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**moopogyOvenny** · 05-26-2011, 11:49 PM

If that's what you mean by "universal truth" -- an explanation for everything in the universe -- then no the Buddhadhamma was never intended to do such a thing, and it might be helpful to clarify specialized definitions before asking such questions so that they do not become unnecessarily loaded. ;-)

Loaded? Von Wegen!

The impetus for posing the question didn't presuppose any correct answer (I'm too vague for that) and I've been very pleased with all the replies. I tend to witness the concept as a kind of sliding scale event with some people applying it in the way Deshy outlined and stuff I've encountered elsewhere which goes beyond in an effort to encompass more.

I think Dave's reply is very pragmatic and nails it. Like you say, it was never intended to do such a thing.

I recall the wanderer Vacchagotta tried to squeeze something akin to it out of Buddha but to no avail:
Then Vacchagotta the wanderer went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, exchanged courteous greetings with him. After an exchange of friendly greetings & courtesies, he sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One, "Now then, Master Gotama, is the cosmos eternal?"

"That has not been declared by me, Vaccha: 'The cosmos is eternal.'"

"Well then, Master Gotama, is the cosmos not eternal?"

"Vaccha, that too has not been declared by me: 'The cosmos is not eternal.'" and so on...
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit....008.than.html

05-26-2011, 11:49 PM	#15
moopogyOvenny Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 657 Senior Member	If that's what you mean by "universal truth" -- an explanation for everything in the universe -- then no the Buddhadhamma was never intended to do such a thing, and it might be helpful to clarify specialized definitions before asking such questions so that they do not become unnecessarily loaded. ;-) Loaded? Von Wegen! The impetus for posing the question didn't presuppose any correct answer (I'm too vague for that) and I've been very pleased with all the replies. I tend to witness the concept as a kind of sliding scale event with some people applying it in the way Deshy outlined and stuff I've encountered elsewhere which goes beyond in an effort to encompass more. I think Dave's reply is very pragmatic and nails it. Like you say, it was never intended to do such a thing. I recall the wanderer Vacchagotta tried to squeeze something akin to it out of Buddha but to no avail: Then Vacchagotta the wanderer went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, exchanged courteous greetings with him. After an exchange of friendly greetings & courtesies, he sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One, "Now then, Master Gotama, is the cosmos eternal?" "That has not been declared by me, Vaccha: 'The cosmos is eternal.'" "Well then, Master Gotama, is the cosmos not eternal?" "Vaccha, that too has not been declared by me: 'The cosmos is not eternal.'" and so on... http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit....008.than.html
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