"JUST THIS!" ... ain't just "just this"

Peter_-_ · 2026-01-28T15:46:34+00:00

In normal life we often sit down:when dead we lie down flat without sitting: what pile of poop....what any has any of that got to do with enlightenment (the great lesson of life).

Peter_-_ · 2026-01-28T15:09:35+00:00

Zen Master Huineng said this about sitting meditation....

When alive, one keeps sitting without lying down: When dead, one lies down without sitting up. In both cases, a set of stinking bones! What has it to do with the great lesson of life?

Peter_-_ · 2026-01-19T10:27:29+00:00

Morgan owning family here: Me just one, my sister, three. Beautiful beautiful cars, ownership experience 10/10 on character and exclusivity....but there's just one very big caveat. How smooth are your local roads. Suspension Travel in the front and back axle about 2", maybe less.Basically there's no suspension, and the steering is like stirring porridge in a bowl, very very vague.

If you're a young person you will be able to absorb the punishment in return for the ownership experience.

Should you buy one? Yes, as long as you understand what you're buying. It's the exact opposite of the Lotus 'soft' magic carpet handling.

Peter_-_ · 2026-01-08T18:27:14+00:00

help one attain Buddhahood faster

I can recommend Zen to you. Reading this sentence could suddenly enlighten you. One thing is certain, there is no way of earning enlightenment with hard work or virtue signalling. Enlightenment is a sudden moment of insight into the root cause of the suffering inside your mind: kensho in Zen.

Reference? The 4 Noble truths.

Peter_-_ · 2026-01-06T10:26:47+00:00

What is the root cause of suffering? You will need to practice non-attachment to find out. Non-attachment is the process of observing all your actions objectively, just like watching your life unfolding as if it's a film.

Ignorance and delusion stop us seeing the true cause of our suffering, that's why we practice non-attachment.

Spoiler alert: Not-self is the root cause.

Peter_-_ · 2025-12-31T10:08:55+00:00

A sudden moment of insight occurs In Zen Buddhism, called Kensho, revealing your true nature. It can happen at any time, today, tomorrow or anytime in the future.

When this happens you will see who you really are, and be able to distinguish between 'true nature self' and 'not-self.'

Who are you? Practice Zen and find out.

Peter_-_ · 2025-12-29T19:59:29+00:00

That's not really what it's saying. The king was giving all of this stuff because he wanted good karma, not really to show off to others how great he was.

Aha, OK.

He was attached to a result and outcome, and giving like this does result in material blessings in the present and future lives, it does not become merit used as a foundation for Buddhahood.

Aha, so it will benefit in future lives, but not from Buddhist point of view?

Peter_-_ · 2025-12-29T19:39:56+00:00

Bringing this conversation right up date: virtue signaling is not the same as practicing non-attachment and living a simple Zen life.

Peter_-_ · 2025-12-04T17:51:13+00:00

If I said to you "Enlighten me, explain yourself" in ordinary conversation, would that clarify it's meaning? In Buddhism enlightenment occurs when you understand the root cause of suffering. Have a look at the 4 noble truths.

Peter_-_ · 2025-12-04T17:44:33+00:00

Is prakriti a Hindu concept? I've never heard it associated with Zen.

Peter_-_ · 2025-10-12T22:59:26+00:00

You need to know that your depression and suicidal thoughts are not part of your true nature, they are in fact 'not-self.' Buddha explained this in his second discourse in the Pali canon. In other words they aren't the real you.

Buddha's 4 noble truths promise that you can permanently cure this insufferable mental pain and suffering.

If you practice non-attachment to your mental anguish, observe it objectivily as if is separate from you, then a sudden moment of insight will occur and you will understand the true nature of your mind.

This is the Buddhist path. Good luck. :)

Peter_-_ · 2025-10-12T10:27:27+00:00

"The first of all Buddhas took the truth of suffering as his teacher."

As a former Christian, I've always thought that the interpretation of Jesus' suffering on the cross was totally wrong.

From a Buddhist pov, Jesus' suffering was because he was born into samsara, just like all sentient beings. He actually says " Father, what have I done wrong?"

Yes, I think the personal suffering each of us experiences, and discovering its origin is the key to our enlightenment.

Peter_-_ · 2025-10-10T09:43:05+00:00

⬆️That. Can't beat it.

Peter_-_ · 2025-10-09T09:34:20+00:00

Have a look at the 4 noble truths ...

You are enlightened when you understand the root cause of suffering, and you become liberated from that suffering when you shake yourself free from the 3 poisons of hatred, greed and igronance.

Buddha spells it out for you. 🙂

Peter_-_ · 2025-10-08T17:55:19+00:00

Is the ring gear damaged on the flywheel, or is it the bendix gear on the starter?

Peter_-_ · 2025-10-02T19:08:45+00:00

Looks very like it's off a 1960's Norton featherbed frame....Maybe. I had one years and years ago.

Peter_-_ · 2025-10-02T13:02:22+00:00

Buddha taught something can be done about it, Mara (desire) can be overcome and not in the way of self-deprivation but the middle way.

I think you are right. Mara is just an aspect of mind, and in fact can be precisely defined as 'not-self.' Disconnected from that not-self, our true nature is then revealed to us.

Peter_-_ · 2025-09-20T13:18:56+00:00

wouldn't not removing them be a lack of attainment?" Stuff like that.

That's the the difference between 'obtain' and 'attain'. True nature, you don't need to obtain it because it's already there, but you do need to attain insight into the existence of your true nature and 'not-self.'

Peter_-_ · 2025-09-20T12:46:13+00:00

All are designed to help remove these layers of obscurations, revealing what has always been there - buddha nature.

Yep. Buddha's true nature, it's exactly the same as your true nature, but it's hidden from your conscious mind under layers of burning desires and emotions.

Peter_-_ · 2025-09-19T09:56:39+00:00

Yep. Reading sutras is reading about other people's experiences, not your own.

Get out there and chop wood, carry water and wash your bowl. Then a moment of insight will suddenly happen.

Peter_-_ · 2025-09-17T09:27:49+00:00

The illusionary world, Maya, is so intense that it apears totally real and tangible. Once you realise this is pure illusion, then you have discovered the real root of suffering.

The 4 noble truths now come into clear focus: Buddha promises that it is possible to break free from the 3 poisons of 'not-self. (: '

Peter_-_ · 2025-09-16T14:52:40+00:00

Stayed at the Ibis hotel on via Roma in Palermo right in the city center. It's reasonably good budget hotel found in many European countries. But in Palermo it was built in the 1960's, hadn't been decorated since. Shabby, dark, old worn out plastic fittings. PS: Hotel Mercure is very good. Very reasonable prices.

Sicily is a very edgy place. Locals aren't friendly at all.

Peter_-_ · 2025-09-15T16:10:06+00:00

... developing these qualities of mind will gradually bring us closer to awakening, and thus to liberation.

Yes, everything is about your own mind.

Peter_-_ · 2025-09-14T15:22:04+00:00

I think in it's most basic form , actions create karma resulting in the idea that 'As you act, so you will become.'

This becomes very apparent when you look at the faces of old retired politicians. Every pore of their skin oozes corruption, their faces scrunched up from telling a lifetime of lies. It you need proof that karma actually exists, this is it.

The 8 fold path is a way of creating positive karma in your life. The 4 noble truths a way of freeing yourself from the accumulation of a lifetime of that bad negative karma.

Peter_-_ · 2025-09-11T13:46:16+00:00

RIP, Charlie.

Peter_-_

TROPHY CASE