@sandundhanushka what gracious words!
But, please do not take things personally here…
(Forget not, annata, eh?)
Long-winded rant follows:
I appreciate the way we wrestle with how to hold that which is so very precious.
I see my own inner turmoil over sharing/not sharing,
and offending/not offending
(as though these were really binary choices!?).
I see (in the root of my unhappiness) a deep fear that somehow these teachings might be lost if ‘skillful’ actions are not taken. In my heart, there seems to be an underlying urgency around the suttas.
Indeed, now that I look at it, this is probably part of my recent motivation to throw up yet another website filled with ‘Buddhaphilic’ links of one sort or another.
. . .
Curiously, the motivation to post these thoughts just now came from a recollection of the first of Shakyamuni Buddha’s followers to become enlightened. The first to ‘get it,’ so to speak. … Kondanya.
And what did Kondanya get?
Anicca.
SN 56.11 - Dhammacakkasutta (Translation attempt)
And while this discourse was being spoken, the stainless and spotless insight into the teaching arose in venerable Kondanya. He knew that whatever is to originate, is all bound to cease.
And anatta and dukkha are not far behind either…
By suggesting a wonderful resource be removed, look at how many ways that intentional action caused stress.
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Bhante became upset because of the perceived doublebind of having been motivated to take an action that (in his heartmind) was possibly inappropriate and undoubtedly painful – i.e., to remove something of true value from this website.
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sandundhanushka probably felt awkward and somewhat embarrassed for having posted something that was deemed sufficiently ‘inappropriate’ to have been removed.
Anyway, I’m sure you get the picture.
Dukkha.
When I look closely, I see how my ego is reinforced by having effected a change based on the precept of ‘not taking… (etc.)’ Look at that little fellow – momentarily feeling quite powerful and righteous!
Phooey!
Having pretended this ‘self,’ then having extended it, now I sense efforts within to defend it.
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I was the ‘self’ that caught the copyright violation.
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I was the one who brought it to SuttaCentral’s attention.
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I was the one who got it removed
… I, I, I.
Horsefeathers!
Where is this self that did all of that. I hardly feel as I did when I posted it.
Anatta.
Instead, now it’s the ‘self’ that is intent on expounding Anicca, Anatta, Dukkha…
There is no inherent ‘self’ in anyofthis… In the long view it will all pass:
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All of my many and varied ‘selves’ (reacting to causes and conditions beyond control or understanding).
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All of the posts on SuttaCentral (some of which do seem to take on a ‘life of their own’).
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And finally, one day, so will all of our precious Suttas.
I am like the fellow who, being swept along in the river, is clutching at branches and roots extending from the riverbank to try and halt the flow. Make stuff solid and permanent and, yes, reliable. And what do I see before me… a flow of things that come and go regardless.
I suspect that Kondanya saw that as well.