From: George Murphy (gmurphy@raex.com)
Date: Sat Feb 22 2003 - 17:57:04 EST
RFaussette@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 2/22/03 12:55:10 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> gmurphy@raex.com writes:
>
> > There is a Christian tradition of silent prayer & Paul says that even when
> > we don't know what to say, the Spirit prays for us (Rom.8:26). As to how
> > God deals with the "good thoughts" of Buddhists I leave God to decide - but
> > I doubt that he simply ignores them.
> >
>
> Buddhists don't believe in "good thoughts." They believe in the elimination
> of conscious thought.
>
> I Wo-Luan know a device
> wherefore to blot out all my thoughts:
> The objective world no more stirs the mind
> And daily matures my Enlightenment!
>
> from Zen Buddhism, selected writings of D.T. Suzuki edited by William Barrett
>
> Interestingly, when there is no conscious thought, the self is unrealized or
> sacrificed and what was formerly object, is the focus of attention and
> becomes subject - the elimination of the subject/object dichotomy.
Quite likely. Buddhism is the world religion I know least about - though I do
know that Zen isn't its only variety. Richard Gere, from whom the "good thoughts"
statement came, understands himself (I believe) to be a Buddhist so you'd have to argue
with him. (& whatever their goal may be, I don't think most Buddhists can avoid all
conscious thought.)
Shalom,
George
George L. Murphy
gmurphy@raex.com
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
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