atreideslioness: (Child of Dune)
Ghanima Atreides ([personal profile] atreideslioness) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2009-11-02 08:33 am
Entry tags:

Hubris from Revelation: the Social Engineering of Ultimate Truths [Monday, Period 2]

When the students arrived in the Danger Shop today, they would find the desks abandoned in favor of large meditation garden, Ghanima already sitting in an ānāpānasati stance with her eyes closed, a stack of handouts beside her.

"Good morning, class," she said, blue-on-blue eyes flickering open as the last person took a seat. "Please make yourselves comfortable. Today we study Buddhism."

"Buddhism, as traditionally conceived, is a path of salvation attained through insight into the ultimate nature of reality. It encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha, who lived in and around the Indian sub-continent. Adherents recognize the Buddha as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end suffering, achieve nirvana, and escape what is seen as a cycle of suffering and rebirth. However, Buddhist schools disagree over the historical teachings of the Buddha, and on the importance and canonicity of various scriptures," she said, standing to pass out the handouts.

"Two major branches of Buddhism are recognized: Theravada, "The School of the Elders", and Mahayana, "The Great Vehicle". Theravada, the oldest surviving, has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, whilst Mahayana, which is found throughout East Asia, includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Shingon, Tendai and Shinnyo-en . In some classifications, a third branch, Vajrayana, is recognized, although many see this as an offshoot of the Mahayana. Other movements have appeared in recent times, sometimes classified as Buddhist modernism."

"While Buddhism remains most popular within Asia, both branches are now found throughout the world. Various sources put the number of Buddhists in the world at between 230 million and 500 million. As the foundation of all Buddhist practice is ethical conduct and altruism, the appeal is not limited to the countries where it started," she explained. "Further practices can vary widely, but may include renunciation, meditation, the cultivation of mindfulness and wisdom, the study of scriptures, physical exercises, devotion and ceremonies, or the invocation of bodhisattvas."


[OCD Up!]
weetuskenraider: (Not Quite Smiling)

Re: Discussion Two: The Four Noble Truths

[personal profile] weetuskenraider 2009-11-02 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Not fine, Tahiri, who knew perfectly well that he wouldn't have bought it anyway but didn't want to give him more to worry about today (because that was a brilliant plan), conceded. Not a new kind of not fine, though. It was sad that this was getting to be her standard for normal.
momslilassassin: ([neg] lipbiting)

Re: Discussion Two: The Four Noble Truths

[personal profile] momslilassassin 2009-11-02 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Not that reassuring, he replied, biting his lower lip.
weetuskenraider: (Contemplative)

Re: Discussion Two: The Four Noble Truths

[personal profile] weetuskenraider 2009-11-02 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I know, she told him, sending a wave of apology in lieu of being able to actually go over and hug him in class. At least it was on topic?
momslilassassin: ([neg] listening)

Re: Discussion Two: The Four Noble Truths

[personal profile] momslilassassin 2009-11-02 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Ben snorted aloud. And an interesting point. Just not one I want to debate with her. You. Something.
weetuskenraider: (Meditating No Rly)

Re: Discussion Two: The Four Noble Truths

[personal profile] weetuskenraider 2009-11-02 07:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, not one I want to think about much either, Tahiri agreed, giving him a sheepish look before staring down at her desk. Especially not now.
momslilassassin: ([neg] sad panda)

Re: Discussion Two: The Four Noble Truths

[personal profile] momslilassassin 2009-11-02 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Meet up later? Ben asked.

For once he didn't suggest getting ice cream.
weetuskenraider: (Looking Up)

Re: Discussion Two: The Four Noble Truths

[personal profile] weetuskenraider 2009-11-02 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Tahiri nodded briefly. Yeah. And then, because it had just occurred to her, We should still probably go talk to Tara at some point, huh?
momslilassassin: ([neg] staring)

Re: Discussion Two: The Four Noble Truths

[personal profile] momslilassassin 2009-11-02 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Sooner rather than later, Ben agreed, nodding back.
weetuskenraider: (Green - It's a Flightsuit Rly)

Re: Discussion Two: The Four Noble Truths

[personal profile] weetuskenraider 2009-11-02 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
She turned to look squarely at him, concern of her own showing in her eyes. Not today, but soon. For sure.