[KellyLynchIV]

Hello,

As a way of introducing myself to the Beyond Belief forum I decided to use an old posting of mine indicative of where I am coming from. I have been an intermittent poster on Buddhist forums as part of my practice for a number of years and the process has been very illuminating for me.

The karmic consequences of posting anything short of my best insights forces my mind to go deep within itself. And putting a posting together is a meditative experience that deepens my understanding of the BuddhaDharma and releases the residual karma that still activates my ego.

No one can give anything spiritual to anyone else. My postings are all about my understanding of the path of the Buddhas and are not intended to teach, preach, or persuade others—only Truth can do that. If this posting quickens the Truth within you drop the posting and stay with your inner Truth—the compass heading of the Buddhas.

Twentyfive hundred years ago Siddhartha Gautama made the astonishing discovery that the ego is a "virtual reality" conditioned in the mind by acquired opinions, beliefs, attitudes, etc.. The English term for these empty emotional components of ]ego is sentient beings. Through deep meditation and the power of prajna (perspicacity) Gautama penetrated and released these empty emotional co-factors of his own conditioned personality and realized

Nirvana
the extinguishment of suffering

Buddha: I teach one thing and one thing only—the end of suffering.
Sentient being is one of the most misunderstood and misused concepts in Mahayana Buddhism and should be thoroughly penetrated and understood or you will completely miss the point of the Bodhisattva Vow and the ending of mental anguish by the release of all sentient beings.
Sentient beings are mental entities such as perceptions, beliefs, opinions, attitudes, desires, moods, values, prejudices, convictions, assumptions, preconceptions, biases, habit patterns, dispositions, sentiments, judgments, addictions, impulses, compulsions, compunctions, obsessions, scruples, delusions, views, concepts, thoughts, ideas, etc., encapsulated in an ego and emotionally identified with and mentally felt to be valid and real to ego. "I am what I feel/experience" is the cry of the ego—the artificial sense of self construction.

These karmic habit patterns conditioned into the mind by the body growing up the way it did are a fait accompli—an accomplished deed. The mind is ignorant of the fact that karma constructs an emotionally identified self image (ego) in relationship to the world surrounding the body in which it finds itself. Ego is a psychosomatic protective coating unconsciously designed by the mind in which it dwells. Ego is the pretentious karmic character playing you!

It is only a matter of time when the limitations of the artificial ego generate suffering in the expanding mind. When the suffering gets too intense the mind seeks a way out or breaks down. Most minds get egotistically identified with families, traditions, self complacency, careers, causes, religions, politics, mental illness, drugs, and other delusions/illusions and dissipate their life forces addicted to the diabolical amusements and distractions of samsara.

A self selected few realize the Truth of Suffering and enter the path/practice/process of the BuddhaDharma and the ending of their ego inflicted suffering.
Suffering is an alarm
telling mind it is time to wake up,
pay attention, and return to
Original Mind

the Mind you are
before illusions such as
father and mother
existed


Thank you for this opportunity to express my understanding of the BuddhaDharma.

*****

To those who interpret or believe releasing sentient beings to mean saving sentient beings or benefiting sentient beings I ask the following questions. What do you think sentient beings are and how can they be benefitted? What is a saved sentient being and where do these saved sentient beings go or dwell?

[brorialsibers]

yikes.

[BEKREUNSEPBERw]

...the ego is a "virtual reality" conditioned in the mind by acquired opinions, beliefs, attitudes, etc...

Nice to see & read your posts again Pudgala.

Welcome.

Some input from me, if I may.

I agree the ego is a "virtual reality" conditioned in the mind by acquired opinions, beliefs, attitudes, etc.

However, there are also inherent or in-born tendencies (anusaya) or drives, which are more primal than views & opinions.

Tendencies like sensual desire, reproductive instinct, the will to live, etc.

These things can also condition ego in the mind.

With metta

[Stivenslivakovishhhs]

Sentient being is one of the most misunderstood and misused concepts in Mahayana Buddhism and should be thoroughly penetrated and understood or you will completely miss the point of the Bodhisattva Vow and the ending of mental anguish by the release of all sentient beings.

Sentient beings are mental entities such as perceptions, beliefs, opinions, attitudes, desires, moods, values, prejudices, convictions, assumptions, preconceptions, biases, habit patterns, dispositions, sentiments, judgments, addictions, impulses, compulsions, compunctions, obsessions, scruples, delusions, views, concepts, thoughts, ideas, etc.,

Hi Pudgala and welcome to the group,

I'm not sure how you have arrived at your interpretation of 'sentient beings'.

Perhaps you'd like to read about the Bodhisattva vow in Tibetan Buddhism here:

http://www.kagyu.org/kagyulineage/bu.../tra/tra06.php


from the link:


"The development of loving-kindness and compassion for all sentient beings is necessary because all have one thing in common, the wish to experience peace and happiness, and not experience pain and suffering. It is not that 95% are longing for happiness and 5% just do not care. 100% of all beings share this common wish of wanting to have happiness and be rid of suffering. Therefore, we have to include every single living being in our development of bodhicitta of loving-kindness and compassion."


Kind regards,

Aloka-D

[JMLot]

Continuing from previous post...

This is a translation of "37 practices of a Bodhisattva" which is refered to in Tibetan Buddhism and which you might like to read.

Verse 10 states :


"What's the point of personal happiness
When every mother so affectionate to you
From beginningless time
Is suffering? Thus, in order to liberate
Infinite numbers of sentient beings,
Generating bodhicitta
Is the practice of a bodhisattva."


In this context 'mother' refers to the Tibetan Buddhist belief that because of rebirth all sentient beings have been ones mother at some time or other.

'Sentient beings' means literally that, it doesn't mean thoughts and emotions.
It may be interpreted in that way in another context, but not in this one.

I have shown you the meaning of the Bodhisattva Vow in relation to 'sentient beings' as it is understood by students who take it at that level.

The ideal of helping remove the suffering of all sentient beings is primarily about helping to remove their mental suffering.

As to the practicalities of actually doing that rather than it being an aspiration...well that would probably be more fruitfully discussed in a different topic to this one.


Kind regards,

D.

[Glanteeignile]

Sentient beings are mental entities such as perceptions, beliefs, opinions, attitudes, desires, moods, values, prejudices, convictions, assumptions, preconceptions, biases, habit patterns, dispositions, sentiments, judgments, addictions, impulses, compulsions, compunctions, obsessions, scruples, delusions, views, concepts, thoughts, ideas, etc., encapsulated in an ego and emotionally identified with and mentally felt to be valid and real to ego. "I am what I feel/experience" is the cry of the ego—the artificial sense of self construction.

Hi Pudgala

Of 'beings' ('satta'), on the level of ultimate reality, the Theravada scriptures appear to share your point of view:

Ven. Radha went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side.

As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One:

"'A being,' lord. 'A being,' it's said. To what extent is one said to be 'a being'?"

Satto, satto’ti, bhante, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, bhante , sattoti vuccatī’’ti?

"Any desire, passion, delight or craving for form, Radha: when one is caught up there, tied up there, one is said to be 'a being.'

"Any desire, passion, delight or craving for feeling... perception... fabrications...

"Any desire, passion, delight or craving for consciousness, Radha: when one is caught up there, tied up there, one is said to be 'a being.'

Satta Sutta: A Being With metta

[vodaPlaps]

I'd prefer it if you just used the regular font in your posts, Pugdala, please, because its easier to read and I get visual disturbances and migraine with certain kinds of computer font - bold in particular - I'm also finding the bright colors are troublesome for my eyes too when I try to read them. When I get visual disturbances I see wavy lines and zig-zags wherever I look -and my vision is badly affected for quite a while.

Many thanks for your consideration,


Aloka

[lrtoinbert]

Sentient being is one of the most misunderstood and misused concepts in Mahayana Buddhism and should be thoroughly penetrated and understood or you will completely miss the point of the Bodhisattva Vow
Hi pudgala2,

To continue with the topic.... Could you say more about the above statement in relation to the Bodhisattva vow, with references to illustrate your point, please ?

What, for you, is the point of the Bodhisattva vow?


Kind regards,

D.

[pinawinekolad]

I agree the ego is a "virtual reality" conditioned in the mind by acquired opinions, beliefs, attitudes, etc.

However, there are also inherent or in-born tendencies (anusaya) or drives, which are more primal than views & opinions.

Tendencies like sensual desire, reproductive instinct, the will to live, etc.

These things can also condition ego in the mind.

Of 'beings' ('satta'), on the level of ultimate reality, the Theravada scriptures appear to share your point of view:

Ven. Radha went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side.

As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One:

"'A being,' lord. 'A being,' it's said. To what extent is one said to be 'a being'?"

Satto, satto’ti, bhante, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, bhante , sattoti vuccatī’’ti?

"Any desire, passion, delight or craving for form, Radha: when one is caught up there, tied up there, one is said to be 'a being.'

"Any desire, passion, delight or craving for feeling... perception... fabrications...

"Any desire, passion, delight or craving for consciousness, Radha: when one is caught up there, tied up there, one is said to be 'a being.'

Satta Sutta: A Being

Elementary, my dear Watson,

Anything that moves in the mind and is identified with is a sentient being. This is so obvious that I'm surprised so many practicing Buddhists miss it. These transitory karmic creations dominate the unenlightened mind with such constant rapidity that the poor mind actually thinks that's who it is. If the agitated mind sits still and slows itself down the space between thoughts will open up.

The Theravada quote in your second posting really is quite elementary and only the blind would miss it. I have a great affinity and respect for the Theravada but its bones are too dry for me.

When I came upon the popularized version of the Bodhisattva Vow of the Mahayana it did not work for me and I soon realized that ignorant translators/writers had obscured the Truth]. For those who depend on authoritative words I offer you this passage from the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch:

We have now vowed to deliver an infinite number of sentient beings; but what does that mean? It does not mean that I, Hui-neng is going to deliver them. And who are these sentient beings, potential within our minds? They are the delusive mind, the deceitful mind, the evil mind, and such like--all these are sentient beings. Each of them has to be delivered by oneself by means of his own Essence of Mind; only by his own deliverance, is it genuine. p.260 end

That is the lean flesh of the Mahayana that has been buried under Buddhist fat created by the sugary religious writings of sentimental writers.

Theravada is the bone
Mahayana is the flesh
Zen is the
SPIRIT
that keeps the corpse
ALIVE

I'm not sure how you have arrived at your interpretation of 'sentient beings'.

My practice has always been experiential and not intellectual or scholastic and that is how I arrived at my understanding of sentient beings and it works for me. If something doesn't work for me I stay clear of it—Tibetan Buddhism does not work for me.

I'd prefer it if you just used the regular font in your posts, Pugdala, please, because its easier to read and I get visual disturbances and migraine with certain kinds of computer font - bold in particular - I'm also finding the bright colors are troublesome for my eyes too when I try to read them. When I get visual disturbances I see wavy lines and zig-zags wherever I look -and my vision is badly affected for quite a while.

Many thanks for your consideration,

Mrs. Hudson, if I may use a colorful character, your discomfort with colorful characters is noted. I shall endeavor to restrain myself from using them. However, as you can see, I cannot guarantee that the urge to dress up my text might overcome me on occasion—please be patient. I find most postings clueless and boring and I prefer to wake up viewers who are victims of humdrum circumstances. Popularized religious writings do not work for me and all religious sentiments are sentient beings that must eventually be removed to be in the Presence of Truth.

If you find my postings unbearable just throw them out in the street and I will seek lodgings for them elsewhere. Please do not alter my postings—no one has that right—just delete them.

Thank you.

Mrs. Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, was a long-suffering woman. Not only was her first-floor flat invaded at all hours by throngs of singular and often undesirable characters but her remarkable lodger showed an eccentricity and irregularity in his life which must have sorely tried her patience. His incredible untidiness, his addiction to music at strange hours, his occasional revolver practice within doors, his weird and often malodorous scientific experiments, and the atmosphere of violence and danger which hung around him made him the very worst tenant in London. On the other hand, his payments were princely. I have no doubt that the house might have been purchased at the price which Holmes paid for his rooms during the years that I was with him. The landlady stood in the deepest awe of him and never dared to interfere with him, however outrageous his proceedings might seem. She was fond of him, too, for he had a remarkable gentleness and courtesy in his dealings with women.

To continue with the topic.... Could you say more about the above statement in relation to the Bodhisattva vow, with references to illustrate your point, please ?

What, for you, is the point of the Bodhisattva vow?

Bodhisattvas are the greatest detectives the world has ever seen and ever will see! There is nothing beyond them.

[lrtoinbert]

Aloka has a strong strain of Irene Adler also - a fact I find it profitable to keep in mind.

[Fetowip]

[

I find most postings clueless and boring and I prefer to wake up viewers who are victims of humdrum circumstances. Popularized religious writings do not work for me and all religious sentiments are sentient beings that must eventually be removed to be in the Presence of Truth.

This is a condescending attitude to have when joining a discussion forum with a friendly community of people. I wonder if you are assuming that the members here have no understanding of Dhamma, nor success with their practice ?


Mrs. Hudson, if I may use a colorful character, your discomfort with colorful characters is noted. I shall endeavor to restrain myself from using them. However, as you can see, I cannot guarantee that the urge to dress up my text might overcome me on occasion—please be patient Yes, please do take note of my request regarding visual migraine and deal more helpfully with your urge to dress up.

Additionally, we are not schoolchildren learning a text for an end of term exam, we don't need words highlighted in color, thanks.
.

If you find my postings unbearable just throw them out in the street and I will seek lodgings for them elsewhere. Please do not alter my postings—no one has that right—just delete them.
Nobody has altered your posts. However, you agreed to the Code of Conduct when you joined the group, so I suggest you read it again carefully.

Anyway, moving away from the subject of this thread, Pugdala2, don't forget there's a 'New Member Welcome and Introductions' forum if you'd like to say a little about yourself - and we also have a 'How was your week' thread in the Tea Room in which you might like to participate and have a chat. There are also a number of discussions in which you might like to participate in the various forums on site.

[shumozar]

Quote from: Element on October 26, 2010, 10:20:45 AM
Of 'beings' ('satta'), on the level of ultimate reality, the Theravada scriptures appear to share your point of view:

Ven. Radha went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side.

As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One:

"'A being,' lord. 'A being,' it's said. To what extent is one said to be 'a being'?"

Satto, satto’ti, bhante, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, bhante , sattoti vuccatī’’ti?

"Any desire, passion, delight or craving for form, Radha: when one is caught up there, tied up there, one is said to be 'a being.'

"Any desire, passion, delight or craving for feeling... perception... fabrications...

"Any desire, passion, delight or craving for consciousness, Radha: when one is caught up there, tied up there, one is said to be 'a being.'

Satta Sutta: A Being

Elementary, my dear Watson,

Anything that moves in the mind and is identified with is a sentient being. This is so obvious that I'm surprised so many practicing Buddhists miss it. These transitory karmic creations dominate the unenlightened mind with such constant rapidity that the poor mind actually thinks that's who it is. If the agitated mind sits still and slows itself down the space between thoughts will open up.

The Theravada quote in your second posting really is quite elementary and only the blind would miss it. I have a great affinity and respect for the Theravada but its bones are too dry for me. So, Pudgala, this being so elementary, could you distinguish "being" and "sentient being" in this context?

It's my understanding that "sentient being" indicates an organism with the facility to sense, that is to say touch, see, hear, taste and to experience emotional responses to these stimuli.

The Satta Sutta describes one who is caught up in sensing and desire as a "being". It does not say the mental constructs are themselves beings or sentient beings.

I suggest that the understanding of many practising Buddhists, that "sentient being" refers to an unenlightened individual, is perfectly adequate, and that a re-definition or interpretation of it is unnecessary.

[GEAntonio]

Mrs. Hudson, if I may use a colorful character, your discomfort with colorful characters is noted. I shall endeavor to restrain myself from using them. However, as you can see, I cannot guarantee that the urge to dress up my text might overcome me on occasion—please be patient. I find most postings clueless and boring and I prefer to wake up viewers who are victims of humdrum circumstances.

Pudgala.Aloka-D has politely and reasonably asked you to to refrain from abusing the text color and emphasis features of this forum software. The condition she describes is very real and very unpleasant. Please carefully review the Code of Conduct for this forum. Your continued participation in this forum will depend upon your clear understanding and abidance by it.

[fluoxet]

A man returns home after a weary day of searching for himself. He sits still, frustrated and disappointed, and reviews the workings and the acquisitions of his mind. Suddenly he realizes that there is someone upstairs in the master bedroom and he turns to rush upstairs to confront the intruder. He stops dead in his tracks because he is living in a one room studio.

Heart pounding he sits back down on the brink of insanity because he realizes that the guy in the master bedroom is really him and the guy he thought he was he's not. Being a practiced meditator he brought his panicky mind under control and soon penetrated his own self deception and walked out of the master bedroom. Now he is nobody going nowhere happy to be out of it all.

[Cibirrigmavog]

A man returns home after a weary day of searching for himself. He sits still, frustrated and disappointed, and reviews the workings and the acquisitions of his mind. Suddenly he realizes that there is someone upstairs in the master bedroom and he turns to rush upstairs to confront the intruder. He stops dead in his tracks because he is living in a one room studio.

Heart pounding he sits back down on the brink of insanity because he realizes that the guy in the master bedroom is really him and the guy he thought he was he's not. Being a practiced meditator he brought his panicky mind under control and soon penetrated his own self deception and walked out of the master bedroom. Now he is nobody going nowhere happy to be out of it all.

No billboards or flashing lights - well done! The anecdote is a nice reminder, too.




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