23
votes
What is it like to experience enlightenment?
The answer does somewhat depend on which tradition you follow, and what you mean by "enlightenment". For example, in Theravada Buddhism it could refer to either someone who has let go of everything (...
- 24k
13
votes
If one's inner monologue stops forever, is one necessarily an arahant?
Thoughts are one of the six sense objects; there is no reason to think that they stop when one becomes an arahant. It is quite clear that both the Buddha and arahants did indeed have thoughts after ...
- 24k
12
votes
If Rebirth is not taken literally then why seek Enlightenment?
I am a Rinzai Zen Monk with a decade-long monastic background so my answer will be relevant within our school's framework.
From a Zen POV being 'reborn' exists only within Reality.
Reality is purely ...
- 121
12
votes
Accepted
How come enlightened people don't have any laziness?
Speaking from the first hand experience, laziness comes from attachment, fear, or ignorance. No attachment, no fear, and no ignorance - translates to no laziness.
And how does attachment cause ...
- 57.2k
10
votes
Did the Buddha Meditate?
I can't find the reference at the moment but if I recall correctly, the Buddha continued to meditate after enlightenment for two reasons, according to the Theravada tradition: (1) To dwell in a ...
- 2,592
10
votes
In short, what is the path to enlightenment? Where to begin?
The shortest explanation of the path to enlightenment is to not crave or cling egoistically (possessively) to anything, which includes meditation & enlightenment. For example, in meditation, if ...
- 38.4k
10
votes
Why is there even a way to the end of suffering?
In MN64, the Buddha discusses the conundrum of identity and the presumed immaculate innocence of infants:
MN64:3.3: For a little baby doesn’t even have a concept of ‘identity’, so how could identity ...
- 9,238
8
votes
How do animals attain enlightenment?
In short they get reborn as a human being sometime in the future and practice.
You could help by reading some dhamma(suttas) to your cat if you wish.
There is a precedence in a sutta where a frog ...
- 3,398
8
votes
If Rebirth is not taken literally then why seek Enlightenment?
Let's consider Andrei's definition of Buddhism, for example (because it's a short and easy definition).
Buddhists believe that human experiences originate in the mind, training which through ...
- 45.1k
8
votes
If there is no self, why do anything?
It essentially doesn't change anything. If you look hard, that "I" was always an illusion. No matter where you try to draw a boundary - it is artificial:
Does the body belong to the self or not? How ...
- 191
7
votes
Accepted
Can we reach enlightentment with recreational drugs?
Conventional reality has an almost unshakeable hold on people leading almost everyone to accept the common game plan of life unquestioningly.
For some LSD or other drugs have led them to question ...
- 7,433
7
votes
Can all human beings potentially be enlightened in this lifetime?
In the Ugghaṭitaññū Sutta (AN. ii. 135) the Buddha says that there are
four kinds of person found in this world: those who are quick in
acquiring, those who learn by means of a detailed exposition,...
- 25.7k
7
votes
Accepted
What are Ekabiji?
This is indeed the standard categorization of sotāpanna in the Theravada. The Puggala-paññatti gives definitions for ekabījī and sakadāgāmī:
katamo ca puggalo ekabījī? idhekacco puggalo tiṇṇaṃ ...
- 24k
6
votes
Is self enlightenment achieved through contemplation of impermanence?
It really depends who you ask, and what you mean by "contemplate". The Buddha said:
When one sees with wisdom that 'all formations are impermanent', this is the path of purification.
(Dhp. ...
- 24k
6
votes
How do animals attain enlightenment?
An animal can't be liberated as an animal; that being itself may be liberated in future births in higher realms of being.
- 814
6
votes
Accepted
Do enlighted people cry? Did the Buddha ever cry?
Crying can be caused due to both physical and mental reasons.
Physical reasons:
Irritation in the eyes.
Sickness affecting the eyes.
Side effects of strong medication or extremely spicy food.
Mental ...
- 25.7k
6
votes
Did the Buddha Meditate?
In fact, the Buddha meditated everyday. All Arahaths meditate whenever they are not busy with teaching or day to day activities. But it is not to get rid of any defilements like ordinary beings. ...
- 25.7k
6
votes
Why can't we reason or logic our way to NIrvana?
I have read at various places that Nirvana can't be described or reached by logic or reason.
I think that's two questions: 1) described, 2) reached.
I think Nirvana is defined as being the end of ...
- 45.1k
6
votes
Accepted
Is Enlightment ultimatelly up to you (Karma and Freewill)?
Enlightenment comes as a natural result of the meditation practise. When you practise meditation with proper effort you'll realize very quickly that this is path of freedom from suffering. So with ...
- 1,048
6
votes
Non-Self vs. depersonalization disorder
In depersonalization and derealization disorders one recognizes a self that one is not, and that one believes one should be. This creates stress and anxiety, along with distortions of one's perception ...
- 4,792
6
votes
Hate myself more and more wish to die
You should keep on living, sorry. I have to deal with what my karma has to deal me as well. This is me now. Live forever! I am, I have no legs. I know that is nothing compared to a stroke. But you ...
- 91
5
votes
Can we reach enlightentment with recreational drugs?
Well I feel that it is extremely naive to think that taking recreational drugs can help the mind build empathy. It is almost the same as saying that watching pornography helps build empathy towards ...
- 718
5
votes
Is Satori the same as Enlightenment?
Mahayana Teachers speak of awakening or enlightenment in two meanings:
Awakening as liberation from delusions.
Complete awakening.
The first one is the experience of "seeing the true nature". I ...
- 1,493
5
votes
What is it like to experience enlightenment?
An account of Je Tsongkhapa's enlightenment, from The Central Philosophy of Tibet, by Robert A.F. Thurman, pp. 84-85
Finally, in 1398, the long years of effort came to fruition. The seed
planted ...
- 1,171
5
votes
Accepted
Dealing with angriness or sadness that comes up with "meditation"
How to deal with it without being ashamed of such feelings?
There's nothing wrong with feeling shame. How to deal with it? From a Buddhist point of view, you should practice meditation, and in my ...
- 814
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