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**Farson** · 07-16-2011, 10:43 PM

Perhaps so from a modern "Protestant Buddhist" perspective. But myth, parable and poetry are also found in the Pali suttas, not to mention an elaborate cosmology which defies literal interpretation. The historical Buddha apparently was willing to use the full palette of human discourse -- rational and imaginative, literal and metaphorical, philosophical and religious -- to convey the teachings.

Lazy, Its pretty obvious that there's metaphor and parable in the suttas. However the Buddha is teaching how to overcome dukkha which is different to general fantasy and fairytale storytelling. I also have books by Sue Hamilton and Richard Gombrich so you're not telling me anything new.

As for suggesting that I'm speaking as a 'Protestant Buddhist' I don't even know what that is... other than its just another label of some kind, lol !

Buddhadasa doesn't mention the suttas anyway, hes talking about superstition in general and also there's no doubt that some Buddhist cultures are steeped in superstitious nonsense which has nothing to do with the teachings in the Pali Canon.

07-16-2011, 10:43 PM	#13
Farson Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 538 Senior Member	Perhaps so from a modern "Protestant Buddhist" perspective. But myth, parable and poetry are also found in the Pali suttas, not to mention an elaborate cosmology which defies literal interpretation. The historical Buddha apparently was willing to use the full palette of human discourse -- rational and imaginative, literal and metaphorical, philosophical and religious -- to convey the teachings. Lazy, Its pretty obvious that there's metaphor and parable in the suttas. However the Buddha is teaching how to overcome dukkha which is different to general fantasy and fairytale storytelling. I also have books by Sue Hamilton and Richard Gombrich so you're not telling me anything new. As for suggesting that I'm speaking as a 'Protestant Buddhist' I don't even know what that is... other than its just another label of some kind, lol ! Buddhadasa doesn't mention the suttas anyway, hes talking about superstition in general and also there's no doubt that some Buddhist cultures are steeped in superstitious nonsense which has nothing to do with the teachings in the Pali Canon.
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