"Other religions would have us simply avoid evil and grasp at goodness. They have us grasp at and become attached to goodness, even including the epitome of goodness, namely God. Buddhism goes much further, condemning attachment to anything at all. This attachment to goodness is right practice at the intermediate level, but it just can't take us to the high level no matter what we do. At the lowest level we avoid evil, at the intermediate level we do our utmost to do good, while at the highest level we make the mind float high above the domination of both good and evil. The condition of attachment to the fruits of goodness is not yet complete liberation from suffering, because, while an evil person suffers in a way befitting evil persons, a good person suffers also, in a way befitting good persons. Being good, one experiences the kind of suffering appropriate to good human beings. A good celestial being experiences the suffering appropriate to celestial beings, and even a god or Brahma experiences the suffering appropriate to gods. But complete freedom from all suffering will come only when one has broken free and transcended even that which we call goodness to become an Aryian, one who has transcended the worldly condition, and ultimately to become a fully perfected individual, an Arahant."

An inexpressible, self-arisen expanse
Without the names "samsara" and "nirvana."

Here, "self-arisen" means the primordial state. It is not something we can fully express with words or concepts. It's beyond words or concepts. The nature of all is not biased; it is not restricted to one or another. The nature of all exists in one identical state. That ground, that nature, does not have any name such as samsara or nirvana. That is the foundation, that is the ground. It is beyond samsara and nirvana. Not knowing the ground means wandering in samsara. If you recognize this ground, if you truly experience this ground, buddhahood is attained. That is the fruition. That is the result of our practice and our path.

...The ground, that fundamental state of simplicity, is the origin of all elaborations. This pure basic state is like a simple artist's canvas. We paint different images on this canvas. We can paint the image of a buddha, and it becomes very pure, beautiful, and inspiring to look at. We can also paint a devil on the same canvas, which can create our fundamental suffering, our basic pain. However, the basis of both is the same simple state of canvas that is completely pure and totally free from the images we project on it. It is totally free, whether that image is a buddha or a devil. That is the origin.

--from Penetrating Wisdom: The Aspiration of Samantabhadra by the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, published by Snow Lion Publications

With thanks,

Harry.

From Stephen: But complete freedom from all suffering will come only when one has broken free and transcended even that which we call goodness to become an Aryian, one who has transcended the worldly condition, and ultimately to become a fully perfected individual, an Arahant."

A question from “O” “Is this perfect individual separated from others?”

One of many “answers”: No! Suffering is a subjective state of mind. Because I have something you do not have does not make us separate only different. If I give up the thing we are the same. An Arahant understand your suffering but is not participating. Their compassion comes from understanding not empathy. MU

Interesting and insightful but not Buddhism. MU

There are several flavors of Buddhism. A common misunderstanding is that one can achieve some status above others. In such cases it is just one type of delusion that is substituted for another.

American Zen, sir? Wonderful choice, that'll be $89.95... would you like that sprinkled with concepts, no extra charge?

Regards,

Harry.

Quote: "the sea is still frozen"
.........

Dont forget global warming.

Are you lot really the same person, or are you all just drinking the same contaminated water?

Regards,

Harry.

"Contamination is wealth".

'Dirty water', its funny that... water is never dirty. 

Regards,

Harry

Oh, must dash, I feel a good 'polarisation' coming on.

Regards,

Harry.

Aaahhhhhhh... so, is dirt dirty or not?

What would a fly say?

Q. What's brown and sticky?

A. A stick.

(I know, oldie but goodie)

Regards,

Harry

Yes. If that is what you see then that is what you are looking at.

Dirty little Buddhas.

Regards,

Harry.

Very nice Harry! Thus pure land Buddhism. Pure water waves washing the sand of time. Subtracting old imprints, smoothing the beach of the presence and leaving fresh new traces to be enjoyed and worked with. Out with the suffering air, in with the non-suffering air. Know the water, see the beach and enjoy the rhythm. MU

Quote: "Who Can Hear The Buddha Sing?"
.........

Hear Not. The Buddha Understands that all Dharmas have one nature Don't  Have Any other, which is no-nature. Singing In timeless reality of Nature with Grasping

With Metta

Quote: "Who Can Hear The Buddha Sing?"
.........

who is asking?

Pure Land, fresh and fragrant, will be next season's Manure Land, rank, rich and smelly... Nirvana is undeniably an ecclectic little dumpism.

I suppose some Isms are a valid enough game; most cause untold, unseen suffering.

Regards,

Harry.

Quote: "Who Can Hear The Buddha Sing?"
.........

:)

Quote: "Listen to your hearts. That is the love of Buddha with in you all. All as one. Be good to one other. LOVE RORY"
.........

:)

Quote: "Who is Hafiz?"
.........

He is the old Friend from Shiraz, Iran. The same place where the red Shiraz wine originally comes from.