Ok, I've been reading The Lotus Sutra for a while and came across a portion discussing the six destines (hell, preta, animal, human, asura, and god). I understand that in truth, all things are impermanent such as how long we reside within that realm , but does that hold true for the the different realms as well? Are they subject to the same fate as we are?

You can change them through good karma and an increase in knowledge.. or I guess you could do it the opposite and lower your realm.

Technically, yes. All karma must flow back to the dharma at some point.

The concept of realms has always been hard for me to understand. I have always just understood them to be metaphors. I better get crackin' on those Buddhist texts!

Yes, I thought they were metaphoric as well but I'm not too sure. I guess the only way I'll truly know is with some measure of realization.

quote:Originally posted by NurotiK_SykotiK:

Ok, I've been reading The Lotus Sutra for a while and came across a portion discussing the six destines (hell, preta, animal, human, asura, and god). I understand that in truth, all things are impermanent such as how long we reside within that realm , but does that hold true for the the different realms as well? Are they subject to the same fate as we are?

Yeah..the Buddha said everything is volatile

quote:Originally posted by aTribeCalledSean:

Technically, yes. All karma must flow back to the dharma at some point.

Dharma means truth... You're saying all karma flows back to the truth?...:s

quote:Originally posted by Ezratal:

Dharma means truth... You're saying all karma flows back to the truth?...:s

Dharma is everything and nothing.

quote:Originally posted by aTribeCalledSean:

Dharma is everything and nothing.

Well said. http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)

Poorly said... the literal interpretation of dharma is truth, and it is reference to an understanding of the 4 noble truths.

[This message has been edited by Ezratal (edited 12-11-2004).]

"For about forty years the Buddha taught his understanding throughout India and the land of the Shakyas. His teaching was called "Dharma", a word meaning truth, law, duty, or doctrine." Although I do believe that the word acn be used to refer to experiences and such because you gained knowledge or truth from it... The way in which you originally used it is completely incorrect. I'm sorry, but you're not as wise as you think you are.

Don't you study Zen, Ezratal?

Buddhism doesn't have to be "by the book", IMO.

"Don't let my thumb obscure the moon"

(Buddha in reference to his teachings being a path to salvation not the absolute truth of salvation. the moon being salvation, his thumb being his teachings)

The true meaning of Dharma is lost on all of us, but as a westerner, and assuming that you're monolinguistic, you probably understand less of it than an eastern man.

quote:Originally posted by Social Junker:

Don't you study Zen, Ezratal?

Buddhism doesn't have to be "by the book", IMO.

Yes I do, and yes I know. Dharma, however, isn't a complex concept open to many interpretations. Karma is represented in dharma, because the truth of the nature of samsara is including the concept of karma but saying "All karma flows back to the dharma" makes no sense.

quote: Originally posted by ATribeCalledSean: The true meaning of dharma is lost on all of us, but as a westerner, and assuming that you're monolinguistic, you probably understand less of it than an eastern man.

The true meaning of dharma is NOT lost on all of us, it means truth. The UNDERSTANDING of dharma is perhaps lost on us..

I'm amazed at the extent of your prejudice towards the "Eastern man," and am proud to say I'm not monolinguistic. Your feeling of superiority simply because you're from Asia is ludacris and apparently unfounded. You're from Asia, so what? I went to a Buddhist Teachings class for years, and don't see how your simply being born in Asia makes you feel like you're more knowledgable than me.

^^^ I am not claiming superiority whatsoever.

I will be quick to admit that you probably know more about general buddhism and definately zen buddhism than me.

My point is one of mindframes. You being white means that your worldview is very very different from an eastern persons.

Things you have very little control over, such as spatial-temporal understanding, perception of spirit/essence/phenomena. (All very greek ideas that completely shape the way that westerners percieve the world).

Like I said, I feel no superiority complex, I just think that being from the culture of an ideas birthplace and thusly going to REAL TEMPLE and staying in REAL MONESTARIES makes my interpretation and worldview much different than yours.

quote:Originally posted by aTribeCalledSean:

^^^ I am not claiming superiority whatsoever.

quote: Originally posted by aTribeCalledSean: as a westerner, and assuming that you're monolinguistic, you probably understand less of it than an eastern man.

http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

I agree with your last post and am sincerely apologetic of any discomfort my bad attitude may have caused you!

I just want to thank everyone for your insight. It was very helpful. http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)