15
votes
Buddhism broke up my marriage
I don't suppose that any of us are qualified to advise you on your marriage or the optimal duration of it.
In theory, I really don't think it's fair to say that Buddhist love is non-romantic. The ...
- 151
10
votes
If Buddhas don't feel bliss, what is the purpose of attaining nirvana?
From AN 9.34:
Ven: Sariputta: “Reverends, extinguishment (Nibbana) is bliss!
Ven. Udayi: “But Reverend Sāriputta, what’s blissful about it, since
nothing is felt?”
Ven. Sariputta: “The fact that ...
- 37.4k
9
votes
Accepted
Is Nibbana a state of mind or an element (dhamma)?
Nibbana is asankhata dhatu (unconditioned element or unconditioned dhamma) therefore it is not a state of mind (MN 115).
Insight wisdom (vipassana) into the three characteristics uproots craving (SN ...
- 40.5k
8
votes
What is Nirvana (mahayana)?
Warning: To not make it too long, I avoided quotes. In addition, this is merely a summary. Just like with Theravada, there are interpretations. Since I present things in a traditional way, please do ...
- 5,206
7
votes
If there's no "self" then why should I care about the future lives and nirvana?
Whether you believe in a 'self' or not, suffering is very real. You experience it on a daily basis. It is this suffering that makes beings look for an end to it. There's only one permanent end to ...
- 25.7k
7
votes
Accepted
If someone says publicly that he has achieved nirvana , can it be true?
From a Theravada perspective, the answer is probably "no".
While not being a sutta, the Milindapanha states if a layperson attains to Arahatship they either ordain as a monk or die.
If the ...
- 40.5k
7
votes
Accepted
What is one's relationship with the world upon attaining Nirvana (and how do we work to get there)
From my own experience, at certain point in one's practice, one's ties with the regular world reduce so much that one no longer gets any energy from participating in mundane affairs ("There is nothing ...
- 58.3k
7
votes
Buddhism broke up my marriage
She is your Buddha, your dharma, and your sangha. Love the world through your love for her. Your marriage is your refuge and your bodhimandala. It is the place where you will awaken - no less ...
- 349
7
votes
How can we end the suffering of all animals?
Are you sure a black hole will destroy everything? Do you understand the world enough to determine what is best for other beings? Why did the Buddha declare the cosmos to be one of the four ...
- 154
7
votes
Accepted
Death and nibbana
Nibbana is cessation of delusion, cessation of ambition and greed, cessation of lacking, cessation of needing more, cessation of "everything is wrong", cessation of worrying about one's ...
- 58.3k
7
votes
Why aren't there omnicidal Buddhists?
existence is the root of suffering
no, it's not. The official definitions are "unsatisfied thirst is [mental] suffering", "craving and grasping is the origin of suffering", "...
- 58.3k
6
votes
What is Nirodha?
Daniel Goleman was mistaken. An excellent internet review of his book states:
Two notable mistakes are made in this section, one being the consistent misspelling of pañña as puñña (I get a little ...
- 40.5k
6
votes
Accepted
What do secular Buddhists say about Nirvana?
Here are some other references (which three people suggested in comments, which I have deleted and moved here):
I think you will enjoy this article. The Buddha has taught in Alagaddupama Sutta that ...
6
votes
Accepted
How to get to Nirvana?
The fourth noble truth states that the path to ending suffering is the noble eightfold path.
Right view
Right resolve
Right speech
Right action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right ...
- 1,603
6
votes
Accepted
Why Lord Buddha didn't stay alive till the end of this "Kalpa"
The Buddha did not ask venerable Ananda to invite him to extend his life. He only hinted that it is possible for him to do so.
Mara's Appeal
And when the Venerable Ananda had gone away, Mara, the ...
- 25.7k
6
votes
Help! I'm in love with enlightened man
If he is really enlightened, he will not be interested in you (romantically). If he is interested in you (romantically), he is not enlightened. The Pali suttas state:
It is impossible for... whose ...
- 40.5k
6
votes
Accepted
What is the fastest way to reach enlightenment?
You're probably thinking of the Bahiya Sutta (Udana 1.10).
Once there was a bark-clad ascetic Bahiya who thought he was enlightened, but a deva told him that he wasn't and asked him to seek out the ...
- 37.4k
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 ...
- 46.3k
6
votes
Buddhism broke up my marriage
Eating food is impermanent. After a few minutes, the food is chewed & swallowed. After 24 hours or so, the food becomes excrement. However, we still eat food.
Similarly, your lives as husband &...
- 40.5k
6
votes
Buddhism broke up my marriage
Buddhism does not contradict romantic love; Buddhism contradicts romantic obsession. Granting that this is a terribly difficult discrimination for most people to make — confusing love with obsession ...
- 5,015
6
votes
How do we know attaining complete liberation from dukkha is possible?
the diminishing of the presence of tanha leads to the diminishing of the presence of dukkha... the extension of this principle... via inductive reasoning... applied all the way until complete ...
- 58.3k
5
votes
Accepted
Once nirvana is reached is there any connection to earth available?
The short answer is no.
When the Buddha attained Nirvana, he exclaimed (Dhammapada 153 - 154):
Through many a birth in samsara have I wandered in vain, seeking the builder of this house (of life). ...
- 37.4k
5
votes
The bliss of nirvana without sensation
A basic answer is, Nirvana is zero attachment and zero aversion. Imagine how you'd feel if you had zero attachments and zero aversions, not even a slightest hint. That is Nirvana.
I'm not sure what ...
- 58.3k
5
votes
Accepted
Why doesn't a person cease to exist as soon as becoming an arahant?
The mind cannot exist without a body except in the Arupa Brahma realms.
Arahanths have no desire to die. So becoming enlightened does not imply that they have to immediately die. It's like when you ...
- 25.7k
5
votes
If there's no "self" then why should I care about the future lives and nirvana?
The questions are illogical. It was asked: If there's no "self'" then why should I care about his life if I will no longer exist?
The question is loaded with 'self', even though it claims there is no ...
- 40.5k
5
votes
Accepted
How should I stop thinking that I am even slightly enlightened?
The appropriate response to such a thought of personal enlightenment is: "fart".
Su Dongpo was an avid student of Buddhist teachings. He was
quick-witted and humorous; as a Zen Buddhism follower ...
- 1,705
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible