Don’t worry, just a little bump - $70 is just around the corner. Short traders just keep making those margin calls, mortgage the house if you have to. Fortunes await you! PO is for pansies and doomers. At $70 short some more ..... it is going back to $22 .... the world is awash with oil ........ reality has nothing to do with it, its all in those charts!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:24 am Post subject: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
The long title is:
Buddhism, and comparative religions, philosophies and sciences, as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy.
Post here any questions of those concepts of Buddhism that you think may work for a new Ethical system. Also post what specific ideas that come from either religion, philosophy or science that can help start this system. All ideas are "free for all"; they survive if they are worthy.
I will start with a sweet sanskrit word adapted to this era:
nekkhama "the pleasure of (materialistic or consumption) renunciation, the pleasure of knowing that what is more valuable in a society is that which is given, from a smile, hug, kiss to the gift of information, the pleasure of meditating properly and living with just essentials, the pleasure of enjoying being in a pristine natural place and just breath and smile. originaly used as the pleasure of living an ascetic life preceded by a renunciation of the 'activities of worldings' expanded to take into acount social life and ecology." _________________ anagami.net
Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 1717 Location: kiwibush
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:37 am Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
zensui wrote:
The long title is:
Buddhism, and comparative religions, philosophies and sciences, as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy.
Post here any questions of those concepts of Buddhism that you think may work for a new Ethical system. Also post what specific ideas that come from either religion, philosophy or science that can help start this system. All ideas are "free for all"; they survive if they are worthy.
I will start with a sweet sanskrit word adapted to this era:
nekkhama "the pleasure of (materialistic or consumption) renunciation, the pleasure of knowing that what is more valuable in a society is that which is given, from a smile, hug, kiss to the gift of information, the pleasure of meditating properly and living with just essentials, the pleasure of enjoying being in a pristine natural place and just breath and smile. originaly used as the pleasure of living an ascetic life preceded by a renunciation of the 'activities of worldings' expanded to take into acount social life and ecology."
You'll get the priestly caste take a hold of this and turn it on its head.
A smiling and hugging buddhist is no more immune to the seduction of advertsiting that your average non-buddhist drone.
Only by the use of reason can humankind truly transcend being misled. _________________ Bugger me, I hear oil's runnin out mate!
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:22 am Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
I practice Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N.Goenka. This is in the so-called Hinayana (lesser vehicle) branch of Buddhism. A claim is made that it was the method the Buddha taught.
It is a very simple meditation that can be described in a few sentences. But it should be experienced to understand it. Although there are stories that the Buddha would teach it directly and simply, the way I learned it was in a ten day retreat that introduced the technique gradually step by step.
Joined: Mar 04, 2007 Posts: 504 Location: Hong Kong
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:48 am Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
I have to agree with BigTex and americandream. Buddhism does have some brilliant ideas. But here in China, we've got Buddhist monks blessing cars for cash and praying for people at 10,000RMB a pop. It is not free of corruption.
I am interested in hearing more ideas on this topic. In general, I'm looking at ways to bring people away from the endless cycle of consumption and insecurity. I'm sure Buddhism has a lot to offer in that regard. _________________ "We shall live in interesting times, and we shall die in them too." - Heineken
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 6089 Location: Rural Virginia
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:49 am Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
With reference to the title of this thread:
I am attracted to some Buddhist concepts, but my impression is that predominately Buddhist countries aren't particularly "ecological."
Take Thailand as a quick example. Mostly Buddhist, but horrible deforestation and other damage are proceeding rapidly there. _________________ "Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog
"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother
Joined: Mar 05, 2006 Posts: 420 Location: East edge of the Milky Way
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:21 am Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
True, Buddhism has many commendable precepts to live by. But if we're out to improve the planet(enviroment) then I might suggest a nature based spirituality.
If we're out to improve the human condition, might I suggest old fashioned Philosophy.
My two pennies worth..
Cheers, Namste, May Reason Guide You, Walk In Peace...
Alex
Joined: Mar 12, 2007 Posts: 852 Location: As close as I can get to the beginning of the pipe.
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
Check out Joanna Macy, a Buddhist poet from UCSF who combines ecologic thought with spirituality.
http://www.joannamacy.net/html/great.html _________________ "For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it." --Patrick Henry
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
americandream wrote:
(...)
You'll get the priestly caste take a hold of this and turn it on its head.
They will not be able to do it this time, this is a free-for-all. Priests, monks, scientists, workers, meditators, contemplatives, philosophers, all will have to accept that some of their ideas may be false and discuss them in an objectice, neutral and specially wise way.
americandream wrote:
A smiling and hugging buddhist is no more immune to the seduction of advertsiting that your average non-buddhist drone.
Oh a "teddy bear" straw man. Well, unless that Buddhists have already entered the stream (sotapanas, sakadagamis, anagamis and buddhas). In this case we see advertising as an enemy of nature.
americandream wrote:
Only by the use of reason can humankind truly transcend being misled.
This reminds me of what I used as signature for months: never underestimate the power of meditation. And to show your lack of understanding of Buddhism, read no further than the Noble Eightfold Path:
There's often the case where humans only cultivate 1 or some of this aspects. Right now I can remember people that have cultivated only: 6 (this is common), 7 and 8 (common among meditators), 1 and 2 (common in agnostics, atheists, and scientists. probably your case), 3 and 4 (rightneousnes but unawake people) , 5, (the case of people that are full of good intentions but their actions are not for the good of humanity and nature, common among Abrahmic religions).
Buddhism is much more adaptable than you give credit for, because you know almost nothing of it. _________________ anagami.net
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
satjeet wrote:
I practice Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N.Goenka. This is in the so-called Hinayana (lesser vehicle) branch of Buddhism. A claim is made that it was the method the Buddha taught.
It is a very simple meditation that can be described in a few sentences. But it should be experienced to understand it. Although there are stories that the Buddha would teach it directly and simply, the way I learned it was in a ten day retreat that introduced the technique gradually step by step.
Hinaya is a term used by Mahayanists to give less credit to Theravada. I think that Vipassana is good in pointing out that meditation must be subtly directed towards Nirvana... as long as you don't forget the jhannas. 1 hour vipassana+jhanna meditation is much more effective than 3 hours of only vipassana or only jhanna aproach. I'm a bit surprised that few have chosen a Middle Path on this controversy. _________________ anagami.net
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
Heineken wrote:
With reference to the title of this thread:
I am attracted to some Buddhist concepts, but my impression is that predominately Buddhist countries aren't particularly "ecological."
Take Thailand as a quick example. Mostly Buddhist, but horrible deforestation and other damage are proceeding rapidly there.
How many percentage of this population actually meditates and follows the Noble Path all days, at every moment. Just by the actions they made, very few. Buddhism is corrupted on the East. That's why, probably starting in the West, we should study Buddhism not Buddhists.
There are several orders of magnitude of quality in this statements:
"Christians follow Christ, after they live a life under his example, they will be rewarded with an eternity of service to him.
"Buddhists listen to Buddhas, after they live lifes studying and practicing the Dharma they become Buddhas too. After this, they can properly teach the Sangha so that others can become Buddhas too." _________________ anagami.net
Last edited by anagami on Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:42 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
FourOfSwords wrote:
True, Buddhism has many commendable precepts to live by. But if we're out to improve the planet(enviroment) then I might suggest a nature based spirituality.
If we're out to improve the human condition, might I suggest old fashioned Philosophy.
My two pennies worth..
Cheers, Namste, May Reason Guide You, Walk In Peace...
Alex
Isn't religion part of philosophy? Or shouldn't both be considered the same? Why divide religion, philosophy and science?
Please, write about this "old fashioned philosophy" in an ecological context. Something specific. I want ideas! I want to see memes fight, cooperate and evolve! _________________ anagami.net
Joined: Mar 05, 2006 Posts: 420 Location: East edge of the Milky Way
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
zensui wrote:
FourOfSwords wrote:
True, Buddhism has many commendable precepts to live by. But if we're out to improve the planet(enviroment) then I might suggest a nature based spirituality.
If we're out to improve the human condition, might I suggest old fashioned Philosophy.
My two pennies worth..
Cheers, Namste, May Reason Guide You, Walk In Peace...
Alex
Isn't religion part of philosophy? Or shouldn't both be considered the same? Why divide religion, philosophy and science?
Please, write about this "old fashioned philosophy" in an ecological context. Something specific. I want ideas! I want to see memes fight, cooperate and evolve!
Hi Zensui. I can't comment about science, but as I see it religion and philosophy are two separate things, although both serve the same purpose...to help us live better, flourishing lives.
What I was thinking of when I mentioned 'old fashioned philosophy' was literally the ancient Greek, and Roman philosophies. Mind you those two peoples were far closer to nature, and their ecological 'role', than we modern folks can reasonably ever hope to be, given the world we now live in.
Cheers
Alex
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject: Re: Buddhism as base for a new Ecological Ethical Philosophy
Very interesting point.
I am not surprised Buddhism is corrupted all religions are spiritual movements are hi-jacked by materialistic people.
When I was younger I studied Buddhism and other eastern spiritual movement like Taoism and the Indian Yogic tradition. Very interesting stuff.
The key is, however, spirituality gives people satisfaction. Meditating completely aware of the present moment is an amazing experience and in which you feel so alive and happy. Why would you need a Ferrari if you can feel this good for free? In the west the decline of religion has left a vacuum, which we have been filling with material consumption.
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