If seeking riches were truly normal to everyone, then no one would be poor and there would be no wars. Yet such a utopia hides the dark dystopia where the riches sought are obtained through the hard work of the middle class who are compliant to orderly production.
Anyone who is non-compliant in such a world is subject to social control, be it through laws that favour the rich and oppress the poor, and by means such as the widespread use of psychopharmaceuticals.
Yet the seeking of riches is not normal to everyone. Some people are poor and others are rich, but most people are middle class.
There is no dark dystopia in reality, for that is the side effect of our suppressed fears about today's world where the West is peaceful while elsewhere, there is conflict and war.
Instead, we live in a world that may be a wonderful place to almost everyone, whether rich or poor. Seeking riches is not a norm but a choice that determines who would be poor and who would be rich.
Of those few people who do not experience the world as a wonderful place are people who live in nations which are embroiled in conflict, a war brought upon them by forces beyond their control. There, survival is a daily struggle.
Still, war is beyond the imagination of people in the West, most of whom live in peace.
Almost seventy years have passed since the last world war was fought. In that time, nearly three generations have seen changes in technology that captivate them today.
Once there were computers of immense size that took up the space of a small warehouse, cooled by gallons of water. Today, we have computers in our smartphones many times more powerful in the palm of our hands.
If we choose to buy such devices, then it is out of necessity. Such devices do not make us rich, yet enrich our lives. Still, there is much enrichment in reading a book or a newspaper rather than using a device to do the same.
Even though I have taken thousands of pictures with my smartphone, the joy of drawing is many times more than that experienced on viewing the scene in a photograph. For me, it is a luxury to draw. I wish that I could spend more time drawing but photography occupies more of my time.
Photography gives me exposure to my immediate world. No matter how many hours I might spend drawing, each hour is spent away from the immediate world. That is why I prefer photography to drawing.
Because I live in a nation in the West, my immediate world is free of war. My photographs reflect the relative calm of the moment.
Yet I am aware that outside of my world, people live in abject poverty, be it a child in the West or a child in the Middle East. Their poverty is often due to politics, whether it is due to sanctions by Western nations or due to rule by despots.
Even though I am aware of the world outside my immediate environment, my purpose in taking photographs was to show the beauty of the moment, be it a sunset or the sparkle of lights at night, and to document what might be lost to future generations, be it a mural on a wall or the hundreds of animal and plant species.
Indeed, by taking pictures I am trying to capture the richness of existence, living in the West in a developed nation.
Of course, photography on a super phone is not the same as with a high quality camera. There are limitations due to battery size and quality of the camera firmware in the phone. Despite such limits of technology, most of my photographs might be considered beautiful to other people.
Although my pictures are wholly mine, I share them freely with the world through GooglePlus.
Showing posts with label existence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label existence. Show all posts
My Photos
20131224
Debunking The Metaphors of Permanence (satire)
Theists got it wrong about God being a metaphysical divine being that exists in reality.
God is a Germanic adjective that translates as "good". Therefore "god" means "all that is good," and does not represent a real divine being.
Instead, the divine being is a anthropomorphic metaphor made in the image of man. Thus the phrase "man is made in the image of God" is actually a declaration of humility designed to control the ego lest a person think himself a god due to a perverted egocentricity known as egomania.
Instead the line in Genesis which declare mankind to have been made into the image of God actually means that all human beings are born basically good. It does not refer to an actual divine being, contrary to the dogma of the monotheists.
Rather God is a metaphor for all that is good in humankind.
As for the soul, there is no soul that is permanent and immortal, for the only living soul is that of the body-mind.
Likewise, just as speculation about gods is moot, so too is speculation about the afterlife.
However, the cult of Amida Buddha is based on a metaphor about wisdom and compassion (endless life of compassion and endless light of wisdom).
In the context of Buddhism, "endless" actually implies a long moment in time that begins in the distant past and ends in the distant future.
Likewise for the terms "forever", "immortal", and "never": "Never" represents an ideal reality; "Immortal" represents an ideal state; and "forever" represents an "infinitely" long time. For these terms are but metaphors of permanence which represent abstract reality as opposed to physical reality.
In the abstract world, everything lasts forever and God exists. This world is a metaphysical one, and thus is not tangible in the physical world.
Even the adjective term "infinitely" is an abstract term that implies an ideal reality in which an object lasts forever. In reality, the term "infinite" is inaccurate because nothing in reality lasts forever. Indeed, "infinite" actually means an indeterminately long time which eventually ends.
Therefore, "life eternal" does not represent "immortal soul", for "pneuma" as the soul is not the same as "life".
Nor does "eternal" equivalent in meaning to "immortal". "Eternal" refers to a state of eternity, which still represents a very long time that eventually ends, and is vastly longer than human life itself.
"Life eternal" then does not mean human life is eternal when you place your trust in Jesus. Rather it subtly says "the Christian way of life values family;" and your progeny bring you "life eternal" e.g. you and your descendants as Christians bring you life eternal.
It's not about immortality; it's about human propagation. Immortality thus is a metaphor for such propagation.
For the metaphors of permanence which the monotheists use, be it "immortal soul" and "life eternal", actually are euphemisms for human propagation and thus guarantees "life eternal."
Only in the abstract world does God and the terms which represent an infinitely long time exist. They are actually reified (made to exist as a material thing) by the mind alone. Even when monotheists say "God exists", what they really mean is that their belief in God reifies the abstract thing called "God".
Monotheists deny this interpretation, and claim that in the beginning, God existed. Thus the abstract world is assumed to have pre-existed before the creation of the physical world. Only if the mind is made real by reified beliefs can it become a permanent object which is a separate object from God. In the physical sense, they do not exist as physical objects. Rather, the mind and God are both abstractions of what we call "the mind".
To a materialist, such abstractions do not exist outside of the mind. To a Buddhist, speculation about such abstractions are moot. The mind still exists even when my concept of it refers to an abstract term called "the mind" that is reified until the mind has a purported physical existence, even though it does not.
When a person is asleep or dead, the physical world does not exist. Yet there are some people who believe Dreamtime is the true reality. Yet the world of dreams is akin to the abstract world, because once awake, they both do not exist.
Thus it is possible that the beliefs of the monotheists puts their minds to sleep, and they awaken to the abstract world within where their God exists along with His heaven and hell that He created.
At the same time, what the previous sentence means is, the monotheists are asleep to the physical world and the worldliness that arises from living in this reality. They only know of God as depicted in the Bible. Yet monotheists live in their own Dreamtime and know not of the physical world.
No one can awaken a Christian to the reality of the physical world, because his beliefs isolate him from true reality. He only sees the reality of his own making, which is but a benign delusion that allows him to function in the real world without being tainted by worldliness.
Through his prayers and rituals, the Christian purifies his soul. I only object to the non-Christian concept of the immortal soul that a few foolish Christians accept as true though it is not Biblical. Instead, the conception of an immortal soul is blasphemous within context of the Bible.
On this point, both the primitive Christian and I do see eye to eye regarding the reification of an immortal soul as blasphemy. In Buddhist thought, such a soul violates the principle of no-soul, that all is impermanent in the physical world and nothing lasts forever. Christians who cling to such a concept will then argue that "life eternal" implies an immortal soul. This is a fallacy because a soul is only alive for a limited time, from birth to death.
As well, the adjective term "eternal" is not a synonym of "immortal". As I stated before, both terms refer to the cycle of human life and human propagation. Thus "eternal life" refers to the propagation of human life and "immortal soul" refers to human generations of one's ancestors and descendants.
Thus have I debunks the metaphors of permanence that delude the monotheists. For the truth is, nothing exists forever. Yet to a Buddhist, this frees him from permanence. The resulting freedom is the liberation of the consciousness from the detritus of the material world.
Throughout his liberation from such delusional metaphors of permanence, the Buddhist will come to realize that anything is possible, even a world of impermanence. For impermanence makes the material world possible. Indeed, the physical world is always in flux.
God is a Germanic adjective that translates as "good". Therefore "god" means "all that is good," and does not represent a real divine being.
Instead, the divine being is a anthropomorphic metaphor made in the image of man. Thus the phrase "man is made in the image of God" is actually a declaration of humility designed to control the ego lest a person think himself a god due to a perverted egocentricity known as egomania.
Instead the line in Genesis which declare mankind to have been made into the image of God actually means that all human beings are born basically good. It does not refer to an actual divine being, contrary to the dogma of the monotheists.
Rather God is a metaphor for all that is good in humankind.
As for the soul, there is no soul that is permanent and immortal, for the only living soul is that of the body-mind.
Likewise, just as speculation about gods is moot, so too is speculation about the afterlife.
However, the cult of Amida Buddha is based on a metaphor about wisdom and compassion (endless life of compassion and endless light of wisdom).
In the context of Buddhism, "endless" actually implies a long moment in time that begins in the distant past and ends in the distant future.
Likewise for the terms "forever", "immortal", and "never": "Never" represents an ideal reality; "Immortal" represents an ideal state; and "forever" represents an "infinitely" long time. For these terms are but metaphors of permanence which represent abstract reality as opposed to physical reality.
In the abstract world, everything lasts forever and God exists. This world is a metaphysical one, and thus is not tangible in the physical world.
Even the adjective term "infinitely" is an abstract term that implies an ideal reality in which an object lasts forever. In reality, the term "infinite" is inaccurate because nothing in reality lasts forever. Indeed, "infinite" actually means an indeterminately long time which eventually ends.
Therefore, "life eternal" does not represent "immortal soul", for "pneuma" as the soul is not the same as "life".
Nor does "eternal" equivalent in meaning to "immortal". "Eternal" refers to a state of eternity, which still represents a very long time that eventually ends, and is vastly longer than human life itself.
"Life eternal" then does not mean human life is eternal when you place your trust in Jesus. Rather it subtly says "the Christian way of life values family;" and your progeny bring you "life eternal" e.g. you and your descendants as Christians bring you life eternal.
It's not about immortality; it's about human propagation. Immortality thus is a metaphor for such propagation.
For the metaphors of permanence which the monotheists use, be it "immortal soul" and "life eternal", actually are euphemisms for human propagation and thus guarantees "life eternal."
Only in the abstract world does God and the terms which represent an infinitely long time exist. They are actually reified (made to exist as a material thing) by the mind alone. Even when monotheists say "God exists", what they really mean is that their belief in God reifies the abstract thing called "God".
Monotheists deny this interpretation, and claim that in the beginning, God existed. Thus the abstract world is assumed to have pre-existed before the creation of the physical world. Only if the mind is made real by reified beliefs can it become a permanent object which is a separate object from God. In the physical sense, they do not exist as physical objects. Rather, the mind and God are both abstractions of what we call "the mind".
To a materialist, such abstractions do not exist outside of the mind. To a Buddhist, speculation about such abstractions are moot. The mind still exists even when my concept of it refers to an abstract term called "the mind" that is reified until the mind has a purported physical existence, even though it does not.
When a person is asleep or dead, the physical world does not exist. Yet there are some people who believe Dreamtime is the true reality. Yet the world of dreams is akin to the abstract world, because once awake, they both do not exist.
Thus it is possible that the beliefs of the monotheists puts their minds to sleep, and they awaken to the abstract world within where their God exists along with His heaven and hell that He created.
At the same time, what the previous sentence means is, the monotheists are asleep to the physical world and the worldliness that arises from living in this reality. They only know of God as depicted in the Bible. Yet monotheists live in their own Dreamtime and know not of the physical world.
No one can awaken a Christian to the reality of the physical world, because his beliefs isolate him from true reality. He only sees the reality of his own making, which is but a benign delusion that allows him to function in the real world without being tainted by worldliness.
Through his prayers and rituals, the Christian purifies his soul. I only object to the non-Christian concept of the immortal soul that a few foolish Christians accept as true though it is not Biblical. Instead, the conception of an immortal soul is blasphemous within context of the Bible.
On this point, both the primitive Christian and I do see eye to eye regarding the reification of an immortal soul as blasphemy. In Buddhist thought, such a soul violates the principle of no-soul, that all is impermanent in the physical world and nothing lasts forever. Christians who cling to such a concept will then argue that "life eternal" implies an immortal soul. This is a fallacy because a soul is only alive for a limited time, from birth to death.
As well, the adjective term "eternal" is not a synonym of "immortal". As I stated before, both terms refer to the cycle of human life and human propagation. Thus "eternal life" refers to the propagation of human life and "immortal soul" refers to human generations of one's ancestors and descendants.
Thus have I debunks the metaphors of permanence that delude the monotheists. For the truth is, nothing exists forever. Yet to a Buddhist, this frees him from permanence. The resulting freedom is the liberation of the consciousness from the detritus of the material world.
Throughout his liberation from such delusional metaphors of permanence, the Buddhist will come to realize that anything is possible, even a world of impermanence. For impermanence makes the material world possible. Indeed, the physical world is always in flux.
20130313
The Truth According to Buddha
The ego is devious because it tells you about the lie called the "self", which is actually alaya conscioousness.
What is alaya consciousness but the place where karmic action is stored with each action done in this life?
He who denies the truth about ego is indeed deluded!
Mistaking alaya for the soul, only a fool would deny the truth, so that his reality alone prevails.
Yet such a reality is nonexistent, but only exists as a hallucination that the courageous would dare escape. Yet few of us try.
If I were lying to you about Truth, I'd call it a lie, for 'self' is empty of all existence, due to ego-delusion.
Delusion itself arises out of ignorance.
Can you see where this is going?
Ego lies to you, and claims the "self" is the immortal soul. What poppycock!
When will all sentient beings awaken to Truth? Only the seeds of karma transmigrate, due to Buddha Nature.
If I were to say anymore, then I'd only be repeating myself and contribute to rebirth in Samsara.
What is alaya consciousness but the place where karmic action is stored with each action done in this life?
He who denies the truth about ego is indeed deluded!
Mistaking alaya for the soul, only a fool would deny the truth, so that his reality alone prevails.
Yet such a reality is nonexistent, but only exists as a hallucination that the courageous would dare escape. Yet few of us try.
If I were lying to you about Truth, I'd call it a lie, for 'self' is empty of all existence, due to ego-delusion.
Delusion itself arises out of ignorance.
Can you see where this is going?
Ego lies to you, and claims the "self" is the immortal soul. What poppycock!
When will all sentient beings awaken to Truth? Only the seeds of karma transmigrate, due to Buddha Nature.
If I were to say anymore, then I'd only be repeating myself and contribute to rebirth in Samsara.
The Truth of Non-self (poem)
The self is empty of existence,
though all sentient beings claim
otherwise, even to the point of
threatening the truth talker
with imprisonment and abuse.
Yet she who talks the truth
bases her words on the Bodhi Mind
and its effect on her mind,
the sixth consciousness,
through the samadhi of truth.
Why would she who sees the truth
keep silent about Emptiness,
when it opens her eyes to
nonexistence of the self?
Only a fool agrees with the world.
This is the truth of non-self,
that the self is nonexistent.
He who denies this to be true,
is but a sentient being, lost
in this world of birth-life-death.
though all sentient beings claim
otherwise, even to the point of
threatening the truth talker
with imprisonment and abuse.
Yet she who talks the truth
bases her words on the Bodhi Mind
and its effect on her mind,
the sixth consciousness,
through the samadhi of truth.
Why would she who sees the truth
keep silent about Emptiness,
when it opens her eyes to
nonexistence of the self?
Only a fool agrees with the world.
This is the truth of non-self,
that the self is nonexistent.
He who denies this to be true,
is but a sentient being, lost
in this world of birth-life-death.
20130302
Shunyata: The True Nature of Reality (poem)
The wise Buddhist teacher,
Nagarjuna once said:
"To whomever emptiness is possible,
All things are possible."
That emptiness is known to Buddhists
as shunyata, which the Tibetans
know is free from permanence
and non-existence; indeed, it is
'empty' of permanence and
'empty' of non-existence.
Emptiness goes beyond nihilism and
eternalism, and thus is
the true nature of Reality.
Shunyata is like space,
the complete openness,
which allows anything to occur,
for reality is 'empty'
and not fixed in any way.
Thus, anything is possible.
Nagarjuna once said:
"To whomever emptiness is possible,
All things are possible."
That emptiness is known to Buddhists
as shunyata, which the Tibetans
know is free from permanence
and non-existence; indeed, it is
'empty' of permanence and
'empty' of non-existence.
Emptiness goes beyond nihilism and
eternalism, and thus is
the true nature of Reality.
Shunyata is like space,
the complete openness,
which allows anything to occur,
for reality is 'empty'
and not fixed in any way.
Thus, anything is possible.
20130119
On emptiness/Nothingness and Impermanence
Emptiness (nothingness) is the absence of inherent existence in all phenomena i.e. nothing lasts forever, yet all things have a finite existtence.
Thus "attachment is empty of non-attachment" means that both qualities do not last.
Emptiness affirms the impermanence of everything in the Buddhaverse, which includes the many Buddha worlds and also this world.
However, the phrase "nothing is real" is a false dogma. The truth is, "nothingness is True Reality" i.e.the affirmation of the Void as devoid of permanence.
Thus, an immortal soul is a sick parody of ego delusion, for even the ego has a limited lifespan. Contrary to Billy Graham's myths about the soul, it is a fiction according to Buddhism.
However, the soul is empty of existence i.e. the soul does not existence except to the exclusive Christian philosopher within the world of Christendom.
For the Buddhist, the universe is real, but true reality is empty of permanent existence i.e. reality has a finite life.
It only seems infinite when compared to the life of a human being.
20101024
God is Both Creator and All Creation (Poem)
Without the transcendent One,
the immanent many would
not exist - for God is both
Creator and all Creation.
the immanent many would
not exist - for God is both
Creator and all Creation.
The Panentheistic Meditation (poem)
With each and every breath I believe
with all my heart, mind, body and soul
that God is present right now,
in every cell of my body,
in every beat of my heart,
in every person,
in every living beings on this Earth,
in every star and galaxy,
in every loving act and thought,
delivering every sub-atomic particle
of the entire multiverse into
a never-ending stream of existence,
the invisible Nothing and Nowhere
that brings forth Everything and Everywhere.
with all my heart, mind, body and soul
that God is present right now,
in every cell of my body,
in every beat of my heart,
in every person,
in every living beings on this Earth,
in every star and galaxy,
in every loving act and thought,
delivering every sub-atomic particle
of the entire multiverse into
a never-ending stream of existence,
the invisible Nothing and Nowhere
that brings forth Everything and Everywhere.
20060305
Let Go Your Hold
The Buddha said:
"In every direction," said the Buddha, "above, below, around, and within, you see things you know and recognize. Put them down. Do not let consciousness dwell on the products of existence and things that come and go, for there is no rest of relief there. When you understand that by taking the objects of the world for granted as total reality, you are tied to the world, then this understanding will release you from your dependence on objects and will stop your craving and your desire for constant becoming. Then you can let go your hold and engage with things as they are, instead."
-Sutta Nipata
This quote is from the Dhammapada, and urges the follower to stop clinging to "things you know and recognize". For clinging is holding tight to "products of existence and things that come and go" i.e. to impermanent objects which have finite existence i.e. your computer, food, or a favorite song.
"...There is no rest of relief there." refers to the suffering which clinging to existence may cause.
Taking the world for granted as total reality ties us to the world. By letting go of clinging, I do not have to give away my possessions. In letting go of the objects of this world, I see that they are not the total reality of existence at all.
Thinking in this way, I am no longer tied to the world. I am released from my dependence on objects. My craving and desire for constant becoming has ceased.
Having let go my hold, I am free to engage with things as they are.
"In every direction," said the Buddha, "above, below, around, and within, you see things you know and recognize. Put them down. Do not let consciousness dwell on the products of existence and things that come and go, for there is no rest of relief there. When you understand that by taking the objects of the world for granted as total reality, you are tied to the world, then this understanding will release you from your dependence on objects and will stop your craving and your desire for constant becoming. Then you can let go your hold and engage with things as they are, instead."
-Sutta Nipata
This quote is from the Dhammapada, and urges the follower to stop clinging to "things you know and recognize". For clinging is holding tight to "products of existence and things that come and go" i.e. to impermanent objects which have finite existence i.e. your computer, food, or a favorite song.
"...There is no rest of relief there." refers to the suffering which clinging to existence may cause.
Taking the world for granted as total reality ties us to the world. By letting go of clinging, I do not have to give away my possessions. In letting go of the objects of this world, I see that they are not the total reality of existence at all.
Thinking in this way, I am no longer tied to the world. I am released from my dependence on objects. My craving and desire for constant becoming has ceased.
Having let go my hold, I am free to engage with things as they are.
20060205
Shin Buddhists venerated and protected by the gods
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
Brahma and Indra venerate us;
All the benevolent gods of the heavens
Protect us constantly, day and night.
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
The four great deva-kings together
Protect us constantly, day and night,
And let no evil spirits come near.
...
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
Nanda, Upananda, and the other great nagas,
Along with the countless naga-gods, revere
And protect us constantly, day and night.
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
Yama, the king of the dead, reveres us,
And the officers who judge the beings of the five courses of existence
All protect us constantly, day and night.
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
We are protected by the great king of maras
Residing in the sixth heaven;
This he vowed to do in the presence of Sakyamuni Buddha.
The gods of the heavens and earth
Are all to be called good,
For together they protect
The person of the nembutsu.
-- Hymns of the Pure Land, stanzas 100-101, 102-106
Originally posted: February 5, 2006 2232H
Update posted: March 7, 2013 0237H
Reference:
Within the context of the hell realm, the five courses of existence refers to the god realm, the demi-god realm, the human realm, the animal realm, and the hungry ghosts realm.
Brahmāloka may be the sixth heaven.
Brahma and Indra venerate us;
All the benevolent gods of the heavens
Protect us constantly, day and night.
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
The four great deva-kings together
Protect us constantly, day and night,
And let no evil spirits come near.
...
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
Nanda, Upananda, and the other great nagas,
Along with the countless naga-gods, revere
And protect us constantly, day and night.
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
Yama, the king of the dead, reveres us,
And the officers who judge the beings of the five courses of existence
All protect us constantly, day and night.
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
We are protected by the great king of maras
Residing in the sixth heaven;
This he vowed to do in the presence of Sakyamuni Buddha.
The gods of the heavens and earth
Are all to be called good,
For together they protect
The person of the nembutsu.
-- Hymns of the Pure Land, stanzas 100-101, 102-106
Originally posted: February 5, 2006 2232H
Update posted: March 7, 2013 0237H
Reference:
Within the context of the hell realm, the five courses of existence refers to the god realm, the demi-god realm, the human realm, the animal realm, and the hungry ghosts realm.
Brahmāloka may be the sixth heaven.
20051211
All is a miracle
I like to walk alone on country paths, rice plants and wild grasses on both sides, putting each foot down on the earth in mindfulness, knowing that I walk on the wondrous earth. In such moments, existence is a miraculous and mysterious reality.
People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child--our own two eyes. All is a miracle.
-Thich Nhat Hanh, "Miracle of Mindfulness"
When the Buddhist practitioner walks in this world in mindfulness, existence becomes "a miraculous and mysterious reality."
The life of ordinary existence is like that when mindful of each moment in it, savoring the miracle and mystery of walking on this earth, enjoying the moment.
This is known in Tibetan Buddhism as the basic goodness of reality as it is.
In Mahayana Buddhism, when we see with wisdom eyes, everything under the sun is basically good.
When even one sentient being sees reality as it is, it is true that "all is a miracle!"
Reference:
Thich Nhat Hanh:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thich_Nhat_Hanh
http://www.answers.com/topic/nhat-hanh
http://here-and-now.org/IMSB/pages/TNH.page.html
Reviews of Thich Nhat Hanh's book, Miracle of Mindfulness:
http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/thihan/part8.shtml
http://theyogashop.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=246
People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child--our own two eyes. All is a miracle.
-Thich Nhat Hanh, "Miracle of Mindfulness"
When the Buddhist practitioner walks in this world in mindfulness, existence becomes "a miraculous and mysterious reality."
The life of ordinary existence is like that when mindful of each moment in it, savoring the miracle and mystery of walking on this earth, enjoying the moment.
This is known in Tibetan Buddhism as the basic goodness of reality as it is.
In Mahayana Buddhism, when we see with wisdom eyes, everything under the sun is basically good.
When even one sentient being sees reality as it is, it is true that "all is a miracle!"
Reference:
Thich Nhat Hanh:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thich_Nhat_Hanh
http://www.answers.com/topic/nhat-hanh
http://here-and-now.org/IMSB/pages/TNH.page.html
Reviews of Thich Nhat Hanh's book, Miracle of Mindfulness:
http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/thihan/part8.shtml
http://theyogashop.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=246
20031019
The Bardo
The Six Bardos by Kalu Rinpoche - explains the intervals between two things - the Beginning and the End, Life and Death. However, the term Bardo implies that these two things are parts of the whole. That which begins and that which ends are part of the Whole, also called "continuity", that which continues. Even Life and Death are part of the Whole called Samsara, Birth-Life-Death. The Whole is also known as Existence, which continues even when a part of it passes on through the process called Death. Thus, the Bardos are reflections of humanity's celebration of Existence, Tibet's contribution to religious expression.
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