The process of actively deconstructing & destroying belief systems and other conditioning has been the particularly lengthy and unpleasant part.
-
-
As the saying goes, "if you think you're enlightened, go spend a week with your family"
-
This is the ultimate test.
-
No, the ultimate test would be moving back in with them. Also called “the millenial test.”

-
Even the Buddha wasn't confident enough in his enlightenment to move back in with him family.
-
*his, damn it.
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
more to the point, I don't see how permanent monasticism is AT ALL compatible with ethical living. one of the contradictions about so much of the Mahayana traditions that I can't quite reconcile. You literally take a vow to save all sentient beings. You have to be engaged.
-
Yes, but according to that worldview, you are *magically* engaged. Your thoughts and prayers are beaming out of the monastery and influencing reality in a positive direction. (Not saying I believe that, but that's how it works in that tradition.)
-
Yeah. This is a big part of the archaic metaphysics that needs a reckoning imo. To be fair, it doesn't seem to be that big of a problem in Western Buddhism afaict. Bernie Glassman's approach seems more typical, and an appropriate update for American life.
-
The dharma will be at its peak when the West is good at calling Buddhism on its bullshit, and vice versa. Though the flip-side of Western Buddhism dumping everything it finds too mystical is that it makes you wonder if there are useful parts that we just don't understand yet.
-
The student asked "What is the true meaning of Shakyamuni's great realization?" The master said "Gotta call you on that bullshit, friend."
-
I feel like the ultimate Zen master move would be intimately training a student for 20-30 years, and then one day saying to them "Now you are ready for the highest truth, and it is this: Everything I've taught you is complete bullshit. I made it all up!"
-
Come to think of it that might be closer to reality than a joke.
-
nonono, the real Zen approach is to say that on day 1. the student doesn't believe it at first. then 30 years later when they've managed to convince themselves through direct experience the master says "I told you so."
- 1 more reply
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.