Dear All,
The Buddha taught that 'all composite things are ever changing,' even as there is a timeless face.
This forum is a small corner space for friendly, imaginative, speculative "what if" and "why not" discussions, mulling over the myriad ways in which the world potentially may change in the future, and how Zen teachings and Buddhist Wisdom and Compassion might contribute to changes which point in good directions.
Our planet faces many important questions, social problems, environmental challenges and other grave dangers both today and newly to arise tomorrow. How might Buddhists, together with concerned individuals within other religions and humanistic philosophies who share similar hopes and ethical values, work together to answer and address those questions and challenges? How can we resolve problems and avoid those potential dangers, all in ways which are good, positive, healthful and ethical? How can we build a better, more peaceful and cleaner world via means which are moral and respectful of human rights, with wisdom and compassion?
As well, possible developments in society, technology and humanity may impact Zen and Buddhism in interesting ways. Let us creatively consider what might happen, and how Zen and other aspects of Buddhist practice will be impacted by such changes, as well as how such changes might complement and add positively to Buddhism.
This is not a forum to predict the future with clarity. That is a fool's errand. However, some significant developments seem to be already on the horizon, while others remain much more speculative or fantastic, if not simply improbable or impossible. We will seek in discussions to rely on what reputable and well-regarded scientists, futurists and other deep thinkers are saying might be possible or (even better) highly likely for the coming years, not mere science fiction or illusory fable. With that said, however, our discussions will be open and fun, serious yet "thinking outside boxes." Rather than predicting where, in the future, this boat is definitely heading around the river bend and what certainly awaits over far horizons, we will seek simply to keep our society's bow pointed in safe and beneficial directions, even as we imagine and prepare for what might (just "might") be awaiting past those blind curves and horizons. Let's ponder the possibilities together!
Unlike most other sections of Treeleaf Forum, there will be a few special features and requests in this "BUDDHISM of the FUTURE" section:
That means that discussion must always be civil and reasonable even when IDEAS are being strongly criticized. Of course, PEOPLE must not be criticized, the so-called ad hominem attack, but please be discerning of the difference! Disparagement of people will not be allowed, but criticism of some idea which a person proposes, even if strongly and harshly rejected, is not criticism of the person. (Alas, I think that most people do not know the difference, and take intellectual criticism of their ideas as a personal attack.) For example, saying to someone "your idea seems to me to be totally illogical and lacking in evidence" is not equivalent to saying to someone, "I think you are a fool." The former is acceptable, the latter is not. People often confuse the distinction these days, taking rejection of a personal idea as a personal assault, which has led to our loss of the ability to debate ideas among ourselves. Within such bounds, strong disagreements and evidence based attack of IDEAS, mine or anyone else's, are welcome and encouraged.
** In fact, not so outlandish a biological scenario at all, and long discussed by medical ethicists: (e.g., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC479188/)
** Unless respected experts propose that such violations might be possible, with a citation such as here: (e.g, https://physicsworld.com/a/spacecraf...ims-physicist/)
This forum will further serve as a place where I can toss out, debate, question and have questioned the potential and morality of, iron out, polish, strengthen or discard/have shot down various ideas for my upcoming book:
This world needs fixing, violence needs taming, the environment needs protecting, society should be more just and equitable, children deserve our protection and to be healthy and safe. This has been the dream of Buddhists and countless others for centuries. We must do so in ways in keeping with the Precepts, general morality, and respect for human and civil rights. Maybe, just maybe, we might take some steps now to realize those dreams and, along the way, save this planet which is hanging for its existence by a thread dangling in vast space. Might we even realize a Pure Land on this earth? If we cannot fix all the problems of Samsara, might we at least make conditions a bit better, bringing to life a little Buddha on Earth, here and now?
In this small corner of Treeleaf Forum, I hope that people will be willing to civilly and softly discuss the future of Buddhism, Zen and our world.
Gassho, Jundo
stlah
The Buddha taught that 'all composite things are ever changing,' even as there is a timeless face.
This forum is a small corner space for friendly, imaginative, speculative "what if" and "why not" discussions, mulling over the myriad ways in which the world potentially may change in the future, and how Zen teachings and Buddhist Wisdom and Compassion might contribute to changes which point in good directions.
Our planet faces many important questions, social problems, environmental challenges and other grave dangers both today and newly to arise tomorrow. How might Buddhists, together with concerned individuals within other religions and humanistic philosophies who share similar hopes and ethical values, work together to answer and address those questions and challenges? How can we resolve problems and avoid those potential dangers, all in ways which are good, positive, healthful and ethical? How can we build a better, more peaceful and cleaner world via means which are moral and respectful of human rights, with wisdom and compassion?
As well, possible developments in society, technology and humanity may impact Zen and Buddhism in interesting ways. Let us creatively consider what might happen, and how Zen and other aspects of Buddhist practice will be impacted by such changes, as well as how such changes might complement and add positively to Buddhism.
This is not a forum to predict the future with clarity. That is a fool's errand. However, some significant developments seem to be already on the horizon, while others remain much more speculative or fantastic, if not simply improbable or impossible. We will seek in discussions to rely on what reputable and well-regarded scientists, futurists and other deep thinkers are saying might be possible or (even better) highly likely for the coming years, not mere science fiction or illusory fable. With that said, however, our discussions will be open and fun, serious yet "thinking outside boxes." Rather than predicting where, in the future, this boat is definitely heading around the river bend and what certainly awaits over far horizons, we will seek simply to keep our society's bow pointed in safe and beneficial directions, even as we imagine and prepare for what might (just "might") be awaiting past those blind curves and horizons. Let's ponder the possibilities together!
Unlike most other sections of Treeleaf Forum, there will be a few special features and requests in this "BUDDHISM of the FUTURE" section:
- First Rule: As always, we must remain polite, civil, soft-spoken, willing to hear opinions with which we do no concur, ready to "agree to disagree." More wordiness, social and political discussion (but primarily as they relate to possible future societal developments), moral philosophizing and the like will be allowed here than in many other areas of Treeleaf (where we do our best to leave the debate and intellectual wheel turning at the Zendo door.) Rather hard debate and strong disagreement will be allowed, so long as one's voice is polite, civil, reasonable and non-angry. Please always keep the tone calm and friendly.
That means that discussion must always be civil and reasonable even when IDEAS are being strongly criticized. Of course, PEOPLE must not be criticized, the so-called ad hominem attack, but please be discerning of the difference! Disparagement of people will not be allowed, but criticism of some idea which a person proposes, even if strongly and harshly rejected, is not criticism of the person. (Alas, I think that most people do not know the difference, and take intellectual criticism of their ideas as a personal attack.) For example, saying to someone "your idea seems to me to be totally illogical and lacking in evidence" is not equivalent to saying to someone, "I think you are a fool." The former is acceptable, the latter is not. People often confuse the distinction these days, taking rejection of a personal idea as a personal assault, which has led to our loss of the ability to debate ideas among ourselves. Within such bounds, strong disagreements and evidence based attack of IDEAS, mine or anyone else's, are welcome and encouraged.
- Second Rule: It is important that we allow for speculation, imagination and "what if's" without confusing those with prediction of "will be's" or advocacy of particular stances. If somebody proposes a speculative "what if" or "could be," that does not mean that the person is advocating and personally supporting the idea. One is allowed to explore ethical implications. To give one outlandish ** example: Were someone merely to ask "Might the wealthy in society soon breed clones of themselves for purposes of organ donation, and would doing so be in keeping with the Precepts?" (combined with their playing "devil's advocate" regarding positive aspects of doing so), that does not mean that the questioner herself supports and encourages commercial human body farms, mass clonal genocide or forced organ harvesting from captive sentient beings! The fact that there may be abuses does not mean that all possible techniques of cloning organs are necessarily immoral and equivalent to mass killing. The question has simply been raised for discussion in order to flesh out (pun intended) the ramifications of the topic.
** In fact, not so outlandish a biological scenario at all, and long discussed by medical ethicists: (e.g., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC479188/)
- Third Rule: While speculation and creative ideas are welcome, pseudo-science, quack medicine, religious dogma posing as fact and pure science fiction are not welcome. To the degree possible, assertions must be backed by reliable evidence, scientific method and/or the speculations and proposals of recognized experts respected in their fields. Citations and references to respected and accredited sources (not anonymous or otherwise doubtful voices on the internet) should be provided. I am a lifelong skeptic and critic of factual nonsense, silly theories and hocus-pocus religiosity, even within Buddhism. Assertions which violate the known laws of physics should be avoided. **
** Unless respected experts propose that such violations might be possible, with a citation such as here: (e.g, https://physicsworld.com/a/spacecraf...ims-physicist/)
This forum will further serve as a place where I can toss out, debate, question and have questioned the potential and morality of, iron out, polish, strengthen or discard/have shot down various ideas for my upcoming book:
BUILDING the FUTURE BUDDHA
The Zen of AI, Genes, Saving the World and Travel to the Stars
The Zen of AI, Genes, Saving the World and Travel to the Stars
This world needs fixing, violence needs taming, the environment needs protecting, society should be more just and equitable, children deserve our protection and to be healthy and safe. This has been the dream of Buddhists and countless others for centuries. We must do so in ways in keeping with the Precepts, general morality, and respect for human and civil rights. Maybe, just maybe, we might take some steps now to realize those dreams and, along the way, save this planet which is hanging for its existence by a thread dangling in vast space. Might we even realize a Pure Land on this earth? If we cannot fix all the problems of Samsara, might we at least make conditions a bit better, bringing to life a little Buddha on Earth, here and now?
In this small corner of Treeleaf Forum, I hope that people will be willing to civilly and softly discuss the future of Buddhism, Zen and our world.
Gassho, Jundo
stlah
)
). I have to say it is reinvigorating my imagination as well as giving me a welcome new perspective on the universe.
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