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Comment by melvinmt | Hacker News Reader

"After some years we will die. If we just think that it is the end of our life, this will be the wrong understanding. But, on the other hand, if we think that we do not die, this is also wrong. We die, and we do not die. This is the right understanding. Some people may say that our mind or soul exists forever, and it is only our physical body which dies. But this is not exactly right, because both mind and body have their end. But at the same time it is also true that they exist eternally. And even though we say mind and body, they are actually two sides of one coin. This is the right understanding." - Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

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Wonderful quote, great wisdom. Interestingly, the passage speaks to ideas that exist across cultures, and throughout the centuries. It's remarkably similar to the philosophy of Spinoza, particularly embodied in his seminal work, the Ethics published in 1677.

For example, in the Ethics Spinoza wrote (roughly translated) "eternity cannot be defined in terms of time, or have any relation to time". I puzzled over this idea for many years, extending to decades. More recently I've thought it prescient, in a way anticipating the concept of "space-time". Indeed that may not be coincidental given Einstein's statement that he was strongly influenced by Spinoza.

So it's not a surprise, in fact even reassuring that such insights permeate human thought, as the Zen Mind nicely demonstrates.

Edit: grammar

These questions are among the questions that the Buddha refused to answer one way or the other because he considered them distractions from the meditative life.[i]

The real goal of Buddhism is the elimination of suffering in oneself and others and is purposefully silent on the 'big questions.'

[i] http://www.faculty.umb.edu/michael_lafargue/104/204/budd/rdn...

Discouraging certain questions is at the core of most/all religions/cults/belief systems, it's how you maintain group integrity and subservience to leaders and deities/pseudo-deities. Questions are ultimately disruptive. I don't just mean spiritual beliefs, I mean anything that isn't hard science.

The goal of many religions also happens to help it's followers lead a peaceful life, and you're right certain questions are ultimately disruptive, and that's exactly why many religions are vague on certain questions - they distract you from being able to lead a peaceful life.

By the way, one religion without leaders and without deities is fundamental Taoism. There's no one who can lead you on the path but you.

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