That might be the reason why a famous Buddhist
restaurant in Brussels is called "Le Paradoxe".

As I understand, it is precisely the understanding
that every thing is conditioned
(paticcasamutpada/pratityasamutpada), to begin with
the "self", a mere bunch of customs, habits and
reflexes, that makes one free. Because one admits that
he/she is completely conditioned, they can set up to
try understanding how conditioning works in order to
use it - condition oneself - for one's own chosen
aims and not for society's or the species's aims. One
is then free or as free as one can be.

Yours with Metta,

Jacques

--- keren_arbel <keren_arbel@...> wrote:

> The issue of "free will" in the context of the
> Buddha's teaching might
> be problematic. If everything has causes and
> conditions, how can "free
> will" operate? "Free will" seems to be a concept
> which hints that
> there is some action or intention "outside" or
> "beyond" these causes
> and conditions. If not, "free will" must have its
> own causes and
> conditions. Than what is the meaning of "free" here,
> in the dependent
> origination...?
> Also, time and its fragmentation might only be a
> concept of the un-
> awakened mind...
>
> With Metta,
> Keren
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

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