Hmmm

[austin_tycho]

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): One of Sesame Street's most recognizable
characters is Cookie Monster. After years of feasting on all the cookies he
wanted, the fuzzy blue puppet has recently been forced to limit his
intake. In an effort to teach kids better eating habits, the show's
producers even require Cookie Monster to sing a song called, "A Cookie Is
a Sometimes Food." I vociferously protest this action. Born November 2,
Cookie Monster is a Scorpio, and Scorpios shouldn't be compelled to tone
down their desires as long as their desires aren't hurting anyone. You're
on this earth to explore your cravings, to be led by your cravings to the
frontiers of understanding. That's the only way they can teach you all
they have to teach. Now go and commune with as many cookies (or your
personal equivalent) as you need to.


So Scorpios might make poor Buddhists. Yeah, hard to imagine Cookie Monster as a Buddhist.

Comments

[austingoddess.livejournal.com]

I disagree. He's one of the happiest characters I can think of, very in touch with himself and what makes him happy. True, it's a material thing that gives him his physical and spiritual high, but I bet he knows cookies well enough to be able to call up the taste of them at any time!

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

Sure, but he still seeks them to eat. From the Religious Tolerance site's entry about Buddhism:

The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering. They may be described (somewhat simplistically) as:

1. Dukkha: Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and and almost universal. Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the impermanence of pleasure.)
2. Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.)
3. Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana (a.k.a. Nibbana). The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.)
4. Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.

I always got the impression that Cookie Monster was happy because he was kind of dumb. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I also can't imagine him writing the angsty poetry most of the smart kids I knew wrote in high school. There are days when I would be willing to trade brains with Cookie Monster.

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

Dammit, didn't put in the real link:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism1.htm

[austingoddess.livejournal.com]

Very much so - there's something very blissful about having little intelligence, little imagination, simply Being. And that's how I see Cookie Monster as a Buddhist - he's excellent at Being. Yes, cookies are technically a sensual pleasure, but if that's all you're about, I bet he could get around the physical component.
I could be thinking more Zen, though.

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't know. My perception just based on what I'm reading is that Buddhism requires a bit more intelligence than some paths, what with the emphasis on Right thinking, Right mindfulness, Right concentration, and whatall. Seems to require more than a little brain wattage, but like I said, I'm just basing this on my outside observation.

I appreciate what I know of Buddhism from what I've seen, and there are many aspects of it that I think I could definitely find useful in my personal practice. Some, however, I don't think I fit with- but that's fine, I don't fit with all aspects of any religion, even the one I'm currently practicing. I don't think many people do.

[austingoddess.livejournal.com]

If there's such a religion as hedonistic Zen paganism, I'm switching to that side *so* fast.

[austingoddess.livejournal.com]

On a slightly more serious note, you're right - I think religion is more for people of higher intelligence. If you're of lower intelligence and of a positive focus, you're probably mostly There. Don't need no stinkin' doctrine!

[temujin9.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to imagine it, and the result is something like Yoda's younger redneck cousin . . .

"Mmmmm. Heed desire you should not, unless it is for COOOOOKIEES!"