Comments on: Hardcore Dharma

Hardcore Dharma

homunculus — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 12:10:09 -0800

Dharma Punx, Hardcore Zen. Buddhism is so punk!

By: Postroad

Postroad — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 12:20:12 -0800

In a book review in NY Times (for tomorrow), the reviewer cites from the book written about the founder of AA that he discovered some of his insights via William James, phil and psychologist, noting that you rid yourself of addictions by means of religion(s)....a higher power. I am always bemused that there are so many Jewish young men who turn to the "wisdom" of the East to replace what they had as youngster, and at the same time, having given up god, keep the Jewish ideal of Good Works and universal love etc etc... the number of Jews involved in Near Eastern stuff is way out of proportion, it seems, to the Jewish population...Look at me, ma, I am a good boy now and though I don't go to synagogue, I still dig rituals and am at one with the universe (atonement)...

By: digaman

digaman — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 12:23:26 -0800

When I was a student at San Francisco Zen Center back in the day, one of the priests there -- black robes, shaven head, and all -- was a habitue of the infamous Mabuhay Gardens. I remember one day as the priest was driving me home, he said: "I saw a band last night called the Angry Samoans. Great lyrics! Yahdeyahdeyadahyadeh -- FUCK YOUUUU!!!" -- while banging on the dashboard. Long live raging emptiness.

By: aubin

aubin — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 12:41:07 -0800

I've found that the Eastern religions speak far more to the "punk" and "hardcore" communities. Unlike judeo-christian religions which still have strong internal struggles between the authoritarian and their liberal factions, Buddhism and to a lesser extent, Hinduism seem to speak of a more personal - and liberal - relationship with spirituality. Of course, it doesn't hurt that most mainstream Christian movements in the United States are so relentlessly authoritarian and dogmatic.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 12:44:19 -0800

Well, most punks and buddhists havea lot in common: they both consider themselves enlightened and talk a good egalitarian game while acting like snobs. Not to mention poor hygeine, bad clothes, and bad hair.

By: Slagman

Slagman — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 12:52:38 -0800

I am like so down with the four treasures, man. jonmc: bad hair? you mean no hair.

By: shagoth

shagoth — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 13:01:23 -0800

jonmc: How little understanding Buddhism you have. Buddhists do not consider themselves enlightened. Enlightment is the goal, something very rarely achieved. As for the other ad hominem attacks, that's just unnecessary.

By: seanyboy

seanyboy — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 13:01:49 -0800

It's not Punk Rock. It's Monk Rock. maybe you need an english accent to find that funny

By: shagoth

shagoth — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 13:02:07 -0800

ok, not so much ad hominem as grotesque generalizations...

By: crank

crank — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 13:16:45 -0800

shagoth, have you ever seen a gutter punk? Have you ever smelled one?

By: digaman

digaman — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 14:50:48 -0800

Enlightment is the goal, something very rarely achieved. Certainly not all Buddhists would put it this way -- particularly Zen Buddhists, for whom thoughts of "goals" in practice, attainment of some special state of consciousness, and so forth, are often considered distractions. Distractions from what? you might ask. Keep sitting. [smile]

By: PigAlien

PigAlien — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 16:07:28 -0800

Shagoth, 'generalizations' implies there is some truth extant, whereas jonmc's comments reflect no truth. There are more buddhists in the world than xtians and I tend to think most of them don't give any truth to his statements.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 16:46:30 -0800

one who speaks of "ridding oneself of addictions by means of religion(s)" knows little about either.

By: jaded

jaded — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 04:41:10 -0800

one who speaks of "ridding oneself of addictions by means of religion(s)" knows little about either. posted by quonsar at 4:46 PM PST on March 20 Word.

By: Postroad

Postroad — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 04:48:05 -0800

Quonsar: William James knows little about religion? that has to be the silliest thing I have read in a very long time...gosh: and I believe in a higher power says nothing religious to the zillion members of AA?

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 05:10:28 -0800

Kill the ~~wabbit~~ ~~duck~~ buddha.

By: Mars Saxman

Mars Saxman — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 10:48:45 -0800

There are more buddhists in the world than xtians This is not true by a long shot, I'm afraid.

By: Twang

Twang — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 14:08:40 -0800

Thanks, Homunculus. The Doubtboy site alone is mu-nificent

By: Twang

Twang — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 14:12:11 -0800

>> There are more buddhists in the world than xtians >This is not true by a long shot, I'm afraid. But Mars, everybuddah is Buddha. SO, the question is, is Buddha a Buddhist?

By: Slagman

Slagman — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 14:19:40 -0800

I wonder if Punks for Bush also smell?