and it seems so improbable. What do you think? I am a Buddhist who means no harm. Is it possible to want these things or am I just fooling myself? Many blessings
2007-12-04 13:15:16 · 17 answers · asked by Yogini 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are not just a Buddhist. You are far more. You are a lotus flower grounded to the earth and emerging from the water. Your bloom sings and dance to the moon staying dry as current moves you. You are a Buddhavista.
Sorry, I did not get my last answer in before the deletion. Through prayer, devotion, and meditation we gather strength and clarity. We need these in all we do. Gandhi said,"My greatest weapon is mute prayer." He needed no other weapon. Let Rome know that they are being visited by a true Buddhavista. I wish you well always. The journey is as sweet as the reward.
*edit Tonight may serve us better in meditation. Good night my friend and rest your voice.
2007-12-04 13:30:02 · answer #1 · answered by Desert Lotus 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
there is nothing wrong in wanting to believe in a greater good.
i believe that people are basically good, and when faced with a choice most of us will do the right thing.
even the small things like holding a door for someone, or letting someone into the flow of traffic. these things may seem trivial, but if everyone did a small thing everyday what a change there would be.
there are more people like us out there then we realize. don't give up on hope...it's one of the things that makes us truly human.
bright blessings to you.
2007-12-05 00:13:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the top scientists believe in a God. If feelings make up something that could be momentarily more sophisticated than normal people then maybe pure feelings make up God.
What you percieve as good all depends on your point of view. When you are passive and calm you will know the difference between wrong and right and you can broaden that notion as far as you can feel & think it.
Like you said, be the change you want to see in the world.
But is there anything better than goodness?
Who decides wut is best?
If there is anything good to believe in it is true compassion and all the creative things that that could invoke.
2007-12-04 23:51:46 · answer #3 · answered by gsdfgsdgsdg 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Desire is the enemy of truth in Buddhism, as I understand it. Yet there is no escape from wanting. All moral action is based on it. No moral choice occurs without wanting one thing more than another. Wanting to avoid desire is itself a desire. It is more sensible to want what is good. But what is the greater good? How can it be greater, if all things consist in a single, simple unity? How can it be good, if good cannot be distinguished from evil, if there is no fundamental division in being, if good is in unity with evil? I am a Christian in no small measure because I do believe in good, that it can be set out as different and separate from evil. This distinction reflects another dichotomy, that of creation and Creator. In such a two-story universe, it is possible for good to ultimately win, to one day completely eradicate evil. Good can be calibrated, not against the short term rise and fall of the local tide, but against the Eternal. The "greater good" as defined by finite minds must always be defective. We will never know enough to understand what is ultimately good. By contrast, the greater good as understood by the Eternal Person must necessarily be perfect, truly good, and truly greater. Were such a Person to condescend and reveal Himself in human form, we would, as Plato said, kill Him. And we did. Happily, it was not possible for Him to remain that way, because if the greater good entails anything, it is the power of life. The greater good is Jesus.
2007-12-04 21:43:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
When I look around me I find it hard not to believe in the greater good. We humans have this inane tendency to think that everything pertains to us. Is this a true concept? If a cell defines the body it is a true concept. But the cell does not recognize its own existence except how it relates to the body. It has no existence without the body. Believe in the greater good because without it there can be no existence. Everything working together to support and sustain each other. It is a beautiful world. Find it and live it.
2007-12-04 21:51:56 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe we can cause a greater good by small increments. People laugh at me when I pick up a penny, but 100 of them makes a dollar.
Edit: ...and I really like eggnog and haven't had any yet this year. Next time I'm at the grocery store, I am so getting some! Thanks for the reminder, good woman!
2007-12-04 21:18:38 · answer #6 · answered by Rebekah 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
*Note* I too have heard of that rule. Without that top 20%, civilization would collapse.
You have to wait, only when the masses of the world have reached disciple level
(which includes religions like taoism and buddhism) will we have world-peace. I highly recommend a book called Spiral Dynamics by Dr. Don Beck...which unfortunately is going to take a very very long time.
- islam is an individual-level religion
(live for oneself)
- Christianity is an aspirant level religion (democratic-thinking)
- Taoism and buddhism are disciple level religion (live for others + beyond)
It would be best to stop following or even acknowledging mass religion- instead fight to end them!!(Buddhism is okay though, since it's a philosophy) Good for you!!
*Note* There is no appreciation for good unless evil is also present. - This statement is self-delusional...instead a buddhist would have no need to compare.
2007-12-04 21:17:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The non-material field of reality we all are embedded in is responsive to consciousness - individiually and en masse. We are a participant in the greater good whether we're in a monastery praying for it or simply living and contributing our gifts as best we can. Our thoughts and intentions matter as well as our actions.
2007-12-04 21:33:38 · answer #8 · answered by MysticMaze 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think its a natural thing for people, even if the greater good is actually the greater evil in the eyes of others.
2007-12-04 21:18:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I always believe in the greater good. What's improbable? I believe most people are mostly good.
2007-12-04 21:18:54 · answer #10 · answered by punch 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋