tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116234.post2777012146193183170..comments2023-04-02T05:53:11.429-05:00Comments on Buddhist [from] Nebraska: Intentional Living Update - Going OutMonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336284049302046478noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116234.post-37328216445779446832007-08-17T09:22:00.000-05:002007-08-17T09:22:00.000-05:00I think it is a very good practice, and not a bit ...I think it is a very good practice, and not a bit austere, as that would be to not interact at all with people and the obstacles that appears. <BR/><BR/>As master Dogen said: 'practice IS realization'. <BR/>It is not 'practice leading to realization', as that would mean that our ego wants to achieve something, and then we are just waisting time 'feeling' being Buddhists.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Perten directionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14713347729793194956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116234.post-4423489028357038372007-08-16T11:28:00.000-05:002007-08-16T11:28:00.000-05:00Hmmm, I never thought of it as an austerity practi...Hmmm, I never thought of it as an austerity practice, though I can see the connection. I does sound like I'm trying to finagle my way around the resulotions I've made, doesn't it? Kinda like having an alms bowl so you don't ever touch the money. But I figure it's just like trying on new clothes; you have to wiggle a bit to get them to fit.<BR/><BR/>Interestingly, the discipline of Theravadan is often praised in Vajrayana Buddhism as a good starting place for our practices. Even more sever forms of discipline are practiced in many of the Japanese Mahayana schools as well. So if this is a form of austerity, maybe that is not such a bad thing?<BR/><BR/>What I am on guard for, which is what bears thinking on, is the give an inch take a mile syndrome. "Oh, it's just a game of pool!" "It's just drinks out with friends!" "I don't want to let this get in the way of my interactions with other people, do I?" I could so see myself giving in to that kind of reasoning, but I have a sneaking suspicion I know what the ultimate result will be.<BR/><BR/>Expiriment in progress, stand at least ten feet back...Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03489993418924786293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116234.post-61035256840803813922007-08-16T10:51:00.000-05:002007-08-16T10:51:00.000-05:00Monica,When you first posted on this, I thought of...Monica,<BR/><BR/>When you first posted on this, I thought of it as a mindful response to the situation you described. As I read more and think more about it, it becomes a kind of austerity practice. I'm reminded of the (Theravadan, is it?) monastic tradition of not handling money of any kind. In reading about others' experience with that practice, especially as they've tried to import it to a US culture not traditionally oriented toward monastic alms-giving, it involves thought processes akin to those you articulate here.<BR/><BR/>I'll be interested to hear more.<BR/><BR/>sgreenfroghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13646826003797658563noreply@blogger.com