^ K.Ram's important post above.
<!--QuoteBegin-Bodhi+Nov 14 2008, 10:42 PM-->QUOTE(Bodhi @ Nov 14 2008, 10:42 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Here is what one ancient tradition says.
[...]
a time tested medicine...
[right][snapback]90139[/snapback][/right]<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Ah, the first serious - and profound - disagreement between us. Let's file irreconcilable differences.
It's better to make one's own judgement calls and take personal responsibility for one's actions and views, than relying on old texts for support, however ancient and venerable and sensible (in other matters) their writers may be - such as Kautilya quoted in your post.
People are in charge only of their own actions, not that of others; and their own (almost) completely. In any case, I would never relinquish my own judgement for another's views.
And I see that Buddha agreed with me:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Buddha: Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it - even if I have said it - unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->And some unnamed ancient Hindu sages besides:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Yuktiyuktamupa'deyam' vacanam' ba'laka'dapi anyam'trn'amiva tyajyamapyuktam' padmajanmana'.
"Even if a young boy says something logical it should be accepted;
and even if the lotus-born Brahma' (the creator of the universe in Hinduism) says something illogical,
it should be rejected like a straw."
-- Advice of ancient Indian sages
Kevalam' sha'strama'shritya'm' na karttavyovinirn'ayah yuktihiina'
vica'retu dharmaha'ni praja'yate.
"It is undesirable to accept anything just because it is written in the scriptures;
for if the illogical sayings therein be accepted and acted upon, it results in the loss of dharma."
-- Advice of ancient Indian sages<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Like I just did, one can find textual support for all kinds of personal views, but they are no replacement for drawing one's own conclusions (perhaps by additionally considering others' views based on their experiences, particularly family's), learning one's own lessons and taking responsibility for one's own actions.
<!--QuoteBegin-Bodhi+Nov 14 2008, 10:42 PM-->QUOTE(Bodhi @ Nov 14 2008, 10:42 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Here is what one ancient tradition says.
[...]
a time tested medicine...
[right][snapback]90139[/snapback][/right]<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Ah, the first serious - and profound - disagreement between us. Let's file irreconcilable differences.
It's better to make one's own judgement calls and take personal responsibility for one's actions and views, than relying on old texts for support, however ancient and venerable and sensible (in other matters) their writers may be - such as Kautilya quoted in your post.
People are in charge only of their own actions, not that of others; and their own (almost) completely. In any case, I would never relinquish my own judgement for another's views.
And I see that Buddha agreed with me:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Buddha: Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it - even if I have said it - unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->And some unnamed ancient Hindu sages besides:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Yuktiyuktamupa'deyam' vacanam' ba'laka'dapi anyam'trn'amiva tyajyamapyuktam' padmajanmana'.
"Even if a young boy says something logical it should be accepted;
and even if the lotus-born Brahma' (the creator of the universe in Hinduism) says something illogical,
it should be rejected like a straw."
-- Advice of ancient Indian sages
Kevalam' sha'strama'shritya'm' na karttavyovinirn'ayah yuktihiina'
vica'retu dharmaha'ni praja'yate.
"It is undesirable to accept anything just because it is written in the scriptures;
for if the illogical sayings therein be accepted and acted upon, it results in the loss of dharma."
-- Advice of ancient Indian sages<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Like I just did, one can find textual support for all kinds of personal views, but they are no replacement for drawing one's own conclusions (perhaps by additionally considering others' views based on their experiences, particularly family's), learning one's own lessons and taking responsibility for one's own actions.