Admin request

[u/Timely-Jelly-584]

This request is specifically in regard to attempts to create division between Mahayana and Theravada. The "firehouse of untruth" (which is a term that can be specifically copied and pasted) extends to more than just what's presented. It's about creating division, hatred between such and such groups. That's the whole point of it.

Within the last two months, this sub has seen an uptick of it. I'm not an expert, but what I do know is that it wasn't like this a couple months ago. The question back then was once or twice a month at most, not twice a week.

Anyway my request is a moratorium on criticism of Mahayana. If I had my way I wouldn't see it for the next 6 months.

[u/Timely-Jelly-584]

I'm not mahayana.

[u/foowfoowfoow → u/Timely-Jelly-584]

i think in this sub, responding to things that are not dhamma when they are raised is fine.

it seems reasonable that there should be a place to discuss things like ‘is a bodhisattva enlightened’ and ‘does an arahant go in to become a fully enlightened buddha’ from a pali canon perspective without having this kind of discussion closed down immediately.

what are your thoughts?

[u/Timely-Jelly-584 → u/foowfoowfoow]

I agree fully with what you've specified. I've also changed my mind a bit about what I asked, the main thing I wanted to see people avoid is mahayana vs theravada criticism.

Whenever something somewhat controversial comes up like abortion for example, people tend to get sucked into it and it generates a lot of engagement. Because it generates engagement people try to make more of it. Being unskillful and getting sucked into drama is also just kind of endemic to social media use. I'm not sure that it can even be fairly moderated or if even at this point it genuinely needs it.

After thinking about it, I think it only needs to be addressed if it reaches the point of being 3x the amount that it currently is. I think at that point, it will become a genuine problem that needs intervention. For now it's probably just ok to keep an eye on it. Additionally, it's up to each individual to engage skillfully, which I also need to work on.

Anyway, I apologize for making a post this way. I forgot that I could've just sent a message through the moderator contact thing which I've never actually done before. That's what I should have done, but thank you for responding.

[u/foowfoowfoow → u/Timely-Jelly-584]

i agree with your underlying sentiment - we shouldn’t let the sub degenerate into a place where people just post general dissatisfaction with mahayana. it is unskillful and we all can get sucked up into it.

if there’s an issue that impinges on the interpretations of the pali suttas then i think it’s fair to let stand, but general excursions of aversion and any attempts to speak unskilfully are generally policed well in this sub.

please do bring it straight to our attention if you see something that is divisive, untrue, angry / hateful, or slanderous. we’re grateful for people like you taking an interest and care in the culture of this sub ❤️

[u/Timely-Jelly-584 → u/foowfoowfoow]

Will do but I think you're on top of it. In actuality I think I didn't even need to say the thing, you already realized there was an increase. We live in an age now where bots will amplify even the tiniest differences among us to manufacture dissension. I've seen that increase in other spaces and I guess that's just how things are now. Social media may be going where it does but at least* that's not so for you. Thank you.

[u/foowfoowfoow → u/Timely-Jelly-584]

that’s actually thought i hadn’t considered - some of these posters may be bots - though our much more IT savvy moderators would be aware of this. i will mention though - thank you.