Spirituality -A garden of wisdom. Jiddu Krishnamurti

[Lotus Feet]

Death and life are in the power of the tongue;And they that indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.

—Proverbs 18: 21
_________________
Sons of God commit no violence in thought, word or deed. For they are the light of divine love.

[The Cat]

Lord Sakyamuni, known as the Buddha.
If any person has been associated with spirituality, it is Lord Sakyamuni, better known as Prince Siddharta Gautama, or the Buddha. Said to be born in Lumbini (Nepal), son of a Sakyas king, who got enlightened under the Bodhi Tree at Bodhgaya, in Northeast India. References/links are found at the bottom of page 1, along with a summary of all pages in this thread, + links to every five pages.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhammapada
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/eastasia/eastasiasbook.html

Buddhism, which he didn't call up, would later be adopted throughout South Asia, China and Japan to become the most popular religion, although his teachings became almost forgotten in India itself for many centuries, replaced by Shankara's Advaita (non-dual) philosophy. It can be said that the Zen version of Buddhism is deeply Advaita. The Buddhist university of Nalanda (450) is hold be the first university ever, but I'd rather think that the Pythagoras' Mathematikoi (~520) deserves this title.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advaita
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagoras

''There is only one time when it is essential to awaken. That time is now.'' --Buddha.

Sunrise in Borobudur, Indonesia.

Important note: To Awaken is the central message of all sages ever to come down on this earth. It means that most people are zombie-like, following a constructed frame of mind to which they are but puppets and slaves, not truly alive but merely functionning, mechanical as living deads.

One should know that the Greek word for 'Awaken' is EGEIRO and that its the very word use by St Paul throughout his 1 Corinthians 15, dealing with the Resurrection of Jesus. This was -always- falsely translated by 'raising from the dead', as if 'Anistemi' was written instead (which is NOT)!

In Ephesians 5.14, Paul makes the distinction (and his intention) cristal clear:
''Awake (Egeiro), thou that sleepest and arise (Anistemi) from the dead.'
The same blunder is found in Mat.28.6-7; Luke 24.6 and John 21.14!
_________________
Authority has the same etymological root as authenticity.

[The Cat]

Quoting the Buddha (1). From the Dhammapada.
http://quotes.zaadz.com/Buddha

---It is our very search for perfection outside of ourselves that causes our suffering. When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.

Sunrise over Mars.

---This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds. To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance. A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the sky, rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain.

---Since it is impossible to escape the result of our deeds, let us practice good works. Let us guard our thoughts that we do no evil, for as we sow so shall we reap.

---There are ways from light into darkness and from darkness into light. There are ways, also, from the gloom into deeper darkness, and from the dawn into brighter light. The wise man will use the light he has to receive more light. He will constantly advance in the knowledge of truth.


---Exhibit true superiority by virtuous conduct and the exercise of reason; meditate deeply on the vanity of earthly things, and understand the fickleness of life. Elevate the mind, and seek sincere faith with firm purpose; transgress not the rules of kingly conduct, and let your happiness depend, not upon external things, but upon your own mind.

---Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

---The Tempter masters the lazy and irresolute man who dwells on the attractive side of things, ungoverned in his senses, and unrestrained in his food, like the wind overcomes a rotten tree. But the Tempter cannot master a man who dwells on the distasteful side of things, self-controlled in his senses, moderate in eating, resolute and full of faith, like the wind cannot move a mountain crag.


Buddha temple at Bodh-Gaya (Bihar), where he got enlightened under the Bodhi Tree...

---If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.


Some related topics found within this thread:
Page 18: The Lotus Sutra (brought by Agaricus).
Page 41: The Faith Mind, by Sent'san (3rd Zen master).
Close links found at the ending of page 1.
_________________
Authority has the same etymological root as authenticity.

[The Cat]

The Bodhi Tree became synonymous with Buddhist's Enlightenment, having parallels in so many traditions: From the Zen's Santori to Christian's Pentecost; Zoroastrian's Spenta Mainyu to Jewish's Shekhina or Sufi's Shakina; from the Vedic Agni to the Hindu Paramatman, and/or yoga's Kundalin, etc.

I cannot think of a more universal and timeless concept, as in-dwelling within all cultures alike.

This one is found in Nepal Buddha's birthplace, Lumbini. His 'Enlightenment Tree' is at Bodh Gaya.

Quoting the Buddha (2). ---He who, seeking his own happiness, punishes or kills beings who also long for happiness, will not find happiness.

---You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

---There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there is no snare like folly, there is no torment like greed.

---Never have anything to do with likes and dislikes. The absence of what one likes is painful, as is the presence of what one dislikes. Therefore don't take a liking to anything. To lose what one likes is hard, but there are no bonds for those who have no likes and dislikes. From preference arises sorrow, from preference arises fear, but he who is freed from preference has no sorrow and certainly no fear.

---Suffering does not befall him who is without attachment to names and forms.

---Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draws it. Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.

---Those... who find delight in freedom from attachment in the renunciation of clinging, free from the inflow of thoughts, they are like shining lights, having reached final liberation in the world.

Trees as symbols of the earthly far-stretch reaching to heaven...

_________________
Authority has the same etymological root as authenticity.

[Lotus Feet]

Many do not know that we are here in this world to live in harmony. Those who know this do not fight against each other.

Buddha
_________________
Sons of God commit no violence in thought, word or deed. For they are the light of divine love.

[Bolusbikker]

the buddha didnt know we would shape the earth in a way that living in harmony is practically impossible.

we can not all live the way nature has intended for us for a long time now (was probably in his age also), we are doomed and forced to go on the artificial way.

wheres shiva when you need her
_________________
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know we all want to change your head
You tell me, it's the institution.
Well, you know you better free your mind instead.

[The Cat]

[Bolusbikker]

[The Cat]

Help!
It's allright Bolusbikker, just don't carry the world upon your shoulder
It would be indulging in self-pity... Like Ringo wearing his karma ring!

In the Beatle's movie 'Help!', I see a fantastic allegory over life's troublesome vicissitudes...

Don't we all, at times, feel like fate pointing to us like its designated all-time victim?

Help! (Lennon/McCartney, released 19/07/65).
Video: The Beatles at the Shea Stadium, NY 1965:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mUXwnEWEnE&NR


Help! (My favorite Beatle song to perform... I sang it on stage,
in slower/longer, heavy/blues mode, with angelic-like counterchant).

Help! I need somebody
Help! Not just anybody
Help! You know I need someone,

Help!...
When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now those days are gone I'm not so self-assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind, I've opened up the door.

Help me if you can I'm feeling down,
And I do appreciate you being 'round.
Help me get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please please help me.

And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
My independence seemed to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
I know that I just need you like I've never done before.

Help me if you can I'm feeling down,
And I do appreciate you being 'round.
Help me get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please please help me.
Help me! Help me! Help me... YOU!

Nowhere Man...
Video at youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHLjYBsl2zA

Where are we going to? But there's nowhere to go, except here and now!

Nowhere Man. (Lennon/McCartney, 1966)
He's a real Nowhere Man...
Sitting in his Nowhere Land:
Making all his Nowhere plans for nobody...

Doesn't have a point of view.
Knows not where he's going to.
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere man... please listen:
You don't know what you're missing!
Nowhere man, The world is at your command!

He's as blind as he can be;
Just sees what he wants to see...
Nowhere Man, can you see me at all...

Nowhere man, don't worry;
Take your time, don't hurry.
Leave it all till somebody else
Lends you a hand...

Doesn't have a point of view
knows not where he's going to
Isn't he a bit like you and me?

Isn't it a Pity?
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t33-3cvEeiw&mode=related&search=
In a tribute concert for George, as sung by Eric Clapton/Billy Preston, 2003.


Isn't it a pity? (George Harrison, 1970).
Isn't it a pity, now isn't it a shame?
How we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other's love
Without thinking any more
Forgetting to give back, isn't it a pity?

Some things take so long
But how do I explain
There are too many people
Can't see we're all the same
And because of all the tears
Their eyes can't hope to see
The beauty that surrounds them,
Now isn't it a pity?

Isn't it a pity, isn't it a shame
How we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other's love
Without thinking any more
Forgetting to give back,
Now, isn't it a pity?...

Instant Karma
Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=I3URLhMam-o

(This is the -500th pic- in this thread)!

Instant Karma. (John Lennon, 1970).

Instant Karma's gonna get you,
Gonna knock you right on the head.
You better get yourself together,
Pretty soon you're gonna be dead...

What in the world you thinking of?
Laughing in the face of love!
What on earth you tryin' to do?
It's up to you, yeah YOU !

Instant Karma's gonna get you,
Gonna look you right in the face.
You better get yourself together darlin'
Join the human race...

How in the world you gonna see
Laughing at fools like me?
Who on earth d'you think you are,
A superstar? Well alright you are.

Well, we all shine on!
Like the moon, and the stars, and the sun...
Yes, we all shine on... Every one, come on!

Instant Karma's gonna get you,
Gonna knock you of your feet.
Better recognize your brothers:
Everyone you meet...

Why in the world are we here?
Surely not to live in pain and fear!
Why on earth are you there?
When you're everywhere,
Come and get your share.

Well, we all shine on!
Yes... We All Shine On!
Like the moon, and the stars, and the sun
Yes... We All Shine On!

Hey Jude
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD3ovfZXO5Q


Hey Jude. (Lennon/McCartney, 1968. Her as the World...)
Hey Jude, dont make it bad...
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her into your heart
And then you can start to make it better.

Hey Jude, dont be afraid...
You were made to go out and get her.
The minute you let her under your skin,
Then you begin to make it better.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude refrain
Dont carry the world upon your shoulders!
For well you know that its a fool, who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder...

Hey Jude, dont let me down...
You have found her now go and get her.
Remember to let her into you heart,
Then you can start to make it better.

So let it out and let it in, Hey Jude begin...
Your waiting for someone to perform with!
And dont you know that its just you Hey Jude you'll do
The movement you need is on your shoulders.

Hey Jude, don't make it bad...
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her under your skin,
And then you'll begin to make it better...


All pictures from 'Help!' (by Richard Lester, released 29 July 1965):
http://www.fan-sites.org/the-beatles/multimedia/photos/movie/help/
http://beatleshelp.50megs.com/

Other lyrics found in this thread:
The Fool on the Hill (p.19); video: http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=-8062143145810653416
Across the Universe (p.27); video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC-D4lpVt_o
Strawberry Fields Forever/Tomorrow Never Knows (p.43).
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywg-PdeGVL0
Bob Dylan (Desolation Row, A Hard Rain A-Gonna fall and Blowin in the wind (p.20).
Vincent (van Gogh) by Don McLean (p.39).
George Harrison's Within You, Without You & While My Guitar Gently Weeps (p.46).
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReWEcZ3p0mc&NR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7ZjZX9_UUs

Edited: Added Beatles videos (mainly at youtubes)
It's all there: http://www.anis-online.de/2/musik/beatles.htm
Help!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8UOHpMGG0Y
Ticket to Ride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etjpcF2X_mY&NR
Got to Hide Your Love Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u9b4iLMVO8&NR
The Beatles were energizing magic. Whenever I feel blue, listening to
their music never fails to update my joying to the world! Have it too...
_________________
Authority has the same etymological root as authenticity.

[Bolusbikker]

thanks for the support, but i wont indulge in self pity. its just that it will increase and get worse (its about one billion extra people every 15 years now, about every generation) so any help would be nice. it can already be too late, but if people in nature have a self defence mechanism like stop having children and we dont respond to the world like that anymore, there might be something wrong with us and there might be something that can stop this without mass casualties. i think this is what spirituality is all about, being one with your environment and responding to it accordingly. and then if i hear that knowledge is with held for economic gain... by people who do respond in natures way by not having babies because of this natural knowledge, of which i wonder why it does not surface within everybody out of itself. not seeing the urgency of the matter and just say f.ck the rules (which are man made offcourse). i say their just as wrong, if not more wrong and you carry this weight off knowing what will happen if this is kept back from everyone any longer. but im going to go to a place where they do speak about this openly and i might learn what to do to be able too reach people with truth.

so f.ck you disney! (one of the organisations which is in favor of this rule)
_________________
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know we all want to change your head
You tell me, it's the institution.
Well, you know you better free your mind instead.

[Bolusbikker]

i couldnt find the text regarding the people in nature not having babies anymore and after contacting the site i couldnt find it either. i have heard from someone who is a selfproclaimed "goddess" that she can have sex without babies so that is true unless she spoke metaphore again... so not everything i just said might be true although i did see the text. mweh typical, although interresting thing to think about, information from third hand experience.
_________________
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know we all want to change your head
You tell me, it's the institution.
Well, you know you better free your mind instead.

[The Cat]

Overpopulation isn't a major concern of mine. Like most scholars who studied demography, if we only look at what's happening in China (where families are limited), I think that the world population will stabilize around 10 billion people. In India there is a temple dedicated to sacred... rats. They are fed and go unmolested. Under such circumstances one would say that the rats would proliferate exponently. But no. From the time they were observed scientifically, they didn't proliferate as expected but rather the rat population is surprisingly stable!

It is for other reasons that I believe the human race to be coming to a near extinction. It may come through three different ways, each one of them lethal to us as we are today: 1. A major nuclear conflict; 2. Pollution & deforestation unchecked; 3. Genetic manipulations.

A forth possibility could be some huge natural disaster and this could come from different orders of destructions: The eruption of Yellowstone Park, which is a volcano of incredible virulence; a comet hitting our planet (Venus' orbit is not that stable either I think); a new devastating virus (this goes along with deforestation as we are entering some untouched worlds, that's how Aid got out).

So, really, overpopulation will either stabilize or be drastically 'resolve', one way or the other.
More of the Buddha soon...
_________________
Authority has the same etymological root as authenticity.

[Bolusbikker]

i wonder what kind off effect the economic rise in india and china will have on their inhabitants. i think it will result in big baby boom, because of the increase in wellfair like we have had in the west. after wo2 when people were positive again, people started to have a lot of babies and if people are happy because of their new wealth in china and india they may decide to have lots of babies too. i read yesterday that one third of the world population is able to have babies so this too might result in big baby boom. i also read that is is expected that it will stabilize at 10 billion. but i think its the way we live that causes the problems. its like were cut off from nature, the whole. i think we are born with everything we need. so what am i even doing here? its far to cold to be naked and i can't eat without cultivating it first. we have become some sort of cyborgs and need to fill our heads with stuff that makes us able to make a living, at least here in the west the majority needs to. with certain conciquences offcourse. i can't still realy put my finger on it but after this open talk i mentioned i hope i will be able. i heard of aids that it was a result of trying to find a cure for ebola.

here is an interresting videos about h.i.v... http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6830231400057553023&q=hiv+%3D+aids + http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8826984308137799330&q=aids

its might have been polio... documentary on the origin of aids http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8693994530127513397&q=aids

maybe the biggest problem are the lies, the not being honest of people, the withdrawal of truth and the belief in stupid theories and hypothosisses.
_________________
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know we all want to change your head
You tell me, it's the institution.
Well, you know you better free your mind instead.

[The Cat]

[The Cat]

---Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue,
in order to benefit others, this man alone is happy (The Buddha).

Giant Buddha in Daibutsu, near Nara (1st Buddhist capital, 7th century), Japan.

Quoting the Buddha (3). From the Dhammapada.
---Don't go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought: 'This contemplative is our teacher.' When you know for yourselves that, 'These qualities are unskilful; these qualities are blameworthy; these qualities are criticized by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to harm & to suffering' — then you should abandon them.

---If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way.

---In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then blaire them to be true.

---Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

---Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.

---As an irrigator guides water to his fields, as an archer aims an arrow,
as a carpenter carves wood, the wise shape lives.

Many wow pics at: http://www.quangduc.com/photo/workbuddhism/wb.html

I'm always fascinated by the harmony found in japanese traditional architectures & gardens... This pic shows the Nara Yakushiji pagoda, oldest structure in Japan (1300 years old). Never a nail got in.


---He who never thinks of anything as mine' does not feel the lack of anything: he is never worried by a sense of loss.

---Subhuti, you must not think that the Tathagata entertains the notion 'I will bring all living beings to the shore of awakening.' Why? Because in reality there are no beings who can be liberated by the Tathagata. To entertain the notion that there are beings who can be liberated would be to partake in the idea of a self, a person, a being and a living soul. The Tathagata has taught that one must not seize upon these notions, and yet foolish common people have seized upon them. Subhuti, though the Tathagata use the words 'foolish common people,' in reality there are no such people. Such is merely a name. That is why they are called foolish common people.

---If a viper lives in your room and you wish to have a peaceful sleep, you must first chase it out.

---Holding on anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone; you are the one who gets burned.

---There is no satisfying the senses, not even with a shower of money. The senses are of slight pleasure and really suffering. When a wise man has realized this, he takes no pleasure, as a disciple of the Buddhas, even in the pleasures of heaven. Instead he takes pleasure in the elimination of craving.

Cherry blossoms (in Japanese sakura) in the garden of the Tsuyama castle.


The Shogun Himaji Castle of Hyogo (White Egret) expanded through many periods.
I'm simply speechless through marveling! That's what Spirituality is all about!
_________________
Authority has the same etymological root as authenticity.