[Buddha-l] Re. Means of ego-inflation

[Curt Steinmetz]

Omigods. You mean the *Buddha* was one of those nasty "official" 
Buddhists? Shoulda known.
Curt

Robert Ellis wrote:
> Joanna Kirk wrote:
>   
>>> Interesting.....would you give a few examples of some aspects of
>>>       
> --what--"official" Buddhism--that conflict with the Middle Way.<<
>
> Here goes:
> 1. The appeal to others' enlightened states as a source of knowledge
> 2. The doctrine of karma (as distinct from ordinary consequences of actions)
> 3. Rebirth
> 4. The appeal to gurus (as?distinct from?more advanced spiritual friends)
> 5. Monasticism, and associated division of spiritual goals between monastics and lay
> 6. Dukkha, impermanence, pratityasamutpada etc, when interpreted as metaphysical truths about the universe
> 7. Constant appeals to purity (as opposed to transformation) in scripture and ritual language
>
> All of the straying is onto the eternalist side, and consists in appeal to grounds of belief and sources of value that are beyond experience. This then becomes a fertile ground for dogmatism.
>
> In my experience, Buddhists are often reluctant to let go of these things because they fear a descent into nihilism without them. But it is holding onto metaphysical "truths" that creates nihilism in reaction, not the Middle Way. Followers of the Middle Way need to avoid certainty against the value of the things on the above list?just as much, but investigate what they offer in terms of experience.
>
> For more details and arguments see my website!
> Robert
>
>
> Robert Ellis
>
> website: www.moralobjectivity.net
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