Question about Enlightenment?

leahnc

I read that in the past there have been enlightened individuals/monks/arhats who reached Nirvana/enlightenment and took there own lives? http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma/suicide.html

This really concerns me! Intellectually I understand what enlightenment is, I have not experienced it at this point. Im not sure I want to be enlightened after reading this!

Isnt one of the benefits of enlightenment to express compassion and loving kindness towards others and living a life without craving and attachment?

Why would these monks choose to take their own lives instead of choosing to be mentors or teachers to others? It is a selfish act and a desire for escapism?

patbb

imagine thousands of years ago,

without modern medicine.

your body completely invalid, ravaged by disease.
getting up is impossible, using the washroom impossible...
overwhelmed with pain, hopeless for any kind of healing.
Fluids going everywhere...

Teaching isn't an option at this point, and being surrounded with arhats there are plenty of teachers to go around.

without being attach to your own life, i can begin to see how perhaps they can be ready to let go.

Just like today, at some point when someone is really sick, the sick person decide to stop the treatments and just let go...

jll

No need to be concerned.
An arhat will not take his own life.
It goes against everything Buddha taught.

Zero

Not being sure that you want to be enlightened isnt a bad place to be - continue to examine and ponder on this duality - I'm not sure that anyone can truly say that they know what tomorrow will bring (enlightened or not)- if you havent killed yourself today then youre doing well! Try to replicate tomorrow! In my mind, enlightenment will only strengthen your resolve to see where it ends naturally and to joyfully participate in the journey inbetween...

Jason

I read that in the past there have been enlightened individuals/monks/arhats who reached Nirvana/enlightenment and took there own lives? http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma/suicide.html

This really concerns me! Intellectually I understand what enlightenment is, I have not experienced it at this point. Im not sure I want to be enlightened after reading this!

Isnt one of the benefits of enlightenment to express compassion and loving kindness towards others and living a life without craving and attachment?

Why would these monks choose to take their own lives instead of choosing to be mentors or teachers to others? It is a selfish act and a desire for escapism?

I don't see why. Yes, there are cases in the Pali Canon where monks have committed suicide either just before or after awakening due to incurable illness and unbearable pain (e.g., MN 144). The human body and mind has limits, pure and simple. Just because one is free from greed, hatred, and delusion doesn't mean that one is free from these limitations; and if one is no longer able to physically endure the ravages of a terminal illness, why should we expect them to just to satisfy our desire for them to stick around and be our mentor? Doesn't that make us the selfish ones? Just something to think about.

Telly03

It could be just the lack of fear of death? Most Christians believe suicide is a serious sin... not a good thing to do right before you are to be judged. I think Buddhists have a better understanding of how natural and necessary death is.

leahnc

Thanks for the replies everyone - you all have shed some light on this for me.

Cinorjer

A simple and honest answer is that occasionally Buddhism has become infected with the idea that suicide can be an unselfish act of sacrifice in certain situations. There are conflicting opinions about that, then and now. Most Buddhists today consider the prohibition against killing to extend to killing oneself. However, some cultures still honor this type of sacrifice,.