Hi John. Thanks for your response. You probably won't be surprised to discover that I don't completely agree with you.

I don't wish to give the impression that I am an authority in Buddhism, and I don't think that the article gives that impression. I am merely an outsider observing and discussing these questions. I'm sorry if my responses to Leong seem arrogant; I thought rather that he was being arrogant, in claiming so definitively his authority in these matters. That is why I made my response, which is merely a discussion of the questions, in the first place.

I agree with the first part of your analysis of the human situation. Then your discussion goes into the heart of my question. Again I would ask, does it really matter what one believes on this issue? Does it actually make a difference to the way we live our lives? You make the statement: “You, Graham, are perfectly complete, entirely whole, without beginning or end, unborn and undying”. That sounds pretty much like a description of a permanent self or soul.

I've edited the article to include a link to your response.