On Jan 14, 2009, at 11:28 PM, sparaig wrote:
Doesn't sound at all like the Shamatha Project, but instead a gift
from a friend in the early 70's. Whether it had anything to do with
his research at that time or not, I have no clue.
You seem to fail to understand my point:
I'll make it clear: someone who practices Buddhism, studies Buddhism:
gives their friends special presents of Buddhist retreats, is
consulted with
on how to phrase questions ABOUT Buddhism when talking to the Dali
Lama,
is hardly someone "outside the tradition," regardless of whether or
not they
have a Jewish last name.
But someone who studies Buddhism does not necessarily practice Buddha-
dharma. Maybe he's lying and they lied about there being no Buddhist
researchers on the team, but I've seen no real evidence of that, your
posturings aside. It would be hard for someone who has spent years
researching advanced yogis not to have some interest in how they got
that way. These are extraordinary people we're dealing with. In fact
I would hope they did have a good grasp of the subject matter, along
with the as many of the numerous techniques and styles of meditation
that are out there. Otherwise how could they be an expert in their
field?
There are many scholars of Buddhism who have no interest in
practicing
Buddhism, but simply researching it. Quite a few are Christians. No
surprise here--although some interesting finds I hadn't seen--thanks
Lawson.
Are you suggesting this guy isn't a practicing Buddhist, regardless
of whether
or not he goes to Synagogue (or the Uni-Uni Church for that matter)?
I haven't followed him around or spied on him, but it has been said
(in regards to the Shamatha Project specifically) he is not a
Buddhist, so I take that to mean he does not practice buddha-dharma.
It wouldn't matter so much to me if he did, simply because I believe
Dr. Saron has integrity. But I suspect he just has a deep interest
based on meeting some truly extraordinary people.
