tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221463968958795928.post7327823402301270695..comments2024-01-10T19:32:10.315-06:00Comments on Crossing Nebraska: Karma - Knowledge and BeliefMark Robert Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17076744028132663843noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221463968958795928.post-84873477013118913812011-03-08T17:45:49.444-06:002011-03-08T17:45:49.444-06:00Thank you! That was a much better answer. :D For t...Thank you! That was a much better answer. :D For the record, I share your opinion of Rudolf Steiner. What you said last night also helps me understand more than I did. <br /><br />And I still think too much when I meditate - I'm just aware of every single thought. Hopefully my new zafu will help me with my posture!<br /><br />~KAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221463968958795928.post-23090191724406636082011-03-08T14:32:06.903-06:002011-03-08T14:32:06.903-06:00Speaking of ordained teachers differing on the top...Speaking of ordained teachers differing on the topic of reincarnation: I just added a link to a fascinating conversation that took place between Robert Thurman and Stephen Batchelor. Enjoy!<br /><br />P.S. Thank you Tricycle Magazine!Mark Robert Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17076744028132663843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221463968958795928.post-49854540554988487612011-03-08T13:53:23.515-06:002011-03-08T13:53:23.515-06:00Well, I don't want to sound like I'm down ...Well, I don't want to sound like I'm down on Rudolf Steiner... I know he was a very interesting and influential person, and perhaps the article doesn't really do justice to his work. Having said that, I can think of better reasons (in the here and now) for trying to instill in children attentiveness and interest in music and in the world than merely to keep them from suffering from asthma or having poorly formed organs, thin hair, and weak physical stature in their NEXT life. ;D<br /><br />Picking up on your thread, however, I think that regardless of whether we are a teacher or not, it serves us all to keep in mind that each of us is a complex individual with our own rich karmic history that strongly influences our current and future behavior, but which does not necessarily RULE it.<br /><br />Thanks for the article, K!Mark Robert Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17076744028132663843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221463968958795928.post-91039674444576025782011-03-07T13:46:29.797-06:002011-03-07T13:46:29.797-06:00Ok, my question didn't make sense. Let me reph...Ok, my question didn't make sense. Let me rephrase that. I know you aren't an ordained teacher, in the strictest sense, but you teach. How does karma help you relate to those you teach? Perhaps this will help you understand what I'm asking:<br /><br />http://taruna.ac.nz/docs/karma_and_reincarnation_for_teachers.pdf<br /><br />KristenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221463968958795928.post-86590219099808424662011-03-07T12:51:30.925-06:002011-03-07T12:51:30.925-06:00Hello K! I'm glad I could prompt some reflecti...Hello K! I'm glad I could prompt some reflection. I hope it doesn't have you thinking while you're meditating, though!<br /><br />I'm not quite sure what you mean by "karma as it relates to teaching". I should point out, though, that while I do teach meditation I am not ordained as a teacher in the strict meaning of the word - as, for instance, Brad Warner discussed when you heard him speak and he said that he was one of Nishijima roshi's Dharma heirs.<br /><br />If what you are really wondering about is how what I've posted here fits into "traditional" Buddhist teaching I will respond as follows: Endless debate could ensue as to whether the Buddha actually taught reincarnation or not, or whether it crept into the written teachings by students who either misunderstood the Buddha's oral teachings or had an agenda of their own. Much of that debate would take the form of "in this sutra he says x" and "no, because in this sutra he says y". I am going to sidestep that entirely because I am not a Buddhist scholar and I don't see much merit, anyway, in treating texts written down hundreds of years after the Buddha's death as if it were Gospel, so to speak. I think we need to do our best to verify the teachings on our own without relying in any ultimate way on what is written down or what somebody has said.<br /><br />Teachers who are ordained differ on the issue of reincarnation. My own teacher, Yoshida roshi, generally notes that what we think of as rebirth can be thought of as moment-to-moment rebirth and not lifetime-to-lifetime rebirth. That is how I think about rebirth when I come across it in any readings.<br /><br />Have I addressed your question?<br /><br />Regarding equanimity: Perhaps it WOULD be a good thing if we could arrive at a place of equanimity about the existence or non-existence of reincarnation as transmigration of the soul.<br /><br />Thanks again, K!Mark Robert Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17076744028132663843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221463968958795928.post-58379174795646818022011-03-07T10:50:39.057-06:002011-03-07T10:50:39.057-06:00Lots of food for thought - thanks for sharing! I h...Lots of food for thought - thanks for sharing! I have so many questions I'm not sure where to start. I guess my first question is, what exactly are your thoughts on karma as it relates to teaching and being a teacher? <br /><br />This post also reminded me of our conversation about equanimity. Funny how the same things keep coming up, isn't it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com