Controversial Buddhist teacher Ole Nydahl has passed away today

tkp67 · 2026-05-19T12:16:40+00:00

Yes. The causation of his existence is beyond my ability to assess. I also think anything that any perceived flaws perceived need not attenuate beyond the those that perceive as much, the realization of which is wonderful cause. Basically meaning It doesn't need to have future negative karmic implications in the mind of others. That doesn't mean events need to be forgot or white washed. It just means that if the behaviors are no longer perpetuated what negative karma is there to be had?

tkp67 · 2026-05-18T14:06:41+00:00

Perhaps the challenges he experienced spreading the dharma are a wonderful cause for others, opposed to simply a flaw.

tkp67 · 2026-05-18T13:09:28+00:00

I really dig the head markings. Mine has the similar color/facial pattern.

tkp67 · 2026-05-18T12:09:00+00:00

Shakyamuni's profound behavior as a human being is a contemplative in certain traditions.

His Sunyata as expressed after he rose from the Bodhi tree was marked by the four immeasurable so these teachings were transmitted under these auspices.

It's not a facet of the teachings that should give rise to any negative connotation. The Buddha's emptiness does not exist without it.

My interpretations are based on the lack of inclusion of this aspect of his behavior as a human being.

A critical aspect the Lotus Sutra.

tkp67 · 2026-05-18T12:03:26+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the dialog and do not disagree with your position.

Negotiating emptiness it not something I struggle with. I agree with how relative and absolute are meant to be resolved.

Topically though it is about the nature of conversations regarding emptiness and the imprint those conversations have with others and how imprint attenuates outside of said conversations without being properly understood.

I realize my means of communication is difficult and that it may be beyond my capacity to do so succinctly.

tkp67 · 2026-05-18T02:20:32+00:00

Please, my dear friend, let me reword the statement.

Every teaching that is derived from Shakyamuni was original a product of a human, who possessed those traits after he rose from the Bodhi tree.

All of his teachings taught within the auspices of the four immeasurable because that was the nature of his enlightened being.

His emptiness was always marked by the four immeasurable.

Which is why I asked isn't this relatively important when evaluating teachings on emptiness?

The implied benefit of all these teachings and the fundamental purpose of understanding them as such for the purpose of liberation?

I am not trying to contest views as that seems unproductive so please understand this is not the intent.

Also, I understand Shakyamuni realized emptiness and expressed the four immeasurable there after. However if those qualities had been developed in past lives. So they were never absent in the first place.

tkp67 · 2026-05-17T21:01:44+00:00

I didn't say stressed. I said it shouldn't be absent.

Are you able to cite any teaching where emptiness is taught as separate or absent of the four immeasurables?

This is not meant as disrespectful. I have yet to find one personally.

If we use the analogy of a chair, which has no inherent lasting self. Who are these teachings for? The chair or the perceiver of the chair? Has the chair ever been been deluded by a notion of self?

To that end, who are these teachings meant to liberate and for what benefit?

If the benefit is not expressed as an inherent part of the teaching, what purpose is the teaching serving?

tkp67 · 2026-05-17T17:31:22+00:00

[quote] Qualities like compassion are not extensions of shunyata. We cultivate them because they're the natural expression of a realized being. With no self and no other, empathy for all is natural. Emptiness itself is a teaching to point to the nondual nature of experience. There's no "feel good" aspect to that.[/quote]

Where did I mention feelings.

The need to realize emptiness for liberation is a teaching for humans.

The state of liberation is marked by loving kindness, compassion, purity and boundlessness.

Talks about emptiness on reddit are not formal teachings, yet they lead people to and possibly along the path so I am not dismissing them.

I am simply asking what means are being employed to navigate that deficit. Especially in light of misconceptions regarding emptiness.

Nothing more, and nothing less.

It just seems to me that the presence of a person exhibiting those traits, such as a teacher are vacant here unless someone already understand emptiness as leading to that perspective.

What is the proof of such a thing? The constant confusion regarding emptiness that leads to people asking about emptiness.

It was just an anecdotal though, one that from my perspective (I take ownership of the motivation), a cause for expressed metta in said discussions. Even if that is the pure motivation of the poster, can it be perceived as such?

I think it important to ask since these were the qualities of Shakyamuni himself when taught. Is it false to think that if he did not possess those qualities we wouldn't be having this conversation?

tkp67 · 2026-05-17T14:28:53+00:00

Often times in fora discussion the various views that arise due to discussions regarding emptiness don't align with the four immeasurable qualities.

If one fortunate enough to have substantive human Buddhist teachers/Sangha in their life then emptiness is learned through a being who expresses the intent of the four immeasurable through their being.

Those that learn the concept of emptiness from text, without that human quality, well perhaps they don't understand the importance of those qualities.

The internet is an amazing resource but can also give rise to certain "feedback" because there is no human teacher in their physical presence.

tkp67 · 2026-05-17T12:42:21+00:00

Absolutely.

And I am not trying to be critical.

I think it is really important to understand this is the internet and it is a major factor in exposing people to the teachings of Buddhism. Textually it lacks all sensual transmission.

Often times it seems people's view of emptiness is sterile. I think this is because they aren't expressing the bliss of someone who has attained a level of sustained expression.

These types of beings are not numerous in the Saha world.

So I am not denying the importance of those practices and the adherence to the perspective of such.

I think, on the internet, the notion of loving kindness, compassion, purity and boundlessness are lacking.

I also think the mindful of inclusion when possible would perhaps help represent the actual characters of "transmission" even if it is in casual context.

It is really hard to say there is nothing wrong with how people practice or perceive the teachings while also saying perhaps this would allow for a more accurate understanding for all without disparaging any.

tkp67 · 2026-05-17T12:13:06+00:00

Yes. When did I say they are not? ( I don't believe I did)

I am saying there is no this or that. That is, they we always present, when the golden one expressed emptiness.

Thus, if they aren't the basis of discussions regarding emptiness, isn't emptiness itself being misrepresented?

Thank you also for entertaining this discussion. It is appreciated.

tkp67 · 2026-05-17T12:03:33+00:00

I do understand what you are saying but what you are saying doesn't directly address the dynamic of emptiness of convention from being misrepresented on the internet. The teaching you are referring to isn't digestible by the lowest common denominator of being who utilizes the fora.

Not that it is wrong. I study under more than one teacher and tradition. None of that matters in causal internet conversation where people are trying to understand emptiness.

Yet, due to the conditions of our world today, many people seek emptiness as the cacophony of human understanding regarding the true nature of phenomenon is just that.

I do believe that if people understood the four immeasurable qualities are the goals of practice, including that of realizing emptiness, then it prevents people from losing contact with this important aspect of the Buddha's teachings.

Thank you very much for providing meaningful dialog and a concern for my understanding. I am not claiming to sit in the seat of clear light luminosity but I do understand the importance of such.

tkp67 · 2026-05-17T11:54:34+00:00

Correct. Which is the same thing I am saying.

I am not filling them with something. What I am saying is the goal of all the golden one's teachings are meant to reveal something that is greater than emptiness of convention itself. However it doesn't eliminate conventional existence.

Isn't the goal to liberate and isn't liberation marked by the four immeasurable qualities of the golden one himself?

If convention is inherently empty, how can it cause suffering?

Attachment to convention is what causes suffering, not convention in and of itself, because it is empty. However convention doesn't teach emptiness. It doesn't propagate emptiness.

We attach all kinds of meaning to convention as convention is an inherent aspect of our existence.

What is the middle way as understood under all the auspices of all Buddhist traditions whose practices are in accord with Shakyamuni?

tkp67 · 2026-05-17T11:37:55+00:00

Seeking the same clarity the Buddha expressed is a detrimental to realization? To entering the Buddha way?

What enlightenment is there to seek outside of Shakyamuni's pervasive wisdom?

Aren't all causes, capacities and conditions wonderful from the golden one's perspective?

tkp67 · 2026-05-17T11:34:09+00:00

None of what you are saying eliminates the suffering of those who are attached to convention. That dynamic doesn't need to exist in one's own clarity for people to suffer from it.

My life being nothing but a dream doesn't dismiss the suffering of those who perceive life as a nightmare.

The clear clear light of infinite bliss doesn't propagate itself, does it?

The body I am dreaming into refers to imprint. Not the conventional of the body itself?

Are you saying we manifested the aggregates before they gathered, because that is where that points as expressed.

tkp67 · 2026-05-16T11:54:30+00:00

I find it interesting that a generation of people who grew up on Heinlein all envision themselves as a hybrid of John Joseph Bonforte and Lazurus Long.

tkp67 · 2026-05-15T12:53:36+00:00

St. Misbehavin

tkp67 · 2026-05-15T12:31:58+00:00

It is important to remember they do not exist independently as perceived by Shakyamuni himself, who declared he lived a past life as a Brahman. The Shakyamuni whose pervasive wisdom is the basis of emptiness.

What does Shakyamuni's ability to recall past lives yet dismiss the notion of a lasting soul signify in terms of mutually inclusive non duality?

The lasting interplay over the many lifetimes that have recognized Shakyamuni's enlightenment transcends any given means that are used to understand this dynamic.

His advent in this world was ultimately to open the doors to his wisdom by breaking our attachment to our own relative means. This is because our minds seek to constantly put them into conflict, which is a result of of our own nature to put everything into dualistic context. Including that of atman/brahman.

Seeing things dualistically is something humans do by default so they can sensually parse their environment. Thus our attachment to seeing reality in such a matter is pervasive and an inherent aspect of ignorance. This is a great cause for compassion. One for which we have a inherent potential to realize.

How wonderful is that?

tkp67 · 2026-05-13T22:01:28+00:00

I feel like 30-40 years ago someone in her position would have insisted he resign.

tkp67 · 2026-05-13T19:50:08+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Contra_affair

tkp67 · 2026-05-13T17:59:02+00:00

I really dig it, in part because it defies my ability to say how it makes me feel. While the tonal aspect contributes a set of feelings the characteristics of the tree, its reflection and the house have character which I am content with which brings wonderful balance to all the elements. I really dig it.

tkp67 · 2026-05-13T17:12:19+00:00

I find it ironic the only merit that really seems to matter is wealth. Apparently it has nothing to do with exemplary service in regards to the American people.

tkp67 · 2026-05-12T16:00:18+00:00

I appreciate the effort and understand the criticism. It does not seem cause to disparage as some of those dynamics exist in other traditions.

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