Dogen Sangha Blog

  by Gudo NISHIJIMA

Japanese / German

Saturday, October 27, 2007

What are realistic aims in Buddhist Philosophy?

Dear Gudo Wafu Nishijima,

thank you so much for your clear answers. I am so happy having such a chance to ask
you questions,thank you!

Q1: It seems not easy to make clear to mankind today that actions beyond fame and
profit are not idealistic temptations and are not a part of idealistic philosophy but
are only realistic. How to explain it in terms of Buddhist Reality?Do we have to use
fame and profit as tools for a material survival? Fame and profit are not the wise
aim of our life.So what are the ultimate aims of an authentic Buddhist Life?

Thank you for your precious time to listen and to answer,thank you!
Best wishes
Siegfried Hohlfeld

2 Comments:

Blogger GUDO NISHIJIMA said...

Dear Siegfried,

Thank you very much for your question, and my answer is as follows.

(your question) It seems not easy to make clear to mankind today that actions beyond fame and profit are not idealistic temptations and are not a part of idealistic philosophy but
are only realistic. How to explain it in terms of Buddhist Reality?

(Gudo's answer) If we, human beings, have forgot idealistic temptations and part of idealistic philosophy, there is no problem, because they have already entered into the area of realistic philosophy. And in such situations there is no problem in human societies even though we look at the situations from the viewpoint of Buddhist Realism.

(your question) How to explain it in terms of Buddhist Reality?

(Gudo's answer) Those people have entered into Buddhist viewpoint already, and so there is no problem.

(your question) Do we have to use
fame and profit as tools for a material survival?

(Gudo's answer) It is never necessary for us to utilize fame and profit, but secular people are usually very fond of getting fame and profit, and so it is sometimes necessary for us to use fame and profit as some kind of attraction.

(your question) Fame and profit are not the wise aim of our life.

(Gudo's answer) Fame and profit can never become any kind of wise aim in Buddhist philosophy.

(your question) So what are the ultimate aims of an authentic Buddhist Life?

(Gudo's answer) The ultimate aims of an authentic Buddhist Life is just to realize that Reality is just the Truth.

Thank you very much for your so important questions on Buddhist philosophy.

Gudo Wafu Nishijima

5:17 PM, October 27, 2007  
Blogger Barry said...

Dear Nishijima Roshi,

A Question has arisen after observing the Dogen Sangha blog for some time.
If the non dual reality of Action is the truth that Sidhartha realised and taught us, and the world of duality is the truth that kicks us in the teeth every time we stand up from our sitting pillow, what is this reality that is not the reality of our brains and of finances, and of religion?
Respectfully,
Barry

7:08 PM, October 30, 2007  

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