Buddhism Through Its Scriptures

[Anshu Bryson]

Just a "don't judge a book by its cover" correction. It appears from the syllabus and introduction that the course covers Mahayana Sutras as well.

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

Day 2 and, straight after an overview of the Pali Canon, it is straight into Zen texts, including Mumonkan and Dogen's Sansuikyo...

Gassho,
Anshu

-sat today-

[Nindo]

I'm enrolled but haven't looked at it yet due to travel.
Gassho
Nindo

[Jakugan]

I've enrolled also. Looks interesting.

Gashho,

Jakugan

Sat today

[Jakuden]

OK I joined! Would it be OK to post questions and/or discussion about the material here?

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday

[John Mac]

Hello All,

I joined too, last night, and watched the first two videos.
What an excellent resource, great that it's free.
Gratitude to all those who have made it possible.

Gassho,
John

[Jundo]

OK I joined! Would it be OK to post questions and/or discussion about the material here?

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday

Of course.

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

[Kaishin]

Thank you, I am joining in (just reading/watching along).

[Toun]

Enrolled today...

Gassho
Mike

Sat today

[Jishin]

Participation in the course is possible with "edX" iphone/android app.

Gassho, Jishin, ST

[Risho]

Thanks Roland! Thanks for pointing out that app Jishin

Gassho

Risho
-sattoday

[Mp]

Participation in the course is possible with "edX" iphone/android app.

Gassho, Jishin, ST

Very cool, thanks Jishin. =)

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

[Jishin]

You are welcome Shingen. [emoji106]

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Jakuden]

From the reading: "Refuge: An Introduction to the Buddha, Dhamma, & Sangha"by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

This seems to really get to the heart of things, but I am struggling a bit with some of the concepts...

"But because good and bad kamma, consisting of good and bad intentions, simply perpetuate the ups and downs of experience in the cosmos, a way must be found out of the mechanism of kamma by mastering it in a way that allows it to disband in an attentive state of non-intention. And, because there is no telling what sudden surprises the results of one's past kamma may still hold in store, one should try to develop that mastery as quickly as possible."

Is this describing shikantaza, "an attentive state of non-intention?" Some of my confusion arises I think because on one hand it sounds like you must choose Right Action and Right Intention to break out of the Karma cycle, yet on the other hand it sounds like you must have "non-intention."

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday

[Kaishin]

One thing to bear in mind is that this course brings in readings from many different traditions. A lot of Theravadan writing seems like Greek (as I'm sure Zen writings do to those practitioners). He wouldn't be talking specifically about shikantaza given his tradition. I would imagine he's referring to the samadhi of one of the jhana states. Although there's perhaps similarities.

Also, I find it helpful to refer to something Jundo wrote awhile back (this is just in general, not in response to your post, Jakuden) about the Theravadan tradition and what is or isn't "original" or "true" Buddhism: http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post153794

And also something Brad Warner said in "Don't Be a Jerk," which is that he sees no indication that the Buddha suggested that his thoughts and practices were intended to be the "end all, be all," fixed in time at his death, or that later interpretations couldn't improve on them or modify them in ways that help people in different times and traditions.

I guess I went off on a tangent there :P But sometimes you will see comments in the discussions about Theravadan being the "true Buddhism" which, as Jundo points out, is specious.

-satToday

[Jakuden]

Ah see, that is why I asked to post here, I knew I would need help figuring out what was what. Thanks, I think this link to Jundo's post will help a lot!

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday