Religion and Existential Angst.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by samabudhi

If emptiness is as all-pervasive as the Buddhas claim, those inclined to truth will recognize emptiness in form as clearly as those inclined to silence do in space.

nice.



s.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by samabudhi

In his "Two Traditions of India - Truth and Silence", Alex Wayman describes the heterogeneous nature of early Indian soteriologies, particularly looking at the Brihadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanishads, and their relationship with Buddhism.
For in the Brihad', union with Brahman is achieved through the extinction of desires, while the approach of the Chandogya is in antithesis to this - proclaiming the fruit as the fulfillment of all desires.

In Buddhism, we see both these points of view; "passionlessness is bliss" - Shakyamuni Buddha and "by that which you are bound shall you be released" - Hevajra Tantra.
It appears to be less a matter of right vs wrong, but rather effective(compassionate) vs ineffectual(uncompassionate).

That sentient beings are afraid of nihilist extinction is to be expected, and that others are afraid of the suffocating hold of materiality is as well. Holding someone's head over the primordial abyss who isn't inclined to renunciation will only scare them, the result of their misunderstanding of emptiness.

If emptiness is as all-pervasive as the Buddhas claim, those inclined to truth will recognize emptiness in form as clearly as those inclined to silence do in space.

Exactly, well said.
I have some understanding of what it is that is afraid, but in the spirit of genuine inquiry in my own meditation I often ask just what that part of me is that thinks it exists?
True, the teachings tell us much, and to answer such a question is quite easy when you read the suttas, but to feel the answer, to inherently breathe and become that answer, ah, that is the wonder of it.