[Buddha-l] Re: Core teachings

[Franz Metcalf]

Jamie et al.,

You wrote, rather scandalously,

> without rebirth (and therefore the cessation of rebirth) the goal 
> becomes "merely" the cessation of suffering. And that "merely," I 
> believe, is a slippery slope that many Buddhists do not wish to get 
> near. Indeed, as Bhikkhu Bodhi, Thurman, and others have made clear, 
> they think it leads to the end of Buddhism. I think that they are 
> right...
>
> It leads, I think,... to lots of other interesting questions, the 
> answers to most of which will make any reasonable person leave the 
> cushion, the cave, and the temple alone, except for the pleasure it 
> brings one.

I agree, and would reply, "and about time, too!" Let meditation remain 
important and remain pleasurable--and also remain just the last of 
eight factors on the path. Perhaps, as you go on to suggest, after 
getting up off the cushion, Buddhists will use all that extra time in 
"ethical action and compassionate efforts to help others."

Where is the loss, except for those who need a holistic and insulated 
belief system in which to practice? They may be afraid, very afraid, 
but they still have their faith; *they* don't have to reject rebirth. 
The mere fact of *my* rejecting rebirth, however, does not mean my own 
path is worthless or even non-soteriological in its way (as they would, 
no doubt, assert). Nor does it mean it's not "Buddhism," whatever that 
might be or become. And though this sort of Buddhism may bleed out into 
the larger world, potentially weakening the tradition, yet it gives to 
the world that vital substance. I think that's a fair exchange.

And people wonder why I'm not a member of any particular sangha!

Franz