What to believe
 

The Buddha promotes critical thinking:

http://cellar.org/2010/donotbelieve.jpg

That's pretty good, but can I have an example of anything that is of benefit to one and all? Actually I guess he said "conducive to the benefit" so that softens it a bit.

I would have said: But after observation and analysis, when you find anything that agrees with reason, then accept it and live up to it regardless of whether you think it is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all or not.

The worst acts of history were made possible because someone thought they had a sufficient reason to override what could be logically supported.

Edit: Also, the most outlandish things that people believe are made possible when someone thinks they have sufficient reason to override what can be logically supported, i.e. I miss my dead familly member so much that I can be convinced that I will float up to the clouds after I die and I will see them again, and the residual energy that inhabited our corporal vessels will still have two arms and two legs and a first and last name, and still remember or care about Earthly things like eating hot dogs at Yankee stadium.

I've had a hot dog at Yankee stadium. Not really something I want to be remembering for eternity.

So, Buddha must be preaching to the choir.

Tang.

We could really use the reduction of zealotry this sort of thinking leads to. It is unfortunate that reincarnation got inserted into such a reasonable philosophy, but I guess you don't have to believe it.

Have you ever been in the general vicinity of a fundamentalist Protestant type and a Buddha at the same time. (?)

You'll find that assertion, on it's face value, fails.

What to believe
 

Well, you can now believe that coberst is the Buddha's virtual reincarnation and plan to follow him. :rolleyes:

WHAT TO BELIEVE
 

I think a good rule of thumb is that things that rhyme are true. For instance, "paralysis by analysis" is a thing to avoid. It rhymes!

To test this theory, and make it all scientifical and whatnot, I am making a hypnothesis--which is a science thing that means "a paper so long that it puts you to sleep when you try to read it." In this way, the tyranny of science can be upheld, without any pesky question-askers gumming up the works.

HYPNOTHESIS experiment #1: what feels good on your throat, feels good on your scrote.

STEP ONE: I prepared a hot-water solution of honey and lemon, and prepared to "teabag" my way into SCIENCE HISTORY (note: this is science HIStory, i.e. vag-havers need not apply).

Just then, a thought came to me (on these rare occasions--I take notice!) will this act be conducive to the good and benefit of one and all ???



The jury is still out on that one... but in the meantime I think I've invented a new Yoga technique, so I'm writing a book:

I really appreciate the attention to detail you showed in the scrote to asscrack area. It shows tremendous depth of character as well as critical thinking skillz.

But what if reincarnation actually happens in the karmatic way that Buddhist teaching believes? I mean, really, who knows what happens after death? Spirit, soul, whatever you want to call it.

I have one to add "Do not believe anyone on the internet is who they say they are simply on the basis of a picture, and a few words...unless you choose to."

Ok, lemme say it for ya, "Frak, Draxxie, not this again. :headshake"

Aren't there some little girls you should be staring at?

:lol:

Whether it happens or not doesn't matter really does it? I don't think it changes my approach and any hope for revenge on evil doers isn't a healthy way to live. I see the idea of reincarnation as a result of the same attachment Buddhist teaching asks us to avoid. Maybe I've become too attached to the idea that when the lights go out they stay out.