David N. Snyder quotes

David N. Snyder, Ph.D. (1962- ) is a bestselling Buddhist writer primarily writing and teaching from the Theravada school of Buddhism. He is also founder of Vipassana Foundation and Dhamma Wiki.

Quotes

On biological evolution, animals, soul theories

• An understanding and acceptance of the theory of evolution is important because without that acceptance there is a perception of a great separation between humans and animals which simply is not true.

• If animals are not spiritual beings subject to a heaven or hell or to rebirth; if animals do not have a soul, then neither do humans. The human species evolved from other species of animals. We are animals, members of the Animal Kingdom. If humans are spiritual beings, then so are all animals.

• For those that believe in a soul but reject rebirth, then my (rhetorical) question to them is, where did the souls come from? If from God, then why only humans have this? We evolved from other animals -- we are animals; members of the Animal Kingdom.

On The Four Noble Truths

• Suffering exists because of unfulfilled expectations. Therefore, it follows that, the logical negation of false expectations leads to no suffering. By following the eightfold middle path, you have the absolute value of fulfilled expectations which are greater than or equal to the sum total of all expectations.

On meditation and posture

• Pain exists, suffering is optional; reduce resistance to pain and you reduce your suffering.

• It matters more what you do with your mind than what you do with your legs.

On vegetarianism

• The bottom line from an ahimsa view which all Dharmic religions aspire to, is that any diet choice is going to have some 'collateral' damage, even if you are vegan (the harvest damage to insects or small animals). So judging any diet as being particularly violent or unwholesome is not very helpful since all diets are somewhat violent. However, we could try to choose the least amount of violence, if we are able to. We should also realize that some people don't always have that luxury due to family, culture, or if they are a monastic.

On Western philosophy

• Western schools of philosophical thought have failed to be valid in all situations as one exclusive school of thought could not explain all possible phenomena. The Dhamma does not fit into any one of the Western philosophies. Much of the Vinaya is deontological. Skillful means can be considered consequentialist. The Four Noble Truths, Dependent Origination and kamma are natural ethics. Investigation, energy (Pali: vicaya, viriya) can fit to being compatible with skeptical inquiry. The Vinaya changing over time and circumstances can make the Dhamma compatible with subjectivity. The Dhamma mostly fits to natural ethics. Living beings are naturally subject to pain and suffering and there is a way to the end of suffering. Kamma and Dependent Origination are natural events that can be observed and experienced.

On the many different schools of Buddhism

• Different strokes for different folks. They are all good. Each tradition can be seen as a technique for different temperaments. All head toward nibbana / nirvana. Some take a short path, some take the scenic route.

General comments and thoughts regarding Buddhism

• When rigidity to a rule or tradition comes in conflict with compassion; choose compassion.

References

• http://mpbvf.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/quotes-by-david-n-snyder-phd/
• http://mpbvf.wordpress.com/category/buddhist-quotes/
• http://www.dhammawheel.com/ Theravada Buddhist forum, currently the largest Buddhist forum on the internet
• http://www.dharmawheel.net/ Mahayana Buddhist forum, currently the largest Mahayana Buddhist forum on the internet
• Right Understanding in Plain English; The Science of the Buddha’s Middle Path, Vipassana Foundation (2000), ISBN 0-9679-2850-8.
• The Complete Book of Buddha’s Lists -- Explained, Vipassana Foundation (2006), ISBN 0-9679-2851-6.
• Buddhism and Vegetarianism, Fifteen Questions and Answers, Shabkar.org (2006)