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Understanding Understanding ( & some Buddhism)

Understanding Understanding ( & some Buddhism). Is Empathy Real? Can Empathy Be Tested?. Beware of Fetishizing Empathy, “Understanding” = What We Want!. Not Mind-reading. Nor Guess Work. Only When We Check out Empathy Do We Have Understanding. Check Out Empathy & Gain Understanding.

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Understanding Understanding ( & some Buddhism)

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  1. Understanding Understanding( & some Buddhism)

  2. Is Empathy Real?Can Empathy Be Tested?

  3. Beware of Fetishizing Empathy,“Understanding” = What We Want! Not Mind-reading Nor Guess Work

  4. Only When We Check out Empathy Do We Have Understanding

  5. Check Out Empathy & Gain Understanding • Question your subjects to confirm AND falsify empathetic intuitions into them: “Ask them.” • You may sometimes know more than they do! Show it. • Your subjects should at least recognize themselves in what you say about them, even if they disagree with your intuitions. It is OK to disagree and even to argue (but nicely)! • Discover what gives their acts meaning for them. This is their social reality. This is the ‘game’ – at least one -- they are playing • Does your empathy fit with the world of meaning of your subjects? • If so, you “understand” them in their terms. • Remember: you still may propose a ‘game’ that better fits what they are doing. ‘Doctor’ may know best, but both doctor and patient need to argue the case.

  6. Yes, Now You Understand Them !

  7. But, do you understand their religion, as a whole? Not That Kind of Whole!

  8. Buddhist Impressions(but no coherence)

  9. What are some Buddhist basic elements? (Smart’s “Dimensions”) Does Buddhism Fit Together?(Does It Make Sense as a Whole?) • Its myths: Jataka stories • Its “materiality” stupas • Its ethical code: silas, non-injury, e.g. • Its rituals: meditation • Its beliefs: 4 Noble Truths • Its experiences: Nibbana • Its social forms: sangha

  10. How Buddhism Fits Together“Organically”(a few examples) • *Jatakas *teach *compassion = myth + belief + morals • *stupas aid *meditation on *emptiness = materiality + ritual + beliefs + experience • *Sangha common life induces *selflessness, & also *Nibbana = social + belief + experience • *Tranquility & *discipline of *Sangha life, together with *meditation induces belief in *Four Noble Truths (dukkha, etc) = experience + morals + social + ritual +beliefs

  11. Understanding Buddhism Is Then…. Not Just Listing Dis-organ-ized Dimensions Fitting Dimensions Together Organically Into a Whole

  12. But, People Disagree How Buddhism Fits Together… like Ninian Smart

  13. Smart: Buddhism Hangs TogetherBecause of Religious Experience

  14. Understanding Takes Effort, but it’s worth it!

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