Finding our way to The Way one situation at a time. I don't know how great it will be, but I expect it will be interesting, and I look forward to it going on past all reason because wonder is just that way. Are you coming or not?
Baxter Creek Bridge — Big Creek Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Buddhism is another caste system with a different dharma and more teachers telling people what to do and how to live their life.
Not even the Buddha himself would know where my back itches when for how long.
Not even my eye doctor knows if 1 is better than 2 or if 2 is better than 3.
All of the experts eventually have to ask me what I think.
Not the Buddhist experts. They tell me not to think, just listen to them.
Thank you, no.
I know when the shoe pinches and where, and what style I prefer and when I feel like wearing them.
The Buddhists think one size fits all. And individual preferences don't matter.
And their flocks love to be told what to do when, where, how, asking, "Am I doing it right now? Now? Now?..." Wondering "What's wrong with me? Why can't I get it right ever?"
Buddhist don't know anything they haven't been told to know, and have to have somebody else's approval before they do anything.
Sheep waiting to be told to Baaaa and when to stop.
I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing.
I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters, five granddaughters, one great granddaughter, and a great grandson on the way, within about ten minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything.
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2 thoughts on “July 15, 2024 – B”
Our knowledge of anything can only be as good as its source, the value of the truth that we understand, can only be of as much credibility as what we have understood!
In my experience, there is so much hay in the stack, it is not likely to find truth looking outside. This is precisely why, beyond a certain point, once we feel we have understood whatever was of value, it helps to stop chasing knowledge, and settle down in its source- our innermost ‘knowing’.
On that note: If we try to find truth from Buddhists, we will learn about (their) version of Buddhism, which may not have anything to do with the truth we are really after (Buddha). If we are after the truth of ‘Buddha’, we have to know Buddha (the source of all wisdom) which is inside us!
When we try to find wisdom outside, we often end up barking at the wrong tree, and feel disappointed! Zen masters have often said to burn the Buddha you meet (outside) because he cannot be authentic, Buddha himself emphasised, not to believe anything he said (he did not ask to accept anything on his authority) and test the truth through personal practice and experience!
Jim Dollar's Photography and Philosophy 
Our knowledge of anything can only be as good as its source, the value of the truth that we understand, can only be of as much credibility as what we have understood!
In my experience, there is so much hay in the stack, it is not likely to find truth looking outside. This is precisely why, beyond a certain point, once we feel we have understood whatever was of value, it helps to stop chasing knowledge, and settle down in its source- our innermost ‘knowing’.
On that note: If we try to find truth from Buddhists, we will learn about (their) version of Buddhism, which may not have anything to do with the truth we are really after (Buddha). If we are after the truth of ‘Buddha’, we have to know Buddha (the source of all wisdom) which is inside us!
When we try to find wisdom outside, we often end up barking at the wrong tree, and feel disappointed! Zen masters have often said to burn the Buddha you meet (outside) because he cannot be authentic, Buddha himself emphasised, not to believe anything he said (he did not ask to accept anything on his authority) and test the truth through personal practice and experience!
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Very well said, Ramble. Thanks!
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