What happened to this place?

[disastermouse]

Huh. This forum used to have some interesting discussions, now I see that all the most recent posts are just Taigu's flowery poetics. Is it really possible that no one's got anything to say (except Taigu)? Or is it not the place of students to start interesting conversations?

Chet

[Dosho]

Re: What happened to this place?

Huh. This forum used to have some interesting discussions, now I see that all the most recent posts are just Taigu's flowery poetics. Is it really possible that no one's got anything to say (except Taigu)? Or is it not the place of students to start interesting conversations?

Chet

Hmm...so, in just a few sentences you described the rest of the sangha as boring, criticized Taigu for being Taigu, and instead of starting your own "interesting" thread, you decided to complain about others.

Welcome back my friend...wasn't the same without you.

Gassho,
Dosho

[disastermouse]

Re: What happened to this place?

Huh. This forum used to have some interesting discussions, now I see that all the most recent posts are just Taigu's flowery poetics. Is it really possible that no one's got anything to say (except Taigu)? Or is it not the place of students to start interesting conversations?

Chet

Hmm...so, in just a few sentences you described the rest of the sangha as boring, criticized Taigu for being Taigu, and instead of starting your own "interesting" thread, you decided to complain about others.

Welcome back my friend...wasn't the same without you.

Gassho,
Dosho

It's not that it's boring - I'm wondering what's at the root of the problem. Apparently not everyone thinks it's a problem.

Also, my 'interesting' threads get me in trouble - wouldn't you say? I've been sort of tentative about stirring the pot until today - and I'm stumped as to why the place isn't a bed of actual discussion and introspection instead of just 'Taigu posts vague poetry about Zen' and everyone lines up and says, 'Oh! Thank you! That was awesome!'

Some of what Taigu writes or vid-posts is actually very profound IMHO - but validating his every post - even the 'hmm....yeah....okay?' ones seems counterproductive.

Is this a Zen group or is it just a 'me-too' daisy-chain?

Also, Taigu's not the 'problem' that I'm pointing out here - he just bugged the heck out of me with heavy-handedness because I don't think he's aware he's being heavy-handed and doing it with a frequent scapegoat that he knows no one will likely defend. Taigu's just as likely to jolt me awake with something - so I don't want you thinking I'm hating on everything Taigu-esque.

Chet

[Jinyu]

Re: What happened to this place?

Come on buddy, please...
Just look at the forum, we had a lot of very interesting discussion these last months, ...
A lot of persons joined us lately and maybe we had a bit more discussion on some "basic teachings", but these are great opportunities for everyone to take some inspiration for our daily practice. The teachings we shared for this year's Jukai or Ango for example were very rich, maybe "basic" but still rich!
No need to get fancy! We discuss "high philosophical" stuff sometimes and sometimes we just talk about the best posture to use when sitting...
But I'm sure you understand my point!

gassho,
Jinyu
ps: I'm very happy to see you back in the forum, you verb just like Stephanie's words are sometimes too "crude" for me, but they are great opportunities to practice. I hope you won't misunderstand my words, you know I'm not the most skilled in English

[Taylor]

Re: What happened to this place?

This post itched, literally. So I thank you for the discomfort, the boat needs to be rocked now and then to make sure people don't fall into complacency.

That being said, and I speak for myself alone here, when I don't have anything to say, I don't try to say something. A "Thank you for the teaching" suffices now and then. Not that I need to justify my words, or lack there of.

Friendly Gassho,
Taylor (Myoken)

[disastermouse]

Re: What happened to this place?

This post itched, literally. So I thank you for the discomfort, the boat needs to be rocked now and then to make sure people don't fall into complacency.

That being said, and I speak for myself alone here, when I don't have anything to say, I don't try to say something. A "Thank you for the teaching" suffices now and then. Not that I need to justify my words, or lack there of.

Friendly Gassho,
Taylor (Myoken)

Zen is zen - does life intrude? It really doesn't, but sometimes it seems to. People used to not gloss over the cracks with the whole 'it's all zen - everything zen' stuff. It's true, everything is zen - everything is practice, but sometimes it seems not to be and people used to talk about that.

Now they don't. I don't think you just get to 'everything is zen' in any earnest way just by saying 'yeah, everything is Zen'. I think that there's going to be a lot of the appearance of life 'getting in the way'.

Chet

[Omoi Otoshi]

Re: What happened to this place?

I just posted some vague Zen poetry that might interest you! :lol:

Gassho,
Pontus

[Omoi Otoshi]

Re: What happened to this place?

Some of what Taigu writes or vid-posts is actually very profound IMHO - but validating his every post - even the 'hmm....yeah....okay?' ones seems counterproductive.

By the way, I have an idea! Why don't you judge all new vid-posts first, so that the rest of us know if it is profound or not?
If everyone else appreciates a post but you go 'hmm....yeah....okay?', then it would save me some time and I could go delude myself somewhere else! :lol:

I honestly think it's the stirring you are after, the rest is just rationalization. Better watch that!

[disastermouse]

Re: What happened to this place?

Some of what Taigu writes or vid-posts is actually very profound IMHO - but validating his every post - even the 'hmm....yeah....okay?' ones seems counterproductive.

By the way, I have an idea! Why don't you judge all new vid-posts first, so that the rest of us know if it is profound or not?
If everyone else appreciates a post but you go 'hmm....yeah....okay?', then it would save me some time and I could go delude myself somewhere else! :lol:

I honestly think it's the stirring you are after, the rest is just rationalization. Better watch that!

Disagree if you want to disagree - and obviously I'm not suggesting that I'm the arbiter of the profound - I'm just saying that there used to be a lot of the profound coming from the 'peanut gallery' of the student-hood.

Now I guess we should just know our place and say 'Yes, teacher! So profound teacher! Pain does not exist in this dojo, Sensei!'

It's easy to punch at me, Ponty - try to punch above your weight though - and not always at the scapegoats.

If this is just supposed to be a one-way conveyor-belt of wisdom from the robed bald guys to the funnily-named students - oops! My bad. Also, I'm obviously in the wrong place.

Chet

[chicanobudista]

Re: What happened to this place?

Sometimes, even at parties, people will talk and talk. Have these great conversations. And talk out most of the themes and issues and experiences of the day. A quiet comes down. People hug and kiss and call it a night.

Forums are no different.

Between Zen Forum International and TL (and once in a long while Dhamma Wheel), I get most of my fill of Buddhist chat. But. I mean. How many threads do I really need to read about Four Noble Truths, Karma, Impermanence, etc to get an idea about it? Many threads with questions on Buddhist concepts usually start the same and progress along the same lines. I have a good Buddhist library that I use to answer some if not most of my questions. The rest of the Buddhist practice is LIfe outside of this forum.

But. DM. If you got something interesting to discuss. Put the honey (or the ****) and us flies might buzz in. :mrgreen:

[Omoi Otoshi]

Re: What happened to this place?

It's easy to punch at me, Ponty - try to punch above your weight though - and not always at the scapegoats.

I'm new here, so I don't know the "weight" of people yet.
You say that you are a scapegoat, but to me you were a blank sheet until you lost your temper today and I teased you for it my post above (I wrote that before I saw your post in the Genpo thread, at least now I know where all the anger comes from). I teased Taigu Sensei in another thread, and he took it well. That was no punch. At least it wasn't meant to be and if you see it as a punch I apologize for it.
I have appreciated several of your other posts that were very eloquently put and made good points. This thread was more like 'hmm....yeah....okay?' :wink:

Take care,
Pontus

[anista]

Re: What happened to this place?

Huh. This forum used to have some interesting discussions, now I see that all the most recent posts are just Taigu's flowery poetics. Is it really possible that no one's got anything to say (except Taigu)? Or is it not the place of students to start interesting conversations?

Chet

Hm, maybe these kinds of discussions come in waves? You know, after rebirth/reincarnation posts, vegetarian vs. meat eating threads, sex scandals among buddhist (especially zen) clergy threads, etc., people tend to lay low for a while. I know that's true for me anyway. Then after a while, someone will bring up an interesting post and the discussions will flow again.

Something like that.

But I too sometimes miss these kinds of discussions, after seeing the hundredth happy birthday thread popping up. These are important as well of course, but you know what I mean. Hopefully.

[Dokan]

Re: What happened to this place?

This thread smells of reality tv.

Stirring the pot constructively is probably a good thing on occasion, and while it could be the failings of online communications, this doesn't appear as such. Maybe I'm deceived.

While my knowledge/wisdom/experience may not be on par with most here, I will assuredly contribute where I feel directed.

A quote from Gandhi came to mind while reading this thread:

'Be the change you want to see in the world.'

Maybe it could apply to our forum?

Thanks for your practice.

Gassho,
Shawn

[Jinyu]

Re: What happened to this place?

A thing is sure... Since you are back a thread or two are more dynamic ... and I love it! :wink:
I don't always agree with you DM, but at least you are open to debate! And ... Oh G-d...it is not always so!

gassho,
Jinyu

[disastermouse]

Re: What happened to this place?

It's easy to punch at me, Ponty - try to punch above your weight though - and not always at the scapegoats.

I'm new here, so I don't know the "weight" of people yet.
You say that you are a scapegoat, but to me you were a blank sheet until you lost your temper today and I teased you for it my post above (I wrote that before I saw your post in the Genpo thread, at least now I know where all the anger comes from). I teased Taigu Sensei in another thread, and he took it well. That was no punch. At least it wasn't meant to be and if you see it as a punch I apologize for it.
I have appreciated several of your other posts that were very eloquently put and made good points. This thread was more like 'hmm....yeah....okay?' :wink:

Take care,
Pontus

Lost my temper? Where did that happen?

So you don't know the history of the Steph/Chet/Harry scapegoats? Ah well, that was another time. I don't mind being a scapegoat - but Taigu will smash Steph down for basically nothing.

I was talking to two mods here who agree that the 'discussion' aspect of this discussion forum is lacking. I'm not entirely alone in my assessment - even if I'm relatively alone in being vocal about it.

Chet