I see what scares a lot of the fundamentalists Christians is this need to fill that gap left by our concept of time with something absolute, something beyond time. If you have spent any amount of time meditating, you probably have some deeper insight into this concept of time and have experienced the futility in believing in absolute beginnings and absolute ends; and it is certainly a damn scary feeling. Fundamentalists I think also feel this fear, as they take such stubborn refuge in our dualistic mind, and they always find they are frightened by the change that surrounds them on a moment by moment basis. They, I imagine, on very conscious level in protection of self, take harbor in their concept of a God creator, to fill that gap of time, to fill those burning questions; "Well if God didn't make me, why am I here? Who created the universe? Why is something here instead of nothing?"
Once we can go beyond this concept of time, realizing that a better understanding of the true nature of our existence can not be answered by beginnings nor ends, we can move past this fear of falling into that dark abyss of not being. Perhaps, if they asked themselves if they can truly feel God inside them, then maybe God was never separate from us after all.
I invite all my Christian friends to explore Buddhism with an open mind, knowing that Buddhism does not ask one to relinquish their beliefs as a prerequisite to practice. Perhaps it is this, that frightens so many of your fundamentalists friends concerning Buddhism. However, do not believe me and do not believe them, but find out for yourself with an honest and open mind.
Job 9:20-21 - If I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
What a thoughtful post Kyle - thank you. Subject and object arise together.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Justin
Thank you Justin!
ReplyDeleteFrom a Buddhist perspective sentient beings desire is the cause of reality.
ReplyDelete敬爱的佛教信土:
ReplyDelete我是甲洞三宝寺 (暹廟) SAMNAK SAMBODHI BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION NO: 19-21 JALAN 38 TAMAN DESA JAYA KEPONG 52100 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA. 的理事, 当任此职多年, 对内的事務也一清二楚。
最近, 在网络上看了PHRA PIYATHAMMO和尚和马华公会鸱唛区主席叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak)律师的双方信件, 使我的内心久久不能平伏, 良心受到很大的譴責, 不吐訢不痛快, 所以我要誠恳的説：他叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak)侓师叫外来的流流氓到三宝寺(暹廟)挑衅和尚打架及电招警方人员扣捕沙彌, 其嘲笑手法, 不外是要显示其权力, 而鞏固其职位, 以达到权力就是一切, 好让住持难堪, 自动離开, 方便行事……这种举动, 已间接的表逹其含意, 住持和尚兼顾问, 都无能为力,你们这些信徒能做什么？即使告马耒西亜佛教总会又能为难什么？这种心态, 的硧令人反感, 不是一个正信佛教者应有的行为。
至今, 三宝寺的理事成员多数是其親戚, 这是实事, 加入会员需交RM100元费用，同时，必须经过叶金福(Yip Kum Fook)律师的同意，否则免談, 所以会员也不多。
马华公会鹅唛区主席叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak)律师，自控制三宝寺之後，把三宝寺(暹廟)当着私人產業，聘用和尚賺钱，利用佛教的道地为政治活动埸所，而处理三宝寺的钱财也不透明？这点，值得信众追问。马来西亚地擴人多，和尚也不缺乏，为什么不用本地和尚当任住持化缘，却偏偏劳心劳神，浪费签证费，交通费？ 还要烦劳梹城佛总的推荐信, 向文化不同, 而語言又不通之千哩外囯缅旬和尚求助？ 为什么….为什么？ 只要我们用头脑想一想，便一日了然, 不必晝虎添足。
叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak )律师说:欢迎任何人如有意见,可以电话03:62762369/0122039700 Email: YIPKUMFOOK@HOTMAIL.COM 戓到其马华公会鹅唛区会甲洞三宝寺及以下地圵：NO.2,B JALAN 53 TAMAN DESA JAYA KEPONG 52100 SELANGOR, MALAYSIA.討論, 我要老实的提醒大家, 最好不要一个去見他, 因为这个人狡滑, 笑裡藏刀, 很阴险, 出家人都不放在眼裡, 連TAMAN DAYA 52100 KEPONG, KUALA LUMPUR. 众人的印度廟也敢放火燒, 利用权势把场地佔为己有, 由此可见, 他是何等的心毒？ 还有现在三宝寺内, 各处都按裝计孔监视来人一举一动。
目前, 三宝寺很多信徒及当地居民, 已经对叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak )律师不满, 但也不能做什么。他计划把三宝寺主席的职位轉给其子YIP JIUN HANN律师, 续承皇朝. 想近一部了觧詳情, 可上网得知。
再说, 根据前理事在网络上给叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak)律师的批評, 説他懂得包裝自己的道德守则, 以宗教为幌子手, 到处募款, 啇業经营, 政治活动为重, 并没依循佛教守則行事, 也没对人道作出貢献, 只不过借三宝寺宗教之名捞取权和私利而己, 其言也不为过, 是实事。
在此, 我恳切希望, 廣大的佛教信仰者, 给予关注, 并共創義举, 弘扬佛教. 谢谢。
Mr Lim Sok Chia敬啟
Ms Yap