Buddhist Ideal and the teachings of Shaku Soen

Some bits and pieces of Shaku Soen's Dharma talks.

...It is not the buddhist ideal to escape worldliness and enter into a realm of eternal stillness. This sometimes misunderstood by individuals who read too much into the concepts of "no-mind" or emptiness. Buddhists do not shun struggle and conflict if the cause is worth contending for or defending. Buddhists will not hesitate to sacrifice for it not only in this life but in all of their future lives (this does not infer reincarnation but rather the concept of individual actions inspiring individuals of future generations - each in essence is an extention of your own life.) ...

...It is not buddhistic to hanker after personal immortality and to construct diversity of theories to satisfy this illegitimate desire. Do whatever you think right and be sincere with it and the work will take care of itself, with or without immotality...

...Some may think that this is fatalism or determinism, but every clearheaded thinker would see in this not a fatalistic conception of life but a hopeful solution of existance, a firm belief in the final triumph of good over evil, and the calm assurance that the individual lives as long as it identifies with a noble thought, worthy work, exalted sentiment, uplifting impulse, in short, with anything that cements the brotherly tie of all mankind...

... The predominant tendency of Buddhism towards inellectuality...the reason why Buddhism is always ready to stand before the tribunal of science and let her pass a judgement upon its merits or demerits is due to this intellectual tenor...

... the practical side of Buddhism: The aim...is to dispel the clouds of ignorance and to make shine the sun of enlightenment. We are selfish because we are ignorant as to the nature of the self...Buddhist do not recognise any original sin, but acknowledge the existance of ignorance and insist on its total removal as the surest means of enlightenment...

...what the Buddhist practical faith is...1) to cease from wrongdoing, 2) to promote goodness and 3) to enlighten the ignorant...it has nothing mysterious, nothing superstitious, nothing idolatrous, nothing supernatural.