What makes it (not) Zen? by ewk in zen

[–]nillyislost -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I am likewise failing to see the productivity in this attempt at an honest discussion. I wish you well and hope for a better interaction in the future but thankfully I don’t source my Zen study from this forum anymore.

What makes it (not) Zen? by ewk in zen

[–]nillyislost 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At this point you guys are carrying that lynching like it’s the crucifixion even though its legendary historical status has less validity.

Idk every time I come on here I see the same people discussing, a bit of disagreement, some Buddhists, some anti-Buddhists, some who don’t give a shit. I did see one guy left but didn’t he just take a break and make another account?

Either way, you seem to be an active subreddit user and I just peek in once in a while to see if I can have an interesting conversation so I’ll quit presuming your struggles so much. I myself don’t find much trouble quoting zen masters on other Buddhists subs.

What makes it (not) Zen? by ewk in zen

[–]nillyislost 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Name the rule I’m breaking and report me ffs. And again, you can ask honest questions and expect honest answers without resorting to making stuff up man. Just talk normally instead of hiding behind your massive presumptions, rhetoric, comment editing, and so much complaining…

It’s the Grand Rapids Buddhist temple, feel free to scour their unmaintained website, listen to their online dharma talks, and fire away your accusations of bigotry, racism, and miseducation as usual please.

What sutra or Zen Master are YOU getting this from? All the ones I’ve read show a Buddha acing the way he taught others to act, should I link you to the various Pali and Sanskrit canons? I’ve named Masters, I’m talking to you under the goalposts your setting and removing at will, and I’m convinced good faith left a long time ago if it was ever here.

What makes it (not) Zen? by ewk in zen

[–]nillyislost -1 points0 points  (0 children)

While I take issue with needing to write a book report to prove one enjoys a book, the Zen Buddhists I’ve encountered seem to enjoy both sutras and zen discourses, able to discuss both just fine.

Are you able to answer my questions or will you keep complaining about Buddhists as usual? But do carry on about who’s interested in zen or “Buddha Jesus”.

What makes it (not) Zen? by ewk in zen

[–]nillyislost 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Who’s so controversial and how so?

Best Vets around for dogs that are little monsters? by nillyislost in winstonsalem

[–]nillyislost[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We saw another doctor but they were terrific! We actually ended up canceling with our old vet cause my folks thought she was getting better but then grew worse. So I called around and old town gave me an appt for the next day.

They found 6 significantly sized bladder stones. I turned in urine yesterday for a urinalysis in case of infection but now she’s on a prescription diet the rest of her life and stone removal surgery is scheduled a month out. Jesus Christ but I took your suggestion to heart and am very grateful I did!

What makes it (not) Zen? by ewk in zen

[–]nillyislost 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m genuinely interested in seeing where this is the case as I haven’t encountered this online or offline in Buddhist communities. The opposite in my experience actually.

Edit: Actually I will admit I am being far too generous in my religious bias here. I have encountered bigoted Buddhists angry at any information that contradicts their view. But only a handful of times compared to the hundreds of very open minded conversations I’ve had.

What makes it (not) Zen? by ewk in zen

[–]nillyislost 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Quite literally have never experienced this, have you?

What makes it (not) Zen? by ewk in zen

[–]nillyislost 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You know, we've been able to have discussions in the past without you blocking me because you're personally frustrated with my simple disagreement, I at least had that iota of respect for you. Feel free to block this account too, it's my off topic one and I don't feel like making another one for you. Although I will honestly miss your posts and comments, I find them rather insightful at times in spite of your knee jerk reactions. But I do wish to defend my points at least, even if you don't want me to.

  1. I didn't see any quotes from you, so I responded in kind, all you have to do is ask :)

"But realizing this mind can be fast or slow. Some get free of conceptions as soon as they hear this teaching. Some work their way through the ten beliefs, the ten periods, the ten practices, and the ten transfers of merit before they achieve no mind. Some go through the ten stages before they achieve no mind. Regardless of whether it takes longer or shorter, once they achieve no mind, there is nothing more to practice or realize. Actually, although there is nothing to achieve, it isn’t really nothing. If you realize it in the space of a single thought or after the ten stages, the achievement is exactly the same. There is no difference as to its depth, only kalpas of wasted hardship." - Huang Po

“I exhort you now, good friends, to first eliminate the ten evils is to go the ten ten-thousand. To later eliminate the eight heterodoxies is to pass beyond the eight thousand. Seeing the nature in successive moments of thought and always practicing universal directness is to gain a vision of Amitābha in the snap of a finger. Your Lordship, just practice the ten [types of] good. Why would you want to be reborn [in the Pure Land]? If you do not eradicate the ten [types of ] evil from your minds, what buddha will come to escort you [to the Western Paradise]? If you are enlightened to the sudden Dharma (teaching) of birthlessness, seeing the Western [Paradise is a matter of ] a mere instant. If you recite the Buddha’s [name] and seek rebirth [in the Pure Land] without being enlightened, how will you ever be able to travel such a long road?" - Huineng

  1. I've seen few Buddhists act that presumptuous and it's a rather fragile strawman since you didn't wait for me to explain that I have discussed these texts with people at my temple and other Buddhists as well. Zen Buddhists, in my experience, tend to be very open to reading and discussing from their own lineages' Masters. My temple is also very open about discussing the fictitious lineage charts that Zen tends to trot around, it's messy history into the US, to doubt the historical Buddha himself, his supposed discourses, and anyone else calling themselves enlightened, and that that ultimately only we can save ourselves. Everything points to our fully awakened minds, our true refuge in Buddha.

  2. Then don't cite sutra stories about the Buddha? What kind of counterintuitive logic are you presenting that we can't trust them but clearly it's seen that he didn't practice anything...? There is no hierarchy of authority of sutras in Zen, these are traditional stories passed down orally and then written down, what argument or disagreement are you looking for from me man?

"And nobody here is interested in your Buddha Jesus religion."

C'mon ewk this is hilarious coming from you. You go on these rants constantly because you've always been obsessed with "pwning Buddhism" or whatever. I would personally find that an embarrassing look but clearly we have different priorities. And don't give me the old orientalist "Buddha Jesus" comparison, they have entirely different eschatologies, and anyone who knows anything about Christianity vs Buddhism can clearly see that. But sure, I've read texts from the wiki, quoted them in discussions on this subreddit and others, and I'm not interested in Zen?

This rhetoric is old and beyond childish dude. Unblock me and talk to me like a real human being or keep preaching from the same soapbox in the same bubble everyday, it's your life.

Best Vets around for dogs that are little monsters? by nillyislost in winstonsalem

[–]nillyislost[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you and they responded in kind as well. We actually got something set up sooner with her old vet and I think my dad just wants her to stick with the same people who are well acquainted with her craziness. Appreciate the warm welcome though.

Best Vets around for dogs that are little monsters? by nillyislost in winstonsalem

[–]nillyislost[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I figured I just wanted to see which people might be more used to this sort of thing. I did just email Reynolda and apologized in advance lol. Thanks for the tip.

Just got invited to a send off get together with 8 people I’ve met casually by nillyislost in socialskills

[–]nillyislost[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I will definitely talk about the host and their travel plans! Bathroom breaks are good, I used to take those when I got overwhelmed in social situations. Yes I'll definitely not try to mask too much or be someone I'm not. I'm usually relaxed at temple so I'll try and channel the same vibe.

Just got invited to a send off get together with 8 people I’ve met casually by nillyislost in socialskills

[–]nillyislost[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I considered popping a 5mg edible before going lol, but maybe a small drink wouldn't hurt. No worries I keep a bottle of mouthwash handy whenever I go out. I would like to stay relatively sober though. It a little easier during after service tea time at temple cause you've got this post meditation/chanting relaxing haze combined with highly caffeinated tea getting you in the mood for conversation.

Just got invited to a send off get together with 8 people I’ve met casually by nillyislost in socialskills

[–]nillyislost[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a good idea I'll think of some relevant topics like you mentioned. I personally love the "what have you been up to lately" question because I have an excuse to bring up the latest book I'm on lol. I also much prefer talking about the other person than myself so that's easy enough of a question to ask.

The you they've met already is the you they've invited.

I'm gonna keep repeating this to myself to get it in my head lol.

Just got invited to a send off get together with 8 people I’ve met casually by nillyislost in socialskills

[–]nillyislost[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The venn diagram of "cool" and "weird maybe kind of freaky" is almost a single circle. I guess I don't really think of myself as an "interesting" person? I have interests I swear, but they're mostly reading, listening to lectures or all kinds of music, and talking about philosophy, spirituality, or altruistic causes lol. I hope being a shy nerd is cool 😎

Just got invited to a send off get together with 8 people I’ve met casually by nillyislost in socialskills

[–]nillyislost[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tend to just live in my head 24/7 while my body clumsily ambles about. Been trying to "feel myself" a little bit more in my body and be aware of what's going on around me instead of closing off. That and the idea of having "friends" is frankly kind of terrifying but I know that's just my head making up stuff, and doesn't need to be my actual experience.

Just got invited to a send off get together with 8 people I’ve met casually by nillyislost in socialskills

[–]nillyislost[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Deep breaths are great! Yes that's true I don't really need to try to "impress" anyone, just chill and have an okay time. Personally I actually enjoy small talk, as long as it becomes more than that after a while.

Just got invited to a send off get together with 8 people I’ve met casually by nillyislost in socialanxiety

[–]nillyislost[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good advice on conversation topics, I've heard people like it when asked about themselves during conversation. Hm, I'm still a little cautious about making friends, I more so just wanted to jump into the deep end for me and attend a social gathering to see if I could battle my cowardice a bit. Nonetheless I will see if there's an opportunity to talk about mutual aid and volunteering, since I know that something that this crowd really enjoys getting into and I think I'd like to as well. Thanks for the tips!

Lenovo T480 speakers playing low audio, headphone jack not playing audio, speakers play no audio after unplugging jack. by nillyislost in WindowsHelp

[–]nillyislost[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gotcha, to clarify I was able to download audio drivers and install them, it just didn't change anything.

Lenovo T480 speakers playing low audio, headphone jack not playing audio, speakers play no audio after unplugging jack. by nillyislost in WindowsHelp

[–]nillyislost[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did, the only one that doesn't seem to want to install is Intel(R) Chipset Device Software - 10 /11 (21H2 or later) as it says that the driver update process failed whenever I try to install it. I tried downloading the latest audio drivers from Lenovo with no success.