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Is buddhism nihilistic?
I know the official answer is no, but I'm just wondering. Right now I'm in a place in my life where lots of great things are happening, but I'm seized by an anxiety over messing up, or let other people steal them away from me. I (sort of) realise that this is neurotic, and definitely that its spoiling my enjoyment of my life. At the same time, I wonder whether it would be stupid (and nihilistic) to sit back and let things mess up and let people steal things. One answer might be that if I sat back and let go, things would actually work out - but I think thats more wishful thinking and not necessarily buddhist (since letting go would be good karma, but not necessarily mean these particular things in my life working out).
The Buddhist advice seems to be that its not such a big deal and not to worry about it, to sit back and let go, but I wonder if I do that if I'll just miss opportunities and regret my laziness (since my letting go would be coming from being tired of feeling anxious all the time) further down the line.
What do you guys think?
The Buddhist advice seems to be that its not such a big deal and not to worry about it, to sit back and let go, but I wonder if I do that if I'll just miss opportunities and regret my laziness (since my letting go would be coming from being tired of feeling anxious all the time) further down the line.
What do you guys think?
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Comments
"When you awaken from sleep you know that the enemies in your dreams are an illusion. That realization does a lot to cut through the drama. In the same way, instead of acting out of impulse, you could slow down and ask yourself, Who is this monolithic me that has been so offended? And who is this other person that they can trigger me like this? What is this praise and blame that it can hook me like a fish, that it can burn me like a flame burns a moth? What is going on here that outer things have the power to propel me from hope to fear, from happy to miserable, like a ping-pong ball?
Contemplate that these outer things, as well as these emotions, as well as this huge sense of me, are passing and essenceless, like a memory, like a movie, like a dream. "
I wonder if the comparison to a dream like state is like saying it doesnt really matter... I suppose that is kind of like the reefer doctrine, which is why I was asking!
This article is available at http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/swya3.php by the way
It is good to hear that things are good just now, jlseagull90 (not only a version of Jonathon Livingstone S., but also Jo 90!), I trsut that you are taking full advantage, with gratitude in your heart.
If Buddhist practice fails to enhance life and lead to greater happiness, it is of no more value that a pile of ... waste matter - recycle it and make it useful.
The good times may well give way to different ones, less preferable. That is what happens, no need for a Buddha to tell you that. What you can do, however, is to have used the good times to build up your resources against the coming of scarcity. You do this by remaining in and dedicating your attention and energy to the present moment.
And look again at Kipling's If.
Anyway thanks for your advice, the thing I am going to take away most is the idea of gratitude.
I feel like through meditation I've started to really develop a sense of awareness of my thoughts now (its been about 2 years), but my faith is starting to wane in some of the wisdom... or I guess what I'm saying is I have the awareness now (I know I'm in thought cycles of aggression, fear, anxiety and attachment a lot of the time), but I don't really have the wisdom to have the confidence to totally let them go or... I don't know what to replace them with... if someone could help me understand how buddhism is NOT nihilistic in this way I'd be more ready to put my faith into letting go and being in the present moment
What can they steal - your anxiety?
You sound as if you are torn between what this competitive world wants you to do and some understanding of the teachings.
All things change. Even if you get what you want you know that will change.
Here's something from Longchenpa ...
Your political power, wealth, connections, good fortune and reputation
May spread all over the world.
When you die, these things will not help you at all.
Work at your practice - that's my sincere advice.
From 'Thirty Pieces of Sincere Advice'.
This dream- reality paradigm had been both inspiring me as well as perplexing me even in my childhood days--I used to think-- Just as my dream events and people are gone,what if I wake up from this life and realise that my father and mother and brother an sisters did not really exist?
But then, I know a dream as a dream only when I am outside the dream. So living this life and thinking in this life, how I can conceive this life as a dream? Is not Pema Chordan also a part of the same illusion? Obviously I need another platform to look at this life and say it was all a dream!. What is that platform?
What is left of me when I die? I am searching for a common thread that runs through, coalesces and illuminates the three states of awareness, dream living and after life? If such a thread does exist, It should be possible to be seen.
Fatalism - that is what you are talking about.
As Buddhists we accept karma - that actions bring about results. What you are experiencing now is the karmic imprint of previous action. To change the results you need to change the action - right behaviour brings about right results.
There is also the perfection known as patience - something which is discouraged in an 'all at once' society. Patience is not just allowing things to happen.
There are areas of my life that I must accept personal responsibility. There are other areas of my life that are completely out of my control. If it is my responsibility I need to make some decisions.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche says that there are two problems we must face. If we can solve the problem then all is well and good. If we cannot solve the problem then there is no problem.
I have no idea of what you mean by 'reefer doctrine' so I cannot provide any response in that matter.
The doctrine that reefer is the key to enlightenment
Some people say Buddhism is pessimistic. The first noble truth is realistic but it is necessary for us to look at what is wrong in our lives, so that we can improve our lives. A doctor would only treat a patient once the doctor knows what is wrong. The fourth noble truth is optimistic. So, my opinion is that Buddhism is realisticallly optimistic.
"Buddhism" is not nihilistic or pessimistic.
However there are plenty of Buddhists and even some Buddhist teachers who are nihilists.
Just like everything else, there is no single answer.