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

[jkirk]

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
================================
Yep--metaphysics bugs me too, annother form of essentialism that
obscures the path.
As for rebirth, as I've noted before, Ven. Buddhadasa's concept
of it is pragmatic, not metaphysical.  If you haven't tried it
yet, see his _Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree_. 

Joanna