Dear Joe,
Thanks for the reply. I will read about Yogacara Buddhist
philosophy.
Then come back to you.
Brgds
Suresh
--- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Joe" <desert_woodworker@...> wrote:
>
> Suresh,
>
> Your approach seems good, and practical.
>
> I suppose there is a large weight of comfort in shared tradition, and in
> communal acceptance of outcomes, due to the understanding of karma that
> people hold. Perhaps "comfort" is not nearly the correct word, in the dire
> circumstances, however.
>
> In the Zen Buddhist tradition, although there is also an acceptance of an
> understanding of karma, one (a Person, a Practitioner; a Culture; a Country;
> or, a World!) must still work for a changed outcome, and not simply accept
> where karma has BROUGHT you, up to today. In other words, one must (1.)
> admit the problem; (2.) take responsibility; and (3.) one must work devotedly.
>
> For example, even if one's "personal" karma has been very *GOOD* -- and
> allowed you to be born as a Human Being, and further, allowed you to find the
> traces to Zen Buddhism so that you might practice with a good teacher, and
> sangha -- nonetheless, one must still indeed practice, NOW. In other words,
> even GOOD karma CANNOT BREAK NEW GROUND. One must stand on the ground of
> one's good karma and break new ground for oneself, and for all Beings. Well,
> that is the Mahayana Buddhist view, and program -- of which Zen Buddhism
> partakes.
>
> By the way, there is no conflict or inconsistency in Zen Buddhism between the
> notion of the non-existence of a personal self, and yet the notion of a
> reincarnation due to karma, or a "survival" of karma.
>
> This is especially easy to see however, in the karma of a Collective, such as
> a Culture, a Country, or a World. Often, prior acts of a Tribe or a Culture
> come to "define" it, and give it a lasting character, which lasts and evolves
> a very long time, for tens or hundreds of generations. And the acts of a
> Country do the same. Ditto, a World (but your view has to be very broad,
> there to see this).
>
> For the karma of an Individual, the Zen Buddhist understanding is taken and
> shared from Yogacara Buddhism, in which this karma is stored in the Alaya
> Vijnana. A brilliantly successful model! But Yogacara is not just a
> Philosophical system: it is (was...) also a school of Practice. Its teaching
> and transmission lineages have all died out, however.
>
> The way you summarize and describe your view here is very clear, and very
> accessible. It has considerable "power". I hope you will have good success
> communicating the view at your other forums, also. I think there is much
> respect in India for Science and technology, and more and more with time, and
> people not only understand karma, but also the mechanisms of general "cause
> and effect".
>
> Perhaps a more "scientific" view of karma can be found in Yogacara Buddhist
> philosophy: will you take a look at it? You may be able to incorporate a bit
> of it, and its terminology, in your posts to traditional Hindus. I don't
> know if this will help! It seems as if you have a good facility with plain
> ordinary language, anyway.
>
> Still, the Yogacara model might interest you personally.
>
> Continued good success!,
>
> --Joe
>
> --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Suresh" <varamtha@> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Joe,
> >
> > I understand your concern.
> >
> > The members of other forum describe that catastrophe as order of god or
> > fate or Karma. I oppose as it is nothing to do with god, fate or Karma, it
> > is science's cause and effect such as global warming and inadequate
> > disaster management in the country and Carelessness of administrators.
> >
> > I said, because of karma theory, people become lazy to do anything, because
> > all is destined to happen even you do whatever to prevent. I want to remove
> > that attitude and people should feel responsible for better living in this
> > world, hence they have to work hard, the unknown god will not work for them.
> >
> > This is what the whole emphasis is
> >
> > Best regards
> > Suresh
>
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