[Buddha-l] Was the Buddha mentally ill?

[Jamie Hubbard]

On 7/30/2010 1:00 AM, Richard Hayes wrote:
>> I also rarely have to put up with people trying to convince me I really do believe that things have inherent natures, and that's why I'm deeply unhappy without knowing it.
>>      
> I have long argued that Buddhism will not have found a place in American culture until there are Buddhist country and western songs. It's antureal. after all, since so many country ditties are of the genre called hurtin' songs. I think I may have identified a candidate for the country and western Buddhist anthem. It's a song called "Kust call me Cleopatra, 'cause I'm the queen of denial." I'm assuming it will at least get Jamie's vote.
>    
Can't vote for this one, Richard-- you'll have to do better. First of 
all (and I hope everybody sees the deep Buddhist content in all of 
this), I have met you in the . . . ah, flesh, and a Queen you ain't, of 
any sort. As they say, some of my best friends are queens so I know. 
Secondly, you can't sing about being in Da Nile, since you ain't-- you 
are in happiness-affirmation. And even a good card-carrying "You just 
*think* you are happy" sort of Buddhist couldn't sing about your denial, 
if she was philosophically astute, since we know (and you reminded us 
recently) that in regards to claims about happiness (and pain) your 
claims, like everybody's, are incorrigible. Of course, you are 
incorrigible in other senses as well, but we'll stick to the 
happiness-denial sort here.

Finally, and most importantly, no American country western song can be 
about Egypt and queens. I don't know much about country western (blues 
and rock are more my thing), still, you need to lose your job, wife, 
pickup, and dog all on the same day. . . then comes the whiskey. . . and 
there is usually no redemption, but we all relate to the story line 
because we see ourselves.

In other words, the American Buddhist country western song is Pure 
Land-- all about inevitable suffering and for the masses. . .now maybe 
if you wanted to sing about being Dolly Parton. . .

Nice try, though.

Obviously too much time on my hands,

Jamie
> Richard
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