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**Michaelnewerb** · 12-04-2011, 04:49 AM

naturally, i have already disagreed

the realms are insights into the human condition of hell (suffering), heedless/instinctual behaviour (animal), addiction (hungry ghost), angelic or vain bliss (heavenly), reflective morality (human), etc

although the metaphors may be dispensed with, imo, the subject matter is essential

Maybe I have misconstrued something, but I didn't see that Tjampel was arguing the subject matter is irrelevant. I understood him as saying the Buddha's presentation was appropriate to the audience of his time. If he were teaching now, he might have conveyed it differently.

A metaphor is a way of presenting content. It seems to me that by saying the six realms are metaphorical, you are agreeing with Tjampel that the issue here is about presentation.

12-04-2011, 04:49 AM	#22
Michaelnewerb Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 622 Senior Member	naturally, i have already disagreed the realms are insights into the human condition of hell (suffering), heedless/instinctual behaviour (animal), addiction (hungry ghost), angelic or vain bliss (heavenly), reflective morality (human), etc although the metaphors may be dispensed with, imo, the subject matter is essential Maybe I have misconstrued something, but I didn't see that Tjampel was arguing the subject matter is irrelevant. I understood him as saying the Buddha's presentation was appropriate to the audience of his time. If he were teaching now, he might have conveyed it differently. A metaphor is a way of presenting content. It seems to me that by saying the six realms are metaphorical, you are agreeing with Tjampel that the issue here is about presentation.
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