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If someone 'did' attain Enlightenment in life. Would he still Meditate or would he Not need to now?
zenmyste
Veteran
If the ultimate goal when meditating is to achieve complete understanding and Enlightenment, and they 'did' achieve it, would that mean they wouldnt benifit from meditating anymore? Or would they still meditate?
(For example; 'Would Buddha have still meditated even 'after' his Enlightenment?
(For example; 'Would Buddha have still meditated even 'after' his Enlightenment?
0
Comments
Because an unenlightened mind, is clouded by illusion.
An enlightened mind has no such obscurations, but as with any muscle, you have to keep it toned.
Meditation prevents distractions, and focuses to a pinpoint-sharp intensity, the understanding and acceptance of suffering, and the refinement and activation of compassion.
1) Meditation leads to pleasant abiding (jhanas, nirodha samapatti, etc)
2) To serve as a good example for his students.
But we need to as we are still keep trying to have clarity about the object of our meditation.
@xabir - interesting point suggesting that it is no longer necessary after enlightenment but that it has some positives none the less.
Would one be meditating all the time? Perhaps - or perhaps the differences between living moment by moment and meditating in the moment dissolve to leave only one way of life...
The Buddha is constantly mindful and aware and equanimous in the midst of his worldly affairs, teaching, etc.
However he only enters into sublime states of samadhis (jhanas, nirodha samapatti, and so on) when in sitting meditation. He does this regularly.
It is a bit like exercising - even if you become fit, you should not stop exercising regularly. So even when you awaken, despite the fact that awakening cannot be lost, you should not stop meditating as it obviously has its own benefits.
the man is after all, dead now......
I realize the reality of impermanence and that all that lives must eventually die. But still, for me, there is something comforting about hearing the words in the present tense - as if to say "I'm still here." I like to think he's still here, in some sense : )
Many Blessings,
KwanKev
I think years ago I read an interpretation of the teachings of the three bodies and it stuck that way somehow. It makes it so I really have to pay attention to detail and I'm not even sure if I have it right. I've read about the three bodies TNH style and I think I understand but at the same time I may be messing it up.
'Buddha nature', is potential.
'Buddha' is realised.
Therefore, we cannot consider Buddha Nature to be Buddha - because Buddha was realised, we're not.
so we NEED to meditate - because we are not enlightened.
but...
what if we all are..?
We only just don't know it yet?
But you will also stop doing many things:
…"And any monk who is an Arahant, whose corruptions are destroyed, who has lived the life, done what has to be done, laid down the burden, gained the true goal, who has completely destroyed the fetter of becoming, and is liberated by supreme insight, is incapable of doing nine things: he is incapable of (1) deliberately taking the life of a living being; (2) taking what is not given so as to constitute theft; (3) sexual intercourse; (4) telling a deliberate lie; (5) storing up goods for sensual indulgence as he did formerly in the household life; (6) acting wrongly through attachment; (7) acting wrongly through hatred; (8) acting wrongly through folly; (9) acting wrongly through fear. These are the nine things which an Arahant, whose corruptions are destroyed, cannot do …" (~ Buddha)
I've also specifically heard my lama in a e-mail contact with a student who had pretty much overcome the difficulty in their life. Imagine that. And the person asked if it was ok that they did not meditate any more. Lama Shenpen I believe said yes they should I can't remember the rationale.