(BTW, contrary to how I hear it used in popular parlance, karma is like
"negative points"; you work off your karma but you don't get "good karma"
-- that's a contradiction in terms)
I can't think where there's anything particularly social about it.
Obviously, whole societies that practice both Mahayana and Hinayana
Buddhism exist, and there is a tendency to define the individual as much
by him/herself as by the social standing/circles of the individual, but I
think that's a cultural rather than religious phenomenon. In other words,
you may be defined by your social class, caste, relations, etc., but
ultimately, you are responsible for your soul, and only you can achieve
enlightenment; no one can do it for you, although your friends can do
stuff "with" you. Like you can meditate in the same room, but one
person's achievement of enlightenment doesn't sort of pull the others
along, except in a general way. Like if that person became a teacher, he
or she could encourage the others....
Any other Buddhists out there who can help me out? I don't think it
matter which wheel....Maybe I'm thinking along the wrong lines.
Tane Akamatsu
Rachel Heckert wrote:
> Tane, what's the Mahayana take on this? Is there an "antinomy?"
>
>
> Nate wrote:
>
>>
>
> >Wetsch sees Burke as offering some important insights in avoiding the
> >individual/ social antinomy.
>
> Rachel
>
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