A Universe from Nothing?

[Ben Dhyan]

In many ways, most people writing here,
have a 'heaven' in their minds.
How they think they're getting to it, is the problem.
Everyone has a 'Nirvana' in their minds,
and a lot of them believe in 'it'.
What price is the cost of the attainment,
and how does one know,
one gets there at all ?
~
Well.....I'll keep non-believing,
screw the 'cost', it's only a life gone.
Oh look there...a baby squirrel eating an orchid bloom,
Life to life....no Nirvanas.
~
'mud

Yes...reality is on the other side of beliefs.
The reality represented by the concept of Nirvana has to realized...the imagined Nirvana is not Nirvana...
The goal of seriously practicing Buddhism is to realize that reality represented by the concept of Nirvana...
Many here have lots to say, but are not committed to anything other than the reality of the physical world..
Others, a minority for sure...realize a bigger picture...and thus naturally flow into it...

 

[YmirGF]

One does not need to be enlightened to make a logical observation....and since you now want to get involved, you answer it....the goal of Buddhism is to realize Nirvana......if you do not want to realize that goal, what is the point of practicing Buddhism?

Ask a Buddhist. I don't believe is so-called "Nirvana".

BTW: What does logic have to do with your assertions?

 

[YmirGF]

Maybe....but a mighty one that has looked into the eyes of Vishnu... Isn't the Buddha said to be an incarnation of Vishnu?

Haha. You still don't get it, do you?

 

[james bond]

ha ha ha ha...who is it that lives? who is it that dies? who is it that takes refuge? who is it that is in control? answer these and you will be instantly enlightened.

Last point first. I wasn't seeking enlightenment as that entails much more. Relaxation is fine with me. Just smelling the incense, hearing the bell and chanting provides it. Sometimes a good sermon lines me up with God. One of younger ministers said there are some Buddhists in the Sangha who believe in God.

Basic common sense answers. I'm the one living in this world, in control and the one who will die in this world. If that's opinion, then so be it.

The refuge comes from:
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
I take refuge in the Sangha.

I think this is faith in the Buddha or the leader you are following.

 

[Ben Dhyan]

Ask a Buddhist. I don't believe is so-called "Nirvana".

BTW: What does logic have to do with your assertions?

The question was directed to a Buddhist....but he did not respond, you did instead.... The logic has to do with the reason for my question...not an assertion...... Boy, mice can have mighty poor reading comprehension...

To help avoid such problems, in future please quote my precise words you are referring to... thank you..

 

[james bond]

Those Hubble images are fantastic, they are like works of art to me ( I have one hanging on my wall ).

I have done some amateur astronomy too, which is fascinating. The universe is awesome, though looking at it doesn't make me believe in God or whatever.

I agree on the images. I worked literally right next to the Hubble Telescope for a while and bought a large poster of one of its photos when they were made available to us (buy at least a 27x40 poster and make sure its not a cheap knock off on sites such as eBay or buy from a known reputable seller). I have not bought from this site, but would buy from it. Prices seem reasonable for a 30 x 30.

http://www.skyimagelab.com/

EDIT: Most, for lack of a better term, "tourist" photos we see, we do not think much of until we are there to see it. One has to appreciate the complexity and beauty to see the evidence for God.

 

[james bond]

My intuition is actually rather good, and it tells me that much of what you post is self-serving BS, inspired by your hero, the charlatan Chopra.

I couldn't find him in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

 

[Ben Dhyan]

Haha. You still don't get it, do you?

What is there to get.....that you think you are a Bodhisattva..... Vishnu incarnate?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

I couldn't find him in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

He might be in the dictionary of snake-oil sellers.

 

[godnotgod]

So? Small step from seeing to thinking as brains evolve...

No, huge difference. Seeing is much faster.

 

[Sonofason]

I'm not sure if I can post a poll on here but who here believes that the universe originated from nothing? As some of the major scientific theories from the 20th century claimed or was there an originator of some sort? Doesn't have to be God necessarily in your opinion. Who believes the universe has no beginning? I'm just curious as to what you guys believe with regard to this topic and what the basis of your belief would be?

It is impossible for something to come from nothing. That never happened. God, the Eternal and Supreme Being is the Creator of all that is.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

The goal of seriously practicing Buddhism is to realize that reality represented by the concept of Nirvana...

So you're seriously practising Buddhism now? I thought you were a theist with Hindu leanings?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

The refuge comes from:
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
I take refuge in the Sangha.

I think this is faith in the Buddha or the leader you are following.

But note the message of the Kalama Sutta, which has been called the Buddha's charter of free enquiry:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalama_Sutta

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Many here have lots to say, but are not committed to anything other than the reality of the physical world..

Many here have an open mind, and the courage to deal with uncertainty. Others clutch at metaphysical straws and attach to dogma.

 

[Sonofason]

I think there is something more fundamental than the universe; Consciousness. The universe is the divine sport/play/drama of Consciousness. The universe is a derivative of Consciousness; the secondary derived from the fundamental.

Yes..."And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
Indeed, in the beginning, the earth, in fact the entire universe had no form. It was void of any physical form. And darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters...and then He spoke existence into being. "Let there be Light".

 

[Rick O'Shez]

You operate on the assumption that your drivel actually has content.

It is just dogma and cliche, endlessly repeated like a broken record.

 

[godnotgod]

Not at all. You have both managed to set yourselves up, quite nicely, without any help from me. You put yourselves in the position as ones who are knowing, I didn't. So, either you actually know what you are talking about or your are simply making sweeping assumptions. Which is it?


The message is usually bogus crap that seems to support your relentless narrative. So, you either know what you are talking about, first hand, or you do not. Put up or shut up.

I did put up, and then I shut up.

Here is the original post which seems to be a bone of contention for you and Muldoon:

"Everyone is already enlightened, but most just haven't realized it yet."

"Before Enlightenment, it is Something Special;
after Enlightenment, it is Nothing Special"
Zen Source

I never post anything I don't first understand myself. Then I post it so others can gain more insight into the nature of things. But you and the Muldoon want to play games instead of discussing the content of the post. All I can conclude from your statement that 'the message is usually bogus crap', is simply that you do not understand the post's content, and so the only thing you are capable of doing is to label it 'crap'. Now, if you actually DO understand the post's content, and still choose to call it 'crap', the you must see something erroneous in the content. So what is 'crap' about the content?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

In many ways, most people writing here,
have a 'heaven' in their minds.
How they think they're getting to it, is the problem.
Everyone has a 'Nirvana' in their minds,
and a lot of them believe in 'it'.
What price is the cost of the attainment,
and how does one know,
one gets there at all ?
~
Well.....I'll keep non-believing,
screw the 'cost', it's only a life gone.
Oh look there...a baby squirrel eating an orchid bloom,
Life to life....no Nirvanas.
~
'mud

Well said. There is much to be said for contentment.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

So what is 'crap' about the content?

It is just dogma and cliche which you repeatedly regurgitate, you are like a broken record, only here to preach your new-age nonsense.

 

[godnotgod]

You operate on the assumption that your drivel actually has content.

There is no doubt in my mind that it has valid content. You call it 'drivel' so you apparently don't think it does. I suppose my next question should be to ask you why you think it is without an authentic message?