| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Andrew.
Validated Poster
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 1518
|
 Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 3:17 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
I prefer and believe this more than that Thermate911.
"That said it is hard to deal/interact with folk that just don't care." 
| Quote: |
The moral is: Have no fear when doing wholesome deeds.
The Silent Buddha
[Generosity]
Once upon a time, there was a very rich man living in Benares, in northern India. When his father died, he inherited even more wealth. He thought, "Why should I use this treasure for myself alone? Let my fellow beings also benefit from these riches."
So he built dining halls at the four gates of the city - North, East, South and West. In these halls he gave food freely to all who wished it. He became famous for his generosity. It also became known that he and his followers were practicers of the Five Training Steps.
In those days, there was a Silent Buddha meditating in the forest near Benares. He was called Buddha because he was enlightened. This means that he no longer experienced himself, the one called 'I' or 'me', as being in any way different from all life living itself. So he was able to experience life as it really is, in every present moment.
Being one with all life, he was filled with compassion and sympathy for the unhappiness of all beings. So he wished to teach and help them to be enlightened just as he was. But the time of our story was a most unfortunate time, a very sad time. It was a time when no one else was able to understand the Truth, and experience life as it really is. And since this Buddha knew this, that was why he was Silent.
While meditating in the forest, the Silent Buddha entered into a very high mental state. His concentration was so great that he remained in one position for seven days and nights, without eating or drinking.
When he returned to the ordinary state, he was in danger of dying from starvation. At the usual time of day, he went to collect alms food at the mansion of the rich man of Benares.
When the rich man had just sat down to have lunch, he saw the Silent Buddha coming with his alms bowl. He rose from his seat respectfully. He told his servant to go and give alms to him.
Meanwhile, Mara, the god of death, had been watching. Mara is the one who is filled with greed for power over all beings. He can only have this power because of the fear of death.
Since a Buddha lives life fully in each moment, he has no desire for future life, and no fear of future death. Therefore, since Mara could have no power over the Silent Buddha, he wished to destroy him. When he saw that he was near death from starvation, he knew that he had a good chance of succeeding.
Before the servant could place the food in the Silent Buddha's alms bowl, Mara caused a deep pit of red hot burning coals to appear between them. It seemed like the entrance to a hell world.
When he saw this, the servant was frightened to death. He ran back to his master. The rich man asked him why he returned without giving the alms food. He replied, "My lord, there is a deep pit full of red hot burning coals just in front of the Silent Buddha."
The rich man thought, "This man must be seeing things!" So he sent another servant with alms food. He also was frightened by the same pit of fiery coals. Several servants were sent, but all returned frightened to death.
Then the master thought, "There is no doubt that Mara, the god of death, must be trying to prevent my wholesome deed of giving alms food to the Silent Buddha. Because wholesome deeds are the beginning of the path to enlightenment, this Mara wishes to stop me at all costs. But he does not understand my confidence in the Silent Buddha and my determination to give."
So he himself took the alms food to the Silent Buddha. He too saw the flames rising from the fiery pit. Then he looked up and saw the terrible god of death, floating above in the sky. He asked, "Who are you.?" Mara replied, I am the god of death!"
"Did you create this pit of fire?" asked the man. "I did," said the god. "Why did you do so?" "To keep you from giving alms food, and in this way to cause the Silent Buddha to die! Also to prevent your wholesome deed from helping you on the path to enlightenment, so you will remain in my power!"
The rich man of Benares said, "Oh Mara, god of death, the evil one, you cannot kill the Silent Buddha, and you cannot prevent my wholesome giving! Let us see whose determination is stronger!"
Then he looked across the raging pit of fire, and said to the calm and gentle Enlightened One, "Oh Silent Buddha, let the light of Truth continue to shine as an example to us. Accept this gift of life!"
So saying, he forgot himself entirely, and in that moment there was no fear of death. As he stepped into the burning pit, he felt himself being lifted up by a beautiful cool lotus blossom. The pollen from this miraculous flower spread into the air, and covered him with the glowing colour of gold. While standing in the heart of the lotus, the Great Being poured the alms food into the bowl of the Silent Buddha. Mara, god of death, was defeated!
In appreciation for this wonderful gift, the Silent Buddha raised his hand in blessing. The rich man bowed in homage, joining his hands above his head. Then the Silent Buddha departed from Benares, and went to the Himalayan forests.
Still standing on the wonderful lotus, glowing with the color of gold, the generous master taught his followers. He told them that practising the Five Training Steps is necessary to purify the mind. He told them that with such a pure mind, there is great merit in giving alms - indeed it is truly the gift of life!
When he had finished teaching, the fiery pit and the lovely cool lotus completely disappeared.
The moral is: Have no fear when doing wholesome deeds.
http://www.buddhanet.net/bt1_54.htm
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Thermate911
Angel - now passed away
Joined: 16 Jul 2007
Posts: 1451
Location: UEMS
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Delightful, Andrew ;-)
"So he was able to experience life as it really is, in every present moment. "
Which is something banksters cannot even dream of as they rarely even see the Light of Day - hence their otherwise unaccountable powerlessness in the face of Murphy's Law.
As for the Doom and Gloom merchants, they have their place, IMO, if only to point out the absurdity of the illusions we all suffer from sometime in our lives...
Read any Clif High at all? Now there's an effective tool to mirror man's fears... ;-/
_________________
"We will lead every revolution against us!" - attrib: Theodor Herzl
"Timely Demise to All Oppressors - at their Convenience!" - 'Interesting Times', Terry Pratchett |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Disco_Destroyer
Trustworthy Freedom Fighter
Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 6342
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scienceplease 2
Trustworthy Freedom Fighter
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 1702
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
There are a load of drugs with known side effects that cause overconfidence. Some side effects can be "permanent"...
For example: Modafinil
http://www.medbroadcast.com/drug_info_details_pf.asp?brand_name_id=148 9
| Quote: | Normal fatigue states: Modafinil should not be used to treat normal fatigue states (e.g., fatigue due to lack of sleep rather than narcolepsy), as it can lead to overconfidence in abilities without actually increasing performance. This could make it more dangerous to perform certain activities.
Overstimulation or overconfidence: Because of possible over-stimulation and overconfidence, modafinil may alter your ability to perform certain activities.
|
Either deliberately or accidentally, Sheen seems to be exhibiting some rather strange behaviour. Bi-Winning? I don't think so. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Disco_Destroyer
Trustworthy Freedom Fighter
Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 6342
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
True, but he is just 1 voice, there are so many more 
_________________
'Come and see the violence inherent in the system.
Help, help, I'm being repressed!'
“The more you tighten your grip, the more Star Systems will slip through your fingers.”
www.myspace.com/disco_destroyer |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TonyGosling
Editor
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
Posts: 18335
Location: St. Pauls, Bristol, England
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scienceplease 2
Trustworthy Freedom Fighter
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 1702
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 4:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just seen this!!!
May explain why Charlie Sheen deserted the 9/11 Campaign and decided to discredit himself.
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/charlie-sheens-car-stole n-for-second-time-in-4-months-2010156
| Quote: | Charlie Sheen's 2nd Car Stolen; Also Driven Off Cliff
June 15, 2010
There's another weird chapter in Charlie Sheen's life.
For the second time in four months, the actor's car was stolen Tuesday and driven off a cliff, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department confirms to UsMagazine.com.
Sheen, 44, left his keys inside his Mercedes, which was parked in his driveway. The weird part: he lives in a gated community.
The Two and a Half Men star -- who entered rehab for the third time last February -- didn't even realize his car had been swiped until police showed up to his mansion after 3 a.m. Tuesday morning. Police sources call the incident -- which they believed was a joke upon receiving the initial call -- "suspicious."
"The investigation is ongoing," Officer Norma Eisenman tells Us. "It's impounded for [finger] printing."
Sheen's car was found on the side of the road on Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills -- less than a mile from where his SUV was driven off a ravine four months ago. RadarOnline.com says the engine was still running.
Detectives plan to review surveillance tape at the guarded entrance -- the only way to exit Sheen's community -- for clues on who was driving the car.
The first heist was never caught on tape, and no suspects were caught. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Chat
Usergroups
Calendar
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
