Re: Friday Five August 10
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Mu?is a koan used in the?Rinzai Zen tradition.A student asked?Joshu, ¡°Does the dog have Buddha-nature or not?¡± Joshu answered: ¡°Mu.¡±
The koan is not about whether a dog does or does not have a Buddha-nature because everything is Buddha-nature, and either a positive or negative answer is absurd because there is no particular thing called Buddha-nature.
In the context of my post, the reference was intended to reinforce the concept?that human beings tend to buy into their concepts as reality. It is a facet of human psychology. We hold forth in knowledgeable hubris about and with our symbology (language primarily) while forgetting that we are speaking about symbols pointing?at other symbols pointing at other symbols. Each?person uses these tools to both conceive?and communicate, too often forgetting that symbols are only approximations. I am sure of my meaning, yet the next guy interprets what I say through his own lens.
Were each to understand mindfully that symbols, including his own entire worldview, are only tools for approximating internal thought structures so he can suggest the general?idea of what he is thinking to another, the population might be slightly more humble about their own rightness and might even be more tolerant of another's perspective.?
See what all?that Zen and meditation stuff has done to me?
:)
Who would do the scut work?
Moo? ? David said:?
Solo s¨¦ que no s¨¦ nada.? We very seldom know anything.? We lie a *lot*.? Bad.
Darrell agreed: Yes, imagine us actually knowing how little we know? Mu should be part of the public school curriculum.
// ? ? ? 4.? What is the difference between telling a lie and not knowing the truth?
Insight, critical thinking, and perhaps intelligence. If I state something knowing that I do not know, I am lying even if I score a factual hit. If I do?not?know that I do not know, then it is an unintentional misrepresentation?and maybe a stretch of the definition of the word lie??? ? ?//
Solo s¨¦ que no s¨¦ nada.? We very seldom know anything.? We lie a *lot*.? Bad.
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Not love, not hate, but the passion for ignorance is the most fundamental passion of man.
? 1.? Is it ethical to rejoice at the death of a bad individual?
ethical adjective eth¡¤i¡¤cal ?e-thi-k?l variants or less commonly ethic ?e-thik Synonyms of ethical 1 : of or relating to ethics ethical theories 2 : involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval ethical judgments 3 : conforming to accepted standards of conduct ethical behavior 4 of a drug : restricted to sale only on a doctor's prescription
I believe morals to be subjective to the culture they apply to or arise from. What is right for me is wrong for others. It would be against?my morals to publicly?rejoice (A very strong word suggesting celebration) at such a situation, although I would consider it a normal and healthy behavior to feel private relief if the individual?had been a threat in some way.? My more public expression might be to acknowledge sadness that the death had occurred?and to work healthy problem solving directed?at the changed situation. I believe this would meet acceptable standards?in my culture.
2.? Is the conflict in the Middle East going to go global?
I feel it will, although the various more powerful players may continue proxy games for a while longer. The U.S. has already adopted military?stances in that theater, as well as in others. Basically, Russia wants Ukraine (and maybe Europe), the Palestinian coalition wants Israel, China wants the South Seas, and the U.S. (and allies) want to stop all those desires from realizing. By independant?move?or hidden Axis agenda, Russia first stepped it up with a direct and invasive use of force on a historically significant level. Hamas followed suit. China is cagier. The Philippines, Israel and Ukraine have dug in?and so now we have broken the ice: war is a current and real tool for political?goals in many areas. Not just limited?third?world power plays, but on a scale already involving global arms and strategic resources. I would say we are only a bomb away from sending in the boots.
3.? Is it likely that another bad actor will use the current situation as an opportunity to make a power grab?
Duh.
4.? What is the difference between telling a lie and not knowing the truth?
Insight, critical thinking, and perhaps intelligence. If I state something knowing that I do not know, I am lying even if I score a factual hit. If I do not?know that I do not know, then it is an unintentional misrepresentation?and maybe a stretch of the definition of the word lie?
5.? Does the height of a politician make a difference in electibility?
That questions feels like the answer may be cultural and so my answer would be that it probably does to some people, depending upon personal and cultural perceptions.
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