Pass wrote
I also do not like how many masters teach as if what they are teaching or the "dharma" they are teaching is the undeniable truth, I dislike how followers generally follow it blindly and in fear of retribution so they do not "slander" or criticize it. Therefore I am no longer a Buddhist. I do like their virtues and morality tho.
I see your informed perspective and I can agree with alot you mention, especially anything that defies modern science. Perhaps I'm not as 'buddhist' as I think I am, Haha! I was never in a monastery as you were (which is very interesting), so perhaps I haven't been as inundated with the "cult-ish" aspects of it or the stict adherence to belief systems. I just read a whole lot about it, meditate once in a while, visit a class periodically and go to single day retreats at Kadampa Temple in NY state with some friends when I am able. I think I have my own unique version of Buddhism in my mind, lol, beliefs are just beliefs, nothing to cling to, empty in themselves, always changeable and suseptable to revision or just simply throwing away. But at least for today, I still love Buddha and all his myriad manifestations.
Peace.
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I also do not like how many masters teach as if what they are teaching or the "dharma" they are teaching is the undeniable truth, I dislike how followers generally follow it blindly and in fear of retribution so they do not "slander" or criticize it. Therefore I am no longer a Buddhist. I do like their virtues and morality tho.
I see your informed perspective and I can agree with alot you mention, especially anything that defies modern science. Perhaps I'm not as 'buddhist' as I think I am, Haha! I was never in a monastery as you were (which is very interesting), so perhaps I haven't been as inundated with the "cult-ish" aspects of it or the stict adherence to belief systems. I just read a whole lot about it, meditate once in a while, visit a class periodically and go to single day retreats at Kadampa Temple in NY state with some friends when I am able. I think I have my own unique version of Buddhism in my mind, lol, beliefs are just beliefs, nothing to cling to, empty in themselves, always changeable and suseptable to revision or just simply throwing away. But at least for today, I still love Buddha and all his myriad manifestations.
Peace.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
Buddha
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
Buddha
