What happened to this place?

[Jundo]

Re: What happened to this place?

I would like to talk about backhair. ops:

where does buddha stand on this topic?

gassho
Greg

Actually, if traditional accounts are right (although other traditional accounts indicate nothing special about his appearance) ...

(16) A Buddha’s bodily hair curls clockwise, with never more than one hair growing from each pore. This is due to his having rid himself completely of mental wandering, busy work, and bustling confusion.

http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/ar ... arks_.html

also

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_c ... the_Buddha

[Dokan]

Re: What happened to this place?

(16) A Buddha’s bodily hair curls clockwise, with never more than one hair growing from each pore. This is due to his having rid himself completely of mental wandering, busy work, and bustling confusion.

Is that clockwise from an internal or external perspective? :twisted:

Either way, it's amazing that these details are chronicled.

Probably not a link I'll bookmark.

Gassho,

Shawn

[Stephanie]

Re: What happened to this place?

Chet, do you ever walk into a situation and think, "What can I learn here?" And really look sincerely to others with the attitude they could teach you something? Why do you automatically assume the role of instructing everyone else? Do you realize how absurd it comes across as being?

[Ankai]

Re: What happened to this place?

Post or don't post.

[Rich]

Re: What happened to this place?

Somebody's boring me … I think it's me!
Dylan Thomas

Even boredom is something you do, but at the same time absolutely nothing has happened to this place. So it must be all in your mind. The dog is whining to go out.

[Shohei]

Re: What happened to this place?

Hiyas.
as mod # 2, I agree, lacking - but not in like "this MUST BE FIXED" kinda way. More in the this is the way it is kinda way :|

The discussion/postings/etc go up and down for sure - and I but its not some thing to fix. As Fugen pointed out we each make up this space, so forcing more or less posting does not work. Like the Zen sitting hall, calls for more people to utilize the halls may seem to fall on deaf ears. Go sit enjoy and share experiences with those that are there...others will come by sheer curiosity and stay. Some will leave. Same thing happens with the Tea party, Ango etc etc.

One thought for me, as a beginning beginner at treeleaf, I had it all down pat. Not too long into my practice I had it figured out. So I truly, then, I had not thing to ask or add. That, did not last and so it goes like that. This practice requires experience and that experience determines the ups and downs we see here- questions, comments and musings and some times nothing at all.

With lots of new faces, comes lots of old questions and that is the way it goes and there is no better time for those who have been down that path to open up and share some perspective or answer some of these "beginning" questions or issues. This Also a great time for new folks to open up to each other and the other more weathered "beginners" in the Sangha rather than watching for the guys with no hair on their head for some of the Buddha basics. In just such cases, in our discussions the golden rule REALLY needs to apply. We are here to support one and other. Ribbing and such is okay when you are familiar with that person, otherwise use common sense and sincerity - its aids in every one keeping that first rule.

On posting being "boring" I'm not a poet, however I enjoy poetry - in those threads I have nothing to add but gratitude. I do not have ever much to share but take lots away. Same goes for philosophical debates on somethings do not lure me into the fray, others I jump right in. I do not often take to the deeper philosophical discussions or debates as I feel I often miss some key underlying points or smaller picture (or bigger what ever) and so I worry I will spoil the stew, sour the brew, start break dancing in the middle of a tango (or the other way around). This may be the case for some folks too...that all said, its good to get out of the comfort zone and try once in awhile and give it a spin rather than calling from the side lines for something more interesting.

Anywho, so many have summed this up clearer and more precise please for give my ramblings!

Gassho
the rambler :S

[ghop]

Re: What happened to this place?

even boredom is something you do, but at the same time absolutely nothing has happened to this place. So it must be all in your mind. The dog is whining to go out.

This is my new sutra. :wink:

gassho
Greg

[Rich]

Re: What happened to this place?

even boredom is something you do, but at the same time absolutely nothing has happened to this place. So it must be all in your mind. The dog is whining to go out.

This is my new sutra. :wink:

gassho
Greg

The Diamond Sutra is pretty good too, and its a lot easier to understand.

[jonhinkson]

Re: What happened to this place?

I know the desire to have a deep conversation. It's real. I have, in the past, duped myself into creating or manufacturing the facade of intelectual and deep thinking. It's tiring to say the least. What brings me back to now is what's in front of me. New promation at work. Feeding the cats. Doing the dishes. Looking at the kaleidoscope of colors in my daughter's eyes. Practice is life. Whether it's deepest abyss or skating on the surface of the water. Somebody tell me if I'm off base, please.

Gassho Brothers and Sisters

Jonathan

[Dosho]

Re: What happened to this place?

Somebody tell me if I'm off base, please.

Nope...can't do it...sorry to disappoint.

Gassho,
Dosho

[chessie]

Re: What happened to this place?

I've really enjoyed this thread thus far. I've been here a while, and my own posting goes in waves, up and down. Also, I communicate frequently through private messages depending on the topic or sometimes as a way to temper my own high emotions. I've been borderline obsessed with spiritual matters for decades, but those times when I dive into the 'deep waters', are the times that raise my own arrogance. I've done the longer and harder than you. I've studied more than you. Etc, Etc. In the end, I've been much happier in 'not knowing' and enjoying what I learn here, and enjoying the friends who stay with me here.

Forums fall apart when: the discussions are consistently off topic, the tone of talk is consistently attacking or negative, and/or there is not sufficient reason for 'new blood' to join the mix. We have none of these criteria here, and I firmly believe that Treeleaf is alive and well. It doesn't really matter if I'm here a lot or a little--y'all make it clear that I belong.

Chet, whether the talk is deep or shallow, and whether about you or not, and whether on a topic that is interesting or boring...in any case I firmly believe that you belong here too.

Gassho, Ann

[Nenka]

Re: What happened to this place?

I also think that we are going overboard with the "Happy Birthdays"! 8) Maybe we could do what they do at the office, and have a monthly "Happy Birthday" party for everyone. Also, I wish we could have cake.

Yeah, actually I feel a little weird about the birthdays because I don't really "know" some of the people and I can't decide if it would be odd to say "Happy Birthday!" or just ignore some people and not others (who wants to be ignored on their birthday?)

Monthly might be a good idea.

[Dosho]

Re: What happened to this place?

Yeah, actually I feel a little weird about the birthdays because I don't really "know" some of the people and I can't decide if it would be odd to say "Happy Birthday!" or just ignore some people and not others (who wants to be ignored on their birthday?)

Monthly might be a good idea.

Hi all,

If I was at an employee's birthday party (on the actual day they were born) and didn't know the employee personally, should I refuse to sing happy birthday? If I was at one of your houses celebrating your uncle's/cousin's/great aunt's birthday should I refuse to eat any cake? If I saw a complete stranger crying, would I walk by them without asking if they were ok? Would I be more likely to do so if it was a kid at a McDonalds wearing a birthday crown? I'd like to think I'd sing, eat, and ask...even without the crown.

I respectfully disagree with Jundo about the birthday threads and think it's odd that wishing someone well once a year would seem "overboard" or burdensome. Is there any more basic metta than taking a moment...even if there was a birthday here every single day...to wish anyone, well known or a stranger, a happy trip around the sun and think about them rather than ourselves in that moment? It, quite frankly, is the LEAST we can do around here to celebrate the lives of our sangha members, at least to me it is. As always, feel free to disagree...all I ever offer is my $0.02.

Gassho,
Dosho

[Rich]

Re: What happened to this place?

Somebody's boring me … I think it's me!
Dylan Thomas

Even boredom is something you do, but at the same time absolutely nothing has happened to this place. So it must be all in your mind. The dog is whining to go out.

When that guy barked, it gets your attention - there is nothing to think about, nothing to understand, no secret to reveal. Just keep coming back to that perception/attention and you'll be fine. Ofcause, most of the people here probably do that more than me. I live mostly in a habit world, so I keep practicing.

[anista]

Re: What happened to this place?

I respectfully disagree with Jundo about the birthday threads and think it's odd that wishing someone well once a year would seem "overboard" or burdensome. Is there any more basic metta than taking a moment...even if there was a birthday here every single day...to wish anyone, well known or a stranger, a happy trip around the sun and think about them rather than ourselves in that moment? It, quite frankly, is the LEAST we can do around here to celebrate the lives of our sangha members, at least to me it is. As always, feel free to disagree...all I ever offer is my $0.02.

Gassho,
Dosho

Hello Dosho,

Since I, too, brought it up, I should offer my explanation. Birthday threads are nice. But they could be problematic.

First of all - what about those people who doesn't get a happy birtday thread? I'm sure it can bring out feelings of being rejected, overseen, or simply ignored. Who gets a birthday thread? The most popular? People we tend to notice? People we see accidentally on Treeleaf's "today's birthday is ..."?

Second of all - and this is purely a forum aspect: many threads on literally the same subject tend to clog up a forum. This is, after all, a discussion forum as well, and sometimes a lot of threads on the same subject is making it a bit heavy when you're sifting through the latest posts, to actually find discussions or unique subjects that hasn't been delt with a hundred times before.

Forum-wise, I think it would be good either with monthly celebration, or a "birthday thread", where all these compassionate posts could be placed. That doesn't solve everything, but at least it frees up some space, and makes it easier to find subjects and navigate on the board.

Or maybe I'm just grumpy because I don't celebrate my birthdays anymore.

For what it's worth.