Do you practice Buddhism to achieve Enlightenment?

zenmyste

Im not talking about what you think 'others' are doing.. Id like to know about 'YOUR THOUGHTS'

Do 'you' personally practice Buddhism and Meditation in hope to achieve Enlightenment? or not necessarily...

If you dont practice just for Enlightenment, then what are your personal reasons for being a Buddhist?

(For those who will ask me to define Enlightenment, I aint got a clue) I guess its about what ''you'' think Enlightenment is and are striking for it?

Thanks in advance!


[My question is based entirely on interested only]. (For those who might be wondering why I always ask such questions)

Dakini

um...I practice it because I like it?

zenmyste

um...I practice it because I like it?

cool. Me too really.
thanks for your comment.

taiyaki

Enlightenment in my opinion is the end of aversion and attachment through the recognition of the non dual state.

In Dzogchen the ground is the non dual state. The path is from ignorance (duality) to wisdom (non duality). And the fruit is the non dual state.

So it all comes down to recognition of the non dual state, which is the non separation of luminosity and emptiness or to put simply buddha nature.

So either we recognize buddha nature or we don't. Since we do not, we traverse the vehicles of Buddhism. Until we recognize the non dual state, which has and always will be. Even in our ignorance.

So with that context, yes, I practice Buddhism so that one day I can recognize the natural state and not only recognize but integrate it in all aspects of life.

Whether we all agree or not, Buddhism is about freedom. We all want freedom, we all just take different paths towards the same goal.

Just my opinion though.

I_AM_THAT

For me... It Works!

caz

I try

zenmyste

For me... It Works!

It works in what way??? it works towards enlightenment?

I_AM_THAT

For me... It Works!

It works in what way??? it works towards enlightenment?

It's the most natural thing that I have done... for me, it's all about the journey. In my opinion; enlightenment is not something that can be achieved, only awakened too.

genkaku

Practice is like changing the oil in a car -- things work better that way.

I don't know what enlightenment is, but whatever it is, I figure it knows what it's doing so I don't have to worry about it.

Invincible_summer

To me, enlightenment isn't some blissed-out, aura-casting, levitating thing (not that you painted it out to be that way, @zenmyste). It's the cessation of suffering due to dropping attachments, judging, expectations, preconceptions; it's the cultivation of metta and compassion; it's the wisdom to use all this to help others in skillful ways.

I guess I indirectly meditate to maybe one day awaken total Enlightenment, but not as a direct goal - it's one of those "It'd be nice, but let's just reap the more immediate benefits" things. Mainly, I just try to "walk the path" and do my share of cushion-sitting and see where that takes me. but perhaps deep down I'm hoping to get all enlightened up in this

zenmyste

interesting answers. Thanks guys. :-)

driedleaf

I'm not really expecting to be enlightened this lifetime, but I am sure that those who put forth a lifetime of hard work and devotion will ultimately receive something wonderful and amazing in return.

I practice Buddhism because I believe it brings me good karma for myself and those around me.

federica

I practice to do what the Buddha taught - to understand suffering, and transcend suffering.
How long it takes, is up to me.
What it brings, is extraordinary contentment.
if I feel crappy, it's because i have chosen to ignore the lesson for a while....

silly girl....!

:rolleyes:

DairyLama

Do 'you' personally practice Buddhism and Meditation in hope to achieve Enlightenment? or not necessarily...

Yes, it's hard work so I want a prize at the end..

RichardH

Committed practice really kicks in when there is no choice.... When tail chasing has been played out, you take a seat.

seeker242

Yes...and No.