;^)

.

http://www.archive.org/details/Tse_Chen_Ling_Robina_Courtin_No_Fear_060804

in that link you and your readers can have an audio with a more broad explanation of the (for our western references) extremes examples quoted in your post.

It may give a more precise context, and maybe even sustain your point, and at the same time, Shantideva’s and Pema’s points too.

Bests,

Diego

* “Confess you hidden faults.”
I think that I am right and you are wrong.
That s my fault. You are right and I am wrong.

* “Approach what you find repulsive.”
I get here because you pay a Google Ad to read you. I don-t find this repulsive. I found interesting.

* “Anything you are attached to, let it go.”
A have a lot of this. Stay tuned.

* “Go to places that scare you.”
Not here, of course. But I have plans.

* “Help those you think you cannot help.”
Well, finally, thats the point.
Here I am, Mr. Waligore.
What can I do for you? What do you want? What can I give you?
How can I help you?
I will.

Also, the criticism that there have been mistakes made by Tibetan Buddhists such as quoted by the fifth Dalai Lama, and the current Dorje Shugden controversy, is not an argument against the wisdom of the teachings, but a demonstration of the fallability of humankind. As a Mahayana Buddhist myself, I am not keen on attempts to denigrate the so called ‘Hinayana’ teachings.

I do not claim to know all of the answers but, for me, Buddhism respresents the best path to wisdom and compassion that I have found thus far. The author is, of course, free to choose his own path, but I think that the above essay sadly demonstrates a great many misunderstandings of what Pema Chodron is teaching.

Mahayana and some bodhisattas suffer from a subtle ego since they put interprters words and explanations above those spoken by Buddha, Tathagata and shown by his living example. Buddha never claimed divinity and emphasised human birth is precious, since only human beings have the seed potential for enlightenment and ultimate liberation. Devas and gods in the higher planes of 31 planes in Buddhist cosmology do not. Unfortunately to comprehend buddha’s teaching one has to be developed in sila and prajna and not just practice samadhi as emphasised in many Zen and Tibetan traditions.

Please read Buddha’s actual words in Pali or translations from pali and the social personal context each teachings were given is very important. Buddha emphasised to avoid both extremes in his middle way to avoid distortion in perception and comprehension of his teachings. Extremes of non-self (annihilation or aversion of self sense) is as distorting as clutching to a (sense of permanent self). Our sense of self naturally evolves if we are not to attached to social conditionings or ego identity through labels. Read ‘Kalama Sutta’ to judge the merit of any teaching or teacher.

And despite all the intelectual knowledge that he seems to show, his lack of understanding of the so complex no-self doctrine makes him unfitted to write about.

We buddhists can’t show-off if we have any spiritual realization, even less talk about it, it just naturaly exudes. I wouldn’t trust anybody who is saying that God talk to him!