Enlightenment?

Belief in strict determinism or in chaotic indeterminism, whether it be in ontology or in human behavior, was considered by the Buddha and [Willam] James to be inimical to the conception of human freedom (88).     -David J. Kalupahana in The Principles of Buddhist Psychology

Enlightenment?

Belief in strict determinism or in chaotic indeterminism, whether it be in ontology or in human behavior, was considered by the Buddha and [Willam] James to be inimical to the conception of human freedom (88).     -David J. Kalupahana in The Principles of Buddhist Psychology

   Ritual, called “intentional practices” in Pragmatic Buddhism, is centered on intention of mind. “Intent” employed during Pragmatic Buddhist ritual cultivates mindfulness and empowers the participants through their experienced loss of self during the ritual acts. The ego-self (the “me”) is disseminated into the ritual experience, so that a holistic, undivided experience characterizes the ritual act. What we mean here is that by ”getting out of our own way” during the ritual acts, we open ourselves up to the harmonizing effects the rituals have on us.

   In conversation a few weeks ago, the comment was made to me, "I don't understand the whole Pragmatic Buddhism thing." What followed was a well-intended discussion about the necessity of a synthesis of Eastern and Western thought, and what you would lose by doing so. "They're just too messy," I was told. And I get that...to a point.