 'Enlighten' Yourself. Read in Here & Have a ‘Realization’ !
How 'fundamental' is that ? ( pun intended ) It's all right in here ! We copied
these written words out to put them before you, to hand to you. The Buddha
said in the Pali language of ancient India "Ehi-passi-ko" – which literally
means “Come, See, Really Check It Out First – Believe Nothing”.
And what ‘Words’ they are! Enough incite-ful, insightful words in just
this Buddhist-site here – even if you never do arrive at our doorstep to attend
our classes – here's enough words from many different angles, to spur you
into genuine 'Realizations' toward an empirical, continuing Awaken.ment.
There's Nothing here to ‘Believe’ in – Buddhists don’t do ‘Belief’.
"EHI-PASSI-KO" means 'take a close look' - an open invitation to inspect,
question, scrutinize, and if need be, even to criticize the Dharma teachings
before accepting any of it - there is nothing 'religious' or 'mysterious' here.
The Dharma's wisdom is sober & crystal clear. It's genuine as solid real gold.
In places it's gentle or philosophical, in others it's challenging or even playful.
The Buddha himself often said: "Do NOT accept what I say only through
mere respect towards me. Just as the true purity of gold is only ascertained
by very thorough testing, weighing or rubbing - likewise may the true Dharma
be accepted by you - only after very close scrutiny." ... and a trial-period
of actual ‘on the cushion’ Practice. This open, fearless assertion of allowing
the whole of the teaching to be closely examined – gives an honest, clean,
strong experiential validity to Buddha's Truths. Take nothing on "Belief".
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"Reality"...what a concept !
~ Robin Williams
If you don't want
to see Reality
– you can't.
~ Sam Wagstaff, art collector
Empiricism + Altruism = Buddhism
You just may want to really do some reading about the
very brilliant, yet johnny-come-lately, Western European
high-end philosophical traditions that were finally freed
from gross oppression – that always stayed way outside
the common-denominator churches. Transcend.entalists.
All types of "Liberation Thinking" still strongly contribute
to our very contemporary Buddhist-examination of 'Mind'.
Add to that, the most remote corners of the globe filled with
wonderful native & indigenous "mytho-healing-psychologies"
– as well as the non-aggressive paths of Hinduism, Buddhism,
Sufi Islam – each their own refined, high-end 'thought-traditions'.
Empiricism ~ Latin: 'experientia' (the word 'experience') click for TABLE of CONTENTS
like referring to a 'physician' whose skills derive from practical experience - compared
to instruction in just dogma & doctrine. The Buddha too, was called 'The Great Physician'.
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The European Backstory: The 'Protestant Reformation' is the Western Christianity that
is not subject to Papal authority – fundamentally it's 'Scripture' itself ( rather than Church
interpretations of scripture ) as the only source of revealed truth – and also that salvation
can be achieved through God's grace alone. Again, no central Church. So in the more
'global' 1600's, with lots of Vatican Catholic missionizing abroad, an active 'Reformation'
and a cultural 'Restoration' in play – empirical, experiment-based 'Science' now had a
much more free opportunity to explore and to grow into a truer knowledge !
In Western philosophy, "Empiricism" is a theory of knowledge, emphasizing the crucial
role of 'observable experiments' – and those aspects of scientific knowledge closely
related to evidence, especially sensory perception – and are formed through 'deliberate
experimental arrangements' ( meditation is experimental ) while diminishing the value
of innate 'imaginative-thoughts'. All speculations and theories must be tested against
observations of the natural world, rather than resting solely on an 'concept-making',
intellectual reasoning, self-proclaimed intuition or revelation – hence, 'Science' as a
prardigm itself, is considered to be purely Empirical in nature ( we're too good at it )
( And so is Buddhism – it's Scientific ) So, we're currently undergoing 'the process' of
bringing 'Heart' back to 'Science' – and healing the Betrayal of Heart by 'Religion'.
The famous Greek philosophers - 350 BC - rejected adherence to "the dogmatic
doctrines of their day", preferring instead to go with the more pure "observation
of phenomena as perceived in experience" ~and~ experiencing itself experiencing
the perceived. In 1689 John Locke's "Empiricism" said: for any knowledge to be
properly deduced or even inferred – it is to be gained ultimately from one's own
sense-based reference to one's own experience. BTW, 'Empiricism' is usually
contrasted with the other close philosophical school of thought – "Rationalism"
which asserts that much knowledge is attributable to 'Reason' that is independent
of the senses ( 'Higher-Intellect' ) – even the European 'Rationalists' ( Descartes,
Spinoza & Leibniz ) – yet all were also strong advocates of the radical Empirical
"Scientific Method" of their day. Locke, for his part, held that some knowledge
(e.g. knowledge of Spirit or God's existence) could be arrived at through intuition
and intellectual-reasoning alone. Some important European philosophers to study
associated with Empiricism include Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke,
George Berkeley, David Hume, John Stuart Mill, Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari,
Emanuel Kant. ( Who are these people? search and read in Wikipedia )
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Arthur Schopenhauer (1800) was a German philosopher best known for his work
"The World as Will & Representation" – the way in which we experience the world.
His critique of Kant, his creative solutions to the problems of human experience,
and his explication of the limits of human knowledge. His metaphysical theory is
the foundation of his influential writings on psychology, aesthetics, ethics, and
politics which influenced Friedrich Nietzsche, Wagner, Ludwig Wittgenstein,
Sigmund Freud and others. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schopenhauer
So, still a central concept in the scientific-methods of today, is that all evidence
must be 'empirically-based' – that is, on E V I D E N C E that is Observable by the
( developed / refined ) senses. So be it both the 'natural' and the 'social sciences'
that are 'testable' using observation or experiment derived from our experiences.
– "Our ongoing continual 'mindful' experiential-observation practice for life".
"Experience itself is the sole teacher of Truth".
~ Michał Sedziwoj - 1605 - Polish alchemist, physician and philosopher
There are "Experiences" derived from sense impressions as a person's life proceeds.
There are two sources of our ideas: sensation and reflection. Our knowledge of 'things'
is a perception of ideas that are in accordance or discordance with each other, which
is very different from a quest for a fixed 'certainty' of ole' Descartes. Or of many 'religions'
of today. Buddha taught that there is No Certainty on any level of existence. An extreme
Empiricist theory known as Phenomenalism – says a 'physical-object' is a kind of intricately
cobbled-together 'construction' out of our experiences & meta-experiences. Instant by instant
it is again repeatedly put-together by our brain from pixels, refreshing the screen. All told,
very commendable, indigenously, naturally evolved, Western-realized philosophical strides
that took place during the 1600s to 1800s as the start of our contemporary 'new thought' surge.
Of course they never became publically popular – 'emotional'-mindsets never want the details.
( Also read Wikipedia's piece on "Empiricism" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empiricism )
Most Wikipedia topics have links to get you to all these names & ideas. From whatever various
parts of the world were touchpoints of origin for you – Don't lose it ! – Experience your history !
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click for TABLE of CONTENTS
Altruism ~ It is the English form of the French word 'Altru.isme' ~
created by the mid-19th-century French philosopher & sociologist Auguste Comte from the Italian
word Altrui, meaning “of or to or for Others” < French altruisme< Italian altrui< Latin alter: "Other".
"That which has to do with other people". One who has care & concern with Others is an Altruist [n].
Al·tru·is·tic [ altroo-ístik ] adjective. Altruism: Devotion to the welfare of others – 'Bodhichitta' is
Metta-Karuna Karma. The New Testament says: "Greater love hath no man…" Altruistic Behavior.
Darwin was aware of altruistic social behavior even in animals, and how this phenomenon challenged
and was later included in his theory of 'natural selection'.
• Selflessness: unselfishness, self-sacrifice, humanity, philanthropy - an attitude or way of behaving
marked by unselfish, charitable, caring concern for the welfare of others. Being aware of other people.
• Belief in Acting for Others' Good: the belief that acting for the benefit of others is right and good.
the antonym would be: selfishness, self involved, self-centeredness, narcissism, careless disregard.
Bodhi-chitta is our 'Basic Goodness',
an altruistic enlightenment-potential we all innately have ~
Already the Enlightened Compassionate Mind is now Manifesting !
In Buddhism, Bodhi-chitta is the wish to attain Complete Enlightenment ( that is, Buddhahood ) in order
to be of better benefit to all human beings – beings who are now trapped in Cyclic-Existence ( Samsara:
m = ng, pronounced Sang-sara) and have not yet reached the Four Levels before Buddhahood. One who
has Bodhichitta as the mindfully-aware, conscious primary motivation for all of their life-activities
is called a 'Bodhi-sattva' pronounced Bow-dee sot.ver –– Bodhi-citta or Bodhi-chitta: kinda' 2 spellings,
best pronounced Bow-dee – chit.ta Literally, "An Awakening-Mind Being". A person who has Bodhicitta.
( Bodhi.chitta is a combination of the Pali / Sanskrit words bodhi and chitta. Bodhi means a Buddha-like,
sometimes almost a Buddha-level 'Awakening' or 'Enlightenment'. Chitta may be translated as 'Mind' or 'Spirit'
- a Moment of Mind; a general word for a 'mind-moment'; a 'mind of enlightenment' or a 'spirit of awakening'. )
Bodhichitta may also be defined as the 'Union of Compassion and Wisdom'. While the Compassion and
Wisdom aspects of Bodhichitta are actually highly dependent on each other, in the Mahayana tradition they
are often referred to as:
• Relative Bodhichitta: in which the practitioner works for the good of all beings as if it were for his own good.
• Absolute or Ultimate Bodhichitta: which refers to the wisdom of Shunyata - a Sanskrit term often translated
as 'Emptiness', though the alternatives 'openness' or 'spaciousness' probably convey the idea better to
Westerners). The concept of "Shunyata" in Buddhist thought does not refer simply to 'a nothingness', but can
refer to freedom from 'attachments' - where the mind is not occupied with Identity-Making with Things or Ideas,
particularly attachment to the idea of a static "Self" ( or any Self or Soul ) – and fixed ideas about the world and
how it 'should' be. The classic text on Shunyata is the Mahayana 'Prajnaparamita Sutra' discourse referred to
as "The Heart Sutra" ( See The Heart Sutra Project in our Archive ) The term Bodhichitta in its most fulfilled
sense, a Complete Buddha, would combine the best of both:
• The arising of spontaneous & limitless compassion for all sentient beings, and
• The falling away of the attachment to the 'illusion' of an inherently existent "Self."
Some Bodhichitta practices emphasize The Absolute ( Vipassana-Wisdom practice ) – yet others emphasize
the Relative and Relational ( Metta-Karuna practice: Loving-kindness, Empathic Compassion to all others ) –
but both aspects are essential to develop on the path to enlightenment – highly dependent on each other
The 'Relative' without the 'Absolute' can degenerate into pity and sentimentality –
while the 'Absolute' without the 'Relative' can lead to nihilism and lack of desire
to engage Other sentient beings for their benefit.
Bodhichitta may be viewed as having different levels: one useful classification is that given by Patrul Rinpoche
in his book Words of My Perfect Teacher. He states that the lowest level is The Way of the King, who primarily
seeks his own benefit but who recognizes that 'his' benefit depends crucially on the benefits had by that of his
kingdom and his subjects. The middle level is The Path of the Boatman, who ferries his various passengers
across the river and simultaneously, of course, ferries himself as well. The highest level is of The Shepherd,
who makes sure that all his sheep arrive safely ahead of him - and places their welfare above his own.
He has a profound concern for well-being others.
~ excerpted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhicitta - visit Wikipedia, a free public encyclopedia – read more
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"All this Buddhist Bodhisattva & Bodhichitta Altruism-stuff
just sounds like too much of my 'giving myself away' ~
heck, I'm still just finding myself. I'm no St. Francis yet . . . "
Well said – If you still 'need' a payoff for your
practicing of expanded kindness & compassion ...
and many of us still do – besides inner-peace
We still need some interim spiritual support on
our way to a fearless, free & joyful emptiness
Then know this . . .
Here's a Witty Reward for Our Compassion Practice:
We need to Accept
all unenlightened beings –
if we wish to meet all the Buddhas
that they will become.
~ Stonepeace Monk
I need to put up with two or three caterpillars,
if I want to get to know them as butterflies later.
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
then & only then,
When I see I am Nothing – that is Wisdom.
When I see I am Everything – that is Love.
And between these two, my life flows.
~ Nisargadatta Maharaj
Empiricism + Altruism = Buddhism
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Here is The Complete Buddhist Dharma Practice in one sentence:
" Let a Dharma-based Compassion - keep influencing your Wisdom ~
and Let a Dharma-based Wisdom - keep informing your Compassion."
~ Bhante Ananda Maitreya