Is the secret to life really found in a fortune cookie?

**Why?** · 08-30-07, 03:14 PM

Smart is finding out that you can't find it all.

**Why?** · 08-30-07, 03:16 PM

Are you old? You are old! Two statements - both elicting a response. The former asking for a response. The later demanding a response if you seem offended by the statement. Both are questions in the sense they elict a response.

**Oli** · 08-30-07, 03:16 PM

Smart is making the attempt and finding as much as possible, never stopping learning.

**Oli** · 08-30-07, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Why?

Are you old? You are old! Two statements - both elicting a response. The former asking for a response. The later demanding a response if you seem offended by the statement. Both are questions in the sense they elict a response.

And that's apropos of ...?

**shichimenshyo** · 08-30-07, 03:18 PM

Yes being smart is pursuing knowledge not realizing you will never know everything, I would venture a guess that most people know that already

**cosmictraveler** · 08-30-07, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Why?

Are you old? You are old! Two statements - both elicting a response. The former asking for a response. The later demanding a response if you seem offended by the statement. Both are questions in the sense they elict a response.

A response to nothing.

**Why?** · 08-30-07, 03:19 PM

I am sure there are enough topics in the world to keep you busy in your library until you die. The smart know when to leave the library.

**Oli** · 08-30-07, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by shichimenshyo

Yes being smart is pursuing knowledge not realizing you will never know everything, I would venture a guess that most people know that already

NOT realising?
Or did you mean realising?
So what?
Knowing you'll never know everything is no excuse for not continuing.

**cosmictraveler** · 08-30-07, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Why?

I am sure there are enough topics in the world to keep you busy in your library until you die. The smart know when to leave the library.

You left many eons ago I see.

**Oli** · 08-30-07, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Why?

I am sure there are enough topics in the world to keep you busy in your library until you die. The smart know when to leave the library.

The truly smart carry it with them.

**spidergoat** · 08-30-07, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by Exhumed

I don't know about most Buddhists these days, but historically they did believe in gods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor...%2C_and_demons

One of them is pertinent to this discussion on conversion. In China they had "pure land" Buddhism where there was Amitabha, Lord of Western Paradise. You go to the Paradise for being enlightened. I also think it was taught that if you said Amitabha's name as you died you would go there.

I think you'll find as Buddhism assimiliated into native cultures, and due to it's non-fundamentalist nature, it left plenty of room for such concepts. Tibetan Buddhism is particularly rich in pre-Buddhist mythology. However, they are not central to Buddha's teachings, and believing in them is not a requirement. My favorite sect is Zen Buddhism, so I tend to represent this interpretation. They are free of theistic concepts.

**Why?** · 08-30-07, 03:27 PM

So, is Buddhism just a worn out ancient theistic concept?

**cosmictraveler** · 08-30-07, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Why?

So, is Buddhism just a worn out ancient theistic concept?

To you it must be.

**spidergoat** · 08-30-07, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Why?

So, is Buddhism just a worn out ancient theistic concept?

In essence, the concept of God or Gods is absent from Buddhism. It's ability to incorporate local traditions could be viewed as a strength.

**Why?** · 08-30-07, 03:37 PM

The chicken and the egg. Which came first, atheistic Buddhism or theistic Buddhism? So, the atheistic Buddhism incorporated the local theistic traditions? Or, was it the other way around.

**shichimenshyo** · 08-30-07, 03:38 PM

we are just giving him power to troll by responding...

**Why?** · 08-30-07, 03:40 PM

Power? What power? Just stop responding you Pavlovian dog!

**spidergoat** · 08-30-07, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Why?

The chicken and the egg. Which came first, atheistic Buddhism or theistic Buddhism? So, the atheistic Buddhism incorporated the local theistic traditions? Or, was it the other way around.

I don't think there is theistic Buddhism. Some people are atheists simply because they have no concept or opinion about God(s), this is how Buddhism is. It doesn't specifically exclude local mythology, but it's not really about that.