Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Register
Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04
Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.

enlightenment experience

newone11newone11
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Hi

I'm curious if according to Buddhism one can have only one enlightenment experience or is it possible to have more than just one?

For example the first one can be a shallow one, the next one a bit deeper and so on.

What do you think?

Comments

  • shenpennangwashenpennangwa
    edited October 2010
    newone11 wrote: »
    Hi

    I'm curious if according to Buddhism one can have only one enlightenment experience or is it possible to have more than just one?

    For example the first one can be a shallow one, the next one a bit deeper and so on.

    What do you think?
    Most Buddhist traditions follow a gradualist approach.
    Realization comes in increments over a long period of time and eventually culminates with the total realization of Buddhahood.
    So in a sense, yes, there are many experiences of realization as one progresses on the path.
  • DazzleDazzle
    edited October 2010
    Hi newone11,

    What exactly do you mean by "enlightenment experience" ? Could you describe it please?


    Kind wishes,

    Dazzle


    .
  • ZaylZayl Veteran
    edited October 2010
    I assume you mean the final realization like Gautama Buddha had under the Bodhi tree? I'd think once you were fully enlightened, it would be a one-time yet lifelong deal. Keyword: Think.
  • newone11newone11
    edited October 2010
    Dazzle wrote: »
    Hi newone11,

    What exactly do you mean by "enlightenment experience" ? Could you describe it please?


    Kind wishes,

    Dazzle


    .

    Hi

    For example the first time you may find out who you are and what you are, the second time what life is, the third time you may discover something else, some other important truth.
    Are these all enlightenment experiences or just insights?
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    edited October 2010
    As a matter of curiousity, who or what do think you are ?
  • upekkaupekka Veteran
    edited October 2010
    newone11 wrote: »
    Hi

    For example the first time you may find out who you are and what you are, the second time what life is, the third time you may discover something else, some other important truth.
    Are these all enlightenment experiences or just insights?

    the first time you know (first stage); who you are; what you are; what is life; and discover something else, some other important truth and all these are enlightenment experiences and insights too (there are no words to explain these things so you (we) have to experience them)

    once you have such experience, you know what you have to do to get to the second stage, the third stage and the final stage
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    edited October 2010
    upekka wrote: »
    once you have such experience, you know what you have to do to get to the second stage, the third stage and the final stage

    Please do not misguide, upekka.
  • DazzleDazzle
    edited October 2010
    newone11 wrote: »
    Hi

    For example the first time you may find out who you are and what you are, the second time what life is, the third time you may discover something else, some other important truth.
    Are these all enlightenment experiences or just insights?


    Probably just the beginnings of an understanding of the basics.

    Have you read and contemplated The Four Noble Truths? :)

    http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm



    .
  • newone11newone11
    edited October 2010
    Dazzle wrote: »
    Probably just the beginnings of an understanding of the basics.

    Have you read and contemplated The Four Noble Truths? :)

    http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm



    .

    No, I haven't read it. Thanks.
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    I think it depends on how you define enlightenment. You could look at the final stage as the only one worthy of being called enlightenment, or you can look at each stage as being a lesser form of enlightenment. I'm quite sure most would only call the last stage enlightenment.
  • upekkaupekka Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Floating_Abu wrote: »
    Please do not misguide, upekka.
    if this is wrong, i am always ready to learn from anyone

    could you guide me and show me where i was/am wrong
    could you use a new thread if possible, please

    thank you in advance
  • robbyrobby
    edited October 2010
    newone11 wrote: »
    Hi

    I'm curious if according to Buddhism one can have only one enlightenment experience or is it possible to have more than just one?

    For example the first one can be a shallow one, the next one a bit deeper and so on.

    What do you think?

    Different schools have different ideas on this, and sometimes when adherents discuss those differences, they might sort of stray from the path. :eek:

    I tentatively go with the concept of sudden or immediate awakening(s) and gradual development or cultivation. However. I am not overly attached to that. It makes sense to me right now; which is why I hold that view.

    Others might go with gradual preparation and a sudden, final awakening. Still others might go with sudden awakening and you're done; you can ditch the raft. Or that it is all a process, that enlightenment is continually walking the path itself, with no final or fixed destination. When we are on path, we are awake; when we stray off and get lost, we are asleep.

    I just try to stick with a daily practice, and apply it to my daily living. There are many practices that suit different people, or even the same 'person' at different times. Dhammadina the Nun said that the threefold training {ethical discipline, mental-spiritual development, and wisdom-insight cultivation} are the basic aggregrates of the 8-fold path. So long as we striving in those areas, we are on the path. That is my take, feel free to disagree. We all have to walk the path and see for ourselves. :cool:

    BTW, anyone, did the Buddha stop practicing the 8-fold Path after he Awoke under the Bodhi Tree?
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    robby wrote: »
    BTW, anyone, did the Buddha stop practicing the 8-fold Path after he Awoke under the Bodhi Tree?

    I don't know, but I would guess he stopped practicing it BECAUSE it's the path and practiced it instead because it's all that's left after awakening. That could just be me though.
Sign In or Register to comment.