“Form is void. Void is form.” 👏👏👏 As I understand it, Nirvana (and the state of Nirvana) is when desire is extinguished, there is no more karma (because it ceases to accumulate) to cause lingering/rebirth in Samsara in any subsequent form (beyond all dualities and defilements). The 12 links of interdependent origination are completely severed. The form is then void and this void is the (Buddha) form. These are consistent with the Trikaya concept and explain the “limitless-ness” of the Tathagata. All of this point towards a deeper understanding of reality as a dynamic interplay of states rather than fixed entities. Thank you again, John, for another great “musing” to help me reflect on the Heart Sutra. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you, David. Your feedback means a lot to me. I know my presentation here is quite informal. But it is gratifying to know that there is enough meaningful content sprinkled in to warrant your kind comment. -John
That makes sense, Noah. These "musings" would lend themselves to that format. Perhaps I can find time to do that. Meanwhile, if you (or anyone out there) wants to pull the audio portion out to upload them as podcasts, I will send copies of the actual files on a hard drive. -John
It sounds like you are aware that I uploaded several (on Podbean) - about 40. I note that 20 are still available on Apple Podcasts and I know I can access some of them on Spotify. But if anyone reading this is interested, I turned them all into videos on a different UA-cam channel called "Exploring Pure Land Buddhism" (www.youtube.com/@exploringpurelandbuddhism1930). Meanwhile, I greatly appreciate your interest in my work, Noah. 合掌 With palms together. -John
Good morning, my friend. Deep bow of greeting and affection to you. In treating this tooic, and following it to the logical conclusion, is it reasonable and defensible to say that Amida is the Eternal Buddha, that he manifested as Shakyamuni, and that all of the suggestions are actually Smith's skillful means teachings to raggamuffins like myself? Places a very different perspective on the Dharma and on Buddhism as the core of what Huxley called the "Perennial Philosophy " Namo Amituofo Ray
“Form is void. Void is form.” 👏👏👏 As I understand it, Nirvana (and the state of Nirvana) is when desire is extinguished, there is no more karma (because it ceases to accumulate) to cause lingering/rebirth in Samsara in any subsequent form (beyond all dualities and defilements). The 12 links of interdependent origination are completely severed. The form is then void and this void is the (Buddha) form. These are consistent with the Trikaya concept and explain the “limitless-ness” of the Tathagata. All of this point towards a deeper understanding of reality as a dynamic interplay of states rather than fixed entities.
Thank you again, John, for another great “musing” to help me reflect on the Heart Sutra. 🙏🙏🙏
...to which the congregation of listeners say "Amen"
Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu 🙏
I am grateful for your comments. Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha! -John
Fantastic job, John!
Thank you, David. Your feedback means a lot to me. I know my presentation here is quite informal. But it is gratifying to know that there is enough meaningful content sprinkled in to warrant your kind comment. -John
You should make these new podcast episodes John 🙏🏻
That makes sense, Noah. These "musings" would lend themselves to that format. Perhaps I can find time to do that. Meanwhile, if you (or anyone out there) wants to pull the audio portion out to upload them as podcasts, I will send copies of the actual files on a hard drive. -John
@@namoamidabuts I would be very happy if the podcast came back!
It sounds like you are aware that I uploaded several (on Podbean) - about 40. I note that 20 are still available on Apple Podcasts and I know I can access some of them on Spotify. But if anyone reading this is interested, I turned them all into videos on a different UA-cam channel called "Exploring Pure Land Buddhism" (www.youtube.com/@exploringpurelandbuddhism1930). Meanwhile, I greatly appreciate your interest in my work, Noah. 合掌 With palms together. -John
Good morning, my friend.
Deep bow of greeting and affection to you.
In treating this tooic, and following it to the logical conclusion, is it reasonable and defensible to say that Amida is the Eternal Buddha, that he manifested as Shakyamuni, and that all of the suggestions are actually Smith's skillful means teachings to raggamuffins like myself?
Places a very different perspective on the Dharma and on Buddhism as the core of what Huxley called the "Perennial Philosophy "
Namo Amituofo
Ray