Imagine the flesh of someone you lust rotting away, turning into a rotting corpse, and decaying until all that's left is a skeleton of a human being.
Bring this to mind every time you lust for that person until you do not even think of the object of your desire, lest you conjure of that horrible vision of a person dying and rotting, and becoming bone.
I'm pretty sure that such an extreme meditation practice would ruin your libido for good. Indeed, it is a meditation practice for Buddhist monks and nuns. They who faithfully practice this meditation never experience sexual misconduct within a Buddhist monastery.
In a worst case scenario, this practice might be the Buddhist cure for sex addiction, except Westerners mistake meditation practice for religion & mdash; as opposed to Christianity, where a sinner may be shamed and made to feel guilty for natural sexual behavior, which purportedly causes psychological hang-ups and manufactures from one of out of every twenty-five church members a sociopath who might work his way up in the religious hierarchy.
A priest becomes a sociopath when he breaks his celibacy vows, and lies to his bishop. A bishop becomes a sociopath when he turns church bingo into a multimillion-dollar business. A Pope becomes a sociopath when he hides being a soldier in a war in his youth.
However, being gay does not stop a man from becoming a priest. It might cause him to fight for the rights of all living beings on this earth. It all depends on the man.
Perhaps this meditation could be modified for drug addiction: just imagine the worst-case scenario where you take your drugs in a homeless shelter and are prey to black boys speaking Haitian Creole.
Sure, like that's going to work.
If you believe in the fallacy that "all sociopaths are evil" when the truth is, only unsuccessful sociopaths are deemed evil by Western society when they get caught. Once caught, these people might be thrown under the bus by a few mainstream media journalists who promote a moral panic about sociopaths under the guise of responsible journalism.
Sometimes, karma is a bitch when you let lust control your life, be it for sex, drugs, and even money. Most of the time, we think the libido is normal and natural, and that repressive means of controlling it is tantamount to the abuse of a person's individual human rights.
It is not psychological abuse for Buddhist monks and nuns to practice this kind of meditation, because they do so willingly. Yet it would be abuse if such meditation practices were mandatory for unprepared people, even in a clinical setting.
This is why no Buddhist organization endorses such a practice, and rely only on the Five Precepts of the Buddhist code of ethics (abstain from killing, abstain from theft, avoid sexual misconduct, abstain from false speech, and abstain from consuming alcohol and drugs).
For this meditation practice is not for laypeople, and could potentially harm any Buddhist who practices it outside of a monastery. I do not endorse its practice, but mentioned it here to show how preposterous it would be to serve as the cure for lust.
It is safer for the Buddhist practitioner to practice the Five Precepts than to become a monk or nun in a Buddhist monastery. Indeed, it is harmless, provided the practitioner keep all the precepts and practice them diligently while repenting from minor infractions (lying, gossipping, and consuming alcohol and drugs).
Perhaps this explains the practice of Pure Land Buddhist practitioners who chant the Buddha's name (Nianfo or Nembutsu) to burn off the evil karma of past wrongful actions. In this way do they purify their mind. For this is a path of easy practice that helps them achieve peace of mind.
In my opinion, these diverse Buddhist practices of chanting and meditation are examples of sexual sublimation, and positive expressions of libido.
YMMV
References:
Five Precepts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Precepts
Showing posts with label Five Precepts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Five Precepts. Show all posts
20140816
20140803
Is a Man's Self-esteem Tied to Penis Size? (NWSF satire)
The average is six inches, more or less. Since mine is 2" shorter, this means titty and anal are out.
I also get no joy from the act. Getting a BJ also does nothing for me. The only way to have a climax is to fap.
On the other hand, my friend CA has 10" and most women who ride that for joy until they realize he doesn't bathe often. Then they fake a fight, and kick him out to the curb.
However, he thinks he's with the Hells Angels. He went "evil" when he "fell in love" with a drug addict with one left.
Gee, I should go visit him in the BC Interior, just to see what his ex-GFs look like. On second thought, I'll pass.
Update: I am celibate and on a chastity pledge. One of the side-effects of that is thinking too much due to stress. This current hot weather is also contributing to stress anxiety.
However, I must resist to purify my mind. Though, my stress is such that I think I lost my Buddhist meditation mojo. Such is live after chastity. >:)
Originally posted on March 12, 2013 at 2:06 PM
I also get no joy from the act. Getting a BJ also does nothing for me. The only way to have a climax is to fap.
On the other hand, my friend CA has 10" and most women who ride that for joy until they realize he doesn't bathe often. Then they fake a fight, and kick him out to the curb.
However, he thinks he's with the Hells Angels. He went "evil" when he "fell in love" with a drug addict with one left.
Gee, I should go visit him in the BC Interior, just to see what his ex-GFs look like. On second thought, I'll pass.
Update: I am celibate and on a chastity pledge. One of the side-effects of that is thinking too much due to stress. This current hot weather is also contributing to stress anxiety.
However, I must resist to purify my mind. Though, my stress is such that I think I lost my Buddhist meditation mojo. Such is live after chastity. >:)
Originally posted on March 12, 2013 at 2:06 PM
20140802
My Life as a Jack Mormon (satire)
“Baptism is a sign to God, to angels, and to heaven that we do the will of God, and there is no other way beneath the heavens whereby God hath ordained for man to come to Him to be saved, and enter into the kingdom of God, except faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins, and any other course is in vain; then you have the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost.” — Joseph Smith, Jr - History of the Church, 4:553–557
From this quote, baptism shows God, angels and heaven that the baptized does the will of God. Along with faith in the Christ and repentance, it is the only way God has ordained me to come to him to be saved and enter the kingdom of God.
Repentance means that I am committed to not sinning by following Mormon precepts and values. However, there is some leeway here since I am currently an unbaptized prospect.
It is only during times when I am tired or stressed that I might be tempted to sin, but have overcome alcoholic use because I have barely used alcohol for about seven weeks. I stopped smoking completely, and resisted all relapses. Hot drinks require only time for them to cool down; therefore I have kept that Mormon precept. As for dangerous drugs, I currently do not use any of them. Thus I keep the precepts about alcohol, tobacco, hot drinks, and dangerous drugs.
As well, I have even decided to keep chaste, mainly because I am sure that prayer and meditation will help me resist temptation.
Mainly because of prayer and meditation is all of this possible. However, faith in the Christ helps me to maintain repentance, preparing me for baptism in a few years.
Even so, a Buddhist who adheres to Mormon precepts is but a Jack Mormon. For I am not a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Having attended Sunday meetings at the local meetinghouse, I have become friendly towards Church members and Mormonism, having sympathized with them, and have taken an active interest in their belief system, even though much of how I view Mormonism is seen through Buddha eyes.
Of course, "Buddha eyes" is metaphor for "seeing and understanding life with a caring and compassionate heart".
This comes through regular meditation to develop the calm mind necessary for seeing with the heart until I understand that life is meaningful due to suffering when it inspires us to see the truth about suffering. and reject the vain grasping of desire that is "evil passion", which is merely the act of mental calculation to commit error and thus "sin".
Therefore meditation is heavy duty prayer, and merely giving thanks to God is enough to begin my meditations, which help keep me focused on living like a Mormon. Although it would be impossible for me to completely think like a Mormon, I know that it is not in my nature to be radically conservative.
Indeed, I would rather balance the conservatism of Mormon thought with the liberalness of Buddhist humanism, for the ecumenism of Mormonism does counterbalance its conservative elements.
My path into Mormonism however is not a course in vain. Rather, it is a cautious journey into a religion that not only has conservative elements in it, but also liberal elements. In my heart, I know that Mormonism isn't just a fad for me. It has drawn from my own Buddhist faith to help enlighten my understanding of the Mormon way, which ranges from conservative to liberal.
Returning to baptism, "unbaptized" reminds me of the phrase "the unwashed masses" — I used to be one of them. Even though I remain "unwashed", in my heart all those sins are being washed away by keeping the Mormon precepts.
Perhaps one day when I am baptized the gift of the Holy Ghost that is promised will help prepare me for becoming a full member of the Mormon faith.
Indeed, today I feel like I truly belong, because Mormons have come to know and love me. They even pray for me, and I am thankful for that.
Just as in Mormonism, thanksgiving is a vital part of my Buddhist faith. I know that much of that faith will help "fill in the blanks" where Mormon literature preaches the Christology, though I will tactfully refrain from filling in the blanks for Mormons.
Yes, I admit to adhering to religious pluralism. However, the light that shines before the world is the spiritual light of what Mormons call the Christ. I would call it Buddha Nature, which also may be described in terms of water as the drops of each person's faith that mingle together into an ocean of pure compassion.
For no matter what faith I was born into, the tenets of Buddhism are the core elements that inspire me to yield to what Mormonism wishes of me, provided I continue to purify my mind through meditation so that all that is Mormon fits with all that I know of Buddhism. This means the Pure Land will akin to the Celestial Kingdom as a destination in the afterlife where the faithful Mormons go to receive spiritual guidance from the Christ.
Will I forget about baptism? No, but my continued association with the Mormons will be worth the change of faith. As for now, I am satisfied with my life as a Jack Mormon, balancing Zen and Mormonism.
Reference:
Jack Mormon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Mormon
From this quote, baptism shows God, angels and heaven that the baptized does the will of God. Along with faith in the Christ and repentance, it is the only way God has ordained me to come to him to be saved and enter the kingdom of God.
Repentance means that I am committed to not sinning by following Mormon precepts and values. However, there is some leeway here since I am currently an unbaptized prospect.
It is only during times when I am tired or stressed that I might be tempted to sin, but have overcome alcoholic use because I have barely used alcohol for about seven weeks. I stopped smoking completely, and resisted all relapses. Hot drinks require only time for them to cool down; therefore I have kept that Mormon precept. As for dangerous drugs, I currently do not use any of them. Thus I keep the precepts about alcohol, tobacco, hot drinks, and dangerous drugs.
As well, I have even decided to keep chaste, mainly because I am sure that prayer and meditation will help me resist temptation.
Mainly because of prayer and meditation is all of this possible. However, faith in the Christ helps me to maintain repentance, preparing me for baptism in a few years.
Even so, a Buddhist who adheres to Mormon precepts is but a Jack Mormon. For I am not a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Having attended Sunday meetings at the local meetinghouse, I have become friendly towards Church members and Mormonism, having sympathized with them, and have taken an active interest in their belief system, even though much of how I view Mormonism is seen through Buddha eyes.
Of course, "Buddha eyes" is metaphor for "seeing and understanding life with a caring and compassionate heart".
This comes through regular meditation to develop the calm mind necessary for seeing with the heart until I understand that life is meaningful due to suffering when it inspires us to see the truth about suffering. and reject the vain grasping of desire that is "evil passion", which is merely the act of mental calculation to commit error and thus "sin".
Therefore meditation is heavy duty prayer, and merely giving thanks to God is enough to begin my meditations, which help keep me focused on living like a Mormon. Although it would be impossible for me to completely think like a Mormon, I know that it is not in my nature to be radically conservative.
Indeed, I would rather balance the conservatism of Mormon thought with the liberalness of Buddhist humanism, for the ecumenism of Mormonism does counterbalance its conservative elements.
My path into Mormonism however is not a course in vain. Rather, it is a cautious journey into a religion that not only has conservative elements in it, but also liberal elements. In my heart, I know that Mormonism isn't just a fad for me. It has drawn from my own Buddhist faith to help enlighten my understanding of the Mormon way, which ranges from conservative to liberal.
Returning to baptism, "unbaptized" reminds me of the phrase "the unwashed masses" — I used to be one of them. Even though I remain "unwashed", in my heart all those sins are being washed away by keeping the Mormon precepts.
Perhaps one day when I am baptized the gift of the Holy Ghost that is promised will help prepare me for becoming a full member of the Mormon faith.
Indeed, today I feel like I truly belong, because Mormons have come to know and love me. They even pray for me, and I am thankful for that.
Just as in Mormonism, thanksgiving is a vital part of my Buddhist faith. I know that much of that faith will help "fill in the blanks" where Mormon literature preaches the Christology, though I will tactfully refrain from filling in the blanks for Mormons.
Yes, I admit to adhering to religious pluralism. However, the light that shines before the world is the spiritual light of what Mormons call the Christ. I would call it Buddha Nature, which also may be described in terms of water as the drops of each person's faith that mingle together into an ocean of pure compassion.
For no matter what faith I was born into, the tenets of Buddhism are the core elements that inspire me to yield to what Mormonism wishes of me, provided I continue to purify my mind through meditation so that all that is Mormon fits with all that I know of Buddhism. This means the Pure Land will akin to the Celestial Kingdom as a destination in the afterlife where the faithful Mormons go to receive spiritual guidance from the Christ.
Will I forget about baptism? No, but my continued association with the Mormons will be worth the change of faith. As for now, I am satisfied with my life as a Jack Mormon, balancing Zen and Mormonism.
Reference:
Jack Mormon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Mormon
20140713
Happiness is Peace of Mind (satire)
It is said in Buddhism that seeking happiness, which comes and goes with a person's mood, is desire which may distract the devout from Nirvana and thus lead to rebirth in the Six Realms of Desire.
In order to escape suffering in the Six Realms, I would need to extinguish the desire to be happy so that true happiness arises.
True happiness is found in the freedom from desire itself. This implies mastering my passions by behaving more compassionately towards other people who have grown to care for.
Buddhism does not advocate the neglect of family life. Rather, Buddhists are urged to act mindfully while keeping the Five Precepts (no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no false speech and no intoxicants such as coffee, tea, alcohol, dangerous drugs, and tobacco).
Even so, I like feeling happy once in a while, and associate that feeling with peace of mind. Deep down though, such fleeting happiness is due to the work of unconditional love.
However, the pursuit of happiness is indeed potentially the pursuit of suffering when a person desires to sustain it to the exclusion of the main goal in life, which is to fulfill your spiritual journey through life.
In escaping suffering, the Buddhist does so by reflecting on the Four Noble Truths (life is suffering, suffering is due to endless craving (desire), relieve desire, and embark on the Eightfold Path to aid in that relief).
It is through meditation that the spiritual journey begins by first relieving suffering by accepting the Four Noble Truths.
When my mind is calmed, I go on to meditate more deeply on the fleetingness of happiness. With my desire thus quenched, it is possible to develop peace of mind so that true happiness may arise.
Happiness is indeed peace of mind. Be ever watchful and strive for it!
In order to escape suffering in the Six Realms, I would need to extinguish the desire to be happy so that true happiness arises.
True happiness is found in the freedom from desire itself. This implies mastering my passions by behaving more compassionately towards other people who have grown to care for.
Buddhism does not advocate the neglect of family life. Rather, Buddhists are urged to act mindfully while keeping the Five Precepts (no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no false speech and no intoxicants such as coffee, tea, alcohol, dangerous drugs, and tobacco).
Even so, I like feeling happy once in a while, and associate that feeling with peace of mind. Deep down though, such fleeting happiness is due to the work of unconditional love.
However, the pursuit of happiness is indeed potentially the pursuit of suffering when a person desires to sustain it to the exclusion of the main goal in life, which is to fulfill your spiritual journey through life.
In escaping suffering, the Buddhist does so by reflecting on the Four Noble Truths (life is suffering, suffering is due to endless craving (desire), relieve desire, and embark on the Eightfold Path to aid in that relief).
It is through meditation that the spiritual journey begins by first relieving suffering by accepting the Four Noble Truths.
When my mind is calmed, I go on to meditate more deeply on the fleetingness of happiness. With my desire thus quenched, it is possible to develop peace of mind so that true happiness may arise.
Happiness is indeed peace of mind. Be ever watchful and strive for it!
20130308
We Betray an Unsound Mind
By amending our mistakes, we get wisdom.
By defending our faults, we betray an unsound mind.
-The Sutra of Hui Neng
"Amend our mistakes" refers to repentance for violating the five precepts for laypeople. This requires developing a sense of shame.
"Wisdom" refers to the ability to choose wisely, based on amending past mistakes.
"Defending our faults" refers to how an unskillful person acts when his mistakes are highlighted.
"Unsound mind" refers to the ordinary Monkey Mind, committing mistakes that hide Buddha Nature. Recovering Buddha Nature, the mind encounters the brightness of the Bodhi Mind.
With repentance, we desire to amend our mistakes.
Afterwards, wisdom helps us to helps us to learn from our mistakes by reminding us about those amended mistakes.
When a person defends her faults, she shows signs of an unsound mind.
When a person admits to her fault, it is possible to amend her mistakes.
This is known as "getting wisdom."
Originally posted: Feb 11, 2006 2240H
Update posted: March 8, 2013 2057H
By defending our faults, we betray an unsound mind.
-The Sutra of Hui Neng
"Amend our mistakes" refers to repentance for violating the five precepts for laypeople. This requires developing a sense of shame.
"Wisdom" refers to the ability to choose wisely, based on amending past mistakes.
"Defending our faults" refers to how an unskillful person acts when his mistakes are highlighted.
"Unsound mind" refers to the ordinary Monkey Mind, committing mistakes that hide Buddha Nature. Recovering Buddha Nature, the mind encounters the brightness of the Bodhi Mind.
With repentance, we desire to amend our mistakes.
Afterwards, wisdom helps us to helps us to learn from our mistakes by reminding us about those amended mistakes.
When a person defends her faults, she shows signs of an unsound mind.
When a person admits to her fault, it is possible to amend her mistakes.
This is known as "getting wisdom."
Originally posted: Feb 11, 2006 2240H
Update posted: March 8, 2013 2057H
20130302
Buddhist Protectors of the Desire Realm
In Mahayana Buddhism, the protectors of the world are known as lokapalas and the great kings who guard the four sides of Meru are called caturmaharajikas.
Lokapala is derived from the Sanskrit word "lok" (people) and "pala" (protector/caretaker), or "caretaker of people."
Caturmaharajika means four great kings "whose abodes are the four sides of Meru, and who also serve as protectors of the world", and refers to "guardians of the world", specifically the four guardian kings of Mount Meru. They are also known as the four heavenly kings, and are said to "currently live in the Cāturmahārājika heaven ... on the lower slopes of Mount Sumeru, which is the lowest of the six worlds of the devas of the Kāmadhātu."
As the Four heavenly kings, they are "the protectors of the world" who fight off evil, "each able to command a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma."
The Four Heavenly Kings consist of:
References:
Originally posted: September 20, 2003 1431H
Update edited: March 2, 2013 1853H
Lokpal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokpal
Lokapalas and caturmaharajikas in Chilas und Thalpan (Nordpakistan); http://www.thewalt.de/lokapala/lokap_engl.htm
Four male gate keepers: http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Four_male_gate_keepers
Four heavenly kings: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Heavenly_Kings
Guardians of the directions: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardians_of_the_directions
Five Precepts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Precepts#Chinese_Mahayana_texts
Lokapala is derived from the Sanskrit word "lok" (people) and "pala" (protector/caretaker), or "caretaker of people."
Caturmaharajika means four great kings "whose abodes are the four sides of Meru, and who also serve as protectors of the world", and refers to "guardians of the world", specifically the four guardian kings of Mount Meru. They are also known as the four heavenly kings, and are said to "currently live in the Cāturmahārājika heaven ... on the lower slopes of Mount Sumeru, which is the lowest of the six worlds of the devas of the Kāmadhātu."
As the Four heavenly kings, they are "the protectors of the world" who fight off evil, "each able to command a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma."
The Four Heavenly Kings consist of:
- Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), he who hears everything, protector of the North, whose followers are yakṣas ;
- Virūḍhaka, he who causes to grow, protector of the South, whose followers are kumbhāṇḍas;
- Dhṛtarāṣṭra, he who upholds the realm, protector of the East, whose followers are gandharvas; and
- Virūpākṣa, he who sees all, protector of the West, whose followers are nagas.
- Vaiśravaṇa represents generosity and wealth, providing freedom by way of bestowing prosperity;
- Virūḍhaka represents the growth of belief in the Buddha and faith in his Dharma:
- Dhṛtarāṣṭra represents the maintenance of the mindful state through meditation; and
- Virūpākṣa represents the vigilance of the mind by keeping the Five Precepts.
References:
Originally posted: September 20, 2003 1431H
Update edited: March 2, 2013 1853H
Lokpal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokpal
Lokapalas and caturmaharajikas in Chilas und Thalpan (Nordpakistan); http://www.thewalt.de/lokapala/lokap_engl.htm
Four male gate keepers: http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Four_male_gate_keepers
Four heavenly kings: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Heavenly_Kings
Guardians of the directions: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardians_of_the_directions
Five Precepts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Precepts#Chinese_Mahayana_texts
20130105
The Five Precepts Revisited
Today the Buddha spoke to me, saying "There are five rule I give to you freely, but it is up to you to practice them. If you cannot be faithful to them, then you might burn in Avici Hell, which may incur a karmic debt that a more worthy disciple is able to pay off."
Having said that, the Buddha grabbed my pen and guided my hand to write:
Then he receded into the usual static of my half-tamed mind.
Mmmmm. Meditation is cheaper and safer than drugs. For drugs may damage your chances for rebirth in the human realm, but meditation prepares you for that realm.
Having said that, the Buddha grabbed my pen and guided my hand to write:
- Be loving and kind even in the midst of ignorant sentient beings;
- Be generous with your time and money after your bills are paid;
- Be content in whatever you're doing as long as it harms no one;
- Be truthful about yourself according to other people's ability to accept the truth; and
- Be mindful that being all things and knowing all things does not give you the right to be nothing, think nothing, and say nothing.
Then he receded into the usual static of my half-tamed mind.
Mmmmm. Meditation is cheaper and safer than drugs. For drugs may damage your chances for rebirth in the human realm, but meditation prepares you for that realm.
20121206
Commentary on the Burning House Parable
Enshrined in society is the belief that truth telling is highly esteemed, provided the truth being revealed promotes harmony in that society.
However, absolute truth is promoted by taking the natural abhorrence to lying to extremes which promote intolerance and ultimately the practice of shunning the liar.
This however may be due to logical fallacies involved in shunning which creates pariahs and may also condone scapegoating.
Yet within religious communities, be it Eastern or Western, truth is either based on one work of faith or many works of faith, be it belief or works. However, the logical fallacy regarding truth is sometimes used to promote absolute truth despite the natural human tendency to obscure truth and tell a white lie.
When taken to extremes, even a white lie is deemed a lie, and the the believers of absolute truth ignore liars using logical fallacies to justify their ignorance.
Thus white lies and even myths are viewed as lies, rather than as the moderate view that both white lies and myths contain hidden truths which are revealed through careful analysis of the "lie"/myth.
Buddhism is different because I can tell a white lie to persuade you to meditate on an important topic in Buddhism. In order to meditate on this topic, first you concentrate on being conscious of your breathing to stay alert and calm, Then you meditate on the topc (the burning house parable) to develop clarity of mind that results in peace of mind.
The parable of the burning house teaches one about the history of Buddhism, and shows its primary purpose of relieving spiritual suffering is also useful in achieving peace of mind.
For the image of a burning house, and the efforts of a father to help his children escape, is a theme to which most people can relate. As well, the intent of the parable is to relieve a person from mental suffering caused by what the devout among the Christians, Jews and Muslims call decadence (the moral decay of Western society) and hedonism (the practice of carefree enjoyment of the pleasures inherent in such decadence).
Indeed, meditation helps one to manage one's life. More importantly, meditation helps a Buddhist to prepare for the afterlife, because when one is calm, one can understand the three sutras of the Pure Land of Bliss, and guarantees that if I respect the Buddha, practice the Five Precepts, practice the sutras, and meditate on their meaning, I prepare for that afterlife,
For meditation helps a person to develop clarity of mind to act and behave in a harmless manner.
While it can be said of Christians, Jews and Muslims that their religion helps their people behave in a harmless manner, might it be the nominal believers who forget such harmless behavior should happen 24/7 that sectarian violence happens?
However, absolute truth is promoted by taking the natural abhorrence to lying to extremes which promote intolerance and ultimately the practice of shunning the liar.
This however may be due to logical fallacies involved in shunning which creates pariahs and may also condone scapegoating.
Yet within religious communities, be it Eastern or Western, truth is either based on one work of faith or many works of faith, be it belief or works. However, the logical fallacy regarding truth is sometimes used to promote absolute truth despite the natural human tendency to obscure truth and tell a white lie.
When taken to extremes, even a white lie is deemed a lie, and the the believers of absolute truth ignore liars using logical fallacies to justify their ignorance.
Thus white lies and even myths are viewed as lies, rather than as the moderate view that both white lies and myths contain hidden truths which are revealed through careful analysis of the "lie"/myth.
Buddhism is different because I can tell a white lie to persuade you to meditate on an important topic in Buddhism. In order to meditate on this topic, first you concentrate on being conscious of your breathing to stay alert and calm, Then you meditate on the topc (the burning house parable) to develop clarity of mind that results in peace of mind.
The parable of the burning house teaches one about the history of Buddhism, and shows its primary purpose of relieving spiritual suffering is also useful in achieving peace of mind.
For the image of a burning house, and the efforts of a father to help his children escape, is a theme to which most people can relate. As well, the intent of the parable is to relieve a person from mental suffering caused by what the devout among the Christians, Jews and Muslims call decadence (the moral decay of Western society) and hedonism (the practice of carefree enjoyment of the pleasures inherent in such decadence).
Indeed, meditation helps one to manage one's life. More importantly, meditation helps a Buddhist to prepare for the afterlife, because when one is calm, one can understand the three sutras of the Pure Land of Bliss, and guarantees that if I respect the Buddha, practice the Five Precepts, practice the sutras, and meditate on their meaning, I prepare for that afterlife,
For meditation helps a person to develop clarity of mind to act and behave in a harmless manner.
While it can be said of Christians, Jews and Muslims that their religion helps their people behave in a harmless manner, might it be the nominal believers who forget such harmless behavior should happen 24/7 that sectarian violence happens?
20051211
The Teaching of the Buddhas
Right speech, harmlessness,
Restraint in speaking ill of others,
Moderation in food, at peace in remoteness and solitude,
Devotion to higher meditation.
This is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhammapada 185
Compare to Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translation of the Dhammapada:
Not disparaging, not injuring,
restraint in line with the Patimokkha,
moderation in food,
dwelling in seclusion,
commitment to the heightened mind:
this is the teaching
of the Awakened.
The Patimokkha consists the rules for Buddhist monks: http://www.vipassana.com/canon/vinaya/bhikkhu-pati.php
For everyday life, the Five Precepts are more easily followed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism#The_Five_Precepts
Restraint in speaking ill of others,
Moderation in food, at peace in remoteness and solitude,
Devotion to higher meditation.
This is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhammapada 185
Compare to Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translation of the Dhammapada:
Not disparaging, not injuring,
restraint in line with the Patimokkha,
moderation in food,
dwelling in seclusion,
commitment to the heightened mind:
this is the teaching
of the Awakened.
The Patimokkha consists the rules for Buddhist monks: http://www.vipassana.com/canon/vinaya/bhikkhu-pati.php
For everyday life, the Five Precepts are more easily followed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism#The_Five_Precepts
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