[Buddha-l] Phado and Buddhism

[Dan Lusthaus]

On the other hand, a Buddhist should consider whether, and in what ways, the
following statement by Socrates is or isn't consistent with Buddhism (e.g.
Heart Sutra):

"He who has got rid, as far as he can, of eyes and ears and, so to speak, of
the whole body, these being in his opinion distracting elements when they
associate with the soul hinder her from acquiring truth and knowledge--who,
if not he, is likely to attain to the knowledge of true being?" (Phaedo,
65e-66a)

Whoever can see past the superficial similarities to the profound
differences between this and Buddhism will be immune from the theosophizing
and neoplatonic readings constantly superimposed and asserted into the name
of Buddhism.

Dan

(Being aware of how the psychology implied in Socrates' statement served as
the foundation for western Medieval theories of dreams, prophesy,
intellectual development, etc., would help the immunization process
immensely.)