Cosmological Buddhism

For the secular materialist, including the secular Buddhist, the mystics quest is not to be found. There is no escape from the fluctuations of time (samsara) and by achieving this escape, find rest in the transcendent, i.e., nirvana.

The secular materialist believes it far more credible to take the cosmological approach (which more or less I am borrowing from Paul Tillich). This approach doesnt see anything beyond the fluctuations of time in which all beings are involved; all of whom are subject to extinction with not even the possibility of rebirth (punarbhava). If there is a transcendent or unconditioned reality beyond the fluctuations of time it must be proven by sensory consciousness, being at least pragmatically useful.

What seems to be provable from the side of cosmology is our natural humanity and absolute finitude which is death. For the secular Buddhist this can be worked up into another Buddhism: learning to live in the temporal now, accepting death with nothing beyond it.

But the cosmological approach is really no approach at all. It is unlike the mystics quest which presupposes an eternal, undying nature in all sentient beings, this being the Buddha-nature. One has only to discover it to be free from the fluctuations of time.

Presently, the modern face of Buddhism is showing signs of a paradigm war between Buddhists who favor the cosmological approach and those who favor the mystical approach. Over time this war will eventually develop into an irreconcilable schism.


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