Mathematical Buddhism Dialogue IV

          The following continues from Mathematical Buddhism Dialogue III for those who follow the main blog, Mathematical Buddhism, and have questions or wish to engage in a dialogue with its author.

          As noted before, Mathematical Buddhism Dialogue consists of parts of private email correspondences of the author of Mathematical Buddhism and the indicated parties whose real names, titles, and exact locations are either withheld or displayed in accordance with their desires. All published parts of the correspondences have been approved by the related parties and some very private contents have been omitted in some cases according to their wishes.  [The author's email address is mathbuddhist@gmail.com.]

December 28, 2015

Do you want to correspond about Buddhadhamma again? I devote a portion of my time to studying the Tipitaka and some contemporary Therevadan authors. I take notes on what I read. It could be beneficial for me to send you the notes and get feedback from you. I read somewhere that it is a teaching of Buddhism that one should have a spiritual companion. I forgot where I read this. The notes will be organized and pleasant to read I hope.

[The above three links (in boldface) are provided by the author (of Mathematical Buddhism).  For a more detailed study of Buddhadhamma, the author highly recommends Buddhadhamma by P.A. Payutto.]

"Di Parti II" (the real name withheld by request)

Graduate student in Philosophy

New York, New York, U.S.A.

​Author's Response (December 30, 2015)

You are always welcome to write me concerning your study of Buddhism and ask me any questions you may have.  I will try to respond in ways that I can and as time may permit.  Meanwhile, I ask that you reflect on the ideas in Mathematical Buddhism and try to put them to work in daily life; then share with me your experience.  When something is not clear, please ask.  In particular, please review the chapters on Wisdom and Ignorance, Heaven and Hell, and Mindfulness and see how you can put the ideas therein to work.  In addition, you should initially set a goal to complete at least three consecutive rounds of the simple concentration exercise suggested in The Buddhist MBA chapter.  Believe me your ability to do that will help enhance your study of the text.  Furthermore, if you are able to become skillful in the exercise and eventually in command of it (i.e., be able to do as many rounds as you wish at any time), that may inspire me to resume the writing of Mathematical Buddhism more quickly.  In any case, as you have already found out from previous practices that this undertaking definitely does no harm in any way, but is only beneficial (both physically and mentally).  So, we really have to honestly ask ourselves why we shouldn't be doing it.​

December 31, 2015

All right Pimon, I'll go back to studying "Mathematical Buddhism" and attempting the trainee's exercise.

"Di Parti II" (See above)

Author's Response (December 31, 2015)

Good!  I look forward to reading your progress.

Toward samādhi (for the trainee in practice and the MB author in further writing)