Advertise on podcast: Commentary on the Diamond Sutra in a world of AI.

It is rare for commentaries on early Mahayana texts to refer to the spread of Buddhism by proselytization.  Section 8 stands out for its advocacy that reciting at least 4 lines of the Diamond Sutra would guarantee a short cut to Heaven, as well as it’s effect it had on rapid adoption of Buddhism across Asia. But are we missing a deeper ontological question here that goes beyond the intent of proselytization?   Support the show

The great mind hack they have done is to convince us that it is for our own good to drink their bath water.  “…..this dark underbelly, which is underway has caused many thought leaders to question the ethical basis of where this version of Transhumanism is taking us. A philosophical question that I ask myself is:  what would be the nature of our consciousness if and when we achieve senescence or conquer death?  What is the type of world we create, what is the quality of life in that world? Who will be setting the rules when Transhumanism is thrust on humanity? The most vital and central question this Sutra evokes is whether we have made ourselves comfortably numb and dependent on dogma, conjecture and other’s opinion.  Perhaps we should blame ourselves for our own disembowelment of our own authority?  This infatuation with gurus or exotic teachers, ancient texts and lineages that give comfort because  echo our beliefs, betrays our inability or fear of standing on our own. That cliched Matrix that you speak about , is composed of theocrats, technocrats that deploy Artificial Intelligence and is the new Intelligentsia….”     Support the show

These two sections, 4 and 5, bring out the emphasis on attaining Perfection or Buddha Nature by effort - through the practice of Ethics. Does the effort of ethics to reach Nirvana and other metaphysical states of non-knowing, of nothingness, trap the seeker into a permanent struggle to achieve this elusive state?   Put another way, is effort itself delusional that distracts the seeker away from his first-hand subjective experience towards their own transcendence?  Support the show

Continuing from Part 1 , , The Metaverse Fantasy, I discuss how we are blindly embracing AI as a techno nirvana which not only disconnects us from our humanness, but also limits our authenticity…….. Additionally, We now believe AI will not only do the thinking for us but outthink us as well. This encounter with real humans and life, is the only place where the rubber meets the road and consciousness can be experienced…….  Your Gestalt  can only emerge with your Umwelt. Neo Vedantins and Neo-Buddhists do not get this concept. Support the show

History and Context At the outset, I do believe, It’s imperative to discuss the antecedents of the Buddha,, and why his teachings became so popular at that time. Many assume the Buddha just came up with his views, in the Northern plains of India and bestowed it to the rest of Asia!!  Be that as it may, no spiritual or a political leader evolves out of a vacuum.  So, it is perplexing, that most Buddhists rarely discuss the context of the Diamond Sutra Like the underrated Surangam Sutra which says.  It is said, Dharma does not arise alone.  Relying on conditions it is born.  The Way is not practiced in vain. Meeting conditions, there is a response. This clearly states that our religious and spiritual experience arise from our interpretations of our environment and what we witness.  I maintain, the mind that you think you have, doesn’t exist, it is only a derivative of the Mind-At-Large.  This is a  critical  point to ponder on, if we are to spot the disconnect between our Self and Impermanence that the Diamond Sutra establishes in subsequent Sutras. You can skip this episode if you wish and jump to the next. But if you stick around and examine a brief historical context, you may appreciate the Sutras finer points with a fresh perspective.  Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)

SECTION I. THE CONVOCATION OF THE ASSEMBLY Thus, have I heard. These first 4 words of the Diamond Sutra merits spending some time on. It is vital that anybody from any tradition or culture, understand the implication of these four words, before proceeding on their spiritual quest . These four words prefaced by every commentary since time immemorial directs the speaker how to comport themselves, but also bears strict instructions to the listener. Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)

SECTION II and SECTION III. SUBHUTI MAKES A REQUEST and THE BUDDHAS CONTRADICTORY RESPONSE THE TEACHING OF THE GREAT WAY We arrive at the heart of the problem this section of Sutra poses. We have now even accepted that AI will do the work for us not only because we actually believe that the AI is smarter than us, but that our individuality, our essence, our self, has no evolutionary role to play in this emerging Technosphere. And that is, over millennia such uncontested and blind veneration of Sutras sublimate our Sovereignty of Human Conscious by a false equivalence to other lesser ones.  This focus on ethics at the expense of developing our perception of our inner phenomena to reach higher consciousness defaces ourselves.  We cannot continue to solve problems of today by resorting  to the paradigms or scriptures of the past.  The universe has changed since you heard this.  So, is it fair to ask, was the Buddha wrong?   Do write in, and let me know your thoughts.   It gets worse, hang in there. Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)

The pivotal question of our times is what if thinking machines out think us? The #DiamondSutra offers offer’s lessons on Illusion and Perception, but would it still be relevant in a world that has outpaced mankind? The advancement in Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and robotics are making traditional thinking and work redundant. What might happen when the computer becomes so dominant that our jobs and functions are taken over by computers or bio-engineered robots and subsequently humankind becomes superficial. Can we humankind rely on age-old edicts that posit that the Universal Laws are immutable and we should merely practice "mindfulness" and watch as our world changes right in front of our eyes? The real challenge humanity faces is: How to handle Future Shock Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)