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Greetings 360
"The middle way discovered by a Perfect One avoids both these extremes; it gives vision, it gives knowledge, and it leads to peace, to direct acquaintance, to discovery, to nirvana. And what is that middle way? It is simply the noble eightfold path, that is to say, right view, right intention; right speech, right action, right livelihood; right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. That is the middle way discovered by a Perfect One, which gives vision, which gives knowledge, and which leads to peace, to direct acquaintance, to discovery, to nirvana."
* what is "right" based on in the context of "right view, right intention; right speech, right action, right livelihood; right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration" if there are no absolutes?
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I do think their are absolutes. One should strive for balance and equilibrium/equanimity. I just think that "good" is too vague of a word and is usually based on moral perceptions. Good for one is not good for all...Then you get into the greatest 'good'...'good' intentions...blah..blah..blah.. InI have heard enough of these things...Look where it has gotten black and brown people all over the world.
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How about the 42 declarations - are these "value judgments based on culture" - or are these laws of ethics and actions universally which humans should strive to uphold which lead toward a greater one-ness with the Most High Godhead?:
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Well when you start talking about God, I think you are bringing morality into the equation. I dont think you can take culture out of the picture. People's idea of what is beneficial (good, to them) and destructive (i will use evil in this case but not all destruction is evil) is shaped by the culture they were reared in. Maybe this explain why some people seemingly find joy in the downpression of others. Maybe they were taught it was a beneficial (good) behavior....to them of course. Cultures decide what is desirable and undesirable behavior.
Give thanks
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