It is much easier to alter history than it is to alter the works of Plato or the Buddha although, in the example of Buddhism, the interpretation of what the Buddha meant or was trying to teach can be altered.
What we know as the history of World War II can radically change based on newly discovered documents. This is unlikely to happen with Buddhism. Also, it would be wrong on our part to believe that Buddhist scholars know what the Buddha taught. Some I am sure have it more right than others.
In our search for authentic Buddhism we are always looking for an easy path to the summit of Buddhism: a path, more or less, based on our own preconceptions and values which can be quite shallow. In fact, we never reach the summit or get to the dangerous ice that guards the summit. We are still in base camp getting ready to climb.
What we know as the history of World War II can radically change based on newly discovered documents. This is unlikely to happen with Buddhism. Also, it would be wrong on our part to believe that Buddhist scholars know what the Buddha taught. Some I am sure have it more right than others.
In our search for authentic Buddhism we are always looking for an easy path to the summit of Buddhism: a path, more or less, based on our own preconceptions and values which can be quite shallow. In fact, we never reach the summit or get to the dangerous ice that guards the summit. We are still in base camp getting ready to climb.
Every generation has their problems which make reaching the summit of Buddhism next to impossible. But still it can be done despite all the difficulties each generation faces. We have to understand that the path is for the purpose of intuiting the absolute. It is not a way like haṭha yoga, trying to make the body supple by force.
To rightly grasp what intuition is about is to understand what Zen is about. It doesn’t mean we are awakened just that we know where our spiritual efforts are to be directed
We are supposed to transcend this spatiotemporal body since it is not a true refuge. If we succeed we, suddenly, intuit the primary essence of everything even our thoughts. That is the refuge. It is our guide too. It is the real Buddha.
To rightly grasp what intuition is about is to understand what Zen is about. It doesn’t mean we are awakened just that we know where our spiritual efforts are to be directed
We are supposed to transcend this spatiotemporal body since it is not a true refuge. If we succeed we, suddenly, intuit the primary essence of everything even our thoughts. That is the refuge. It is our guide too. It is the real Buddha.
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