All emotions are pain (The Four Seals)

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Vajradhara

the four seals or axioms are not, really, what makes one a Buddhist, per se. the "official" way to become a Buddhist is to take refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and it is somewhat different for monastics and laiety and also between schools.

Hi,

Not a disagreement or question even, maybe just a clarification or comment. I think the article I cited and the underlying point being addressed is what are the essential beliefs that distinguish a Buddhist from a non-Buddhist. This, rather than the formal / public declaration in the taking refuge in the Three Jewels, is what the article (and the book!) are concerned with.

s.

[Vajradhara]

Namaste Snoopy,

ah.. thank you for the clarification

metta,

~v

[Francis king]

I have thought about this post before replying, which isnt something I usually do, but... I was led to believe that the four seals related to the accuracy of the doctrine... if this doctrine before u has these qualities, it is worthy of merit... these qualities are- it teaches u that...

1-All products are impermanent
2-all those contaminated by the afflictions are miserable
3-all phenomena are selfless (do not exist independently and are therefore, products)
4-nirvana is peace... these are the hallmarks, if u like, of buddhist doctrine...

if it doesn't give u all that, then it's shonky buddhism...

although, that's just what I've heard...

emotions, vedana, "feelings", are products... they do not exist independently, they are responses to stimuli which you have adopted via the unconscious conditioning of society... therefore, emotions are products... they have causes... they might not be a cause of misery, if you do not grasp the negatives and if u don't get too attached to the positives, but, hey, we're only human, right...?

believing or not believing in these "four seals" is central to the buddhist doctrine, becuase this was reputedly what was so special about buddhism in the first place...

... that products are impermanent... that those contaminated by the afflictions are miserable...that all phenomena are selfless (do not exist independently and are therefore, products)... and that nirvana is peace...

powerful stuff...