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Monday, April 30
View Article  What does the conceptual framework of Buddhism imply about the universe within which we live? Part I of II
by Daniel J. Shepard on Mon 30 Apr 2007 12:00 AM EDT

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

 

 

Part I of II

 

Buddhism introduced the concept that although suffering may be a natural occurrence in our universe, it does not need to be tolerated.

 

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But suffering has always been with us.

 

Perhaps, but the key word here is “has.”

 

To say that we can totally eliminate suffering is perhaps unreasonable, but to say that we are capable of addressing suffering in the hopes of eliminating a large share of it is not.

 

The universe is a big place and we have a long way to go before we even come close to having introduced our influence into her farthest corners.

 

And just what influence is it we wish to impart upon our universe?

 

What better influence than the concept of making the universe a better place, a place with less suffering and pain?

 

Do we not understand that as we travel the universe, as we step into a region of space new to us, we leave a seed planted forever?

 

What “seed” are we implying here?

 

To be continued: Part II of II: We are talking about the most potent seed that...
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Saturday, April 28
View Article  What does the Big Bang Theory imply about our significance in eternity? Part II of II
by Daniel J. Shepard on Sat 28 Apr 2007 12:00 AM EDT

What does the Big Bang Theory imply about our significance in eternity?

 

Part II of II

What lies beyond our universe is eternal.

 

If this is true, then items such as money, houses, boats, land, any physical item composed of matter and energy, would not exist there.

 

The awareness they have to give would be there, but they would not.

 

The awareness they had to offer each individual would be there and available to an infinite number of awareness at the same time, for there is no limit to the number of times awareness can be used.

 

Awareness does not wear out. Awareness does not become polluted. Awareness does not have a waiting line.

 

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What lies beyond the universe would not appear to be composed of matter or energy, for these items are what make up our universe.

 

That would seem to leave the nonphysical items such as love, hate, vengeance, forgiveness, justice, injustice, suffering, recovering to be the items which remain eternal.

 

Perhaps this is why we sense the importance of Buddhism – the need to eliminate suffering, Christianity – the need to love one another, and Islam – the need to understand justice.

 

Perhaps we sense the abstract as being eternal.

 

Perhaps we sense the validity of the Big Bang Theory.

 

End

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Friday, April 27
View Article  What does the Big Bang Theory imply about our significance in eternity? Part I of II
by Daniel J. Shepard on Fri 27 Apr 2007 12:00 AM EDT

What does the Big Bang Theory imply about our significance in eternity?

 

 

Part I of II

 

The Big Bang Theory implies our universe is mortal, may die.

 

As such, it implies there well may be something that exists outside of our universe, outside of time. Eternity may exist.

 

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The Big Bang Theory supports the idea of an expanding universe, a changing universe.

 

This supports the idea of a bounded universe, which in turn supports the idea of ‘something’ lying beyond the boundary of our universe.

 

We are now beginning to understand time as being a function of mass.

 

We are now beginning to understand time is created by the existence of matter and energy.

 

We are now beginning to think time would not exist if there were no matter and energy.

 

If the implications of the Big Bang Theory are correct in suggesting our universe, as we know it, is limited and will destroy itself, then what lies beyond it is not matter and energy and is unaffected by time.

 

To be continued: Part II of II: What lies beyond our universe is...
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Wednesday, April 25
View Article  How does Confucianism reinforce the concept of symbiotic panentheism? Part II of II
by Daniel J. Shepard on Wed 25 Apr 2007 12:00 AM EDT

How does Confucianism reinforce the concept of symbiotic panentheism?

 

Part II of II

...This progress up the ladder can reach into the universe, through the boundary of the universe, and into what lies beyond, into the realm of the Causative Force Herself.

 

Confucianism implies the most effective means of governing is through example, not through dictating or subjugation.

 

Wouldn’t ‘virtuous behavior’ and ‘perfect power, wisdom, and goodness’ equate into the same thing?

 

Wouldn’t ‘creator and ruler of the universe’ equate into the highest form of this concept?

 

If Confucianism is a valid concept, it would appear it may apply to the Causative

Force as well as ourselves.

 

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Leader, ruler, and god are all degrees of the same thing.

 

So what about ‘God?’

 

Which relationship would Confucianism imply the Causative Force would establish with life forms within Her creation, the universe?

 

Would She be a leader, ruler or god?

 

Confucianism would hold to the idea of the universe being ‘ruled’ through the order of ‘natural laws.’

 

But Confucianism implies that we, you and I, the individual, is capable of acting independent of the Causative Force and, as such, if the Causative Force is a ‘perfect Being,’

 

She would act in the most effective manner, which according to Confucianism would, ‘inspire those beneath them to lead good lives.’

 

The implication is the Causative Force would not impose its ability to be a ‘god’ but rather would allow for a relationship based upon free will.

 

If such is the case, it is up to philosophy to build such a model for us to examine.

 

End

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Tuesday, April 24
View Article  How does Confucianism reinforce the concept of symbiotic panentheism? Part i of II
by Daniel J. Shepard on Tue 24 Apr 2007 12:00 AM EDT

How does Confucianism reinforce the concept of symbiotic panentheism?

 

 

Part I of II

 

It does not; what is actually taking place is symbiotic panentheism is reinforcing the concept of Confucianism.

 

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Confucianism came long before the term symbiotic panentheism.

 

Symbiotic panentheism is simply a modern term to describe the logic behind the concept of Confucianism.

 

Panentheism is a concept of relative size.

 

Panentheism is a concept of the Causative Force being so large that the universe must lie within Her and therefore is a part of Her.

 

We, being a part of the universe, are therefore a part of the Causative Force.

 

Under the symbiosis aspect, we interact with the Causative Force because we are a part of Her and occupy a niche within Her (see Niche).

 

In science, the higher one goes up the energy pyramid, the fewer species one finds on the upper levels, the more species one finds on the lower levels and, therefore, the more individuals affected.

 

To be continued: Part II of II: This progress up the ladder can reach into the universe, through the boundary of ...
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