Question:
uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130121085027AAjcoVs
Is there a contradiction in Mahamangala Sutta of Buddhism?
http://www.buddhistreadingroom.com/mahamang.html
Asevana ca balanam = Not to follow or associate with the foolish
Panditanan ca sevana = to associate with the wise
Suppose, Mr.A is wise & Mr.B is foolish.
According to Mahamangala Sutta,
not associate with foolish means, Mr. A does not want to associate with Mr. B
associate with wise means, Mr. B wants to associate with Mr. A
1. How can Mr.A and Mr.B associate & not associate at the same time?
2. By considering the demonstrated contradiction, Can Buddhism be justified as a social religion?
3. Can there be any contradictions in Buddhism?
Please read the question carefully, in order to answer with wisdom.
Additional Details
@Brittany,
Why don't you answer the question regarding Mahamangala Sutta of Buddhism, instead of commenting your judgement on others?
@Elegua!,
Mahamangala Sutta is not commentary as you suggested. It is in Tipitaka - Suttanipāta (Sn 2.4 PTS: Sn 258-269)
I'm surprised to see your comment "You haven't demonstrated a
contradiction" and even sorry for you to believe "there can be apparent
contradictions in Buddhism".
Better find them clarify without leaving them for future.
@Fake Genius,
Your bulk comment is misdirected from the question.
"How can Mr.A and Mr.B associate & not associate at the same time? " is the first question.
Have you answered that?
This is a critical question in Buddhism, not an opportunity for you to do counseling.
This question expects intelligence, analytical abilities and knowledge in Buddhist & Law to answer.
Hope to find direct answers to this question, with no respect given to false but popular interpretations about Buddhism.
@Seyfert,
Would there be a contradiction, if both wise & foolish persons
(puggalas) are in the mind of an individual, where to associate with the
wise and not to associate with the foolish at the same time?
I've answered the first question.
Note: scope of Buddism is limited to ideas and free from ideas only.
lokiya in Buddhism refer to triloka (kama, rupa, arup), not social aspects.
Sangha in Buddhism is collection of ideas (dhamma), where assumption to monks is just their way of living by spell-binding.
Answer: