|
|
Post by retrofuturist on Dec 29, 2008 19:37:57 GMT 10
Greetings, What do you think about Theravada's prospects in the 21st century? Do you think the Internet will help or corrupt the transmission of the Dhamma? What can modern scholars teach us that could not be known in the past about the Dhamma? Metta, Retro.  |
|
|
|
Post by element on Dec 29, 2008 19:46:52 GMT 10
I think our time is wonderful. We are so blessed. No blessing could be greater.
|
|
|
|
Post by jcsuperstar on Dec 29, 2008 19:50:19 GMT 10
so far so good.
|
|
|
|
Post by retrofuturist on Dec 29, 2008 19:50:23 GMT 10
Greetings Element, I agree with you. Sometimes I hear people quoting the commentaries that say after such-and-such years the Dhamma will have degenerated to that point that xxx attainment is no longer possible. I don't understand why this should be so when our teacher's words have remained unchanged since they were put to paper, and all signs indicate that there wasn't too much distortion until that time either. The Internet offers up excellent opportunities for study and discussion that would have been impractical to many before, and cross-Nikaya and other textual analysis can give us hints about where commentators may have gotten things right and where they may have gotten them wrong. Metta, Retro. |
|
|
|
Post by element on Dec 29, 2008 19:54:06 GMT 10
Greeting Retro,
The Nikayas we have are unbelievable.
My introduction to Buddhism was the works and (live) lectures of Bhikkhu Buddhadasa.
However the Nikayas remain unsurpassed.
For me, the moment I read them, that was home.
Kind regards,
Element
|
|
|
|
Post by peaceseeker on Dec 30, 2008 13:08:08 GMT 10
Looking at the world around us i think that both are true. In some areas (certain schools of Buddhism and parts of Asia) this has been a degenarate age. In the West its a golden age, the initial flourishing of the dharma. Like seasons of nature, sometimes there is growth in one area, death in another- winter in NY, summer in Australia... We are the seeds of course, so its up to each of us to practice. A few good seeds, one good seed, can make a tremendous difference in the world. Don't be concerned with prophecies, imo. The future then will be born from our dedication and efforts...
peace
|
|
manapa
New Member
So Here We Are!
Posts: 7
|
Post by manapa on Dec 31, 2008 7:47:19 GMT 10
Well everything ebbs and flows, sometimes quickly sometimes fast!
I think the internet is a wonderful resource but leaves people vunerable to influence of some less than credible teachers and groups have this problem as well, as people with agendas other than to share and discuss with some knowledge can distupt the flow of the group or the aim of it at least!
but on the whole I feel we are in both Ages all the time it just depends on the strength of our practice depends on the Age we are in!
|
|
