tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18699284.post113352342335398203..comments2023-02-15T06:23:43.283-10:00Comments on Just Un-Do It: Finding Buddha in the GardenSteven Crisphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12133103376050989480noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18699284.post-1144418357550117542006-04-07T03:59:00.000-10:002006-04-07T03:59:00.000-10:00Mohamed,Thanks for the visit (I assume a random st...Mohamed,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the visit (I assume a random stop) and the comment. I hope you checked out my other blogs for other pictures (try http://reflectionsofbeauty.blogspot.com/ if you like).<BR/><BR/>I did a quick perusal of your blogs as well. I enjoyed your pictures too. As for the religious discussion, I truly find it fascinating. And would love to have some extensive discussions with you, but perhaps it would be frustrating because I believe true dialog can only occur when people have an open mind. If one already “knows the answer”, and is only trying to persuade, it really isn’t a dialog — it is either a debate, or it’s proselytizing.<BR/><BR/>I come from a Christian background, and really like some of the teachings of Christ. But in my opinion the church got in the way. I couldn’t accept the principles of holy war, crusades, or the inquisition. I have similar problems with Islam and Judaism, and frankly, any religion that requires “blind faith” in a holy book. Because it removes the possibility of real dialog. “Mine is right and yours is wrong” is how wars begin. (You can check out Sam Harris’ book “The End of Faith” for a grim recounting of atrocities committed in the name of a people’s faith.)<BR/><BR/>So I have moved away from “religion” and toward “spirituality”. As you say on your blog, there are truths to be found in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. You accept that, it seems, because of what is written in the Koran. I suspect therefore that you will have problems with teachings of Buddha, Krishna, etc. or anything not from the Abrahamic religions. That is too bad, because I believe those sages had a glimpse into the ineffable as well, and we can learn a lot from them as well.<BR/><BR/>The interesting thing about Buddhism (Buddha’s teachings, rather than the subsequent religions dogma) is that it is inherently experiential. He implored his followers not to believe it because it is passed down from him, but to try it and experience it for themselves. If it works, great. If not, that’s OK to. You’ve perhaps heard the expression “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” <BR/><BR/>So anyways, just wanted to say “hi”, and thanks for the visit. <BR/><BR/>S-Steven Crisphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12133103376050989480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18699284.post-1144412698394600432006-04-07T02:24:00.000-10:002006-04-07T02:24:00.000-10:00Forest,flowers and the path pics are excellent.Forest,flowers and the path pics are excellent.Mohamedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14625410152094305159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18699284.post-1133699565735637942005-12-04T02:32:00.000-10:002005-12-04T02:32:00.000-10:00This is really nice.This is really nice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com