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The title of you topic is different from your first post. In the title, you are asking about Ramayana and Mahabharata, in your post you are talking about BhagawadGita.I'm particularly interested in how you view the Bhagavad Geeta as the fundamental message is to do your dharma (duty)
Is that for all Buddhists or only for the monks? In Hinduism also, dharma is only for the perceived world (Vyavaharika). For reality (Paramarthika), there is no dharma. Sankara said:In Buddhism, you withdraw from societal norms/nomos (maras) and examine your own mind, rather than do what society dictates. Dharmas are considered aspects of reality, rather than duty.
The first part of Buddhist practice for both monks/nuns and laypersons is to withdraw from society and turn inward in meditation.Is that for all Buddhists or only for the monks?
The Pali Kanha is the same as the Sanskrit Krishna, no? (a mara)In Hinduism also, dharma is only for the perceived world (Vyavaharika). For reality (Paramarthika), there is no dharma. Sankara said:
"na me dvesha ragau na me lobha mohau, na me vai mado naiva matsarya bhavah;
na dharmo na chartho na kamo na mokshaha, chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham."
There is no like or dislike in me, no greed or delusion, I know not pride or jealousy;
I have no duty, no desire for wealth, lust or liberation, I am the form of the eternal and auspicious.
Nirvana Shatakam - Shivoham Shivoham Lyrics and Meaning
Yeah, as a Hindu householder, I agree that neither Buddha nor Sankara fulfilled their social duties (dharma).In the way Joseph Campbell defines it, the Geeta is Right-hand Path, whereas Buddhism is Left-hand Path: Buddha left his palace, family, and princely duties to become a wandering ascetic.
Yeah, I think that is correct.The Pali Kanha is the same as the Sanskrit Krishna, no?
My personal view of the Bhagavad Geeta is that its aim is to form a pan-Hindu Mara. (Your mileage may vary.) Dharma in Buddhism is different than dharma in Hinduism. In Buddhism, you withdraw from societal norms/nomos (maras) and examine your own mind, rather than do what society dictates. Dharmas are considered aspects of reality, rather than duty.
They had completed their worldly duties and then to retire from the world was considered the right thing to do rather than cling to the world.Dhritarastra, Gandhari, Vidura and Kunti withdrew from life and went to live in the forest after the Pandavas regained their Kingdom
Well yes, as resisting Mara is a major tenet of Buddhism.The title of you topic is different from your first post. In the title, you are asking about Ramayana and Mahabharata, in your post you are talking about BhagawadGita.
As a non-Buddhist disciple of Buddha, just like me, I think Buddhists will approve part of BhagawadGita and differ where Krishna declares himself to be the Supreme entity.
Dhritarastra, Gandhari, Vidura and Kunti withdrew from life and went to live in the forest after the Pandavas regained their Kingdom
Well yes, that is the point of Buddhism: to become awakened and unafraid of not following unskillful cultural dictates.Janaka, before he became a king and administrator, performed austerities in his youth in solitude. This enabled him to be in present moment awareness and mindfulness at all times even as a king in the midst of his worldly duties and regal luxuries.
This enabled him to reach enlightenment later on and the Gita considers him to be a karma yogi who attained enlightenment through the path of action.
Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, whom you mentioned, was not known for their righteous conduct due to their inordinate attachment to their wicked son Duryodhana and they constantly gave in to his whims and fancies, which resulted in the war later on for the kingdom. Their critical lapses in their duties as king and queen can be attributed to their lack of wisdom and austerities in youth.
Crossfire makes a noteworthy point when she states thus, " In Buddhism, you withdraw from societal norms/nomos (maras) and examine your own mind, rather than do what society dictates. "
Imho, this enables one to go beyond social conditioning and become self-aware. Such a one would then perform their duties mindfully rather than through unconscious habit.
Janaka, before he became a king and administrator, performed austerities in his youth in solitude. This enabled him to be in present moment awareness and mindfulness at all times even as a king in the midst of his worldly duties and regal luxuries.
This enabled him to reach enlightenment later on and the Gita considers him to be a karma yogi who attained enlightenment through the path of action.
Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, whom you mentioned, was not known for their righteous conduct due to their inordinate attachment to their wicked son Duryodhana and they constantly gave in to his whims and fancies, which resulted in the war later on for the kingdom. Their critical lapses in their duties as king and queen can be attributed to their lack of wisdom and austerities in youth.
Crossfire makes a noteworthy point when she states thus, " In Buddhism, you withdraw from societal norms/nomos (maras) and examine your own mind, rather than do what society dictates. "
Imho, this enables one to go beyond social conditioning and become self-aware. Such a one would then perform their duties mindfully rather than through unconscious habit.
My personal view of the Bhagavad Geeta is that its aim is to form a pan-Hindu Mara. (Your mileage may vary.) Dharma in Buddhism is different than dharma in Hinduism. In Buddhism, you withdraw from societal norms/nomos (maras) and examine your own mind, rather than do what society dictates. Dharmas are considered aspects of reality, rather than duty.
Buddha returned to visit, not to take up his princely station.How is what Dhritarastra, Gandhari, Vidura and Kunti different to what Buddha did in his life ? If I'm not mistaken didn't Buddha return to his Kingdom?
The ideal is to maintain your own mind instead of having your mind overcome by the cultural norms/nomos/maras.You said Buddhists should ideally retire from society; that's what Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Vidura and Kunti did.
Even the Pandavs withdrew from society after Krishna died @ajay0