[Buddha-l] Where does authority for "true" Buddhism come from?

[Vicente Gonzalez]

Richard Hayes wrote:

>> Read Hume, Voltaire and many others.

RPH> Yes, I do read those gentlemen from time to time. I don't see how you
RPH> think they are relevant to this discussion. Could you elaborate?

there are so many that the question can be the inverse. It is
difficult to find a brilliant philosopher in the West in agreement
with non.rebirth. I give you the first result appearing in Google:
http://www.quangduc.com/English/basic/11teach32.html

(btw, there is one Emerson in that list...)

Specially you can remember the empirical Hume, "Of the
immortality of the soul"
http://www.econlib.org/library/LFBooks/Hume/hmMPL49.html



RPH> I have never attacked the doctrine of rebirth.

(?) Buddha-L archives are a complete report !


RPH> I have been teaching in Buddhist temples and dharma centers for twenty
RPH> years, and I have met many Western people who say they find it
RPH> impossible to believe in rebirth. What do you recommend doing with them?

Nothing. I don't see the relation. The point is the fit of non-rebirth
in Buddhism. Not about the need of proselytize rebirth.


RPH> Should I send them away and say "Sorry. I won't show you how to meditate
RPH> on your breath and cultivate love for all sentient beings until you get
RPH> down on your knees and swear on the Pali canon that you believe in
RPH> rebirth."?

... more acrobatics to avoid the topic


RPH> Yes, it would be cessationism to claim that there is a self and that it
RPH> ceases at death. But I have never said anything even remotely like that.
RPH> Yet again, I would ask you to read some of my writings. You will never
RPH> find any passage written by me in which I say that there is a self that
RPH> ceases at death.

I have read some of your papers about Nagarjuna and interreligious
dialogue. But in your website there is not titles about this topic.

Can you be more specific? 




RPH> Now Señor Gonzales, you have some reading to do. Please take your time.

Mr.Hayes, in Dharma the only enemy is the person who is in agreement
with you when he know that you are wrong.

Despite your understanding in other topics, you are wrong in that
idea of non-rebirth. Review it if you wants.


br,