GAS and Buddhism

Roger Hicks said:
The three poisons (attachment, aversion and indifference) that are described in some schools of Buddhism are wonderfully illustrated in this thread and indeed throughout the forum. Some people seem to nourish a surprising degree of hatred towards people who don't agree with them.

Cheers,

R.
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an evident, sad state of mind...:(
respect and cheer up!
 
Pitxu said:
You're wasting your time BillP.

It's no use knocking when there's no one home.
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So because Bill has a different view of things, it's OK to insult him? Accuse him of having a drinking problem, and insulting his intelligence?

(rest of mesaage redacted to keep the mods from deleting my account...)
 
BillP said:
Let me try this a different way.

Bill, if we were on a boat together, with others including children, on a long journey, with a finite supply of food and water, would you expect to eat and drink what you wanted, when you wanted? Would you make a mess and leave it for others to clear up? Would you help to crew the boat, or would you just be along for the ride?

Regards,

Bill
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Ah, situational ethics games. If you believe the world is so fragile and so tiny, and economics is a zero sum game, then maybe you are right. I don't happen to agree with you.
 
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The arguments in this thread have gotten a little absurd. First, by speaking of non-attachment as a path to happiness, most of us are speaking of our PERSONAL philosphy. Buddhism is non-proselytizing, so this is our philosophy, you may choose to do what you like. Several RFF's here must have guilt or anger issues, because they immediately viewed the question as an attack on their consumption. Second, purchasing a few classic lenses or cameras will not end the world as we know it, far from it, it could be viewed as a form of reuse. After all, these cameras are still out there and most of this discussion is not about purchasing several new Leica M8's or Hasselblads. So, everybody, lighten up!
 
@ Al

Al, I have absolutely no quarrel with you. I defend to the last anyone's right to have a different viewpoint to my own, and to express that viewpoint. Where I have a problem is where that viewpoint and the actions taken as a result adversely affects or influences me or mine.

We are all on the same planet. It's the only one we have.

Regards,

Bill
 
Rey said:
Buddhism is non-proselytizing, so this is our philosophy, you may choose to do what you like.
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Well, sort of. Except that if one is working for the good of all sentient beings, it is legitimate to surprise the more recalcitrant, truculent or self-righteous on occasion; cf Drugpa Kunley. This is as close as I can see mainstream Buddhism coming to proselytizing today.

Admittedly it can be interesting when considering some people to reflect on the nature of 'sentient'.

Cheers,

R.
 
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Obviously, this is straying way a field here. I have no issue with debate or philosophical discussions, but cannot allow members to insult each other. Bill has offered an opinion and just as he has said he has respected everyone else's. Please everyone offer the same respect to each other.
 
bmattok,

Keep having fun! I can't see that you are damaging anything, unless you are accumulating toxic waste on the side.

RHicks,

I hate to see Buddhism begin to proselyetize, its great strength is that it allows people to make a choice on their own, rather than employing the recruitment tactic
 
bmattock:

I read your posts and although you seem to relish in your so called "enlightened selfishness", but reading your posts carefully shows your despair and angst in coping with human responsibilities. I'm sorry to say this but you're a nihilist.
 
Bill M is right, there is nothing more polluting than kids, who later become more of us consuming adults.
this is happening at earlier ages too.
one is indoctrinated at an early age in the largest religion on earth, consumerism.
 
xayraa33 said:
Bill M is right, there is nothing more polluting than kids, who later become more of us consuming adults.
this is happening at earlier ages too.
one is indoctrinated at an early age in the largest religion on earth, consumerism.
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True, but we can't live without 'em. Unless there are young people, the old must work until they drop (no-one to fund the pensions...)

Cheers,

R.
 
Nh3 said:
bmattock:

I read your posts and although you seem to relish in your so called "enlightened selfishness", but reading your posts carefully shows your despair and angst in coping with human responsibilities. I'm sorry to say this but you're a nihilist.
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Perhaps more of an Objectivist a-la Ayn Rand:

"...individuals must choose their values and actions solely by reason, and that "Man—every man—is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others." According to Rand, the individual "must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life." Because she held that faith is antithetical to reason, Rand opposed religion." Wikipedia
 
We can never find satisfaction, it is like drinking salt water to quench our thirst
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If I had said this, people would complain about my "flawed analogies" :)

I believe it's true. Or at least it can be.

Awareness is one of the many steps needed towards enlightenment. Like the frog who is bathing in that saucepan, we must realize when those bubbles are about to become our undoing.

Perhaps they should change the message to something more palatable: "we can never find satisfaction, it is like eating Ex-lax -laced popcorn to quell our hunger."
 
Roger Hicks said:
True, but we can't live without 'em. Unless there are young people, the old must work until they drop (no-one to fund the pensions...)
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Apparently, in your side of the world they haven't mismanaged your equivalent of what here (the U.S. of A.) is called "Social Security". It was turned into a complicated pyramid scheme back in the early 80s.

*we* the younger slice of the pie, are supporting a big chunk of the current SS retirees/pensionees/etc.ees

Once the population becomes "older", it'll all come crashing down.

It's all in line with the "pass the credit card bill buck" philosophy.

I should disclose, though, that I am not an Economist and kids and home should not take my statements as scholarly footnotes :eek:
 
bmattock said:
I realize that the esteemed Roger Hicks feels I know little of Buddhism, but as I stated - I know more than he thinks I do.
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Dear Bill,

I do not find this hard to believe, but you are sometimes the victim of your own rhetoric. You have dismissed others as 'bleeding hearts' or 'people . . . easily manipulated'; you have been downright rude ('goofy glasses'); you have referred to the Dalai Lama as a 'dictator', apparently without realizing that the last two Dalai Lamas have been in the forefront of political reform, struggling against the establishment. Such words can easily give the impression that you are shallower and more egotistical than you are.

Cheers,

Roger
 
Errata:

Roger -- I just realized I became a victim to my lysdexic-prone (yes) speed-reading. I overlooked the important "unless".

So. Ehem. Nevermind. :eek:
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
*we* the younger slice of the pie, are supporting a big chunk of the current SS retirees/pensionees/etc.ees

Once the population becomes "older", it'll all come crashing down.

It's all in line with the "pass the credit card bill buck" philosophy.
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Frighteningly true. But with or without the cock-ups, those in work, of whatever age, are still needed to grow food, work in factories, etc., in order to produce anything at all.

A reduced working week and raised retirement age could spread the load -- but most people prefer more money and more STUFF to more time off when they are young. Then they're either worn out by 60, or convinced that the world owes them a living. And, of course, employers prefer compliant (= frightened) full-time workers.

Cheers,

R.
 
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Who says I don't care for what I have? I have no children. I didn't ask you to have any. That's your problem and your lookout.

I love this - people have children like crazy, let them run wild, raise them to be criminals, and then tell me it's my job to leave the world a better place for them. Your kids - your problem.
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It'll be a bit of a bummer if the Buddhists turn out to be right and you keep getting reborn into a worse and worse world ;)
 
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