[nuveem7070]

I came across this video by the SotoZen priest Brad Warner and wondered if anyone had any comments

[sisimelanyk]

I keep with the "We don't know..." at 1'08'' But then, the "something continues" at 1'54'' will eventualy bring us, again, into the "we don't know" Why the need of continuity? When there is mindfulness, stillness of mind, clearness, quietness, deep investigation of dhammas, insight, then happens that there is no need for "something" to continue. I think that the best answer could be... "we don't know" but,

guessing an open question... "why should we know"

[_tppga_]

: ( It doesn't load for me. But as far as life and death and reincarnation go I believe that each creates what happens. But usually what goes wrong is that we didn't know that it was up to us to do it.

This world has told us that we can't do it ourselves. This world has told us that we need things. In those ways this world has been wrong. I guess I never listened to this world. Not for those things.

And in my opinion reincarnation is the most often used by those who choose without knowing that they are choosing. It's a guess. But I have always thought that. Perhaps it's wishful thinking.

[MARMELADINA]

The words you speak, the gestures you make, the words you write, all these things continue to have effects long after this body has become dust. I don't see anything else that continues or is reborn. Cultivating compassion and the 8-fold path are not requirements, but can make this life better, as well as the lives of future beings. Without compassion and without a Self to be reborn, there's not much motivation to care what happens to future beings. They aren't 'you' any more than this ongoing series of experiences is 'you'. I think.

[wvbwxol]

: ( It doesn't load for me.

Sorry to hear that, try this direct link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJJa3s_U0wA

[Daruhuw]

Sorry to hear that, try this direct link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJJa3s_U0wA

I appreciate you trying, but youtube has never loaded on my slow speed. I watched a video on this site. But there were a few that I couldn't see yesterday. It's two things, I live in the mountains & there is no fast service here. & I don't know how to make it any better.

I am the kind of person who doesn't have a cell phone because I don't want one. & I'm not that much into a fast computer because I'd rather read my books. & no, I don't have tv.

Well at any rate, thank you.

[Morageort]

I don't see anything else that continues or is reborn.

To me that would be the ultimate suffering. Do buddhists believe this way too? If not, do you know what buddhists believe?

[Creva4k]

To me that would be the ultimate suffering. Do buddhists believe this way too? If not, do you know what buddhists believe?

I'm not sure why that itself would be suffering. It's described as liberation in the suttas. I certainly feel liberated by this awareness.

I think the idea is not to believe, but to see for yourself. The Buddha taught anatta, the doctrine that there is no permanent, unchanging Self, whether you conceive that to be a soul, spiritual substance or whatever. Why did he teach it? Because he spent years trying to find and define his own atman, but couldn't. Likewise, upon learning of this teaching, I spent years looking for my own soul/Self/spirt/atman, with the same result. The perceptions, sensations, feelings, thoughts (consciousness in general), and the physical body (khandas) are all fleeting, temporary, and I can't find anything outside or in addition to the mental or physical processes. If you've found something that survives death, escapes the body and lives on, please tell me how to find it. I haven't closed the book on this; I'm just describing my experience so far.

But to the question of what Buddhists believe, that's a lot more complicated. Different Buddhists believe different things. Many DO believe in future lives for something like an immortal soul. Many DO believe in a True Self, despite the Buddha's teachings. Many also believe in ghosts and spirits that inhabit trees and rivers. Some believe in Buddhist heavens and Buddhist hells. Some don't believe any of these things. Most would disagree with some, most or everything I wrote above, I think. That's why there are so many branches and schools of Buddhism. People have interpreted the suttas in many different ways. I speak only for myself when I say that there's a lot of peace to be found in suspending judgement on anything you can't experience for yourself.

For me, wanting to have an immortal Self that is reincarnated is suffering, because wanting something to be true can't make it true. It's clinging to being and becoming. And believing something is true because it makes you feel good, despite there being no evidence for it, is, in my understanding, delusion, not insight.

One last thing: There's also a lot of peace to be found in being accepting and compassionate to those who think and believe differently from you. Arguing and disputing doctrine and beliefs cultivates anger and division for some people (not everyone). Anything anyone believes is fine with me, as long as they're not blowing people up or flying planes into buildings.

[yWleIJm4]

There's also a lot of peace to be found in being accepting and compassionate to those who think and believe differently from you. Arguing and disputing doctrine and beliefs cultivates anger and division for some people (not everyone). [...]

An important aspect to reflect upon... thanks FBM,

[viagracheapest]

And I was thinking of is there life after 40... lol

[lakraboob]

And I was thinking of is there life after 40... lol

Of course plwk... I believe it could be a great stage of adulthood!