So good to read about all the historical event and about the interesting conversation going on.

Thanks for sharing!!

Good to see you Glenda hope you are keeping well. :smile:

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BTW, I took my user name from 'Triple Gem' - the Three Jewels of refuge.

Everyone says a lot of things, but you are your only refuge.

1) If you take refuge in the sangha, they leave, become corrupt, eventually die and what then?

2) If you take refuge in Buddha that person, you only have an image and words that someone else wrote down.

3) If you take refuge in the dhamma, those teachings in the Pali Canon, you only have books and memories.

All these things cease to exist each time you cease to think of them and live only in memory.

Buddha was saying the only refuge is yourself. 'Buddha' is your own nature. He described dhamma specifically as the natural law as it pertains to body/mind (mind and matter).

He didn't say 'take refuge in me' and he didn't write things down, so all things religious Buddhists say is only tempting you to 'take refuge' in their organisation - not what Buddha actually advised.

Buddha never said take refuge in his organisation. He just taught people about the cause of suffering and the way to end it. No one can do that for you. Only you can do that, so why 'take refuge' in anything external.

It doesn't mean you have to be Buddhist to take refuge, and it doesn't mean if you take refuge you become Buddhist. Buddha taught universal things - not sectarian things - and taking refuge in yourself is for everyone.

The Buddhists are going to argue with me because they read the religious view that everyone keeps saying. But if you think it through you'll see how it makes no sense.

I'm not saying a different thing to what Buddha said. Just paraphrasing. The religion ignores what he said (when it's inconvenient) and made up an interpretation which doesn't hold water. They seem to want people to not find refuge in themselves and in nature's law, and instead, 'take refuge' in their religious symbols, their own authorities, and their texts.

In Buddhist practice we don't believe anything. We have to hear what is said and discern its merit. After watching the video you'll see what Buddha said, and again you are alone to discern 'what makes sense', and ultimately, you have no authority to turn to when you discern for yourself.

Listen to the talk Buddha gave to the sangha when his best and leading monks died. He was saying you can't take refuge in the monk-sangha, because they die, or in himself, because he's gonna die soon, too. That's the opposite of what religious Buddhists say.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODsAMW83x04

Great post Gem, thanks for sharing. You're a Diamond Geezer as they say in the East End of London ! I remember you saying that about your user name.
As I say a great post and needs to be re read and thought about, the video is great too. Very real message from yourself thanks once again. Kind Regards Joe.

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No hate/anger at others
 

"I undertake the training to refrain from destroying living beings."

I to believe that one should not harm people. To get angry at people. To not hate others. To not interfere with people's minds. To love people no matter what and have understanding. To blame yourself if people are angry at you. If you hate someone or get angry that hurts the person. Better to be free of that. No getting back at people. Going over the top and all that. No an eye for an eye. To not harm another's mind with your mind. Bad mistake.

Thank you for your post Joe Mc.

I couldn't agree more with you and thank you for the always, "Always" welcome reminder. I continue to strive for more love and compassion in my life. The Dalai Lama said something like,

" My true religion, my simple faith is in love and compassion. There is no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine, or dogma."

That is a succinct and powerful thought and it seems that the path of awakening begins and ends in love and compassion. Other precepts and parts of the path are integral and important of course, though we often begin the 'Spiritual Searh' as a conscious response to suffering and a recognition that we or/and the World need more love. Thank you :smile:

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