user254: This question was asked on the main site: Is it a good idea to spend time on this website?
The OP edited it and it's now considered a valid question, but Andrei wrote in a comment,

I'm not in love with how it's phrased but I agree it's a valid question. 

and the OP replied,

I'm not in love with the phrasing either :) but I don't know how to set it better, I'm open to edits 


So, this meta-topic is an experiment, it's a way to be "open to edits".

Post your suggestions here (below), to suggest how you would understand/rephrase the question
The OP (@bbozo) can read these suggestions and pick one that's asking what he wants to ask.

The question on the main site is on hold until then.

user254: As a potential edit, I suggest,
Title: Is this Q&A worthwhile?
I'm thinking of these two quotes -- from Wumen Huikai:

The instant you speak about a thing, you miss the mark.

and of course, Fen Yang:

When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of scripture are not enough. When you have realized understanding, even one word is too much.

From this, and other sources, one might conclude that spending time on an online forum looking for, or giving wisdom, is one possible path to illusion for the subtle "enlightened" ego,
On the other hand, here I am writing enlightening things on an online forum but yet I feel it is worthwhile ^_^

So given this problem -- this context and these concerns -- my question is: Is it a good idea to spend time on this website? How could it be worthwhile, if "speaking about a thing misses the mark" and "even one word is too much"?

user254: I think Samana Johann is suggesting that the original version was the best, i.e.,
Title: Is it a good idea to spend time on this website?
To say the word is to miss the mark, said a monk, one would assume same is implied in writing it?

user43: Title: Is talking about Dharma beneficial or harmful?
Discussing Dharma at length and analyzing it, is this always beneficial or could it be counterproductive? - different traditions seem to have different opinions about this. Especially in the Far-Eastern tradition (Chan / Zen), there seems to exist a definite suspicion towards these activities, in comparison with "practice".
Several quotes come to mind, e.g. this one from Lao-tzu:

Those who know do not say. Those who say do not know.

Also, Wumen Huikai:

The instant you speak about a thing, you miss the mark.

and of course, Fen Yang:

When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of scripture are not enough. When you have realized understanding, even one word is too much.

What are the dangers of discussing/analyzing Dharma? (This includes, but not limited to, spending time on this site, asking and answering questions). Where should one draw the line? - are there canonical teachings about this in any school, or some practical wisdom passed down the line?

254: <p>This question was asked on the main site: <strong><a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/13614/254">Is it a good idea to spend time on this website?</a></strong></p>

<p>The OP edited it and it's now considered a valid question, but Andrei wrote in a comment,</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I'm not in love with how it's phrased but I agree it's a valid question. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>and the OP replied,</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I'm not in love with the phrasing either :) but I don't know how to set it better, I'm open to edits </p>
</blockquote>

<hr>

<p>So, this meta-topic is an experiment, it's a way to be "open to edits".</p>

<ul>
<li>Post your suggestions here (below), to suggest how you would understand/rephrase the question</li>
<li>The OP (@bbozo) can read these suggestions and pick one that's asking what he wants to ask.</li>
</ul>

<p>The question on the main site is on hold until then.</p>
 254: <p>As a potential edit, I suggest,</p>

<h2>Title: Is this Q&amp;A worthwhile?</h2>

<p>I'm thinking of these two quotes -- from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wumen_Huikai" rel="nofollow">Wumen Huikai</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The instant you speak about a thing, you miss the mark.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>and of course, Fen Yang:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of scripture are not enough. When you have realized understanding, even one word is too much.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>From this, and other sources, one might conclude that spending time on an online forum looking for, or giving wisdom, is one possible path to illusion for the subtle "enlightened" ego,</p>

<p>On the other hand, here I am writing enlightening things on an online forum but yet I feel it is worthwhile ^_^</p>

<hr>

<p>So given this problem -- this context and these concerns -- my question is: Is it a good idea to spend time on this website? How could it be worthwhile, if "speaking about a thing misses the mark" and "even one word is too much"?</p>
 254: <p>I think Samana Johann is suggesting that the original version was the best, i.e.,</p>

<h2>Title: Is it a good idea to spend time on this website?</h2>

<p>To say the word is to miss the mark, said a monk, one would assume same is implied in writing it?</p>
 43: <h2>Title: Is talking about Dharma beneficial or harmful?</h2>

<p>Discussing Dharma at length and analyzing it, is this always beneficial or could it be counterproductive? - different traditions seem to have different opinions about this. Especially in the Far-Eastern tradition (Chan / Zen), there seems to exist a definite suspicion towards these activities, in comparison with "practice".</p>

<p>Several quotes come to mind, e.g. this one from Lao-tzu:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Those who know do not say. Those who say do not know.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Also, Wumen Huikai:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The instant you speak about a thing, you miss the mark.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>and of course, Fen Yang:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of scripture are not enough. When you have realized understanding, even one word is too much.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>What are the dangers of discussing/analyzing Dharma? (This includes, but not limited to, spending time on this site, asking and answering questions). Where should one draw the line? - are there canonical teachings about this in any school, or some practical wisdom passed down the line?</p>
