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**smirnoffdear** · 05-31-2011, 09:18 PM

When we see that the weather is just weather, and that outside of 'whether' we like it or not it is empty of any intrinsically existing quality, we start to see beyond our attachments to it, realizing that it is changing all the time. When you start to let go of attachments to passing phenomena, you start to cut away at the causes of suffering, which is clinging and so forth.

Really, there is no speculation. You can try this out all the time. I don't understand why people insist that this is speculative.

This method relies on concocting a 'view' that things are empty of inherent existence, then employing that view to lessen or deny the impact of afflictions. This is already removing oneself from what is actually happening and employing a 'fix' to skirt the issue. But if that helps you, then that's fine.

I took refuge as a Mahayanist and launched myself into the one thing that interested me; the study of emptiness. I studied the tenets of the four schools and was very much able (after two years) to debate the hind leg off any donkey that cared to cross my path.

I've been a Buddhist for 24 years, most of which I was a fully signed up Madhyamika Prasangika. There's nothing in what you have written, that I haven't trotted out myself on many occasions in the complete certainty that I was right.

So, why do I no longer espouse this view? It has everything to do with finding the Buddha's teachings on jhana and putting them into practice. You don't need a view to do this, you just need to be still breathing and to have an open mind - to suspend expectation if you will.

what do you think, friend? Try this:
"Just as if there were a roofed house or a roofed hall having windows on the north, the south, or the east. When the sun rises, and a ray has entered by way of the window, where does it land?"

"On the western wall, lord."

"And if there is no western wall, where does it land?"

"On the ground, lord."

"And if there is no ground, where does it land?"

"On the water, lord."

"And if there is no water, where does it land?"

"It does not land, lord." http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit....064.than.html

If you understand what this means, it will explain where I'm at.

Namaste
Kris

05-31-2011, 09:18 PM	#23
smirnoffdear Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 419 Senior Member	When we see that the weather is just weather, and that outside of 'whether' we like it or not it is empty of any intrinsically existing quality, we start to see beyond our attachments to it, realizing that it is changing all the time. When you start to let go of attachments to passing phenomena, you start to cut away at the causes of suffering, which is clinging and so forth. Really, there is no speculation. You can try this out all the time. I don't understand why people insist that this is speculative. This method relies on concocting a 'view' that things are empty of inherent existence, then employing that view to lessen or deny the impact of afflictions. This is already removing oneself from what is actually happening and employing a 'fix' to skirt the issue. But if that helps you, then that's fine. I took refuge as a Mahayanist and launched myself into the one thing that interested me; the study of emptiness. I studied the tenets of the four schools and was very much able (after two years) to debate the hind leg off any donkey that cared to cross my path. I've been a Buddhist for 24 years, most of which I was a fully signed up Madhyamika Prasangika. There's nothing in what you have written, that I haven't trotted out myself on many occasions in the complete certainty that I was right. So, why do I no longer espouse this view? It has everything to do with finding the Buddha's teachings on jhana and putting them into practice. You don't need a view to do this, you just need to be still breathing and to have an open mind - to suspend expectation if you will. what do you think, friend? Try this: "Just as if there were a roofed house or a roofed hall having windows on the north, the south, or the east. When the sun rises, and a ray has entered by way of the window, where does it land?" "On the western wall, lord." "And if there is no western wall, where does it land?" "On the ground, lord." "And if there is no ground, where does it land?" "On the water, lord." "And if there is no water, where does it land?" "It does not land, lord." http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit....064.than.html If you understand what this means, it will explain where I'm at. Namaste Kris
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