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Path to Stream Entry
GuyC
Veteran
Hi Friends,
How can we determine whether or not we are on the path to Stream-Entry? Is it possible for anyone to accurately say so, other than a Buddha?
With Metta,
Guy
How can we determine whether or not we are on the path to Stream-Entry? Is it possible for anyone to accurately say so, other than a Buddha?
With Metta,
Guy
0
Comments
Others may disagree.
Namaste
I think there is a reasonable chance I am on the path even though at times it seems like I am crawling along like a snail. But even if I'm not on the path, I am still trying my best (even if my best doesn't meet some idealized expectations of myself that may be lurking around in the back of my mind) to understand the Dhamma (and refine my understanding) and to follow the Noble Eightfold Path - So I don't think I can ask more of myself than that.
The strange thing is that I have faith in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha and I even have faith in my ability to walk the Path, but sometimes I wonder if I am making use of that ability as best as I could be.
Perhaps just recognizing doubt as doubt is sufficient to not get caught up in it. Or maybe I actually do need to kick my practice up a notch. What do you think?
Namaste
I just realized I contradicted myself:
And
But both of these seem true at different times. Sometimes I think I am trying my best and other times I doubt my progress. Perhaps the problem is measuring my progress in the first place as Matt pointed out in another thread. But then if I don't measure how will I know if I am headed in the right direction or not. Or maybe I need to measure on a larger time scale (year to year). It can be very confusing at times being a putthujjana.
Fortunately I am going on another meditation retreat (which I am really looking forward to) tomorrow so I am just going to throw all the doubting away (at least for a little while) and just do the practice....But then maybe if....
There are passages in the Suttas like this which stick in my mind and make me think that maybe ordaining is the best way for me:
"Samaññaphala Sutta: The Fruits of the Contemplative Life"(DN 2), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight, June 8, 2010, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.02.0.than.html
The only way to know for sure is by giving it a go. But there are a few things I need to sort out as a lay person until then, so until such time I guess I need to just try my best within the confines of a household environment, remembering that "it is not easy living at home to practice the holy life".
My hat goes off to those of you who are well established in their practice while living as a lay person.
This is why I follow Ajahn Chah's teaching.
this is also why i don't follow Mahayana, zen, random monks etc.. teachings.
Althought i like to listen to the Dalai Lama, but this is more of a philosophical, lifestyle interest.
good call
Bad call. if you think that there are not equally good teachers and students. Putting Mahayana on par with... .... is ridiculous.
You know Chah only from books and have never attended our Thai Forest Sangha in Toronto Pat. You do not have a teacher in Ajahn Chah's lineage. Going to Sunim's Zendo at College and Spadina now and then doesn't constitute being a student of Zen either. Sorry, but your statement was really insulting and bogus.
it was only my opinion.
stating why i do what i do.
Not implying or saying that others are right or wrong to do what they do.
If you keep on taking words and opinions personally, you will keep on getting insulted
Richard, the Lay Thai Forest guy, was just inappropriately possessive.
I have read a few of Ajahn Chah's books and they are very interesting and potentially useful...but...I think that we need to be careful when learning Dhamma just from books alone since certain teachings are given in certain contexts to certain individuals often for very specific reasons.
I feel extremely fortunate to live in Western Australia where Ajahn Brahm (who as you probably know was a student of Ajahn Chah's) resides so I can go to him (when he's not too busy) and ask him questions about my practice. He has a real knack for teaching Dhamma and has already helped me a great deal, particularly in inspiring me to practice.
But even better than books and teachers, as Javelin has mentioned, is overcoming doubts by ourselves. As much as I appreciate the guidance and support of fellow Buddhists, there is only so much they can do, the rest is up to me.
I better get ready for my meditation retreat now. After 10 days of meditation I should at least be a stream-enterer, if not a once-returner, so I will come back here and teach you how to do it too.
It's important to do your own research (hopefully of more than one tradition), observe life, and meditate.
Namaste
It's so wonderful that you can go to Ajahn Brahm to discuss your journey. We're so incredibly fortunate to have the teachers and resources we have in the world today. It was only 30 some years ago that it was still difficult to find Buddhist teachings written in English in the West and look at everything we have today. Amazing. Just amazing.
I hope you have a great retreat, Guy.
Thanks
I agree that it would be wise to get a good grasp on Buddhism and having a qualified teacher to ask questions to before practicing alone.
Books can very often be interpreted the wrong way, and a wrong interpretation about a fundamental notion can mean years of crucial misunderstanding leading to a waste of time and no progress.
But personally, i never claimed to learn the Dhamma only from books.
Richard H did so, for un-Buddha like reasons
Proclaiming yourself a follower of Ajahn Chah and denegrating Mahayana Buddhism in the same breath is something no one in the Sangha does.
Maybe I got you all wrong. If so sorry.
Perhaps those in the Sangha (or at least one of them) should busy themselves working on themselves, until they developed enough equanimity not to offend themselves chatting in online discussion forums, and feel compelled to defend the honor of the groups or organizations they attached themselves to...