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

[Gad Horowitz]

from a gad fly:
see how hard it is to find the issue about which there are several points of
view?
yours in truth,  gad horowitz

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Peavler" <jmp at peavler.org>
To: "Buddhist discussion forum" <buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 8:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] Re: Where does authority for "true" Buddhism come
from?


>
> On Jan 28, 2006, at 10:53 AM, Vicente Gonzalez wrote:
>
> > Richard wrote:
> >
> > RPH> It is very easy, and not at all helpful, just to sit around and
> > RPH> recklessly say that other people are wrong. What would be more
> > RPH> interesting is a detailed examination of some specific
> > passages. Please
> > RPH> find something in any of my writings that you consider wrong,
> > and we can
> > RPH> discuss that. Meanwhile, you're wasting everyone's time by
> > attacking an
> > RPH> imagined position rather than one that has actually been stated.
> >
> >
> > I'm writing according your views in this list. I can cite thousand of
> > your commentaries against rebirth. As everybody knows.
>
> Sorry, Bub. It simply ain't so. Stating that belief in rebirth is not
> a necessary part of Buddhist practice is NOT writing against rebirth.
> Writing against rebirth would require a person to say, "To be a
> Buddhist it is necessary to not believe in rebirth," which is
> something quite different.
> >
> > Here we are talking in this list context, about that view on rebirth
> > present in your messages.
>
> His stated view on this list, which is the only view of this matter I
> know about, is that one can benefit from Buddhist practice (following
> the precepts, meditation, etc.) without having any particular
> "belief" any anything beyond one's own experience. He also likes to
> talk about the importance of finding people whom one admires and
> respects and emulating those practices that one admires and respects
> in them.
>
> Belief systems are not necessary. All that is needed is for a person
> to believe it is possible to improve herself, and to try to use the
> tools provided by Buddhism. The four truths and the noble path are
> enough without the other stuff.
>
> >
> > I cannot find in your website any paper around rebirth.
>
> You probably won't. He doesn't seem to think it is very important. He
> probably thinks he has more important things to think and write about.
>
> > If you don't
> > give concrete references, then I understand that your views in this
> > list are a mere speculation, not enough to be transposed to your
> > academic writings.
>
> So why the hell am I defending Prof Hayes, I wonder? I guess this
> branch of this thread has just got on my nerves.
> _______________________________________________
> buddha-l mailing list
> buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com
> http://mailman.swcp.com/mailman/listinfo/buddha-l