Zen mystics, Jeremy Bentham, and Buddhist crackpots

For the Zen mystic who is trying to realize pure Mind, he firmly believes that such an entity as pure Mind or Buddha Mind is a real entity; moreover it can be discovered, that is, directly apperceivedalthough not without a long and patient struggle. This is very much a different entity than a fictitious entity which Jeremy Bentham describes as follows:

A fictitious entity is an entity to which, though by the grammatical form of the discourse employed in speaking of it, existence be ascribed, yet in truth and reality existence is not meant to be ascribed (Ogden, Bethams Theory of Fictions [1932], p. 12).

Buddhists, I hope, grasp the meaning of a fictitious entityalthough I am inclined to believe they often dont. When I say, Buddha Mind this is not a fictitious entityfar from it. Its particular use in discourse is really meant to refer to attained Buddha Mind which is a real entity (yes, some Buddhists have actually beheld Buddha Mind face to face). A more down to earth example, when I use the word moon in a conversation, I mean the real moon, the one that I see when I walk down my driveway at night after putting out my recycling bins. Moon is not a fictitious entiy like matter,motion and rest, orquantity and quality, or in jurisprudence, right and power.

Yet, I have to say this: There are some Buddhist who are of the strong opinion that Buddha Mind is a fictitious entity or, indirectly, treat it as if it were, not actively seeking it. These are the fringe Buddhist crackpots who peddle their garbage on Amazon and elsewhere trying to persuade the poor beginner that they really know what the Buddha taught!

Without going into details, the gnosis of Buddha Mind or absolute Mind is real. The power of this gnosis is almost physically overwhelming. In the words of Kankharevata from the Theragatha (3), See this wisdom of the Tathagatas; it is like a fire blazing in the ! night. T his much doesnt even describe half the experience. And this is only the beginning of the journey.

What is happening today is Buddhist crackpots who believe Buddha Mind is a fictitious entity are trying to take over Buddhism even equating Buddha Mind with awareness or mindfulness. Many good Buddhists which include Theravadins and Tibetan Buddhists are presently waging a silent war against these usurpers who almost admittedly have little or no faith in the Buddhas teachings, let alone that nirvana is also a real entity like Buddha Mind.


Popular posts from this blog

Dangerous Harvests: 2nd Anniversary Post Week

Image
This week, the blog turns two years old. How did that happen? Honestly, I had no idea what would come of this when I started it, but here we are. The following is the first post I ever made, back on March 23, 2009. A lot has changed in my life since then, but other things aren't all that different really. Anyway, here it is. I'll plan on reposting more of those early pieces, in part because they came before I had much of an audience. But also, because it's kind of fun to look back. Enjoy! Let me begin with a quote from Dogen, a 13th century zen master, from his teaching "Tenzo Kyokun." "Under no circumstances allow anyone who happens to be drifting through the kitchen to poke his fingers around or look into the pot." Now, let's take yourself/myself. You and I, we probably enjoy entertainment, right? In fact, we probably are more than willing to let someone drift into our world if they will entertain us away from our problems, our suffering. And isn&#
Keep reading

From The Under 35 Project: “A Good Death”

Image
From The Under 35 Project: “A Good Death” His Holiness the Dalai Lama sends congratulations to the Australian Prime Minister and the President of Mongolia His Holiness the Dalai Lama sends congratulations to the Australian Prime Minister and the President of Mongolia Reports: China easing bans on Tibetans displaying Dalai Lama images Buddhist Monk, U Wirathu and the 969 Movement. Score one for the chimps — and all beings For the Sake of All Beings, We Vow This Conversation: A report from the Gen X Dharma Teacher Gathering Karmapa announces overhaul of Buddhist nuns’ education From The Under 35 Project: “A Good Death” Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:00 AM PDT New from The Under 35 Project: A practitioner's thoughts on grief, death, and the loss of a parent. By Christa Joy . In her last days of life, we tended to Mom as though she were able to feel us, hear us, and experience the sensory world with us. Hospice had told us to continue on a
Keep reading

Ikeda calls for “nuclear abolition summit”

Image
Ikeda calls for “nuclear abolition summit” Ikeda calls for “nuclear abolition summit” Discover the Sacred Dwelling of the Heavenly Mother in Kuala Lumpur’s Holy Thean Hou Temple Symbolism of the Dharmachakra Buddhist Tours - 7 Places You Should Visit on Buddha Trail Buddhist Tours, Places to See and Places to Stay- Tour around or stay in comfort Buddhist Monks and Monasteries in Thailand Sarnath - A Depiction of India's Rich Buddhist Heritage The Contributions Of Asian Buddhists And The Popularity Of Zen Buddhist Tours India- Five Best Buddhist Sacred Sites Buddhist prayer beads - China PEM Fastener - Sheet Metal cabinet Supplier The Dewdrop Slips Into The Shining Sea - Choral Piece Popular Buddhist Pilgrimage Spots in India and Nepal 65th Annual Northwest District Buddhist Convention coming to Spokane Buddhist Tour India: Credulous And Spiritual Soujourn Bangladesh’s “Bana Bhante” dies at age 93 Beginning Buddhist Meditation 201
Keep reading