[Buddha-l] RE: Article of possible interest--correction

[L.S. Cousins]

Erik,

>>Personally, I took up Buddhism in the first place because I found 
>>the teachings on kamma and rebirth attractive.
>Well I guess that is good reason as any, I was attracted by the 
>tankas and deities. But why not go on and develop your understanding?

You mean you think I haven't ? :-)

But seriously,

1. For some, that is the way of entry to Buddhism.

2. It is the teaching of kamma and rebirth in Buddhism which 
establishes what Christians would call moral responsibility. Without 
that basis and without the linked practice of generosity, in the long 
run meditation only builds ego.

3. Nowadays, for me, it plays only an occasional role. Other parts of 
Buddhist practice are more central. But that might change.

>I agree, mind is just as important, in fact without a mind we 
>wouldn't be aware of our body and the way we conceive our body makes 
>it the way it is. Science is not the ultimate truth, I agree. It 
>consists of models or maps of the world, complete with scale, 
>legenda and all. But science makes us live the way we do. If you're 
>ill science will make you better or tell you  how many days you have 
>to live. It may not be right sometimes, but in 90% of the cases it 
>is. I think we have to draw Buddhism into or daily world and modify 
>it untill we don't have to push a button each time we hear a 
>Buddhist teaching. It has to become normal, as it used to be.

That is true. But it should be a natural process. There is no need it 
try and force it. It will happen anyway if one is patient.

>Otherwise I fear that Buddhism will go the way of all myths and that 
>would be the loss of the many skills and knowledge in the Buddhist 
>tradition.

Well, Buddhism has lasted nearly two and a half millennia. It clearly 
has a great deal of staying power.

I do not believe that scientific ideas will be problem. Scientistic 
religions might be, but I doubt their ability to satisfy in the long 
run.

Clearly, Buddhism has to adapt to new types of technology and new 
types of political and economic organization. But that is something 
which should happen in the Buddhist countries. (And it  will.) 
Adaptation in the West is too liable to lead to unhealthy forms of 
syncretism.

There is an adaptive process for Buddhism in Europe and America. 
Again, I think that should be a natural process. Allow it time and 
don't try to force it or intellectualize about it. It is bound to 
happen eventually.

Lance Cousins