Susma,
Yes, "wear your ASBO with pride"!! I well remember my own - indulged - sense of "martyrdom" when three posts of mine were removed abruptly from the Beliefnet Christian Forums. (In my own defence, this was not because they were offensive in any way, shape or form, but because, as a self-professed "Buddhist" I was not allowed by the rules to post on that particular Forum. Fair do's I suppose)
Though I sympathise in many ways with those who are banned for whatever reason from a particular forum, I have to say that from my own experience on the old "Tricycle" Buddhist forums, the moderators do a needed job. On the Tricycle forums, which seemed to lack any attempt at moderation/censure, there were those registered under multiple names arguing with each other, even to the point of suffering apparent martyrdom at their own hands!! (If it be asked just how this was known, I would only say that any semi-perceptive person would see what was totally obvious) Flaming was rife, to the point where many sent personal emails to me saying they were actually afraid to post at all, so merely came as guests. (This after I posted a thread saying "Come on in, the waters lovely!!") Anyway, eventually the Tricycle Forums folded - perhaps in part because of the anarchy...............though an overworked server seemed also to be involved.
Anyway, getting back to "greatness" or whatever, and whether or not such a word can be attributed to Gautama or not................To a certain extent I have no issues over this. Attribute what you like - or not - to anybody. I would just say that to my own observations, those who are truly "great" seek not to be served - or adored - but to serve.
Having said that, and reflecting further on Tarzan, I would just offer the words of Marcel Proust, who said "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands, but in seeing with new eyes". Is there ever any total "originality" in this world? The Jewish writer Leo Baeck, in his book "The Essence of Judaism" makes the same point concerning the "originality" of the Jewish people................"Israel's originality consists neither in an innovation of spiritual elements nor in a complete lack of connection with any past. Its unique originality lies in its power to struggle for that individuality of spirit by which it brings to life the given material. Independence manifests itself not so much in the germination of an idea as in the power to take an already existent idea and make it productive"
Once again, speaking personally, I will seek to learn from any who I begin to respect for whatever reason. To consider them "great" or not seems beside the point. I do not live in a vacuum, nor in a jungle!!
Just to finish, a little story, which I have often related before in various contexts. It seems to have infinite meanings and significance......
"A newly enlightened Westerner was walking through the Zendo with an old Zen master who only spoke broken English. At each of the images of the Buddha the old master bowed deeply, even prostrating himself. Eventually the Westerner turned to the old master with a look of deep disdain and said......"I say, don't you think you and I are a bit above this sort of thing now? Speaking for myself, I think I would just as soon spit at these statues as bow to them". To which the old master replied...."OK. You spit. I bow" "
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Yes, "wear your ASBO with pride"!! I well remember my own - indulged - sense of "martyrdom" when three posts of mine were removed abruptly from the Beliefnet Christian Forums. (In my own defence, this was not because they were offensive in any way, shape or form, but because, as a self-professed "Buddhist" I was not allowed by the rules to post on that particular Forum. Fair do's I suppose)
Though I sympathise in many ways with those who are banned for whatever reason from a particular forum, I have to say that from my own experience on the old "Tricycle" Buddhist forums, the moderators do a needed job. On the Tricycle forums, which seemed to lack any attempt at moderation/censure, there were those registered under multiple names arguing with each other, even to the point of suffering apparent martyrdom at their own hands!! (If it be asked just how this was known, I would only say that any semi-perceptive person would see what was totally obvious) Flaming was rife, to the point where many sent personal emails to me saying they were actually afraid to post at all, so merely came as guests. (This after I posted a thread saying "Come on in, the waters lovely!!") Anyway, eventually the Tricycle Forums folded - perhaps in part because of the anarchy...............though an overworked server seemed also to be involved.
Anyway, getting back to "greatness" or whatever, and whether or not such a word can be attributed to Gautama or not................To a certain extent I have no issues over this. Attribute what you like - or not - to anybody. I would just say that to my own observations, those who are truly "great" seek not to be served - or adored - but to serve.
Having said that, and reflecting further on Tarzan, I would just offer the words of Marcel Proust, who said "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands, but in seeing with new eyes". Is there ever any total "originality" in this world? The Jewish writer Leo Baeck, in his book "The Essence of Judaism" makes the same point concerning the "originality" of the Jewish people................"Israel's originality consists neither in an innovation of spiritual elements nor in a complete lack of connection with any past. Its unique originality lies in its power to struggle for that individuality of spirit by which it brings to life the given material. Independence manifests itself not so much in the germination of an idea as in the power to take an already existent idea and make it productive"
Once again, speaking personally, I will seek to learn from any who I begin to respect for whatever reason. To consider them "great" or not seems beside the point. I do not live in a vacuum, nor in a jungle!!
Just to finish, a little story, which I have often related before in various contexts. It seems to have infinite meanings and significance......
"A newly enlightened Westerner was walking through the Zendo with an old Zen master who only spoke broken English. At each of the images of the Buddha the old master bowed deeply, even prostrating himself. Eventually the Westerner turned to the old master with a look of deep disdain and said......"I say, don't you think you and I are a bit above this sort of thing now? Speaking for myself, I think I would just as soon spit at these statues as bow to them". To which the old master replied...."OK. You spit. I bow" "