[Buddha-l] Batchelor

[Joy Vriens]

Hi Franz,

Thank you for your kind postings.


> > Of course he has his beliefs, but who hasn't.
>
>
> No one, of course. Since we were discussing the Kalama Sutta, I would
> mention its most frequently quoted bit (perhaps the most frequently
> quoted of all Buddhist bits), where the Buddha tells us not to believe
> based on various proofs. But how can he do this? Precisely because he
> *does* believe based on experience. We all have our beliefs, even
> Buddhas. I, for instance, believe that the Buddha believed
>
>     All things come at first from mind.
>     Mind creates them, mind fulfills them.
>     Speak or act with tainted mind,
>     You'll drag around a cart of pain.
>     (Dhammapada 1-4)
>
> Heck, even Nagarjuna might believe that much. Pascal clearly did.
>
>
I just quoted the dreaded Udana VIII.3 (often used by essentialist
propagandists) to Jack as an example of another Buddhist belief. And then
there is the practice of refuge of course.

Joy