Adding reason to faith

...This idea of being a portion of the Causative Force, which panentheism implies, would have no other possibility but to apply to other intelligent life forms throughout the universe.

If the Causative Force is truly omnipresent, all present, there would be nowhere else for other life forms to exist but within the Causative Force.

They also would be a part of, a portion of, the Causative Force.

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But what of hostile life forms that may wish to dominate or subjugate us?

We would have no other choice but to stand firm in our perception that we, as a portion of the Causative Force, have the responsibility, the obligation, to preserve our journey for it is unique and has much to offer the Causative Force.

As souls journeying, we would have an obligation, a responsibility, to the Causative Force to protect our journeys, to protect the potential we have as a species.

Under panentheism, the Buddhist concept of eliminating suffering becomes significant to the Causative Force.

Now, the concept belongs not only to our species, but to all life forms in the universe.

Panentheism would obligate us to be just as committed to protecting the rights of other life forms to journey as protecting the right of our own species to journey.

End

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Friday, May 18

What significance does Buddhism have to offer other life forms in the universe? Part I of II

by Daniel J. Shepard on Fri 18 May 2007 12:00 AM EDT

What significance does Buddhism have to offer other life forms in the universe?

Part I of II

Buddhism does not imply it is earthly suffering which is unacceptable; rather it is all suffering that is to be addressed.

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We cannot say for sure, but the concept of suffering does not appear to be unique to our species and our planet.

If suffering is a factor amongst other life forms, then Buddhism implies this suffering also must be addressed.

What new perspective of significance would stimulate the motivation needed to increase the effort we put in our attempt to reduce suffering?

Presently, we view ourselves as people, human.

What if we saw ourselves as pieces, portions of the Causative Force?

No longer would you look at someone as just suffering; you would see the suffering as something happening to the Causative Force Herself.

You would no longer be able to just pass by the suffering in a hurry, but you would have to slow down and lend a hand, for it would be seen as the Causative Force suffering.

To be continued: Part II of II: This idea of being a portion of...

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Thursday, May 17

What significance does Buddhism have to offer us as a species? Part II of II

by Daniel J. Shepard on Thu 17 May 2007 12:00 AM EDT

What significance does Buddhism have to offer us as a species?

Part II of II

...Natural events, such as earthquakes, fire, famine, plagues, disease, accidents, deaths, etc. generate suffering.

Our reactions to these events, the intentional actions we as a society and as individuals generate after these events, can be controlled.

Understanding the concept regarding why our actions today may well affect what we experience in eternity, could generate a major positive realignment of our way of thinking.

It could have significant impact on all of us, on our whole species.

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But what of reducing the suffering of others; what has that to do with you?

Once having passed through this life state, Buddhism implies you move into a new state of eternity.

Panentheism implies you return to the only place there is and that is within the Causative Force.

Having returned to the Causative Force, you take with you your awareness which includes your experiences.

But in addition to this, you are now privy to the knowledge of the Causative Force who is omniscient.

This would mean you are privy to all the suffering others have experienced.

Reducing suffering in the world would in turn reduce the amount of suffering of our species that is being added to the Causative Force, thereby reducing your suffering.

End

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Wednesday, May 16

What significance does Buddhism have to offer us as a species? Part I of II

by Daniel J. Shepard on Wed 16 May 2007 12:00 AM EDT

What significance does Buddhism have to offer us as a species?

Part I of II

Each piece of suffering eliminated by individuals improves upon someone’s journey which interprets into a ripple effect that washes over society, directly affecting our species.

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We are not alone in our physical existence.

The most influential factor in our society that affects us are actions, our own actions and actions of others.

By working to eliminate the suffering of others, we are essentially working to improve the environment of all the members of our species.

Our actions create reactions which create reactions which create more reactions.

This is known as a ripple effect.

The idea of working to relieve the suffering of ourselves as well as the suffering of others is not just a case of taking an action that helps one person, but rather it is an action that ripples through the social fabric of our species.

Through the ripple effect, suffering diminishes significantly the more people work to eliminate their own suffering and the suffering of others.

There are natural events which are difficult to control at this point.

To be continued: Part II of II: Natural events, such as...

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Tuesday, May 1

What does the conceptual framework of Buddhism imply about the universe within which we live? Part II of II

by Daniel J. Shepard on Tue 01 May 2007 12:00 AM EDT

What does the conceptual framework of Buddhism imply about the universe within which we live?

Part II of II

...We are talking about the most potent seed that can be planted anywhere, the seed of ideas, the seed of perceptions.

Presently, the only seed we have to sow is the seed of superiority.

The seed that “…man was made in the image of God, in the image of God created He man.”

The concept we are poised to spread is that “we,” not other life forms, are “God’s” creatures.

Our understanding as to why this may not be true opens our behavior to new possibilities.

Without a new perception regarding the significance of other life forms located throughout the universe, we may spread throughout the heavens, the abuse and the suffering relative worth generates.

Relative worth is the idea that one person or life form has more value than another.

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To bring to the rest of the universe the recognition of relative worth opens up the universe to the idea that the strong should dominate the weak, the idea that to the winner go the spoils.

But the significance of the Buddhist stance, the significance of accepting the idea, “…we must commit ourselves to addressing the suffering that exists,” commits us to respect other life forms and environments in the heavens as well as our own.

At the same time, it provides the rationale upon which we can argue that others in the heavens should do the same for us.

End

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