awoken

ThailandTom

I heard something yesterday that helped a lot with my view on buddhism and the goal itself. It has been said before many times over the path is the goal, but obviously it would be nice if we could become awoken wouldn't it, fully awake and not dreaming still.
This is the key word, 'awake'. I prefer this than saying 'enlightened' as awoken one is a better translation than enlightened and appears more realistic. The word 'enlightenment' has got a certain meaning surrounding it that the west has adopted I feel and seems an almost unobtainable thing. But to be fully awake seems reachable. To be fully aware of the causes of suffering, to be rid of attachment and desire, to have unconditional compassion for living things as if they were you own mother. This does not seem impossible and personally helps with my enthusiasm and practice.

I also heard that a monk named ajahn cha or chan, maybe ja I don't know lol, has so say been enlightened or awoken. Does anyone know about the legitimacy of this as I am curious?

Thanks tom

Valtiel

he word 'enlightenment' has got a certain meaning surrounding it that the west has adopted

I would agree, although I still use the word sometimes.

I also heard that a monk named ajahn cha or chan, maybe ja I don't know lol, has so say been enlightened or awoken.

Ajahn Chah? He was a highly respected and very wise man. You can never really know whether another person is enlightened, but you can have a good idea by seeing the efficiency of putting what they teach into practice, by seeing how they they present themselves and how it has affected their own lives... for him, he evidently practiced what he preached and was at peace to the end despite the illness that overcame him. I have never considered anyone enlightened before, as I think it way too easily leads to worship, and I am as sure as I can be that never referred to himself as such, but if I could only suggest a single teacher, personally he is one of my favourites...

ThailandTom

Yes it must be ajahn chah, thailand? I heard someone say that they were with him for some years and it was fine, great in fact to learn from him. But after some time he realised ajahn chah did not practice what he preached to the full extent. For example eating in the afternoon, having messy robes etc. he replied that if he was perfect, then you would search for this out there when it does not exist and laughed I don't know enough or even a moderate amount about him to comment, just curious at these comments I heard

Valtiel

For example eating in the afternoon, having messy robes etc.

He probably forgot to flush sometimes too.

Personally, his way of responding to the world and his compassion and the peace he knew even in severe illness is what I was referring to and what matter to me. :P

You can read a lot of his work here: http://www.what-buddha-taught.net/

ThailandTom

Thank you I will give it a thorough read soon enough

FoibleFull

When Tenzin Palmo (author of "Cave on the Snow") gave a public lecture here some years ago, someone asked her what enlightenment was like.
The corners her mouth went up ever so slightly and she slowly said, "It is like waking up".

After all, one of the maxims from "The Seven Points of Mind-Training" says, "regard all phenomenon as like dreams."

Awakening. Yeah.