Where is Buddhism going?

Who cares where Buddhism is going?

What I want to know is,

where are you going?
 
Don't follow leaders, watch the parking meters. - B. Dylan
 
citizenzen said:
It's probably a result of being a sangha of one that I am so dismissive of the benefit organized religion serves.

But the Buddha's experience proved that one person with an intelligent and inquiring mind was sufficient for the task.
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Even for one small orangutan....desire is all.


Funny that what enabled Buddha (desire to be enlightened, to know) was seen after to be an impediment to enlightenment.

There is a koan in there.
 
As any -ism goes, it comes from within, and goes out, as in, to all other sentient beings.

I am, the peace maker.

This is any Will be-ism.
 
Here, there, everywhere a stair.
Up from down calamity, in from that of care.
 
shawn said:
Even for one small orangutan....desire is all.

Funny that what enabled Buddha (desire to be enlightened, to know) was seen after to be an impediment to enlightenment.
Click to expand...
I'd say a desire for knowledge in itself is not a problem. Desiring it for selfish reasons can be and often is.

What is sometimes referred to as "excessive desire" would likely be desires directed toward selfish purposes. Maybe it's excessive because its selfish?

If there is no self, as Buddha doctrine indicates, then selfish desire is delusional. It wouldn't necessarily be an impediment to enlightenment. It is itself lack of enlightenment - i.e., unenlightened intending (as contrasted with "right intention").
 
You are what you eat, drink, smoke, chew, and pick at, or curse.
 
citizenzen said:
It's probably a result of being a sangha of one that I am so dismissive of the benefit organized religion serves.

But the Buddha's experience proved that one person with an intelligent and inquiring mind was sufficient for the task.
Click to expand...

Actually, the original Buddhist scriptures very much emphasize the need for spiritual companions and teachers. Even the Buddha had teachers. Personally, I find it very useful to have a sangha. I find my sangha-mates to be really great at showing me exactly where I get stuck and where my blindspots are... If nothing else, it's really good for developing equanimity and patience! :)
 
Zenda71 said:
Actually, the original Buddhist scriptures very much emphasize the need for spiritual companions and teachers. Even the Buddha had teachers.
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When the Buddha sat for six years under the bodhi tree who was his teacher?
 
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