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Interview with Rahula Redux
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- Debate the validity and relative merits of Buddhism.
- You must be courteous to all, even those whose beliefs you find offensive. Make your case, or refute other views, but do not make negative remarks about other members. Express opinions within the limits of the Rules of Conduct.
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- Your hosts: RenGalskap and brburl
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Messages: 1 - 4 (147 total)
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aehollings
2/25/2005 10:42 PM
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1 out of 147 |
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The interviewer is Dante who is interested in Buddhism. He is interviewing the late Walpola Rahula who is presently living in one of the Buddhist hells, having been too negative and idiosyncratic with his interpretation of Buddhism. The Buddha, himself, informed Dante that some of his followers are hopeless and need to spend time in the hells to repent.
"Rahula, have you changed your views about Buddhism, Dante asked wondering if the torture was sufficient. "Your book, What the Buddha Taught, which was immensely popular, really didn't explain what the Buddha taught. I was hoping for a sequel, something like, What the Buddha Really Really Taught."
Dante noticed that Rahula was burned with a few body parts missing. Despite this, Rahula seemed his usual self (not to be confused with the atman). Rahula spoke in a rather arrogant way still wearing his Buddhist robes, although they were the worse for wear.
"Okay, here is the deal, you really can't say what Buddhism is about. I mean I am really good at telling people what Buddhism is not—even down here in this hell. But you know, it is easier to be skeptical and critical than to find out what the Buddha really saw under the Bodhi-tree."
"Well," Dante said, "it seems to me that your position with regard to Buddhism is really one of skepticism. You remember that a consistent skeptic never pledges himself to anything positive, not even admitting that honey is sweet."
"You could say that," snapped Rahula. "But I would deny that Buddhism is skeptical or anything about honey. It is neither sweet nor sour."
"Of course you deny it. You are good at denying everything—including that you deny! But Mr. Rahula, at some point, you have to admit that Buddhism really either means something or it means nothing."
At this point Rahula looked glaringly at Dante. Then he attempted to calm himself down wishing not to show Dante that he was bitter. It was evident that the tortures were having an effect upon his psyche. Composed he tried to explain to Dante how Buddhism was positive.
"The Buddha taught us there is suffering and way to overcome it. That way is the Eightfold Way. See, that is positive."
"Yes," Dante responded, "I have heard that said many times, Mr. Rahula. But when I asked one Buddhist monk in another part of hell to explain how one is delivered by the Eightfold Way, it got rather confusing after that. He first said there is suffering and that suffering is caused by clinging to the five aggregates but that nothing really clings. He continued by saying that the aggregates are equivalent with suffering and that suffering ends with nirvana which nobody realizes. He finished up by citing a lot of scripture which didn't seem to support his ideas."
Dante observed that Rahula seemed to perk up. He began to almost smile. Dante's recounting of his conversation with the monk reminded Rahula of his former glory days when he had everyone eating out of his hands like pigeons in a plaza.
"That monk is right, said Rahula. "It makes perfect sense to me. Since there is no self. The five aggregates are really clinging to themselves. Nirvana is their annihilation."
"This is where it gets confusing," exclaimed Dante. "It sounds like what you have here is suicide. I mean, call it what you want. Give it a flowery name. But it is just basically, wipe out the five aggregates—viola!—here is nirvana."
Rahula's face got red. He was angry Dante could tell.
"That is not what nirvana means," he said attempting to smile, acting composed. "Nirvana is ineffable. We can't know about it until we are submerged in it."
[Continued]
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RenGalskap
2/25/2005 11:23 PM
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2 out of 147 |
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It's good to have a mission in life, obstacles to overcome, goals to acheive.
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brburl
2/26/2005 1:19 AM
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3 out of 147 |
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Yeah, but there are some things that simply should be done in the privacy of one's own home.
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aehollings
2/26/2005 1:28 AM
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4 out of 147 |
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Bro Rahula couldn't even read the Samyutta-Nika with an open mind. The Buddha says, "Bhikkhus, you should abandon desire for whatever is not the atman." — Khandhakasamyutta 143
So much for Theravada's Anattavada (No-atman dogma)...lol
ae
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