Nice to meet you Mpgkona,
Johann,
I've been staying out of your threads as much as possible for two very different reasons:
Great to hear you reasons.
1. I really have no clue what you are talking about most of the time. Your English seems good so I dont think that is the problem. Are you using something like google translator? This is not a put down at all, nor is it racist. Im just trying to get a sense of what you may be saying, and it seems something is being lost in translation.
No google, just what I have learned. Don't worry to much, sometimes I am a little lazy in explaining and sometimes I assume some things to be known already. And I really don't like if people like to nail things down, so there is always good space to investigate by one self. There is the place to learn. Somebody else can only give inspirations and samples, theory. So its a general thing, whether it is this or that language I try to use and I am horrible bad in languages, gramma and spelling. So you one needs really like to know what I try to say and there is no possibility of fast food at all.
2. You appear to be fanatical in your interpretations of the suttas. This is a practice oriented site and you seem to be spewing doctrine which, as you will soon see, is loathed at this site. You seem to fancy yourself as a teacher but youre doing a very poor job. So in my interpretation of Johann (i'll speak in 2nd person to match your 3rd person) you seem to be here to deliver truths to us, which I will advise again is very poor etiquite for this site.
I don't have the impression that this is a practice orientated page for serval reasons. As soon as you touch the level of practice everybody here seems to go outside and not inside one self. I also think that if somebody does not see that the whole suttas are only practical and have not a little foot hold for theoretical issues, one misunderstands pondering thoughts and elevations of assumings a practice.
As for my reason to be here is, that I think that I can give a little. Of course it needs to be received as well. Nature of forums is that one usually raises a question and others, if thinking to be fit, give answers or opinions. Its not that I do not know the normal reactions of people in theoretical forums and the risk of being not very welcome. Some may find something useful, some not, some will have some gratitude, some prefer to reject. And it is normal that there are less who are able to listen.
Suttas are therefore useful, that you do not need to speak your opinions as personal opinions are mostly full of defilement. This tradition of not making your self to a Buddha made it possible that you still benefit of this teachings. So it would be good to understand it for practical reasons and also to develop some gratitude. If that is absent, there is no possibility to learn and wise people would not really teach.
Sorry that I do not adopt a comic avatar etiquette and other kinds of usually you may be used to here. Some people are not able to adopt things they are to really good. So also this is a normal situation.
So to cut to the chase, what is your motive for being here?
I guess I have given some indications already but maybe that is useful in general and for you own practice:
Jivaka Sutta: To Jivaka (On Being a Lay Follower)As long as you have not reached Arahanthood, it will be always practicing what will be your motivation, given that you seek for the paths and fruits to liberation.
Have to add, just thought, but did not express:
Thanks for your criticism Mpgkona. I appreciate such and it need a lot of compassion to do such not just out of aversion, like people usually do such. Because at least you always have the danger to lose sympathy or status in regard of people how just seek harmony but not really the truth. No need to worry to lose sympathy or status in regard of wise people.