Comments for LittleBang

Comment on WBU Forum July 2008 by Suchith

Suchith — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:05:37 +0000

Dear Chris,

You can identify me as ‘Suchith Abeyewickreme’
Can contact me at suchith@hotmail.com

Suchith

Comment on WBU Forum July 2008 by Cittasamvaro

Cittasamvaro — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:38:34 +0000

‘Greater Vehicle‘ … ‘Lesser Vehicle‘ … All Vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense!

As a Hinayanist, I was never bothered by the term. Since we have not vowed to postpone our final enlightenment until all living beings have reached nibbana, the vehicle, or ‘load’ as it is sometimes translated, is a lighter (lesser) one.

While it is not very P.C. to use ‘Hinayana’ I suspect that in the academic circles of India the term is used liberally and without bias.

Comment on WBU Forum July 2008 by Chris Stanford

Chris Stanford — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:13:36 +0000

In its original usage, the term ‘Hinayana’ was coined by the Mahayana team (never used by Theravadans or other early Buddhist schools themselves) as a polemic term in their literature to denigrate the non-Mahayanists. The term was intended to differentiate ‘us’ from ‘them’; us big guys (’Maha’, and by implication, of greater value) from them, the not so big guys (’Hina’, of lesser value. and to be avoided).

By any linguistic definition, the term is negative and pejorative; certainly to be avoided (right speech!) when other, more respectful terms are available (i.e., Nikaya, Theravada).

[BTW, 'Suchith', by what name would you be more broadly recognized?]

Comment on WBU Forum July 2008 by Suchith

Suchith — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:13:21 +0000

‘Hinayana’ is just a word, it becomes derogatory if you make it so in your mind. I am a believer that there is no need to look at in an oppressor / oppressed mindset.

I’ve studied about Buddhism in my life without ever considering any negativity associated. So lets not ruffle feathers needlessly.

Comment on WBU Forum July 2008 by Chris Stanford

Chris Stanford — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:17:55 +0000

I seriously question how a person who describes himself as ‘a leading scholar of Buddhism…peace worker (i.e., non-sectarian)…educationist….’, etc., could refer, in the 21st century, to any school of Buddhist thought and practice as, “Hinayana”.

This is a seriously derogatory term first introduced by Mahayanists to, in their minds at least, differentiate their ‘Maha-(=Great) practice from the other Hina- (=lesser) Buddhist practitioners. They wanted to show how ‘Maha’ they were in relation to other Buddhist practitioners in the first and second centuries CE.

No school would willing describe themselves as ‘Hinayana’. Why should anyone else?

Comment on WBU Forum July 2008 by Suchitha

Suchitha — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:08:40 +0000

I know Dr. Ravindra Kumar as one of the leading scholars in South and Southeast Asia; he is renowned peace leader and an ardent believer of universalism. It would be better if he is invited by your forum to deliver a series of lectures on subject like this and enlighten the generation of the day.
Suchitha

Comment on WBU Forum July 2008 by Prajapati

Prajapati — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:25:51 +0000

It is indeed a great attempt in which such type of initiative is being taken by the WBU and a scholar like Dr. Ravindra Kumar is being invited to speak. Please keep it up.
Prajapati

Comment on WBU Forum July 2008 by Cittasamvaro

Cittasamvaro — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:48:05 +0000

Our Little Bangkok Sangha have been looking at this topic. We are planning to do a ‘movie day’ on JBT based on the TED piece. It is a bit short to do on its own so we are thinking to combine it with another video that raises similar questions - probably Douglas Harding. I am not sure the WBU would go for this topic - they mostly look to known speakers to propose and present topics related to Buddhism. Besides, we have a more informal atmosphere when on our movie days, and no time restraints. I think JBT raises some very interesting questions, not least the relationship between the brian and spiritual experiences.
So far we have not set a date.

Comment on WBU Forum July 2008 by Owen

Owen — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:18:13 +0000

I have been recommending a book called “My Stroke of Insight - a Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey” by Jill Bolte Taylor and also a TEDTalk Dr. Taylor gave on the TED dot com site. And you don’t have to take my word for it - Dr. Taylor was named Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People, the New York Times wrote about her and her book is a NYTimes Bestseller), and Oprah did not 4 interviews with her.

Comment on Movie Date Sat June 28 by greateasternimports

greateasternimports — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:47:59 +0000

Count 2 more in for lunch and movie. Sorry for the late reply! See you soon. Cheers!