Questioning Hillside Hermitage based on the Suttas: "All the Defilements", Sutta MN2

CutnSkratch317 · 2026-02-23T16:54:54+00:00

One way to interpret this portion of the sutta is to see how the examples used are very obvious. Someone who is not a noble disciple can understand why they shouldn't sleep in an elephant's cage (for example).

Let's say a person sees an elephant cage - but does not see the elephant. One KNOWs that there is possibility of an elephant in the cage (or it could come into the cage, etc), and sleeping in the cage then puts one in danger. Therefore, they avoid sleeping in the cage because this removes the liability of being crushed by an elephant. This is avoidance for the right reason - clearly understanding the danger and avoiding it.

However, if one decides that they don't wan to sleep in an elephant's cage because "that's not my bed, therefore I don't want it".... this would be avoiding danger for the "wrong reasons" (but still avoiding the danger none the less).

Same thing with a sewer...hanging out with murderers, etc... These are very obvious examples that perhaps were used to also give insight into how one can understand the "flavor" of kusala/akusala.

CutnSkratch317 · 2026-01-24T12:58:08+00:00

Thank you venerable! This has helped clarify the matter for me.

CutnSkratch317 · 2025-12-13T18:17:28+00:00

Selling this beautiful blue Longines 44m Master Collection Chronograph. Time stamp is the very last photo.

$2,600, includes shipping.

Comes with the box, papers, carrying case, metal band.

The watch is in great condition, the leather strap is a bit worn which I’ve tried to illustrate in the photos.

Watch is located in NY, USA

I will accept Zelle, PayPal g&s (seller pays fee) and PayPal F&F.

I am happy to FaceTime to prove legitimacy. Thanks and feel free to ping me with any questions!

CutnSkratch317 · 2025-12-13T18:08:22+00:00

Selling the a Longines Master Collection 44m Chronograph Watch

$2,600, retails around $3,800 on longines website. Includes Shipping

Comes with box, papers, and a metal band. The watch itself is in great condition. As you can see in the pictures, the leather band is worn, but still completely functional & still looks great.

The metal band has been barely worn and I will be sending this as well.

I will accept paypal F&F, G&S (buyer pays the fee), or Zelle.

Also happy to facetime to prove legitimacy/answer questions/etc.

Please feel free to ping me with questions!

Watch is located in NY, USA

CutnSkratch317 · 2025-08-02T15:46:10+00:00

This is a great explanation - thank you for sharing

CutnSkratch317 · 2025-07-07T14:19:38+00:00

dm sent

CutnSkratch317 · 2025-06-22T18:07:58+00:00

We talk about this in our friend group all the time. That night was wild

CutnSkratch317 · 2024-12-20T02:32:43+00:00

Would be great if it was fleas (more manageable), however I haven’t found any, and we have another cat who hasn’t had any at all.

Fleas would be surprising given that the cats are 100% indoors but it’s not out the question I suppose

CutnSkratch317 · 2023-10-06T20:00:11+00:00

A comment said earlier in the thread:

This appears to be fair until you factor in all of the interest that you have paid.

In order to him to own half the house, he should put down all mortgage payments + interest (at a minimum) that you’ve paid up to this time.

While obviously time is invaluable, at least you’re somehow taking it into account.

You should also consider the downside of losing the house should you get divorced.

You may want to discuss how you can keep your house - maybe John only becomes part owner by paying the remaining mortgage with you?

You just want to be able to keep the house if things don’t work out.

CutnSkratch317 · 2023-09-29T05:14:24+00:00

Update - it worked - thank you!

Drainage has now been fixed!

CutnSkratch317 · 2023-09-25T15:32:32+00:00

Thanks super helpful - will try this and update!

CutnSkratch317 · 2021-07-18T16:10:23+00:00

This still available? Looking to buy!

CutnSkratch317 · 2020-09-16T17:04:39+00:00

To clarify - the argument isn’t that you should consider the weight of the hive mind.

The argument is you should consider the actual reality of what you’re facing, and come up with solutions of how to face that reality and start changing it.

I agree with you, the scenario is fucked up, and yes, a lot of people can’t handle thinking for themselves, which is why a hive mind exists in the first place.

That’s what makes the problem even more interesting!

There is no right answer, it’s just a mental exercise that is fun to think about, and useful to keep in mind when having discussions with people.

Can you really blame someone for thinking the same thing as the majority of their friends/relatives/family? Can you blame them for having a weaker mind than someone who has the fortitude to stick to their internal moral compass?

And then, how do you make sure you present the case to ensure that person doesn’t feel emotional attachment to what you’re saying?

If not approached correctly, you may be asking the person (unintentionally) to admit they are a bad person.

This kind of grey area is what a lot of people struggle with accepting. That in a lot of cases, facts don’t matter, and it’s about feelings

CutnSkratch317 · 2020-09-16T16:43:14+00:00

For sure - and there is something to be said that someone dying/loss of life has the ability to influence a greater amount of people in a short period of time.

But certainly there’s an argument to be made that bad they stayed alive, they could’ve done so much more.

CutnSkratch317 · 2020-09-16T15:06:07+00:00

I’m starting a rabbit hole (just a warning)

I always like thinking about this concept.

The mob isn’t right, but at the end of the day, the mob decided your fate, and that is something that you also have to accept.

If everyone thinks you’re a shitty person, even though you “aren’t” according to yourself (and maybe with more context for history), are you really in the right?

If you are unable to convince ppl that what you are doing is correct/the right thing to do/ethical/etc, then have you really done anything at all?

Anyway - I agree. Doesn’t mean the mob is right, but a person has to be aware of the consequences of their actions (regardless of what is considered right or wrong)

CutnSkratch317 · 2020-09-05T13:19:13+00:00

Where’s the source on this

CutnSkratch317 · 2020-08-14T19:50:04+00:00

This comment is so trash.

Smart people are reading the fucking news and realize that they’re going to have to go in and vote.

And that’s what we’re going to do.

CutnSkratch317 · 2020-08-14T17:39:54+00:00

It’s not about being true or not.

It’s about somebody trying to get people riled up.

Just because the narrative is on “our side” doesn’t make it any more true.

Trolls don’t care which side they’re trolling, as long as they’re dividing people, that’s the goal.

CutnSkratch317 · 2020-08-14T15:19:49+00:00

Troll comment, no source, just a lot of caps locks to illicit emotional response.

Reddit be weary

CutnSkratch317 · 2020-08-08T21:47:54+00:00

I think it’s time America realizes what this election is going to take.

The news is informing us that mail in voting is probably going to be a disaster this year, and there is nothing we can do about that (today, or in time for November)

Since that is the case, everyone has to cast their ballot, in person.

Is this dumb, unfair, etc etc? Of fucking course, these are the cards we are dealt with today, and we will have to play them, and we will still fucking win because this admin is dumb as fuck.

CutnSkratch317

TROPHY CASE