Vaj, Don't Buddhists have this thing where a group of them get together and then sort of have a boisterous debate about the nuances of a scripture? If so, do you know of any Web sites where these discussions are translated into English?
The "missed" opportunity between brothers theme of this thread seems to indicate that the brothers lacked this dynamic -- which I think is the heart of scholarship. Presumably, the Buddhists debates would be incredibly subtle and jargon filled, but someone like me should find them accessable, didactic and deepeningly insightful -- you know, what we'd have here if personal attacks we're somehow stopped. Or, erp, maybe the Buddhists use all the fallacious strategies too -- pray tell, Bub. Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "endlessrainintoapapercup" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "BillyG." <wgm4u@> wrote: > > > > I was visiting my brother recently viewing some of Nature's > > resplendent beauty in Nevada, and my Harvard Law school graduated, > > atheist brother ask me; "One thing my professors could never tell me > > is why we experience joy and appreciation when we see the beauties of > > nature"? > > > > Well, I thought a moment, and said; "Hey Cyril, I know the answer to > > that question". Well much to his chagrin I delivered this answer, "The > > flower is a reflection (and a clue) as to what is hidden > > underneath..." Well, he was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable > > at this point and ask his wife to shut me up, so I continued. > > > > "..and the reason WE feel joy and appreciation at the sight of beauty > > is, a portion of that beauty is hidden within us as well (as our own > > self) and as such, nature (in this case a flower) functions as a > > reminder, inspiring a memory of our long lost spiritual home within". > > > > Well it was pretty quiet for the rest of the day, some liberal > > atheists don't like to entertain opposing points of view, especially > > if it challenges the whole foundation of their lives.....:-) > > > > > > The question is beautiful, and so is your > answer, but it isn't really the kind of > question that has a particular answer. > Rather it reflects the deep and open- > ended mystery of life. It was a spiritually > reflective question arising from open > mind. Actually, the way you recounted > it, it wasn't even a question...it was a > statement. Perhaps he didn't seek or > expect an answer at all. With life's deep > mysteries, the question is often enough. > > When we make definitive statements > about others, it is often useful to turn > those statements around and apply > them to ourselves. Maybe you are the > one who doesn't like to entertain > opposing points of view which > challenge your philosophical foundations. > One can even see your brother as > the teacher who provided you with > an opportunity to go more deeply, > but that you were not able to accept > what he offered, and sought the > familiarity and comfort of a rote > answer--albeit a valid and poetic > answer. > > It's a beautiful teaching story that > you have shared...reminding me of > traditional teaching stories. It is very > deep and profoundly thought-full. > Thank you for sharing it. >
