I had stopped one evening and had this discussion with a Buddhist monk. I read from time to time, and as this blog site is built, I study humans. When it was over I discovered that even Buddhist monks can make mistakes. It is not my nature to provoke, but it is my nature to ask questions. Sometimes asking the right question can bring the wrong response.
Buddhist believe that the world or life contains suffering, suffering has a cause, and the cause can be known, that suffering can be brought to an end, and the path to end suffering has eight, folds, laws or parts. Also, suffering is caused by attachment. What I have found throughout my travels is that the right question can cause anyone, even the most devout, to suffer doubt. When this occurs, then who ever that person is will seize up and start repeating their mantra, or quote the only things they believe to be true. Its as if their brain computer locked-up. (this is also symptom of Brainwashing)
After this discussion, I have found that even some Buddhist can be too attached to their teachings, and forget how to 'free think' through a problem. Which saddened me because I was just having an enlightened discussion, and trying to learn more about Buddhism. I was not trying to provoke, just wanted input, a free exchange of knowledge. Yet, even some Buddhists have human feelings, and emotion. Even a Buddhist can experience suffering, which I guess is a HUMAN trait.
We starting discussing some idea on how the notion of Gratitude being trans-formative, (meaning how being grateful is transmitted) which I expressed is the same as expressing complaint. Basically, how people think or feel transforms into the type of life they are choosing to live. Example:
Imagine two people. One person is asked to spend ten minutes each morning and evening expressing gratitude (for which there is always something to be grateful), while the other person is asked to spend the exact same amount of time practicing complaining (there is, after all, always something to complain about). It goes like one person, "I hate my job, why can't I make more money, the dogs next door are always making noise!" The other person, "what a great day it is, I'm glad to have the opportunity to work, and what a terrific meal I ate today!" Now carry this on for year, and what you have is one person who has reaffirmed all their negative stuff rather than letting it go, while the other person you have practicing gratitude will be a very grateful person. In a nut shell; what you practice is what you are. The practice and the goal of practice are identical, the cause and effect are one reality. So, by simply expressing gratitude, we can change our lives and the way we see our lives.
So, I learned something, and stated that I just evolved. He said I could not have evolved because I don't exist. That we just are, and that is that. Well, I disagreed. I also believe in evolution, and in reincarnation. The monk referred to reincarnation, as rebirth, and all semantics aside, I do exist. Life is abundant. The reality most people see may not be exactly as it really is, but it exists. The lesson above is just a prime example that there is something that does exist, and it can be changed. If something is changeable than evolution is occurring. Because evolution is just another word for change. Moment by moment. He could not agree, and basically he could not agree because it was not one of the noble truths. Its okay to agree to disagree, and I left it at that, and later I re-thought about the conversation and somewhere in there WAS a noble truth.
I have decided that I am not a good Buddhist. I believe in self-sufficiency, and I have attachments that bring me joy. My pan-dimensional scooter for one. I have attachments to the people in my life that challenge me and invite me to live with them and sometimes beside them. It is with them and this experience that the unattainable, is attained, ... it exists, .... and it is good.
(Good being a matter of opinion)
Bumba, Dee, Da,... Happy Trails!
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