Religious History Question

[Guest guest]

Anyone here versed in religious studies? Wondering..what are some religions that

contain ideas embedded in Buddhism that pre-date Buddhism? I think I heard Steve

make mention of this as he spoke (alongside the Monk) of CBS, human suffering,

and healing approaches/qualities for same.

Thanks in advance,

terry

[Guest guest]

Well, Hinduism for sure. Some say Hinduism is the oldest living religion, and it definitely predates Buddhism of course -- they were first to pursue liberation from samsara through practices like meditation, yoga, etc. The liberation of the self leading to liberation from the cycle of life and death leading to being one with Brahma. Self-as-context also really jives with the Hindu view of the atman, or eternal self, I think.

I love Alan Watts' lectures on Eastern religions/philosophies -- his take on Hinduism is that its mythology of the gods' play is a way of representing our *actual* reality, which, truly, is more of a drama and a " game of hide and seek " than something that is structured and regimented (either by natural laws or by the rulership of a Divine Being). Strangely enough, I find that this view/way of looking at things jives well with functional contextual philosophy. Maybe because, interestingly, it helps me accept a-ontology and pragmatism as a truth criterion.. I think he argues the case for this view of Hinduism better than I could, though. He was, after all, one of the most prominent scholars of Eastern religions back in the day.

Many recordings of his lectures are out there -- this is one link to a discussion on Hindu mythology: http://castroller.com/Podcasts/AlanWattsPodcast/2705650

__,_._,__

[Guest guest]

Wow, fun stuff. A lot I don't know. Thanks so much for the reply. BTW, fwiw,

someone here was recently concerned the talk Steve did with the Monk was no

longer available and did find it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYtqn90iw_c

I think maybe it's a tad edited now or I'm just not remembering it the same(?).

The person who challenged some and I dubbed a heckler a few months ago doesn't

seem nearly as disruptive as I think I described him, for example. A bit heavy

handed for the context for sure, but not so remarkable, really. Nothing like I

think I may have harped on about. Am I the only one who notices this version is

maybe different? Or is it just me remembering differently now? (Or maybe both?).

Anyway, I remember reading Tao: The Watercourse Way " a long time ago and it

really struck me but I couldn't tell you today why. It's nice to re-visit from

this place I'm at now.

kind regards,

terry

>

> Well, Hinduism for sure. Some say Hinduism is the oldest living religion,

> and it definitely predates Buddhism of course -- they were first to pursue

> liberation from *samsara *through practices like meditation, yoga, etc. The

> liberation of the self leading to liberation from the cycle of life and

> death leading to being one with Brahma. Self-as-context also really jives

> with the Hindu view of the *atman*, or eternal self, I think.

>

> I love Alan Watts' lectures on Eastern religions/philosophies -- his take

> on Hinduism is that its mythology of the gods' play is a way of

> representing our *actual* reality, which, truly, is more of a drama and a

> " game of hide and seek " than something that is structured and regimented

> (either by natural laws or by the rulership of a Divine Being). Strangely

> enough, I find that this view/way of looking at things jives well with

> functional contextual philosophy. Maybe because, interestingly, it helps me

> accept a-ontology and pragmatism as a truth criterion.. I think he argues

> the case for this view of Hinduism better than I could, though. He was,

> after all, one of the most prominent scholars of Eastern religions back in

> the day.

>

> Many recordings of his lectures are out there -- this is one link to a

> discussion on Hindu mythology:

> http://castroller.com/Podcasts/AlanWattsPodcast/2705650

>

>

>

> >

> >

> > __,_._,__

> >

>